FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 956, 27 June 1890, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP. Athletic v. Wellington. —Despite the unpleasant weather on Saturday afternoon there was a good attendance of spectators at Newtown Park to witness the championship match between the Wellington and Athletic first fifteens. The contest between these two teams are generally of an exciting character, and Saturday’s match was no exception. The Wellingtons won by three points to one, but their opponents had considerably the best of the play, and had they been favoured with a little luck the result would probably have been reversed. Some delay wascansedin starting, owing to the fact that neither team had provided the necessary

ball. One of the players, however, successfully negotiated with some small boys for the loan of a ball, and a start was then made. Fache kicked off for the Welling, tons, who defended the eastern goal, and for the first few minutes the play was in neutral territory, principally through the agency of Thomson, who made a nice dash through the Athletic forwards, and the Web lingtons were enabled to invade their opponents’ twenty five 3. Th 6 Blues’ forwards, however, responded with a good rush, in which Johnson, Malcolm, and Cockroft were prominent, and the play was taken to the Yellows’ (Wellington) quarters. After one or two tough scrimmages the Blues made a good rush, bub Howard kicked the ball too hard, and Wellington was forced down. Following the kick out, Thomson and Owen for Wellington, and Galloway for the Athletics, distinguished themselves by making si-ine clever kicks. The play hovered about the centre for some time, until Burke, Smith, and Fraaer, by good passing, removed the scene of operations to the Yellows’ quarters. The Blues continued to have the best of the play, their forwards making several good rushes. The defence of the Wellingtons, however, was hard to break through, and Thomson and Owen, and Collins in particular, did good work in keeping the aggressive Blues back. Hie Yellows eventually worked the play to the Blues’ side of the field, and Thomson secured a mark close to the goal. Fache took the kick, but he failed to make anything of it. Immediately after Owen got a mark and Fache had another unsuccessful shot at goal. Fraser returned splendidly into touch at the halfway. The Wellingtons gradually worked the play back to the Blues’ twentyfive, where Smith got possession of the leather, and, after making a short run, passed to Fraser, who made a splendid run right up to the Wellington twenty-fives. The play for a time-was all in favour of the Athletics, whose forwards made several capital rushes, and Johnson and Redward were both near scoring, the latter being collared close to the line. Several fierce scrimmages were fought out on the line, but the Wellington forwards, by good combined work, pushed their opponents back ; but the Blues returned to the charge, anu Johnson, getting bold of the ball, made a determined effort to score. The Wellington full-back (Morrah), however, proved equal to the occasion, and the stalwart Athletic forward was laid low before he reached the “ coveted line." For the next ten minutes the play was confined to ths Yellows quarters, and Fraser made a splendid Bbot at goal. Shortly after resuming, some loose play took place in the Wellingtons twentyfives, and Galloway, seeinganopening,charged down at full speed, and picking the ball up cleanly, ran straight in near the corner. It was a splendid dash, and Galloway was loudly applauded. Fraser took the kick, and made a very good attempt. Half-time was called immediately after. Malcolm kicked off in the second spell, and the play was in favour of the Blues until the Wellingtons were allowed a free kick, and Collins kicked down to the Athletics’ twentyfives. Pyke gained a few yards for the Wellingtons, and then Thomson made a fine run and passed to Collins, who failed to take the ball cleanly. He, however, got hold of it again, and touched down at the corner. The angle was a difficult one, but Fache gave another proof of his ability as a place-kick by sending the ball fair between the posts. After the kick out Malcolm, Smith and Burke were conspicuous for the Athletics, who once more attacked the Wellington goal. Ccckroft got a mark in front of the goal, but nothing- came of.it. The play became very fast, and splendid passing took place amongst the Wbllingtons, one rush, in which Fache, Hume and Pownall took part, especially being worthy of notice. Fraser by a fine kick removed the play back to the Yellows’ side of the field, and the ball was rushed past the full-back. A score seemed certain, but Smith failed to pick the ball up, and Owen came to the rescue and kicked the ball up the bank. Soon after resuming, Smith got possession, and ran in at the corner, but before he could ground the ball, Owen and several others threw him into touch-in-goal. The Blues still kept up the attack, but one of the backs made a wild pass, and Dollins, chasing the ball, kicked it into touch near the Bines’ twentyfives. After this the Wellingtons, had a little the best of the game, and no-side was called with the play close to the Blues’line. The forwards played well on both sides, but in the loose work the Athletics had slightly the best of it. Johnson, Cockroft, and Drummond were the most prominent amongst the Blue forward division, and Fisher, Hume, and Pownall were the best on the Wellington side. The muddy ground did not suit the Wellington backs, and they were therefore not seen to such advantage as on the previous Saturday. Thomson played his usual good game, and Owen rendeied valuable service. Tully and Collins also played well. The latter, however, made the mistake of playing too close un. The Athletic three quarters, Smith, Fraser, and Galloway, played capitally, and Burke and Redward put in a lot of good work as halves. Messrs Harley and Dumbell umpired, and Mr Marchbanks performed the duties of referee. JUNIOR CUP. Pirate First v. Naval First.— The heat between the Pirate and Naval first fifteens was played at Island Bay on Saturday, the former proving victorious by a try to nil. About a quarter of an hoar after starting some passing took place between Nicholson, Millward, Drummond, and Pndney, and the latter got Id. Nicholson took the kick, but no goal resulted. The Navals played up well in the second spell, but they were unable to score, Stuart, Pudney, Millward, and Drummond for the winners, and Balcombe, Griffiths, Dungan, Bell, and Gell for the losers, played best. Selwyn First v. Athletic Second. — This match, which was played in the Hobson street paddock on Saturday, was won by the Selwyns by two tries to love. Benson and Finucane scored for the winners. Poneke Second v. Epuni Second. —This match was won by the Ponekes by a goal to nil. Morton secured a try, from which he kicked a goal.

Melrose Second v. Pitone First. —The latter won by eight points to one. The first series of the Junior Cup matches was concluded on Saturday. The Pirates occupy the leading position, with the Navals and Pitones nest,

THIRD CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. The third class championship matches on Saturday resulted as follows:—Pirate second beat Wellington College by one try to nil ; Union second defeated Melrose third bv two tries to one. In the PonekeOriental, Selwyn-Athletic, and PitoneWellington heats, the former club in each instance won by default, their opponents failing to put in an appearance. The third class fixtures for Saturday next are—Wellington College v. Ponelce, at College ground ; Pitone v. Union, at Pitone ground ; Selwyn v. Oriental,- at Ilohson street paddock; Pirate v. Wellington, at Karori. ASSOCIATION. • Wellington Rovers v. Queen’s Park. —This match came off at Newtown Park on Saturday. Henley (Queen’s Park) won the toss, and Paterson kicked off for the Rovers. For some time the play was fairly evpn until the Rovers’ left wing got the ball, and dribbling well down the field passed across to the right wing, and J. Day shot through the post". There was no further score during the first spell. Soon after the second spell hail started the Rovers’ forwards again rushed the bail up to the Queen’s Park goal, and Paterson scored. After this the play was of a give-and-take nature, there being no further score. The Rovers thus won by two goals to nil. J. Day, Paterson and Shields played well for the Rovers, and C. and A. Ballingall, Kean and Swanson worked hard for the Queen’s Park. (from our own correspondent.) Masterton, June 21. The continuation of the Cup matches, Masterton first v. Carterton first, was won by Masterton, with seven points to nil. Masterton Stars v. Te Ore Ore first. —Won by the Stars by 15 points to 3. The second fifteen of Te Ore Ore defeated the second Stars by 4 points to nil. Masterton second were defeated by Carterton by 3 tries to nil, (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, June 22. In the senior matches on Saturday Merivale defeated Sydenham by two goals and a try to nil. Canterbury College and East Christchurch played a draw, neither side scoring. Shortly after the game started Forbes, cf the East Christchurch, half back, sprained his ankle and had to retire. Just before the close of the first spell Garrard, of the College team, injured his shoulder and also retired. Christchurch defeated Christ’s College by 30 points to one, Merivale must win the championship, as they have only two matches to play, and even if they lose these it will not affect their position. Hokitika, June 22. The annual football match, under the West Coast Rugby Union, Hokitika v. Grey, was played here yesterday and won by Hokitika by eleven points to one. The visitors were overpowered in every department of the game. Auckland, June 23. Some stir has been caused amongst the football clubs owing to the disqualification hy the Rugby Union of one of the Grafton team for alleged rough play. It is claimed by his fellow clubmen that the man did not play roughly, and they have asked the Union to re-consider their decision. They were supported in this request by a resolution passed at a general meeting of footballers. The following resolution was also agreed to at this meeting:—“That all eases of disputes between clubs, and complaints concerning players, should be adjudicated upon by the delegates from all clubs ipstead of the Management Committee of the Rugby Union, as at present constituted, there being on the Committee a preponderance of members of one club.”