FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 897, 10 May 1889, Page 15

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

Meirose v. Athletic.—The first match for the Championship was played at Newtown Park on Saturday between the Athletic and Melrose first fiftteens, the-form-T winning by-two goals to nil. There was a fair attendance of spectators, but there appeared to be little interest taken in the contest. Melrose kicked off, and for the first quarter of an hour had the best of the play, their forwards, of whom Church, White and Coffey were prominent, working excellently. After being forced down several times, the Blues (Athletic) worked their way to the Melrose line, and from a neat pass from Murphy Kilner made a nice run in. Wales took the kick and placed a goal. Far some time after this the Blues had a great deal the best of the game, Cockroft, Sheehan, Mai colm, and Wales (forward) and Murphy and Redwood (backs) putting in a lot of good work. The Melrose backs, who usually play so well, were all at sea, and they frequently lost chances of relieving their side. The forwards worked hard and well, but they received little assistance from the backs. Eventually, however, Roberta, by a long kick, remoyed the scene of operations to the Blues’ twenty-fives, and the Melrose forwards made some good rushes. The Athletics gradually drove their opponents back, and the spell ended in neutral territory. Early in the second spell Fraser had several pot Bhots at goal, but failed on each occasion. In this spell the powerful Athletic forwards asserted themselves, and they frequently made some tremendous rushes, their opponents offering but a poor resistance. Malcolm, by good following up, took the ball from the centre flag to the goal line, where Severne secured it, after struggling from the clutches of one of the defending side, who held him before he reached the leather. Wales again took the kiok, and plaoed another goal. The Athletics contiuuod to have the best of the play until the end, although the Melrose, amongst whom Burke, Burns, White, and Church were conspicuous, made several good rushes. Amongst the winners’ forwards Cockroft played a grand game, and Moore, Sheehan, Severne, and Malcolm aIBO did well. The latter frequently distinguished himself by his smart following up. Murphy and Redward did a lot of useful work amongst the backs. Fraser played well at times, but he is rather too fond of indulging in “ speculators.” The Melrose forwards played well, but their back play was very disappointing, and they have never been seen to worse advantage. For the losers White, Church, Eyre, and Johnson (forwards) and Burke and Roberts (backs) played best. Messrs J. Dumbell and I. Hyams umpired, and Mr H. McCardetl officiated as referee. Epuni v. Poneke. The first match between the above clubs for the Championship was played at the Hutt on Saturday. The Ponekes won the toss, and elected to play against the wind, the home team also having the advantage of the ground. The ball was kicked off by Epuni and rushed down to the Poneke twenty-fives, where the play was confined for some time. After some give-and-take play the Epunis made a good rush, headed by Laurent, G. Welch, and Milne, and, the ball going over the line, Laurent scored a try near the corner flag. The kick at goal was entrusted to Jackson, who made a good attempt but failed to increase the score. For the remainder of the first spell the Epunis had far the best of the game, the ball being confined to the lonoke »wouty-fives. Shortly after the second soell commenced the Ponekes wore awarded a free kick for a breach of rules, and Nioholls succeeded iu placing a goal. From the kick out the Epunis rushed the ball down the field, and what seemed a certain score was saved by Dixon kicking into touch. The play now became very fast, the ball going up and down the field aba great rate. From a mark secured by Moorehouse, Molntyre succeeded iu kicking a splendid goal from about the halfway flag. Molntyre had another shot at goal and made an excellent attempt, the ball striking the crossbar aud rebounding into the field of play. From a throw in Nioholls secured the ball and passed out to Sim, who dropped a good goal. The game ended shortly afterward, the score standing—Poneke, 9 ; Epuni, 1. For the Ponekes, Astill, Reich, Molntyre and Blacklock (forwards) and Nioholls, Sim and Moorhouse (backs) were the most conspicuous. Davidson, - who made his first appearance in the senior team, played three-quarter, and acquitted liimse'f very well. For the Epunis, Laurent, Welch brothers, Milne nnd Pringle (forwards), and Welch and Udy (backs) played well. Messrs M. Marks and E. Greville were the umpires, and Mr G. Campbell acted as referee.

JUNIOR CUP. Rival Second v. Athletic Second.—The match between the Rival and Athletio second fifteens for the Junior Cup, placed

at Newtown Park on Saturday, resulted in an easy victory for the former by 8 points to 1. In the firßt spell H. Barnett secured a try for the Rivals, Crornbio converting it into a goal. • For the Athletics Gurr Scored a try after a good run. lu.the second term Nioholls, Wheeler, and Rose got tries for the Rivals, Gell placing a goal from Rose’s try. On the winners’ side, Turnbull Butts, 1 arid Rose (backs), and Gell, Barnett, and -Nioholls, (forwards) were the most prominent. On the losers’ side; Holdaworth, Roe, Goldie, Lrideua, arid Riordan played best. ? Messrs E. Rose and Luckie were the umpires, and Mr H. Hyams acted as referee. Wellington second v. Poneke second. —This match was played at Island Bay on Saturday, and was won by the Wellingtons by 8 points to nil. Tries were obtained by Beaglehole, Atkinson, R. Allan (2), Kelling, and K. Duuosn, from one of whioh the latter kicked a goal. The play was not nearly so one-sided as the seoie would seem to indicate. A. K. Atkinson, as half-back (a Nelson representative),' played a splendid game for the; winners. ' Pitone first v; Etuni second.—The heat for the Junior Cup between these two teams was played at Pitone on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Pitone by nine pointe to nil.

OTHER MATCHES. The members of the Rovers’ Association Football Club played a practice match at tha Melrose Club ground on Saturday last. There was a good muster, and an excellent game resulted. Sides were chosen by the captain and vice-captain, the latter’s winning by three goals to one. The Club have obtained the use of the Wellington College ground for the next four Saturdays, and it is their intention to play an international match (England v. Scotland) on the Queen’s Birthday. Such a contest will no doubt prove very interesting. The match between the Pioneer first and Wellington College second fifteens, played on Saturday, was won by the latter by 8 points to 3. The match that was to have been played by the Carlton first and the Oriental second fifteens on Saturday was claimed by the Carltons, owing to the Orientals not turning upA match was played between the Naval and Oriental first fifteens, at the Hobsonstreet paddock on Saturday, the game resulting in a draw. In the first spell the Navals scored six points, Robinson potting a goal, and the same player placing a goal from a mark obtained by Lowater. Matters were equalized in the second spell, Gormley, for the Orientals, acoriog two tries, both of which were converted by Jordan. (per press association.) Hokitika, May 4. The annual football match Hokitika v. Greymouth was played here to-day, Hokitika winning by five points (a goal and two trieß) to one. The day was wet and the ground sloppy. (per press association.) Auckland, May 2. Mr G. Dixon, secretary of the Auckland Rugby Union, has received a letter from Mr Eyton, secretary of the Maori football team, asking for terms for two matches in Anoka land. The Union considered the matter tonight, and decided that two matches should be played with the Maori team on their return to the Colony, probably in July. The Union passed a resolution endorsing the action of the Otago Rugby Union In respeot of sending a New Zealand football team to England. It is expected that an Auckland football team will visit the South during August. A meeting of the Management Committee of the Rugby Union was held at the Post Office Hotel last. Friday, there being present Messrs J. M. King (in the chair), Campbell, Nioholls, Gillon and the Secretary. A letter was read from the Union Club objecting to two members of the Oriental Club, and one member of tho Pitone Club, who had formerly belonged to the Union Club, playing, on the ground that they owed some money to the Club. On the motion of Mr Campbell, seconded by Mr Nioholls, it was decided to call npon the players la question to show cause why they should not be suspended. A letter was read from the Epuni Club, objecting to Messrs H. Udy, Sewell, and Austin playing for the Pitone, Club, it being pointed out that the former had been a member of the New Zealand Representative Team, while the others had represented Wanganui against the Englishmen. On the motion of Mr Campbell, seconded by Mr Nioholls, it was decided that the Committee had no power to debar the players mentioned from playing for the Pitone Club if they elected to do so. A satisfactory reply was reoeived from the Poneke Club as to the terms upon which the recent tour was made. Applications from the Athletio and Rival Clubs for tho use of a ground on the Queen’s Birthday were granted. It is probable that a representative team will be sent to Nelson at -the end of the season. Nothing has been definitely decided with regard to the Southern tour, but at present, we understand, it is unlikely that the trip will be made this season. On the Queen’s . Birthday (May 24th) the Athletio Club will play the Greytown Club at Newtown Patk, and on the following day they will play the Palmerston Club. The Epuni Club will play ' Palmerßton at the Epuni ground on the Queen’s Birthday. On Saturday, the 25th May, the Navals will play the Albion Qlub of Nelson, at the Park.