FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 525, 4 June 1909, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON V. WANCANUI. 7.' EASY TON FOR HOME TEAM. Over 4000 poople witnessed the initial representative match .of the season—Wellington versus AVanganui—-which took place at the- Athletio .Park yesterday> afternoon. The contest was robbed. of much interest, owing to a strong breeze, • which swept down the hold./. At the last moment further changos bad to be made:, in the Wellington team, owing to Matheson being unable to play. His .plaoe in the three-quarter line was filled by J. Ryan, who ,was replaced at full-back by Thomas. Then, : again, the ; Wanganui team' was weakened through th© absence of several prominent players, whose places were filled by otherE much less qualified. There was.a concensffl of opinion that, compared tilth, saj, the Oriental-Petone match last Saturday, the contest was disappointing. During the hrst spell, play was open, and

fairly hard, but tho second half was, for th» most part, dull and uninteresting. It May safely be tiaid that the back_play, ,all round, fell far bßlow- expectations The home rear division'was 1 anything but "nippy," whilst ..the visitors' backs ■ lacked . combination altogether; A redeeming featuro. of-thb : match wasthe i clover loose V play, shown 1, at times .by the .Wellington pack; and the fast following up of fche'Wanganui van. Towards 'the close of the . game, large numbers -Vof .spectators crowded on the eastern touchlino, .thus shutting oil the view of occupants of the grandstand. : Referee Howe promptly stopped the game until -the intruders had been/driven back by the few constables in attendance, '■ assisted by members • 1 of 1 ■ the pnion. : It is. understood that, on:the occasion of the ne."rt big match, a ; larger contingent of police; will be present to see that isuch a thing does not again happen. - > ■ ; The teams were as unaor:— ■ WELLINGTON. Thomas. . E. Ryan, 'F. 'Mitohinson; J. Ryan, Hannagan, Walsho. Roberts, ■■ Houlihan, Jlurphy, A. C. "Ranji" Wilson, Bruce, Shadbolt, M'Kollar, Avery ■(wing). 1 . ' i • WANGANUI. - ■ \ ■ Meuli. Abbott, Bignell, Kilpatrick. C. Campion, R. Campion. Carroll. Murray, Stratford, t Milne, O'Donaall, Lambert, .Ross Irvine, and Takarangi (wing), . First Spell. Winning tie toss, Wiinganui elected to play with .the advantage of the wind .in the

.first spell.. Efforts-at..passing were soon made i by the Wellington, backs, who, however,'^handled'tho ball indiffeatrntly.. Within' three minutes' of tho start, the Wellington. Eack 'essayed a fino rush, which resulted in ruOe .registering' a try. Thomas made, a fine'• but ineffectual" attempt to convert against tho , wind—Wellington 3, Wanganui' 0. Then Lambert, for' Wa'ngaftui, took the ball cleanly at the end of a line-out; and kicked well down the field. Owing to Thomas failing to get in his kick, Wellington was placed in difficulties, and an opportunity to score was missed, by Wanganui at this stage. Upon the ball being centred, a scramble .ensued, and eventually' the leather, went out to Bignell, who failed when i? a position from which ho ought to have got through. Next Abbott had a shot at goal for Wanganui from a penalty, but his kick _ was charged, down. For a 'fow'minutes tlieroiwas interesting loose play en tho Wellington' sido of half-way, and following .this'came a capital.passing bout by the' Wellington backs,. but jtfitehinson had tho misfortune to 4 Imoqk-on, Wiuigaaui

again took up the attack, and Bienell Bent the ball out to Abbott, who beat Flannagan, and, naaiing tho corner, sucoeoded amid applause in chiding Thomas. Tho shot at goal was token by xakarangi, whose kick wont under the bar. Wellington. 3, Wanganui 3. Honours were ; now easy, ■ but Wellington again entered Wanganui's borders, and Bruoe,. coming up fast in a scramble near the line, gathered up tho' ball, and again ran over. Thomas's effort at goal was thwarted by the wind. Wellington 6, Wanganui 3. Wanganui now put more vigour into their work, and were attacking strongly when Avery shot out of the ruck with the ball at his toe, his progress being stopped at half-way by Meuli marking. When Wanganui next got into Wellington's twentyfive, Takarangi had a good, but fruitless, shot at goal from a free-kick. Keen forward play characterised the rest of the spell. ' Second Spell. No sooner had the second half commenced than Wellington invaded tho Wanganui twenty-five. Here Bruce again distinguished himself by securing possession in the ruck,

and parsing out to "Ranji" Wilson* who scored'in a good position. Thomas was successful with tlio kick. Wellington 11, .Wangauui 3. -, Wellington • continued to press, arid were awarded- a free-kick, which Thomas nearly turned to account. Noxt a passing, rush''oh tho blind sido culminated in ;J. Ryan getting over,' but he.* was called back. . Wanganui now had their hands quite full, but not their cup of trouble. For offside play a free-kick was awarded. against and'J. Ryan,, taking the kick, sent 'tho ball against a post, off which it glanced inwardly and ovor tho bar. Wellington 14, Wanganui 3. Play of an unattractive 'kind ensued on tho Wanganui side of half why,-until Roberts initiated a .passing rush, which ended in 13. Ryan being thrown against the .corner flag,' but Wellington's efforts were"rewarded a. few .minutes later when Shadbolt secured ■in the,ruck; and struggled over with two or 'throe Opponents'clinging'to him. ; ij: Ryan, did not succeed ,in converting, although tho position was a , simple one. Wellington, 17; ■Wanganui, 3. Scrum now followed scrum near tho .Wanganui goal-line, but the proceedings were evontiially onlivened by a passing rush among the Wellington backs, whicli resutled in speedy E. . Ryan dashing across Shadbolt's attempt to onhance the soore was' poor.—Wellington, 20 ; Wanganui, 3. The principals in the next bit of interesting play were E. Ryan and Roberts, who passed .and repassed up to the Wanganui line, where a knock-on occurred.' Sliadbolt scbred his second try soon , afterwards, but Walsh'e .missed at goal.—Wellington, 23; Wanganui, 3. During the last two or three minutes the-Wellington forwards made a further atjtack, and eventually A. Wilson passed to Shadbolt, who got over, Mitchinson converting. The game, thus ended:; 1 Wellington - ... :.. 28 points. ; Wanganui 3 points.'.

Mr. G. Howe was the refere?. Of the Wellington backs, Mitchinson played well, as also did E. Rvan. Roberts and • Walsho seemed to be a little, "off. colour," whilst Thomas has also been seen to better advantage. Brace was tho "star" among the Wellington forwards; Nest in order came A. C. Wilson. Avery was. brilliant at "times, but fell off somewhat in tho second spell.' For Wanganui, "All Black" Abbott did best among - the backs. Meuli and the Campion Brothers were suporior to ,the others. Of the forwards, Irvine, Lambert, and Milne gavo the best displays. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRAPERS. Prior to tho representative match yesterday, tcaira representing the Wholesalo and the Retail Drapers tried conclusions at Athletic Park. With tho advantage of tho wind. Retailers wero on tho attack most of tile first spell. From half-way, Homig had a shot at goal for Rotailers, tho ball landing just under the bar, and then Quinlau, seored fur thom from a loow rtutli. fujlcd

to add tie major .points. Later, Daky got ovor for Retailers, but Qomig again failed with tho kick. Towards tho end of th© spoil WtHjlcsalors made a splendid rush : from thoir twenty-five, right up to Retailers' u «' £? fewer than a dozen handling the ball, but it ended without achieving a score. Upon ends haying been changed, 'Wholesalers took a turn at attacking, . but were overeager for a time. Then Galloway, made- a soorin S between the posts. MitoheJl enhanced. Further tries were gained for t Wholesalers by Galloway, RiW ana forks, but only one was converted. Wholesalers thus won by sixteen points to sli points. Mr. J. Brown was tho referee. VARIOUS CAMfES. Jfcwtomi Congregational and South Wellington (Association) met on Newtown Park yesterday morning, tho former winning by 2 goals to 1. Johnson arid Finch scored for the winners, and Zorn scored for the losers. A Press Association message from Masterton states that St."John's (Wellington) de-

feated Knox (Hasterton) yesterday in a Rugby gamo by 13 points to 8. ' > 181 TILKQItAPH —I'IIESI ASSOCIATIOHJ, '■ Palmorston, June 3. . Tho sovon-a-side tournament of the Manawatu Rujjby TJnion attracted a good attendance. Tho Falmorstori North Club won both tho sonior and junior contests., Y/anganui, June 3. In a football inatch to-day Rangitikei beat Wanganui by 9 .to 4. THE LEVIN SHIELD. Yesterday morning an interesting series of football coutosts was carried out by members ;of tho Wellington Club at Newtown Park. Some years ago, it will bo remembered, the lato Mr. W. H. Levin presented'a-shield to encourage skilful play. Various competitions wore to,bo'held annually, the''most successful player holding the shield .until the noxt season. After a time, howover, tho competitions were dropped, but it was dccidcd to revive them this season. Accordingly, members of tho club - assembled yestorday, when'their abilities wore judged by Messrs.: Ronaldson, Fache, Weir, and M'Kellar, with the following results: — Place-kick at goal, two kicks, one from front,; ono at an angle—Goulding, Carr, Sellers, Bridgo, Humo, and Ronayne, each kicked ono goal. ' . • ' Drop-kick at goal, similar conditions— Bridgo 2, Aborcrombie,. Sellars, and M'Lean 1 each . - ' • 1 • '' Long place-kick (in order of merit)—Sellars' 1, Forbes, Bridge, and'Ronayne 2, Harvey 3. M'Kay, Hume, Carr, and Fraser, 1 point each for coming' within! ten .yards of tho winning kick. . . ■ Long Drop (in order; of merit) —Bridge 1, Forbes 2, Goulding 3. Ronaynd and Irons scored 1 point each. ~ ■ -, •

. Pant into Touch, from a point 25 yards in field—M'Lean 1, Bridge 2, Jiorris, Hnmo. and Frasor 3., •.■''., ■ Passing teams; winning team—Sollarß, Bridge., Jurie, Ronayne, 26sec. Dribbling teams; winning team—Westerman, M'Lean, Harvey, Woir, 32sec. Fifty Yards Flat; Wl-Carr 1, M'Lean 2, Ronayne- 3. ' 100 Yards Flatr-M'Lean l.Carr 2, Bridge 220 Handicap—Harvoy 1] "Westorman 2, Juno 3.' points for shiold—Bridge 16, M Lean 15, SpUars and R-onayno 9.

TEAMS FOR SATURDAY.

N RTJGBY. Melrose teams for Saturday are as follow: —Senior v. Victoria Colloge, at Polo Grounds —Ryder, Beavis, Twomey, Marshall, Murphy (3), Grooks (2) M'lnnis. Sullivan, King, llMßjimaut, M'tooraey. Junior v. St, Jawoa,

Polo Ground—Marshnaont, Moffitt,. Pater son, Twomoy, Jonee, Roid, Greeks, Hoaro, . I l ' Snort, Kills, O'Donoghuo, ■ Mellmish, and Tonka. Fourth-Class v. Polhill, at Bsrm\m^ro — L ' lndsa y> Barton, Bott, , Gilchrist Wi, Spearman Ferris, Cotter, -M'Carthy, Hardymont, Mnrphy, Murray, Hoar'o, Cart"l cr .', Fifth-Class v. Southern, at Athletic Park-—Davis; Lo Compte, Martin. Knapp, Grav, Marshall, Church, M'Coll (2), Helliwoll (3), Wilton, Lonnon, Spearman; emergencies, Jones and'Lawlor. .. v , The following teams will represent .St. John s on Saturday .—Third-Class v. Ponoko; 1 Fade No. 2—Lambert, Dunn Llliffo, Duske, Moighan, Darby, Lovoll, Crawlord, Dallas* Dyctt. . Fawcett, Andrew, Nicholson, Martin, and Bertinshaw. Fourth Class v. Karori, at Earori-Watsoh, M'Loav, Crawford, Saxon, Pram, Redgrave, Reid, Rowo, M Kay (2), Bradlov, Androw, Murray, Meynard, and MacMorran.

ASSOCIATION. The following teams will represent tho Diamonds Club to-morrow t —Senior League— First Division versus St. John's, at Newtown r ark—Hutchison, AV. Roberts, Overend, Baraett, Taylor, D. Roborts, Thorley, Roddy (2), and Low© (2). Senior League— ; Second Division versus Porirua B. at Porirua—Marshall, Roberts, Fitzgerald, Riley, Collins (2), Lowe ; Black, Magce, Hall, 'and Robinson; reserves, Johnson,and M'Callum. Junior League—First Division versus Wadostown, at Miramar No. 6 —Makin, Cornfoot, Roddy, Harrison, Murphy, Bowie, Adams, Ifivr' AValsh, Macfarlane, Trout, and M.Master; reserve, CaldwelJ. Tho Wanderers teams for' to-morrow will be :-Semor First Division v;'Betone—WobKter, _ Clapham, Jardine, Hunter, Cornish, Hatchor, Dalzeil,, AsR, Hayn-ard, 'Heather, Bradbury;. reserves, Milne and Rodgers. Second Division—Hillditch, Hart, Wallis, Nolan, Barlcir, Benton, Ritchie Woodcock, Holt, Holland, and Lambert. Wellington Swifts Association Football Club defeated Palmerston by two goals to nil. ENCOURAGING COUNTRY FOOTBALL. (BT TELEGUAFn— rRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, Juno 3. In pursuance of its policy of encouraging county football, the Canterbury Rugby Union devoted! this afternoon to a sories of matches between its affiliated snb-uriions. Three games were played, the results being:—EUesmore s (8): beat Ashburton (nil); Peninsula (3). beat North Canterbury '(nil); Christchurch Juniors (18) beat Malvern (nil);' ENTERTAINMENTS. "A MESSAGE FROM MARS." ' "A Messenger from Mars," a comedy-drama in three acts by Robert Ganthony. Cast: Horace Parker ...; Mr. Qoorgo Cross . The Messenger from Mars ; / . ,Mr. Wilton Power Triunp Mr. John Hesford Arthur Dicey Mr. J. L. Lawrence Policeman Mr. D. A. Drayton . Minnie, Templar Miss Rosemary Kees Miss Parker (Aunt Martha) . '. .: . Miss Ada Guildford Bella (maid at the Parker's) ■ - Miss Maud ChetwyndMrs. C1arence........... Miss Beatrice. tJsher AVion Robert Ganthony wioio "A Message from Mars" (produced by the. Allan Hamilton Dramatic Company at-the Opera House last evening) ho proacliod a fine sermon, the text~of which is summed up in th 6 word "otherdom." , In one part of tho. play tho Mesenger, states that in our. languagb (as distinct from tliat of Mars) we, liavo. no word which means the oracfc opposite to selfishness, and Parker corrects him. by quoting tho word altruism, apologising for the fact that it was not vofy well known. Ho might have remarked more convincingly that there is such a word as unselfishness, but that would not havo snited the dramatist, who gives us such admirable advico in the torso dialogue of his appeah'ng comedy., Horace Parkpr, a v skil-fufly-drawn typical egoist, is mado tho,means by which the lesson is conveyed. Eaten up with, solf-kivo and egregious selfishness, ho refuses to;'put himself out in tho slightest degree for ;oth'ers, oven for the girl he is about to marry, and allows her to go to a ball , with hor aunt and a male friend. Then falling asleep over an article on tho possibility of' communicating..with the planet liars (an experiment recently revived, by Professor AVm. Hi; Pickering, of tho Harvard' IFniversity, rfho threatens to achieve tho feat • with a heliograph to cost £2,000,000), and dreams.' Dreams, that-a messenger from Mars visits him, and endeavours, to alter his nature at firet. by; persuasion, - then. by; dynamics and a chango of state. Tho dream' ends in hia complete oonverpon to "otherdom," and as ho rubs tho sleep out of his oyes' tho ladies return from the danco to'find him a changed mail. llt is qnito a.; pretty. ;* stOry—a little \ love," ; a littlo tragddy,' some excellent "comedy, and;one. that, may arrest thought .beneficially. The comedy is not a new one to Wellington,. We take pleasnre in remembering the clover work of Mr. Herbert Ross and Mr. W. F. Hawtroy in tho production of some six or seven years ag6, and it has been played once since. Last evening s performance was distinctly credit ablo. Mr. Geo. Cross plays Parker on sound hnes. Ho is not the ultra-testy'fop that jrr. Herbert Ross made him. The latest Parker is a milder, smoother person, who rather enJoys the coinedy his soones with the, Messenger, create, and takes a far more philosophic view of the situation. Ho was excellent in tho.street sceno "(tho dream), and brisked up properly after his reformation. Miss Rosemary Rees pliyed Minnie' Templer quite charmingly, save for an unnecessary, laclirymoso touch at tho opening, and . Miss Ada uuilarord looked very handsomo as that very sane, person, Aunt Martha. Mr. John Iles- ? r i submitted a consistent ,and convincing study of tho Tramp, getting some wonderful work into that magnificont voico of his. Ho died. with_a!most painful realism in the very realistic dream .scgiio.. Miss Bcatrico Usher mado an enghgihg l Lady Clarence, but. Miss Maud Chetwynd rather, overdid tho part of Bella, wlio'would not make comic grimaces h( :, r ,, mas . ter in f"ll view of her mistress. Mr. Wilton Power was very effective as tho solemn-toned Messenger,' his fine voice and good clociition standing him in .excellent stead. Mr. J. L. Lawrence was too stilted and stiff in his love-making as Mr. Dicey to find favour with the sex, and moreover is inclined to bo mechanical in the delivery of Ills lines. A pleasing featuro of the production is tho care taken to have every detail attended to, and in this connection even the street crowd were carefully made-up and tutored in their business. Tho scencrv was quite adequate, and the effects cleverly achieved. Tho orchestra, under Mr. Fred Hcnningham, played . interesting selections' including a fantasia on "The Duchess of Dantzic. "A Message,from Mais" will bo repeated to-night for tho last time/ and to-morrow (Saturday) night a sensational drama by F Thorpo '.and-, Ivan. Berlin, entitled "Queen of the Night," will bo staged for the first time m New Zealand with magnificent scenery and effects. ' DR., BORANOFF. The Opera House will bo-occupied on Sunday evening noxt by Dr. Boranoff, stated to bo a Russian cxilo, who rccentlv arrived from England. It' is stated that T)r ■ Bor 7 - noif, - who.; is on the ovo of touring New Zealand, is not attached in any to a political organisation, but intends simpk to dcscnbo tho disorder of Russia from a humanitarian point of view. For Sunday's !°, c i ur ° lioranofF has chosen the subject, /ho Fight for Freedom," being the story of a Russian exile which deals- with tho Russian Church, police, and Tsardom. WONDERLAND. Wonderland was the resort'of a considerable, number, of holiday makers yesterday, sovetal parties spsnding tho day at the suburban gala grounds. It was in tho afternoon, howover, that tho placo was most sought. Tho various sido shows were well patronised, and tho water chuto was simply rushed by the younger members of tho picnic parties.