RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 479, 12 April 1909, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY'S GAMES. WINS FOR LOCAL TEAMS. Despito tho disagreoable weather on Saturday nftornoon there ivns a good attendance at the Atblctic Park, whore two special matches— Molroso v. Kaiornu (Wnngamii) and Poneko t. Albion (Christchuroh)—were played. As was to be oxpeoted tho turf was very slippery aftor tho heavy rain which had fallen during tho night. There was a keen tussle between Molroso, tho premier local team, and Kaiernu, the crack combination at Wanganui. I'onoko, who wore in fmo feltlo for so early in tho season, romped ovor the team which represented Albion, who held tho leading position in the competitions at Christchurch last year. PONEICE OUT-PLAY ALBION. Tbo display made by Albion against I'oneko was vory disappointing. Without any difficulty U\o local team knocked up •35 points against tho visitors, who failed to score. Tho failure of tho Albions was duo mostly to the fact, that a largo perconlago of players 011 thoir sido wero juniors. They would have dono much bolter, howovcr, if they had becn.content to keep t.ho ball at their feet. On tho local sido wora I'. ltoid, ex-Southorner, and Tannahill, ex-Kia Oras. During tho first quarter of an hour Cook, tho Albion fullback, got his nido into difficulties soveral times. As a result nf a strong rush Ileid got over for Poneko, Gardiner's kiok was successful, but the ball just wont over tho bar. I'rom a loose rush it minute or two lator Price beat an opponent in a raco for tho oval. Gardiner again added tho major points. Itoid registered his second try t\itliin tho next few minutes, and Gardiner kicked his third goal in succession. Towards tho end of tho spoil Hunter scored from a .scramble, but Gardiner missed with the kick. Tho visitors put a lot of dash into their work at tho beginning of tho second spell, but tho odort was not sustained for many minutes. When Ponoko forced thorn back lteid, from, a throw-out, got through, and Walsh'converted. From this out Ponoke had practically thoir own way. Tries wero scoured by Dennohy (2), Walsh, and Elliott, but in 110 caso was the kick at goal successful. Mr. T. Quinn gave every'satisfaction with tho whistle.

MELROSE DEFEAT KAIERAU. Tho match between Kaierau and Melrose provided a strenuous contest, which resulted in a victory for tho local team by a small margin. Owing to the state of the ground, play was mostly oonfined to the forwards. "Tho conditions suited Kaierau, who havo a' heavy, fast vanguard. Included in tho Melroso team wero a number of juniors, who acquitted themselves woll. Shortly after the commencement of tho game Melroso made a strong attack.' Then .followed a period , of hard play, which was not marked by exciting incidents. Kaierau then took a turn at attacking, with the result that Melroso were forced twice. During the latter part of tho spell,.both sides got within an aco of scoring. Onoo a Kaierau forward, who was making a desperate effort to got across, was surrounded by a pack of Melrose players who carriod him baok some yards. Immediately play was transferred to the Kaierau end, where a score was narrowly averted. Upon resuming play after tho interval, Melroso mado a determined attack, which, tested the Kaierau defence to the utmost. From a free-kick in a fair position Beavis made a poor attempt at goal. A few minutes later the ball was swept; over tho Kaierau line, Toomey just failing to touch down. Subsequently, when play was at halfway, the Melroso forwards broke away. Several of the Kaierau backs attempted to pick up, but wore unsuccessful. King, who was following up in good style, gathered up tho ball close to tho lino, and had no difficulty in getting over. Beavis enhanced the bco -c amidst applause. This reverse caused Kaierau to extend themselves, but Melrose held their own. Towards tho end of tho spell Melrose again attacked, but without result. Mr. G. Howe controlled the game effioiontly.

MATCHES IN OTHER CENTRES. (Pr Tiwqßirn—rasßs association.) Auckland. April 10. Tho annual report, of, tho Auckland Rngb* Union shows that after making grants of JJIB3 to the various clubs, there remains a credit balance oh tho year's operations of .CIU. The ground fund account stands at ,£5202. Cfiristchurch, April 10. Tho annual Easter football matches between, local and visiting teams wero played to-day in fine weather, and resulted:—Merivalo, 13, beat Alhambra (Dunedin), 3; Linwood, 13, boat Union (Dunedin), 6; Chriatchuroh, 8, beat Wellington, G. „, , Napier, April 10. St, James (Wellington) to-day defeated Pirates (Napier) by 18 points to 3. In thoir match against Pirates (Najiior) on Easter Saturday, at Napier, won by St. James b by 18 points to 3, St. James's score was mado up as follows:—Ferguson secured two tries and M'Kenzie one. Two tries wero converted by Crewes and one by M'Konzie. _ ' . , Palmerston North, April 11. The Oriental team (from Wellington), playmg six substitutes, was beaten by Palmerston by 13 points to 7. „ , , „ . Hastings, April 10. to 12 TWB beat Petone yesterday by 13 points ' j't ii.,,. Nelion, April 10. Petono dofeatcd Albions by 18 points to 6. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. SWIFTS (WELLINGTON) v. BLENHEIM. (HY TELEQEAPn—PRESS ASSOCIATION,) „ Blenheim, April 10. The Swifts (Wellington) Association" team played a combined Marlborough team at Picton yesterday, tho game ending in a draw—two goals each. The homo team scored first, from a nice shot by Barret. Twohill equalised in tho second spoil, and this was followed by Sparrow placing Swifts ahead, after good play. ■ Towards the end of tho game tho Swifts' goal-keener dropped the ball through his own goal, thus making the scores level. Young in goal, for the homo team, played a splendid game saving his side frequently. All through, the form on both sides was very at times™ Cap ' tal Dlny and coml)illn tion • To-day the Swifts will play Blenheim. >

TEAMS AT WANGANUI. t„ i-i „ * •.. . Wanoanui, April JO. R A" 7° Relation football matches played on Saturday, Wellington Y.M.CI.A. beat Wiganui by 4 to 1, Diamonds bent Wanganui by 9 to 1.