FIELD GAMES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 10, 12 July 1909, Page 3

FIELD GAMES.

SATURDAY'S RUGBY MATCHES. BIG SCORES AND SMALL. St. James 43 v. Victoria College 5 Poneke 9 v. Melrose 3. Athletic 6 v. Wellington 0. Oriental 12 v. Old Boys 0. Petoae 21 v. Southern 5. Big scores and .small ones also were recorded in the championship matches contested last Saturday. The grounds were exceedingly muddy, and on some of them the water was lying in big pools. St. a much improved team of young players, won rather easily from Victoria College, after a fairly evenly contested first spell. Wellington, with a lot of new blood in the fifteen, gave Athletic a hard go at Miramar, and -Melrose kept Poneke busy, on a slithersome ground at the Athletic Park, all through the contest. Old Boys succumbed, to a nob over-strong team of Orientals, m a disappointing manner, and Petone won fairly substantially from the re-modelled Southern team, which nevertheless, put up a good game. ST. JAMES (43) v. VICTORIA COLLEGE (5). With seven men away for the winter vacation, Victoria College took the field at Petone against St. James with the one fixed idea of keeping the score as low as possible. In the first, spell play was fairly even and very fast. The spell was remarkable tor two of the finest runs seen on a Wellington football ground this season. Duncan, the speedy Victoria College three-quarter, picked up smartly beneath his own goal posts, and sprinting the whole length of the field, hotly pursued by Roberts, just managed to score beneath the posts. Five minutes later Roberts got away very similarly for St. James, and after a like fruitless pursuit by Duncan, scored at the . corner. The ' first spell ended St. James 14, College 5. In addition to Roberts, Philip-, and Crewcs were the scorers for St. James. St. James had it all their own way in the first twenty minutes of the second spell, and they piled up 29 points more. Baumgart (2), Wright, Hills, Bruce, and Mackay scored, Crewes converting two and Thomas une. Mr. Mahony was the referee. ATHLETIC (6) v. WELLINGTON (0). Wellington's promoted juniors gave the team a good backing of strength. Athletic had a hard task before them, but they proved equal to it. The first e»pell ended with only three points on the records, a try gained for Athletic by Murray. In the second half the only frcore was a penalty goal, kicked for Athletic by M'Donald. The strongest point in Wellington's game was the good defensive work of their forwards, and the weakest points were the inabilities of the backs to pass rapidly and to take passes cleanly and surely. The Athletic backs were aggressive all through, and their forwards put in good work. The game was one marked by some interesting features. Mr. Neilson was the referee. .ORIENTAL (12) v. OLD BOYS (0). Old Boys failed, and failed badly, against the faster and keener Orientals on Saturday at Lower Hutt. The ground was very muddy in patches, and the Sold greasy generally. The first spell \, -was fairly evenly contested, but the ultimate winners always locked like tak- 1 ing the honours. The result at the end of the first spell— Oriental 3, Old Boys o—was0 — was the outcome of a fine passing rush, in which M'Leod made good. The work of the Oriental halves, considering the state of the ground, was productive of much success. Throughout the last spell the Orientals penned their opponents in, and then scored several times, Maze kicking a penalty goal, and Gillespie and M'.Leod each crossed the line. Roberts, Vercoe, Matheson, and Murray were standing down from the Oriental Bide. Mr. J. Conder controlled the fame, which ended : Oriental, 12 ; Old ioys, 0. PONEKE (9) v. MELROSE (3). Poneke commenced well, and started to attack right from the jump. They took play into Melrose territory,' and were there awarded a free kick, from which Walshe landed a neat- goal Ponekc, 3; Melrose, nil. Poneke continued to attack, and several times Melrose had to force down to prevent a try being registered against them. A desperate scramble on the Poneke line resulted in the referee ruling that •Greeks had first fallen on the ball, and awarding a try to Melrose. Greeks himself took the kick, but failed. The spell ended— Poneke, 3; Melrose, o. In the second spell after a good deal of scrambling in front of the Melrose posts, Poneko got through. Ryan kicked hard, and followed up fasc. Several Melrose men tried to force down, but aIJ missed the ball, and Ryan got there first. The try was not converted. Poneke, 6 ; Melrose, 3. During a forward scramble "P.jddy"' Murphy, of the Melrose fifteen, was ordered off, . for, according to the referee's allegation, "deliberately striking the opposing half." After a fair piece of passing, considering the state of the ground and the ball, Jblhott f;ot over right in the corner, Mitchinson ailing with the kick. The game ended shortly afterwards— Poneke, 9 ; Melrose, o. PETONE (21) v. SOUTHERN (5). The suburban team had Southern at their mercy on No. 2 ground. Athletic Park. The game requires little description ; it was a contest in the gentle art of sliding on a muddy surface from start to finish. The srering account was opened by the Blues when Joe Ryan got over. M'Farlane failed with the kick. Later Green scored a smart try after a short run. M'Farlane took the kick, but it was an impossible one. Petone 6, Southern 0. This was the score when half-time was called/ On resuming, the Reds' forwards came sliding down the field with the ball in front of them, and a scramble near the line routed in J. Campbell scoring. L. Campbell kicked a goal. Petone 6, Southern 5. At the end of ten or niteen minutes' mud-sliding, Hardham dashed over for Petono near the corner, and M'Farlane kicked a splendid goal. Petone 11, Southern 5. Jim Ryan next scored for Petone, after a nice passing rush, and M'Farlane again converted. Petone 16, Southern 5. W. Ryan scored the next and last try for Petone, and M'Farlane for the third time converted. Petone 21, Southern 5. Mr. W. Spe*cer was referee. JUNIOR. Kia Ora beat .Athletic by 8 points to BM, after a very close struggle. Epuni 0 v. Oriental 0. THIRD CLASS. Wellington College 28 v. Polhill 9. Tries for the winners were scored by Bamsden (2), Natusch (2), Stainton, and Bartholomew. Childs and Ramsden converted two ,each, and Ramsden converted one. Polhill scored two tries and kicked a penalty goal. FOURTH CLASS. Athletic 8 v. Poneke 0. This game ■was played on a partially submerged ground, at Miramar. Compton scored a try for the winners, and converted it. A penalty goal was kicked by Riddick. St. John's 6 v. Victoria College 3. Bradley and Redgrave scored for St. John's, and Menzies for College.

So««nerii &5 v. Wellington 0. Gray got three tries, and A. Russell one. Morrison converted all four, and kicked a penalty goal in addition. Melrose 12 v. Petone 3. Tries for ; the winners were scored by A. Gilchrist, W. trilchrist, A. Murray, and A. Hardyman. Oriental 3, v. Old Boys 0. The Christchurch Telegraph Messengers defeated the Wellington Messengers by 36 points to 3. DISTRICT GAMES. j [BY. TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] PALMERSTON N., 10th July. v -?}V the seni °r Rugby this afternoon, r eildmg sustained its first defeat of the season, going down to Palmerston by 15 to 12. * Old Boys forfeited to the Kia Toas. The following team has been chosen to represent Manawatu against Foxton next Saturday:— Full-back, Reid; threequarters,, Martis, Carroll, O'Connor; Fveeightns. Ford, Buchanan; half, On-v-ley; wing, M'Minn ; forwards, Brown, Ward, Wighton, Best, Carroll, Boon, and Ryan. Emergencies— Backs, Stalker, Downes, Stewart, Coldstream, Pirani; forwards, Whisker, De Blois, Waters, Moles. MASTERTO2C, 11th July. Red Star and Gladstone met at Gladstone, the former winning by 3 to 0. Greyto-wn defeated Lower Valley by 8 to 0. IN OTHER PLACES. [BY TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THB POST.] DUNEDIN, 10th July. Alhambra 7, Zingari 3. Southern 9, Pirates 0. Port Chalmers 8, Union 0. Dunedin 36, University 5. Taieri 3, Kaikorai 0. AUCKLAND, 10th July. Grafton 11, North Shore 0. Newton v. Ponsonby.— The hitter won by default. "City 23, Parnell S. In the Northern Union game the Auckland representatives defeated the Maori team by 21 to 14. CHRISTCHURCH, 10th July. Christchurch 3, Merit-ale 3. Sydenham 3. Linwood 0. Old Boys 16, Colie K e 3. WANGANUI, 10th July. The fin"' match for the Wanganui Football Cup was played on Saturday, and won by Kaierau, who defeated Pirates by 6 to 3. NEW SOUTH WALES v. QUEENSLAND. (Bj Telegraph.- Press Association.— Copyright.) SYDNEY, 11th July. The New South Wales and Queensland representative Rugby teams met hero yesterday. New South Wales won by 21 points to 11. ASSOCIATION. BROWN SHIELD CHALLENGE MATCH. VICTORY FOR. WELLINGTON. The Brown Shield Challenge Match, Wellington v. Taranaki, was played at Newtown Park on Saturday. It resulted in a win for the home team by 5 goals to 2, and Wellington accordingly retains the shield. There was a southerly wind blowing, and the ground was in a very sodden condition, owing to previous heavy rain. In spite of these drawbacks, however, a distinctly good exposition of the Association game resulted, play being fast and interesting throughout. DETAILS OF THE PLAY. Wellington won the toss, and playea with the wind, sweeping down in 'the direction of Taranaki's goal. Within the first three minutes the Wellington forwards were well into their opponents' ground, and scoring was averted only by the promptitude of Stapleton "(Taranaki s goalkeeper), who prevented two or three "corners" being converted. Owillern, seeing an opening, led a spirited raid into the other part of the field but it was well checked by Kirschbei-f and Gibson, who hustled the leather back. Timperley then secured the first goal of the day with a splendid drive, which, aided by the wind successfully eluded Stapleton. Another forward movement by Wellington's front line, in which Smallbone and Scott did some conspicuously neat work, ended in a second successful shot by Timperley. A third for the home team followed in quick succession, Timperley yet again being the agent, after a drive* by Bethell, which struck the cross-bar, only to be promptly returned. Wellington 3 Taranaki 0. Strenuous efforts were now made by the visiting team to shift play, and thry succeeded on more than one occasion. As often, however, as they broke away, they wei'e hotly pursued" by the Wellington foi wards. As a result of one of their rushes, Carncross shot a Rugby goal; another dash ended only in an unsucessful corner. Soon .after there was a determined struggle iv front of Wellington's goal, but Taranaki forwards showed either an unwillingness or an inability to shoot. Breaking away, Gibson and Timperley took the ball down the field again, and a corner kick, accurately ainifd by Reddy, was vigorously punched out by Stapleton. Wellington 3, Taranaki 0. SECOND SPELL. It was confidently thought that the Taranaki men, with the advantage of the wind and a slight slope in the ground, would "do something" in the second half, but the game style of play ensued. Gibson led the first charge, but it was brought to nought by Stapleton. Taranaki backs were defending well, I but the forwards' style of short passes was not successful against the home team. Eggleston, at inside left, lost several chances through not being i prompt enough. The result was that the Wellington forwards, who were attacking vigorously, broke away, and carried the leather into Taranaki's ground. Ten minutes after resumption, however, the visiting team secured their first goal through the agency of Eggleston, who made a splendid drive about five yards off the posts. Wellington's retaliation was prompt, and after a senffle before the posts D. Scott banged the ball through. Another rally by the Taranaki men ended in a good drive by Eggleston, but, unluckily, the leathe"r just struck the top rail. Up came the irrepressible Wellington forwards again, eluding the visitors' right and left, and D. Scott gave the final drive. Wellington, 5 ; Taranaki, 1. j The next quarter of an hour saw several promising chances lost by Taranaki through faulty and late shooting near goal-mouth. An encouraging turn occurred, however, when Scholefield made a magnificent high dropping shot, a full twenty yards from the posts. Wellington, 5; Taranaki, 2. Spirited open play ensued. Reddy, dashing along from the left wing, sent in a splendid shot, which was booted out in the nick of time by the bustling M'lnnps. Fast and wide play marked ths final stages of the game, but no more goals were notched. Wellington, 5; Taranaki, 2. For the home team, Timperley, Gibson, Bechell, Reddy, and Scott worked like Trojans. Hall's play was very steady, his kicking clean and powerful. The visitors seemed to be Buffering from the want of effective con-

certed action, due, perhaps, to a re-ar-rangement of the team. Stapleton, in goal, played a splendid game. Hocken, at half-back, was solid and useful. All the forwards except the outside right played exceedingly well. Colhngwood, at full-back, was Bound in defence, and took every chance. Gwillem (outside left) is a bustling, vigorous player, but was "starved" throughout. M'lnnes and Bodle did excellent work. Mr. W. Wood controlled the game in a very satisfactory manner. Its progress was watched by about a thousand spectators. THE BROWN SHIELD. PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE SHIELD. It was in 1891 that Mr. Robert Brown, a well-to-do Glasgow merchant, paid a visit to Wellington, and being interested in Association football, decided to give ,a shield to be competed for by the various awociations. The first winner of the shield was Wellington, in 1892, and from that time onward the v. inneis havp been as follow: 1893. Otago. 1894. Canterbury. 1895. Auckland. 1896. Auckland. 1897. Ruabine (Wanganui). 1898. Auckland ' 1899. Not played. 1900. Otago. I 1901. Otago. 1902. Otago. 1903-6. Wellington. 1907. Auckland. 1908. Wellington. In 1901 a now form of competition for the shield was initiated by Mr. W. M. Fraser, by which a representative game should be played pt each centre | every year. In 1901 \veilington won against Auckland. The latter rame i south and played Wellington and Otago, but were defeated by Otago. The following year Wellington kept to the programme by going to Dunedin, but Otago, by not going to Auckland, failed to fulfil their part, and this form of competition died out. It has now become a challenge shield, open to all associations affiliated to the Isew Zealand Council. Wellington's victory last /ear was a hard-fought one, three challengers having been defeated — Canterbury, Taranaki, and Otago. • j THE TEAMS EXIERTAIXED. On Saturday evening (ho respective teams were entertained at dinner by Mr. H. N. Holnies, chairman of the AVellington Association, at the V.M.C.A. Rooms. A short programme of toasts was arranged, as follow: — "Taranaki Football Association," proposed by Mr. Holmes, and responded to by Messrs. S. Clark (manager) and V. Stapleton (captain) ; "Wellington Football Association," proposed by Mr. C. M. Carni cross and replied to by Messrs. A. I Williams and Mr. W. J. Taylor (captain) ; '-The New Zealand Football Association," proposed by Mr. H. M'Keowen and responded to by Messrs. B. L. Salmon and J. J. Roberts. ! Mr. S. Clark, in replying to the toast on behalf of the visiting team, stated that the afternoon's game was the finest he had ever seen in New Zealand. He admitted that the team was a little on the -'off side." The spirit in which the game was won, however, made it well worth their while to come to Wellington. They intended every year to try to win the shield for Taranaki. Mr. J. J. Roberts thought that the better team had lost the game, and that the visitors had really played < a more scientific game. He congratulated the referee, Mr. W. Wood, for the efficient manner in which he had controlled the play. ,