Football.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 23, 14 June 1886, Page 2

Football.

About a thousand persons witnessed the match at Nowtown on Saturday between tko first fifteens of the Athletic and Ponekc Cluba to decide the initial heat of the Sonior Cup Match for the present season. Tho anticipation that tho game would be a vory closely contested one was fully realised, but owing to tho absence of much '' gallery play," packed scrimmages being frequent, the match was not so interesting as many that have taken place at Nowtown between local clubs. At times the excitoment was great, but on the whole the play was not loose enough to make the game throughout a particularly interesting one. For the first ten minutes, tho ball was confined to tho Athletic quarters. Tho Athletics then worked down to the Poneke 25's, where King made a pass to Thompson, who tried to pot a goal. The attempt was not a succoss. The Ponoke quarters woro again invaded a few moments afterward, but through tho judioious play of L. Dixon (fulf back) a score was avertod, the leather being oarried back to tho centre of tho field. At tho half-distanco flag Thompson got away, but was beautifully grassod by Gago, ono of tho best collars in thePoneko team. After a series of packed scrimmagoH tho Athletics again entered fcho onomy'a territory, and things looked risky for the Ponekos, a scrimmage taking place almost on their goal line. Tho ball was heeled out, and King attempted to put a (joal. Tho Poneko forwards stifled tho effort, and tho ball was carried out of danger bo far as that side was ooncorned. Tho Ponekea now made their way to the other ond of tho field. Thompson, however, was on tho alert, and by a good run he carried tho ball jubt cratsido the 25 line. M'Causland got a mark for the Atblotica from the line out, and a run by King and a kioked by Thompson enabled the Athletics to foroo thfoit opponents down. For the next two or three minutos tho play was close to the Ponoke goal, from which it was removed by Roberts, Dodson, and one or two others. The ball was taken into neutral territory, and when the first spell finished it was in tho centre of the field. The Athletics had tho boat of J.he play in the first term, but in the second the Ponekes acquitted themselves quito as well as their opponents. For tho first few minutes the Ponekes monaced the Athletic goal, and after some scrimmaging close to tho line, Ellison (forward) forood his way across and scored for the Ponekes. L. Dixon was entrusted with tho kick, but the attempt was not successful. Ponoke, 2 points ; Athlotio, love. The Ponekes again invaded the Athletic quarters, a, series of scrimmages taking place on and about the 25 flag. The Ponekes wero, however, unable to increase their score. Thoy were gradually repulsed, and their territory was in turn invaded. Brown touched down for tho Athletics, but the try was disallowed on account of some infringement of the rules. The ball was now worked back to tho Athlotics' line, and thoy were forced down. A series of dribbles and short runs gradually carried the oval back to the Poneko territory. After some loose scrimmaging inside the 25 flag, tho ball was given to King, and passed by him to Thompson, who potted a beautiful goal. Time was called before any further scoring could bo done by either hide, and the match was thus won by the Athletics by a goal to a try. The Athletic backs played better than did those on the other side, while tho forwards of both teams were about equal as regards smartness. Messrs. Dumboll and M'lntyre wore the umpires, Mr. Knapp acting as roferee. Tho third heat of tho Junior Cup Match was played at Newtown on Saturday, by tho Petone first and Poneko second. Although the Potones defeated the Ponekes at Petone, some weeks ago, the Ponekos last Saturday succeeded in ponning their opponents in the latter's 25 almost the whole of the spell. In the second turn, however, the play was more even. Eidler got over tho Poneke lino, but the score was disallowed, and the match ended in a draw. The Petones, however, claim to have won it. i The aeoond fifteens of 'the Eival and Union Clubs met in the Hobson-stroet paddock on Saturday. The Unions, who wore five men short, wero defeated by 11 points to love. Tho Eival fourth defeated tho Diamond first, on Saturday, by a try to love. .The Union and Wellington first fifteens had a practice match at Island Bay on Saturday. The game, which was a very even one, resulted "in a win for the senior club by a try (two points) to love. Stock gained the try after a good run. For the Wellington, Stook, Bichardson, Hirsohberg, and Fairbrother (backs), and Gibbes, Holmes, Webb, Beader, and Shaw (forwards) played well ; as did Smith, Jacka, Kilncr, Little, Hyland, M'Cleary, A. Dixon, Brown, and Osborne for the Unions, Smith playing the best halfback game on the ground. Considering that the Unions had not thoir strongest team in the field, and played a man short from the start and two men during the second spell, the result is very creditable to that team. Parsons, Coltm&n, M'Donnell, and Hill wero uuablo to play for the Union, while Pearce and J. E. Smith were the absentees from the Wellington's team. Mr. Lynch acted as sole umpire. Tho Union second, playing 12 men only, were defeated at Karori on Saturday by four points to lore. The Union Club members will assemble at Kuchon's shop for a run at 8 o'clock tomorrow night. [Bt Telegraph.] [united press association.] Cartekton, 12th June. In tho football match Te Ore Ore natives t. Carterton second fifteen, the Maoris fairly romped over the Carterton boys. The latter were no match for them , either in play, weight, or knowledge of tho game. Chbistchukch, This Dat. The Canterbury Bngby Union will not send a team North this season, owing to the expected visit of the Sydney team, and to the fact that a team has to go to Otago.