FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 557, 12 July 1909, Page 7

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S RUGBY MATCHES.

\. , . SOME BATTLES IN THE MUD. , / ' About 3300 people were present at Athlotic j Park on Saturday, Poneke scored a subf stantial win over Melrose, while the train--1 wg of Potono enabled, them to do pretty • much as thoy pleased with Southern, cspecif ally .towards tho finish,'. when the weary effort of warring against the mud was be-ginning-to toll on the forwards. A notablo feature about_Ponoke-is that they bavo'evidently been "tuning up" their forwards, and , it l was pleasing to notice, that 'two of their van, .who have not hitherto been remarkablo for'hard work, wero not only in the thick of-things, but also led many of tho attacks. If they Reds continue .on these lines they will soon double the value of their combination, but'that remains to ho seen. On Sat- , urday, 'in the heavy going, none of the forwards could have lasted the struggle out, , unless they had been reasonably fit, and certainly there were no trailing strings of laghas been the case in former games, 'uring the progress of the match one of the Melrose players was ordered oft the field. Seen after tho game with reference to the matter, the reforeo (Mr. T. H. Jones) stated that the player in question had struck Tilrard, tho Poneke half-back, in tho face. ', PONEKE (9) V. MELROSE (3). Quags and' pools. Also slush that flew in showers, as the players raced through it. "What football there was was the only football possible—"kick hard, boys,' and follow up?", As the ball 'was set m motion, Poneke - supporters were, no doubt, asking themselves a- question or two about a game whero back <>■*~ play was out of tho question. Could they '*•-" • -win?. ,Ono tcore might settle the issue; when would they get that score? Walsh very \. " f soon answered that question by lifting over Yty a penalty goal. The gamo _ now locked V 'down to grips. In twenty minutes it had a tot of pace, and pace always \iilways has its effect, on .the spectators. Cheering for Melrose soon became general, ani'this in turn spurred Melrose on to harder p%»., Their footwork at length became irresistible, and, just before tho interval, R. Greeks carried the ball over and fell on 'it. S—3- So far the forwards on both sides'bad battled splendidly, but the of war was still to come. At half-time, Flanagan, 'who had been severely kicked on the head, went off, and Griffiths came on to re-place-him. With this-advent Gardiner readjusted his forces, playing thieo halves no longer but two instead. It ' was.. tho game for the grotfnd. ■ Fifteen minutes aftor restarting Ryan booted tho hall, over the lino, and flew after it. Fraser, the Melrose full-baok, endeavoured to force, but forcing with that slippery .impossible ball was no joke. He did not steady it, and Ryan,' coming up swiftly with all sail clapped on, fell all over it. "Whatever maynavo been said or thought about his lost try in the Petone match, he took no risks about this one. 6—3. Two minutes' more' play, and then a storm of.cheers and hoots coming from the ■" bank " told these in the stand that something was'"up." The game stopped, and then, presently, from the knot of players , clustered round the referee, Murphy, of Melrose,"emerged walking slowly in the direction of. the dressing-room. Ho had been playing a game not provided for in the rule-book, and this canght Mr, Jones's eyo. Compelled to x force again and again, tho crowning dis',astrr presently overtook Melrose—the Poneke hacks,came away. The rush began sixty yards from the goal-lino, but when Mitchinson Iliad finished with'the ball everything was pretty well over. Somo swift Melrose across at, Elliott, but the Poneke' wing, shaping a good course, got in at the corner. ' The game thus ended in favour of Poneke by 9 points to 3. . PETONE (21) V, SOUTHERN (5). Southern put, up a hard figbt against Potone in the first .spell., When play in'progress about ."ten got' .within an ace of scoring, From a kick which failed toolear the Southern ,goal-line ; .thoro resulted V keen, scramble, which ultimately ended in Hardham being thrown into touch a yard from the corner flag. ,By heavy efforts, Southern cleared their lino, but Petone responded by again calling their, vanguard into action, and 'ultimately Joe' Ryan got' across. After this reverse Southern made a-mighty onslaught, but it did not bear fruit. Petono were soon ,on tho offensive .again, and towards tho end of the spell'Green-.added another tay,,which M'Fw-; laijo, failed to improve* Upon ends having been changed, Southern became 'extremely aggressive. • Twice in succession they compelled Petone to force down. During the nest minute supporters of Petone had rea-son-to become alarmed at tho turn of affairs," for Houlihan scored for Southern, and L. Campbell added major points. Petone vanguard and rearguard now settled down to a series of heavy charges. Soon they broke down tho defencq, and Southern remained "in pieces''-for the rest of, tho game. Additional tries were scored for Petone by Hardham, Daly, and W. Ryan, and, despite tho heavy ground, M'Farlane sue-, coeded in enhancing all of them. The gamo thus ended—Petono, 21 points; Southern, 5 points. Mr W. Spencer controlled tho game.

ST. .JAMES (43) V. VICTORIA COLLEGE • V ■ -" (8) ' Thi Petono ground had withstood tho effects of recent rains, l and tho first spell of a fast game onded with tho scoroa: St. James 14, College 5. Overwhelming , disaster for the ■ College marked tho second half. Commencing brightly, t tho Reds ran in on the southern, '"side, and broke down' the slender guard /put out to stop, thorn. ' Harry Roberts sont tho ball out to JBanmgart, and, when tho latter fell, Crewbs took it home. Another brisk attack brought play into College quarters, at the opposite corner, and Phillips (a really valuable half) ran round tho scrum before tho other, side noticed his move. M'Kay next took the ball up, Crowes fell on it, and M'Grath goaled. A pass forward by Enting (playing five-eighth) to, Goodbehero spoiled a" good College chance, and again bad luck attended the Greens when O'LeAry obtained a freeJdck. Brosnan put the ball down hur« ricdly," and it rolled over jnst' as the captain kicked, robbing the side of a sure goal. While St. James were busily - scrumming dangerously near tho College linn, yur.ci.i came through with the ball, on bis 100. JJe caught up the leather,, and beifc Thorns:, easily. Roberts and Thomas fhaso, and the former caught up as the ball wan touched down by tho posts. It was a great try, tho best thing Duncin lias jet accomplished. 'O'Lcary kicked a goal. A smart rlin on the part of Robcits resulted in the last try of the spell . Then followed scores by Baumgan; (two), Wright, Hills, and M'Kay". Thomas, besides converting one of these tries, kicked a goal from a mark; Crewes also converted two tries. Roberto attempted to pot, just before time, and Bruco, following up, scored, and oonvorted. Tho game thus ended:-St. Jamos, 43; Vic- , toria College, 5. Mr. J. Mahonoy was re-, forefl. - ATHLETIC (8) V. WELLINGTON (0). On Saturday the Wellington team- endeavoured to got off. the lino of non-success by-a change in its bSck division, and sundry juniors bore tho Yellow and Black for the first time in the 3enior affray against Athletic. The change effected an improvement in Wellington's attack, but Athlotio were the bettor team on the day, and Wellington's visions of success wero obliterated by six points to nil. Soon after the kick-off, Athletic were driven back to their line, whore somo exciting hard play ensued till Evonson relieved matters with a good dash. Wellington attacked again, but tho interception of a pass by a Blue player once more changed the vcnu« in favour of Athletic. From a liw-eufc, Murray passed _ to Ready, who mado a, da»b fer tho fine, with Murray in'attendtnc», and the latter, taking a timoly pass, succeeded in scoring a good try for Athletic. 3—o. A period of strenuous, open play followed till Cunningham broke away on a dribble, but Caw saved tho Yellows in clover fashion. The spell ended shortly afterwards. Somo rough play characterised, tho Half, .this detracting a good deal from

the interest of tho' game. :„ Evenkm broke through the Yellows • /splendidly,', and ' got within a few'yards ;, of tho line, when ho was brought down withy a good tackle by Durie, and Wellington: were '/.farced. The .Yellows now infused more sting into their methods k: a : time, and took a turn at attacking; bflti.the passing of the promoted junior backs, altrtough 7 better than 'that, of ytheir, predecoswors;. was not: of tho 'finished prdor/ and tho Blues returned again to .;.tbo Yellows tweniy-fiye, where, for an infringement in a scrum; Wellington were penalised in front. M'Kenzie had no diffioulty in placing! a goal, making:the score: Athletic 6 rjoints,;Wellington 0. <Che Yellows were playing, a valiant game,- but Athlotio obviously held the upper hand. --Evenson, with- the.ball .at, nis et > looked liko getting across for the Blues, but mad© a mistake in attempting to P"jk up, and a knock-on was given. -''No-side was sounded-'soon'after, leaving Athletic winners by 6 points to nil; Mr/ Francis; was referee.

ORIENT *L (12) V. OLD SOYS (0).

•; Neither Oriental nor Old ;Boys.-.had. a strong team in tho field at the Hutt,: but both were.out to dotheir best, and play;was interesting.-'. In tho-last few .minutes Old, Joys, finding' their opponents superior, relaxed their .efforts a ; little; and Oriental jiad run; up/12' points when:tho'whistlo. sounded. I Old Boys, opened with a 'wiling rush, - : "- but Oriental set their/backs, in motion,, andtrans-; fe'rred play; to. thfi' other: end of .the field, where Maze missed an, easy shot; Shortly after Carrard, Oriental's half, secured from _a.sorum near half-way and passed.to M'Leod, and:on.it went to Sturrock, KinVig, .and ; Maz», ; »nd:then, M'Leod, running round, got the ball back: from' Maze and scored. .Even ,play .';followed/ and 'then Old Boys; made an effort to:;cqualiso tho 6core.■•••■' Dawson 'found the line in Oriental's twenty-five/;and.Thom-soh started- a passing rush, which ended in Gilbert being grassed under the ifosts.',.. .Just before .half-time Perry, of, Oriontal,/kicked:. aoross to Kinvig, the latter sending; it.on'to M'Leod,'Sturrock, and Hubbard. In;it'came again to' Sturrook and M'Leod, but Avery intercepted andioundthelino.' :01d Boys were, forced, twice-at-the comnionoement of the. second spell; but rallied and carried play to | mid-field. M'Lebd-then made a,fine run right, through" the White team, but was overtaken by Dawson : on the line. -\ Two minutes afterwardsM'Leod; again went>wriggling through his'.opponentaand/pasßed to Sturrock, .'who was,;just' collared, in .time. vSlaze, improved Oriental's score by'a penalty; goal, and: Old Boys then attacked ,1 or a' brief space, Oriental'being forced. rln the concluding' stages Oriental/had /all the be'stof it. .Gillespie was pushed over the line while, the ball was in his arms. M'Leod finally brought Oriental's scoro to 12 points with a try behind tho posts. Mr. J. Cornier was referee. JUNIOR MATCHES. A very close struggle between Kia Ora and Athletic resulted in a win for tho ' former team .by 8 points to nil. St. Patrick's College Old Boys w<*ro drawn to play Petono at Nwtown Part, but when they arrived on the ground they found that the opposing team was not present, for tho reason that there was no ground Wthem to olay on, the Association representative match being played from north to south. Whether the fault lay with the Football Association, Jio Referees' Association, the Rugby Union, >r the team itself is not known. Members of ;ho t§am stato that thoy recoived.no notice )f the occupation of the ground by any other ixture or players. . ' THIRD CLASS. '.Wellington Collego defeated Polhill by 23 »ints to 9. Tries wero scored for the winters by Ramsden (2), Natusch (2), Stainton, Jid Bartholomew. Childs and Ramsden conertod two tries each. Polhill scored two ries and kicked a penalty- goal. .FOURTH-CLASS. Oriental defeated Old Boys by 3 points to til. Patterson scored;for tho winnerj. St. John's played a fast game with Victoria • Allege defeating the latter by 6 to . Bradley and Redgrave/scored for the 'inners, and -Menzios for, the losers. -

, Athletic defeated Ponok© by 8 points to nil. The game was played at Miramar. , Compton aeored for the winners, and converted his try. A penalty goal was kicked, by Kiddick.

The game between Melroso'and Petone revolted is a win for Melrose-by 12 points to 3. Scorers for the winers wero: A. Gilchrist, W. Gilchrist, A. Murray, and A. Hardyman. Southern had an easy win over "Wellington, beating thoin by 23 points to nil. Gray scored 3 tries and Russell 1, while Morrison was very successful as a goal-kicker.

The Wellington Telograph Messengers wore defeatod by the Christchurch Messengers by 36 points to 3„ - ' MATCHES, IN OTHER CENTRES, (By Telejrrapb.-Spccfttl Correspondent.) Palmsrston, July 11. N ' Tho Hankins Shield competition was continued here under good conditions on Saturday, tho spectators being treated to much better football than usual, the Fcilding-Pal-merston game being the best club game scon here for several seasons. In the other match; Old Boys forfeited to Kia, Toa. In the Palmerston-Feilding game, before ten minutes had gone, Feilcfing had two tries put on against them, Brough scoring one from a loose rush, and Ford securing the other. Palmerston continued to attack, and Ford, getting in a splendid run, allowed Boon to seoro a good try, Brown kicking a penalty shortly after. The first spell, ended:—Palraerston 12 points, Feilding nil.' On changing ends, Feilding mado a great effort to retrieve their lost laurels, and wore successful' in landing 12 points—a try scored by C.'Carroll and con-, verted by Pirani, a potted goal by M'Leart, and penalty" by Pirani. Martis, however, ■scored a,try for Palmcrston. Thus Feilding wore defeated for the first time in the Ilankins Shield competitions for,three seasons. In the junior games, Palmerston (17) beat United Valloy (nil); Old Boys (13J beat Bunnythorpe (nil); Kia Toa (16) boat Linton (3). Third-class matches:—Feilding (26) beat Technical School (nil); Old Boys (6) beat Kia (6). Fourth-class: —Kia Toa (nil) drew with Old Boys (nil). The representative team to play Foxton sub-union at Palmerston next Saturday is as follows: —Full-back, P. Road; three-quarters, O'Connor,,'M. Carroll, Martis; five-eights, Ford, Buchanan; halt, Onglcy; wing, Arch. I Al'Alinii; forwards, Brough, Ward, C. Carroll, I Best, Boon, and Ryan. ' ' i (By Telcsraph.-Press Association.) | Chrlstohurch, July 10. i "Senior football matches to-day resulted asj follow:—Merivnlo v. Christchurch, a draw/ '3 points each; 1 Sydenham (3) beat Linwood 1 (nil); Old Boys (16) beat College (3). \ " Dunedin, July 10. Football matches were continued to-day, in '■splendid weather. Alhambra (7 points) beat Zingari, Richmond (3); Taieri Rovers (3 points) beat Kaikorai (nil); Southern (23 points) beat Pirates (5); Dunedin (33 points) beat University (5); Port Chalmers (8 points) beat Union (nil). Auckland July 11. The Auckland Rugby. Union held a College Day yesterday, the principal match boing between the leading teams in the Secondary Schools competition. In tho senior grade matches of tho District Championships, City boat Parnoll by 23 points to 8; Grafton beat North Shore by 11 points to nil; Ponsonby won by default from Newton. Wanganul, July 11. The final match in the Wanganui football cup series was played on Saturday, and won by Kaiorau, who dofcated Pirates by 6 to 3.