FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 283, 24 August 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. WELLINGTON B v. HOROWENUA. Tho annual fixture between the Wellington 3 representative team and. the Horowlionua representatives .was' played at'the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon in perfect weather. ' 1 The' attendance was comparatively small, and tho display of football did not rise above the average,, tho visitors being » long way behind the town team. Wellington assumed tho upper hand from tlio start, and commenced scoring before the gamo had been in progress fivo minutes. Further scores followed, and the visitors scorned to bo powerless in front of, .the younger and lighter but. much cleverer Wellington men, .who kept up .a .strong, attack until half-time sounded with Wellington standing 17 points to credit. ' The Horo-V.-lie nun team improved a great deal in the second term, and started out in a manner which gave, promise of something interesting. The ball .was'sent..out _amongst the visitors' backs, who put in s'everal protty dashes,,and kept Wellington busy defending, but. the spiirt did not last, and Wellington again assumel the upper hand, and although not having things quite so much their own way as in the first half, were ,still a long way to 3 strong for tho . country men. -i' le teams ' were as under:—Wellington: Fullback, Varcoo; three-quarters, Beavis, Flanagan, Poole; live-eighths,, Sellars and Church; half, Tilyard; ■ wing forward, Gardner; -forwards. J. Murphy, Houlihan, Cameron, Perrj', Bell, Calcinai, Osborne. Horowhenua: Fullback, Anderson-; three-quarters, Cooke, Horo, Whaiaep; .bam Cootes and Uma; half, Fred Cootes; wirig ; forward, King; forwards, ■ Wilson," Hakaria, Frasor, Parata, Winiata, Saxon; M'Kenzie... . / - Details of the Play'.. . Wellington advanced on the visitors' lino from the outset, but Sam Cootes intercepted a pass cleverly' and streaked away up tho centre of the field until he readied Varcoe, who! brought, him to earth. ! Wellington returned to tho attack, the result being a try by Poole, who was tackled just after receiving a-pass from Tilyard, and thrown over the line, whqro he grounded' the ball. Gardner converted, the kick bsing a simple one. • From the kick-out Wellington came on again, and a force-down saved, but only to. see the Blacks rush ,the line once more, Perry scoring f ron>, a forward scramblo.. Church failed to convert. Play had just started again when one of; tho Wellington backs punted iigh: into the middle, of the field. Several of this': visitors'-, backs' made as", .if to take the ball, .but each man left it for the other. In tho. meantime the Wellington forwards charged,'and, carried the ball over the line,. Calcinai''scoring. failed with tho kick. Plav continued all in favour of Wellington, but tho monotony of the attack was relieved by. a brilliant dash by Anderson, which placed the visitors in a good position. Camerpn led the Wellington'forwards in a rush to the other end of the field, and Tilyard, .taking up the running, gave Flanagan a pass which enabled him to. score. Church took tho kicli, which was not. successful. 'Another long, spell in favour of Wellington ended. in a■. short attficjc. by tho visitors, Parata'having a fruitless shot at goal from a free-kick. Horowhenua rallied again, Anderson putting in a pretty dash, and tho ball was parried to-Wellington's line for tho first time/J- The invaders were driven out, but charged once ,mors, and ■ lost an ajmost certain score by wild passing in front of tho posts. ' Soveral scrums -followed close to the Wellington line, but tho visitors-wero forccd to retire without' scoring-.- The balance of the spell was all in favour of Wellington, the visitors staving off two possible tries by lucky force-downs. A'fter tho bell had sounded for half L time, but whilst-the ball was still in play, Wellington-added-another, try through the agency of Osborne. , Gardner.,;fai.led .J;o couver,t, and spell £nded: ir ~..

Wellington ... ...17 Horowhenua ... . ••• ••• 0 The .Horowhenua men. infused, fresh.-life into the'if' play, ".'on'.' resuming;' ,afld' 'getting the ball out to the backs, AVharaeo put. in a strong run, which left tho AVellington three-quarters standing, but he, failed to reach the line.' Horowhenua kept' at' it, and Sam Cobtcs had an unsuccessful pot from a fairly.,easy, position. Still another rush followed, Uma,... Sam Cootes, Horo,- and AVharaeo combining in a pretty passing bout-. which ended in the last-mentionod player being knocked into touch on thp corner flag. At this stage, tho visitors, were playing a really, good game, and kept Wollingtoii busy defending, Horo. giving trouble "on a couple of occasions. The dash ..did not last, however, and AVellington wearing -them down at. length addqd another try, Cameron scoring. Church 'converted, ' Wellington kept at it, and an additional three points were added by Church, who"landed a nice goal from a freekick. A long attack by AVellington was broken by Hakaria, who put in a good run, but Wellington repulsed tho attack, and a pretty . piece of work in which Tilyard, Churoh ; Gardner, and Flanagan participated, ended in the latter scoring near the corner.; Church took the kick, but failed to convert. After a couple of pretty passing runs, AVcllington were rewarded again. Tho ball went through tho hands of Gardner, Church, Sellars, Flanagan, and'Poole, ■ tho latter scoring at .the corner. No goal resulted, and the jamo ended:— Wellington ... ... ... ... 31 Horowhenua ... ... 0 Mr: P-. Mackio • was referee. REFEREES AT PLAY. AVELLINGTON v. PETONE. . . iTeams representing tho Wellington- and Petone referees tried conclusions at the Athletic Park ; previous to the rep. game, l'layers have argued'at various-times tha.t some of the referees, can't referee, and after Saturday's-,exhibition they will do able to add that most referees cannot put their ruling into practice on tho field.. The match was remarkable for tho a.mount of talking done by tli'o' players, who, notwithstanding several lively brushes, had still, enough wind left to arguo points. The AVellington team had all tho beat of tho gamo, although tho opposition, ranks were strengthened, by several regular players. The first score of the game fell to Petone, who were materially assisted by an opponent, Bill Spencer, who made a brilliant miskick over his own lino. Ramsden followed tho kick and fell on tho ball. • Ramsden took tho kick, but failed to convert. A really clover dribble by J. Manning, who took tho ball half tho lengthy of the field, saw AVellinrion awarded a free-kick within range,- but Atkinson failed , to convert. Wellington kept at it and were rewarded at length, Manning scoring a try which Robert's failed to convert; On resuming, Manning headed anothor rush, the out-, come of which was a try by' Smith. AVylie failed with the kick. Wellington / were in full working' order by this time, and Marshall led- a rush which ended with Spencer scoring. Roberta no goal. Sievors added a further try within a couple of- minutes, but Card did not .convert.' A pretty piece of passing, by three of the ..Wellington--backs, O'Conuoll, Roberts, and Card resulted in tho lattor scoring-..at tho corner. Tho final try of the day was scored by Atkinson, Quinn putting a brilliant .finish to tho gamo by . converting. The best of the winning forwards were Msuining, Marshall, Sievors, Quimi) and AVylie. Atkinson was tho best of the .AVellington backs, with Roberts and Bell, as his main supports. Mr. S. Brown,, chairman, of the AVellington Rugby Union, gavo. morc or less satisfaction as referee. / ' SMOKE CONCERT. The members "of the Referees' Association together' with / a number of. friends held n very enjoyable smoke concert in St. Peter's Schoolroom, Gluiznco Street. Mr. H. Card mado an excellent chairman. After a ti.sty repast'had'.been partaken of, tho following toasts were enthusiastically honoured:— "The; King," "The New Zealand Rugby Union,!' proposed by .Mr, T. Jones and responded to by Mr. J. Burns; "Tho AVcllington Union," proposed by Mr. L. Sievors and replied to-by Mr. S. Brown; "Tho Now Zealand .Referees' Association," given by Mr. 'Hee'nan, and acknowledged by Mr. P. Mackio; "The AVellington Rofereea' Associa-

tion," proposed by Mr, S. .Brown, aud responded to by Mr. L. Siovors; "The Petono Branch of tho Association," given by Mr. T. Quinn, and responded to by Mr. C. Atkinson. During tlio evoliing songs wero rendered by Messrs. W.- Church, Murray, R. Siorers, Williams, and L. Keys, and a rcoitation was given by Mr. J. Heenan. THIRD-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. • WON BY MELROSE. ' ' , Melrose defeated Athletics by 9 points (3 unconverted tries) to nil, thus winning tlio 'fhird-Chiss Chairlpionship. Had tlio Star Boating Club defeated Selwyn it would have meant . a deciding match • between Melroso and Star Boating Club. As it was tho-Star Boating Club was beaten by threo points to nil. Petono were tlio winners last year. Since tho championship matches this year wero commenced ..the winners wero not defeated on a single occasion, and only one club, the Star Boating Club, had the honour of drawing with them. Throughout the season tho victorious fifteen have attended very well at all practices, and thoroughly deserved their win. Selwyn gained a victory over' Stars by threo points to nil. Tho winning try was scored by H. Lowe. Stars were very dissatisfied with the referee, holding that ho disallowed a try which they secured fairly. By their victory, Selwyn gain a lead of two points in the championship, MelroEc defeated Athletic by 9 to nil. Trios were scored by Barton, Marchmont, and Tonks. ' Oriental defeated St. James by 14 to 5. For tho winners, Chapman, Stricklan (2), and Murdoch scored tries, and M'Lcan converted one, and for the losers Samuels scored a try,'which he also converted. FOURTH-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. The match between Old Boys and Southern was declared off,' Old Boys not having a full team. ■ SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES. The following team will represent tho Wellington secondary schools' against Wairarapa on Saturday next: —Full-back: Stan Holm (Technical); three-quarters: G. Hodge (Technical), Taylor (Petono), Poole (Terrace); five-eighths: Cowan (Petono), Adams (Terrace); halves: Collins (Potono), Miller (Peton.e); forwards: Mills (Petono), A. Hamilton (Technical), M'Lbod . (Technical), Williamson '(Technical), Lower (Technical), Stanaen (Technical), and Duggan (Petone). Tho Wellington primary school representatives are to play tlio Wairarapa primary school boys next Saturday also. MISCELLANEOUS.

Guards v. Zealandia Rifies.—ln a hotlycontested game between teams representing tho Wellington Guards and tho Zealandia Rides tho former were defeated by 24 pointß to 11. For tho winners tries were gained by Murphy (3), Hunt (2), and Smith, Barcham, and Hobson, ono cacli. 1 Ha : lewood (1) 1 and Bird (2), scored for tho Guards. Ono try by the latter player wjs converted. Luke's Foundry v. Cable's Foundry.—On Saturday aftornoon a match was played between sides representing tho omployecs of Luke's and Cable's Foundries. It resulted in a draw, ■neither sido scoring. Luke's Foundry forwards wero slightly hotter in the loose. Cablo's ba,cks played with splendid combination. Mr. W. Wallaca controlled the game. A team from Sargood, Son, and Ewen, Ltd., beat tho representatives of A. S. Paterson and Co.. by 14 to 6. Williams, Galloway, Gordon, and BetKune scored for Sargood's and Gordon ""converted ono try. M'Intyro scored for-Paterson's, and Warne kicked a goal -from a mark.

JUNIOR REP. MATCH. AUCKLAND V. TARANAKI. (liY TELECRArH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, August 22. The Auok]aiid : Rugby football teams were engaged against country Unions' to-day/ thp X fit and the B at Northern AA'airoa. ■The only. local match played under, the -Auckland Rugby. Union hero wiip the Tara- . naki-Auckland ..Junior rep., contest, resulted in a win for Auckland by 14 points to 5. For tho/Taranaki team Stohr scored a try after a run of 75 yards, and converted it himself. This was tho only score in tho first spoil. In the second spell Cross, Pricker, aiul AA'ynyard scored tries for Auckland, and Dick.kicked .a penalty goal, and converted Wynyard's try, Auckland thus winning by 14 points to 5. ; . SNTER-UNION CONTESTS. .MANAWATU V. WELLINGTON. WIN FOE, THE LATTER, (nr TELEGIiArH —PRESS association.) Wansanui,. August 22. With the exception of the AVanganuiBritisli match, tho largest 'crowd of tho season witnessed'the representative match between Wanganui and Wellington on Saturday afternoon. Wellington scored an easy win, outclassing their opponents , in every department . of the game. Though tho. Wanganui forwards played well they were almost invariably, beaten for tho ball, and once the Wellington backs got properly to work they out-manoeuvred the local men. ' AVanganui wore unfortunate in losing Seeling early in tho game, just after he had scored and converted a- try. Southcombe took his place. Very soon after the kick-off, "Ilanji" Wilson scored for Wellington as the result of brilliant passing. Tho kick at goal failed. Almost immediately afterwards Ryan scored in an easy manner, and added tho major points —Wellington 8, Wanganui nil. The visitors continued their advantage, and a few minutes later another try behind tho posts was scored. Tho kick was resultless—Wellington 11, Wanganui nil. Wanganui redoubled their efforts, and managed to take play to Wellington's twenty-five; where Seeling got the ball and scored alongside the posts. Tho same player converted, but. immediately had to retiro—Wellington 11, Wanganui 5. From tho kick-off, Wellington rushed play to AVanganui's line, where Hardham secured and scored, Mitchinson kicking a goal—Wellington 16, Wanganui 5. The spoil then ended. ' Early in the second spell, Southcombo kicked a penalty goal for Wanganui—Wellington 16, Wanganui 8. -Wellington then became. aggressive, and from a forward rush Hardham scored, tho kick being rcsultleas— Wellington 19, Wanganui 8. Play for somo minutes was in neutral territory. Then Wanganui forced play into their opponents' twenty-five, where Abbott secured and dashed over in a good position. Southcombo ■ converted—Wellington 19, Wanganui 13. From this out Wanganui were kept on tho defensive. Rush kicked a goal from a mark, and Hardham scored a try, the game ending: i Wellington' 25 Wanganui ; 13 . Mr. Tilley refereed satisfactorily. ' SOUTHLAND V.. MANAWATU. , (BY .TELEGIIArH.--SI'ECIAI, CORRESPONDENT.) : Palmsrston North, August 22. Perfect weather prevailed for tho match, Southland v. Manawatu, which was held on the Show Ground beforo a largo number of spectators. Tho game was a-poor exhibition of football, tho handling of tho ball on both Slides being faulty. Following wore the teams:— Southland (maroon).—W. Irwin, H. Pyle, A. M'Neece, AV. Broad, J. M'Neece, L. Foster, J. Ulackham, I. Jenkins (capt.), AV. Egan. D. Small, AV. Turnbull, M. 1 Ityan, H. Knight, J. llcdland, and C. Miles. iiahawatu (green and white). —Hodginß, Smith, Stalkor, Wnldogravo, O'Connor, Buchanan, A. M'Minn (rover), Boon (wing), Carroll, AVatcrs, Best, AVhisker, Ryan, Brough, AVard. . • • ' Archie M'Minn kicked- off, and Pyle returned well up the field. Givo and take play followed, neither side having much advantage. A forward rush by Southland had Manawatu'in difficulty, and from a freo kick given for playing the ball on tho ground M'Neeco placed a good goal. From tho kick-off Manawatu came nway, and ' had Southland pressed, but Foster relieved' with a good line-kick. Shortly after this AVnldegravo kicked well down tho. field, and M'Neeco returned to Stalker, who returned to Broad, but, failing to put his men on sido,

Broad ran along tho line, beat Stalker easily, and scored. M'Neeco failed to convert. Manawatu now took a hand at attacking, and from a penalty Ward landed a good goal. Manawatu continued to attack strongly, and from a scramblo Buchanan picked up tho ball and whipped it out to M Minn, who forccd his way through, and made tho scoro, 'oven. Half-time sounded shortly afterwards. ' ; Tin In the second spell play ■ improved, both sides indulging in good passing rushes, from a scrum in Southland's twenty-five, Buchanan whipped round, beat two men, and sent tlio ball on to O'Connor, who wont straight through and scored a good try. Ward converted. Southland now took things in hand, making the game willing. getting possession, raced across the held, beating O'Connor and Stalker, and passed to Pyle, who scored near tho corner. M'Aeeco converted. Manawatu then attacked strongly, and had Southland hard pressed. I 1 rom a scrum near tho lino Buchanan whipped round tho blind side, but was grounded within,a few inches of the lino, and for lying on tho ball had a. free-kick given against him. This gavo Southland relief, aud from that out give and take play followed. Both teams seemed to bo tiring, and tlio whistle blow with the scores 11 all. Mr. Laws, of Wellington, refereed.

THAMES BEATS AUCKLAND. (nr TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Thames, August 22. Thames defeated tho Auckland Union representative team by eleven points to nil. • The game, which was principally confined to tlio forwards, was fast, willing, and exciting. Thames scored two tries, ono being converted, and a penalty goal was kicked. Thames had the best of tho play, their forwards' fast dribbling rushes and deadly tackling being features of the game. Smith, of the Thames team, and M'Guire, of the Auckland sido, wero ordered off tho field for rough play. • WESTLAND V. MARLBOROUGH.. A DRAWN GAME. / (n" TELEaRATH—I'RKSS .ASSOCIATION*.) Blenheim, August 22. The football match, Westland 'v. Marlborough, for tho Seddon Shield, played today under perfect conditions and in tho presence of- a ■ good attendance, resulted in a draw, each sido scoring 13 points, O'Brien scored two tries for Marlborough, and converted both, and kicked a penalty goal. Renton scored two tries for Westland, Irvine and Wade converting. Southern also scored a try,. which was unconverted. The gamo was hotly contested, and play was veryeven. OTAGO'TOURING TEAM. [BI TELEOP.Al'll—riinss ASSOCIATION.) Duneriin, .August 22. Tho following players have beenselected to- represent Otago on a tour of the Dominion next month: —Backs: Dwyely O'Sullivan; Don, Chambers, Stalker, Eckhold, Dougherty, Sutherland, and King. Forwards: Fitzpatrick, S. Casey, Williams, Patterson"; M'Donakl, Johnston, M'Kenzie', Ivimoy, Houston, Mitchell, and Paton. ' NAPIER SENIOR COMPETITION. (Br TELEGIIArH—PHESS ASSOCIATION.) Napier, August 23. Tlio gamo between tlio Uovcts (Hastings) and Pakipaki, at Hastings on Saturday, ended in a draw with the scoro of 3 points each, thus tho Rovers como first in the Rugby Senior Competition. ' THE BRITISH TEAM. DEFEATED BY NEW SOUTH WALES. A REGRETTABLE INCIDENT.' (BT TEI.F.GKiM'II— I'IIF.SS ASSOCIATION—CorHIIGIIT.) (Ree. August 22, 7.50 . p.m.) , . : Sydney,-August 22. ' New South Wales (6 points) defeated 'England (3 points) to-day (Rec. August 23, 4.15 p.m.)

SydneVi August 23. Twenty thousand witnessed the match. In the first half, the visitors did better than the local side in the scrums and' lino-out work, but excellent tackling on the part of New South Wales proven ted the .Britishers scoring. Gavin got over for the local team, but Kenna failed to add thp major points. During a scrum some disagreeable tactics were witnessed oil both sides. Booting and punching were glaringly visible, the scrapping en-; ding in a prominent player on each side having a stana-up spar for a few seconds. In tho second half the visitors did som? fine dribbling work, carrying play by this manner to the Now South Wales lino. _ Gibbs scored a rather tamo try for tho visitors,; but ho failed to add the extra point's. ' With' the scores level, off-side play by Dibble, in his Own twenty-five, gave New Soiith Wales the chance of the match. Kenna secured a goal. "Ponty" Jones almost levelled matters up again with the run-of the day: The home team, howover, kept their opponents off 'until the whistle sounded, the scores being :— " 'Now South Wales ... 6 points. 'Britain ... :.. ... 3 points The game was punctuated by tho drenching torrents of rain. IMPROVEMENT OF RUGBY. " MEETING IN CHRISTCHURCH. • (BY TELEGRAM.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Christchurch, August 22. A meeting of delegates from tho Christ-|-church football clubs was held last evening to consider proposals for improving tho game of ltugby as at present played in Now Zealand. Tho. meeting was the outcome of an informal meeting held, when a large number of footballers expressed strong dissatisfaction with the present gamo and appointed a committee to circularise tbo-clubs with tho object, of discussing tho proposals ;n a constitutional manner. Tlioro was an attendance of about • thirty delegates. Mr. E. T. Harper, a member of the committee, reported that several meetings had been held and.suggestions, for tho improvement of tho gamo had been drafted. Tho Chairman expressed tho hope that, although tho Canterbury llugby Union had been snubbed by tho New Zealand Union, tho weight of opinion of tho clubs in Christchurch would have a good effect. Several delegates said they had been instructed not to bind their clubs. Tho question was raised whether these delegates, should retire, but no action was taken. The following recommendations of tho committee were adopted:—That.-a potted goitl should count threo points and all other goals two points; that line-outs should bo abolished; that .when tho ball goes into touch a scrum shall bo formed ten yards out; that when a kickeris taking his _ kick from a mark, penalty, force-down, kick-off, or try< tho opposing sido shall not be allowed to charge or in any way interfere with the kicker; that all players outsido the scrum must keep behind their back row of forwards when tho .ball is being scrummaged; that following a force-down tho sido forced must kick out from whore the ball crossed the, goal-line, tho attacking sido to stand ton yards from tho goal-lino; that tho referee should place the ball in all scrums; that where possible all injured players must bo removed immediately from tho field of play. It was Tesolved that tho resolutions should bo brought before tho clubs as soon as possible, 'with a view to further action being taken. During the proceedings the Chairman said that if tho Canterbury Rugby Union could not got satisfaction from tho New ZealandUnion they could go past tho governing body to tho sister unions; . . ASSOCIATION. . | About a thousand spectators assembled at tho Basin Reserve on Saturday to witness tho Rovers v. Y.M.C.A. contest. Tho game was f«st and interesting from start to finish, and when tho whistlo sounded no sido Rovers were leading by three goals to one. Diamonds, ' aftor a woll contested gamo against Thistle, won by four goals to two. Tho above matchcs wore the only Senior

fixtures that affected the positions for tlio championships. Rovers, Y.M.C.A., and Diamonds aro still leading, Y.M.C.A. being one point behind tho others. SENIOR LEAGUE—FIRST DIVISION. ROVERS (3) v. Y.M.C.A. (1). In tho first spell Rovers had a bright sun to play against, but shortly after the kickolf commenced a strong attack on Y.M.C.A.'s goal, a corner resulting. Gofton cleared, and Forbes and Timperley carried play to Rovers' territory, where M'artin relieved. From a throw-in Betholl sent tho ball on to Miller, who passed it across to Casliman, and after a forward passing rush C. O'Shca sent in a hot shot, which Gofton saved by giving a corner. Tho kick was secured by Y.M.'s who, with excellent combination, gained considerable ground. Duignan, however, relieved with a strong kick, and for a, timo play was in mid-field. TV.. Gibson got in a fino dribblo and had a shot, but Penlington was equal to the occasion and saved in fino style. Y.M.C.A. were pressing hard and Croft spoilt a grand chanco by kicking too hard. Rovers attacked in turn and Chapman was compelled to give ,1 corner. Miller lobbed the ball into the goal mouth, wliero Gofton fisted out, and TV. Gibson, Timperley, and Forbes camo away with a rush, Penlington being required to stop a well directed shot by "Forbes. TV. Gibson sent in a hot shot which only missed by inches. Rovers' forwards wore playing with excellent combination, and shots wero going all round the posts. Miller and C. O'Shea had bad luck on many occasions, and a long shot from Duignan went very close. Walton was not seen to advantago and conceded several corners through miskicks. A foul charge in tho penalty area against the same player enabled G. Martin to draw first blood in favour of Rovers. Gofton made a fino effort to save, but had no chance. Tho reverso livened Y.M.C.A. up, and somo combined forward-- rushes were cleverly stopped by Duignan and Martin and tho halves'. Bethell was temporarily disabled, and shortly after wheii half-time wa3 called tho scoro was:—Rovers, 1; Y.M.C.A., 0. To improve matters in tho second s[>ell, Y.M.C.A. had a shuffle in the back division, and two or three players changed positions. A merry pace was kept up by both sides, and play was not of tho " beg pardon" order. Cashman and Barry came down the right wing, and after passing tho opposition put in a ihot shot; which Gofton temporarily cleared, but' C. O'Shea secured and beat Gofton with a perfect shot.' Y.M.C.A. attacked, and TV. Gibson sent in a good shot, which'resulted in' a corner and was fruitless. Some fino passing by Miller and Martin enabled the former player to shoot. The ball struck the post and went behind. From a very difficult angle Cashman shot, and in saving Gofton carried it through. Forbes and Timporley were having no' opportunities, and seldom received the ball. Y.M.C.A. wero making desperate efforts to score, but without' avail, as Rovers' defence was perfect. A fino savo by Bethell removed play to Y.M.C.A. territory, and Rovers pressed hard. - Barry was knocked out for a time, and play was temporarily stopped, but a few minutes elapsed before Barry was again ill tho thick of it. Rovers wero awarded a second penalty kick from "hands" oil Moore. Martin was again entrusted with the kick, but Gofton cleverly saved, and in doing so gave a corner.' Y.M.C.A. cleared, and a combined rush enabled TV. Gibson to send in a shot which gavo Penlington no chance. Give-and-take play was the order until tho whistlo sounded time, ai)d the game ended: — Rovers 3 Y.M.C.A 1 • That the better team won is admitted by Y.M.C.A., but there was a lot of hard luck on both sides. Gofton played a good game in- goal, and did not receive too much support from his full-backs, whose kicking was 'very wild at'times'; Chapman played a' better game at forward in tho second spell than at. full in tho first. Walton spoils his game by skying tho ball' and putting moro weight into his charges than necessary. R. Gibson, N.. Irvine, .and Monro as halves neglected to feed their forwards,, hut .played good defensive games. Forbes,.' Timporley,. and TV. Gibson are a good trio/ but T. Irvine and Croft w;e'ro not sqcii toi. advantage on Saturday? - For ' Rovers, Penlington in goal was decidedly safo, and' , vr.as_: a.blv supported by Duignan and Martin. ; Bothell, Barnctt, and TV. O'Shea were an equally fino set of halves. Perhaps tho latter player 'was inclined; to wander ir.oro than was necessary. Cashnian, Barry, C. .O'Shea, Martin, and Miller; Rovers' forwards, played sterling games, their footwork .and combination being a fino display. Mr. H. Mayer controlled the game with firmness, and his- decisions throughout gave overy satisfaction; More referees- with similar views to his on foul play would tend to populariso "soccer:"

PETONE (2) v. SWIFTS (0). Petonc and Swifts played a scratch match at Potone, and after . a fairly interesting gamo the suburbanites won by two goals to nil. Renai and Wright scored for Petono. , The scratch match, Ramblers v. Wanderers, was not played. SENIOR LEAGUE —SECOND DIVISIONCHALLENGE CTJP. SWIFTS (3) v.. MENTAL HOSPITAL (1). Swifts journeyed to Porirua and defeated the Hospital by 3 goals to 1. Swifts kicked off against the' sun. The Hospital backs returned tho ball, and- forced Salmon in goal to, concedo a corner. The whites (Hospital) for a time had most of tho play, Elliott, Thompson, and Jacobs doing good work in tho forward line. Wilson and Guise amongst tho red backs defended well, but at last Thompson secured the ball from a goal-kick and scored for tho Hospital with a nice shot, I—o, Hospital were "encouraged by this success, and came with several rushes, causing Swifts' defenco somo anxiety. But at last tho red forwards got going, M'Lean and Millingon doing the best work. Beforo halftime was called Robinson equalised for Swifts, I—l.1 —1. . Play continued fast in tho second spell, but the paco of tho Swifts' wings wore the white backs down, and Hicks was called upon to make seyoral good saves 'in tho Hospital goal. M'Lean was very activo on Swifts' right wing, and placed his sido ahead from close quarters, 2—l. Hospital mailo excellent attempts to get on level torms again, Elliott playing a clover gamo in tho centre, but tho red |>acks were safe.. At tho other end a long kick from Wilson led to his forwards giving Hicks a warm time, Millingtoii gaining a third point, 3—l. Reds continued to attack, but there was no further score. Mr. E. Wiudley refereed.

Hicks, Walker, Elliott, Thompson, and Jacobs were the best of the losers, while Wilson, Pye-Smith, Guiso, Millington, and M'Lcan did well for Swifts. ' ROVERS V. ST. JOHN 11. Rovers v. St. John's ll.—This match was played at Miramar on a ground which was partly under water, and this interfered with the play to a great extent. The game was of a vory even nature, tho winners if anything 'having the better of it. Goals wero scored by H. Robinson (2), May and Clements for tho winners, and tho left wing forward (2) and centre for the St. Jonh's, the gamo thus ending in favour of Rovers by 4 goals to 3. JUNIOR CHALLENGE CUP. Watersidcrs v. Y.M.C.A. (Juniors). —This was a fairly evenly contested game. During tho first spell Kingwell scored two goals for Y.M.C.A., and in tho sceond half Watersidcrs, as it were, collapsed, and Y.M.C.A. added six more goals to their score. Kingwell played a good gamo among tho forwards. Tho goals wero scored by Kingwell (5), ICitto (1), Self (1), Macklin (1), making 8 in all. Watersidcrs mado no score. Henderson Memorial Cup.—Kaiwarra (3 goals) beat Y.M.C.A. (2 goals). Fourth Class Championship.—l'utone (3 goals) won from Swifts (0). Y.M.C.A. A beat tho I) team by 6 goals to 1. Tim winner's scorers were Mawby (3), Part-on, and Pvollo (2), and the loser's try was secured by Weekly,

Fifth Class Championship.—Y.M.C.A. JR (5 goals) defeated Newtown Congregational (1 goal); Technical (3 goals) beat Y.M.C.A. C (1 goal); Brooklyn (8 goals) defeated Rangers B (0). | WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVES. BROWN SHIELD TEAM. Mr. George F. Brodio has chosen tho following thirteen players to represent tho Province at the Brown Shield Tournament, to bo held at Duncdin an September 9, 10, and 12:— - GOAL: F. Oldnall (Ramblers). BACKS: T. Duignan (Rovers), TV. Roberts (Diamonds). HALVES: \V. Jackson (Ramblers), TV. J. Taylor (Diamonds), E. L. Renai (Pctono). FORWARDS: B. Gwilliam and J. B. Ash (Wanderers), W. Gibson (Y.M.C.A.), C. O'Shea (Rovers), and A. G. Forbes (Y.M.C.A.). EXTRA MEN: G. Irvino (Wanderers), goalkeeper or back. Timperloy (Y.M.C.A.), forward. Tho names of players are arranged according to tho positions thoy aro to occupy on tlie fieldj men on tho .left side of tho field being mentioned, first. The selcetor states that arrangements have been made for the toam to train at tho Y.M.C.A. gymnasium overy Tuesday and Friday evening, from -7.30 until 8 o'clock. Players failing to attend the gymnasium on those occasions are liable to ba excluded from the team. AUSTRALIAN GAME. ' CITY v. WELLINGTON. The premiership matches were advanced another stago on Saturday, when' the City and Wellington tpams met on the Basin Reservo, tlio gamo resulting in a decisive win for tho former by 55 points. City won the toss, and kicked towards tho grandstand goal. On tho bounce City rushed tho ball forward,. and Mahoney picking up scored first goal. Off again Wellington forced matters, and after somo good passing scored. From this till tho "breather" City stormed Wellington's citadel, and put on seven more goals, whilst Wellington tacked on two to their score. Tho first spell ended:— City, 8 goals 9 behinds 57 Wellington, 3 goals 4 behinds ... 22 Tho sccond spell was marked by moro even play. Tho Wellington backs defended gamely, and for some timo held City in-check. At last City broko away and notched -two. more goals. This livened TVollington up, and thoy played with greater dash than Before, but their efforts were nullified by the City's strong backs, Cromie, Galland, and O'Connoll, who wore playing good heady football. City were in tho ascendent right up to . the cali of timo. Tho final sgoios were:— City, 13 goals 22 behinds ... lOOpts. TVollington, 6 goals 9 behinds 45pts. For tho winners, J. House, Cromie, Payne, O'Connell, Galand, Smith, M'Whae, Baxter, and Mahonoy (who kicked six goals) were always prominent. For tho losers —Hurley, Mears, Vare, and Lawrence played hard to avert defeat. Mr. l'carcc gavo overy satisfaction as umpire. NEW ZEALAND OVERWHELMED. (nv TEI.EMUI'JI—rrtESS ASSOCIATION-COPTItIJIIT.) Melbourne, August 22. The football match (Australian Game) Victoria v. New Zealand, which' was won by Victoria by 171 points to 40, was played on a wet and-slippery ground. Heavy rain prior to tho match interfered with the attendance. . Tho Victorians showed a much better knowledge of tho game than tho New Zealanders, From, the outset the visitors wero outclassed. At tho end of tho first quarter tho scores were: Victoria, 10 goals and 8 behinds, to 2 behinds. Each sbparato' quarter left the visitors farther in tho rear. As in tho previous match, the New Zealandcrs played a better game in the second than in tho first half, but. tho result "was! a foregono conclusion after tho first few minutes. NORTHERN UNION FOOTBALL. AUCKLAND v. WELLINGTON. TVIN FOR THE NORTHERNERS. ' • (uv TELEGKATII —I'ItESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, August 22. Tho match played between Wellington and Auckland teams under Northern Union Rules at Victoria Park attracted an attendance 'of about"Sooo. The match, which was followed with curio.us interest by the largo crowd, ended "in a win for Auckland by 16 points, to 14. -A feature of tho match was the goal kicking of W. Tyler, who kicked two goals from marks, two penalty goals, and converted one try. Auckland's tries wore scored by TV. TVynyard and Rowe. The Wellington scoro was made up of four tries scored by King, Barber, Twohill, and M'Gill. G. Spencer converted Barber's try.