FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1212, 24 May 1895, Page 26

FOOTBALL.

By “ Hale’-back.”

The Referees’ Association should come to some understanding as to rule 14, relating to a hall being “ fairly held ” when over the goal line. According to Mr Gamble’s decision on Saturday last, it is only necessary for an opposing player to put one hand on the ball before it is grounded to prevent a try being scored.

The Wellingtons expect to have the services of A. Duncan in the remaining championship matches.

The Poneke-Wellington match was a dreary exhibition with the exception of the last quarter of an hour, when there was some lively play.

The red forwards were greatly handicapped by the absence of Poland,, especially as they could not get anyone to take his place. Bishop was asked, but was unable owing to a professional engagement. Bishop says he will play in the second round.

White was more prominent than usual in the loose play, and it was really through his efforts that Lusk was able to score a try. Any full-back worthy of the name, however, should have prevented the score.

Of the other red forwards, Young, Pendor and McAnally worked hard, while Kelly -and Lee were all there in the open. How did two such old stagers as Lee and Kelly make a muddle of that try P Driscoll is to' be complimented upon playing a great game. His kicking especially was good. Lusk, too, showed improved form, and, like Driscoll, he kicked well. Pudney was not so conspicuous for the . reason that his forwards, weakened by the absence of Poland, did not get possession of the ball. Davidson at full rendered splendid service, although he let Fisher pass him. Horne, for the yellows, played a rush and tear-away game behind the scrum. Ho sooner did he get the ball than he was off like a redshank. He played as if there were no other backs behind him. The fiveeights was entirely neglected by Horne. Roache showed some foot at times and kicked fairly well, but the others, with the exception of Dunne, do not call for special mention. The Wellington wings were weak, but the men in the pack did their work well, especially Dacre, Logton, Roe and Rawson. Abbott, who is said to be coming to New Zealand with'the Queensland team, should be a draw. So much has been said of the play of Abbott that a great many people are eager to see him. Keogh has been re-instated, and is now playing for the Dunedin Club. Referring to the disqualification the Otago Witness says: —“The inquiry which resulted in Keogh being declared a professional was instituted in consequence of complaints which were made in the public press of betting by players upon a match between the Kaikorai and Alhambra Clubs early in the season of 1891, and of allegations that underhand influences were at work m bringing about the defeat of the Kaikorai. That inquiry revealed the fact that there had been some betting by players upon the match, and in the course of the inquiry the statement was made by one of the witnesses that he had paid Keogh 5s a match for several matches. Upon that evidence the committee declared Keogh to be a professional. Under the rules as to professionalism the person who made the payment was equally guilty with the person who received it, but the committee made the mistake of not declaring him also to be s a professional. The witness in question was not playing football at the time, but he played subsequently.” Mr J. Bee, of the Wellington College, is to be asked by the Otago Union to accept the position of delegate to the New Zealand Union. Linwood and the now famous Kaikorai team meet at Christchurch on Saturday next. Balch, the crack Canterbury back, played a magnificent game for Kaiapoi against East Christchurch on Saturday week. His ' presence, according to one critic, makes Kaiapoi a formidable team. Here are some remarks on refereeing by “Quidnunc” which I thoroughly endorse : “ Whilst admitting that referees possess an altruistic spirit and deserve commendation for acting Saturday after Saturday, foul weather or fine, still at the same time in undertaking office they should bear in mind that something more than a mere knowledge of the rules is required nowadays. They need to be watchful and in good physical condition to carry out their duties in a conscientious and satisfactory manner, and should watch and follow the ball as keenly as the smartest player if they expect to be in a position to decide appeals promptly and correctly. On Saturday I noticed several very glaring breaches of the rule 3 passed by in the match between Merivale and Canterbury College, such as offside play on the line out and picking the bail out of the scrummage, through Mr Labatt occupying a position that did not enable him to seo what transpired.” The spectators said J. Burke and A. Campbell had “ hard luck ” in not kicking

goals against the Athletics on Saturday week, but Hobbs, in the Linwood-Kaiapoi match at Christchurch, made two kicks which struck the goal posts, and on the next Saturday his first two shots struck the cross-bar and rebounded.

In a junior flag match in Dunedin, each of the three-quarters on the winning side potted a goal.

Wanganui and Kaierau clubs met last Saturday for the senior cup, the former win ning by 8 points to 0. Burr secured two tries, one of which Tilley converted.

The first cup match of the season was played on the Recreation Ground, Napier, on Saturday between the Caledonian and Pirate teams, and resulted in a win for the Pirates (who had rather the best of a slow game) by a try (converted), 5 points, to a try, 3 points. For the winners, Geordine scored a try, which Gorman improved, and for the losers Simmonds scored a try.

Harry Swan, the well-known Napier footballer, has retired with honours.

The return match between the Pirates and Palmerston tor the senior championship was played on the showground on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a victory for P-ilraers-ton by 3 points to nil. The game was hotly contested, and was very close throughout. The winners were forlunate in securing the services of Tripe, the well-known Wellington three-quarter, and consequently thoy placed an unusually strong team in the field.

During the Pi rate-Palmerston match last Saturday, Butler, of the former team, dislocated his collar bone.

Referring to S. M. J. Woods, who captained the English team against Scotland this year, Scottish Sport says He is a fine forward, though noc a scrummager, and his kicking is prodigious. He made one frightful punt, which seemed to go into the skies. All the English forwards were waiting for the ball long befoi-e it came down. Just at the end, however, ‘ Sammy ’ caught a tartar. He made a high punt from a free kick on the English goal-line, and charged up almost at the moment that the ball went to Campbell. However, the Scotsman managed to make a very clever mark just in time..’'

“Goal-Post” contributes the following notes with reference to the Atkletic-Petone match last Saturday.

I was pleased to see that the Petonc men played far less roughly than on some former occasions. I have reason to believe that in one instance, at any rate, my note of last week with regard to this ri: atter was partly responsible for the alteration.

Also, Mr Firth was acting as referee, and “ you don’t get over him" very easily.

It is generally conceded that the Athletics had rather the best of the game on the whole, especially when the game was in any way tight, but they are not sufficiently at home in the loose. The Petone forwards, on the other hand, were better in open work, and used their feet far more cleverly than did their heavier opponents. Crawfurd played a really dashing game, only marred by one bit of fumbling, of which McKenzie took instant advantage. E. O. Hales played carefully at full back, and Hunter put in some good kicking in his position of wing three-quarter. Sheriff was also good at three-quarter, and Lang, at half, made some really excellent runs. W. Hales received a very nasty kick on the ear, but played up well notwithstanding. Of the pack forwards, S wind ley, Goldie, Glasgow and Sigley played up wall, and Kelly put in some good work on the wing. Of the Petone forwards, McKenzie and Hagger did excellent service on the wing, and Pringle, Hardcastle and Shore also showed up well. Roberts, as usual, played splendidly, but Baumber has not shown such good form this season as one might reasonably expect from a man of his reputation. Pollock, also, has not shaped so well as he should. Ah Tong worked hard, and made one or two very good runs. At a meeting of junior players of the Wellington Football Club, Mr H. E. Moriah was elected a member of the Second Fifteen Match Committee, vice Mr R. Pownall resigned. Mr H. Sutton was elected captain of the third fifteen for the season, and Messrs M. G. Dodwell and H. E. Morshead were elected to act with him as a committee in selecting a third fifteen. At a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union on Wednesday week it was decided to advise the Welling-ton Union that the iiiterprovincial match can be played in Napier on the Bfch or 15th June —the 15th June preferred. The following is a list of fixtures to complete the first round of the Senior Championship (Association) : —June 1st — No. 1, Swifts v. Diamond; No. 2, United v. Queen’s Park ; No. 3, Rovers v. Thorndon; Thistle a bye. June Bth—No. 1, Thistle v. Queen’s Park; No. 2, United v. Thorndon ; No. 3, Rovers v. Swifts; Diamond a bye. June 15th—No. 1, Queen’s Park v. Thorndon; No. 2, Diamond v. Rovers; No. 3, United v. Thistle ; Swifts a bye. Gage is playing for the North Shore

team at Auckland. Gage, Wynyard and Surman should considerably strengthen the Auckland representative team.

Wilson (forward) ex-captain of the Hawke’s Bay representative team, and Hume (back) late of the Pirate Club, Dunedin, will probably play for the Wellington Club during- the remaining* championship matches. M. Driver will also play for his old club.

Mr J. P. Firth on his return from Nelson will give a lecture to footballers on the rules of the game. Last year Mr Firth gave a lecture which was highly appreciated by the players.

At the last meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Football Association the question as to where the next tournament shall be played was settled. Messrs Leslie (Otago), Jones (Canterbury) and Lambert (Wellington) voted in favour of Otago, and Messrs Bain (Buller), Heather (Auckland) and Abbott (Bush) in favour of Auckland. Mr Gibbes, who occupied the chair, declined to give liis casting vote, and he suggested that the decision should be arrived at by lot. The Otago and Auckland delegates agreed to this. Auckland was drawn, and the tournament will therefore be played there this year.

At Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon, during- the Poneko-Wellington football match, there were frequent and painful interruptions to the game while temporary repairs were effected to the bladder of the ball. At last the obstinate bladder gave out altogether, and then there was the affecting sight of 30 lusty lcickists with no ball to kick at. Small boys were wheedled into making journeys here, there and everywhere, and two local Zimmermans tore down Riddiford street on bicycles, all in seach of a necessary ball. Just when there was some talk of declaring the game off a dusty cyclist was seen breaking a record up Riddiford street with a wellblown ball in full working order, and great was the joy thereat. Cheers were given for the bicyclist and the ball, and the interrupted game proceeded.

The Public Works Committee will make the following recommendation to the City Council to-morrow night : —That the Wellington Rugby Union be authorised to make a charge of 6d per head for admission to the football match Greytown v. Athletic Clubs on the afternoon of the 24th; such charge not to apply to ladies, or to children under 15 years of age.

A meeting of those interested in the formation of a third Wednesday football club was held at the Occidental Hotel on Monday. As a sufficient number of playing members have not so tar presented themselves, it was decided to postpone the definite formation of a club until a full team can be placed in the field. On the motion of Mr J. Martin, Messrs H. Wyatt, F. B. Muir and O. B. Nicholls and the mover were appointed a committee to ascertain the numbers of playing members available. It will be necessary for anyone wishing to play to give their names to the committee before the end of the present week. The City Reserves Committee have granted the use of Newtown Park for a football match between the St. John’s and Wesley Churches Young Men’s Bible Classes on Queen’s Birthday. A special meeting of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union was held on Monday, Mr E. Davy presiding. Permission was given to the Selwyn and Melrose Clubs to play their annual matches with the Featherston and Red Star Clubs respectively. The St. Patrick’s College team wrote asking for permission to play the Drapers’ Club on Wednesday. It was decided that permission could not be granted to the College to play any club not affiliated with the Union. The tender of N. August for the formation of a footpath at Petone was accepted. The representative match between Wellington and Hawke’s Bay will probably bo played at Napier on the 15th June. The following team has been chosen to represent the Red Stars in their match wtVh the Melrose, of Wellington, on the Park Oval, Masterton, on Queen’s Birthday: —Agnew, Owen, 11. Wrigley, Ross, Thompson, Hansen, Tyke, T. Wrigley, Morris, Remini, McKillop, Cochrane, T. Welch, Stone, Doughty ; emergencies, Dorset, Jensen, Renall.

ASSOCIATION NOTES. After all the fuss and fighting over the tournament question the Association, was obliged to resort to drawing the names out of a hat. At the last meeting on the subject the voting on the subject was even, hence the above'. Auckland was the lucky one, and it is to be hoped the Otago Association will accept the position gracefully. There can be no doubt but that the tournament has gone to the right place, as Auckland could not accept it next year. For the Championship last Saturday the Swifts scored a big win over United by 7 to 1. The winners’ forwards showed wonderfully improved combination. Thompson, who might be picked out as having played the best game, was the only man who did not score. In the back division Heafford played his usual good all-round game. Courtney, Henderson and Cramp also did well. Bell, in the United, goal played brilliantly, although with luck.

Brunton and Illingworth at back, Stewart, Fordham and Sautell at forward, also put in good work. The game was played in very good spirit, and there were very few appeals. The tie of two goals each belween the Queen’s Park and Diamond came as a big surprise to all parties. The game was fast and evenly contested ail through. The Thistle, by good luck, only managed to beat Thorndon by 3to 2. This game was notable for a great deal of rough play. For the Junior Cup the Thorndon tied with the Diamond, and the Swifts beat United by 4 to 1. SENIOR SHIELD. rONEKE V. WELLINGTON'. This match took place at Newtown Park on Saturday, and was won by the Ponekes by two goals to a try. The weather was extremely cold, and the attendance of spectators small. The game was uninteresting, especially in the first spell, which was a very dreary affair. To make matters worse the game was interrupted on three or four occasions while the ball was repaired. In future each team should provide a ball. The Ponekes had only 14 men, Poland, one of thoir best forwards, being absent. Galloway was also away, Merlet filling his place. Murray, the Wellington captain, was also an absentee, and his place was taken by Fisher. The only score in the first spell was a try easily gained by Lusk through the bad j fumbling of Turton, the Wellington full- ' back. Lusk converted his score. The Ponekes had the best of this spell. Early in the second spell Lusk kicked a goal from a free kick A splendid rush of the Reds carried the ball over the line, but Kelly and Lee lost the ball and a certain try. In the last quarter of an hour, Horne, after a short dashing run, scored what seemed a perfectly fair try for the Yellows, but Mr Gamble, the referee, disallowed it, and some of the spectators were so much disgusted at the decision that they jeered at him. It is remarkable how referees differ. On the previous Saturday, in the Athletic-Melrose match, Mr Firth allowed Hales a try under exactly the same circumstances, but that gentleman’s reading of rule 14 apparently does not agree with Mr Gamble’s. The Wellingtons were having the best of the play toward the finish of the game, and during some loose play Fisher got possession, and eluding Davidson scored a try, which, however, was not converted. There was no further score, the Ponekes winning by 8 points to 3. Of the winners’ backs Driscoll kicked splendidly, and Lusk was the next best, occasionally showing very good form. Davidson played well, as usual. All the forwards worked well, and White, Young 1 , Kelly and Lee, who showed improved form, were the best.

Amongst the losers’ forwards Dacre, Pownall, Longton and Roe were the best. Fisher was prominent at times, but he was a little too much off-side. Amongst the backs Horne played with a lot of dash, but if lie passed more and ran less he would be of much more service to his side. Roache was the best of the others. Turton as fullback was a failure.

Mr J. Gamble was the referee, and Messrs Coffey (Poneke) and Fache (Wellington) were the line umpires. ATHLETIC V. PETONE. The above teams tried conclusions on the Petone ground on Saturday afternoon. The attendance was small, but those present made up for the smallness of their numbers by the interest they took in 'the{game. In fact, at one time, the referee (Mr J. P. Firth) delayed the proceedings until the spectators could be induced to leave tho field of play, on which they had encroached to such an extent as to seriously harass the players. The match was contested in good spirit, and there was a noticeable absence of rough play on the part of the Petone team. Both sides, however, played with plenty of' dash, and at times there was a willingness displayed which caused considerable excitement amongst the onlookers. From the start the Athletics forced the game, but the strong, wind blowing across the ground resulted in the play being chiefly confined to the line. The equality of the teams was exemplified very early in the game,the characteristics of which wei'j the same almost throughout. At first the Athletics got the advantage, and Hales, from a pass from Goldie, made a good run into the Petone territory. McKenzie relieved the pressure, and the Petones soon recovered the lost ground, and after some lively play on the line Crawfurd got the ball from the scrum and passed to Lang, who looked very much like scor- • ing. The local men then gradually worked the ball down the ground, Tong and Roberts aiding considerably. McKenzie also took advantage of a bit of fumbling on the part of Crawford behind the scrum, and dribbled the ball some distance towards the Athletic goal. He was stopped by Hales, and immediately afterwards Petone had a chance to score from a free-kick, but the attempt proved abortive.* Immediately after this Baumber made a capital shot at goal, which just missed its mark, as did also another' penalty kick given to Petone after a splendid run by Roberts. At the commencement of the second spell Petone appeared to have rather the best of the game. Both sides, however, had more than one chance of scoring from penalty kicks, which were very numerous, but no score resulted, and the game ended in a draw, neither side having scored. On the whole, the Athletics may be said to have had the best of the game. Their passing was good, and the forwards did excellent service, although they showed want of skill in the loose. The Athletics got the ball far more frequently than their opponents. The Petones worked hard, but

the backs did not appear to play quite up to their usual form. Roberts was as usual excellent, and never made one mistake right through the game. Baumber did not show up to such advantage as he usually does, and Pollock was at times decidedly off. The forwards played a good game, McKenzie especially playing well, and Hardcastle, Thompson, Shore and Pringle were also well to the fore. For the Athletics, Crawford played a really splendid game behind the scrum, and was repeatedly applauded for his smartness. Lang showed up well, and was not so selfish as in the match against the Melrose. W. Hales commenced well, but early in the game he got a bad kick on the ear, which took a good deal of the dash out of his play. Swmdley, Kelly, Goldie and Rhodes did excellent service. Mr J. P. Firth made an excellent referee, and Messrs J. H. Pagni (Athletic) and J. T. King (Petone) officiated as line umpires. , JUNIOR SHIELD. Melrose beat St. Patrick’s College by 50 points to 3. The Athletic beat Wellington by 6 points to nil. Brodie and Burke gained a try each for the winners. The Selwyn-Oriental heat resulted in a draw, each side scoring 3 points. Redmond touched down for the Selwyns, and ■Cording for the Orientals. Poneke beat Petone by 5 points (a try by Taylor, converted by Morton) to 3 (a penalty goal by Parrant).

THIRD-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. I Oriental beat Melrose by 9 points to nil. Bush scored a try, which Sadd converted, and Bush also potted a goal. Selwyn second defeated the Wellington third by 34 points to 3. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. SWIFTS V. UNITED. In this match, for the Association Senior Championship, Stewart won the toss, and decided to kick down hill, the Swifts defending the street goal. Soon after play started Glover scored the first goal for the Swifts. The United now pressed and made several attempts to score, Stewart being very noticeable, but they were unable to score through erratic shooting. The Swifts worked the ball up the field again, and after a few minutes’ play in front of the goal Heather scored, beating the goalkeeper with a low shot. The United team played a hard game, and after a tussle in front of the Swifts’ goal Stewart put the ball through for the United. Play during the remainder of the spell was very even, but just before half time was called Macdonald added goal No. 3 for Swifts, who on changing sides were leading by 3 goals to 1. The second spell proved very fast. The United were forced to concede a corner, which Henderson took, placing it in the mouth of the goal, Macdonald kicking it through. From the centre kick Heafford got possession of the ball, and passed to Glover, who went away down tlie left wing at a great pace, finishing up a fine run by placing a nice goal. Play was now centred round the United’s goal, both Nicoll and Heather adding a goal each in quick succession, bringing the Swifts’ score up to 7 goals. The United were unable to add to their score, and the Swifts therefore won by 7 goals to 1. ‘- For the Swifts, the whole of the forwards played a good game, the passing at times being very good. In the back division the defence was sound, Heafford, at half, and Courtney, at full-back, being very prominent, and Smith, in goal, did what little work he had to do in a satisfactory manner. For the United, Stewart, Lauchlan and Parsons were the best of the forwards, but they lacked the combination shown by their opponents. Patterson, at half, and Illingworth and Brunton, at fulJ-baek, jffayed a good game at times. Bell, in goal, deserves special mention, as without his assistance the score against his side would have been much heavier. Mr Harper acted as referee very satisfactorily. queen’s PARK V. DIAMOND. The Queen’s Park met the Diamonds at Karori, the game resulting in a draw, each side scoring two goals. The Diamonds winning the toss, played up-hill. Shortly after starting, Collins and Morrison with a splendid dribble carried the ball up to the Park’s goal, where Collins passed out to Morrison, who sent in a swift shot, which struck the bar and rebounded through the goal. This made the Park liven up, and their forwards, who were playing with good combination, rushed the ball down the field, where Ferkins, getting possession close to the corner flag 1 , with a beautiful centre sent the ball right into goal, where Travers headed it through. After another rush, Plenderleith shot No. 2 goal from a good pass by Hill. On changing ends, Ferkins, Martin and Plenderleith made repeated efforts to “score for the Park, Grimstone and Watkins clearing their lines time after time. The Diamond made several good rushes, Darmody throwing away a good chance of scoring by shooting wildly. Just before the call of time, Watkins from a free kick put the ball into goal, Whittaker equalising the scores. Play was stopped shortly afterwards. For the Park, Lauchlin, Shields, Plenderleith, Martin and Ferkins (who has never played better), and Grimstone, Watkins, Taylor, Whittaker and Collins for the Diamonds were the most prominent. Mr Gibbs gave every satisfaction as referee. WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. Mr E. Davy presided at a meeting of the Management Committee of the Rugby Union last week. Mr S. Nicholls was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Senior Match Committee caused by -fch© resignation of Mr T, K, Ellison,

A letter was read from the Referees Association, asking the Union to take steps to see that the players were better acquainted with the rules. It was decided to ask Mr J. P. I irth to deliver a lecture to payers on the rules, and also to ask the various clubs to request the captains to call the teams together, and discuss the rules with them. A letter was received from the secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union stating that the amount levied on the Wellington Union to meet the deficit on the past two years’ working was £4> 12s. It was decided to pay this amount. It was decided that all championship matches should be declared off on May 25th, except one to be arranged between St. Patrick’s College and another team if possible. A letter was received from the secretary of the Cricket Association asking that several members of cricket clubs who were now playing football should be posted as defaulters, as they had not paid their subscriptions to their clubs. The players referred to were posted as defaulters, and it was decided under the new rule regarding defaulters that they should not be allowed to play until the amounts for which they had been posted had been paid up. Mr W. McKenzie was authorised to mak6 arrangements for the laying off of Nos. 1,2, 3, 4 and 5 grounds at Petone, and also the erection of goal posts and touch flags on those grounds. Dunedin, May 18. In the Senior Flag matches, Dunedin beat Alhambra by 9 points to 4, Keogh playing for Dunedin. Zingari beat University by 23 points to 3 ; Union beat Caversham by 5 points to 3, and Kaikorai beat Pirates by 18 points to nil. At the Caversham v. Union match a boy named Findlay was arrested for .pocketpicking. Masterton, May 18. The Cup matches in connection with the Wairarapa Rugby Union began to-day. Greytown met Masterton on the Park Oval, and after a hard tussle the game ended in a draw. Carterton defeated the Red Stars at Carterton by a try to nil.