FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 272, 10 August 1908, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. CHARITY CUP OONTEST. MELROSE DEFEATS PETONE. PLAYER INJURED. About 2000 people assembled at the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon to witness a match between Melrose (the premier team) and'Potone (who with Orientals were the runners-up) to decide which club should hold tho Charity Cup during the ensuing twelve months. Tho proceeds, which totalled over £61, go to swell tho fund in aid of sick and injured players, and in the event of a balance accruing the insurance fund'will benefit. In view of the fact that the match between the teams earlier in the season had ended in a draw, a keen contest was anticipated. Allan was missing from tho ranks of the Petono team, his placc being taken by Driscoll, whilst M'lnniss filled tho gap in tho Melrose team duo to the absence of Adams. Melrose, who proved the victors, secured the ball most frequently from the scrums, and otherwise had slightly the best of the game, which was cne of tho most interesting of the season.

During tho opening stages of the contest there were a number of loose forward rushes, in which greater cohesion was shown by tho Melrose vanguard. Following up quickly, Driscoll prevented M'Kay, the Melrose fullback, from getting in his kick. Play went ii front of the Melrose posts, whore a scrum took place, and, tho defenders securing, relief was obtained. Petono assumed the aggressive, and again had Melrose on the defensive. Owing to Church mis-kicking, tho ball went over the Melroso line, and in tho resultant scramb'o Hardham secured a try. M. Ryan was successful with the kick— Petone 5, Melrose 0. Subsequently tho gaino became much more open. Cliwch and Beavis were instrumental in removing play to tho Melrose twenty-five, where Spencer obtained a mark from a knock-on fiom a lineout. Church landed a splendid goal—Petone 5, Melrose 3. Play went up and down the field, Melroso being forced on one occasion. From a line-out near tho Melroso lino tho balliwas kicked to. House, who unsuccessfully potted at goal from a good position. King got' away for Melroso, but the Petone vanguard nullified tho advantage. Shortly afterwards tho Petono backs initiated a passing rush, but Instono throw past M. Ryan, and Beavis picked up. • C. Murphy, who was tho next to obtain possession, punted well down the field, and M'Kay, who was at half-way at the, time, raced after the ball, which he succeeded in grounding behind tho Petone posts. Church made no mistako with the kiclE—Melrose 8, Petone 5. Just before half-time M'Kay, of Melrose, and M'Gill, of Petone, were injured. Both were in quest of the ball, and as tho former jumped they collided. M'Gill went down on his face, and M'Kay landed, doubled up on his shoulders on his opponent's back. The Melroso player was able to resume after a brief spell, but tho Petoneito could not take his place until after the interval. Shortly after the commencement of tho second half, I-louso mado an unsuccessful pot at goal. Melrose instituted soveral passing rushes. On one occasion P. Murphy passed to Spencer, and subsequently llio ball was handled by Church, who, however, failed to pass to Marshall, who was in a good position. Uneventful play followed for a fow minutes. Melrose then worked down to the Petono twenty-five, where Hamilton picked up and transferred to Spencer, who was thrown out at touch-in-goal. Tho Petone vanguard gained .considerable ground by a. passing rush. During the next fow minutes the game was exceedingly fast. M'Kay' subsequently took the ball on his own side of half-way, and. after running a fow yards made an excellent attempt at goal, the oval" landing alongsido one of the uprights. A minute or two later lie had another sliqt from a mark, but again he just failed to add to the score. From a drop-out immediately afterwards he made a third attempt,. but was again unsuccessful. For some minutes play remained on Potone's side of tho half-way. Greeks obtained from a scrum, and after running round and beating an. opponent passed to Murphy, who sent tho ball on to Church, who enabled Marshall to get over. Church'again added the major points—Melrose 13, Petono 5. Petono now worked down' the .line to the Melrose goal lino, where a scramble occurred, Hardham scoring. M. Ryan failed to convert —Melroso 13, Petone 8. Melroso then attacked, but a good chance, was spoiled through M'lnniss, who bad put in a good run, passing forward. Petone, who were on tho defensive for a few minutes, then'tried hard .to equalise the score. . The suburban forwards swept down in' fino stylo, but Beavis picked up cleverly and put in a good kick. Tho ball was 'returned to Melroso twenty-fivo, where ' M'Gill was again- injured. He stumbled after playing the ball, and just as he fell heavily a comrade's boot accidentally came in contact with his head. The injured player was removed to the 1 dressing-shed, where he was examined by Dr. Pigeon. As it was found that tho injury which he sustained to his back in tho first spell had been aggravated, it was deemed advisable to.remove liira to the" Hospital. Uneventful play filled in the remaining few minutes of the game, which ended — Melrose ... ■ 13 points. Petono - ... - 8 points. Mr. F. A. Laws was referee.