ST. JAMES BEATEN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1193, 31 July 1911, Page 8

ST. JAMES BEATEN.

ORIENTAL AND ST. JAMES SHARE TOP RUNG

ATHLETIC A STEP BEHIND.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WELLINGTON'S.

The four thousand people who patronised ' Athletic Park on Saturday wero re- j warded with an afternoon's good sport. . The game might have been brighter, hut 1 it was not dull; electrifying episodes were I scarce, hut the pace was terrific: and 1 there were circumstances which caused 1 tho gamo to attract and hold the interest i of tho thousands. With the season near- : ing its last lap, three teams with a good chance of winning the championship, and two of those teams meeting on the park ; any sort of gaino would have l;cen interesting; there was something hanging ou the gume--the result mattered, tit. James took the Held the leaders in tho competition: an hour and a half later they lelt the arena a beaten team, and not the sole possessors of the top rung of the ladder. The .crowd had picked Athletic to will, and the crowd yelled and cheered for the success of. their selection; Athletic were favourites. It is not surprising that tho play was done clncHy uy the forwards. At-hletic's backs are no champions in attack, but their iorwards are. Therefore Athletic decided that the'forwards should light out the battle, and the St. James array was not strong enough to force them to abandon those tactics. 11l tho battle of the forwards the blues won; tho victory was At'hletic's, because they had tho better forwards. It was a hard game from end to cml, and tho hand of the clock was frequently put. hack while players were rubbed and doctored into playing trim, 'ihomas (St. James) shaped half-heartedly in the first spell, and did not appear in tho second. It was stated that ho was not well enough to play when tile game was commenced. The two lino forward teams who met in deadly earnest provided an exciting contest. ' It was a game in which tho really forwards wore invaluable. "Kanji" "Wilson, for instance, played what appeared to bo tho best gamo he has played this season. The curly head of the representative forward .was risible in the vail of nearly all tho attacking movements. Karely was the thunder of the Blues heard without tho familiar figure being seen tearing along in tho lead, apparently glued to tho ball. The hope of tho "Jimmies" •was Cook. A few good chalices, or half chances, to this player, and tho Athletic defence would have gone down before him. Tho man from Ilorowhenua is a very fiuo threcquarter now, and a few • years' city experience will probably leave him among tho foremost scoring men of his time. His chances on Saturday were almost nil, and for a few runs he provided he made his own opportunities. Ilis determination, his desperation, were the brightest features of the match, lie (ore and smashed his way through barriers of insistence; brought to the ground with a low tackle, he would get up and-go on again; men barred his path, and he hurdled over them, and yet he did not score, but it was grand to see tho way he faced tho odds. Atliletic's win intensifies the interest ; in 'tho contest for the .-year's honours. Oriental' and St'. James are now equal with 24 championship paints each, Athletic have 23 points, anil Poueke 22. The four teams are all. possiblos,. though I'oneko's is a somewhat outside chance. Oriental and St. James havo yet to ■ meet, aucl so havo Athletic and Oriental. The big surprise of Saturday was the victory of tho College team over Melrose Oriental ran up an unexpected total against. Old Boys-ll to 5; I'onoke just got iiume from Southern by 3to uii, and l'etone beat' Wellington by 16 to 3. The junior championship was decided on Kd. '1 frround at' the park. 'Wellington beat Pctono by G points to 3. Petono scored in the tirst spell from a fine passing rush "which was concluded by. Joe Ifyan getting over. In the second spell, (lie Wellington forwards simply climbed all over their opponents. Sheridan con- ! vert'ed two penalties, and victory rested with tho Amber and Black. ,

CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER. The following table shows the position on the championship ladder of all the teams' in the competition, and provides other interesting details:—

i j .. t % |1 H-2 s > I r S lls'i. St. James ... 15 12 3 0 172 • 51 21 Oriental ... 15 12 3 0 >'57 57 -1 Athletic ... 15 11 3 1 130 50 23 l'oneke .... 15 10 3 2 157 61 2* Potono 15 10 5 0 lflO 90 20 Southern ... 15 8 7 0 109 76 16 Melroso ... 15 t 11 0 SG 1-7 8 Old Boys ... 1.) 2 11 2 72 ISO 0 ■Wellington .15 1 12 2 41 232 4 Vic. College 15 1 13 1 4< 280 3

M'Ven (Athletic's half) went 00 hurt. Shortly afterwards, while, another of tho Blues was being resuscitated, M'Vca reappeared, bandaged up, and took his place behind tho scrum. On the game being resumed, tho- Athletic attack was as hot. as it possibly could be, and tho liace and the excitement were at their, height. Bad passing muddled some of the chances, over-anxietv accounted for others, and the St. James clefence was solid as a. wall. Presently, St. Janes got out of their trouble in one corner of their twenty-five, but Athletic soon returned and hemmed them in at tlic- other corner. However, the unexpected was long in happening. Down tho field came Cook and a confrere booting the ball along tho ground. A hard kick, and Cook was in full chase, with Cunningluime (the Athletic full-back) coming across. ' It was a critical time, but neither got their speculator in, and the situation, for Athletic, was saved. Realising that tins end was near, St. James were endeavouring to keep the ball in play, but when tho bell was rung there had not been any change in tho score—Athletic 3, St, James 0. PONEKE-SOUTHERN. . A LUCKY WIN. A lucky try, gained early in the .first spell, won tho match for I'oneko in their contest with Southern cm tho Ptilo Ground, Miramar. This was the ohly score of the game and Poueke must Ix 3 considered fortunate iu having come oS as well as they did. The luck was all against Southern because they had tho better of the play throughout'. Their forwards crashed through tho opposing ranks time and again, and it was only ■ tho excellent' dcl'cnco of the Poueke bucks ; that enabled the older team to avert do-.' feat. Southern felt tho loss of a storing . back, their crucfc scoring mail, Bradley, having to leave tho field early iu the / gamo owing to a severe cut alongside the ear, tho result of a collision with Bowie. In the opening stages of the game there was little or nothing to chooso between the teams, but at length it was apparent that Southern wero wearing best, their forwards pulting in some really fine work. It was while things were in this position that the ono and only try of the match was scored. From his own side of halfway Gardiner, Poneko wing three-quarter, took a high punt which failed to reach touch. Ho punted hi"h in return, tho '■ ball going to the Southern full-back, H. Capper. Gardiner followed his kick and was almost on Capper when that plaver tried to mark. The ball bounced olf the 1 full-back's chest, however, and into Gar- ; diner's arms. This left the Poncho man with a clear rim in from the 25 line and • ho cut out tho distance in convincing ■ style. Mitchinsou failed to convert. Sou- > thern resumed the attack from the kick- : out and Les Campbell had a fruitless shot ! at goal from a penalty well out in front of tho posts. A smashing forward rush ; by Southern., followed, but a force down I was. the.only result. After if spell of even I play Southern put in two more strong for- ■ ward rushes, but l'oneke drove thorn back ! and set up 'an attack, the principal fe'i- ■ hire of which was a fine run by Elliott. • Still another Southern rush followed, but' . the attacking party was driven back, Sot'hcran taking a pretty mark" right from the toes of the advancing forwards, several more efforts were mado by Southern, but. the l'oneke defence was too ' good and the spell ended: Poueke, 3; Soul thorn, 0. The Southern men went to tho attack immediately play was roMiiiiod, l Les Campbell putting in a nice run np tho i line. A free-kick ivas awarded to Sou- ) .thern near tho 25 liuo and W. Capper - look tho kick, but the verdict was "a : poster." Southern kept plugging away . for some time, but at length Mitchinson, I Kyan, aud Elliott combined in a passing - rush which was stopped through the last--1 mentioned player knocking on. Followin:.' this Tilyard essayed a pot, but' Ihe ball went a yard or two outside the posts. Tiie i'oneko backs were doing good work at this'stage and Tilyard, Mit. i chinson, and Kyan associated in a promis- , ing dash which W. Capper stopped nicely, 5 i hen, from a scrum in the 25, Southern came away and a try for Toneke appeared ' to be within reach, but' a knock on saved 1 tho position for Southern. Poneko were going strong in Southern quarters when Johnson intercepted a pass aud sprinted ™'°.V "P, tho centre of the field, but lreudoviuo caroo to tho rescue. A lonp? ' attack by Southern forwards varied by an occasional spasm by tho backs kept loneko busily engaged, but tho defence' ot the older team held out and they managed to leave tfie field the winners by 3 to ml. Jlr. F. Laws was referee.

ATHLETIC—ST. JAMES. THE LEADING TEAM BEATEN. Athletic and St. James met at Athletic Park. The game was a very little time in progress when Cook had the crowd on the tip-toe of excitement' .through a couple of attractive runs. On the second occasion, only tho Athletic lull-back remained between him and tho goal-line. For once Cook curbed bis intrepidity and became cautious; he punted over Cunniugbame, but' kicked the ball too hard Athletic now made matters exceptionally willing, but tho St. James defence was splendid. Rush after rush was turned on by the Blue forwards, whose play, though unattractive, was elfective. "Sim" Wilson was given a kick at goal from a mark but bis effort was not strong enough. A long kick put the leather out near the St. James line. There was a line-out half a dozen yards from the goal-line, and out of tho thick of it shot "Han.ii" Wilson. Two men to pass, and tho big Athlctic forward was over. "Sim" Wilson look the kick at goal, ond made r.n excellent, but unsuccessful attempt. Tho ball was almost immediately back in the St. James territory. Tho Blue backs comnienccd passing, and with a. man to spare, at that moment, on tho right wing, a score looked more than probable, but a beautiful interception by Cook crippled tho attack. Cook whipped the ball away to Heketa who galloped up the field, badlv supported. St. James pressed tho attack, but could not got. past E. M'Donald, whose gathering up and quick kicking were very elfective. E, Roberts got a mark in a good position, but Clark's attempt to convert it' to points was poor. From then till half timo Athletic handed out to the "Jimmies" a very warm experience. St. James opened the second spell with play of a class which suggested that this half was going to bo even hotter than the first half. Not lone did thov retain their little authority. The Athlctic forwards swept the field before them, and wero checked only by tho ball going out of touch. The throw-in was as a signal for another Athletic rush. Down the field they went till (hoy came to' Cook, who snapped up the oval, and, after a short, determined run, found the line at halfway. The St. James pack, in rushes which Athletic, had little hope of stopping, made a grand attack that would do credit lo any team. A smart mark by "Sim" Wilson stopped the onslaught. Still St. .Tames kept at it. Cook's attemjits to get thronsili in nearly impossible situations were positively desperat". Men who blocked his way were smashed through or luirdled over. Scrums right on Athletic's lino were formed, and the "Jimmies" chances of Retting through looked bright, but their hope was slain by E. M'Donald, who got the ball uwav beautifully, and kicked into touci. loivards tlic end pf tho spell

ORIENTAL-OLD BOYS, A HUGE SCORE BY ORIENTAL. Oriental, playing against Old Boys. at. Jvaron on Saturday, defeated their opponents by tho Jingo score of 41 points to J, and there is very lii'tio doubt that' 11 tho winners had taken the game seriously in tho second spell that the total, could. have been considerably increased. Old Boys tailed io wako anything like a' decent showing at all and M>ldom did' they carry piay to the correct side of, halt-wuy. Any passing attempted by their • backs generally resulted in their op-' Ponents getting possession of the ball." ihu Oriental backs, without a single exception, played brilliantly and all of them took part in tho scoring. E. Little received a .severe kick in the face in tho • first spell, but utter u brief retirement, 1 no- resumed playing. Tho scoring was opened by V. KoberVs, who was playing at full-back, lie touched down uoar the goal arid Kinvig converted. Oriental, 5; Old Boys, 0. A few minutes later Kinvig Kicked a goal from a mark In- Sturrock. Oriental, S; Old Boys, (I. Tlie next fry was the best of the match. A weak kick by 1 00l failed to find tho line mid Uobert>, taking t'lie ball on the bounce at-half-way, dashed up the line and, after' beating several men. cut jn-fiold and transferred to Kinvig, who'sent on to Mluotu. J.he last-named scored after hmi. nil w Jv i nvl i ? Col »'crted. Oriental 13, Old Boys, 0. Further tries in the first spall vrere scored by Roberts, Matliei? r !? ck " one " 1CS(1 w as conto. ted by Matheson, and at half-time the score was-. Oriental, 24; Old Boys, (I, In the second spell tries were scored bv 1 t ? lwnc \ (2 '« lW nSS J/iltle. ]\[ Icod converted one try and' MM ™ thus rai'Ll to vJu l "w end.of the game 7)r,?-« 11 sco '^ l 11 t".v for Old Bovs and IJiake converted, the final score rendim Orienta, .i| ; (M( | lioy "V Mr \V j' Meredith was referee.

VICTORIA COLLEGE-MELROSE,

ANOTHER SURPRTSE.

To the list of surnnVs on SaturHn r ll' 1 U,P ,W,,ai o{ ritw l °" PSCi Melrose are in 'he ,nlv lJ nimo ,''r! ,S pr?ition nf 'V Co J » ( !', ls kih'n >'V the College. Bu it was a good and n™ rw? . deserved. May it enconripj to even more valiani t liij.-m l lie game was plaved at Mirnmar M"< rose were minus some of their usual loam en ' sfl ,, a n We College. Cnl)e"e U v. Y ,| httv>r than usual, and their haeU ra-M Willi greater intolliu'emo. uccurnev i,,.| tj-»' w '»'ch r|! V" -we of tlirir" vea'lv Inst-clnss men-Fan. Ryan. and Poanan-K -belter opportunities than thev gene rally

Col ego set out to attack, and held MelPifr n fVV nca, ;' y fifloon iV;.m College three-quarter right"in?, was cotismcnous in wvcval shim dashes dcirn tho lm a „d twicc

nearly over. Melrose strovo hard to force play out of their territory, keening tho ball among tho forwards, but. tho Collego backs invariably returned to the charge, their forwards (notably Curtayne, Brosuftn, and Quilliani) also working like Trojans. In the midst of a fast piece' of loose play Ryan got.the ball and cut in towards tho Melrose goal, and then sent tho leather on to I'onruanga. The nuggety five-eighths transferred to Fair, and the latter getting considerable way on, got over the Melrose line near the corner and scored, amidst applause. In the kick at goal Ryan was unsuccessful. 3—o. Still Collego pressed, and Melrose were hard put to keep them from adding furthei 1 points. Just before half-time they broke away from confinement, and, when hostilities temporarily ceased, they looked like possiblo scorers. Tho second spell was scarcely as interesting. Play was not so open. Melroso Beveral times set up a warm attack, but could not get ever. Church, ono of their men, had to retire, as tho result of an injury, and a substitute came on. There were a number of interesting incidents towards the close,' but no further score resulted, and the game finished with ColJezo winners by 3 points to nil. Mr. A. Thompson was referee.

PETONE AND WELLINGTON,

SUBURBAN TEAM WORKING SOMETIMES. Pctone on their own ground took tie field one man short, but won comfortably, especially in tho closing stages of tho game. 'This was due in a largo measure to the adoption by the suburban team of tho scrum formation. At opening, Wellington, pfofiting by the good work of Murray, attacked strongly. Boyd and Ashton were caught. napping, with the result that Carr was enabled to field the leather smartly, and race over unopposed. Lambert tailed to goal. Wellington, 3; Petone, 0. Wellington, on resuming, again rushed down, Irons being prominent. Lambert had two fairly easy chances from penalties, but missed on each occasion. Arouseil at length, Petone started off determinedly. Their forwards, led by Dent, T. Price, and Lindsay, swooped down and simply smashed the defence. From a five yards' scram Ramsden darted over, making honours even. No.goal was kicked. Petone, 3; Wellington, 3. Scraggy .play. ensued and lasted until halftime, with an advantage to Wellington, who were finding the line much better than their opponents. In the second half Petone were masters-of the situation. A good passing Tush, when the ball travelled from F. Ryan, via M'Farlano to Daley, was spoilt., by a knock-on. Potone still pressing," the ball came to Parker, who potted, the ball just going outside the post. Lending another attack, Parker beat all defenders, carried tho ball over at foot,'and scored. Ashton goaled. Pe'tone, 8; .Wellington, 3, Wellington were now entirely-on the defensive/and the next Petone score was gained easily. Daley dashed over at the end of a passing rush. Ashton failed to convert'. Lambert, Wollirtgton's full-back, was. the only man playing with vigour, and he saved frequently. A big Tnsh by Petone saw Carr behind his own lino endeavouring to clear, when Ramsden, racing up, snipped the ball .from Carr's hands and fell on it. M'Farlano 1 added the major points. _ Petone, 16; Wellingtno, 3. The [remaining play was very poor. Mr. E. Tregear refereed. •" JUNJOR GRADE. WELLINGTON WINS CHAMPION- - SHIP. The final' of the junior championship was play eel" on. No. 2 ground, Athletic Park, on Saturday, when Wellington defeated Petone by 6 point's to 3. Although chief interest was centred in tho AthleticSt. James encounter, the junior game was ccrtainly tho more attractive from, a spectacular point of. view. Wellington relied on their forwards to win, and Petone on their back division, and it looked, shortly after the kick-off, as If Petono would win. From a scrum in tho Wellington twenty-five Petone secured the ball and out it went' through the chain of backs to Ryan who had a clear run in. Tho shot at goal failed. For about ten more minutes-a great struggle:, for .suppenjacy, took place"between, the' suburban 'backs and tho Wellington forwards, but tho forwards prevailed and'.macy an irresistible onslaught' l they made- into Petonels territory, but could not score., When halftime was sounded the score stood: Petone, 3; Wellington, 0. On resuming Wellington attacked strongly and' after some desperate work on Petone's line, were awarded a freekick in a good position, and Sheridan landed a beautiful goal. Play lingered in tha Blue territory for some time after this, and then Petone, realising that the day was going badly, broke away and took tho ball to Wellington's lino. From tho scrum which resulted they secured the ball, and a particularly dangerous passing rush was foiled by a Wellington Lack intercepting, and removing play to tho opposite end of the field. After making several, attempts to pierce the Blues' defence they were awarded a free-kick and Sheridan again converted, making the Fcore:Wollington, 6; Petone, 3. The suburbanites were never afterwards dangerous and when time was called they were still .defending.

Mr. K. Fordyce was referee. Oriental defeated Poneke by 11 points to 8 after a very spirited contest/

THIRD CLASS. Victoria College defaulted to Porirua,

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE TEAM

Messrs. Welch, Burns, aiid Eraser, junior selectors, have selected the following team to represent Wellington against the Wairarapa junior representatives at Carterton on Saturday next:—Full-back, Sheridan _(U ellington), three-quarters, Durio E. Ryan (Petone), Warner (Schvyn): five-eighths, Whitley (Petone), Eliffo (St. Johns); half-back, Russell (Southern); wLng-forward, Roberts (Selwyn); forwards, Guthrie (Petone), M Ihvraith (Oriental), Fisher (Petone), O'Leary (St. James), Miller and Cotter (Wellington), Luoni (Athletic). Emergencies: Whiterod (Southern), Smythe (Wellington), Ebrrhardt (Selwyn). A. Parker (Southern), Wilton (Selwyn), Euting (St. John's), Mooney (Petone). Mr. M, Wclch will accompany the team as manager, and those unable to mako the trip are requested to communicate with him at once. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES. NORTH ISLAND COUNTRY TEAM. A DRAW WITH AUCKLAND. IBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 29. Tho first match of tho combined North Island country unions' representative team was played here to-day in very wot weather, the ground being very muddy. Ihe country team mado a good showing, ? i 1 *, tj lo final quarter were getting tho best of it. Tho gamo ended in a draw, each side scoring 8 points. Auckland played with the wind in tho first quarter, but the countrymen's defence was sound and no score resulted. In the second quarter the visitors opened up an attack from tho silly side of the scrum D&ir touch, and the bo.ll ■ wont across field, through tho hands of Montgomery, Morgan, Lennard, and , Downing, until Barry finally lecoived and scored. M'Kenzie converted. A few moments later the Auckland forwards carried play to the visitors' line, when Power picked up and passed out to M'Gregor. Tho latter sent the ball on to Stewart, who scored a h-y which O'Jjfiary converted, and half-time was called with tho score five all. Auckland got in the lead in the third qiiartcr, and Harper picked up out of a loose Fush, and passed to M'Gregor,. who sent on to W. Hall. Tho latter got across near touch-in-goal by sbeer strength. Tho kicq at goal fail-xl. When tho teams changed over for tho final quarter and the visitors had tho advantago of tho wind, Auckland hod an anxious time. Numerous attempts to cross tho line failed until just on time, when Barry scored from a hard kick across tho line. The kirk at goal failed, and the gome ended: North Island Country Union ... 8 points. Auckland 8 points.

HOIUTWIIENUA BEAT MANAWATU. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Palmerston North, July 20. The return representative football match, Horowhoiiiiii v. Manawatu. resulted in a runaway victory for Horowhcnua by 2i points io 8. The game was not interesting, except for occasional flashes of good concuT.tcd play by the visitors, who wcro superior,.in every dopartment. Mauawntu opened with a slight lead, Ijut soon lost any dash they had. The end of the first spell saw the Maoris well jn tho

l«tul. They gradually increased their advantage and piled up quite a formidable margin before the whistle sounded. For tho winners, tries were scored by Jacob, 11. Winiata, Rawiri, Reid, and Hopa. Rawiri was in good form with his placekicking, and converted three tries. For Manawatu M'Kcwon and Cordyre scored.

Aftpr tho match the selectors picked tho following combined team to play against

tho touring Native team on Saturday next Full-back, Hughes, t.hree-qnar-ters: Eawiri, Taylor, Utiku; five-eighths: M. Winiata, Waldegravo; half-back: M'Kowen; forwards: Hopa, Arnold, Seiasci.i, Harkness, Reid, V. Carroll, and George . Emergencies: Wilson, Baigent, Cordyre, and Ropata.

MAORIS ON TOUR. (By Telceraph—Press Association.) Gisborne, July 30. The Maori footballers at present on tour met Poverty Bay on Saturday afternoon in fino weather upon a greasy ground as a result of reccnt rain. Tho local team was by no means a representative one, several experiments being tried, involving the introduction of junior players. The visitors showed excellent combination in their back division, and eventually won rather easily by 19 points to 6- Tho visitors leave to Napier by the Monowai to-night.

NORTH AND SOUTH WAIRARAPA, (By Telesrapb.—Special Corressondent )

, Carterton, July 30. The North and South Wairarapa representative trial match at Carterton yesterday resulted in. a win for the North team by 9 points to 6. The South, team wore weak owing to the absence of Barry Desmond and N. M'Keilzie, who are away w;ith the North Island country representatives, and H. M'Kcnzie, who is injured. Towards the end of the game N. Welch sustained a broken collar-bone.

At the conclusion of the game, the following Wairarapa team was chosen to play the Native touring team at Carterton next Thursday:—Full-back: Brown; thioequarters: E. Mason, Thompson,'and K. Welch; five-eighths: C. Groube and Tori; half: F. Groube; wing-forward; A. Ross; forwards: N, Johnson, King, Miller, Bond, Hodge, Brough, and Spackman; emergencies: Backs, Hanley ana August; forwards, Wilkinson, Preshaw, and M'Lachlan.

The N,orth and South Wairarapa junior representative trial match resulted in a win for the North by 6 points to 3. After the gauio the following team was chosen to represent Wairarapa against Wellington Juniors at Carterton next Saturday: —Full-back: Neilson; three-quarters: A. Wolch, Kara, and Pauling; five-eighths, Tait and O'Brien; half: Baskerville; wing forward: Gallon; forwards: Golder, Zillwood. Mason, Udy, Welch, G. Hart, and A. Playle. Emergencies: Forwards, Moffit and W. Blake; backs, Donald and H. Playle. ■MANAWATU AND HOROWHENUA. (By Telcsrauh.—SDefial Correspondent.t Palmerston North, July 30. A meeting of the combined committees of the Manawatu and Horowhenua Rugby tfnions was held on Saturday afternoon. Messrs, C. M'William (Maiiavatu) and R. Smith (Horowhenua) were appointed selectors to pick the combined teams. 'Messrs. H. N. Gibbons and J. W, Proctor were elected trustees. IN OTHER CENTRES, IBy Telegraph—Press Association.) Dunedin, July. 30. Saturday's first grade football results were: University, 12; Southern, 11. Kaikorai, 21; Union, 3. Taieri Rovers, 3; Port Chalmers, nil. Zingari-Richmond, 23; Pirates, nil. Alhambra, 14; Dunedin, nil. University's lead, now that the second round lias been entered upon, is assured. Championship points are as follow:—University, 22; Zingari-Richmond, 20; Southern, 18; Kaikorai, 17; Alhambra, 17; Piratcs, 10; Union, 8; Taieri Rovers, 8; Port Chalmers, 6; Dunedin, 6.

Christchurch, July 29. • • The weather was fine, though cold, for tho Canterbury Rugby Union's competitions this afternoon, and, the rWere in fair order, though,a trifle greasy. By defeating Christchurch by 13 points to 0, Albion made the championship a, certaihty, as they have now a clear lead of 3 points, with.only one more match to play. Old Boys defeated Linwood by 12 points to 10. Mcrivale had a comfortable win over Canterbury College by 20 points to G, and Sydenham beat Marist's by 11 points to 6.

Palmerston North, July; 29. Palmerston juniors defeated lvia Toa by 13 points to 3. Old Boys defeated Athletic'by 14 to nil. In third-class games Kia Toa (37) defeated Ashhurst (5), and High School beat Feilding by 8 to 3.

i Wanganui, July 30. Wa,nganui defeated Rangitikei,at Rugby yesterday by 11 points to 3. "• For the winners Percival, Coutts, Schmidt, and Cunningham scored tries, and Phillies converted one. Wilson scored for Rangitikei in the first spell. Cam'pjon and Percml were injured, and had to retire. Southoombe, a crack Wanganui back is at present out of tho game' through injuries, NORTHERN UNION. NEW ZEALAND AND AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIVES. (By Tclesnph—Eresa Association.^ Auckland, July 30. A football match Iwas played here yesterday under Northern Union rules, when the New Zealand team which recently returned from Australia, met'the Auckland representatives. Tho latter team won after a prolonged mud scramble by 11 points to 3. Tries were scored for Auckland by Kay, Dillamore, and Waters. Asher converted one try. Buckland scored a try for New Zealand.