FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 197, 14 May 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. WEDNESDAY MATCHES. The second series of matches in the firstround of the Wednesday competition was played yesterday in fine ' weather. All tho teams showed a little bettor form .than ill the opening contests, and there was little or no wind to mar good play. Two matches were played on the polo grounds at Miranuir and ono was contested at Newtown Park. STARS v. BAKERS. Tho game between' Stars and Bakers ended in a win for Stars by tho narrow margin of threo points. Within the first fow minutes of the play the winning team scored twice. First Mills and then Whittaker got over, but neither try was converted. A few minutes later,, they compelled their opponents to force down. From the kick out the Whites put a little moro energy , into their game. "With tho ball at their' feet their 'forwards reached Stars' line, but a Star back kicked behind and a scrum resuited. A scramble on the line was ended by a free kick, being awarded to tho Blacks. This put things on an equal footing, and tho first spell was brought to a conclusion with Bakers again on the defence. Stars recommenced the attack in. tlio second spell, but O'Brien relieved with a good run and kick. A free kick'for Bakers was taken by M'Fadzean, who' failed to realise any score. For somo time the play fluctuated, oach side forcing down in turn. Then 'Bakers pressed again. . Tltey compelled their opponents to force down, and then, from a scramble on tho line, M'Fadzean scored. O'Brien was unsuccessful with, the kick, and, with but five minutes to go, Stars were still holding a lead of thrco points. A last chance of equalising was afforded the Bakers when .O'Brien took a mark directly in front of: tho goal. No score resulted, and tho gamo onded—Stars, 6; Bakers, 3. Mr. Talbot was referee. ARTILLERY v. BUTCHERS. , Though much the stronger team, Artillery did not make full use of their oppoiv tunitics in their contest with Butchers. Shortly aftor 'tho kick-off Logie placed Artillery in tho lead by -kicking a penalty goal,; Their lead, howover, was not maintained for long, Killeeii crossing the lino for Butchers after a ,bit of good play. Morris failed with tho attempt at goal. Logie then had another try to score from a penalty, but was unsuccessful, though his kick was. \a well-judged one. /An off-sidp. Buteher mail, howeVer, pave him another opportunity, and this time ho succeeded. The endof the first spell saw,the ball in Artillery territory, with Butchers' forwards working'well. • Logio had another attempt at goal at tho beginning of tho second spell; but it ended only in "a force 'down. Artillery forwards then pressed hard, and Webb : scrambled over, but Logie failed with tho kick!' Butchers carried the ball to tho enemy's'country, and Killcen had. a fruitless shot at goal. Blue forwards then broke away, but Artillery relieved by forcing ' down' twice; Tho last scoro was for Artillery by Dwyer, and was unconverted. The game ended—r Artillery,' 9; Butchers, 3. Mr. W. Hornig, I acted as referee. ''

■' ORIENTAL v. TRAMWAYS. * Tlio, Oriental v. Tramways match, played at Newtown Park, under perfect' ■ weather conditions, was fast and interesting, and was rendored more so'by the fact tliaty the Tramways Club had their! best team to date in tho .field. A deterring element in the gamo, was the encroachment of the crowd upon the field, due .to the fact that;, the ground Was' not marked off in auy way. From tho commoiicement,. tho gamo was evenly contested, the Tramways men .suffering, however, from lack of form and combination. In tho first spell, a pass, well accepted ! by Scbulte) ended in him crossings the '/line.' Shortly afterwards. Digby scored after a fast run,, and. Cording converted. In the second . spoil Tramways woke : up, aiid irnproved their defensive' play to such an ex-' tont " .that -their more scientific opponents wcro ; unable to improve their score. During tho spell Turner, ■ after a dashing run up'the line, succeeded in scoring, for tho Tramways. The kick at goal-failed. Schultz, Cording i-and,-Gosling-wore •■ the pick of tlio Oriental, backs, / while Kelly,. 'Watson, and Rankin sliono among a hard-working. set of forwards. Turner arid, Wills ill the backs, and M'Kay, Clouston, arid Clark in tlieforwards, were most noticeable in the Tramways' team. - The score, 8 to 3, is an indication of tho close finish that .-resulted.-Mr'. A. Thompson was an -excellent .referee':

RUGBY'' UNION FIXTURES -FOR SATURDAY. , .Senior. —Petono. v.-Poneko, Petone.-No. 1, rofereej. E.. Wylio; .Oriental v. Wellington, Miramar Park No. 3 (P. Mackie); Melroso v. Athletic,-Miramar Park No. 1 (W., O'Connoll); St. Jairics v. Old Boys, Miramar Park No. 2 (J! 'Francis); Victoria Collego' v. Southern, Miramar Parle No. 4 (J. Condor). Junior:—Athletic v. Victoria College, Polo N0.,1 (G. M'Kav); Oriental v: Ponoke, Polo No. 2 (J. Burns); Kia Ora v. St. James, Hutt No. 2 (J. Culanan); Selywn v. Southern, Polo, No. 3-(C. Boll); Melroso v. Old Boys, Polo No. 4 (J. Woybournc); Potone v. 'Wei-, lington, Petono No.-2 (H. Card). 1 : : 'Third "A." —Petono v. Oriental, Petono No. 3 (R. Greenwood); Athletic v. St. John, Easts No.'l. (A. Moller); ' Southern v. St. Patrick's Collego, Easts No. 2 (J. Gauntlett); Polhilhv. St. James, Easts No. 3 (A. Tarway) ; Johnsonville, a bye. Third " B."—Epuni v. Poneke, Epuni No. 1 (J. Pollock); Kia Ora v. Melrose, Hutt No. 2 (11. Johnson); Victoria College -v. Wellington, Easts; No. 4 ,(F." Martin)Karori v. Selwyn, Karori (Mr. J. Manning); Stars v. Railways, Easts No. 5 (H. Summerhayos). Fourth.—Athletic v. Ponoke, Easts No. 7 (T. H. Jones); Melroso v. Petone, Berhamporo (Ci -Atkinson); Old Boys v. St. James, Seatoun (C. Church) Victoria Collego" v; St. John, Junction No. 1 (L. Keys) v. Epuni, Epuni No. 2 (T. Wuttell) j'Jolmsonvillo v'. Wellington, Johnsonville (W. Spencer) ; Polliill v. Selywn, Junction No. 2 (R. Burgo); Oriental, a bye. . Fifth.—Athletic ■"A" v. Athletic " B," Newtown Park, 1.30 p.m. (if wet Crawford's No. 3) (E. Carman); Melrose v. Petone,.Petone No. 4 (W. M'Lean); Southern v. St. Patrick's College, . Crawford's No. 1 (T. Q.uinn); St. James v. Boys' Institute, Crawford's No. 2 (F. Summerhayes); Selwyn v. Epuni; Hutt. No. 3 (C. P. Brockelbank).'

The following' team lias been selected to represent the Bush Union against Wairarapa, at Masterton, on Saturday:—Full-back, D. Yule; thrco-quarters, Connor,' Collins,; and Lowe; five-eighth, Kinzett; half, Poplewell; wing forwards, Trengrovo and Lyle; forwards, Bateman, R. J. Smith, G. Smith, Harvey, H. Johnson, Anderson, and Alexander. Emergencies: Hacks, 0. Twentvman, Thompson, and Malmanche; forwards, Henry, Tratt, and Cowan.

WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION.

PROPOSAL FOR A NEW GROUND., | OFFERS TO BE INVITED. Tho weekly meeting of- "tho Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union was held last night. Mr. J. C. Murray occupied tho chair, and thnro woro also present: Messrs. J. Burns, W. Ifardham, J. F. O'Sullivan, F. Alpe, E. I). Hales, and J. Swconoy. Mr. Burns moved that tho Union advertise for offers of land suitable for use as tho main ground. In so doing, tho movor stated that he thought tho time was Very opportune for taking action. . Both in tho Press and on tho streets regret had been expressed at. tho Union playing tho Cup matches as far. out of the city as Miramar. It was now said that Rugby was on its trial. Tho question' of acquiring a suitable gromid should have been dealt with years ago. That it had not was not tho fault of the present committee or, perhaps, ' of previous committees, as they might not liavo been in a position so to do. Since the commencement of tho season offers had been made to tho Union jof properties previously unknown to its mombiirs. The amount that was being naid annually for tho uso of Miramar Park

was equal to ' interest > at''s per-iCient.~-on ( .£7OOO. It would, in his.opinion, be better 1 to devote that amount "to a ground which would ultimately become their own pro- 1 perky. (Hear, hear.) '!one TmlioftafiVriaison j why .something should lie- done .was to show i that there wxs nothing behind,their action, j in leasing Jliramar Park. , Tho' matter of i leasing the Athletic Park,for a .further term i had received a goad deal of, consideration, : .] and it had been found, inadvisable, to accent .. tho use of the property "any ' longer" ''-ho, .• Union had had a leas6"of tli(? l Athro'fic"Pa'rk ! " for twelve years, and: iliithq bud l - wlla't ha'd' " boon tho result so. far as.the Union-wte coiicerned? If the Union,.delayad in,.tho- matter. the'position'would be . jiist as. bad as. if it : had secured a renewal, of "the'lease of. ;tlio Athletic Park for seven years.' It might bo that tho Union would V'nbt be i; 'abld'. to acquire a ground -which ivouldiiifacommodate all tho Cup matches each Saturday. The Bill which the Cijjjfj Cpjancil proposed to bring before , in tho air, and it would never./tlo for the Union'to wait , and see what wasftl'ie 'outcome. 'Even if jt passed it had that,, tho Rugby Union was only . o^a^i^b^r,' of sports ibodies which it would have, .to alike witli the "soccer," athletic : bodies. The Rugby Unjsn^.cpulil,.not expcct; to liavo tho same gr.gijinHs. ; aS" heretofore. , Tho lea^T' tho. Miramar, Park, did...^pt ,l ,cbnlain''."a,/re- . nowal clause, and at tli.e eiid /of'tlirceiyears' tho lessors were bound "tb.,'4fim%d , ' , aJ.iViijQh higher rent. If the position to acquire a - free|i^!cj, fl fl l ie nesf.,|i,<sst. t thing would lis'to scelire "al.leasbjiol'd''.''in".' much better terms than™those" 1 whiclv. tlie'y now enjoyed. .In conclusion,, he,'poiiited-but that the acquisition of'.th'pj'Jeaso'of : l hvipi aT : Park had entailed . work for members of 'tlje, , Mr. Hardham sccondqtl- the''motion.' '.' 1 ' .:', • Mr.' Sweeney .time liait; -ai-. rived when the Union. :s'h(j\iLd put' for,' a.ground of'its own! 1 Mr. O'Sullivan was;, of;;ppinipii tliat > the proposal was 'an admira"ble''oiie. '"xlieI'^'sooner'1'^'sooner' that tho idea that tlio IJiii'oit' '7iad' ,i ai'i axe t6 grind and. a 'porsrtia'l/;iitt«i'est;-j)i.fgP-ing to Miramar was eradicated thp : bfetter. ■. -Tlio motion was carried''unanimbuslyi'' , ORDINARY 'OTSINE%" '. Tho Melrose Club was" to withdraw its .fifth class! 'tgaiV |ronV. the' competitions;. ''' Consideration of tlie. ; <?f Mannwafu- Union to hay'ejtji'e l'.ejireseiitanvo. match, Wollingtp'n v.. as a curtain-raiser to th6'.'Brit|sU. Zealand, contest, .was held; oyer;, ..;, ■ B. Reed wrote- accepting, a, position :oii the Wednesday . Selection Committee*''"l.*,...;... : Tho application fer from: Athletic Juni% was declined. \ IV -.!,w ' The Southern Club asked'. .that\the ,fdiifth u grade match, Southern';, y', : ;Pbtouc';',shonl4 : ;te' played in town this seasori. to accede to tlio ; requesty. provided''• that it would not- -entail too ,:mucli^,travelling the part of the suburbsyi't^m'. ;It was agreed not-to, entertain ;',thp - protest in. tho IVamw'ays"'v.;!'Biitcliprs 'match', by . the 'former team ,6'u . .tho.' grpihid : that the field -was not proj^ly»S.: , Tho Nelson Union^^-. Wellington representative ..tfeaiii lie' Jtblo. to meet Nelson this* seasp'lu it xas^ decided' ■ .-to .hold over the mattef tiro fixtures wcro arrarigetl.- s |;. ■ Tho ■ Southern .Club junior match, Southern' y. ''Kia'AQriT, be replayed. In it was stated that . somp K ,:pf; ( "the . Southferh players did not put-in'.aii v ßppearanco.iOwing| to' the fact that a notice" liaa "diaiilaytkl'! by the Union to the efFeiit'itKat 'ino -. match would bo played on tho-'ground, in question, j In conclusion, tho secretavy. stated'V/'l'under-' 1 stand a spectator was'/a'sked, .t)io; gamoj: and, although■. hp,; ) was; iiotV acceptable, to our team, iti consistehby wltjhj 'good sports;;' manship 110 option' remainid/ fdr. Us' but .'to accept tlio local reply that tlio. ,'commi^te^;.rMret^.' < jtg l in;.. ' ability to grant the'request'l'l:.':; ' C. T.- G-illijs'pie «f;,tw-<irfer v fti>m ! 'the Artijlertf senior team. v-.r "'i ' i v : -SVi" ""' 1 ;:With referehce:to,th(i match,.l'oh'eke v:,(iSi;.. , James,' iii': which ■si prbtest; ili'ifl" bßoji. lodged by Poneko,. tho referee'; ,;piio^'of ) tho!Poneke players kicked- f th'e 'bail mtp 'toiich about. mid-wayj ,;and as 'tlio;','fbrward's'on. both sides wore slow in, comiiig;'tip;0110 of tho' St., ■Tames ■ players got - thp ; "ball 'and ' / thre^, r it fairly from touch.- After'tlio plkyer.'had rui' .about, two yards with 'thd 'hall; no .lieanV an appeal for:a scrum,-but-.as,'the; v ball hail: been thrown in. fairly lie ha!^n^,ioi)t^'l)ut^to { let tlie game Continue,' the. 'result, being', that a try was scored," and coiiy.e'i'tod':' It,was resolved that thd'pfot'est be'iipt enter-' tained. ' • - '*.-!■ I : ,i "'v/;-.: ■ ,

■ Mr.; S. Smith wrote .wit-h. referent! to tlio -'accident, sustains .^l^'"R-oJfl" wliilsfc; playing for Wcllingtoiv'in 'thoi.fpurfch; i?rade: match; Wellington day. ;,He said that WppeKred' to-have' lieoji timo of tho accident. It seemed that lib was'; just moved off -the-'field,'' when he was still in tho.way'of oUier'player's, lie was again moved. hind a fenp'e until stran^^camo^abng, 1 and,':'| finding him lying prassj and in pain, , gave him ;'a^ift' : liomp ,iii their" trap. ;In ; his . opinion,' I'feferees.'j. shonld be burdened with the resjjciiteijiility of ascertaining the nature of the iniiines sustained by a' player, also that- 'the ..St.-"John Ambulance Association should bo'requested to, arrange, if possible, for one ortjiirtro'i 'members to attend junior matches. _ It was resolved that the communication 'to tho Referees' Association-,~ arrangements be made as suggested with .tTio Anibulanco. Association,',? ; ,

. V'ASSOCIA^^ ' ■" t • 0.-.'f V * i*:r

■ ],'/ ASSOCIATIO^MATCHE^.:r'i'/'.i .' ■ ' j- • Senior Fixturosi V- 'iy}f " Tho Senior League. •H^rM"'"aiM' , i ; ef«!BCß for Saturday .are as foll^TrNr^r»":Ar'M'i;-. First .Thistle, Park/ Mr. G. W. Kain j-ißovers v. Athletic Park, B. L. Salmon'; Bia'mohds^.v..' Ramblers, Basin Reserve,'. : - r H. Ir.< Godber"; Petone v. Wanderers, at J. ,I|.Russell. -'• •;■'• • Second. Division. —Swifts.'ifjyiE'.'MiCiA'',', -.Njb. - 1 South Miramar, A. jv-gpjtv;Kaiubl Diamonds, No. ,G South ffiramarj. J,. IJgjvJcs;,'. Wanderers v. Rovers, No. 4 South -Miramar;' H. Smith; i St. John'j -f v. <Porirua,;"at Porirua,' T.. Cocker.; Toa'V.'Mental Hpspit&l; at Hospital,; H. S. Bernhrd; - Water'siders; v.; St. John's 11, No. 3 Soutli ; Miramar,-Wv'S. Press; Letter Carriers, a JUNIOR FIXTCR.ES.-" . First Division.— Np^.2,, South Miramar, S. GnyVPotorie'v. Diamonds, 1 ' at Petono (3 p.m.),'-W.-A.- I Ca:tes;-Kaiwhrra, a bye. * --V. . Second Division.—Swifts-'r.;St.-'Pauߧ-, No. 5 South Miramar, A. Fcrgusoivj-.djqfqno v, Y.M.C.A. (A), Petone (2,p.m.),i Rev." J. D. Russeli; Y.M.C.A; (C) v. .X'M.v. : A.' .No. 3 North Miramar, A.,Newb'au£ Vi..:. ,:;; Third Division.—Y.M.C.A.'School (A), Athletic Park (1.45-p.iu.), 8.-L'. Salmon; Rangers (A). -,v. Brooklyn; No., 6 South Miramar (2 p;.m.), >R;:M'Leim:;/Raniy biers v. Institute, Basin ReS'ervo (2'p.ni.'),'lfc' F. Mackay j < Swifts', v; r-Kaiwarrft; -:--Nairn. Street (3 p.m.), A. Levin l ';'--'' St. Paul's- v. Newtown Congregational,: ; Nairh' : -Street (2. p.m.), A. Levin; Diamoilds.'V.''Y. T M.e.A'.:'(B;),' No. 5 South Miramar, 'S;- M'Lean 1 ;' -South Wollingtoii v. : School' : (B) Nowtowiv Park (2 p.m.); F. o'Conn'6lT : ;-Raiiger's.'(B) v. Y.AI.C.A- (C>, No. -I South M'iram'ar'(2'p".m".)j' W. S.- Press.' ' In tho event-of tho : 'Basin ißeserv'e and Nowtown Park being " unfit to''pla'y ? 'on,* games set- down for those, grounds will : be played on' Nos. 3 aiid-4 South' : ll|ramar respectively, tlio second 'division' matches 'oh'tlieso grounds going to 'Nos;'s artd'6. North Miramar.

THE ASSOCIATION G VMf

A meeting of the Management- CommittoO of tlio Wellington Football -Association was held in tho i.M.C.A. IJqoui3„last .evening. T'loro were present Messrs. the chair). L. White, ".Roberts,- A.G.' Harnett, 11. Godber, J. U;iyidscin. .R."M'Kay,' A. Williams, li. Waters, j©d/l > , fip)Vi)i;ik'fer.;, Tho Wellington Public Schools: Union .wrote thaiiking the Association" of -its

goal ( posts oii-the Nowtown Park on Saturdays. , 'fho Secretary of the Wanganui Union wrote in • reference, to. tlio condition. of tho game ill his district, which was stated to bo in'a healthy condition. Tho-letter also suggested. tho advisabloness of a Wellington junior team visiting .Wanganui.' It was decided to ask Wanganui to suggest a date • foi* ithoi .visit. . •••••. .. .Tho Australian ..League wrote asking , the,' Association to forego its right to tho use of the Basin Reserve on Juno 27, on which dato > ■ tho'Wellington 'League is to. meet Canter- ' bury, and'is anxious to have t-he use of the ', .full ground. It' was dccided to grant the • requost. !"■ ; • The Wellington Harbour Ferries Company wrote I 'stating that schoolboys and boys playing ' ill ' school matches would be allowed to\ traveli' : to Mira-mar! ■ at' half. fare by the 1.15 . p.m. boat .oil..Saturdays, as was allowed last ' season; : •, ; .,., r : ... ( Tho Athletic'.Park !Company wrote granting tho Association' permission to play boys' . matches on .'- the Park before the senior matchcs commence each Saturday, on. oonthat' the .ground is in'order..; - - Th'p ; Y.M.0.A.; club, asked that it should bo ajlbftfed to enter dn additional'team.for e:\ch secoiid and'third'division'junior league. The request" was granted. The secretary o£ the,' club, also'-stated that the club had- fortv .player^.,playing, the game for tho first season .this year. . 11 It was stated that the Nairn Street ground ' had been-inspected by the'.ground committee, .and it .was decided to erect goal jxistfi on tho - , ground .and. play; two' boys' matches there, 'v. •' : It'was: resolved' to the Swifts', club .because iif' the. lateness in starting at the Athletic -Part-on-Saturday'last. : ' ( '■