FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 212, 1 June 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

"" ♦ : ' ' v RUGBY. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. Perfect weather favoured footballers on Saturday' afternoon, and about a thousand : spectators wont out to--witness tho senior games- at- Miranmr. Athletic sprung a surprise, -by'. defeating Poneke,. and Victoria College,- although defeated, gavo Oriental a good •run. Molroso had . a day out against - Old Boys, and piled ; up.'a big score. .- St. James and-Southorn also had an-oven: set-. s to, and at Petono tho, suburban team had » ■ fairly, easy win. from Wellington.,-. • The-results of the various games were: — . Athletlo 15 dofoated Poneiie 3' Melrose M tlefoatod Old Boys 0 - Oriental 11 defeated-Vlo. College 3 St. James 8 defeated Southern 0 ■ Potone 17 defeated Wellington 5. ... The positions iof. ! tho. various teams to date are::— --, > V ■■'§ ■ .- ■ > 2 -'.si t-2 ;■ ■ : S-. ;is,'(3 'P; &.< oS, Melroso ... C 5.0- : 0 02 ,3 ,10 • * Oriental 5.-. -5 0,0 • 47. 17 10 Ponfko ..... ■, 5 3 2 ,0 62... 47 6 • Petbno 5 3 -2, 0 . 05... 29 0 St'. James ... J 2 2 1 23 o Athletlo. v... u., -2 :..;2 1 51 21 o Wellington... .5 , 1 .2 2 20 .23 4 Old Boys 15.. ; 4.-...0. --18:- 86 2 .Southern • .5,.. ~1. 4 0 10. C 3 2 Vio. Collcgo -5 0 5 0 - 14.... io 0 1 ATHLETIC V. PONEKE. Tho: AthletiCrPpnekq game was a hard and, :' on tho - whole',' fast'forward contest, in which ; . Athlelic'' ofeated:' a' surprise ..by winning by 1 ' ; 15 ; °. f .backs, but -the opportunj-- • lnostly-spoiled :tbrOiigh' : weak hanuling of the bhll., > Tho Poneke backs were tne . .worst, offcridet'B-, :.and> .niissed ; the guiding hand of .Wallace, who y.was an absentee. Mageo made.up for- many of .the .shortcomings'Tof - tho lied and Black rearguard, and 'playcd vv game. \ Thcro was not r.a 'groat, deal to choose ( between tho forwaHsj-bjit both'in following.u'pjand foot work th'e. winners had the . advantage. . The opening stages of tho gamo wore in favour of Poneke, Avlio 4 endeavoured to open up a back attack/ = Bad ..passing, hqwevei 4 , spoiled , sovcrdrchantiesV Wilson and.Cunningham.lll turn.' led - the ;Bluii' of .trouble, and a scrappy passing rush tended ill-tb6 ball, going to • touch in . Athlfitio." c&mo 011 again, but 1 PortekO, wore'them downy and act r up a stronn; forward ' attack • n£ar Athktio lirtft, Avbero Jilyard:. got' away from a Acriim ' and-gavo'Mageo a. pass.;-The.-lattor delayedhis . and; .was .'collarcd, .thus capital opportunity, aii(l allowing. to cut in and' Start promising..counter, rush, yrhich,' howoverj, . prettily stopped • by v •- Paul- Ponekfe! returned'.'to the ;att{ick,- but bad passing arilongst tho backs again robbed ' them ( of /.several opportunities. After,;a series of scruhis m close proxitmty to tho 'Athletic;lino, Ctihningham -.Iroke ; away. with a ciiaractcristic •: dribblo, ' and Kvenson and Gordon-carrying-tbo leather:on, .Poneke-werp compelled ;to .force. r.>Aihlotio .now took tho ofF«nslvo;"and Wilson and Cunningham wer& aimost ; over in turn:. : At. lertgth, from, a scrum^ftear'the'linoithe. ball was.sent out to ' Ev-ensonj who cut in ahd beat'several Poneke men; before ' touching ' down near" the posts. Gordon- converted. ■'Withili' a-fiouple of mpif utes tHo - Athletic - forwards; charged again, •with tho result .that' Bell scored from a loose iriisii. "Gordon again cdhverted. The-reverse stung Pollcko, to action/ and Rush led his - men in 'a determined,'attack' ont the.i Athletic ; llne; .A smart dash and 'timely pass ;. bv ■ Ma'gid;, ■ g'av6 ; ' prdraiso, of '. & scoro, but t yielded;;hbthing',';and v iinm'cdi.4tely. a'ftiir'.Rush was aliolost 'fiverl'''Tho'Bed .ahd Bjacks were ' ill.* -■ .scrums, near the.lmcj thoy were awArdttl a ~. frce rkidk '.in ' front'.of -' tlie posts.Gardner 'conveffed'J ■.'Olirsettling' again Calcinai . -. Gardner,' rushed 'thd ball 'oVor.'.thp; I .Athletic line. Gardner was in the act" of'falling oh . the .ball, when Eyenson lacked .the, leather ~. from Hlfii, tjjhdirtg ; iti over the dead .ball line. An'unsuccessful 1 ' afi' ; g<3al. h.y. Rush' frorri "a; free kicl: 'follovvcd, and th.cp Gardner ' brought ttoublo on - Ponelte by waiting for a hall to boiince. . Tho, Athlctic forwards, .. .seizing ojipoj'tUhityj-'swarmed on tho Poh* - ' oke .liiiej and from a'sorunl Richardson securod possossion, and, eluding tiro opposition, .dived over tho lincj:' Gordon was again successful with tho kick.- Poneke made a big effort to recovei . somo-of- 'tfio lost : groiind/ .and put in fl . .'' scOrc,;half-time leaving'tho tally<Athletic' 15," Ponckc ; 3;;• Tho socorld spell , yielded no'further -score, but ;:play ,w ; as -strenuous' and- very fast al times; ;. ; thevbest--of -it-' being ' confined to ;.tht forwards. .-•>-.Poileke /pnt\ up-.a dctfermiiioc ■ fight,: aiid, had 'the b'est of -the play/ bitt coulc not .break 1 , down..the" Athletic defence! :;',Whei: 10-sido was called, tho scoros were: — '. Athletic. ..; ...-: -v. '.. 15-. ■Poneko ':.i..." ... .... 3. Mr. George Howe was referee.

; .MELROSE V. OLO BOYS. Although Molroso vanquished Old.Boys'by the large' total of 43 points' fo ; 'ml,.d-ho gamo for the greater part of' the timo was not so 'thu; score >vould 'in-: dicato.' Only ill Ui'o last quarter of an hour waa it' that';tho repeated assaults of Alcl-' toss - forwards • completely \ demoralised Old Boys'', list, fragments' of defence.' Old Boys, playirig against'thoiWiiid and sun, kicked off. J. Spencer' immediately' led a rush into Old Boys'"-'territory,', and a long kick' l by Church further;-pdliucd ; the'- Whites'' till a ' freckick rclioved.-' 1 .Tho. Melrose; forwards, /asserting their weight, tlrovo tho Old Boys back, again . on .theiW linii, a'M J. .Spencer forced his way through and SpdiicerV kick, went wide-r'Molrose; 3 points; Old Boys, nil. ■ Soon' aftcrtlie-kicll: out' Old lloys readied tho Mel-roso/twenty-live' for -tlit> lirst time, but King brought-relief -by .dribbling'-well. down, tho field, • transferring 'operations again to tho vicinity .Of 'the Old Boys' goal. / Here Old Boys', full-back saved by kicking over tho dead 1 ball lino. . Several spasmodic dashes by tho:'\Vhito forwards-now occurred, but tho ■Melrose, pack gradually, wore their opponents down;, and. good footwork, augumented by a smart, dash by. Greeks, culminated in >. scrum, on. Old Boys' lino. J. Spencer looked like, getting; over, but lost tho ball oil the line, and Old Boys were forced. Oponing out play,.. Old.Boys' backs momentarily looked dangerous, but the' interception of a pass by Murphy; was,- instrumental in .again giving Melrose the.upper- hand, but tho assault w;i3 spoilt by Jlaril' kicking, find Old Boys were Not- • to bo denied, Melrose came '. again,.- and from a loose forward rush J.. Murphy.touched .down. G. Spencer failed at points; Old Boys, nil.' Im-mediately,-after G. Spencer placed a goal from, a';peniilty kick, giving Melroso.a. lead of 9 points,'.(Tho -next -incident of note was a headed' by J. Spencer- Spencer and King dribbled over tho lino, .but lost .the ball.; Grcel(3 was-prominent in resuming 'tho'attack, and after a looso . scramble,, 1). Sullivan and -Murphy, touched ■ down'.V"almost,' simultaneously Sullivan's claim-to' theory bsing recognised. G. Spencer gained! tho major points, with a liice.kiclt, and tho spell ended—Melrose, 14; points; Old Bays, nil. -' A'inuir by . G. . Spcncer early in the second spoil .left .Melroso on tile defensive,'and from easy ranges Old. 'LSoys had .several shots at goal from freo kicks. The tables were turned, however, • by the smart-following up of a long kick by Beavis, who secured tho ball and, cleverly eluding the Old Boys' backs', raced in. 'G. Spencer placed a goal from the try, making Molrosb 19 pnint-s. Old Boys nil. J." Spencor started a nice forward passing rush in Old Boys' twenty-five, and tho quick handling of. tho ball by Molrosq, both back and forward, completely nonplussed Old Boys, and J. Murphy touched down. G. Spencer 'was successful witli the kick at goal—Melrose, 24 points;-Old Boys,' nil. Throwing the ball about- with delightful •frcndoin, "Mel' roso.continued to liiirass tho Whites, Greeks, Church, Pcrkinson, '.Murphy, and Beavi; being: prominent in ■ rushes. ' A. King gol away'from''a "-line-out, and scored - after s (lodgy run. G. Spencer by a splendid Iticli improved—Melrose, 29 points; Old Boys, nil After- a harryin? Melroso forward rush, J

Marshall, as tho outcomo of, somo nico passing, got over. G. Spencor's kick at goal was unsuccessful—Melrose, 32 points; Old .Boys, nil. ' Intniodiafcely afterwards from a line-out P. Murphy hustled across. G. Spencer just missed' at goal—Melrose, 35 points; Old Boys, nil. Mclroso continued to-accumulate points, J. Murphy, after an elusive feinting run, touching down. G. Spencer, whose.lino and placo kicking Was a (feature of tho game, registered a beautifully-judged goal—Melrose,'.4o points; Old Boys, nil. With smart forward rush, Melrose scattered tho remnants of .Old Boys' disorganised defence, and A. King, picking up neatly,.-.gained bin second try. G. Spencer did not add to his goalkicking record, and tho whistle sounded no side " with play in mid-field and. tho 3coro— Melroso ... ... ... ••• 43 i Old' Boys ... ... ... 0 Mr. H. Card was rcfereo. ORIENTAL v. VICTORIA COLLEGE. ' H. D. Thompson, who has been suffering •from influenr.a, was absent from the three-, quarter line of the Oriental team on Saturday, his place.being taken by Furrie, whilo Ihghet played five-eighths in place of. M'Leod., Victoria College had a better, ter.ni Usual, and. they P ll ' U P a .stubborn fight against their opponents, the gamo being very interesting until the last quarter of an hour,when the. superiority" of the Oriental team became, pronounced.' Oriental won.the toss, and Victoria College kicked off with tho Bun in their eyes. The Green forwards played with vim from the start, .and .Oriental woro kept near their twenty-fives for somo timo.l Before many minutes had elapsed, an Oriental forward was'penalised for handling tho tall in tho scrum, but Fathers's shot at goal fell short. Roberts carried tho ball up field, and a passing rush among his backs ended in Sturrock being grassed beforo ho could' get rid of. the ball. Tho Victoria' College- forled by Delamaro and .Brosnan, swept, down to their opponents'- line, and a score seemed imminent., Mathcson, to sayo tho situation, sent a weak kick in field, and frondeville scored a mark in front of the posts, Which Fathers turned to good Victoria College, '3; Oriental, .0. The Whites then held the advantage for a. brief space, but their passing was weak, and they .were placed on the' defence again. Brosnan secured the ball,in a,loose rush, and passed to belamere, but-the-latter, after running a few, yards, passed wildly, and Matheson. secured and. found thp;line.u'p field., Give and take play followed Until Roberts, who had been playing five-eighths, took up his old position behind the'scritm. ■ A good passing rush.was then initiated,-tho ball'goiiig from Roberts to Gibbons, to Highet, to Furrie. The latter was-collared.a few .yards off. the lino, but Highet, Who had run round again, secured tho lorfther, and touched down at tho corner. The kick at goal was unsuccessful. Oriental, 3; Victoria .College, 3.\ No further score took place in the first half. ; : .111 - the- second .spell,- the Victoria College forwards continued to bustle, and kept their. '.opponents- very. busy. Hitchings, ■ centre three-quarter,- mado a fine dash for tho prists,, but was collared- by Varcoo, and Roberts relieved tho tension by -a timely , kick.. The same player next-made : a fine run, and . transferred to Sturrock,- but.;the latter fumbled and.'lost'a cortain score. Half-way through .the spell, Goodbehere, a College three-quarter, injured his knee and had to'rotiro, leaving a gap in the back division.- A fow minutes .after, Sturrock centred from a scramble, ; and Daley securing the'ball in an easy .position crossed the line. . Ho lost; possossion,' but Heeriah Was handy iind completed-tho try. . Roberts, with a' fine kick,'added . the major, points. Oricntnl,-8; Victoria Collego,3. Almost immediately after, Daley made f another : run for tho line, but ho'fwas: grassed, byv.?roride,ville,"and; a scrum;ensued,'"from which, Roberts .get ithd ball and ,rin over the- line,.un- ' bhallengcd,. but this time ho -.failed\yi.tli; the kick.

Oriental ... ... ... .. J-Wr.'. ■ Victoria College ... ... '3 * Tho gattio ended-about, five minutes after without additional;;£Cpj-e,ij MrlJ.9,bßrtS; was referee. ; ; p - - : ,- : " /;:A nA .jihi . , iif.MiiiiiJV', io eg«J-' . . SOUTHERN V. St. JAMES. The.. Sputhern and St.., James . 'teams':, were. 'h'ittecl' ; agaiiisfc each' other at 'Afii-'amar, whenSt.- James proved superior by 8 points to nil. But for tlie Second spoil; wlioiv Some gotiil passing- by: the' £>t. James-backs was 'jvitliessed > ...- l the' gantfy-'was : trtiinterestingi Roberts,- tho St. James half-back, played the best game on ,the' ground. . Southern were without the ; services rtf Gollan and; O'Fkherty. 1 St., James kicked off against' the wind, and an interchange; of kicks saw the same team defending their'goal. A good dribbling, rush, however, headed by Wright, relieved •' matter's.. TJp . and.- down play, followed, in which Bainford' % and Organ for 'Southern and ißoberts'for'St. Janies were promineilt. Pope secured aunark'in a good position for Southern, and Reid sent the ball ,over tlio posts, .lint the goal was disallowed- owing. to ■ the ball- touching a St. Jahies player. Uninteresting play followed, and half-tinie was sounded with play in mid-, field, neither team .having scored; Wright (Sti -owing ,to 'a-slight injury, Was replaced by Couzins. 1 . Si. James had their opponents defending : from the'start ; of the second spell, and Fer.gusson looked like scoring,. but was unfortunate'ih losing the ball on the line('Southern being forced. St. James were troubling: their opponents 4n tho serums, and Robertß (half) snapped up the ball,- passed to Warwick,. who transferred to Fergusßon. Tho latter made' a splendid run, to Southern's line, and passed to Crewes, who drew' first blood for St." James. Thomas from a difficult anglo converted the James 5 points, Southcrit nil. Play hovered in neiitfal territory till the Southern -forwards got going.: Roberts stopped what looked a dangerous rush, and Southern were penalised, biit the attempt at,-goal was,futile. H. Roberts, was :kicking . very well,, and following Hp fast'he collared his-man, and unassisted, soored a good .try. Thomas failed to add tho major .points-—St. James 8 point-s, Southern nil. Southern. ihomentarily •' rallied., but their opponents displayed miich confidence, and were on tho point of scoring when tho ball was brought back fof a ''knack on." Tho whistle', sounded', with play ill midfi'eld, shortly afterwards, without further score, and : tho'gartio ended: — ~- . , St. James . ... ... ... ... 8 Southern .;. , ..., ... 0 Mr. J. Weybourno.was referee.

PETONE V. WELLINGTON. An interesting gaino was provided 1 by the contest between Pfetono and Wellington, played at Petone, whero a. good number of sprctators assembled; Wellington kickcd oft with the sun in tlieir eyes aild a breeze; at their backs. The kick-off was well followed Dp. by the Welliiin;ton forwards, and for a time play was in l'etono territory. Carey broke away, and gained considerable [jroun.d for the yellows; but a .return-kick by the Potonc backs, fumbled by Sheridan, put the suburban goal-line out'of danger for a time. Another forward rush saw Wellington making tilings dangerous, and a fow minutes later Petono were compelled to foico down." Fro\n the kick-out Petono forwards rushed play, but a smart kick to touch-'Gaved. For a spell > tlio play was in Petono ground) all attempts the suburban players made to score being annulled by. the good kicking of the' Wellington backs. At last the Petbr.e forwards got past and over tlio Wellington gciallitle, but their opponents forced down. - A •free kick to Wellington shortly afterwards was taken by M'Kcllar in front of the Potonc goal', but 110 Bcoro resulted. A passing rush by the Blue rearguard carried play to within a few yards of tlio goal, hut liistotio dropped a pass. CJreen picked up tli? ball, bntslippod' when only a couple of yards from tile line. A mark by Sellars relieved .Wellington for. a time, but the suburban forwards were soon . pressing again. With the play in Potone ■ territory, Sheridan marked for Wellington, and Lawrence, following up the kick, seemecl 'about to score, when ho was recalled by the referee's whistle. Next an attack by the Wellington forwards was annulled by House finding the lino. Then Allen, taking a pass from J..Ryan,. put in a good run, and regis-/ tcred the first, points for Petono. J. Ryan convortel—Petono, s; : Wellington, 0. Again the Wellington forwards forced the pace, but Green, picking up the ball, passed to In•Btone, who found'tlio lino and put the town, team on the defence. Malfray relieved 'with a good kick, and then ' set a passing rush foiiig. A pass vras dropped, and ( though, laffray again Bet the leather in motion, with

a clear run in before' tliem, tho Wellington j rearguard lost a chance by faulty handling, < Play was thou carried to the other ond, and 1 from a pass from Green, Hardham was enabled to score. M. Ryan was unsuccessful with the kick—Potone, 8; Wellington, 0. Tho next ton minutes' play was marked by forward rushes ■ by., tho Potono men, , all of which woro stopped oither by SelUirs or by Sheridan, who was proving himself a safe full-back. Just beforo the whistle went for half-time, Wellington were forced-down closo : to touch. . On resuming play, the Bluo forwards camo , with a rush, and soon had tho ball in closo 1 proximity .to tho Wellington goal. Wellington lookfcd lilto scoring when they intercepted a 'pass from Hardham and got away. Riley, however, failed to take tho leather, Petono retaliating by intercepting a Wellington pass. Jtiley soon after retrievod his error br spoiling a rush of tho Petono backs. Tho next score 'fell to tho lot of Sullivan. Lawrenco, at centre, .fielded a kick badly, and the Blue forwards rushed on him, carrying the ball over the line. J. Ryan failed to convert. —Petono, 11; Wellington, 0. In the next few minutes' play, Green set, his backs going several times but the rush always stopped beforo it reached tho wing. A free kick and a mark by . Sheridan put Wellington off the defoiico for a time. Sullivan saved for Petone, thou, (following up a freckick by Sellars, Hill got the ball, and put in a dashing run. He was collared; but not beforo ho had transferred tho leather to Abercrombie, who evaded tho remaining Petone backs, and scored a , well-earned try. Sellars addod tho major points with a fine, kick—Petono., 11; Wellington, 5. This ro-, verso infused somo energy into tho suburban pack, and was responsible for tho most brilliant piece of work -in tho gamo. ' Green secured the ball from a scrum, and was away before tho Wellington men f had time to break up. Hardham backed, up, took a pass, and then sent the' oval oh to Joe Ryan, who scored. M. Ryan-took tho kick, which' was not successful—Petono, 14; Wellington, 5. After this, Wellington seemed, to lose heart, and were, forced u6wn two or thrcs times. Then their, vanguard rallied, and, lei by M'Kay, Wilson,, and, M'Kellar, mado somo s , good . rushes. Following this, there were back rushes by Petone, frustratedby good, tackling and lino-kicking by Wellington. Carey was especially noticeablo for tackling, and spoilt an almost oertain scoro by tackling three players in succession. Jo 6 Ryan next secured from a mark by Wellington, and passed to Hardham. Tho latter transferred to Green, who was forced into touch. -From a free-kick to Wellington for' off-side play,-tho ball was sent into touch,' near tho line. Jim Ryan scored from. tho. subsequent line-out. Ho, was unsuccessful With tho kick, and tho ganle'ended with the score': —"' Potoile : ... ... ... ... 17 .''Wellington. •■••• 6-, Mrl P. Mackie gave general satisfaction as referee, . . - • .

JUNIOt? CHAMPIONSHIP. ' Melrose (8) drow with Southern (8). • Guthrie and Trevor scored , tries for Melrose, Twomey converting one. Geriimell ahd Harris scored for Southern, Campbell converting one of tho tries. PotonO (30) defeated Old Boys'(nil). For the winnerSj Mackley,- Fisher, -liiLidlcy, .and Fogdeni scored tries, and Carson potted a goS »nd converted a try.- / ■ ■ • . Oriental (19) defeated Victoria College (5), For the winner Stevensftii, Maze (2), Quinlart, ■ And Tyrell scoi'ed, tries, and Quinlan converted twice. Anderson scored the losers' ' try, which was converted 'by Ilast.: Tho game throughout was.fast and interesting', Oriental having rather the- better of .the play; ' 'Poneko (8) defeated Wellington (nilj. / . v Selwyn (14) defeated St. James- (nil).. Kia Ora (8) defcatod.Athlotic (nil). !

THIRD CUASS CHAMPiOHSHIP. St. John's defeated St.. Jainos'B by 12 oints to 3 after a fast aiid exciting game, 'ries were ■ scored,, for St., John's by Redrave, Muldoon, Eliffe,, and Finlay. Polhill defeated St. Patrick's' College by 9 to 6.. •' ■ *:!- - Athlotic defeated. Oriental by 3 to nil. reland scored for,tho winners;' - : ■ . Wellington 'defeated lCat-ori by 11 to ' nil laisie'and Giithrie scored tries,' olio of, which,. ,-as converted hy 'Ronayuo, who also;kicked' ,'. penalty- goal; ' FOURTH GLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. Polhill defeated Wellington by 13 to 3, he winners seoi'ihg 8 points in tile first half, irhen. ; they"had the'witid and :suu in • their avbur.,-The.second-spoil was more oven.. Southern dofeated; St. John's by 30 points ,o nil.' Tries ■ wero ■ secured by Gray (1), 'arker ; '(1)/Roberta. (1), RiggsStevens' 2), Gilclirist (1), \Vothorall (l)j Russell- (I).' tussell kicked a penalty-goal,> ahd, Guthrie lonverted three of the tries. . - - : Petone (6) defeated. Oriental (nil). FIFTH CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. ■ St. Patrick's College-defeated Ep.uni.--by 12 ;o 8. - For tho winners, -tries /were, scored by \lahor< (2) and Casey. M'Corm'ack alsg kick-' :d a ; penalty goal. Petorio (23) v. Southorn (nil)., - . - WELLINGTON V. WANCANUI. - Tho following -team lias' been selected to represent Wellington in the Watch _against Wanganui. which is to bo played on Newtown Parle on Wednesday '• ■ Full Back: ' -- - ' : M. ltyan, list. Blb. (Petone)> ' Three-quarters: M.- Mntheson,- 12st. 131b. (Oriental) ; F. Mitchinson, ,103t. . lOlb., (Poneko) • A. Evonson, 12st.,(Atuletie). ' i Five-eighths: . ■ • Hitchings, lOst. -01b. (Victoria College); J. Ryan, list. lOlb.-(Petone); • - ' Half-:. '' ''1 C. Green, 9st. 4lb. (Petone). • ■ •- , , ■ Wing.fbrward: ■ ■ W. Hardhain, 12st. 61b. (Petone). ■ Forwai-ds: \V. Ready, 13st. 41b. (Petone); G. Hamilton, 12st. 21b. (Melrose); A.. C. Wilson, 14st. 61b. 1 (Wellington); D., Rush, 12st. 91b.; (I'oneke); G. M'Kellar, 12st., 121b. (Wellington); H-. Dewar, 12st. 71b. (Molroso); W. Alexander, l3st. (Old Boys). , .The emergencies-art:—Back, J. Magee, 12st. (Poncke); forw.-ird, D. Calcinai s 12st. 41b. (Poncke). "' ..' PROVINCIAL MATCHES. , (BT TEI.EGP.AX'n.—SPECIAL COIiKESrONDENT.) . Paliiierbton, North, May 30.. Tho Cup contests were continued hero today, the playing fields being all that could be'desired, though a ,cold wind made it somewhat unpleasant for the spectators. Tho Old Boys-Kia Tfei niitch was keenly contested, play being confined chicfiy to tho forwards, ill which Old Boys had a decided advantage. The Kia Tea backs, however, did better than those of Old Boys.' At tho' end of the'first Spoil no score was registered. On' chaiigin'g onds Old Boys' forwards got to work, Wingate securing, a good tryj which Frasor converted. Tliis livoiied 'Kia Toas up, and from A scrum near the line Arcliio M'Slinn fell over. From this out both teams strained every effort to scold, Old Boys being almost over when time was callcd.

Palmerston journeyed to Foilding, and suffered defeat by 1 point, the Gcorcs being: Foilding !), Palmbrstoii 8. > ■ In tlio junior contest, Palmcfston (3) drew' witli Old IJoys (3)Feiltlina (11) beat Linton (6). In the thirds, Kia Toa (lC) defeated Palmerston (0), ancl-liiirli School (19) heat Old Hoys (5). . . ■ Davey Cole, Tin Hughes, and Alf. Mends arc the three Awahuri Natives selected to go with' tho Native team to Australia. . Paiiiatua, May 30.; The Senior Flag .match,' Mangatainoka v. llamua, at llnniua, resulted; in a draw. The ground was very wet, and the ball slippery. Neither side scored. . Alfrodto'n V- Konini, i.at Konini, rosultcd in a walk-over for Konini, the game ending— Konini !!0 points, Alfredton nil. fill TEI-KGUAI'II.—r'r.KSS ASSOCIATION,] Mastcrton, May 31. : The Wairarapa senior matches resulted on Saturday as follow:—Mastertony 3, v. Greytown, liil J C'artorton, 22, v. lied filnv, 0. The junior matehoß resulted: —ltcd Star, 12,

v. Greytown, 3; Dalefield, 17, v. To Ore Ore, h: 5. Martinborough won by default .from Mas- t! torton. . in (BY TF.I.EGI>.A.I'II.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Masterton, May 30. 111 tho Carterton v. Red Star gamo, S. n Mason kicked two fino penalty goals, wliilo S( trios', wore ■ scored by N. M'Konzio 1 (2), a Thpmpson, and Henderson (one each). Tho tries wero converted by S. and E. Mason. For the losers, Andrew scored a try, which t ] was converted by Duggan.. Tho Ma3torton-Greytown match, played at n '.Greytown, was a fast open game in mud. n •Back play was somewhat at a discount, but thero wero some fine forward dashes. Mas- c 'terton obtained their scoro in the second s spell'ten minutes beforo time, wlibn a passinc bout by Logan, Minett, Cowan, O'Loary,. and Darvell enablod tho latter player to cross tho line at tho corner. The try was not converted. Masterton eventually won by .three points. During tho latter part of tho.gamo O'Loary. sustained, a slight frac T f ' ture! in tho shoulder, which will incapacitate g him /or some weeks. j ' ; f IN OTHER CENTRES. I ' c (lit TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ; AUoWand, May 30. f ■ Tho matches in the first round of tho f Rugby district championships wcro played to- ] day in ( glorious weather. In the senior matches, I'onsonby boat 'Varsity by 18 ( points (six trios) to nil. Ponsonby's magni- , ficont pack won tlie gamo, Francis, Cunning- , ham, Hall, Carlaw, and Nicholson (2) being ( the scorers. Newton heat Grafton by 9 | points (three tries) to s(a converted try); , City beat 1 North Shore by 26 points (six , tries, four, converted) to nil. , 1 Cliriatciiurch, May 30. 1 Sydenham defeated Old Boys by 22 to G; Albion defeated Chricichurch by 14 to ml; Merivalo dofeated Canterbury College by 19 points.to nil. '

THE "ALL-BLACK" PROFESSIONALS.

AUSTRALIA DEFEATED.

BYRNE INJURED.

:T IELEGR.U'U— PRESS ASSOCIATION —COFYIIipnT , (Re 6. May 31, 8.20 p.m.) ... Brisbane, May 30., Tho football match, New Zealand Profesionals v. Australia, was played in dull weather, before an attendance of five thouand spcctator3. Australia won the toss, jid Wrigloy kiqkcd off. Tho Now Zealanders tressed, and had tho Blues in difficulties. A roe kick for lifting in tho scrum, relieved, >nd transferred the game to the centre, but t was Boon hack in tho homo team's t-erri-ory. A passing bout between J. Wynyard, Cvler, and Rowo.ended in tho latter scoring. iVridey converted. Tho Blacks again Stacked vigorously, and though sent "back returned to'the charge again. J. Wynyard 'athercd the ball in from tho ruck and 'cored. Wrigloy failed with the kick. From i free kick to Blacks\for off-side play, Wrigey kicked a nicc'goftl. Tho Australians attacked, and a frco kick was given for round-, ng tho scrum. Messenger goaled. Tho Blacks neutralised,,quickly, RoV'o scoring a try,- which Wrigley coaled. At half-time tho sc'oro was: New Zealand; 15; Australia, 2, C. Byrito fractured tho point of his elbow, ind Gilchrist played in his placo. Early in tho second spell, llowo marked in tho homo 25, and Wrigloy converted. Givc-ind-tako play was tho order for a space, and play . was brisk. .Ultimately tho Blacks pressed their opponents on to the lino, wliero the battle raged until a miskick sent the ball 'over tho line, and Baird. saved, ,t!io ; Blues forcing down. Soon after this Messenger dropped a, nico goal from tho field.Later,, from a..scrum, J. Wynvard'got., tho. ball,' andpassod to" Johnston, who handpd ph to Cross, who scored. .Wrigloy converted. Lutze and H&rdcastlo secured further tries for Australia, and Messenger converted ono. Just before time was called, Wrigley kicked a field goal, (or New Zealand, and the gamo ended:— . .. ! . Now Zealand." ... ... ... 24. Australia ... ... • ..'.12

' ASSOCIATION. . '

For, tho first time for about a month the Sun smiled on -Rugby and.-".soccer" players on Saturday! At the Athletic Park Diamonds continued their successful 'career by defeating Wanderers by 2 goals,to nil.; The surprise packet of the day was opened at tho Basin ■, Resorve, when tho redoubtablo Swifts wero laid low by Y.M.C.A., tho score being 2 to 1. Rovers had much to do to beat Potono by 3 . to ,2 on tho suburban ground,'.:ivhilo, the.hapless, but still, dogged, Thistles onco : again tasted :tho bitterness- of defeat at'tho < bands of Ramblers; who'.beat them by -1 goals to nil; . ■ diamonds v. Wanderers. • The- invincible Diamonds scored another triumph'oh Saturday afternoon, when they ■defeated -' Wanderers by two goals to'nil. Tho - game, which was played at Athlotio Park, was witnessed hy about GO spectators. Tho'quality of the play, on the whole, Was .hot distinguished'by any incidents of a , particularly striking character. Wanderers kicked off, and during' the greater part of tho first spell the game was .fairly fast; and 'open, but thero was a lack of combination shown 611 both sides. "If anything, Wanderers' forward line, particularly tho left wings, Reid (centre), Ash (inside-left), and 'Gwilliam (outside-left)showed to greater advantage. Whatever' that team' gained in that, respect, however, was lost by,tho . weakness of their loft back division) which was apparent bothr-oa f'regards--ffeddiftg" their forwards and defending their goal. Ash', of the loft wing, played . a sound ■ gamo, . passed well, and frequently threatened Diamonds' goal. On the Diamonds side Black and Duffy (right-wing passed woll, and frequehtly threatened Diampnds' goal. Black >and- Duffy (right-wing forwards), splendidly supported by Thorlcy (right-half) and Roberts (right full-back), played a dashilig ganio.. Black is all attractive player, with a loiig swinging stride, and gets over the ground at an.extraordinary rate. On the left-wing, Lowe, and Reddy (forwards) kept their opponents blts'y/ It Was' chielly owing to the fact that tho left , wing of t'ho Wanderers was more cnfergetic in attack that'the right division of the Diamond team Showed up Word prominently in tho, game. First blood for Diamonds was scored by- Duffy, iVlio headed an attack on tho Wanderers' goal towards tho end of the first spell, and sent in a stinging shot. Shortly after, Raeburn (Wanderers) retired with an injured knee,, and this considerably weakened the forward line. Diamonds' Second goal came during the second spell, and was tho reward of a conscientious endeavour on tho part of their forwards to play With combination. They dribbled and passed, - broke through, and Black ' centred to Reddy,i who scored. Shortly after, Wanderers had a good, chance, but failed miserably. They were awarded a froo kick from a most favourable position, and swept down oil their opponents' g0a1... A bad piece of, passing gave Black a chance, and ho snicked it oUt of t-lio' rUck, and fled away up tho field. It seemed to the \Vriter that a good liiany goals, wero lost through ex- , citement at '- tho moment of shooting. A player ■ would get right up to tho goal, a ■ score seemed a certainty, when a strange and unaccountable pftlsy seemed to take him. in the legs, and tho ball would rise lamely •' up, to bo boosted vigorously out by the nlert i goalkeeper. This happened frequently. I Smart accurate shooting ought to bo p'rae- ; tised. A word of praiso is due to both goalkeepers, who , saved smartly; Fitzgerald i (Diamonds) was, in particular, a strong dei fence. - Mr. Godber was refcreo for the game, which ended: ■ Diamonds ... ... ... 2 goals, i Wanderers'..'. ••• Nil.'

SWIFTS V. Y.PrI.C.A. Several hundred Spectators assembled' at tlio Basin. Reservo on Saturday to witness tlio Swifts v. Y.M.C.A. matah, which was played'' in perfect weather, 'flip gatnn was lata in starting, as a Junior League tixturo was not completed at '3 o'olock. Y.M.C.A. won tlio toss and -played with tho sun at tlioir backs. The ball travelled from 0110 n;ul of tlio field to tho' other, and a misItiok by a Y.M.C.A. baoli resulted in Swifts

iving a'corner kick, from which, however, lejr gained nothing. Irvino Dennett istitut-od a good passing rush for Y.M.C.A., -5 id had hard luck in not scoring. Jamieson, j ivifts' custodian, saved woll, but jn t«° s iramblo in front of the goal sustained a a3tj kick. Several further attempts to ] joro wero mad# by Y.M.C.A., but Elson 1 nd Pyc-Smith ,vrere playing splendid defen- | vc games, and broks up tho forward rushes. ' lis first score came to Y.M.C.A., and was , lie result of clovcr play on their right , r ing by Tiniperley and Forbes; tho first- , amed player beat Jamieson with a lino shot ' diicli gavn tho custodian 110 chance to stop. . Lft-er kicking-off, Swifts were again in difti- , ulties, Tiniperley and Forbes being a con- ] tant sourco of worry to the Swifts backs. l fino shot was saved by Jamieson, and. tho tiny shifted into the Y.M.C.A. territory, rhero Lowo put in a shot which went vory ,'ido. Y.M.C.A. soon transferred tho play 0 Swifts' end, whero hard kicking by t-ho lacks spoilt tho chanco of a scorc. The urious paco was beginning to tell 011 both ides, and tho game slackened considerably. . jowo and Sogers wero playing good games in Swifts' right, but wcro not feci sufficiently >y tho halves. . White centred well for Swifts, and a good shot by Tempest was lately cleared by Gofton. Several further ruit'less shots by both teams wero put in, ind tho scoro at lialf-tinio was: Y.M.C.A., I; Swifts, 0. On resuming, both teams in turn instituted fino passing rushes, but Y.M.C.A. forwards wero minus the services of Bennett, ivlio was compelled to retire early in tho in consequenco of an injury to his len'ee. Play wits confined to the Y.M.C.A. territory for some minutes, and after several unsuccessful shots had been tried, Oilier notched a goal for Swifts. From the kickoff Forbes and Tiniperley secured and carried tho play to Swifts' end, whero Graves relieved with a firio kick. Snow and Tiniperley both put in hot shots foi 1 Y.M.C.A., but Jamieson was hard to beat and saved well. Lowe, by a fine double, down tho right wing, gave Swifts a chance) hut a timely oavo by Chapman sent tho ball out at halfway. Y.M.C.A.: at ibis stage wero having much the best of tho game, and as tho, result of some brilliant forward play, Timporv ley scored their second goal. Fijom tho kick-off Y.M.C.A. secured possession, i and W. Gibson sent in a long shot, which went over tho bar; T.' Irvine shortly .after missed an easy shot, which wont very wide. The, whistle sounded time, and loft' Y.M.C.A. victorious over last year's champions. For Y.M.C.A., Oofton, in goal, jilayod a really good game, and was ably assisted by- Chapman'ami Walton atfitll. Tho halves played an in-aiid-out game! and • were inclined to kick rather hard. The forwards flayed a hard, clever game from start to finish, and of tho quartette, Tiniperley and Forbes played brilliantly.. Swifts' defeat 'woud have boon greater had not Jamieson, Pye-Smith, and Elson' played so well. Tho full-backs got in several splendid kicks at opportune moments. Of the halves, Tempest played woll, but White and Graves wcro not seen to advantage, and their play ..was;.patchy. Tho forwards misled chanccs; Lowe, Scott, and Ollior did really well, but wore not sufficiently fed by tho halves. Mr. J. Paton gavo every satisfaction as referee. Tho final scores wore:— Y.M.C.A. ... .... ... 2. Swifts . ... ... . .... ■ ... 1

ROVERS V. PETONE, . Rovers and. l'etono mot on tho lattor's ground, and played an interesting gamo under perfect weather conditions. Petono won tho toss, and' Rovers put tho ball into play, and'through a miskick by a Petono full-back scored aiv easy goal. ' From the kick-off tho suburbanites charged the Hovers goal, and, after , an' exciting scramble, equalised. v thp.. score's.' Shortly they ' again got going, ' and by a good shot Reynolds gave Potone 1 tho lead. For' a long timo they retained tho lead by sound defence, but, notwithstanding this, tllo Rovers got'throtogh and. mado tho score two all. , Both sides were making determined efforts to score. Rovers >wero awarded a corner .kick,., which. was well put in, and' M'Kinnon,' tho .'Petono' goalkcepor, got''possession, ..but in throwing tho ball,out> Slipped. Tho ball- Wotit through tho posts. There was no' furthor score, and tho'gamo . endqd—Rovers, 3; Ptitonp, 2. .On. tli,o daj's piny' Revolt'were ;lucVy to, win.',. Tho 'Petono inon gave Pcnlingtou,-..iii goal for Rovers, plenty to do, and ho saved well. Duignan and G. Martin,-the. Rover full backs, played well,; and of the,.halves,Reynolds and Bethell were the bestr The- forwards lacked' combination. • Of. -for\vardaj Tap-i lin ..and Reynolds did well.; in tho opinion -of Bomo,- in considered to bo the best -.right wing. playing 'in Wellington. The half-iino was improved by tho inclusion of W. Bethell, «;ho, w.ith.his.brother,. played well. Joyce liad a'day' off. M'lCinilonspoiled his display:by ;his?iital ; mistake -~ ill throwing through- goal. • . •••' ■■ '

. • THISTLE v. RAMBLERS* - . ' The Ramblers lmtl 'their team ..plidtographed prior to their match with the This-' ties, which made/a very late- start. Thistle Won tho toss, arid wore, put on the defonsivo, right from the kick-off." A good: clearance by M'Ardle gave Naughton a chance. Ho swung the ball out to tlio right wjn£, where Huining gained-a futile comer. , l'lay was quickly transferred to the Thistles' quarters by Waters and Mouatt, and onded by Mouatt Shooting outsido. Good play was seen on'tlio. Thistles' loft wing, but the Ramblers' right ■ backj.M'Laren, sontthem back by a timely , kick. M'Lellan, late ,of' Wanderers, was proving of immense value to the Thistles, and a source of'.trouble to the Ramblers'- combination. 'Waters made a good run fpr'_ Earn-. Ijlers, beating Duncan and M'Ardlo ill the field .vory cleverly, and lie finished by boating. Rowan with a find shot. Naughton. for Thistle, put iu a rasping shot, which hit tho crossbar, and deserved a better fate. BlackWood, for Thistle, centred the ball beautifully'right across the field, and as thero was nobody to. take it, it passed harmlessly outsido. A nice passing movement by Ramblors' forwards ended-in a scramble in goal. Rowan-.i could not got tho ball away, being surrounded by the throe inside forwards of,tho Ramblers, and at last Mouatt put it-through. Halftime was sounded, ana Ramblers -\vero two to nil. Many expressions of'praise were hoard for tho Association's marking out-of tho ground. Naughton departed from ..the uSual way of kicking off by taking "a huge kick, and putting it outsido near tho corner flag. From tho throw-in, Lawrio made a good 6lTort on tho Thistle right, but Jackson, for Ramblers, came to tho rescue. After soriio midfield play, Hillhouse, for Thistle, initiated a good passing game, cleverly tricking M'Laren, and Called upon Oldnall to save.. A solo run by Waters on tho left ended in a good centre being put in. Anker'fastened on to it, passed to Wills, who missed an easy shot. A corner against Saul was given, when. Haining. for Thistle, in trying to head tho ball away, put through his own goal. Waters was looking dangerous for tho Thistle, and, after a lleck-and-neek race, M'Lellan saved an awkward situation. It was now vory hard to follow tho play. The. ball cpuld hardly be discerned in tho dark. When a penalty was given- against Thistlo, nobody seemed to know what it was fr.r. Saunders took the kick, and-so fast was tho shot tho players did not know whether it was a goal or not, until the referee pointed to :tlio centre of the field. A good and welj-eon-tested game ended in a well-earned viotory for Ramblers by 4—o. After the match -it was amusing to see tho players striking matcher, looking for their belongings. 1 Everybody seemed to have lost something.

SECOND DIVISION.

ROVERS v. LETTER-CARRIERS.. On Saturday tlio Lctter-carriers met and defeated the Rovers by 5 goals to 1. Tho gallic was very fant, and keenly contested From start to ,finish. The Letter-carriers had 1 tlio advantage of the slope of tho ground in tiic first spell, and ha<l 4 goals to their ercdit at. half-time, Howies' (centre-forward) scoring tliem all. 'i'he second'spell was moio evenly'contested.-, R-overs, having tlio advAn-' tage of the slopo of tho' ground, werp soon, attacking, and /Bowie scored , a nieo goal. The. Lottor-parriers' defence was good, and' Saved any further score against thoni. From a well-placed corner kick lt.iivurs, in trying to clear, placed tlio ball through thoir own goal. Lettor-carriers's, Rovers 1. Roulslon, Norris, Bowlca, and Warrington played well for tho Lattor-carriers, as did Bowie, Rohortsoni Kirk wood; Sfnrtin, and tho goalkeeper for Rovers, Mr. Guy was referee,

Y.M.C.A. v. PORiIIUA.!' i. ;i' 7 . > 1 This match was played Porirua. Tho Y.M.C.A. had the sanio team which defeated ; llovcrs the previous week, »,IJ.ighfufrani,,tlio,.; start Y.M.C.A assumed the upper haii'd,' and goals were quickly scorod-by Kingwell (2), Kirkby, and Bekerstalf, aud Y.M.C.A. were leading by' four. The second' half was a repetition of tho; first. Tho Y.M.C.A7 were playing together well/ boing ably supported .by their hp).f-backSj. thus abling them to score four more goals—Kingwell (3), *nd Forgo (1). The gamo onded— Y.M.C.A, 8, Poririta 0. The Porjrua;eleven' are a fine lot, but they; Jock., combination, and tho backs could not c|ieck-.tlio v forwards. •' [yr . ST. JOHN'S I v. JIAMONDS:. . ;: :, St. John's won the toss, < fffA .J?,' play , with the sun at their bpcUs, ,antl the assistance of a slight; brecr.G'Twhich had sprung up. Play was'''of- 1 -evfennature for - half of tho St. John's sent in one ovigtwo; shots which .wcro well saved by tho D,i«^m<jnds r custodian. Diamonds then made a 'bid, John s foal, bnt offside play brought St. John s relief. From the kick, the-fonprds, working well together, took the dojvn the field, and, from' a good ~ccnto .py..Jjosney, Dick drew first blood for St. John s. Bcfoi'o half-time Shaw and Fergulbh cood shots, the latter's hv\\pw very hard ono, which tlvorgoallcQoper jiftd Hp ! chanco of stopping; With the w*ind^jjd.sun f Diamonds made things pretty hot for a time,* and St. John's were penalised for handballing within tho penalty area. Diamonds made no mistake about. r thfe AJr,xFroWthere on to the end of play was vory fast, tho ball travelling up and down tho field, being well of forwards. Shaw J^L another goal each for St." 1 'John b, wliuq>. tlio Diamonds' outside left t scored With. bc«iu- t tiful dropping shot, tho bar, leaving Sfc. ; n-oals to 2. Forguson and f S^w,rtm, ; tho iOTf vards, and Johnston ai'id Na£lc,' in " tno backs, played well for - Stt..T<lfthn's, and the goalkeeper also acquitted woll. For tho losers, Lowe, twO'-btttsidS men of tho forwards, and thAH'i^t^ljtbackv. were especially prominent for Diamonds.

RAMBLERS I Ramblers had all they : the Toa team-on -Saturday I at.? J?onmaif.v.lii .• tho first half Ramblers'repf^teclfejatta'clied;,,, their opponents' goal, but werb_kfept out by m tho brilliant play of tho Toa. coa keeper. Just' ■ on the call of half-time- erknis. who had been playing-well- for -Ramblers-,-..sfio.t tlic' ■ ball through from'a- .In ; tho second' half tho Tbas nu attacked (^ vigor-.,... ously, but did'not score throudi ovew»Scr : ; ■ ness. Ferkins dribbled tfto >bStt ttfV t'hb u, htlo' and then passed'to biers' second goal. Tho Toa ■team-Hncn at—-l tacked .Ramblers repeatedly, and; jtept,them ;; on tho defence, and, J. AA'i N'fiera scoffed '"tho" first' $balv;for\T6a. _ The-came* now- bcca'mo. and take piny followed, jjnstton of time-.Perkins,'from.a gEiU>d sbojMcojrsfl . tho third goal,for; tliQiVEain©;» elided —Ramblers' 3, ToaX ..For Ferkins, Bradford, and: ' SmMlbonb.; blay<sd • • well, aild J. ■Wi Neera aiid''HflS , r brother" in • .roal did for Toa,, .T^o-'fiam&^vas^coiK-ducted in an excellent ma.nne&.«y»A«ft ley, and '-was- -.witnessing, iy : ..,.aboilt,. ; 4 : yu Maoris from'tho Fpi'irua distpctV,.,.,, JUNIOR LEApOE^'jjtll^Jl^^.,,c . Swifts defeated goals,..^ •1 Carruthcrs and Fp.oto played.! great fames, tho latter bßilig'%illiant'With; his head work. Carrutliers,' Foot©',- 'Black, (■ and Coleman scorcd for the ...w.iraiersf d .trwr. «. • 'In tho Fifth -Grade -Dijmwids.-; defeated. Hangers' by. tho largo %J^s- to 0. The Marist- A' Tcanl. m'e.t..'siid. defeated Brooklyn on'the Nairn' Street rß<isei>ve -by.''4' goals-to nil. The -goals .vworo«-securadtiby Hill; O'Brien, Burke, andoßeady-- ■ , The Mai'ist B TeamV,.dc,fwted ls NewJown, 'Congregational by-:4' For• tliewinners goals woi'o' secilred.j3y (2),. Bovcej - and M'M.ibon: 1 ' • r;,"'. i> *'j," ' Kaiwnri-a.defeated Diartiohds :by-3..goalsrto nil. Amies, scorers for, the winiicrs. THE CHRISTCHURCH 'CHAMP IOMSWIP. •r : . (From aiCorresi)o2dent.)»„'..r.i > '1 Football -in "Oh'ristch'urch'-c-is'r.now.rin - full, swing; already, three rpunds-.tof-?thp League Championship have- been . yerv good games havo been witnessed. ,inp League tablQ'up to date-is as -follows ': .'- - a V.ilff'&c;?; '"Ci ' • I'•. o'p-ii-" • - J'-, .o ,--g 'B;. (.- - ■ <b • Christchurch ..... 3 ; ,-.,3 1,:,--! Sydenham A. ..... 3; _ 1 - J, 1, ;5 _ 8 . o Sydenham B iv.' 3 -"l - 2 u, O t '4; .12 ' ! 2 Celtic -' •' •' ■ 3' . ■. I' Chrißtcliurch,'' so' fhr, lheir superiority, and' have tv.-g9od-cortbnuv-. tion,..seven, of ,their .plftyMS^^ijg,-alscady represented Canterbury-. Tho remaining four are players fi'om Hqintij tivjp or wlloln arc Avell-knOwit' London and . arc great exponents'of.thO ■: . ■■

AUSTRALIAN- GAME. «»*«»'

■ ••• --~r- m'sri '.mo:! cf! 1 . ... KICKEJWJ wva [ o o, > y J

!, ; ciTY W.NE^jtoW': ; ' ! The "City and Newtow;ii on the Basin, Reserve, on, Satur^a^'aftehioon, 'and f . as it rumoured, that .City. ftcro pjitting a strong combination into lfi'o°field,"''t!io match was looked forward to I by followers of the" gameV^SuSr^'^ood^'bon-''; test,'tho match was woii""b'f- 29" points. Tho t6aiiiS'Wor6'' frlayinrfiftfleiv me'ii a-side; instead of • eight&Ji. sjflW-tfleiJ tunshdopted to prevent crampingfof thftogame,: owing to tho smallncss as.ifc Is tiny intention of the prompters to" lhako all games as open and illt6Co3tifig as poseiblc, which could only begone by dropping three men on each oitlo (two lj;icks r aiid -ono forward). Mr. Pearee, the uinpifbMn charge-' of tho match,' kept'things moving! in an; im-. partial manner, 'aftd, with -the Mr. M'Qrath as boundary'limpire,.,niadc. tJio ; game a "scorcher" at J ti'in'6;.'\Ffom/the bounce of tho ball in tlio ■ \vitii- the wind in their favour, i.iminediately began to attack vigorously.! the ball and passed to Neville, a long kick, sent tho ball' \v6lPfor\vap& where. Ryan took a good mark, bttt ,r on|j ;, raised with a minor • point? -'Kiekeil Robinson the ball was work.edfround.lthciwiug. throueK tho efforts of. M:®ao t , l QroMjft and.; booley,' and was soon in Tyewtown torritoryj.. hut Sullivan relieved well,"aim WtuVne'd ttf centre. King marked aiiVU'pi'i'ssed: to Patrick, Who, with a • fine kickrxegistered.-first: goal for Newtown. Bounccd again ,in . tlip centre the Cit* men began/fpreing the pace, Cromie, Paul, and Jacob's"heirig conspicuous, for good play. Jacobs •Kicked' tlie" 'lte'ther to Hodge, but only a single resulted,". Kimpi i ton kicked,off, but,the balL.jvas beautifully , marked high. in t.lio p.alland,, was ploying a cool gamoi He-.i-otiirned .to; Spottiswood, but tho' latter'! :kick'''lacked' direction, and again City had to be v cbfitellt'. with' one point; From thb. kiok-off i:tho. Aial) travelled at a great paoo.oll over, the .ground,. Neville, Burns, and .Grant''(ftew'town),: >iul Cromie, M'Whae, ; Paul, : aiid B H'o'ris'q (CitJO, being prominent; finally'' Hedgo l ■ pickedrl'"upfrom a scrimmage, aind.vvisnapped-iranother point for City. - Bobinson,,kicKed, off,. v .but Patrick took-a high mark, , and. followed ..up', by sending the ball beautifully''between'the 1 'sticks, and thus added another^'sixer^ 1 'to his side, amidst applause from tboj.'specta-. tors, who. at this stage, wore evincing .ljceii interest in the match. From. tho/'bTningc Newtown again pressed, but tlio City<-'ifi'dn, now playing with better .pojnbiiiptwn, re?pelled all attacks,' and, afte?" passing, through' the agency .of.Panl;. Crohirc', ' House, and M'Whae, the .bnllv,wiisvlinally marked by. Hill who sent l i) ij ,tbi'pji|gh.,tlio. r liji-, rights, scoring first goal lor the. City. team. a ft-er this the" Red 'and Blficks rallied,- but lost a number of clm'ncos thrmigh leaving' their nlnces The. first half of the g|ime, .hlthdusj), somewhat even, was patchy,jattrilmtalile., to, plnvws" wandering ; from; their places, and crowding on tho ball. llio i,scor6s"at,'h'alftimo were—Newtowh- 2 goals' 1 !) , bchm'ds"U7' points), City 1 goal 6 behiuds;,(l2rrpoints)c--lu tho- second, half, the. -gfinio- greatly, nu : . proved, and was moro open,' Both teams,

playing with better combinations Newtown, with the wind in their favour, kept up a strong attack for nearly fifteon minutes, and fairly > outclassed their opponents, Patrick, in pai'tacijlar, "being prominent—Newtown scot-. (27 points) to.City's. 8 points. The'game, became exciting as it was] drawing to' a close, and, from a scrimm;jffe,'"tlio, ball was kicked out to Paul, who placed'the ball "on the'ground" at a ilong dis-' tahco, ' and. sent' tho leather through, and increased City V score by 6'points. The final bell rang •with the scores: Newtown 7 goals 12! B6llfnds,'(s4 points), City 2 goals 13 bohiiids\'(2.s''' points)'/ .'As tho scores indicate, -tlio^shuoting'for-goal was 'very weak. Out ; of'fifteen shots City only managed to score ..two goals, while Newtown scored soven goals , as; tho result, of nineteen shots. For tho winners, tho oxtra players deserving of mention .wore' Bradshaw and Humphrey (backs), Poters : ,(wing contre), and Sparks and Jack.son (forwards), and,for.'the losers Dooloy (follower)., .JVright;,(nalf-back);-. and Hill (halfforward). The* result,,of -this, match places Newtown in the lead ,'wi.th fiiglit', pointsuilorah hthcscs in tho. lead.■ }vjt)j. 8., points, Wellington 4 points,'Cfty'mK 7. '