SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 102, 2 May 1898, Page 2

SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

Senior Championship. The Championship matches of the Wellington Rugby Union were started on Saturday. The senior fixtures Athletic-Wellington and Petoue - Melrose, both played at the Athletic Park, claimed chief interest. The weather was fine, but there was a strong northerly breeze. In the first half of the Melrose-Petone heat the players were very much occupied in chasing the ball, which was carried by the wind into the adjoining field. No provision having been made for a spare ball, a great deal of time was wasted. The play in this contest was very good at times, but the Wellington-Athletic match unexpectedly proved the softest of things for the Athletics, their opponents exhibiting mediocre form. Afc Petone, Poneke scored a win over the new senior team (Orientals), though not by a large margin. Following are a few details of the games :—: — MELROSE V. PETONE. After a stubbornly contested game, Melrose came out on top with 11 points to its credit, the suburban players failing to score. It was mainly a forward game, the players on both sides workiug hard right up to the finish and displaying stamina that was surprising so early in the season. The opeu'ing stages were fairly even, the advantage resting with each side alternately. In comparison, the Melrose vanguard did not exhibit the dash of the Petone men. Though the latter were Dot particularly clever in foot-wdrk, they profited considerably by the clumsy and reckless passing of the Melrose backs, the half - back showing particular lack of judgment in this department. Melrose secured possession of the ball the oftener, the Petone players making up for the deficiency by their excellent tackling and good follovving-up. Each team lost an opportunity of scoring in the first spell. A feature was a splendid run by Thomas (Melrose) and a pretty dribbling rush on the part of the Petone forwards. In the next half Melrose monopolised the bulk of the attack, the Petone men working like demons to prevent their line from being pierced, and their splendid defence and good tackling elicited applause. When the threatened danger was averted M'Guire secured a mark from which C. Campbell, though at a difficult angle, kicked a beautiful goal. Melrose ,had now the upper hand, and shortly afterwards King, getting possession of the ball, sent it flying over the orosa-bar. After

neutral play the town players carried the ball into Petone territory, and Ross got ficross the line. Campbell failed, to improve matters. The whistle sounded with the score— Melrose, 11 ; Petone, nil." Mr. F. Gibson carried the whistle. ATHLETIC V. WELLINGTON. This match was played on No. 2 ground, and resulted in an easy win for the Athletics by 25 to 5. Shortly after the kick-off Tucker kinked a finfi goal from a free kiok. O'Brien and S pence scored, Tucker converting the former try. In the second spell, by fast following up, M'Lachlan scored a try for Wellington and Duncan converted. Bishfrorth, Wey bourne, O'Brien, and Spence scored tries for the Athletics, Tucker converting one. The Athletic backs, particularly Tucker, Pritchard, and Beamish, played splendidly, Tucker's touch-line kicking being of great assistance to his side. Among the forwards Quinn, on the wing, and M'Cluskey, Weybourne, and Herbert, in the pack, were most conspicuous. For Wellington M'Kenzie, Cuff, aud Duncan, among the backs, at times showed up, but taken all round they did not show any senior form. Among the forwards Gallagher (who played a rattling game), Morton, Ravvson, and Wiffln were the pick. If this team intends to win any matches this season it will have to infuse a lot of dash into its play. Mr. A. Campbell was referee. ORIENTAL FIRST V. PONEKE FIRST. The season was opened at Petone under favourable circumstances by these teams-. The game for the time of the season was fast and open. The first spell, which ended without any score, produced fine passing among the Oriental backs, which would, but for the good defence of Davis and Wallace, have let them in on one or two occasions. The second spell was fast, being chiefly remarkable for the hard rushes of the Poneke pack and the all-round defence of the Oriental backs. During this spell, which was altogether in favour of the Ponekes, Wallace and Skelton scored tries, both of which the latter failed to convert. Wallace had several shots at goal from marks and penalties without result. With experience the Orientals, who made their debut as seniors in this match, will make some of the senior clubs look to their laurels before the season closes. The Ponekes, for the most part first year seniors, have the material for a good all-round team, and although showing fair combj^iatiou in the second spell among the forwards, have still room for plenty of improvement. Junior Championship. Melrose defeated Poneke by 5 points to 3. Wellington and Oriental played a draw, each side scoring 8 points. Athletic aad St. Patrick's College also played a draw — 3 points each. Thtbd-c;lass Championship, Athletic beat Petone by 14 points to 11. The Wellington-Melrose match, which was to have been played on Newtowu Park, did not take place owing to the referee not putting iv an appearance, and the teams failing to come to a satisfactory agreement as to a substitute. Interprovincial. Our correspondent in Canterbury wires the results of Saturday's Senior Championship matches as follows : — Linwood defeated Sydenham by 29 points to nil. Merivale iuflicted a similar defeat on Christchurch (29 to nil). Kaiapoi defeated Albion by 8 points to 7.