FOOTBALL. RUGBY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 145, 21 June 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL. RUGBY.

SATURDAY'S GAMES. SUMMARY OF RESULTS. Poneke 12 v. Oriental 0. Pctone 14 v. St. James 13. Old Boys 9 v. Wellington 3. Athletic 6 v. Victoria College 5. Melrose 18 v. Southern 3. Conditions generally cor 1 "-' hnvdlyhave been moie favourable for football thaa those that prevailed on Saturday. The principal game — that between Poneke and Oriental — was, unfortunately, a bitter disappointment, as it rarely rose over drab mediocrity. Poneke deserved to win by more than 12 points to nil. A better game. v. ilh an exciting finish, was that between Petcne and St. James, at Petovc The suburb? n team had an uphill battle to tight, and only won in the last few minutes. Athletic defeated Victoria College by 6 to .">, after a contest which showed the Collegians in a favourable light lowarrU the end of the game. Old. Boys continued the>r triumphal progress by a third victory, this time over Wellington, Ly 9 (o 3. Melrose and Southern had a lively tussle, the led and biues winning by 18 to 3. PONEKE (12) v. ORIENTAL (0). Of the Poneke-Onenlal match, at the Athletic Park, billpd.as the "star" game in club football, and monopolising the ground, it can be said that an initial effervescent c was followed by very Hat beer. Taking advantage of the sun, the Poneke side got off the mark at once, and rattled up 9 points in about asmr»iy minutes. Walshe scored the first try from a cut-in on the blind side of the scrum, and (iai diner converted. Ryan then' potted a beautiful goal from away on the other wing. In the dreary sec-^ oiul spell Oaidu.er pla-.cd a splendid penalty goal from midfield. There was no further event or score, though Oriental made the pa'-e a little towards the end. Poneke, 12: Oriental 0. Mr. J. Francis was referee. ' PETONE (14) v. ST. JAMES (13). In an excellent game where the fortune of war fluctuated with delightful impartiality, Petone just scraped home with a point to spare. The St. James played above their form, and put up then- best game of the season. The pace was fast from the jump, and both forwards and backs were evenly matched, though the local defence lines were somewhat more difficult than those of St. James. An even, brilliant game saw scores level at half time, which was a fair outcome, each team scoring a lucky try which was subsequently converted. In the second half the tension was tight all the time, aud the struggle was as fast and willing as followers of the rrame would like to see. First Petone led, and then their opponents, and finally, after a great battle, the St. James defence 'ines were pierced, and the winning try scored just a few minutes befoip time. It was an excellent game, and played in a good spirit. Petone 14. St. James 15. For the winners I lard ham, -Millar, and M'Farlane scored, the last named conveiting cne, and kicking a goal from a mark. Mills and Phillips got over for the losers. Thomas and M (Jrath converting, while Thomas notched a goal from a mark. Mr. (_'. Bell refereed, MELROSE (18) v. SOUTHERN (5). The Melrose-Southern scramble \\a& a very unedifying spectacle. Its chief feature was the frequency with which men. on either tide had to retire to the' line to recover from some injury. It was undoubtedly the best game to be out of this season. The defence of the maroons was very weak, and early in the first half Twomey got over, and Beavis kicked a goal. A neat passing rush let Beavis over, the same s man converting. Melrose 10, Southern 0. This was the scoie at half-time. Just after recommencement of play Twomey forced his way o\ur horn, the ruck, and again Beavis was successful with the kick. After some very dreary scrambling in the centre of the field Southern got an advantage. CampbeiJ kicked a neat goal. Melrose 15, Southern 3. Near the end of the game King scored another try for Mehwe, but this* time Beavis was unsuccessful with the kick. The game ended — Melrose 18, Southern 3. nATHLETIC (6) v. VICTORIA COLLEGE (5). Athletic had the best of their game against Victoria College, excepting for about twenty minutes in the second half, when the greens put up a great fight, and were unlucky m not scoimg a gc?od numbci of points. In the first spell play was confined almost wholly Id the greens' half. Now and again, the College forwards headed by De la Mare, got avay in grand style, but the fine kicking of Evenson always averted trouble. Richardson scored for Athletic in the first half. Evenson fai led with the kick. The second spell had just been commenced when Athletic got their second try. Evenson finished a tricky run by crossing near the posts. He took the kick himself, but failed. Athletic, 6; Victoria College, nil. At last Duncan got away for College'- from beyond halfway, and, running the whole length of the field in great style, scored near the posts. O'Leary landed a fine goal. Athletic, 6 ; College. 5. There was no further alteration in the score. OLD BOYS (9) v. WELLINGTON (3). Wellington were defeated by OKI Boys at Minimal- by 9 points to 3. Wellington commenced against the sun in vigorous fashion, and a couple of good chances were thrown away through over-anxiety. Little more than five minutes after the game commenced L. Bridge marked in a good position, and kicked a pietty goal. Wellington. 3; Old Boys, 0. Old Boys retaliated by hotly invading Wellington's end, and the yellows had a bad time defending. Sheridan had a kick at goal (from a rather difficult angle) in consequence of an infringement of an Old Boy forward, and just missed registering thiee points by inches. Every inch of ground was closely contested after this, and half-time was called without alteration in the score. The second half was remarkable for the dash shown by Old Boys. M'Lean scored two tries in quick succession, Marchant and A very, respectively, failing with the kicks. Old Boys, 6; Wellington. 3. Subsequently Wellington made a determined effort to equalise matters. The forwards rushed up the field with the ball at their feet, and a nice opening was made for Carr from a scrum. Aided by Sellars, Carr made a great run for the line, and dashed over ai> the corner flag six inches out of play. Before time was called Pool* stored' another try for Old Boys. Final srore : OJd Boy*. 9; Wellington, 3. Mr. 11. Card was referee. JUNIOR. Pelwyn (0) v. Wellington (6). Petone (12) v. Athletic (0). St. Patrick's College Old Boys (9) v. Poneke (6T. Kia Ora (15) v. Melrose (0). The games St. James v. Southern and Oriental v. Old Boys were not played.

THIRD CLASS. Star Boating Club (penally goal by Newbold) beat Kia Ora by 3 to nil. Petone beat Athletic by 54 to nil. Epuni (17) beat Polhill (3). Petone (6) beat Wellington College (nil). Wellington College (18) defeated St. James (3). St. John's, 5: Upper Hutt, 3. Kaioii (2) v. Oriental (5). Wellington (3) v. Poneke (0). FOURTH CLASS. St. James defeated Polhill by /12 points to nil. Petone, 6 : St. Jonn's\ 5. Orientals, 13: Selwyn, 11 Victoria College. 5 ; Epuni, 5. Karori (27) v.' Athletic (3). Wellington {3) v. Poneke (0). FIFTH CLASS. Petone {6\ v. Wellington College No. 1 (0). ' ' DISTRICT GAMES. (Br Telegbapii. — Special to The Post. 3 GREYTOWN, 19th June. The match Grey town v. Carterton was played to-day amid a scene of intense excitement. Orcvtown won by 10 points to 4. CARTERTON, 19th June. Lower Valley defeated Gladstone by 16 points to nil. Tries were scored by Howlett, Adams, Willacv, and Cowan, and Cowan converted two tries. PALMERSTON N., 19th June. Bui little interest was taken in the senior Rugby match to-day, the result being a t foregone conclusion. Kia. Toa (17 points) beat Old Boys (6). FEILDING, 19th June. At Feilding to-day, Feilding (16) beat Palmerston North (6). IX OTHER PLACES. [BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, 19th June. The senior football matches were playod in Hue weather to-day. The results were as follow : — ■ City (26jioints) beat Graiton (nil). Parnell (60 points) beat Newton (3). University College (16) beat North Shore. (ll). ' (JHRISTCHURCII, 19th June. Senior football to-day resulted as follows :— Old Boys (9) beat Linwood (nil) ; Merivale (9) beat Albion (7) ; Sydenham (3) beat Canterbury College (nil). ißt Tblxgbai'h. — Special to The Post.] DUNEDIN, 19th June. University (11 points) beat Union (3). Kaikorai (3) beat Dunedin (nil). Zingari (3) drew -with Port (3). , Alhambra (11) beat Southern (3). Taieri Rovers (36) beat Pirates (6). SHORT SPELLS. ißy Tsleokatk. — Spbciax, to The Post. 1 ) DUNEDIN, This Day. In three out of the six senior Rugby games on Saturday, four spells of twenty minutes each were played. It was a bright, sunny, culm day. The new system did not have so good ii trial- as would have been the ca'-e had the strong wind, which has prevailed ?o often this season, been in evidence, giving a decided advantage to the winners of the toss-. In Saturday's contests (here was little gain to the favoured club from the spiii of Hie coin. The captains of the rival teams in the principal fixture, Alhambra v. Southern, decided to adhere to two forty-fives. TWO ACCIDENTS. Cut tei.egxaph — rr.isss association.} AUCKLAND. 19th June. Two accidents cccuned in senior I matches. Bailey, of University, had his nose broken, and Eaton, of Gvafton, received a nasty kick over the eye. He was carried otf the field unconscious, but after receiving surgical attention was able to proceed home. CALIFORNIA BOYS' PRACTICE. Some of Major Piexotto's Californian boys had a little football practice on Saturday at the Basin Reserve, with some adults who cultivate the Australian game. The boys were out to le t im rather thaa instruct. They VJero mostly new to the game, but took to it kindly, and amused themselves as well as tho good-humoured spectators. ■ Everybody lost and everybody won. Therefoie everybody wos pleased. ASSOCIATION. Swiits 3 v. Diamonds 2. Ramblers 3 v. Thistle 2. V.M.C.A. 3 v. Petone 1. St. John's 3 v. Hovers 1. Saturday saw the first lound of the championship contests closed, and as a result of the day's play, V.M.C.A. and Swifts share equal honours tor first place with 13 points each, Diamonds oeing next with 11 points. An outstanding feature of the games is the* second reverse that Diamonds have experienced during the season — they were defeated by a willing pack of Swifts by 3 goals to 2. The game could not be desci'ibgd as brilliant, and was to <i certain extent disappointing. In fact, although well-nigh perfect weather prevailed, none ol last Saturday.-, matches were above the mediocre in quality.

In the presence of a large number of spectators, Swifts defeated Diamonds at the Basin Reserve by 3 goals to 2, after a game w hich did not <.ome up to expectations. There were, in the first spell, long stretches of ragged and uninteresting play. Swift.-- were the fiist invaders, but Diamonds were fiist to scoie. F. Lowe, after some well-timed passing work, succeeded in beating M'Lean. Swifts' retaliation came shortly after, and foine good combined work and a scramble resulted in a successful drive by Scott. Kerschberg then obtained is lead for Swifts oft" a free-kick, nicely calculated. Yet another for Swifts was put through accidentally but accurately by D Roberts (Diamonds half-back), making the score at half-time 3—l.3 — 1. An improvement in the play was noticeable in the second half. Diamonds attacked more and were rewarded with a goal, S. Reddy being the final agent. Swifts, led tonne good iforwas-d rushes, but inaccurate shooting and the rapidly-fail-ing light prevented further scoring — Swifts 3, Diamonds 2. Diamonds were weakened by the absence of Overend, bi*t S. Reddy, Taylor, audßobeils worked hard and well towards making up. Keischbeig, Graves-, and Scott were the best of the victors. Mr. J. B. Paton was referee. RAMBLERS (3) v. THISTLE (2). After an even bat uninteresting game, Ramblers defeated Tlustta at Newtowa

Park, by 3 goals to 2. Ramblers were first to scoie, Anker rushing the ball tluough after ;i ino\e down the length of the field. This was followed by some neat footwork on the part of the Scots, and as> a result Phillips was successful in notching a goal. Smallbone then scoied with a good clean kick, and at half-time, Ramblers had 2 and Thistle 1. Soon after resumption .some good work by Coward enabled Anker to drive the leather through. Hall (Thistle) then retaliated with a splendid f-hot that took Ramblers' goal-keeper completely by siupi ise. No further scoring took place. Air. J. Davidson refereed. V.M.C.A. (3) v. PETONE (1). At Petone, V.M.C.A. and the local team were responsible for a game that was generally voted uninteresting. Somewhat early, Barken missed a fine opportunity of scoring, and there followed a, period of even play, relieved by two attempts on the part of V.M.C.A. to goal. Later, Petone had slightly the better of the spell, but just before halftime came V.M.C.A. scored a goal by the agency of JCingsw;ell. Opening strongly m the second half, V.M.C.A. vas successful in obtaining a decided lead, putting on two goals, Petone only just managing to break their "duck," the final result being: V.M.C.A., 3; Petone, 1. ST. JOHN'S (3) v. ROVERS (1). St. John's defeated Rovers by 3 goals to 1, after a comparatively even game. In the firsjt, spell the only score registered was on the part of Rovers, Barry being the agent. It was largely a confused rus-h towards the goal. In the fecond half, goals were secured for St. John's by Johns-ton (2) and Schoefield. They were to a certain extent the result of a misunderstanding between the full-backs, Rovers having ceased play to appeal, and St. John's men forcing them through. The losing team were suffering from lack of form. All the St. John's forwards played well, Shaw being the best of the halves and Scott of the backs. The best workers among Rovers were Oldnail (in goal) and Betheli, though the rest were comparatively poor. Mr. W. Press was referee. Second Division. V.M.C.A. (4) aefeated Marist Brothers' Old Boys (2). The first half was very evenly contested, during which J. Elford scored for Young Men, and Marist/ Brothers scored thiough a scramble in front of goal. The second spell was more in favour of the Young Men, Elford (2) and Mackin (1) scoring. Irvine scored from a penalty, and Hodgson missed <#ie for Marisl. Mr. Barnard controlled the game. Mental Hospital defeated Wanderers by 8 goals lo nil. The losing team had only eighfr men. Petone defeated Letter-carriers by one goal to nil. St. John's (2) defeated Porirua 13 (C). In the fir.st spell Dick scored, and in the second Thompson. For St. John's Bowden, Guy, and Warner played best. JUNIOR. First Division. V.M.C.A. A defeated V.M.C.A. B by four goals to nil. M'Girr, Hughes, and Wilkins (2) scored for the victors. The game was not productive of good football. Second Division. Rangers (3), Swifts B (0). Brooklyn (7) defeated Marist B (1) rather easily. Brown (2), Makeham (2), Smith, Evans, and Melvin scored for the winneis ; and Shaw, Baldwin, and Kellaway played well. Khandallah (3), Ramblers (1). V.M.C.A. B (1), Petone (1). Marist A (7), Institute (0). Kaiwarra (1), Swifts A (0). V.M.C.A. A (2), Diamonds (0). j Third Division. V.M.C.A. A beat Boys' Institute by 4 goals to nil. Brooklyn (5) defeated Diamonds (2). Smith (2), Morrison (2), and Baldwin (1) scored for the winners. Marist Brothers A (3) beat Petone (1). Rangers A beat Rangers B by 11 goals to nil. Brooklyn B drew with Institute B, no score taking place. Maris-t Brothers B beat Ramblers by 1 goal to nil. Ross scored for the winners. South Wellington (6j. V.M.C.A. B (0). V.M.C.A. C (5), Marist C (0). Technical (2), Brooklyn C (0). REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. A few alterations have had to be made in the representative team for Palmerston North. Morgan and Jacobs, of Mental Hospital, will take the place of Overend and Jardine, while D. Toohill. of Swifts, will fill the outside-right position, as J. Reddy is unable to make the trijjj This change, however, will not seriously weaken the team. They leave for Palmer&ton North by the 4 o'clock train to-morrow afternoon, and v ill play at the Show Ground on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. H. Mayei is manager.

POSITIONS OF THE TKAMS. •SwifU/ 8 6 11 V.MI.C.A 8 5 0 3 Diamond.-- 8 5 2 1 St. John's 8 5 3 0 Rovers 7 ■ 2 2 2 Wanderers ... 8 2 5 1 Rambleii 8 2 '5 1 Pejlone 8 2 6 0 Thistle 7 15 1 v, 'o p13 16 11 10 6 5 5 4 3 SWIFTS (3) v. DIAMONDS (2).