FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1211, 17 May 1895, Page 27

FOOTBALL.

By Half-Back. The Athletics have secured an excellent man in Lang, who represented Taranaki last year, He proved of immense service to the team last Saturday, and his services would have been of still greater value if he had passed oftener. A tive-eighths who insists on sticking to the ball would ruin any back combination. Inside an opponent’s twentyfives Lang is a very dangerous man. He takes the ball cleanly and runs with a lot of dash. Some of the Athletics say that last Saturday’s match was one of the pleasantest they have ever played in. And why not! A first-class referee, and a decent lot of players on the other side. ' The Blues, though, were, perhaps, a bit lucky in winning. The only try they got was certainly a fine one, and the muchabused Hales deserved every credit for it, but still the Melrose had so many more opportunities of scoring points with free kicks. A. Campbell, J. Burke arid others showed how close they could go to kicking goals from difficult angles and long distances. The ball went everywhere but over the bar.

In Warwick the Melrose have a fine little half back. If he had a little more weight he would have to be ranked with the best of them. His quick punts into touch saved his side time after time.

The play of W. Hales after he scored on Saturday surprised everybody, himself included, probably. There’s nothing succeeds like success, apparently. Last week it was the general opinion that he was not worth a place in the first fifteen, but after his success of last Saturday he should be given another trial.

The Blue forwards improved as they went along. They have certainly never been in better condition. That’s the advantage of having a good gymnasium. Swindley worked very hard, and so did Gray, Sigley and Fairley. Goldie, who was pressed into the ranks at the last minute, played a capital game. •

On the wing Kelly did a lot of useful work, but his companion on the other side, Rhodes, did not shape so well as in the match j against the Ponekes. i Crawfurd was seen to more advantage than on the previous Saturday. He got the ball j hway splendidly to the five-eighths, and frequently made some brilliant dashes round ; the scrum. j : ( Sheriff, at three-quarter, was sure but not V brilliant. He kicked splendidly, especially | with the left foot. i . . ■ . . ■ For fine kicking no one did better in the match than J. Burke, the Melrose full back. His brother Richard also did many things well. What a pity he is slow ! j Bennett recently had one of his toes cut off, and as he has not yet quite recovered from the effects of the operation, he was unable to do himself fulL justice. Once or twice he took the ball beautifully'- with one hand. Of the Melrose forwards Hpencer, Johnson, Campbell and Edwards did good work. The forwards as a whole made some splendid rushes, and proved themselves the masters of the Blues in many respects in the first spell.' But towards the finish the Blues’ condition told, and the Melrose vanguard division were beaten back. ' Malcolm, formerly a Wellington and Wairarapa representative, is playing for the Dunedin Club this • year. Keogh will also play for the Dunedin Club if his disqualification is removed. Surman did not go back to Australia. He is now in Auckland and will play for the Grafton Club. S. Cockroft is now in Brisbane. No doubt we shall see “ Sammy ” in the Queensland team. ; Whiteside is playing for Rand wick (Sydney.) An effort is to be made to inaugurate a Wednesday Flag Competition. The Drapers, Tradesmen, Petone "Half Holiday, and two ! colleges would probably take part, and the competition would be under the auspices of the Union, the Wednesday people appointing their own Management Committee. Only bona fide Junior players would be allowed to take part in the matches. The Hawke's Bay Union has a credit , balance of L 26 18s 10d. Mr A. C. Bennett has been re elected hon. secretary. The Nelson Union starts the year with a credit balance of L2l 18s 9d. , ■ Next Saturday ’ the Petone and Athletic ■first fifteens will meet. Taking a line from ■their matches with the Melrose first, which ■was beaten by both by a try, it is hard to ■say which team will win, It will also de■pend where it is played. At Petone the ■local men have an advantage as they are to get their full team, and then there Bb the moral support of a crowd of barrackers strength of lung could not be beaten The conditions will be altered however, if the match is played at . The other Senior match—Poneke v. Wel—should be won by the Reds. Some ■>£ the Wellingtons say they are going to the Ponekes extend themselves. That IBb strange after the poor show they made last ■ j am glad to see the Referees’ Association With such a ppJendid secretary as

Mr Fred Seager the Association should do some good this season.

The Ponekes will probably visit Palmerston North* and play the local club there on the Queen’s Birthday:

The Referees’ Association, in deciding that every member must pass an examination, has taken a step in the right direction. Players will now have some guarantee that the referee knows the rules at all events.

The Petones scored an easy [victory over the Wellington team at Petone on Saturday. The game was not remarkable as an exposition of football. It was chiefly remarkable for the roughness displayed by some members of the local team. This must be put down with a firm hand in any future matches.

Mr Sid Nicholls, who acted as referee, severelyjcautioned two of the players, and it is to be hoped no similar action will be necessary in the future.

The game was pretty fast' throughout, but the score should have been less by three points if the Wellington men had had their wits about them. It was most absurd that they should have allowed Hardcastle to gain his"try simply because they “believed” he had gone outside the line. Their proper course would have been to grass him first and then find out whether he was outside the line or not.

Undoubtedly the best man among the Petones was Roberts, although at the beginning of the game he got a very bad kick in the mouth which kept him idle for several minutes. He made up for his idleness, however, when he did start, and towards the conclusion of the game especially played a really splendid game.

Hardcastle worked hard and is becoming a very useful member of the team.

Pollock’s kicking was at times a bit off, but he improved as the game grew older.

McKenzie grafted hard as usual, and Pringle played well up to his usual form.

The Wellingtons showed themselves very weak in defence. Cox played a really good game, but Turton wants brightening up very considerably.

Horne, Dunne and Roache did good service, and Longton, Dacre and Hallamore also showed up very prominently in their respective positions.

The competition for the Levin Shield among members of the "Wellington Football Club is now completed, the individual dribbling event having resulted as follows : —Murray, 1 ; Roe, 2,- Meredith, 3 ; Stuart, 4; Dacre, 5. Time, 55 3-ssec. The highest aggregates are—H. Dacre, 25 points; H. Sutton, 18 points; A. M. Stuart and V. R. S. Meredith, 17 points. Dacre is thus entitled to hold the shield for a year.

The City Reserves Committee recommended to the City Council last week: — (1) That the boys of the Wellington College and St. Patrick’s College be allowed to practise football on the Newtown Park one afternoon a week; (2) that the boys of the public schools be allowed to play on Saturday mornings ; (3) that the drapers’ and other football clubs be allow ed to play on Wednesday afternoons; (4) that the Wellington Rugby Football Union and the Wellington Football Association be allowed to use the ground for matches on Saturday afternoons, in the manner already agreed upon between themselves, subject to satisfactory arrangements being made for keeping the ground in order. The report was adopted.

It is highly probable that Mr T. R. Ellison will take part in some of the championship matches this season. He has therefore decided to resign his position as a member of the Senior Match Committee of the Union.

Mr J. P. Firth has consented to fill the vacancy on the Senior Match Committee of the Rugby Union.

The match Hunterville second v. Ohingaiti second, played at Hunterville on Wednesday week, resulted in a win for Hunterville by 23 points r to 6.

The Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union is unable to play the Wellington representative team at Napier before the Bth or 15th June, the latter date being preferred.

The Bush Union has appointed Mr F. L. Seager as its delegate to the New Zealand Rugby Union.

The following are the referees for next Saturday’s matches: —Senior —Poneke v. Wellington, Mr J. Gamble ; Athletic v. Petone, Mr J. P. Firth (by agreement between the clubs). Junior —St. Patrick’s College v. Melrose, Mr Percy (by agreement between the clubs); Oriental v. Selwyn, Mr A. Campbell ; Petone v. Poneke, Mr Ward; Athleticv. Wellington, Mr S. Nicholls. Third-class —Wellington v. Selwyn, Mr Gibson ; Melrose v. Oriental, Mr Seager (by agreement between the clubs).

Mr Coffey has given notice that he will move at the. next meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union : “ That the senior selection committee be elected by the senior delegates at the annual meeting of the Rugby Union ; that the junior selection committee be elected by the j unior delegates at the annual meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union.” (2) “ That the Wellington Rugby Union delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union be instructed to bring before the latter body the advisability of instituting junior representative matches with the Northern and Southern unions,”

ASSOCIATION NOtES. Mr T. A. Hudson, the founder of the Association game in the Woodville district, was in town last week, and in the course of an interview with the secretary of the New Zealand Association informed him that the Bush Association, of which he is also the promoter, will in all probability send a team to the tournament this year if it is played in the North Island. The Duller Association will also make a big effort to put in an appearance. The Chairipionship matches were very close last Saturday, two being drawn (SwiftsThistle and Thorndon-Diamond), and there being only one goal difference between Rovers and Queen’s Park. In the Thorndon-Diamond game all played so well that it would be unfair to single out anybody in particular. In this match Mr Harper, who has been absent from Wellington for some time, acted as referee, which added largely to the agreeableness of the game. The Swifts Thistle match was an exceedingly good one, but for the foul play frequently indulged in by some of the players. In the second spall the Thistle forwards showed some really good combination, which was only equalled by the sterling defence by the Swifts’ back division in the first spell. The play was fairly even all through, the heavy condition of the ground spoiling good forward work. Towards the end of the game, when both sides were equal, McDonald lost his side a good chance by kicking a “ penalty ” wide.

The Rovers had to play all they knew to keep one goal ahead of the Queen's Park. The ball was merry from start to finish. Owing to a late start this match was concluded in semi-darkness.

The Junior Cup matches were commenced last week. The Thistle second lost by default to the Diamond second, and the Thorndon second beat the Swifts second by 2 to 1. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. MELEOSE V. ATHLETIC. The contest between the first fifteens of the Athletic and Melrose Clubs at Newtown Park, on Saturday, was witnessed by about 1000 people. The weather was fine, though chilly. The ground was in capital order. The match was splendidly contested throughout, the Athletics just winning by a try to nil. There was little to choose between the teams on the play, and with a little more luck the Melrose would at least have made a draw of it. The game was played in a splendid spirit, and was excellently controlled b.y Mr J. P. Firth, as referee. His decisions were accepted without the least cavil. It is a pity so few matches are played under such peaceable conditions. The Melrose, captained by Laughton, played with the wind in their favour. The forwards showed a lot of dash, and aided by the good kicking of "Warwick and R. Burke, they soon had the Blues in trouble. From a free kick, A. Campbell made a great attempt to kick a goal, the ball just falling a few yards from the bar. For various breaches of the rules, the Melrose were allowed several free kicks, and Campbell and. J. Burke appeared to be able to do everything but send the ball over the bar. It either fell short or just missed the posts. One or two dashes by the ex-Taranaki player Lang relieved the hard-pressed Blues at last, and Sigley, with a nice dribble, carried the ball into the Melrose quarters for the first time. But the Melrose forwards, playing with dash and combination, again swept the ball up the field, and a score seemed imminent, when Campbell knocked the ball on. Again the Blues were called upon to defend their line, and good service was done by Lang, Crawfurd and Sheriff. The aggressive Melrose forwards made several fine rushes, and at last carried the ball over the line, but it went into touch-in-goal. Just before the spell ended J. Burke again showed how close he could go to kicking a goal, the ball again falling under the bar. The play in this spell had been decidedly in favour of the Melrose. At the opening of the second spell the Blue forwards showed up prominently, and the Melrose twenty-five was invaded, but a clever screw kick by Warwick brought relief to his side. Some good passing amongst the Athletics, Crawfurd, Lang and Sheriff being conspicuous, removed the scene of play to the Melrose twenty-five again, but a fine kick by J. Burke made up the lost ground. The Blue forwards, who were in excellent condition and appeared to improve as the game went on, made things lively for the Melrose. The Blues, too, heeled out well, and Crawfurd passing to Lang, the latter passed the bail through his legs to Sheriff, who made a fine long pass to Hales. The latter took it well, and started off at full speed for the line. One of the Melrose backs got hold of Hales, but he was unable to stop his progress, and the latter, amidst applause, fell over the line near the corner flag. It was a good piece of play, and was deservedly applauded. Swindley failed in the attemjit at goal. Encouraged by this success, the Athletics appeared to play better, Hales especially. A lot of hard play amongst the forwards took place about the centre, honours being about easy. The Blues, however, gradually forced their opponents back, despite brilliant work by Warwick and one or two others. From a scrum Crawford passed to Hales, who made a splendid dash, two or three Melrose men toppling him over within a yard of the line. Shortly after this Kelly passed out to Hales, and the latter crossed the line, but the ball had been thrown forward to him. The Blues had the advantage for the remainder of the game, Lang making a desperate effort to score within (,he last few minutes,

G? the winners* backs, Crawford* Laing* Sheriff and Hales did good work. Lang possesses plenty of dash, but he spoiled many chances by clinging to the ball too long. Of the forwards, Swindley, Sigley, Goldie and Kelly were the best, although all of them worked hard.

On the losers’ side Warwick, who is a much-improved player, and J. Burke were the best of the backs'. Bennett is still suffering from the effects of illness, and was unable to do himself justice. Of a fine lot of hard-working forwards, Campbell, Johnson, Laughton and Spencer were the best. Messrs J. McKee (Athletic) and J. N. Grant (Melrose) were the line umpires. •WELLINGTON V. PETONE. The heat between the Wellington and Petone teams was played at Petone on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a small number of spectators. Almost from the start the local team proved themselves superior in both strength and combination to the Wellington team, the result being that they gained a comparatively easy victory. The progress of the game was marked by some very rough play, and at one time both McKenzie and Hallamore were cautioned by the referee. Prom the kick off by Petone the local men kept the game in their opponents’ territory, and Roberts made an excellent but unsuccessful pot at goal. Eventually, the Wellingtons relieved the pressure by a splendid rush, in which Horne, Dunne and Cox showed up very conspicuously. Pollock saved his side, and after some lively play within Petone twenty-fives the ball was returned to the other end of the field, only to be again brought down by Barnett, who made a good run. His career was cut short by Pollock, after which Hardcastle received the ball from Thompson behind the scrum, and easily passed the Wellington men, who laboured under the delusion that he had travelled outside the line, and foolishly refrained from following him up. As a matter of fact, he was never outside the line at all, and unpursued he continued his course and gained an easy try. McKenzie took the kick, but no goal resulted, and the score was not altered when half-time was called.

On resuming, the ball was kept for some time in the Wellington territory, and eventually Roberts, who got a good pass from Thompson, scored another try for Petone. Roberts himself took the kick at goal, which failed. Prom this time the Wellington forwards went all to pieces, and Roberts had no difficulty in again scoring from a pass from Woods. Baumfcer failed to convert, and the game ended — Petone, 9 points; .Wellington, nil. The winning team had the best of the match all through, although the game was characterised by some rather rough play on the part of some of their members, and on one occasion the Wellingtons were awarded a free kick for obstruction. Roberts, who was handicapped by a nasty kick in the mouth in the early part of the game, played in really splendid form, and was a veritable tower of strength to his side. Baumber also showed up well, and Pollock exhibited considerable improvement in the later stages of the game. Thompson did good service at five-eighths, and McKenzie did effective, though rough, service on the wing. Por the Wellingtons, Cox played a good game at centre three-quarters, and appears to be a decided acquisition to the team. Roache at three-quarters kicked badly on several occasions, while Cuff did not get much opportunity to show what he was made of. Barnett and Longton were very prominent amongst the forwards. Mr S. Nicholls acted as referee, and Messrs K. Galbraith (Wellington) and J. T. King (Petone) officiated as line umpires. JUNIOR SHIELD. St. Patrick’s College first fifteen defeated Petone second by 27 points to 3. Melrose second defeated the Poneke second by 6 points to 5. Athletic second beat Oriental first by 10 points to nil. McCarthy and McLean scored for the winners, both tries being converted by Tucker. Selwyn first beat Wellington second by 9 points to nil. Skinner (2) and D. McKay gained tries for the winners. THIRD-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. The Wellington third beat Petone second by default, the latter not sending a team on to the field. Oriental second beat Athletic third by S to 5. Symons scored a try for the losers, which Keegan converted, and for Oriental, Hurrell and Dixon scored, the latter’s try being converted by Sadd. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. The Rovers played the Queen’s Park at No. 2 ground, Karori, and after an exciting struggle won by 5 goals to 4. The latter part of the game was played in total darkness, the players being all mixed up. The teams should make an effort to get out to time, so as to avoid any such fiasco occurring again. For the Rovers, Woolridge, Richardson, Fraser and McKinnon were the best men, and Ferkins, Martin (2), Plenderleith, and Lauchlan, at half, played up well for the Queen’s Park. Mr Levers was referee. The match Diamond v. Thorndon was played at Hobson street, and resulted, after a close game, in a draw. For Diamonds, Grimstone, in goal, played well, the ball which got past him being a difficult one to stop. Morrison played best at forward ; Collins was also good. Amongst the backs, Taylor, Kerr, Watkins and Roulston played well, the first two in particular. Foi Thorndon, Sampson, Staples and Hawthorn (forwards) and Gay, Godber, Houchen and Carter were the best. Air Harper gave every satisfaction as referee. Messrs Hamilton (Diamond) and Dodd (Thorndon) acted as touch-line judges. The first match for the Junior Cup (Association) was played on the Railway Ground between the Thorndon second and Swifts second. The game resulted in a win for the Thorndon by 2 goals to 1 after

a close tussle. For the winners W. Clark (who scored both goals), Tinney and Orr, forwards, and H. Clark, Wilson, Roberts (2) and Ferguson, backs, played well. Mr Patton, of the Swifts Club, made an able referee. RUGBY UNION. A special meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union was held in the Exchange Buildings on Tuesday. There were 15 delegates present. Mr J. P. Firth (one of the vice-presidents of the Union) occupied the chair. Permission was given to Mr N. Grant to withdraw his motion in reference to a player transferring his services from one club to another. On the motion of Mr A. T. Bate, seconded by Mr Jackson, the following new rule was passed : —“ That the secretary of this Union shall at the end of the football season forward to the secretaries of the Wellington Cricket Association, Wellington Football Association, and any other bodies which may hereafter desire to avail themselves of this provision, the names of all members of clubs posted as defaulters by the club secretaries ; and that the Y\ ellington Rugby Union, on receipt of similar lists from reciprocating bodies, shall debar members included in such lists from playing with any affiliated club or on any ground under its control until the amount for which he has been posted has been paid.” On the motion of Mr W. Coffey, seconded by Mr Pagni, it was decided, “ That in the opinion of this meeting an annual fixture with Canterbury is desirable, and that the matter be left in the hands of the Management Committee to deal with.” A letter from the Referees’ Association, conveying a copy of a resolution passed by that body with reference to the Union taking steps to see that the players were better acquainted with the rules, was referred to the Management Committee with a recommendation to act on the suggestion in the best possible way. EXAMINATION OF REFEREES. The examination of the members of the Referees’ Association on the rules of the game was commenced Tuesday night by Mr J. J. Firth, when Messrs Nicholls, Gamble, Fache, Gibson, Finucane, McKenzie and Seager presented themselves. An excellent paper comprising some 20 points was given to the candidates, by the examiner, but the results will not Hoe known for a few days. For the benefit of members Mr Firth will be present at Davis and Clater’s room on Friday night at 8 o’clock,when fresh papers will be submitted. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. A meeting of members of the Wellington Referees’ Association was held in Room No. 9, Exchange Buildings, last week. There were 13 members present, and Mr J. P. Firth presided. Mr Firth said the Wellington Union and many other bodies were guilty of great neglect in regard to the important subject of refereeing. The condition of the game in Wellington in connection with refereeing was simply disgraceful. Referees, he thought, were very weak-kneed to tolerate the treatment they received. Mr G. F. C. Campbell said the Referees’ Association had done a great deal of good last year. Mr F. L. Seager was appointed hon secretary. Mr Grant stated that, he had written privately to the secretary of the .Canterbury Rugby Union for information as to. the appointment of referees in Christchurch. In reply Mr Garrard, secretary of the Canterbury Union, stated that unless the secretary of the Union was informed before Tuesday that the competing clubs had decided upon a referee the Union would appoint one. There were about six referees who did duty in senior matches, and the committee of the Union usually selected the most suitable for the best match, and they invariably managed to appoint gentlemen who were not connected in any way with the competing clubs. When a referee was once appointed by the Union the clubs had no option but to accept him. It was decided on the motion of Mr Campbell, seconded by Mr Grant, that should both the competing teams m any contest agree upon a referee and obtain his consent to act in that capacity, such agreement and consent must be notified in writing to the secretary of the Referees* Association not later than four clear days before the date of the match. In the event of no such notification being received the Association shall select a referee, and this selection shall be binding on the. competing teams. On the motion of Mr Firth, it was, decided to write to the Rugby Union, calling attentionito the necessity of its taking steps to make players better acquainted with the rules, and to induce them, to accept decisions quietly and promptly. Old players, Mr Firth -thought, should take more interest in the g&me, and act as referees.

It was resolved* on the motion of Mr that at the next meeting of the Association the examination of members be commenced and referees classified. On the motion of Mr Grant, Mr J. P. Firth was appointed to act as sole judge of the capabilities of men to act as referees. It was decided on the motion of Mr McKenzie that all points regarding the rules of football decided by the Association be forwarded to the Rugby Union with a view to having them embodied in the Annual. It was decided on the motion of Mr Grant to leave the method of examination of referees in the hands of Mr Firth. The Referees’ Association have decided that where two competing clubs agree on a referee who is a member of the Association and notifying the secrets>v

the fact at least four clear days before the match is played the referee so agreed upon •will be taken to be appointed by the Association. In the event of no such agreement being arrived at, the Association will appoint a referee, and this appointment will be absolutely binding on both clubs. In consequence of a decision arrived at by the Referees’ Association last Friday that all present and future members must pass an examination in the rules of the game, it behoves those who intend acting as referees this year to look up the rules. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, May 10. At a meeting of the Otago Football Association it was decided to guarantee J 530 towards the expenses of bringing the New South Wales team to New Zealand.