FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 280, 7 August 1909, Page 13

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY'S,RUGBY MATCHES. . Perhaps two of tho most important club games played on the Athletic Park for some time are the v. Athletic and Poneke v. Oriental—to be decided there this afternoon. Tho ultimate winner of the senior'championship is still in doubt, there being one. point botween three of the teams engaged this afternoon, and either one' may, be declared the winner on the result of'. to-day's contests. On Number 1 ground .Petono and Athletic,:meet, and a battle.royal should be the result. Now that tho soason is far advanced, all the players arc' at tho top of their form,"; and cari do themselves full justice., On the other ground Poneke, which has been in the lead right through the, season! meet _, their old rivals, Oriental. In the hrst round this meeting was looked upon as tho:.star fixture, producing a record attendance for a club game. With both teams possessing brilliant backs— Mitchinson, Roberts, Walsh, M'Leod, Ryan, 'Tilyardj: .Sturrock,',. Matheson —it is; expected that, from ;a . spectacular point of view, this game should prove 0110 of tho best seen For the last three or ( four Saturday's the ground at the Park has been wet and muddy. Although much rain has fallen during this week, the union officials report that,; providing there are no further showers, the ground will be much improved from;that of; Saturday- last. : ' ■..-.''";. :: ASSOCIATION GAMES. ; In consequence of the bad condition of some of the Miramar grounds, the following changes are being mado in to-day's games:— :•; Junior' League First. Division.—.-Diamonds yi Brooklyn. No.. 8, Miramar,., 3 p.m. .(Mr. A. NewboldV;. Wadestown v.t Y.M.C.A. A-, No.' 6, ; Miramar, 2 p.m. '(Mr, • H." Smith). Second (Division.—Kaiwarra v. Rangers, No. 9; Miramar, 3 p.m.. (Mr; F. O'Connell) ; Y.M.C.A. Bv, Marist A. No. 10, Miramar, 3 p.m. (Mr. : A. ; Levin) '. The Congregational, v. KhandarlaJi match' will not .bo played,' and, if;( the -'town are; not. available, tho. Diamonds v. Ramblers; and.Swifts v.-Marist B games (will .'.not' be. played.;, No. 5, Miramar, will boused as tho senior ground, instead of No. 4. ... (.; : ..;;.;,.,. ,; ;' '.;■..;-.: ~The annual football match between teamß; representing the: Treasury and Lands and Survey-Departments, took place :at Miramar oh Thursday, afternoon, and resulted in. .a win for the Treasury by 5 points to 3. For the Treasury Highet scored ;a ; try, which :Mac.kay converted.; For the Lands and Survey Girdlostone kicked a penalty goal. .For tho winners Highet: and Watsonin the backs and Dinriio and. Bradey in., the forwards played ivcll.: F6r : the losers ]ViJ'Kenzie;a'ndllaudrup in; >the .'backs and |Kconan■; and Moir ■ in the forwards woro conspicuous.- .In the evening the teams were entertained. by : Mr. Kensington at Godber's, arid a'pleasant; evening was ■spent.-: .''.•■.-■.■■.-,■'- '■■ ". ■ '■''.''"';'. '■ ,• '■■"■