RUGBY AT THE PARK.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 895, 15 August 1910, Page 4

RUGBY AT THE PARK.

I CLOSE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP 6AME&. I'-//"•'>' .'■■■'■■■' ~~' ~ ~~ ~ " ' pi&¥- "■'■" ORIENf AL, WIN"; AGAIN!..-;'.. l- : W-}i- : %'- - '■■'■"' —'■ :: '-'-'.'■'':.-:-.' SuD;STRUGeL£ : FOR'THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

./-Unfavourable weather again affected // J\e ' attendance n't' Athletic Park for jhe Rugby'matches on Saturday, and s .there could not, have .been more than about 2000: peoplo present.. Heavy '/showers in the morning gave-.p'laeo to ..finer weather in the afternoon, but •,: thero was very little sunshine.. It was in fact: one of.those bleak days when .the fireside, is more popular, than,the /: Park...: :,The- field of play was wet and slushy, and the'school; representative :, match!did not improve it.for.the Cup f; fixtures. All this being considered, ; ' the .play in the Oriental-Poneke gamo : .was firsfcelass,, tho backs*on both sides handling the ball in fine style on several .'■ occasions! ' Neither team had its full, strength., in. the field, : but Oriental .'again demonstrated their superiority by scoring four tries to their opponents' ; ,ouo. The winners thus concluded the season with only one defeat, which -(when playing-witK a weak back team) ' they received at the hands of Old Boys. .Like Ponekeand Oriental, the teams 'playing on the: other ground both had }-. , weaker; teams than usual .in the field, /and play was,.not of a very high ■'■:" standard..; After a close struggle, • St.' . James : scored.rather.'a lucky win by a .try scored in-the early stages of the ■ first spell;. Athletic being unablo to ■ score at., all. A rather : i remarkable 'feature, of the play..in both matches was the'fact that not a single goal was /kicked,.- though' there .were several- easy : "- nhbts on either'ground;-A couple of f." minor . accidents occurred on No. 1 '.', ground. M'Leod (Oriental) had his ]/• nose broken; and Tilyard (Ponoko) re- [,'• eeived'slight' concussion of the.brain; [I This latter accident occurred, towards [ ;;tho end.of tho match, and was rather \\d peculiar one. The ball was very wet ! ; -<vrid heavy," and from a sharp short kick j/it-'hifc Tilyard on the top of the head, ; . «nd he'.collapsed and had'to be carried p. off the ground. f",;-;. /Matches played on- other grounds were Z/npt:.of great.interest. .'Wellington dc/feated"Victoria College, and Southern ■".vanquished Melrose, while Hutt de/V.faulted:.tp;pld/Boys; ://■/'.' /'./ V/' THE FINAL LIST!- •• ■'■ ,\j ;' The following, tabje.s.hows. the posi:/tlons of the;teams;-- .• ■ (■ '■■V'-"'' i : ' ' ''s m '''■«■{»'g-ii .-v ';'■ ..:-... ■ -&...§ : -s '5.3 V-/. ;•:■'/. i.'.:--\ ■.-■••■>■'S.-r^'- ( §.; ( g < g>sjs- - ....... M 10 "C 1 153' 58. 21 St. James .'...' 13 '9 3 ' 1 135 '59 19 /Ponekaßiv>io-. 13..-9[i'„4i —106 ■■ 50 18,. v '' Petone, ...:.. 12 '8 'i — 162 ■; 70 16 ,/Athletic. ..... 13 7: .5 1.120 .84.15; .-' Old ,Bovs .-.:. 12 - .7. .5 ' - : . ,70 67. 14 , /.Wellington '■.13 s'-' 7'- "48' 134 10 V.Vic.''Colldge' : - 12 :4'--8 — 89 98 8" ''Southern.. ..'.-11 "3- 7 1/ 40 IJB -r7 : !/'Hutt •;/.:.:./. 12 2 9-1-35 117-5 !/: Melrose..-:•:...:■'.12 1 10 - 1 24 133 .3 |*;//r ORIENTAL, 12 J PONEKE,;3. ['.;.: Soon-after. the kickoff in the Orieu-. i tal-Poneke'match, Oriental (white) com--I.' • luenced a vigorous attack and for the [./greater' part of- the first .20 minutes j:. play'was on. the Poneke (red) sido of '/. the. half-way line.' .The. Oriental for- </ /wards' were beating':tho opposing -pack r and it required the: best .'efforts.; 'of [: Walshe'and Mitehinson, -to .-keep ..the' jj\ Poneke line clear:" Oriental backs', fre-. {■ "'quentlj : tried passing, F. Roberts.first [■/.throwing the ball to : Sullivan who Vas • -thrown 'out in the corner by Elliott. i Poneke then cleared .the lino tempbrnrr j/ily and kept the.movement going- till j.-... a -.scrum;' was formed -in the White I/'. twenty-five. -Passing hetween Tilyard, J.>-.Walshc, and-Rj'ari. resulted in the last-, f , named fumbling and .Oriental forwards ! : - returned to the attack.' A good run by ..';.'. Sullivan was followed by neat passing : between M'Leod, Kjnvig, and Sturrock," /but the ball did not reach Matheson. './In a subsequent rush, howover, Tyrell shot. the ball out to Matheson and tho ./latter was grassed by Prendeville, but V/M'lifeod: snapped up the ball and fell / over/tho lino to. secure a mnritorioitß ' ,/try in the corner. : Roberts missed tho goal-posts. /Oriental,' 3; Poneke, 0. /Play was riow. close- for some minuto» , until;Walshe made a fine run for ..'. Poneke, _but he wasnot backed up and [ .the 'White forwards assumed tho agi; gressive once more. In one. grand forj: ward rush Tyrell oowled over the Poneke (./ -fuli-baok (Morris) beforo tbo' latter /.'could get rid of the ball.' Tyrell was j, /quickly to his feet again and gathered ■: .-up tho ball and scored./ Kinvig failed {...with'the kick. "Oriental, 6; Poneke, !• . 0. This was the score at half-time.

M'Leod (Oriental) retired injured towards tho end of the first 6poli an'i Ritchie' played for the team in the second half. Poneke seemed to be having all the best of tho game this spell, arid considering the state of the ground' and the, ball their backs got through some oxceilont passing, but tho most of their efforts failed' at critical stages, .while the team's goal-kicking was very weak. When Poneke had been attacking for some little time Walshe found the line in the corner, with a "speculator" and play hovered close' to Oriental's line: for several minutes. Gradually, however, <play worked to the other end of tbo field and' in a loose scramble Sullivan secured the ball »aiid scored. F. Roberts's kick at goal failed. Oriental, 9; Poneke, 0. In an Oriental passing rush a few minutes later Prendeville intercepted and transferred to Walshe, who sent on to Dcnnehy; but the last-named lost" possession when near . the line. Poneko backs, were now doing a lot of passing, and on one occasion Walshe was all but over.. A free-kick to Poneke gave Mitchinson an easy shot at goal, but ho •did not rise to tho occasion. Then followed a brilliant passing rush when ono of the forwards sent the ball to Walshe, Tilyard, Ryan," Mitchinson, and Prendeville, but F. Roberts brought Prendeville down. Poneko were not to bo denied, and Walshe receiving a pass from behind tho scrum ran round behind tho posts. Morris failed to add the extra points. Oriental, 9; Ponoke, 3. .Still tho Red.backs continued to pass well, but were nnablo to again piereo the do fence.and finally they were driven back to thoir own. line where F. Robtrts scored another try for Oriental, but failed to convert it. • Oriental,' 12; Poneke. 3. Tilvard (Poneke) was carried off the ground injured, about five minutes before Roberts scored the last try. Mr. Card was referee.

I ST. JAMES, 3j ATHLETIC, 0. i • Very little interest was taken in Iho i St. James-Athlotic match, which was f- throughout a closely ; contested came |v without any bright'features. .Athletic opened the attack, hut after play had ' been in progress about five minutes the

St. James'; forwards came sweeping down the field with a fine dribbling rush, and King hurled himself, forward at tho psychological moment, and fell over the line with the ball in his possession. • M'Grath missed with a -difficult. ' kick. St. James, 3; Athletic, 0. Evenson endeavoured to equal the scores a few minutes later with a long ponalty kick; but did not succeed. Later S. Wilson had an unsuccessful shot-from a free-kick awarded to Athletic, and then Moffatt missed the posts for St. James. At halt-timo King's try was the only score' registered., Athletic did most of the attacking in the spell, but failed to score. Early in this half; Evenson made a clever mark in front of the posts, but S. Wilson failed with the kick. Evenson later potted, ■but .the .ball, went Just .outside the posts. A second drop-kick by the same player was a poor effort. Play was now travelling, up and down field at regular intervals until Athletic, with one good rush, got right down to.the 1 St. James lino. Murphy, actually got over, but he was plainly off-side, and St; Janies cleared with a free-kick.' Evenson later had another unsuccessful attempt to kick a penalty goal for Athletic, and a good run-by M'Grath (St. James) followed, but when the whistle sounded no-side .the score, was still—St. James, 3; Athletic, 0. Mr.'Francis, was referee. SOUTHERN, 12; MELROSE,,O. The.-Rugby ground at Karori is rarely/the rendezvous of teeming hands on any football ■ Saturday, and on fhe last bleak and dreary week end no attendance. record .. was , shattered. As usual "the crowd", was at Athletic Park. The unimportance of the match prevented it being in any way a lure, and the poverty 'of tho play in quality was against tho patrons receiving compensation for their, patronage.. , Both teams wont on the field shortstaffed: The Southern scrum, contained only a trio of forwards. . Southern played with the advantage of a good wind in the first spell, they having won the toss. Almost immediately after. Melrose kicked-off, Southern .bustled the oval into the former's /twenty-five, and after a little tough 'work got.it right down on to the goalline.' : Efforts..to score, were frustrated .by the defence, orie of ;whom, .howoycr,. ;raadea breach which caused.;his. side to bei.penajised;-. and Southern tried at goal,;.;but-.'failed.- Melrose wero still kept on the defence, but Southern were spoiling their attacks •by knocking-on, missing passes, and .over-running the ball.:-.- It was obvious, nevertheless, that at any. time Melrose's last line of resistance'-was-likely to crumble. Guthrie , was the first to-geti-tlirougbi'. He commenced, the operation himself,, and wound it up by crossing the line and scoring -a good try.: He. failed, to coiw vert. ' Southern, 3; .Melrose, nil. Shortly ... afterwards .. Melrose was again outplayed. , The : Southcrn for,wards took the ball through the defence, and Mortensoii scored. A- goal did not result, from the attempt to concert'the try. " Southern, 6; Melrose, nil. Melrose wore awarded, a free-kick while in Southern's twenty-five, and endeavoured' to turn it to scoring account,, but the effort; was fruitless. Gallagher scored Southern's-third try; Ho intercepted a, pass, : .aud set out for the'goal,.whleh'lie after a fine 'run, Mitchell's-'kick'failed*. Southern, 9; Melrose,, nil. The'next aiid final 'score came after the brightest'incident in the contest: The ball was sent out among the Southern -backs, who threw it about smartly, and Mitchell ended tho act by:ruuning in and scoring. The try was not converted, and. the boll very shortly rung down the/curtain on a poor game, in. .which the score was:Southern, 12 points; Melrose, nil. WELL|NCTON, 5; COLLEGEi 0. Wellington and Victoria College met at Miramar ,011 Saturday on:'a cloan grouiid, showing 'little truce'of-.the rain that had fallen earlier in tiie day. The .mettle'.of their forwards gave Wellington a clear ascendancy nearly all.tho. time. In rare opportunities the College backs showed themselves handy in passing work, but the lively opposing pack gave them littlo scope. ■' 'During the first ten minutes, honours wero easy, with line-play the order of tho day. Wellington were first' to invade, and secured the ball from a scrum near tho College lino, but the backs failed to-improve the opportunity. The position' was soon afterwards reversed, but a scramble in "Wellington's ground, heavy while. it lasted; ended in their breaking away and returning so briskly to the attack that College' had to force. In the middle of the spell, with tho teams briskly engaged in midfieldatthe Wellington twcmi.y-tivo, "the ball camo to Fairo on tho right'wing, but ho was tackled,ore he could develop what looked like a* promising opportunity, llyan took up the running uoon afterwards, but ho, too, failed to ovado tho Wellington tacklers. Half-time found College defending. • ■ Wellington opened the second spell with a strong attack, ' and: although driven,back lur a t'r.iu returned in irresistible'fashion. The forwards carried the ball at foot almost" to the line, and Munro, picking up smartly, crossed over near the posts. Lambert. converted. Wellington, 5; College, nil. College were soon again in difficulties, and although they rallied gamely and even contrived to make a-scries of assaults tho Wellington line, the latter evidently had them mastered during tho remaining, portion of the game. In the latter part of. the r.pell College'wero •mainly on' the defensive. • The "Wellington attack was sharp and well sustained, but College, albeit hard pressed, put up a stout defence, and there was no further scoring. Mi. W. J. Meredith was referee. REPRESENTATIVE CHANCES. T. Walshe (Poneke), who was selected for the northern tour in placo of' James Ryan, has notiiiod the selectors that ho will be unable to make tho trip. Ryan, of the Victoria Collego team has been selected 'by Mr. Thomson to fill the vacancy. Tilyard (Poneke) is another member of the A representative team that will (it is understood) be unablo to travel. E. Roberts (St. James) will fill one of the vacancies, and another selection will be necessary. In the B team there will bo several vacancies for backs and forwards. Ono of the men : chosen will probably be C. Tyrell, who has been playing a dashing forward gamo for Oriental during the past few weeks. JUNIOR. • Victoria''College defeated Wellington by 5 points to nil. Lyon,'scored for College, who played with a team of only eleven men.

St. James defeated Old Boys by 17 points to nil. There was a brisk tussle in the. opening spell, but during the second half the victors had it all their own way. — THIRD CLASS. St. Patrick's defeated Karori by 6 points to nil. Mahoney and Kano scored for the winners. Southern defeated St. John's by 16 to nil. Taylor scored a. couple of tries, and Johnson and Miles one each. Alexander and Parker each converted a try. Tho referee appointed did not attend. FOURTH CLASS. Oriental A defeated Petono by 11 points to 3. Stewart. M'C'ornishy and Player scored for the winners, and Daly converted one try. Wilson scored for Petono. j FIFTH CLASS. Lower Hutt defeated St. Patrick's by 23 to nil. . . St. Patrick's A defeated Selivyii by 6 points to nil. Barry and J. Hennessey scored for College. AN "ALL WELCH" TEAM.TO PLAY AT HUTT. The Welch family, of Wellington and Wairarapa, has selected the following to represent it against a Hutt fifteen, at Lowe;- Hutt,' on Saturday, September 20:—Full-back, R. Welch; three-quarters, Clude Welch, "Matt' Welch (captain), D. Welch; half, 11. Welch; five-eighths,' E. Welch, M. Welch; forwards, Fred. Welch, H.. Welch; A.Welch, Wra. Welch, L. Welch, R. Welch, C. Welch; wing forward, "Bort" Welch. Emergencies, H. Wolch, Harold Welch, Walter Welch, A. Welch; line umpire, Mr. •• J. W. Welch. . The Welch family is the only one m New Zealand whicbJ con place a fifteen of its own blood and namo in the field. With the exception of: D.. Welch, the whole fifteen are cither brothers or cousins. ,For some years the family has occupied a very prominent position in the Rugby game in. New Zualand, and at one timo they could'place a very strong and capable,fifteen in tho field.. Tbe family played their- first game in 1888 against the Mastcrton Red Star Club, and since their they have appeared again at times. "Mott', Fred., Edward, Herbert, and Wm. Welch are the only members of the foregoing combination who played in 1888. Tho veteran of the team'is Wm. .Welch, the 75-inch forward. In 1888 he played for Wairarapa against . Stoddart's ' team, and now at tho ago of 52 he is still one of the "ever younf.'."' Mr. J. Baumber, a one time old Wairarapa' player, has been asked act as referee. After the termination 'of the game both teams will be entertained. It is possible that.a return match will be played this season .at Mastcrton.

TAME DISPLAY. THE RANFURLY SHIELD GAME. (Ny Telosraßh.—Press 'Association.) Auckland, August 13. The Ranfurly Shield match between the representatives of tho % Auckland and Hawke's .Bay Unions waß plnynd here to-day, and ..resulted in a win for Auckland by- clevon; points to three... Thorn was an attendance of 5000 spectators. The visiting'team was a good combination, but the conditions wore against good play, the ground and ball being very greasy,. while, a shower ol rain fell early.in the.first spell. The game generally speaking was no really brilliant play was shown. , After ..'to-day's/ exhibition Auckland's chanco of liolding tho shield after the Wellington match seems small. ' Tho teams were.as follow:-.- ./. Hawke's Bay—Full-back, W. Fitzgerald; throe-quarters, J. Russell, 11. M'Ewan, and G. Symes; five-eighths, R, Siddellu and W. Kenyon; half-back, H. Smith; wing forward, P. Scullion; forwards, T. Struthors, W. Adams, D. Evans, D. Sullivan,; A. ..Downey, M. M'Cormick, R. Munro. , Auckland.—Full-back, Miller; threequarters, Stewart,. O'Lnary, and Mur-. ray; five-eighths, Power and Mageo; half-back, . Morse; wiug forward, Wilkes; forwards, Tyler, Sellars, Wylio, Cunningham, Maguire, Huyivaid, Hall. Mr. J. Williams acted as referee. Hawke's Bay won tho toss and decided to play with the'wind. Tyler kicked off for Auckland, and after- a short period of give-and-take play Wylie scoured, and passed to R. Mageo, who t6ok tho ball very cleverly by the left hand at the back of his neck, and ran across behind the posts. Cunningham converted. Auckland ............ 5 point.-,. • Hawke's Bay nil. .-After the kick out Hawke's Bay were prominent, and from a aerum Siddells received the ball/and made for the line. He was well tackled, however, but passed to' -M'Ewan, who was in turn collared by Stewart. Hawku'a Bay continued to press, and Miller was applauded for clever fielding. About tins stage Auckland were twice compelled to force down, the crowd cheering the visitors' good showing. Then a loose Auckland forward rush, led by Hayward, was followed by '• a dangerous passing run, Hall, Morse, Magee, Power, "O'Leary, Murray, and Stewart all taking a hand, but the defence of the visitors proved. sound. Play was swept back into touch at midway, and from the. line-out the ball went to Kenyon, who found touch five yards from Auckland's line, with a beautiful 50 yards' kick. A scrum was taken, and the visitors, working the "blind side," M'Ewan scored.

Auckland 5 points. Hawke's Bay 3 points. After this reverse Auckland pulled themselves together, and, after vigorous play and a great rush (in which Sellars, Tyler, Hall, and Wylio wore prominent), saw Power shoot the boll out to Murray, .who made a. dash for the line. When .tackled lie passed to Wylio, who, however, was aiso ' well grassed.' A grand forward rush, led by Evans, then carried play to the Auckland half, where Kenyou secured and raado a fine opening. Hawke's Bay looked snre to score, -but Miller brought Munro down splendidly a fow yaTds from the .coveted line. ■ Way worked across in front of. Auckland's posts, and Fitzgerald made a grim attempt to "pot'' a goal, but the- bail struck the bar, and bounced back into play. The Auckland forwards then came- through with a great dash, ami K. Magce securing, carried play into tho visitors' territory. From a scrum about the twenty-five yards line, O'Leary fielded beautifully, and sent on smartly to Murray, who made a great dash, and got across tho line, but lost the ball in touching down. Auckland kept on the attack, and, from a hjoso rush • in driving rain, Wilkes guided tho ball across the lino, and Wylio dropped on it. Auckland' 8 points. Hawke's Bay 3 points. Tho rain had ceased when play was resumed, after half-time. A period ol straggling play in the visitors' half saw I'owor profit by a mistake of Symes, and Hall'was almost over. As the sun was now shining, and the visiting backs, were bothered by it, tho Auckland backs adopted the tactics of kicking high and'following up;'but the passing of the Auckland backs was patchy, both direction and longth being bad. From a scrum in Hawke's Bay's twenty-five the Auckland hookers soeurod, and tho leather came out smartly to Morse, who sent on to'

Magee. The dash of the Hawko's Bay 'backs prevented Magce sending on in good direction, and a promising rush was spoilt. Auckland kept on the attack tor some time, but tlio slippery ground was against them, and tlio spoil was well advanced before the last score came. Finally, however, from a loose rush Hayward secured and passed to Wilkes, who then sent on to Morse, who ran.across and scored. O'Lcary failed at goal.

Auckland 11 points. Hawke's Bay 3 points. In the last stages the play was seriously affected by the conditions, tho coating of mud on the players' apparel and faces making them almost unrecognisable. Tho men could hardly keep their feet, and there was no further incident of note. A TASTE OF TARANAKI. AVANGANUI RUN OVER. (Bt Telegraph.—l'ress Association.! Hav/erai August 13. Tho liusby match Taranaki v. Wanganui produced a very moderate exhibition of football. Tho visitors had six absentees from the team selected, and had experienced some difficulty in getting a team together at all. "Under the circumstances they put up a good light against tlio strong Taranakiloim. The homo forwards were a weightier Jot than those or Wanganui, ana had the advantage generally on tho Ime-ohl and in the serums, buv. the visitors weio very dasliy, their best point being loose rushes. Tne backs .ou both sides did good work. In the early stages Wanganui played with determination and set up a strong attack. With ten minutes gone they put up tho first score, Campion, who received a. timely pass from Stratford, getting across. The'visitors continued to be aggressive, and Signal narrowly missed potting a goal. ' With about' a quarter of an hour gone Taranaki opened their scoring account, Tamil breaking away well from the line-out, and then passing to Mynott. The latter got a try. 3—3. Each team was now prominent alternately, but evciiutally , a sweeping forward movement by Taranaki ended in a.try by Tamu. 6—3. Not long afterwards Roberts' put in a good run and then centred.. Milno got possession, passed 'to Moir., to Pini, and tho latter scored. 9—3. .The homo forwards frequently got tho ball out to their hacks, and a further try was added before halftime! Cameron converting. 14—3. Within two minutes after resuming Wanganui worked down to near Taranaki's posts, and Southcambo landed a penalty goal awarded for an' infringement in the scrum. 14—6. Trio homo team then put on a spurt, but were quickly sent back. Taranaki, however, were gotting possession of tho ball oftencr'from the scrum, and thus wore enabled to givo tho visitors! defence plenty of work. After 25 minutes' play a, moleo near the. Wanganui line ended in a simple try being obtained by Abbott. 1.7—6. From this stage onward Taranaki's superiority becamo moro and more manifest. Cameron landed a goal from a free-kick for Taranaki (20—6) but tho visitors nevertheless played pluckily and gradually worked down to the Taranaki.end whero Dustin dribbled across and scored a try, Southcombo converting. 20 —11. The homo team once more asserted itself, and trios were added by Roberts (2) .and Cameron. The latter also converted one. Taranaki thus won by 31. poinf.u to 11. Mr. Spurdlo was referee.

FAST FOOTBALL. / MANAWATU AND HOROWHENUA. (By Mwapn.—Press Association.! Palmerston North, August 14. . Manawatu A team went to Levin oil Saturday \ and played Horowhenua, whilst tho Horowhenua li team came to Palmerston' and played Manawatu, B. Earlier this season Manawatu. defeated Horowhenua A at Palmerston after a very fine game, but since then Manawatu has had a series of losses, and the team has been playing a very dull game. It was, therefore, thought that the Horowhenua A combination, with a number of tho returned Maori team from Australia in its ranis, would have an easy win, and that the B team (including some former A players) would liavo also .won. As it turned out, they proved to bo two of the most brilliant matches yet seen on the West Coast. It was anyone's game for a long time, but at the last moment the brilliancy of tho Horowhenua roar division snatched the match out of the fire, and though Manawatu in tho few minutes that remained attacked strongly they could not redeem the position. Tho scoro opened with, a try by O'Connor after a lino Manawatu passing rush. Briscoe converted. Then Nepia Winiata kicked a penalty goal for Horowhenua. The greatspeed of tho Horowhenua three-quarter line —Winiata, Rawiri, and Cook, but especially the lasiwiamod—was a const-ant' source of danger, and, finally, after a great dash down the field and a scrum at tho line, .Walter Winiata got over, and.gave his side a one-point lead. 6— .5. Another fast Manawatu dash ended in O'Connor scoring an unconverted try, Manawatu then being ahead by 8 points to 6. Manawatu continued to attack, but play was often carried the length of tho field, back and forward, till a fast dash by George ended in a try, which was converted by Nopia Winiata. This put ..Horowhenua in front by 11 points to 8. With only a few. minutes to go, play was extremely fast, but -no further score took place. ,

It was arranged subsequently tliat the third game to decide the rubber is to .be played at Palmerston shortly, and that Horowhcnua and Manawatu. will again ask for a match as a combined team against Wellington. Tlio match at Palmerston was equally fast, and keenly contested in spito of the disproportion of tho final scores, which. were: Manawatu, 31 points; Horowhcnua, 6 points. HOT WORDS. IN DEFENCE OF MANAWATU. (By Tfilecrauh—Tress Association.* Palmerston, August 15. At a dinner hold at Levin on Saturday, Mr. Southcy Fowler, president of tho Horowhcnua llugby Union, who had accompanied the Manawatu team to Taranaki, declared that tho treatment of tho team by Taranaki made him for the first time feel ashamed to have been an ox-Taranaki man, while tlio charges now brought against tho team by tlio hotelkceper, through tho Taranaki Union, wcro of his personal knowledge absolutely false. Alynott, Milne, M'Lood, Stohr, and Slattory, of Taranaki, and two hotel employees occupied the same room as the eight Manawatu men against whom disgraceful chnrgos had been brought. Ho himself and others had been in tho room' iir the morning, and all these could testify that the statements woro astounding lies—the worst which ho had over seen in his long experience of -football. Mr. Hoben, president of the Manawatu Union, said that he had investigated, tlio charges, and found them absolutely untrue and extremely discreditable to those who made them. The matter was not going to rest there. All the speakers commented on the liOglect of the country unions by tho New Zealand and Wellington Unions. Cairoll, it was said, was a better forward than several who went to Australia, while Horowhcnua also had bettor backs than some of those who made the trip. The selectors nover saw them, and Wellington would not play against a combined Manawatu and Horowhenua team as desired,

SEDDON SHIELD MATCH. VICTORY FOR MARLBOROUGH. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Blenheim, August 13, The contest to-day for the Seddon Shield between teams representing the Marlborough ami Buller Unions resulted in Marlborough retaining possession of the trophy, defeating Buller by fourteen points to eight. Bulier's back combination wss superior to that of their opponents', but the Marlborough forwards wero much stronger. MATCHES ELSEWHERE. (By Talesrraph —Press Association.) Gisborne, August 14. Tho representative Rugby match; Poverty Bay v. Bush Union, was played here on Saturday in fine weather and before a largo attendance. After an interesting game victory finally rested with Poverty Bay by 17 points to 3. The homo hacks wore very fast, and outclassed the visitors, who, however, had a strong forward division. After the game the teams dined together as the guests of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union. Tho visitors left for Napier by the Tarawera to-night. There is every prospect of the fixture becoming an annual one. Duncdin, August 13. Splendid weather prevailed . to-day for the football matches. Tho senior matches wero brought to a.conclusion and Alhambra sustained tho first defeat of the season, Zingari-Richmond beating them by 18 points to. 12. Southern (14) drew with . University (14) ; Union (6) drew with. Dunedin (6); Taieri Rovers (6) beat Port Chalmers. (nil); Kaikorai (3) beat Pirates (nil). Alhambra win the/banner, with ZingariRichmond runncrs-up. Christchuroh, August 13. Old Boys beat Merivalo,. who had' been leaders for the championship, by 16 points to 3. Christchurch beat Sydeii-.' ham in a fast gamo by 19 points to 7. Linwood beat Marist Brothers by 6. points to 3. Albion beat Canterbury College by 20 points to 3.- Merivalo's defeat gives Albion the senior championship by half a point. Westport, August 14. The match Inangahua v. Buller B, played yesterday, ended in a win for tho former team by 9 points to 5.