FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1222, 2 August 1895, Page 24

FOOTBALL.

THE EEPEESENTATIVE MATCHES. The following programme has been drawn up by the Management Committee of the Eugby Union : — -. August 10th—Manawatu, at Wellington August 17th—Canterbury, at Christchurch. August 24th— Taranaki, at Wellington. August 31st —Auckland, at Wellington. September 14th —Hawke's Bay, at Wellington. Wairarapa, at Masterton or Grey town, to follow, if possible.

The last of the senior championship matches (Rugby) were played on Saturday. The position of the teams is as follows: —Petone, 12 points; Athletic,. 10 points; Melrose and Poneke, 9 points' each; Wellington, nil. The Wellington Club has been advised that, owing to the intended tour of the Wairarapa representatives, the Masterton Club will be unable to play in Wellington this season. ASSOCIATION NOTES. The three Championship matches played last Saturday saw close finishes. The grounds were dry, but a strong wind was blowing, which considerably spoiled the play. The Rovers had hard luck in going doivn to the Diamonds. They had only nine men. Gibbs was laid up with a cold, and Wooldridge still suffers from a strained sinew. Grimstone, in the Diamond goal, had very little to do. Roulston, at full, played splendidly, his kicking being especially fine. Taylor, centre half, marked his men and kept his forwards well fed. The forwards were all good. Hepworth, in the Rovers' goal, did well, considering he had only one full-back in front of him. Auld and Abbott played a grand defensive game, and it is mainly due to their good play that the score was kept down. Amongst the forwards Fernie was the best. Fraser was also good at times. At Karori the Swifts just managed to get home by one goal to nil. The game was splendidly contested, neither side having much the best of it. Smith, in the Swifts' goal, excelled himself in the second spell. He effected two of the best saves I have seen for some time. The backs all worked hard and well, Heafford in particular. Heather was the best of the forwards. The Thorndons all played well. They ( showed good combination, and were in'i

great form. Their opponents were only superior to them in one point, and that was weight. The Swifts admit that the match was the toughest they have played this season. SENIOE SHIELD. Poneke v. Melrose. This match was played at Petone on Saturday, but little interest appeared to be taken in the contest. Kelly was absent from the Poneke team, and Sweeney filled the vacancy, playing five-eighths in place of Lee, who took Kelly's position on the wing. The play was fairly even throughout, and there Avas no score until the last few minutes, when Galloway gained a try for the Eeds after a passing rush. The kick, at goal was a failure. This was the only score, the Ponekes thus winning by 3 points to nil.

For the winners, Poland, Young, White, McKay, McAnally (forwards), and Pudney, Galloway, Sweeney and Davidson (backs) played best, and on the losers' side Calnan, Spencer, Campbell (forwards), and Warwick and J. Bourke (backs) were the most prominent. Mr W. McKenzie was referee. Athletic v. Wellington.

The Wellington Club were within an ace of scoring" their first victory last Saturday, the Athletics Avinning by only a bare point, after a most exciting finish. The game during the first spell was a miserable exhibition for senior football, and the play Avas greatly in favour of the Yellows, who scored 8 points to their opponent's 3. The first score was a try by Cox (Wellington) after a pretty passing rush, and this try was converted by Eoaehe. Barnett also scored a try after a dashing run, in Avhich he evaded pretty well the whole of the Athletic team. The try Avas not increased. Hales (Athletic threequarter) drew first blood for his side, making a great run; and the first spell ended: —Wellington, 8 points ; Athletic, 3.

The Blues had all the best of the second spell, the Wellington team being continually on the defence. The Blues made desperate efforts to score, man after man crossing the line only to be thrust back into the field of play. The Wellington line was actually crossed seven times in succession without the ball being touched down. At length Swindley dashed over and scored, but Crawfurd failed to increase the score, although the kick was right in front of the goal-post. With only six minutes to go, the* Athletics Avere still two points to the bad, and after repeated attempts, GlasgOAV scored, after a great race with the Wellington full-back. The latter claims that he was obstructed by Glasgow, but the referee disalloAved the appeal. From the kick-out the ball Avas carried to the Athletic end of the field, and Hales (full-back) just stopped Duncan in time, the latter being only a few feet from the line.

Pauling, Pritehard and Goldie were absent from the Athletic team, substitutes being picked on the ground. For the winners Hales played Avell at full-back, and his brother played with great dash at three-quarter. Crawfurd did splendid work behind the scrum, and Kelly, on the wing, and later at Jfive-eighths, played magnificently. McLean, Glasgow and Gray played best in the forwards, McLean's line work being a feature of the game. For the Wellingtons the three-quarters—Duncan, Cox and Dunne—put in good and at the same time effective work, their passing being excellent. Gallagher and Murray were the pick of the forwards, the whole of Avhom, however, deserve praise for their play. Barnett also played with great dash. Mr S. Nicholls was referee, and Messrs Marks and Broderick were touch-line judges. JUNIOE SHIELD. The Athletic second and the Wellington College first fifteens met on No. 2 ground at Petone on Saturcky, the former winning by a try to nil. There was no score in the first spell, but in the second Shepheard gained a try for the Blues. With this victory the Athletics secure the Shield for the season. St. Patrick's College defeated the Poneke second by 22 points to nil. The Ponekes had only nine men in the field, and full time was not played. THIED-CLA.SS CHAMPIONSHIP. The Poneke third defeated the Wellington third by 12 points to nil. The Ponekes are leading for the championship. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. Thistle v. Queen's Park. The match Thistle v. Queen's Park Avas played at Karori on Saturday, and ended, for the time being, in a draw —two goals each. Playing with the wind, the Thistle forwards kept pressing round the Queens' goal during most of the first half. Mill-

ward, passing and re-passing Shields, shot over to the right wing. Perkins met the ball, and passed to Cowden, who shot the first goal for the Thistle. Wighton clearing to his forwards, Plenderleith and Perkins made a quick run down field, and centring into goal, a scrimmage took place round the ball, which Martin, by a good shot, sent through for the Queen's. Immediately after a "corner" fell to the Thistle, which C. McLeod placed beautifully into goal. Andrews kicked out, and the ball passing from the heads of Millward, Ferguson and Hailwood in rapid succession, was cleverly directed by the last-named between the posts, a second goal being thus scored for the Thistle. Two more goals were put through by the Thistle during the first half, but both of them were disallowed. On changing sides the play became more equal, the Queen's forwards playing a good passing game. With the help of Hill and Travers, Martin by a lucky stroke again scored for the Queen's, the ball flying through just under the crossbar. The play which followed was now at one end of the field,

now at the other, Ferguson, Hail wood and Cowden playing a grand forward game for the Thistle, and Hill, Plenderleith and Martin equally well for the Queen's Park. Nothing further, however, was scored. In the back divisions the two McLeods, Broeklehurst and Blair in goal played well for the Thistle, whilst Andrews and Martin were the best for the Queen's. SWIFTS V. THORNDON. In this match, played at Karori on Saturday, the Swifts won by one goal to nil. Henderson won the toss and played uphill with the wind. The game was a very I fast one, the backs of each team being in j turn hard pressed. The Swifts had the i best of the game in the first spell, but the I halves made a great mistake in kicking too j hard. After some good play on the right wing McDonald scored for the Swifts. The Thorndon forwards made several good rushes, but could not get through the Swifts' defence. On changing ends the I Thorndon team had the advantage of the | wind, but the Swifts' backs were equal to I the occasion and prevented them from scoring-, though Staples put in two grand shots, both of which Smith cleared. Mr Dasent was referee. The Swifts, backs were hard pressed at times, but were all in good form. Heafford in the first half put in a lot of work. Of the forwards, Heather and Thomson were the most conspicuous. For the Thorndons, the whole team played a plucky game. Staples, Smith and Eamsey played well in the forward division, and Hawthorne, at half, was very conspicuous at times. Carter, the goalkeeper, had a lively time in the first half, but was equal to the task, ROVERS V. DIAMONDS. I These teams met at Island Bay, the con- j test being for the Challenge Cup. The ) Eovers were handicapped by the absence of two]of their men, and the Diamonds, playing far above their usual form, scored an unexpected win by two goals, the scores being obtained by Mellattie and Earle. The winning team had the best of the game throughout. Mr N. Bell was the referee. SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIP. The Te Aro and Petone Schools teams again met on Saturday to decide the School Championship. Both teams played like young demons, struggling away in desperate fashion right up to the call of time, when the Te Aro boys were again pronounced the victors by 6 points to 3. Hamilton and Campbell scored tries for the winners, and Carey, after many game attempts, succeeded in crossing the Te Aro line. Mr Lewis was referee. ARMY v. NAVY. A national calamity was narrowly averted yesterday week. The Navy, the pride of the British Empire, and the "proud Termagant j of the seas," just managed to defeat one of the finest Armies that ever walked on to a" football field. The scene of the struggle was Newtown Park, and the contesting forces were the Torpedo Corps and the Permanent Artillerymen. The struggle has been talked about for months —in barracks, bivouac, the maintop, the quarter deck and the galley. Tommy Atkins has not forgotten the drubbing he got in the contest at Karori last year, and, like Lars Porsena, by the nine gods he swore to remove that stain which has dimmed the glory of the British Army. If there is one thing in this wide world that Atkins prides himself on it is fighting, and we must say,having watched his public performances in the snowy steppes of Russia, the scorching desert, and the tangled jungle, and other localities more or less favourable for the particular form of amusement in which he engages, that his record, is a good one. Thomas is like the Irishman who, seeing a crowd collecting, sent his little girl out to ask if there was going to be a row—';' 'cos, if so, father would like to be in it." And last week he meant to put such small affairs as the Peninsula and Crimean campaigns in the shade The teams proceeded to the ground in drags, the Navy with the New Zealand Ensign aloft, while the Artillery hung out that grand old piece of rag which wa have been assured on the best authority is made of such good material that it has braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze.

The Navy, led on by Eear-Admiral Goldie, were the first to take the field. They have said good-bye to their friends on the line, for

Who could guess If ever more should meet those mutual

eyes, Since upon noon so sweet such awful

afternoon could rise. Shortly after there is a rumbling noise as the big-footed and large-headed warriors advance from the trees with Colonel Fauling in command. The Navy greet them with cheers and a few bars of " Eule Britannia." The veteran Field-Marshal Hyams, who has been chosen because he can quote the fights historical from Marothon to Waterloo, is the referee. The military throw their chests out like true warriors, and take up a position at the northern end of the ground, facing the wind—and the foe. The thin and worriedlooking mariners have the southern end to defend, and there is Goldie, whose uniform has been as successful in the Courts of Venus as in the Field of Mars, giving his final orders with a dignity which is the admiration of all beholders. His smile lights up the whole ground (they use it in the fleet at night as a search-light). That smile makes many a tender-hearted soldier who has

children of his own regret that it is his chief business to slay the owner. But wait till the blast of »var blows in his ears, and then you will see him in all his glory, with hair on end, eyeballs glaring, ears laid back, and tail erected. He is a bit of a slayer himself, and has more scalps in his wigwam at Shelley Bay than all the other officers of the fleet combined. Then there is Swindley, who lives on sparks and guncotton. If he goes off, you won't have time to write and tell your best girl, and long-suffering but too confiding tailor, that the date and place of your next meeting is doubtful. Hark! What dreadful sound is that ? It is—it is the whistle's opening roar! The battle has begun. There is light skirmishing at first, and then a terrible charge by the hungry mariners. The Army full-back can't shoot straight. The ball has struck Swindley, who goes over the line with all sails set and a fifteen-knot breeze behind him. No goal results. The manoeuvring of the Navy is too good. The Artillery is being run oil" its feet, and many a thirsty warrior hangs his tongue out. Another brilliant evolution by G-oldie and Swindley, and the latter scores again. The troops'look as if they are in training to take part in a military funeral. The resumption of hostilities sees a Balaclava-like charge by Pauliug and company. O'Malley, the Irish dragoon, who we thought had died years ago, lends a hand, and the Navy is in trouble. The scrimmaging and shin kicking is awful. Boom ! a hard-headed militiaman has butted a mariner after the rude and somewhat objectionable style of warfare carried on by mountain goats. Boom is something like the remark made by the butted naval hero. He said several other things, but we have not space for platitudes. The French General Avho said the British infantry in close combat was the very devil had not seen them play football. A torpedoman three yards and a half long from truck to keelson, with a moustache that has conquered millions, seizes the ball, and makes a desperate plunge for England, home and beauty. But the flower of the British Army, in close order, him. He is pulled out of the scrum with his ear twisted, a wrecked eyebrow, and the port side of his moustache gone. Coady has also been wounded, not mortally, thank goodness. His bulwarks are damaged, and a chunk has been knocked off his figurehead. Two or three other budding Nelsons will have to go on the slip for repairs. Pauling has been stood on his head several times, and his comrades' shins are well skinned.

Early in the second spell the military made the Jack Tars regret that they had ever entered this sinful world. The Navy was being bumped to pieces. At last a rush of the heavy brigade, unparelleled in history, in which Gunner McAuliffo must be singled out, took the ball over the line, and a scramble ended in the valiant Pauling securing it. The way he fell on that ball «vas a stroke of military genius, but the kick at goal wasn't. The ; strife was continued in mid-field. Fair ley, a tar with a cold-looking eye, seized the ball and made a sortie on his own account, and immediately the whole of the enemy, horse and foot, fell upon him. Nothing daunted he hitched up his slacks, waded in, and slew some more warriors. A melancholylooking soldier, who looked as if he had been sitting up all the previous night with another soldier, then made a bid for fame. Well might he sing, "With breast expanding for the ball, I Like a Soldier Fell." He fell all right, after a frantic attempt to pot a goal with his nose. The troops fought with frightful desperation to regain their laurels. When they couldn't kick the ball they kicked an opponent, and the Navy returned the compliment. A great run by Goldie, who went through his opponents like a Whitehead torpedo, put the Army in trouble once more, and the battle ended in military territory. No names shine with a fairer lustre in Thursday's roll of honour than those of Goldie, Swindley, Fairley, Oliver, Dyson, Busby and Coady (Torpedo - Corps), and Pauling, McAuliffe, Fitzgerald, Miller, Ashbolt and O'Malley (Artillery). They must all be mentioned in the despatches. Bosun McKenzie and Corporal Poland were the touch judges. The ambulance, which fortunately was not called info use, was in charge of Gunner Holt, while the giant-like Ching adminisered " medical comforts." Hokitika, July 25. In the football match Nelson against the West Coast Union, Nelson was defeated by 12 points to 4. Greykouth, July 27. In the match Nelson v. West" Coast, played to-day, the West Coast team w T on by eight points to nil. Dunedin, July 29. The Otago Rugby Football Union decided to-day to send a team to Invercargill to play a return match on the 18th September.