ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1211, 21 August 1911, Page 6

ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

An unusual amount of interest'on Saturday centred in tho match between St. James and Oriental, tho two leaders for the senior Itugby championship, and the 5000 odd spectators who journeyed to the Athletic Park were treated to an hour and a half's football, which was fast and strenuous all tho time, and frequently exciting. Tho general conditions were absolutely perfect, and the large crowd were sportsmen to a man, and prepared to see tho best team win. After tile first onslaught by St. James tho Oriental forwards set a cracking pace, and for a time it looked as though were going to run their opponents off their legs. St. James asserted themselves gradually, and when they settled down to solid business, it did not look as though Oriental had a winning chance, despite their excellent defence and the solid vanguard. When the first spell ended the tally wass St. James G, Oriental 0, and it looked, as though tho second term could only add to the discomfort of the Oriental' men, who seamed to have lost the dnsh which characterised their onening efforts. As soon as the second spell began, however, Oriental showed that they were far from done with. Tlioy came with a rattle, which shook the St. James defence, repeated tho dose timo and again, and soma of their forward rushes literally overwhelmed tho opposition. One try came, then another equalised the scores, and finally Oriental secured a third try, and with it a three point lead, which they held to tho end. It was fast, vigorous football tho whole way, and St. James fought like Trojans to maintain their placo at the head of tho championship list, but it wa.s not to be, and in tho end they were honestly beaten by a better all-round team.

There-were several mishaps during the gamo, but only one man, Murdoch (Oriental) had to retire from the arena. This player received a severe fall on tlie back of .the neck as the result of one of Hekita's peculiarly effective shoulder tackles. Tho tackling of Heki.ta, by the way, was one of tho features of tho game': Ho has a most unconventional stylo of tackling, as several Oriental men found to their cost. Without using his hands at all, lie dives straight at his opponents' legs and lifts them from under tho man with tho ball with a powerful shoulder. Tho result is a heavy fall for the man tackled. F. Roberts, M'Lcod, and Sandel will all bear witness to the effectiveness of the St. James man's tacklo after their experience on Saturday.

The filial for the" championship will now have , to bo . fought out between Oriental and Athletic. If the latter'win against Oriental they will gain the championship by one point.

. THEvCHAMRIONSHIP LADDER, i The positions of the lending teams have changed considerably as a result of Saturday's games. St. James, who held pride of placo with Oriental, drop from first to third position, and Athletic go up, to second place, one point behind Oriental. Details are as under;—

ORIENTAL—ST. JAMES. handsome' win for oriental. There was little to choose on paper between tho Oriental and St. James teams, but the fact that Oriental have been coming on in their lato games, whilst St. James havo been going off a iittlc, gave a leaning towards Oriental. However, it was not until the second spell that tho result was assured, but then Oriental "came to light," and won handsomely. From the kick-off St. James rushed play into their opponents' twenty-live, where they hooked the ball from two scrums in succession, but the backs could not get going. St. James kept pegging away about ten yards from tho Jine, where several scruiiis were held amidst considerable excitement. A free-kick relieved, but St. James again came on. M'Leod, instead of marking a kick by St. James when pressed, s?nt tho ball into the arms of 11. Roberts, who marked well out in front, of goal. E. Roberts converted with a nice kick. St. James, 3; Oriental, 0. Oriental took a turn at attacking after this, and after several warm minutes in close proximity to the St. James goal. Ilckita marked. Oriental came again, their forwards playing with great dash, but a free-kick relieved. A mistake by Crowes brought trouble for St. Jainer, immediately, tho forwards taking tho ball over tho line. Kinvig overran tho ball on the line, and a comrade who was following kicked it on, and Iviuvig fell on it, but he was off-side. Play continued in favour of Oriental, their forwards coming through tiiiio after timo and at length, from a scrum, five yards out, F. Roberts sot his backs going, and when a try looked certain Murdoch, who had two unmarked men outside him, knocked on and H. Roberts came on and relieved with a timely speculator. Hard oven play was succeeded by several rushes by Oriental, St. James having ono letoff through a rebound off a kick by E. Roberts going into touch in goal. A willing rush by St. James, led by King, followed, but the Oriental defence was too sound. A struggling attack by Oriental was succeeded by a further rally by St. James, Young putting them in a scoring position with a fine kick. The attacking party swarmed on Oriental line, where a desperate struggle! ensued. After being repulsed several times St. Janus were rewarded, Hope getting over from a forward rush. Claik failed with tho .kick. St. James, G; Oriental, 0. From tho kick out St. James attacked again, and wer? soon pressing on the Oriental line, but the leather went, into (ouch in goal. St. James were in great goiivg order now. and Mofiitt eulirencd proceedings with a good run up the centre. At this stage Clark (St. James) left the field for a time, but minus one man St. James pressed tho attack home -again' until they had. Oriental penned on the corner (lag. Willi the exception of two promising Oriental forward rushes, the balance of the spell was generally in favour of St. James. At the start of the second spell, Oriental attacked vigorously, and set about a passing run in the twon(.v-fivo, but the allack was short-lived. They came again, however, and another passing rush' saw M'KfOwen bumped into touch alxiut (en vards from the line. A spell of even plrtv was followed by a brilliant dash bV Cooke, the St. .Tames forwards, headed by Manning, carrying the plav on to tho lino. Oriental cleared, and Roberts initiated a likely-looking passing rush which was stopped by Hekita just when a Iry rm>iiic:l imminent. The pace was now a crack-sr, and slighllv in favour of St. •Tames. Tho game was delayed for some minutes. Murdoch bciiKg laid out; as a result of a tackle by Hekita. Murdoch left the field, and was replaced by M'Bain. On resuming, the first Oricnl.il try came. After a serum near the posts had broken up, Mathcsou' kicked over the line, and. following the ball, shot through and scorad. 'Kinvig failed with the kick. St.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUPREMACY. ST. JAMES OUT OF THE RUNNING. ORIENTAL AND ATHLETIC LEAD. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Oriental 9 St. James ; Petone 8 Poneke Athletic 8 Southern Victoria College 11 Wellington . Melrose 20 Old Boys ...;

James, C; Oriental, 3. A great rush by Oriental swept tho field after this, only to bo followed by another of equal vigour. 1\ Roberts,secured the ball from a scrum near tho line, and passed to il'l-jod, who, in turn, handed on to M'Kcowon, who scored at the corner, amidst great excitement. No goal resulted. St. James, 6; Oriental, G. Spurred on by these reverses, St. James livened up. and tho ensuing struggle was in Oriental twenty-five, but tho latter defended 'in great style, and turned' the tide, after, a likely-looking cross-kick by B. Roberts llad failed in. its errand. Oriental charged tho ball up tho northern touch-lino to Crewes.'the St. James fullback, who appeared to have ample timo, but his kick struck tho, fast following M'Leod and rebounded. This left M'ljedd with a clear run in as a reward ior his fast following up. The kick at goal failed. Oriental, 9; St. James, 6; The, pace slackened after this, Oripntal contenting themselves" with tho lead., but they wero all hut over on two cceasions'before timo was called. Mr. C. Atkinson iras feree.

PETONE-PONEKE. WON AT THE FINISH/, Petone, on their own ground, started with tho sun in their favour and set' up a hot attack with their forwards, which was •maintained by the backs with u series of -unsuccesslul passing turns. Then Poneke's vanguard, headed by Calcinai, rushed play back, and before the Blues were awaro of anything, J. lvlliot't was racing for a score unopposed. Mitchmson converted, Poneke, 5; Petone, 0. This awakened Petone, and they ect oil again, but the safe play of Tilyard and Mitchiiwin kept them out. Poncke, from a scrum, got in a line position; but a knock-on checked them and Petone, through Ashtou and Lindsay, .forced Prendeville to kick to the dead ball area. Daley streaked over shortly after, but was brought back for a breach, and then Brewer alter a line dribble sent to Calcinai, Vlio raced half tho length of tho field, and touched down, but he was brought back lor a breach, much to tho amusement of tho crowd.' Potono had tho advantage right up till half time,' and it was only the great dcfcnco of Poneke's backs 'that prevented them from scoring. The pace, which was great at tho 6tart, increased as lime went on.

Tho second half saw Petone still attacking,, and M'li'arlano had several shot's at goal, and he landed tho final one, and the score read: Ponelce, 5; Petone, 3, Play continued to be cxciting and tho rcforeo came in for a share of "booing" . from the crowd, who could not apparently interpret his rulings. Wogan got a good chance when Poneke got the ball, but was pushed out of touch at the critical moment. Poncke, who played the 3-2-1 scrum formation in tho second spell,' were possession, and ' repeatedly lilyard oot .his backa going, but nothing came of it'. Mitchinson' started a fino lone-handed run- down tho field, and when all but over, was overtaken by Jim Kyan and grassed. Greatly to the amusement of the spectators, Prcndevillo lost his jersey at tho. hands of a Petono forward, but played on until a good Samaritan supplied him with a, sweater. Just before tho end, when Petono in a good position, Ramsdea sent to M'Kenzie, who cut-in nicely, and sent a high pass to Joo Kyan, who raced over with his brother Jim, and Boyd to spare. MTarlano converted, Potono, 8| Poneke, 5. Poneko tried a little kick out, but Dent knew tho game 100 well, and marked, thus gaining ground and time. Several great attempts were mado on tho Hod and Black side, but the game ended without further scorc.

William Ryan, Dent, MTarlano, and Prico were Petono's bost forwards, while among tho backs were James Ryan, Daly, M'Kenxie, and Ramsden, always to tlia fore. Poneko's best backs were Tilyardo, Wogan, Elliott, Mitchinson, and Prcndi. ville, and their outstanding forwards woro the two Calcinaies, and Brewer. , Mr, Neilson was the referee.

ATHLETIC-SOUTHERN. THE BLUES WIN BY EIGHT._Athletic met and defeated Southern'at ICorori Park, after a close game. The first spell -was of a very ordinary' character. Athletic scored early through Evenson converting a mark. The spell wore on uneventfully, except for a few Southern, place-kicks at goal. Olio attempt was from an exceptionally fino mark by Gallagher. Bradley and W. Houlihan woro tin; kickers, but their efforts were poor ones. A curious. thing happened right on the call of half-timo. Southern wcro attacking, and the ball had gono out, Tho line-umpire on t.he side of tho field opposite to where t.he leather was being thrown was calling "Time, referee, time. However, tho ball was thrown in, and play proceeded under t'he Athletic goal, and Southern seamed to havo a good chanco of scoring, lint the turn of tho tide was sudden. Tho ball went right to tho other end of the ground, where Evenson scored, and conv.rrtcd tho try. Athletic, S; Southern, nil. Southern mado matters very merry in the second half. Southern attacks were tho order in the early , portion, and (lie Red backs wcro giving At.liletic considerable trouble. The ball was shot out to Bradley, who quickly lobbed it out to t.he wing, but, tho attack fell through owing to faulty passing, and other attacks were ruined by bad fielding. One closo call was when, with play well down in Athletic's twentyfive, Southern backs were parsing the ball about, and Bradley, getting it in his turn, made a lightning pot. The direction was true, but the ball ilew. tco low. M'Donald raised a little excitement by going elc«s to scoring through fast following up. Gosling kicked into dead territory to save. Just before the conclusion, Ev'pnson had a couple of unsuccessful shots at goal for tho Blues. The final score was: Athletic, S; Southern, nil. VICTORIA COLLEGE-WELLINGTON, A WIN FOR COLLEGE. When Victoria College and 'Wellington met in tho first round, the match ended in a draw, but at Athletic Park on Saturday, tho University team were victorious over their opponents by 11-pcfints to ti. The Wellington team was alleged to havo been strengthened by the promotion of a few junior players, and it may bn that it was. But, nevertheless, it waiita a if rent ileal of strengthening vet before it is likely to bo a factor in any senior championship. Wellington won the losj and played with the sun lxdiind them. A few minutes after the kick-oIT Wellington were penalised, and Uyau plnocd a goal. College, Wellington, nil. Collego had all tho best the spell except 011 ono occasion, when Carr set tho Wellington backs going and pretty passing among Boddinglon, Bridge, and Durio resulted in the last-named scoring at tho comer. Lambert failed to convert. College, 3; Wellington, 3. 'litis was the score at half time.

-College did m! (alee lons to assert themselves in the second spc.lt, and Quillieim scored at the corner, but. llyan failed with tho kick. College, G; Wellington, 3. Another try followed as tho result of passing between Stainton and Ryar., end Curlnyne kicked a great goal. Col lego, 11; Wellington, 3. Just before tho rail of tinio Dridge lcickcd a penalty goal for Wellington, and the final scoro was: Cot

lege, 11 J Wellington, 6. Mr. Jones was rofeTee. Dnring tho match Boddington (Wellington) and Quilliam, Middleman, and Poananga (College), sustained minor injuries. Middiemas had to retire temporarily, and Boddington permanently. .THE "ALSO STARTEDS."- ' MELROSE-OLD BOYS. The Melrose-Old Boys' match at Miramar was am easy win for Melrose, whose forwards simply romped over the Whites.. However, the game seemed scarcely to he taken seriously, least of all by tho competitors, the result being a foregone conclusion from the start. Melrose could bave piled up further scores had there been need, or at all events they appeared to be plaving with more up their sleove. The game was mostly a forward one, though now and then the Melrose backs broke away, and when they did they were generally dangerous. Grace was the mainstay of the Old Boys' backs, practically playing the whole opposing team "on his own" at times. Indeed, his outstanding individual exhibitions now and again made the Melrose team seo how defective they were when opposed to really first-class fare. It is unnecessary to describe the game. Old Boys were first to soore, Pool dribbling over tho line. Grace missed the kick at goal. Old Boys, 3; Melrose, 0. Gilchrist opened Melrose's tally, diving over nejr the oorner. Scott was next to ..score, and after him came B. Sullivan. Scott converted Snlli- ' van's try, making the score nt half-time: iMelrose, 11; Old Boys, 3. In the second half B. Sullivan again got over, as' the result of a passing-bout •Murphy was the nest to cross, and just, at the finish of the game, B. Sullivan notched his third try. the result this time of a pretty run; The game ended: MeliTose, ?0; 01d Boys, 3. REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. ' WELLINGTON V. TARANAKI. The following team has been selected to Represent the }Yellington Rugby Union in the match against the Taranaki representatives to be played at Athletic Park on Saturday next:— Full-backS, Evenson (Athletic); threequarters, Daly (Potone), Mitchinson (Poneko), Cooke .(St. James); five-eighths, 'Jas. Ryan (Petone), M'Leod (Oriental); •half, F. "Roberts (Oriental); wing, , A. Wilson (Athletic); forwards, hookers, Bnghes (Petone), Elliott (Athletic); lock. ■D. Sullivan • (Melrose); supports, Moffitt .(St. James), Perry (Oriental); hack row, : J?ing!"<St. James), Bell (Athletic), Emergencies, Hacf&rlana (Petone), Kinvig /(Oriental). SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES. (WELLINGTON DEFEATS MANAWATU. An exhibition of bright interesting foot!)ali resulted from the meeting of the representatives of the Wellington and Manawatit Schools on Saturday, and al- ! though Wellington won by 2-t to nil, the :gnme was not Marly as one-sid'ed as the iscore/ would snggist. The visitors had jfiotne, excellent chances, but they did not 'turn , their opportunities to account so jTeadily ag did: the town lads. The first itry was a fine piece of work by Anderson, ' '-who scored after outpacing all opposition iand running half the length of the field. No goal resulted. A forward rush enabled ■ Olsen to register the second try, and added., the major points.' Walker .followed by scoring a. try, wliioh he coniverted'himself. Tries by Watson and [Hansen followed, neither of them being 'improved upon. The final score was an'other try, which Walker converted. Mr. VJI. Card was Teferee. WAIRARAPA REPRESENTATIVES, (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent,) Carterton, August 20. : The Wairarapa football representatives meet the Manawatu at Mastorton next iSatiirday. The following will be tho Wai.TUrapa team:—W. Brown, E. Mason, W. (Thompson, K. Wolch, C. Groube,' ->Jf. fMUenzie, F. Groube, Ross, Berry, King, [B rough, Bond, Hodge, Spackman, and fDesmonid. ; Emergencies: Backs, Hanley, (August, and. Vallance; forwards, JdhnjSon,. 'Miller; M'Lachlan.' ' FINAL FOR ABRAHAM CUP. Palmerston North, August 19. In senior football to-dav the Abraham 'Cup 'final'resulted—Kia Toa, 10 points; lAthletic,. nil. In the third grade, Kia Toa' defeated Athletic by 5 points to 3. High School -(42) defeated Old Boys (3). WAIRARAPA V. BUSH UNION. IBy Teleerapbi—Press Association.! Pahiatua,: August 19. The representative Eugby match be-, 'tween Bush Union and Wairarapa was ' played here to-day, and resulted in a win for Wairarapa by 11 points to 8. RUGBY IN AUCKLAND. HOW THE TEAMS STAND. r : Auckland, August 20. ' In tha Eugby Union matches, UniverBity won handsomely from City, by 15 •points to 5. Macky scored two tries and •converted three, Wilson being the other scorer. Power scored a try, for City, which E. Magee converted. University nTe now virtually level with City, and both have to play tho same teams.. A play-off may be ordered next Saturday. Other senior result? wero:—Marist Bros, beat Parnell by 12 points to nil, and 'Grafton beat Newton by 13 points to nil. THE MAORI TEAM. ANOTHER SEVERE DEFEAT. Christchurch, August 19. The matcli batwean tho Maori team, at touring tho Dominion, and Canterbury, which was played at Lancaster Park this afternoon, attracted a good attendance of tho public. , From a spectator's point of view, tho weather was. beautiful, though players possibly found it somewhat on the warm side. The game resulted in an easy win for the ■homo team by 25 to nil, ,but it was obvious that .the Maoris were, feeling tho strain of tco much travelling and playing, their, tour at one stage having in'•cludcd iivo matches in fourteen days. Several of them were unable to show their ■"best form, owing to injuries, and during the game three changes were necessary on this account. The result was an ent'-e lack of dash on tho part of the Native players; and the game, which had been -expected to provido a fast and brilliant ■display of football, was to that extent disappomting. The Canterbury forwards -early asserted their superiority over their ?S P | 011 \ ats f a ? d tto was that thoir I)ilcks : had plenty of chances. It cannot 'said however, that the display „f the £n n c mrJ r altogether ron- & l&tT 'ffi* and tho three-quarter linn in ™ ' 0tt > was cramped in'its exportunitieT^^ 6lloo OTAGO V, WANGANUI. 'VICTORY FOE -THE OTAGO, TEAM. NO GOALS KICKED. . Ounodin, Au*n«t 10 The Eugby match Ota ? o v, Wanganui <vas played in ideal weatW on the Calei U i P M ' on tho -loss, and liad the advantage of a very slight breeze the first spell. The match provided an open exhibition of football, most of the scores on both sides being the result of back play. Otago wero first to score Nome picking up smartly in the Wan«ajiui twenty-fives and scoring a prottv try. The Otago forwards shortly after returnto too &ttd.ctc, nnc! 'vcurine the ball in Wanganui's twentv-fives, pa=t ed to Black,' who transferred "to Graham Eckhokl scoring from a scramble on the line'. Wanganui worked the play to the local team's quarters, but Black drove them back, Otaffo making all the play Black then cut in prettily, and finished up a fino run by passing to Norrie, who scored a good try. In collaring Black, Coutts sustained slight concussion, and had to leave the field, Percival taking his place. From a mark by Atkins, in the Otago twenh'-fives, Leahy made a good nitompt to kick a goal, the ball falling short. A good passing rush Ijotwecn Black and Norrio ended in tho latter scoring his third try. After the kickolF Signall kicked out at the Otago twenty-fives; another good kick by Stewa.rt, and then Campion put in a dashing rush, and Souter scored a fino try. Car-n-ington failed ■ to convert. Otago, 12; .Wanganui, 3. . Black punted high from his' own twenty-fives, and tho Wanganui print three-quarter fumbled. Tho north-

I era team wore busy defending, and Blnck again securing possession scored at tho comer. The Wanganui forwards came back, and Atkins wcured from a scrum and passed to C. Phillips, who passed to Signall. The lastnanied scored, but Lenny failed with the kick. At half-time the scores were— Otago. 15; Wangmuii, li. There was marked improvement ill tlio lilav of the visitors in the ?ccond spell, while that of the home team was most disappointing for the greater, iiart of tlio spell. The Wanganui men heat their opponents ill the scrum, loose and back iilav, Otago showing neither dash nor combination. 'About five minutes after play had been resumed \\anganui set up n warm attack. They were kep. in check for a while, but. eventually tine passing between Campion, Stewart, and Signall ended in the lastnnmed clcvcrly beating the Otago full-back and scoring. Soon afterwards tlio visitors again broke through tho defence, Atkins registering a trv In tho closing stages Otago livened up a little, and from a passing rush Black scored a neat corner. Ihe Bam® ended with tho scores—Otago, 18, WangaThe inaccuracy of the goal-kicking may he gauged from tho fact that out of ten tries not one was converted, Taken all round the play was pretty even, there not being much differenco between the teams.

CANTERBURY V. WANGANUI. (By Telegraph-Pro's Association ) Christchurch, August 19. The following team has been selected to represent Canterbury against AA anganm on Saturday next:—lull-back, A. E. Doell; three-quarters, D. Ohithri.e, A. i\. .Tacobson, K. Pyle; five-eighths H M. Taylor, G. D. Gray; half-back, P. ,T. Burns; forwards, H. V. Murray (rap), T. Carroll, E. Hnsell, W. J. Morgan, J. A&ld, L. Oram, A. Morris, and T. Bam. NORTHERN UNION GAME. AUCKLAND DEFEATS HAWKE'S BAY. Auckland, August 20. The second Northern Union football match for the New Zealand Challenge Cun was played here yesterday, Auckland defeating Hawke's Bay by 17 points to 13. The game, which was played before 3000 people, was fast a,nd exciting right to 'the closing stages. Carlow. Griffon, and Chorley scored tries for Auckland, Seagar converting two and Dunning one. The latter also kicked a penalty goal. Johnson, Jackson, and Frater scored tries for Hawke's Bay. Jackson converted one and kicked a goal from a mark. AUSTRALIAN INTER-STATE MATCH. By TelscraDb—Fress Association—OoßjriEh) (Rec. August 20, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, August 20. The New South Wales Northern Union team'defeated Queensland by 34 points to U. ■

rs c m v « ® o-S g C £ g J 5 c c.tj 5 ft S & tJ 0 ft (SSo® Oriental .... 17 14 3 0 2S5 70 28 Athletic' 17 13 3 1 151 53 27 St. James .... 17 13 4 0 194 GO 26 Poncko 17 11 4 2 171 SO 24 Petono 17 11 G 0 201 99. 22 Southern .... 17 8 9 0 11G 101 1G Melrose 17 5 12 0 109 135 10 Old Boys .... 17 2 13 • 2 75 21G G ! Wellington 17 2 13 2 55 21G G Vic. College 17 2 14 1 GG 298 5