FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 746, 18 June 1886, Page 19

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR CUP. The first heat of this year’s Senior Cap was played at Newtown on Saturday between the first fifteens of the Athletic and Poneke Clubs. The interest taken in the contest was greater, perhaps, than has ever been evinced in a local match, and there were over two thousand people on the Park during the afternoon. The Ponskes, on the strength of their hitherto victorious career, and the rattling form they were known to be in, bave been supposed for sometime to bave it “all their own way,” although more recently the Athletics have advanced in public opinion. The play was commenced by Nicholls kicking off for the Ponekes. For some few minutes the ball was kept where it had been - kicked to, in a i erie3 of scrimmages, the heat of which appeared to indicate that the match was going to be a tough one. Presently the Athletics shifted it down a little, amidst great excitement; but Roberts promptly neutralised the advantage by a quick punt up the fit Id, in which he was followed by Merlet. The Athletics came again, and the Ponekes respond- J ing, the advantage rested alternately with either side. Soon afterward, however, the Athleticsgot a rush on,and eucceededinforcing the Reds down. From.this to the end of the spell the play was tolerably even, the Athletics , . having, if anything, the best of it. Merlet made a run or two for the Ponekes, but wa« unable to get far ; and Thompson, who affected several spurts for his side, invaiiibly came to grief when he met Gage. The Athletics got the ball to within a few yards of the Poneke line once, McGowan getting it there by very . fine dribbling. The Poneke forwards, however, worked it back again, and when halftime was called the play was in the centre of the field. The Ponekes commenced the second spell very well, taking the ball down to the Blue quarters with a tremendous rush. The Athletic forwards, apparently caught on the hop, worked it back a little way, and then the Reds made another onslaught, and took the ball to within a few yards of the Athletic liae. There the ball went out of bound?, and Ellison, getting the ball from the throw-out, bullocked his way over the line and touched down, amidst a perfect uproar of applause. First blood to the Ponekes. After this the play waxed exceeding warm—warmer, in fact, than anything that has been seen on tbe Pa:k. The Athle’ic?, realising their position, worked desperately, Thompson and Kiog making some good (but all too short) runs, while tbe forwards put every pound in. The Ponekes, however, were playing far better than in the earlier stage of the game, and were able not only to bold their own, but also to force the Athletics back. In this way the play was alternately at either end of the field, and it looked as though the Reds were going to win. Just a minute or two before time was called, however, the Athletics having th® ball in the region of the Poneke twenty-five’s, King passed to Thompson, with an earnest injunction “ Now then “Now then” it was, indeed, for Thompson, _ kicking the ball almost as soon as it was in his hands, sent it flying over the crossbar. From this to the end nothing worthy of note occqrred, and the Athletics thus won one of the stiffest football matches ever played in Wellington by a goal to a try. For the winners, McGowan, Taiaroa, Richardson, and Luckie played a splendid forward game ; and H. Taiaroa, King, and Thompson were the best of the backs. For the Ponekes, Roberts and Gage were the only backs who showed particularly good form, although Dixon, at full back, played a very steady and resolute game. The Reds, however, were very badly off for backs generally. Among the forwards Ellison, Muir, Dodson, and Nicholls were the most conspicuous. JUNIOR CUP. Petone (First) v. Poneke (Second). —This match took place at the same time as the Senior Cup match, on the top ground, and resulted in a disputed try (obtained by Petone) to nil. The first spell was greatly in favor of the Red and Black, who were playing a far faster game than their opponents, . the forwards of the Petone never at one time playing together ; the result was that they were forced down six times. The second spell was a little more even, and towards the last Riddler ran in a touch-down. One umpire raised his stick to briog the ball back, it had gone out of play, but no whistle having s been blown, and only one umpire seeing it, the Petone skipppr claimed a try. The matter, we believe, is likely to come before the Wellingron Rugby Union at their next meeting. Robinson, Turnbull, Clark, and Johnston played best for the Poneke, while Roberts and Kiddler showed best form for the Petone. Union v. Wellington. —The first fifteens of the above Clubs met for a practice match at Island Bay on Saturday afternoon. A very even game resulted in a win for the Wellingtons by a try (2 points) to love. - Stock, who played very well, got the try, Hirschherg taking the kick at goal. The Unions are to be complimented on the issue of the game, especially as they played 14 men to their opponents 15. A match was played on Saturday in the Hobson-street paddock between the second fifteens of the Rival and Union Club, and resulted in the defeat of the latter by 11 points to nil, the Rivals displaying very good form. The Unions played five men short. The match between the Rival fourth and Diamond first resulted in a win for the Rivals by two points to nil. At Masterton last Saturday a football match between the Masterton and Greytown first fifteens \va3 won by the former by a try to n 1. A match waß played on Wednesday atNewt>wn between the first fifteens of the Wellington C rllege and St. Patrick’s College, and resulted in a win for the Wellington College bv 8 points to nil. The game was well contested, but the Wellington College boys proved too good for their opponents in loose forward play, and gained yards of ground with their loose dribbling rushes. For the winners, all the College backs played well—Kemble, Barron, and Colbeck particularly. Among the forwards Hume (captain), Tully, and Ginders played well, especially tbe last named, a fine run of his ending in a try right under the goal post, from which a goal was kicked in fine style by Bullen, The back play of St. Patrick’s was fairly good, McMahon (captain',.

and Hegarty (the latter a promising young player) playing in fine style The forward packed well into the scram, but they should follow up quicker. Saunders and ltedwopd pl T d ß°tdh°«»r'ato played second fifteens of the above Colleges, and .e-------sulted in a win for St. Patrick’s College by a try to love.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1 Carterton, June 12. In the football match Te Ore Ore Natives v Carterton second fifteen, the |airly romped over the Carterton boys. Use I***® were no match for them, either » play, weight or knowledge of the game.