FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 248, 13 July 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. V / SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. .. The senior championship matches wero adfanced another. stage on Saturday,, and'/ the , :day!s.play leaves Melroso with practically a clear .'ruri home for , premiership. honours. . Oriental, who had, pressed .-them close ;.- throughout'' ; the ;,:season,:. going under! to Eotene/.and thus giving Melrose./a ,lead..pf v ; . four .points from- the..next.team.:,, A great -; .'..deal' of/.interest, was; taken , in -,-the PonekeMelrose played at tho Athletic Park . over 3000: spectators 'being present.' All the grounds wero very heavy. Tho various - . ?ames resulted as under:— , : Melrose, 8, defeated Poneke, 3. St. Jamos, 8, dsfoatoil Old Boys, 6y ■ /-.Petono,y.22', defanted. Orlontal,-- e.. - Seuthern, 10, dofsatod Vlo. Colleca, p. Wellington, 3, drewwlth Athletic, .3. POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. I •'-• :y-. ... 49 «> : !/; : ; •■' ;;' - g "tt " j ' Cl , I- - ,8;> . S •«- . C . .W..--C- ■•?.• -j'- S.• •= • 5 --■ : 1 o ■ui ."!O . o '^3 -.'.V.-.T, . P J. ft O Melrose ... 10 9 0 1 ISO 17 19 Oriental ... 10 7 2 1 74 55 15' • Poneke 10 6 3 1 106 62 13 Potone f 10 6 3 1 156 60' 13 . ; ;3t.:-James 10 5 ,-4- ' 1 .70 65 '11 '; Athletic :.. :.10 -4 "4 :2 .99 46 10 Southern -10 3" 7 0 44 136' 6 . Did' Boys - v.v.10:-- 3 • 7-' 0' : 48 148 6 Wellington ... 10 1 6 3 40- : 81 5 ' Pic; Collego'.';..; 10 ~1 . 9 0 28 145 2 MELROSE y. PONEKE. ■ ' Feeling ran. high, in tho - Melrose^Ponoko '"- ; .tiatch ,*/both' amongst' the players' and .the ■':'?'^VspMt'at'p'r's.'._' , lt';was apparent from $e outset :''-i;' that both sides"meailt- business,, buf-the team "'that/can;break the ; -Melrose forwards up has not put in an appearance so far thjs season. Taken from end to, end tho_Poneke men had the best of the game,- hut they did not succeed . inj crossing their opponents' ! line. .Only .. once- .did.- -.the - Melrose.: scrummers . take abso- .. . lute-charge,- and tliis -was'when-the-second !!',. spell-rWai' iairly,.weli- : a'd'ranced,,,'when they ;. -• Bimply. ploughed thfough'- the Poneke ranks : after' time for a-'spaco of about a quarter -/!! '' of an-hour, during which time they registered two-tries.•... Melrose their, run in, the!: seeond, spell,/and generally- keep it up until the closo'.of-the game, but this was , .not; tho. ease'on Saturday, the closing stages. • being marked by a determined attempt by Poneke to wipe off the deficiency. - Luc'k w^as ; '2; with ; .them up to .a- certain extentj/'one of the best v Melrose backs 'being : ordered off .tho i fiold-.at a critical moment. '' For the time it looked as though- the - loss of > this man waS'Vg&ing to cost "Melrose the match, but they--had not very far to go, 'and time was called before' Poneke' could cross /the line. Tho game was.willing, but. cautions'were distributed liberally by the referee, who kept the'men", well,in hand. --. i .Thb opening stages were fairly .even, but ■ . .Poneke,/asserted .themselves before long, and , promising passing rush, iMagee-Mitchinsbn-Flahagan,' was / spoiled by • Mitchinson, -, who Baw'.the.^iwing'.^hte'M^jter»a bad pass. Solid forward ;'work by , Melrose shifted play , >. to:Poneke quarters, but the! Red and Blacks , , broke through nicely on two occasions. Smart following iip, a!nd;a protty tackle bv Beavis, '■ j : 'smothered a return hy ; Morris,; and Melroso '' - were.'left attacking in the twenty-five, but ■ ~lhe Poneke forward, relieved'a''Berious ;pooi- . '' tioil, and transferred play • to' neutral ic-r-, " . "ritory, • whence a! dash. by Toohill saw - Mel- : /.rose.obusily defending. ' Hunter, ; whq -irith, Riisli was playing an excellent.forward game, led Ponefo on;'the outcome being a passing dash.between Mitchinson, and-.Flanagan, tho lattor almost getting over.; ' ensiiihg forward play on the line, King.relieved ' with a pretty dribble, which started'.'a Mel-, - rose' rush to "pastwthe-^alfrwayiflagifKLively . ' forward work about/midfield was succeeded

' by another assault by .Poneke. v The result /' '-wasa-frpe kick' to' the attacking-.party,' ;'!' the'posts; =_ - from : the-'twenty-five' : line;-' , 'and.s6nt-;the ball . —'.•betweehi the posts amidst Ipud appljiuso. . ! ' Froiri'- the kick-out; Melrose took a turn !at ' attacking,! but could not shake' the Poneke .' defence; ' of which Magee ;was king'-pin 'throughout. - Poneke came; to! the .'attack, /once /more, and pressdd in tho twenty-fivo', whence' : they - essayed- two passing bouts 'without success. ' Rush had another shot '"at''..goal from, a penalty kick, -but failed, and , (Toonill had no' more .su'ccess ' with a pot. Tho.'Poneke!men continued.to have the best , of.ithe play, but half' time saw the" scoro • unaltered. ' . /' , ' ■ On resuming-/Melroso'; infused more,: dash into their work, and carried the war, into in turn .6ehdirig-tj?bm : .tp//.the right-about.' 'They con- , ...tihued , to,'have- the- best' of tho.-struggle - for a time,, but out'without doing. . "any . dapiage,' and 'Poneke lit out. for a score. Magee*;, Mitchinson', and Toohill corfihined,,in , a passing rush, .but the latter could not get i clear, ' although "hV'! was almost over a fow •• i minutes"' 1 liter; ;.after a hard struggle near '"-the. line;"/; wero''awarded another free ■ kick' /within''"range, buji '.Rush -was not • , ■ eqilal.to the''task 'set him. ' From -this on the Melrose vanguard appeared to' get into - order. J. 'Spencer led a strong rush, which beat the' Poneke full-back, "but Too- , till, ran - round and saved. Tho invaders . were! driven/ out on. several occasions,; but . .each /time returned '.'with sweeping forward , rushes, whieh carried'all!beforo them. ;• P<jneke/ we'rp' not yielding easily,-' however, and . ,a great rstrugglo - ensued in : front of .the 'length' Church,' initiated -■ a pass-! ing rush,: which . led- : toj: a/ -score. ' - Murphytool; the,leather-after 1 Church, and handed on -to Marshall)"'who'made.'for .the-'corner. He was tackled on the line, but grounded /' the ball. - GirSpencer .failed to convert. ; .Soon after play reoiioned'Melroso came away . . .another rush, in which King : performed /' .'.brilliantly;!;. '. The,,:result : was -a try at the corner, by Paddy/Murphy, G, Spencer! did !. ... np't.coitrefi.-'::' : '.'MMrose ; -maintained .tho upper !,. haiid'. for, sdme' time,! arid, theii-Poneke miido "V. another bid '/for.-'honours, .but wero beaten : pff.'/. After,'further Melroso! attack, during which Geo. Spencer had an unsuccessful shot ,/ at goal from amark by : Church, Poneke came /again, and during their"attack a Melroso player was ordered off tho field. This ■ • appeared. , to v givo the invaders: additional , vim,; and they sorely tried the Melrose de- ' fence";' -Poneke kopt up a stinging attack, ■ '- 1 and ..wore all but rewarded on several occasions.: " v Just before .time Melroso cleared ' luckily from;a serum! n'ca!r"the "line/and tho • y.me-ended:—. : ; ■ ; . Melrose. ..... . ... ..... ... 6 V Pbrieke ... ; 3 ; . -' Mr> • E.'. Wylie was referee, - - >A" ; /'

• ' ST. J A M.ES v. 'OLD: BOYS. The , public neglected .the St. James—Old . Boys match, and some: of- tho, players . in;;_the , gaino-appeared.:to -tako : ; quitoi.as much '.'interest ;in tlio contest'- on - No. - 1 ground" as in-their own. Tho play -.generally . - was. ■ ragged, tire few- bright .spots. beinj; individual dashes of, a more -or less .brilliant nav ture. . The, first .spell- was fairly even, Old .', Boys having, if .anything, 'the- host of it, ..hut in. the second half St.-James- had the ... best of the .deal., . At-half-time the score . stood-r-St. James 5,. Old .Boys; 3. Stewart S(:precl a try for.. St:' James; Thomas adding the major points ;with"a good kick; Pat- . tersoh registered a try:for Old Boys, -but Marchant failed to eouvcrt, although ' the kick..r/as a fairly 'simple : .one.. . Early in the .second spell, Manning scored another . try-. for.fSt. 'James,- Thomas [failing to improve. [Patterson was-responsible for the Old Boys' second score, Thompson being un- . successful' with .thp kick.' 'The game ended: St.' James ... • ... • ... ■ a. - Old Hoys ... ... g . Mr. ; L. Sievers, was,referee.V' ' ■ i F ETO N E v.ipi RIENf All.; , Oriental, without-*tho- services of Roberts' and were easily beaten by Patono y-..:nvho ran-:up-22: points : 'to the|r opponents' 6 ! points. Oriontal-won the itoss;-arid defended the- western goal. In the first couplo of minutes Petone v.'ero kept busy in their, twenty-five. Highet, Oriental's half, secured

the. ball: from tho scrum, and made a dash for the lino, tackled by Instone and Petbne forced..' From the- droprouti tha suburbanite's,."carried play up field, ; . and.-: commenced. ;to open .up the game with plenty of passing. House essayed, a pot,- but tho ball wont wide-'of the posts.' Even play followed, and then tho city team- started-ft-rush, 'arid M. Ryan was in trouble, but Green relieved the pressure, and sot the forwards 'going. In the resultant rush, M'Leod, of Oriental, TTas , given off-sido',' and M: Ryan kicked all easy goal. , Petone 3, -Oriental 0. ■ Oriental were next /awarded 1 a' couple of free kicks, and M*theson had'a,futile shot at goal, Petone forcing. . Play-hovered about, naif way for some minutes till.'; Green, with a good . .dribbling rush, beat all tho.Oriental-backs, but the ball reacho'd the dead-ball line before ho could securo it. Petono then kept up a determined attack, and-from, a passing rush Green scored within easy range, but M. Ryan failed with tho kick.' Petono 6, Oriental '0. With a good bout ,of passing, in'which Mathcson, Heenan, M'Leod-, and -Sturrock wero prominent,' tho Whites; looked like "scoring, but Petono swept'the play right, up field again, and Green snapping up the ball near tho lino transferred .tolnstone who register,ed Van easy try in , .the .'corner. With a splendid kickM. Rxan converted.' . Petono 11, Oriental 0. . So the score stood: at halftime.'' Oriental forced tho 'gamo'in tho early .stages of-tho. second .spell, and as the result of passing' betv/een M'Leod, Gibbons, Sturrock", and "Alatheson the. latter scored ,at . the corner, but failed to' add th 6 major points.; Petono 11, Oriental 3. Highet nest, had a' • long shot, at goal from 'a freo.. kick,' given agamst Allen;-out his-effprt.was a;poor one. Brisk forward- play by Heenan,. Tyrell, and' Warbrick kept I'otone biisy 'for: a few miriu- ~ tes, but the '.Blues soori put more vigour into their play, and penned'the Oriental team-on: their line. Hardham secured-the-ball,' arid passed to Jim Ryan to Houso >ho - scored, M.' Ryan's r kick being unsuccessful.-- ,- Petono - 14, Oriental! 3. The next' try was'-: the re-', suit.-of passing .between. Sullivan,, Hardham, , Green,.. Jim Ryan, and Joe Ryan, ; the latter ' scoring; -M. Ryaii again failed with the kiok. Petone 17',. Oriental. 3. Hardham, next-se-cured in front of the posts "and-ran across. M. :Ryan converting. Petone 22, Oriental 3. A': few before the; conclusion'Stiirrbek intercepted ; ,a pass. in;.his own twenty-- • five,- arid'Jbeating several backs kicked over ; tho full-back's head. ' He secured possession againi but was grassed- a few yards from-the i line. From the ensuing scrum, Higliet passed to M'Leod who scored..' Matheson's shot >. from a difficult angle was unsuccessful,- the ; game, ending:— . ... ~ Petono ~.. •' ... - : ... 22 ■; • Oriental, .... . .... '• ••.... -" 6 'Mr. Card was referee. In the last quarter of an hour, A. House had to retire with an, r injured shoulder. '. SOUTHERN v.. VICTORIA COLLEGE, - , ; Though Southern beat their opponent's,, they, did.not by any means have the best of tho.' game., Victoria College had their; team somewhat strengthened by the return of. . Hitcliirigs and Wilson, but; nevertheless, the combination included- a fair proportion of juniors. The ground, though dry in nwst places, was sloppy enough in parts to give tho ball a greasy touch. For the first five minutes, Southern pressed right on to their, opponents' vgoaUino, but a good kick 'by - Prendeville relieved, and the Colleso for- : wards 1 , backing ,up, carried play into Red -territory,- and, for some timo, kept it there.•• Organ, getting the ball from a scrum, put in a - fine run, and was only tackled at tho :cornor flag, the Greens, being eventually, compelled to. force down. From the kick-out Southern returned to the attack, and from a mark Campbell almost placctj a goal. College then: attacked, % and a bit of good work by Bogle compelled "Southern' to fo: co., Following; this, some Red forward' rushes ended in-Tenipleton being held-up, over the lino; and prevented from scoring. l A/score, how-' eyer, was registered, within' the next few "minutes, .'Campbell following up a''kick well 'and touching'down. Ho'converted, his own .try. For the rest of tho spell, .the Greens !had in'uch ;the-better, of . the play,-pressing their opponents :;hardj/'but. losing,.-ground:'.through... penalties for'offside,-play.; A beautiful kick by -Bogle.^sent'.;;tho:,ball..:into, touch .at,;the ; cdrner flag/.'.and'.'froin-'the'fesultarit-'scrum' Curtayno secured and dived over- tho line. Hitchin'gs made a good attempt to. convert, but did not; , succeed. •, A little . later, the • !same : player was!, unlucky ,in -not; • points from a inark.! in. front .of'.'the goal; •. i- ' For tho first part of the .second spell, College pressed, Southern relieving by spasmodic forward rushes. At one!'time, the! Greens we're; but a few yards'from the goalline, when they were penalised for an infringement of the offside •' rule., Uneventful play followed! for some time,' and then Organ, securing the ball from a serum near the College goal, dashed round and, cutting through the Greens', defence, scored.' A good kick by Campbellriiotched the extra pomta. For the remaining timo College had tho better; of the play! but were unable to equalise the score, and-tho whistle sounded with the totals standing:— Southern ... io Victoria; College , ... , 3 ... Mr. G. Lusk was tho referee. WELLINGTON V. ATHLETIC. The match Wellington .v. Athletic was rather a peculiar one in that neither: side • could bo said to have had the better of "the game for any length of time. For a time, during the first spell, Athletic mostly had the upper hand, but the advantage was with Wellington for the first part of the second spell. The game,- however, ended with : Athletic doing all-the attacking. Though the greater part of the ground was dry, there, wore pools of ' water on one side, into which the ball sometimes splashed. From tho kickoff, play was carried near;to tho Athletic goal-line, but Evehson, intercepting ; a pass,; - got away and kicked to the 'centre;- wl'.c-ro r Sheridan 'was enabled,to'save.- About this time Wellington: began to assert tlieir super-| iority in the scrums. This gave them an advantage which would have resulted in a .score had not Pool got in a good line-kick. Another chance was afforded Wellington; when Carr, got hold of tho ball, but tho three-' quarter cut in and, was collared. Athlecio tlicn. rallied, and, Cunningham and Wilson led a dribbling rush,'-which ended in the Yellows forcing down. This was shortly followed by another forco down as the result of good following up by Mowat; the Blue Tho third attempt at scoring was, however,'<; successful. The ball, was set going by Bieh- . ardson, and, after being handled •by Clark;; Evenson, and-Shadbolt, was sent oh-; to Kivell, who touched down. Evenson was.npt successful with-tho kick. A little later, /Evenson a good, but unsuccessful, attompt to'kick a-goal from a mark. " /JVeHing--tph then took a! turn'with the" attacking,, and ; almost reached- their opponents! goal-line, but good forward play, in' which.-:.Orsborn was prominent, earried.-tho ball back to -the . Yellow, twenty-five.-. There !Bichardson -nar.- ; rowly missed. a- sc.ore,. diving,- over.' tlio, line : just too late to touch- down before -.his-'-op-ponent. Another, attack led by.- Evensoni-was- . frustrated by . Sheridan;/whoV'found the line, ' aiid Athletic had-a le/id of;thrco points when' the whistlo sounded for halfTtime.

• 'For tho first.'- few,minutes "of _ the second spell play .was uneventful. .'--Wellington then : dashed up the line two' or ■ threo - times, but good tackling and kicking prevented ■ their scoring. Shadbolt retaliated for Athletic, but a timely tackle brought him down. This was followed by. Evenson having an attempt to"plaec a goal, from a mark. Tho effort wis;'however,"unsuccessful,-"as-also were a couplo of pbts at goal mado a little later by tho samo player. ' ,'Play then reached Athletic: territory, being' carried thero by forward.rushes led by M'Kollar and Caroy, and C&rr got a. mark dircctly in front of the Blue goal-nosts. Sella.rs; however, .was unsuccessful with tho kick,'.and with only two minutes to go it looked -as if Wellington were going to lose. A passing rush, however, saved the situation, and,'after passing by "Wilson and Lawrence, Bridge, scored.- _ Sellars failed to convert, and .after a' few minutes' more play up and dowri'the field the'game ended with, tho scorw " Wellington ..v'. ! ... 3- ; Athletic ... 3 ~ -' Mr- C:-Bell.Tras.the refere*. -. , ; JUNIOR MATCHES. St. James defeated Wellington by 12 to 5. For tho winners Donaldson and Armstrong scored tries, and l r !G'fath '" ; cl;ed two

penalty goals. Paul.scored tho loserls try, which was converted-by Lindsay, .Old-ißoys-defeated Oriental-by 8 points to 6. Mason, kicked a penalty goal, and also converted a try' scored by Girdlestono. For tho winning forwards Butt played a good game, while Mason's kicking was a feature of the back piny.. Victoria Collego suffered defeat nt tho hands of Melroso by J. sto 3. Tho loser's try was scored by Reid. ' THIRD CLASS. - Victoria- College draw with Orientals, neither side scoring. . • St. John's'lll v.. "Wellington.—This match' ended in a win for St. John's by 13 points to 6. . Tries were obtained by Redgrave, J. Daly, and' Andrew, ■ two of which wcro converted by P.- Dyett. FOURTH CLASS. ! Old Boys beat Wellington by'B to 3. Picot and Robertson scored tries, and Suckling con-; vprted one for the winning team. ■ Oriontal defeated Pol Hill by 15 tb nil. Since tho two fifteens were level in tho Championship, considerable interest was taken in tho contest between 'tho Southern find St. James fourth-class teams, played on Miramar - Park.' In tho first spell,: Ingram scored for St. James from 'a passing rush, and Crewes converted. Southern, however, equalised • matters at tho beginning of the ' second spell Riggs' dashing over from a lineout;-' and Guthrie converting. Later on the same two players 'added/another.five points, so.that Southern won by 10 to 5; ' ■ Poneke (24) defeated Epuni 0. Bitpssi',(4), Walls (3),' and F. Martin (1) scored •'for '■'winners;-.; ' '.../ FIFTH CLASS. • Southern defeated the Boys' Institute team by 22 points to nil.' . St. James drew with Athletic A, each sido : scoring 6 -points. ■ ;horowhenua Rugby union. • (Fnoil.-'ocn SrECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) .■ • Levin, July 11. A . meeting of -the 'Hqrowbenua Rugby Union- was • held on' Thursday night, when a "considerable amount of correspondence was dealt with. .; A'letter was received from tho J.Wellingtoii;- arranging a match between tholocal representatives and the' Wellington B' "senior team for August 8, tho Union •deciding to'send a, team. TJie meeting also' instructed' the secretary to try to arrange' iv'inatch between-the Wellington B juniors ;and tho • local juniors, to .take place here on tho same date.' ■ . Two-players were reported by-Mr. M'Bain, ' tho referee, for misbehaviour in the match •bbtweeh Moonshino and Hui Mai at To Horo; One, 'who'has been disqualified before, was disqualified again, and ordered off all grounds for-.two years, and the other'was severely cautioned. - - discussion took place .with, regard' to the ineidont that occurred last Saturday week, whon two of tho junior'teams —the Levin Wanderers : A and B —' refused.. to play ' on account of their disliking .V, the referee • appointed, ilt'j was . pointed out during the discussion! V that tho association . could ~appoint any referee it liked, and tho 1 teams, woiilcl.liavo to .abide by it's decision or else j forfeit the -match, but as a' letter in' con.nection with the.patter ,had not reached its: destination in time it was decided to ■ allow tho two teams another; opportunity, to play the match. .'!'; '~ '!"■•!'.'. f ■' Nine pounds was .received'from tho N.Z. R.F.U.i to be devoted-to tho.encburagemont of football in primary" schools.,'' The matter •of using the, money was left- jn!.the hands' bf Mr. Burns. "' JT " To-dav the match, Kiii -AVan-. derors Seniors —played. u on the Levin I 'Park, was ; ivon \by . the- Kia.. Toas . by- ,6; points to 3.; Mr. ,J, 6. was tho referee. / PROVINCIAL MATCHES. (HI TELEaRAPH.— COR&ISFONDENT.) ' : ' Palmorston North, July 11. The Hankins Shield Competition was con;tinued : hore to-day, when :01d Boys defeated Kia Toa by 8 to nil. Feilding defeated-Pal-merston North by 9, to nil; jThe Palmerston-Feilding gamo ■. was' not Very interesting; throughoutj.'Palmerston hav-. irig ':a "slight -advantage in' the' first spell, though Piraiii for Feildinjj'Was successful in landing a penalty'goal,,,but on changing ends' •Feilding at' once -. showed'. their:' "superiority, and soored, two'tries,'Piraiii: and 'Ryan l being scorers; - . !'"' : ' '. •' . The Old Boys-Kia Toa game was. good, being, fast all. through. Up to half-time no score .was thou'gh-ljoth' teams' ,were within an aco .of sooring , on'several occasions. On changing, Old Boys -immediately attacked," but wero' unablo to penetrate the defence, but Lowe gave, his sidS .four points' lead- 'with' a.-; smartly-kicked;'''drop-goal. Amodeo did : likewise, - making the - third, successive win' for Old Boys through potiting jgoals /froiji 'ijje, field. ' •• .. Tho Junior-results" were,:'—Palniers.ton' 6 v. 1 Kia Toa .5. Thi'rd-class-rPalmerston 23 v.' Old Boys 0; Feilding 11 y. Kia; Too, .0."

■ ; Pahlatua, July 1L .111 the' Senior flag matches to-day, Pahiatua,beat Alfredton at Hamua by 16,t0 nil. . Knini defeated "Huk'amii at Hukaiiui by 3 td nill Mangiit ainoka ; gained a match against, Eketahuna, - tho.;. local team forfeiting.- Mangaainoka . Juniorß; ~'beat' Scarborough at Mangatainoka by'B ; ;to'nil. > ... IN OTHER CENTRES: V AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIVES. RESULT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS. 1 ■•'ißt;' .TELEaBArn— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) • . Auckland, July li, . To-day, ; was'the deciding day here .in foot -ball,. thai Jiiiiior grado championship of. the Auckland Rugby Union being finally decidcd. 'l'he iwinners of the various grado championships for the season are as follows Senior Grade, : Ponsonby; Second Grade,' North ■Shorej,. Third Grade, Ponsonby;. Fourth Grade,' Newton. . 'i A; representative trial match was played, l I after which tho following team was chosen to"_'reprosent tho Auckland province against, Britain noxt Saturday:—Full-back, Renwick; ..three-quarters, Murray, Magce, Wilson; 1 five-eighths, Bator : and Morse; half, Kiornan; forwards, Gillett (wing),. Herring, Maguir'o (City), Francis, Cunningham, Nicholson, - Hayward, and Seeling. Emergencies: Young, Maguii'Q (Grafton), Miller, and'Johnson 1 . . ' Dunedln,; July 11. Senior football matches were continued-to-day. Dunedin, 17 . points, beat Port Chalmers,- nil; Southern, 8, beat Pirates, 3; Kaikorai; 19, beat Union, nil;, Alhambra, 6,-boat Taieri-Rovers, nil;. Zingari won by default against University.- .. ■ v , , ■ Chrlstohurch, July,. 11. ■The Senior, football" matches to-day re.sultcd:—Albion, 6, beat. Merivalc, 3;, Sydenham, 13 f , beat Old Boys, nil;. Christchurch,. 31, -boat' Canterbury 'College,' 3. METROPOLITAN DEFEATS N.Z. UNIVERSITIES. 1 I (by telegraph—press, association—copimoht.) (Rec. July 12, 7 p.m.) - ' ' Sydney, July 11. Tho Metropolitan team defeated Now Zealand Universities team by 14 points to; 6 points." ■' (Rec. July 12, 8.15 p.m.) Sydney, July 11. The New ' Zealanders met a fairly good team, but not tho best that might have boon selected. The following was tho visiting team:— Back: Rhodes. Three-quarters: Goodbehere, Robinson, and Danoey. Five-eighths: Wrigley and Lomas. Half: Gray. .Forwards:, Wilson, Fcnirick. De la Mare, Potter, Brosenham, "Wrieley, Grace, Young. . The New Zealanders played quite a good game.in the first upell, when they had a try «cored against them,, and failed to acors themselves.- Good passing rushes war#.a feature of their pla.r.. Gray was injured during the spell, and Nuku took his.place. In tho second sp'ell, the Blacks forced the pace for a while. Dansoy kicked a goal from a mark. Then Broscnham wound up with a try off a dribbling rush, which was headed by Do la i Mavo, but Dansoy failed to convert. An easy

shot from a' mark -by Nuku was miss-kicked by Dansey, and the visitors then went to pieces, tho local team scoring a couple of tries in quick succession, but failed to convert them. When timo was called, the score was:— • Metropolitan ... ... ... 14 New Zealand Universities o WIN FOR THE MAORTTEAM. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION—Con-RIGIIT.) (Roc. July 12, 4.30 p.m.) . Sydney, July 11. Tho Maori team beat the Northern teain at West -Maitland by 30 points to 16 aftor a fast game. Good passing rushes were n feature of the visitors' play. The Northerners held their own for tho greater part of the game, but the Maoris' condition told in the latter portion of tho second spell. ASSOCIATION. I SENIOR LEAGUE MATCHES. ' FIRST DIVISION. After a week of atrocious weather, Saturday dawned clear and!still—an ideal day for footballers, save for the sodden playing fields. Nowtown-Park: and the Basin .Reserve wero, of course, unplayable," and all tho city Senior fixtures were played.at Miramar. Diamonds defeated Thistlo'by four goals to nil after a contest-.which was.-evidently somewhat of a trial to the tempers of the players. Swifts showed a dash of their old form in a dogged match with Rovers, the leading team in this season's championship, and held their own ip. a drawn game, oapli sido scoring a goal. Ramblers also drew with Wandorers, while at Potone.. Y.M.C.'A. defeated the suburban toam by two goals to one. .' /The following are the results of tho Senior first division matches:— Diamonds, 4; Thistla, 0. Swifts, 15 Rovers, 1. Ramblers, 1; Wanderer, 1. Y.M.C.A., 2; Petone, 1. SWIFTS V. ROVERS." /The Swifts-Rovors match'was played on a" ground half ■ covered with water, .and the ball in consequence becamo very heavy' and greasy; goodf:play being almost" impossible. v Tho Rovers wore very lucky in making a draw of tli<) game, for on the day's play the Swifts woro far. superior and should have won by quite three to';iil. Oilier drew first blood, right from .'tile- kick-off, from- a good pass, from P. Pye-Smith. Rovers then attacked, but. lacked',.combination, the Swifts backs .having' npvidifficulty in cloaring the defohce;.' .tho second, spell White took a penalty, but kicked iiito tho Rovers' goalkeeper, who' saved.in .'good stylo. The game then became :.very fast',- both.sides attacking in turn. ' Hayward _.and/.Sc'ott were prominent for,-Swifts •at'this;'stage. Just before the call of timo J. Pye-Smith foolishly handled tho ball 'in front of,'his own'goal, and from the 'penaltykick G. " Martin scored, making tho scores equal. , 'Tho whistle sounded iWthoiit any additional, score. for Rovers, Martin and Bethell' wqro Jiho pick of ithe hacks, and Cashman Valid! Miller woro tho best of tho forwards.' !C. O'Shea, Barry, and Martin could not got'gomg. Jameson,-iiv"goal (Swifts), had' Tittle to do. J. Pye-Smith and Elson kicked., splendidly, the former being the better of .the : two. All the halves worked hard, !•.Graves being very pYo'minent. at - times. [ Oilier, 'playing at centre forward, was fair; Scott* was'.easily 'the';'best, while Talbot,'a new man,-showed . great promise and.- will be better, after a", few more games. Mr. Lovin ably .controlled tho game, : which end6d: '; Swifts' '. ... ... ... .... 1 Rovers ... ... ... ... ... 1 RAMBLERS V. WANDERERS.

Owing to the Basin Reserve being unplayable Rambles v., Wanderers, was played on, No. 4 1 ' ground at Miramar. This ground- was hoavy, anil altogothor unsuitablo .lor football. Wandorors won' tho .toss, and Ramblers kicked off towards tho north goal. very fast, aiid Rainblors were soon ,'iir their'.' opponents' twerity-fi'vo. - Cornish relieved, and Wandorors' left wings (Ash'! and Roid) transferred play to tlio othor end. The ' former had a try at goal, but.Oldnall saved. Midfi-eld. play was tho order at this stage. Ramblers were awarded a-free kick'in the Wanderers' twenty-five,. and Mouat oponed the scoring with a good. shot... From tho kick-off Wanderers attacked, and Taylor (coritre-forward) had a good try. Wanderers kept up the.pressure till tlio whistlo sounded half-time—Ramblers 1, Wanderers 0. On 'resuming,- Ramblers broko away, and Mouat was conspicuous by a good run and try at goal, but Irvine saved. Ritchie and Davidson (Wa,ndorors' right wings) transferred' play to the other end. The former playor .passed to Ash, who scored from'close in. Wandorers wore having tho best of tho oxchanges now,, and wore awarded a penalty. Ash took the kick, but;ho put tho ball wido of, the'mark. Saunders : (Ramblers' right-wing) had a capital run. i Ho passed to Mouat,'and that - playor-had a good try at goal. Irvino. (Wanderers' goalkooper) was injured at.this stage. •Play was, from then on, confined to lnidfield,', and tho gaino' resulted: — Rariiblors ... ... 1 Wanderers - ... ... ... 1 'Mr.. H.,!Godbar controlled the game to, the satisfaction of both toams. 1 i Y.MiC.A. v.; PETONE., - The match between Y.M.C.A. and Petono .ivas played at Petone. Tho weather; conditions were ideal for a-good exhibition of "soccer/- football, • and if tlio game was not of tho most -brilliant ordor, it was fast and willing from start to. finish. Y.M.C.A. kicked off, and attacked from tho jump. For a considorablo portion of the first spell they 'completely outclassed the suburban men, and shots foil thick and fast. 'Brico (goal), however, was equal, to them, saving splendidly. . From ono of his saves Forbes got possession and registered first goal for Y.M.C.A. From tho liick-off Y.M.C.A. again pressed, and the left wing (which was proving too much for Petone's left half) carried tho ball to tho goal. line. From a difficult angle Forbes shot a splendid goal. ■ From this on, Potone livened'up, and had a good share of tlio play. Half-timo showed tho score,standing at 2—o. Shortly after tho kick off Taplin, on the right, centred well, and Bothcll scored for Petono. • From this on tho gamo was very oven, tho play travelling from end to'end, but neither side could improvo the sqore, the gamo ending:— i • : Y.M.C.A: ~. W ... ... 2 , Potone ; • ... ... 1 ■ ; : Joyce .(full-back) and Brico (in goal) were the best of the Petone rearguard. M'Keiizio (centre) and Taplin, Kelly, Reynolds, and Bethell (forwards) also played a sound game. ■In,tlio' Y.M.C.A..team; .Forbes and Timperly , showed good combination in, the forward division, whilo the back division'played a safe, game, Gibson (half-back) being the most prominent of his line. , DIAMONDS v. THISTIIE. Diamonds won tho toss, and put Thistles to face the. sun. Whon tho teams lined up; for tlio kick off it was seen that Thistles were still experimenting with their team, sovcral now faces being amongst them. Diamonds meant business, for right from the kick-off Hathaway and Duffy got away on the -right, Duffy putting the ball past tho post. Not to be.denied, Diamonds again swooped down on the Thistle defence, and from a. fino centre of Roddy's Rowan and Co. had all their work cut out to avert a score. Thistle cduld not'get going; at last,-from a pass, from Duffy, Lowo fastened on, to the ball, .'and taking plenty of time to steady, scored jthe first goal for Diamonds. The next minute should hire seen another goal against itlio Thistles, for Hathaway was loft with ( an open coal, but ho shot wildly OTer the bar. Good work by Galbraith, Thistle's centrelmlf, started Hall, who orerran the'ball. Directly after) Hathaway easily heat Saul (left '-full-back); and scored for Diamonds. Things-were looking rery bad for Thistle, but they rallied. Some good footwork was now seen amongst the Thistle forwards, which earricd tho ball into tho Diamonds' territory, but this was spoiled by Sandford being offside. Sandford mndo nmenda by cleverly beating Thaivloy (Diamonds' rirft

half), and passing out to Blackwood, and that playor put an ideal centro in which Duncan made a good .ittempt to convert. Half-timo sounded with Diamonds 2, Thistle 0. On resuming, Hall, for Thistle,, heat Taylor for tho ball, and gave a good pass to Snndford, who just shot outside. Diamonds' forwards, .well backed lip by their - halves, came in a body, boating all opposition, - and Hodges scored somewhat easily. End to end play followed, and good work by Cummins and Galbraith enabled Duncan, Hall, and Sandford to give Roberts (Diamonds' goalkeeper) a warm time. Assisted by Barnett and W. Roberts, however,- ho was ablo to keep his goal intßct. Diamonds' right wing met with a weak dofeneo in Birss, and Saul of the Thistle. Swinging tho ball into the centre, Hodges put' No. 4 up for Diamonds. Galbraith, for the Thistle, was playing a goad defensive gjame. ITo tried a pot shot at goal, which just went over. Blackwood caused Roberts (Diamonds) to throw away. Duffey put a good run in on tho right, swung tho ball in, and Lowe met it, but. had hard luck in hitting the cross-bar. Diamonds, who are a heavy team, used; their weight to-the' best, advantage, thereby worrying the Thistle defence. M'Ardlo time and again -saved tho situation. Rowan could .not bo blamed for any of tho goals put against him; indeed, some of his saves were marvellous. 51 r. Paton gavo every satisfaction with tho Tvhistlo. Diamonds ... ... ... ...• .4 : Thistlo ... ... ... ... 0 r SECOND DIVISION. . 1 Porirua v. Wanderers. —This match was played.-i at Porirua in very fine weather. Wanderers won tho toss, and Porirua kicked off. Play was: for a time, confined to the visitors' territory, but the backs relieved, and tho forwards then got away in a fino. run; which-..resulted in Holt scoring , from about 30 yards out. Slack work on the Wanderers' side allowed the homo men to get down, the field, and tho outside left had no difficulty in scoring. A corner then fell to tho visitors, •and .Hatcher, who was playing a hard game, placed it nicely in tho lhouth of the-goal, but-the forwards failed to ..take advantage. Shortly after this Barker' scored, but was' given off-side. A-few minutes later, Hatcher, taking .advantage of a good'pass-- rushed thoball through tlio goal. Half-time sounded with Porirua'l, and' Wanderers 2. On play being resumed the Wanderers were tho first to become dangerous,' Barker scoring'with, a' pass from" -Taylor. A minuto later , Hart scored after./, carrying tho ball the whole length of the fiejd.- A good -combined run by rthe forwards.also resulted.in Taylor scoring. At this .ktdgo 'of the-game Porirna 'were' completely out-classed, goals being scored in quick , succession. Near tho finish of tho and Holland each scored, and an ■exciting"- game ended — Porirua 1; Wanderers: 7.

> Ramblers v. Mentiil Hospital.—Tho Mental Hospital men had marked out their grounds very nicely for the 1 match with Ramblers.. The goal-posts were t netted, ' and the touch lines, goal area, and innor circle wero marked out.to perfection. Ramblers, from tlio start, seemed to bo overstrung through excitement, and they continually let the Hospital mea\ como up to their goal and shoot, and only through 'tho' brilliant play of Algar, Smalibonc, and R. M'Lcsh were these shots re-, turned. Doth sides seemed to bo playing tho man instead, of the ball, and this put tho referee on the alert. He penalised Small.bomo (Ramblers) for intentional tripping. Moffat sent in a rattling good shot, and drew first blood for. 'Hospital. Tho Ramblers scorned to wake up then, and-from the kick-, off Bradgord scorcd for Ramblers, making th 6 score one all, In tho second half Elliott, C. Morgan, and-Hicks played a really fino gamo for Montal Hospital, but the Rambler' backs proved to , bo their, stumbling block. Ramblers' forwards scorned to bo weak and inert. Just before tho call of time the refoi'oo penalised tho. Ramblers' goalkeeper for running; Hospital' took the kick within, six yards of their opponents' goal, but wore unsuccessful. The referee, again ordered t-he ball back, "causing a good deal of comment 1 by this ;dccision. Ramblers' backs again ousted tho ball-back into the 'field, and Palmer getting it, raced within twenty yards of tho Hospital goal, and the game might have been altered had the referee not blown his whistle, and the game ended—Ramblers, 1; Hospital, 1. Tho game from start to finish was a bruising contest,, and Elliott, Palmer,: Webb, Fraser, and S. M'Lean. (of both sides') were inoro or less, severely damagod' at' tho finish. Sir; Cocker controlled, the game, and tho Ramblers wgro very hospitably treated by tho Mental Hospital players afterwards. St. John's B v. Rovers. —This match resulted in a win for St. John's by 3 goals to 2. Tho game was well contested from start to finish,, and the result is a fair indication of tlio stato of tlio game. Cable (2) and Dick (1) scored for St. John's. "These two and Mears were prominent amongst St. John's forwards, and Stratton and Smith, in tho backs, also played well. ' Letter Carriers v. Swifts.—The Letter Carriers mot and defeated Swifts at No. 2 North Miramar by 3 goals to nil; Shorter (2) and Spears (1) scored for the winners. Swifts v. Rangers B.—This 'match was a win for Swifts,, who inflicted a disastrous defeat on their opponents, by 13 goals to nil. Wanderers v. Porirua.—'Wanderers jour-, neyed to Porirua on Saturday, and defeated the'local team by 7 goals t-o 1.

Y.M.C.A. v. Toa. —Y.M.C.A. were too much for Toas on Saturday, tho latter being boat-on' by 3 goals to 1. ' JUNIOR LEAGUE MATCHES. Swifts v. Potono. —Swifts penned Petone on- their goal, and Cole receiving tho ball from tho wing made no mistake. There was no further score. Overdid, Foote, Colo, O'Neill, Rollins, - and Johnston played well for 1 Swifts.; Tho game ended -.—Swifts, 1; Petone, 0. • Newtown Congregational ' v.,' Marist A.— Newtown Congregational defaulted to Marist j A team. ' Marist B v. Rangers A.—Marist B met and defeated Ra.ngers <A by 2 goals to I.' Ivaiivarra v. Swifts—Kaiwarra defeated Swifts by 8 ; goals to nil. E. Bowden (4), ■Amies (i), Pliill (1), Overend (1), and J. Marshall, goalkeeper (1) wero tho scorers.' ' Other matches: — Y.M.C.A. A, 6; Y.M.C.A. B, 2. Y.M.C.A. A, 2; Technical School,'o.Y.M.C.A. B, 8; Brooklyn, 0. iSt. Paul's, 2; Y.M.C.A., 1. - Brooklyn A, 3; Ramblers, 1. f . —: 1 — A CORRESPONDENT'S COMPLAINTS. "Truo Sport" writos as follows: —Sir,—l think the Wellington Association's Committee of Management j will - have to' alter its 'present constitution if "Soccer" is-to prosper in-Wellington. Three weeks ago, during the Thistle-Wanderers at Miramar two of tho Wanderers woro ordered off by a referee, Mr. F. O'Coniiell —one for fighting, and tho othor (who, by tho way, is a member of tho Management Committee) for. ignoring the refereo's decision. Tho latter player did not leave tho field, thus defying ! tho - reforeo, Neither of -theso players wero .suspended. ; : Oil 'another occasion, Rovers v. Thistle, a penalty was given' against a Thistle player for (says our correspondent) no infringement of tho rules whatever. This man commented slightingly on- tho refereo's decision to a spectator, his remarks wero overheard by. the subject of his -unfavourable comment, and ho was ordered off tho field. The coinmitteo endorsed this action of the referee' by suspending the player for two weeks. .1 think all should be treated alike.. "True Sport" also contends that undue favouritism is shown to Wanderers as regards grounds, etc. AUSTRALIAN GAME. (By Hioh-Mark.) Tho match, Wellington v. City, which was to have been played on tho Basin Reserve on Saturday, was postponed, owing to- tho wet state of tho turf. A few enthusiasts journeyed to Miramnv and had somo practice nt> "kicking" and "handling tho balk" This is a step in the right direct ion j and if players would give the matter of training, etc., thoir careful attention, tho public T.'ould see nioro of thoso stirring exhibitions such as tho Wellington v. Newtown match than it does at present. ' The team for Australia leaves Auckland for Sydney on August 4. . Tho Christchurcil players .leavo tlint. city on July 28 for Wellington by s.s. Jloana. Tho Wellington players are to bo picked up on July 30, and Auckland will be readied on August 2. From there tho complete team will leave—as previously,

indicated—on August 4. Tho team is to play its first match at Melbourne—miking -its initial appoaranco during the great August Carnival—and will proceed , to. , Adelaido, where a local team is to be met oil September 1. The final mutch is'fixed-for Sydney on September 16. ... " : . Local admirers of tho gamo will' learn with pleasure that AVard, of tlie. Wellington team, nas been included in tho.Dominion's representative team for Australia, as an' extra player. This footballer has boon showing excellent form throughout tho'.season/ -His work in tho forward lino 'has • been : marked with a combination of coolness and "accuracy that has won him golden ' .opinions " from friend and foo alike. : In thb Tecent game,' Wellington-v; Canterbury, W&rd'ldcked-three goals in tho first few minutes of : the game, and altogether showed groat agility^and-re-source. At that stago- captain • shifted him to tho back division, for', fear; presumably, that ho might kick tpo piany goals, and the other side side should,, bo "overwhelmingly defeated—and in his new-position ho was_ equally useful. Why Ward was .not included in-the'team from the very-first is. a' 1 matter wrapped in mystery. Ctertainly his' qualifications entitled him to' a position in 'tho' team':' and now that he is to go, after all. "I feel sura lie will prove ono of the most'"pronbunced successes of tho tour.'.'' : ; „ :...•