FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 26

FOOTBALL.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES FOR THE SEASON. SENIOR. May 14th.—Oriental v. Athletic, Athletic Park No. 2 ; Petone v. Wellington, Petone No. 1; Melrose v. Poneke, Athletic Park No. 1. May 21st.—Athletic v. Poneke, Petone No. 1; Oriental v. Petone, Athletic Park No. 2 ; Wellington v. Melrose, Athletic Park No 1. May 28th.—Petone v. Athletic, Petone No. 1; Melrose v. Oriental, Athletic Parkl No. 1; Poneke v. Wellington, Athletic Park No. 2. SECOND ROUND. June 4th.—Petone v. Athletic, Athletic Park No. 1; Melrose v. Oriental, Petone No. 1; Poneke v. Wellington, Athletic Park No. 2. June 11th. Athletic v. Wellington, Athletic Park No. 1 ; Melrose v. Petone, Petone No. 1 ; Oriental v. Poneke, Athletic Park No. 2. June 18th. —Melrose v. Athletic, Petone No. 1 ; Oriental v. Wellington, Athletio Park No, 1; Petone v. Poneke, Athletio Park No. 2. June 25th.—Petone v. Wellington, Petone No. 1; Oriental v. Athletic, Athetie Park No. 1; Melrose v. Poneke, Athletic Park No. 2 ; July 2nd. —Poneke v. Athletio. Athletic Park No. 1; Petone v. Oriental, Petone No. 1 ; Melrose v. Wellington, Athletic Park No. 2. JUNIORS. ; May 14th.—Petone v. Oriental, Petone No, 3; St. Patrick's v. Kia Ora, St. Patrick's ground; Wellington v. Poneke, Petone No. 4. May 21st.—Poneke v. Wellington College Oldßoys, Newtown Park; Petone v. SlflrosH, Petone No. 3 ; St. Patrick's v. Oriental, St. Patrick's ground. May 28th.—Melrose v. Kia Ora, Newtown Park ; St. Patrick's v. Wellington College Old Boys, Berhampore; Wellington v. Athletic, Petone No. 2.

June 4th.—Wellington College v. Athletic, Wellington College ground ; St. Patrick's v. Poneke, Berhampore; Melroso v. Oriental, Newtown Park; Wellington v. Pet_>ne, Petone No. 2.

June 11th. Wellington College v. Wellington College Old Boys, Wellington College ground; Wellington v. Kia Ora, Petone No. 2; Oriental v Poneke, Newtown fark; St. Patrick's v. Melrose, Berhampore. June 18th.—Wellington College v. Petone, Wellington College ground ; Wellington College Old Boys v. Wellington, Petone No. 3 ; Kia Ora v. Oriental, Petone No. 2. June 25th. —Wellington College v. Wellington, Wellington College No. I ; Petone v. Athletic, Newtown Park; Wellington College Old Boys v. Kia Ora, Petone No. 3. July 2nd.—Kia Ora v. Poneke, Petone No. 4 ; Wellington College v. Melrose, Wellington College No. 1 ; Wellington College Old Boys v. Oriental, Petone No 3. July 9th.—Wellington College v. Poneke, Wellington College No. 1; Wellington v. Melrose, Petone No. 2 ; Athletio v. Wellington College Old Boys, Newtown Park. July 16th.—Petone v. Wellington College Old Boys, Petone No. 3 ; Kia Ora v. Wellington College, Wellington College No. 1; Athletic v. Poneke, Newtown Park. July 23rd. —St. Patrick's v. Wellington College, Athletio Park No. 1; Melrose v. Athletic, Newtown Park ; Petone v. Poneke Petone No. 1.

July 30th.—Oriental v. Wellington College, Wellington College No. 1 ; Kia Ora v. Athletic, Petone No. 1; St. Patrick's v. Petone, Berhampore. August 6th.—Kia Ora v. Petone, Petone No. 1. , THIRD-CLASS May 14th.—I'oneke v. Kia Ora, Petone No. 2; Wellington v. Athletic, Newtown. May 21st.—Oriental v. Melrose, Petone No. 2 ; Petone v. Kia Ora,' Petone No. 4. May 28th.—Old Boys v. Oriental, Petone No. 3, June 4th.—Athletic v. Poneke, Petone No. 3; Old Boys v. Wellington, Petone No. 4 ; Wellington College v. Melrose, College No. 2. June llth.—Wellington College v. Kia Ora, College No. 2; Poneke v. Melrose, Petone No. 3; Athletio v. Oriental, Petone No. 4.

June 18th.—Wellington College v. Petone, Wellington College No. 2; Poneke v. Wellington, St. Patrick's ground. June 25th. —Oriental v. Kia Ora, Petone No. 4; Wellington College v. Athletio, Wellington College No. 2 ; Old Boys v. Poneke, St. Patrick's College ground ; Kia Ora v. Melrose, Petone No. 4. July 2nd.—Petone v. Poneke, Petone No. 4 ; Wellington College v. Old Boys, Wellington College No. 2 ; Petone v. Melrose, Newtown Park.

July 9th.—Wellington College v. Poneke, Wellington College No. 2 ; Athletic v. Melrose, Petone No. 2 ; Kia Ora v. Wellington, Petone '• o. 3.

July 16th.—Wellington College v Ovi->7i U>, "Wellington College No. 2; <\:.hk-.. io v -> Boys, St. Patrick's College trroau'i ; i'-vWid v. Wellington, Petone No. 3 July 23rd.—Wellington College v. Wellington, Athletic Park No. 2 ; Kia Ora v. Athletic, Petone No. 2; Petone v. Oriental, Wellington College No. 2. July 30fch. Melrose v. Old Boyß, St. Patrick's College ground ; Poneke v. Oriental, Wellington College ground ; Kia Ora v. Old Boys, Newtown Park. ASSOCIATION. May 14. Thistle v. Queen's Park, at Petone-; Rovers v. Swifts, at Newtown Park ; Petone, a bye. , May 21.—Quean's Park*V. Swifts, at Newtown Park; Petone v. Thistle, at Petone ; Rovers, a bye. May 28 —Swifts v. Bovers, at Petone; Queen's Park v. Rovers, at Newtown Park ; Thistle, a bye. June 4.—Swifts v. Thistle, at Petone ; Queen's Park v. Kovers, at Newtown Park ; Petone, a bye. June 11. —Thistle v. Queen's Pa*k, at Newtown Park; Swifts v. Petone, at Petone; Bovers, a bye. June 18. —Petone v. Kovers, at Petone ; Swifts v.' Queen's Park, at Newtown Park ; Thistle, a bye. June 25.—Petone v. Thistle, at Newtown Park; Swifts v. Bovers, at Petono; Queen's park, a bye.

July 2.—Petone v. Queen's Park, at Newtown Park; Kovers v. Thistle, at Petone; Swifts, a bye. JLTNIOE ASSOCIATION. The following is the drawing for the Junior Cup fixtures:— FIRST POUND. May 14.—N0. 1 ground* Swift v. Queen's Park; No. 2 ground, Diamond v uovers ; No. 3 ground, Horomoana v. Wadestown. May 21.—N0. 1 ground, Rovers v. Queen's Park; No. 2 ground, Wadesiown v. Swift; No. 3 ground, Horomoana v Diamond. May 28.—N0. 1 ground, Swift v. Diamond ; No. 2 ground, Wadestown v. Queen'a Park ; No. 3 ground, Rovers v. Horomoana. June 4. —No. 1 ground, Wadestown v. Rovers ; No. 2 ground, rfwif t v. Horomoana ; No. 3 ground, Diamond v. Queen's Park. SECOND ROUND. June 11.—No. 1 ground, Horomoana v. Rovers; No. 2 ground, Wadestown v. Diamond ; No. 3 ground, Queen's Park v. Swift. June 18. No. 1 ground, Diamond v. Horomoana; No. 2 ground, Queen's Park v. Wadestown; No. 3 ground, bwift v. Rover. June 25. —No. 1 uround, Rovers v. Wadesjtown; No. 2 ground, rtwit't v. Horomoana; I No. 3 ground, Diamond v. Queen's Park. I July 2nd. —No. 1 ground, Swift v. Diamond ; No. 2, Rovers v. Queen's Park ; No. 3, Horomoana v. Wadestown. July 9th. —No. 1 ground, Queen's Park v. Horomoana ; No. 2 Diamond 3, Swift v. Wadestown. RUGBY. Senior Championshp. petone v. poneke. This match was played at Petone on Saturday, the local team winning by 9 points to nil. Petone had the sun in their faces the first spell. After about five minutes' play, niketapu got a mark in the Poneke twenty-five, which wa3 not given, but he kicked, the ball flying too low. A series of scrums in midfield followed, and play assumed a very lively character On two occasions theSPonekos got into their opponents' twenty-five, and tokelton assayed a place from a free, but was too slow and was rushed. Line-out followed line-out and scrum followed scrum, until the Petoncs were in trouble, Pollock saving by a beautiful kick, and a few minutes afterwards a shot at goal by him resulted in Poneke forcing. Gilchrist was afterwards obliged to save his Bide, and the first spell ended without score. The second hair opened with some good kicking on both sides. The Blues were put on the defensive, and Driscoll got in a kick, but it went low and Gilchrist forced down. From this out Petones assumed the aggressive, and Hardham soon secured a pretty try, which Ryan failed to convert. Petone, 3; Poneke, nil. The Reds were forced after the kick-off, and were in trouble later on when Wallace, the Poneke skipper, who was playing with great dash, saved his side twice. He unfortunately met with an accident five minutes later. Coming into collision with one of the opposing forwards he fell, breaking the small bone of one of his legs. After an interval Barber secured the oval from a scrum and passed to Hardham, who crossed the line. No goal resulted. Petone, 6; Poneke, nil. Before the close McGill threw to Hardham, who passed to Matson, the latter running from nearly half way and scoring Petone's third try. Puketapu failed to oonvert, the match resulting in Petone winning by 9 points to love.'For the winners, Pollock, bawke, Matson and Barber played a good back game, the best of the forwards being Hardham, Adams, Chambers, Jigger and August. Wallace was far and away the best of the Poneke backs ; in fact, be played the best game on the ground up to the time of his accident. In the forward division, fcikelton, Wiokham, Purdy and McAnally were most prominent. The srame was fast throughout, and a trifle rough at time 3. The barracking element was, as usual, present in strong force ; in fact, the crowd was a trifle too demonstrative, and one individual who yelled " That's right, stiffen them out" when Wallace had his leg broken would have met with severe treatment had he not had too many friends. Mr F. Seager made an efficient referee. Messrs L. King and F. Perry acted as line umpires. MELBOSE V. ATHLETIC. Handicapped by the loss of four or five of their best men —two or three of whom are away seeking the bubble reputation at the cannon's mouth in the vicinity of Rawene —the Athletics had but little hopes of success against the champion team. In several departments of the srame they suffered decidedly in comparison with thr-ir opponents—in line out and scrummage work, for instance, this was particularly noticeable. But at the sarao timo they mario a good defence, and kept their line free, from invasion wi hcreditable success. Throughout both spells the . Meiro.-e men wore ou the aggressive, and [ shou d have registered a larsror score had the j passing among tboir backs been carried out I with a little more judgment, or, rather, accuracy. Several timea a pronounced advantage gained by the forwards was nullifi-d by this iault, and the'Blues given an !>;<:evrHj>iir.y to sfcsvo (•:ffdi.-sH.ster. Karly in ( Hi Ul ft *t hi l ; <*•*,!• whin V;0- a shot itt gO-ll j .>.-..1 ',cijV, tins bih nghfc across the bur o fui-i;ut-r Boore was made until the latter part of the seoond spell, when a dribbling rush carried the scene of play into the Athletics' territory, and Borne commendable play on the part of ixdams gave Campbell a chanoe of running in, which he promptly availed himself of, but no increase was made from his effort. A little later on Ross took a sharp pass and got over the line, the attempt at conversion being also a failure in this instance; The joyous barracker was afforded some exciting moments at this period of the contest by repeated scrummages on the Athletic goal line, during which the Slues infused a great deal of determination into their work. Of the individual players the full - backs on either side did excellent service. Howe, for the winners, ran and kicked without a mistake all through, and Hales, for the Blues, though given infinitely more to do, retained his self-possession, and did equally well. Thomas, the Melrose three-quarter, is always valuable by reason of his running powers, and Tucker and Callender in the same section of the Athletic team were both well up to the mark. Rishworth, on the other hand, who played a really fine game in the previous week, was hardly of much support to his side—the result possibly of a collision at the commencement. Spencer, Campbell and Adams, in the Red forwards, and Pritdhard, Beamish and Herbert, in the Blue, worked conscientiously and well throughout. The soore, as indicated, stood;

at 10 to n'l at the call of time, Melrose making thoir second win of the year.

WELLINGTON V. ORIENTAL. The weight of defeat hangs bat lightly on the wearers of the yellow and black and they quickly turned thoir misfortune of the pre- , 7ious Saturday's match with the Athletics : into smiling victory, coming out when pitted against the Orientals with a majority of 8 points —l4 to 6 being the state of affairs at the conclusion. K. Duncan's expertness as a goal-kicker has become proverbial, and 11 out of the 14 points were the result of his judgment two goals. being registered from tree kicks and one from a penalty. The Wellington players hardly take enough advantage of Duncan, as, under the circumstances, a policy of hanging around for marks would seem to be the most profitable, for if they get one within reasonable distance of the posts a goal can be regarded as morally certain. Gallagher secured a try in the first spell - the only one of the match, the Orientals' score being made up of two penalty goals, put up by PageL The game was comparatively even throughout, though the Wellington forwards, by virtue of somewhat greater bulk, had rather an advantage of their opponents, who, however, made up for this deficiency by greater pace and alertness. Junior Championship. The match between St. Patrick's College and Wellington, junior division, resulted in a victory for tho Oolloge by 9 points to 5. The Oriental-Athletic fixture to have been played on Newtown Park fell through owing to the referee failing to put in an appearance. Third class Championship. Wellington beat Orientals by 18 points to nil. Western scored a try. which was converted by Howard. Brown kicked a penalty goal and got a try, Ellaby and Fache also crossing the line. Mr G. N. Goldie acted as referee The Melrose third beat Wellington College Old Boys by 3 points to nil. Mr G. Lowia was referee. Feilding, May 4. In the Association football match Wansjanui College beat Feilding by 5 goals to nil. Dunedin, May 9.

Tho Rugby Union Committee has deferred consideration of an invitation from the Wellington Union to play a match at Wellington until a decision has been come to as to the season's arrangements. ASSOCIATION. Senior Championship, rovers v. thistle. The Hovers easily defeated the Thistle at Newtown Park by three goals to love, Fernie, Williams and Bolleßton being the scorers. Thistles kicked off and attacked the Eovers' goal, but Auld and Godber, by fine kicks, cleared their line, and the Thistles were soon in difficulties. From a fine corner kick by Kerr, Fernie scored. In the second spell Williams scored from a bully in front of goal, and almost immediately afterwards Rolleston scored. The Eovers kept up the attack, but were unable to score again, the game ending as above. queen'r park v. petone. The match between these teams at Petone resulted in a win for Queen's Park by 9 to 0. Junior Cttp. swifts v. rovers. These teams met in a championship match on Saturday, when the Swifts won by two goals to nil. The other elubs in tho Junior Association drew their matches, so that the Swifts are now leading for the cup. The game was keenly contested, but there was a lack of combination among the forwards on both sides. Tingey and Brewer scored for the Swifts in the second half. The defence of each team was good, MoLeod, English, "White and Plunkett being especially conspioious on the Maroon side, and Gavin for the Eovers. WELLINGTON EUGBY UNION. A meeting of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union was held last week. Present —Messrs Bate (chairman), Davy, Galbraith, Coffey, Ellison, Pagni (hon treasurer), Marter (hon secretary), and the Rsv Father Hickson.

The auh-committee appointed (Messrs Davy, Pagni and Marter) was empowered to interview Mr A. Crawford in reference to grounds at Mrramar. Correspondence was received stating that the Third-class Championship match Melrose v. Wellington was not played last Saturday owin? to the absence of the-referee. It was decided to call the attention of the referee to the matter. It was also decided that the match should be played on May 28th on No. 4 ground, Petone.

The transfers of H. Foley, A. Day and MoGrath from the Melrose second to the third, were granted, their places to be filled by C. Cowan, A. Trevor andW. Marchment. With a view of rigidly enforcing the rule as to starting the mitches in town punctually, it was decided that in future a bell should be rung at the Athletio Park at 3 p ra. every Saturday, and that if both teams in each match were not on the ground within five minutes after that the referee should be requested to award the match to the team refusing to proceed with the game, and that if both tfama wore not on the ground within tun minute-* aftwr th<i bell had been rung, the referee should b- r. que.- tod to declare a loss against eacj team. It was the particular desire of the committee that referees should assist the Union in enforcing this resolution; also the rule that players must play in the proper colours of their club. It was also decided that in future official timekeepers should be appointed for each match on the Athletic Park, and that the end of the spell should be announced by the ringing of a bell. Messrs E. Davy and W. O. Marter were appointed to aot next Saturday. It was decided to ask the Junior Cricket Association for an explanation as to why the goal-posts at Newtown Park had been cut down. NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNIGN. THE DISQUALIFIED PLAYERS. The adjourned annual meeting of the New Zealand Kugby Union's Council was held at the Exchange Buildings on Saturday, Mr J. P. Firth in the chair. A postponement had been made from the previous week for the purpose of deciding on the request for removal of the sentence of disqualification passed on three members of the last team that toured Australia—Roberts, Calnan and Harris. PETITIONS AND DEPUTATION. & petition signed by 14 members of the

team and the proprietor of the Auckland hotel at which the alleged misconduct took place was read by tho secretary, praying for the removal of the ban placed on the men With tne exception of the three Canterbury representatives and Blair, of W*nganui, who could not be communicated with, all the players in the team had appended their eignatures. Letters were also read from the Otago Union bearing upon the question, A deputation from the Wellington Rugby Union, consisting of Dr Newman, Mr C. Hulko and Mr' W. Coffey waited on the Council in regard to the matter. Dr Newman explained that he and those on whose behalf he attended desired that full consideration should be given to the subject. He had not come to ask the Union' to reverse its decision, but to point out the severity of the punishment; to take away two years from a man's football life practically meant to kill him so far as tho game was concerned. What, however, the deputation did wish was that the Council would remit part of the sentence. Ihe Union had enforced its position—had] punished tho men and shown that it had the power to do so He believed that good had been done to the Union and football by the disqualification, but to continue it for two years seemed hard. The deputation did not defy the Union or deny the justice of the conviction, bus as in other branohes of sport these sentences were frequently commuted, they felt that in this case much good would be done by tempering justice with mercy. Messrs Hulke and Coffey.brieny re : echoed the argument of the first speaker, the latter explaining in reply tt Mr Young that the members of the deputation had not been permitted to read the evidence on which judg-. ; ment had been given against the men. IN COMMITTEE. After the deputation had withdrawn Mr Faohe moved, " That the petition be referred to the Management Committee to report to a special meeting of the Union." Seconded by Mr McCardell. A short discussion took place on this proposal, it being pointed out that the matter would be only needlessly delayed by reference to the Management Committee, and that if the evidence were road to the council the position would be much more satisfactory, as the delegates would then understand fully the question upon which they voted. On the motion of Mr Koss, it was. therefore resolved to go into committee for the purpose of hearing the evidence on the misconduct of the three men adduced before tho Management Committee. The oouneil then spent about two hours in committee in discussing the evidence which had been read by the secretary. Eventually Mr T. JK,. Ellison (Welliugton) moved, " That the prayer of the petitioners be favourably considered, and that the balance of tho sentence be removed." This was seconded by Mr W. Coffey (Wairarapa) pro forma, but lost by 27 to 7, the following delegates voting in favour of a remission :—• Otago, Marlborough and Wellington (Mrs only).

On the suggestion of Mr Mitchell, it was decided that the secretary should note the fact on the minutes that the Otago delegates had voted for the motion, not because they considered the men should not have been punished, but because they held the Management Committee of the New Zealand Onion should have called upon the unims under whose jurisdiction the disqualified men played to inquire into the matter. NORTH V. SOUTH MA.TCH. Mr J. E. Murray (Otago) moved that the fixture should not be played thi3 year, Mr Mitchell (Otago) seconding. An amendment by Mr G. Fanhe (Wellington) that it be an instruction to the Managing Committee " That in the event of a New Zealand team being selected, the North v. South match should be played," was agreed to, and also a proposal by Mr Eoss (Otago), *' That if such a match be played it should take place in Otago." During the discussion the Chairman spoke strongly against the tendenoy of unions to neglect the true interests of the game for the sake of gate money. Holdingja North v. South match was, he considered, a faroe—tho play in the last game had been extraordinary. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr J. E. Gibbons, that the question of financing the match, if held, should be left to the Management Committee. WING PLAT. Mr Mitchell (Otago) inquired what the reason was of the New Zealand Eugby Union not having complied with the request of the Otago Union to send Home correspondence to enable a ruling to be obtained from the English Unionin reference to the legality of wing, play. It was shown that the committee had not considered it advisable to do so unless the views of the various other unions were first obtained. A further reason was that there was no rule in force in the colony to prevent wing play. PROFESSOR SALE CORRECTED. Reference was made by Mr McCardell (Cahterburv) to the recent statement made by Professor Sale, of Dunedin : " That the New Zealand Union had held an inquiry into the alleged rough play in the Wellington-Ocago match at Dunedin last year, and had decided that there was nothing to call for censure." He contended that this was absolutely incorTbe New Zealand Union did not do aa the professor averted, r 11 that it did was to iiyk the Otayo and Wellington Unions if they intended taking any. action as to the alleged rough play. Otago had replied that there had been nothing on the part of the Southern men calling for inquiry. The Wellington Union, however, had held an inquiry, and Professor Sale had confounded that body with the New Zealand Eugby Union. Some further discussion took place on the matter, it being finally allowed to drop. EEFEEEES J A-SOCIATION. A meeting of the Referees' Association was held at the Trocadero last Tuesday, when the following referees were appointed for next Saturday's fixtures : Senior Oriental v. Athletic, Athletic Park, No. 2, Mr A. Campbell; Petons v. Wellington, Petone, No. J, Mr F. Seagor; Melrose v. Poneke, Athletio Park, No. 1, Mr G. Fache. Junior—Petone v. Oriental, Petone, No. 2, Dr Perry; St.' Patrick's College v. K"ia Ora, St. Patrick's College ground, Mr Lewis,- Wellington v. Poneke, Petone, No. 4, Mr Goldie. Thirdolaßs—Poneke v. Kia Ora, Petone, No. 3, Mr J. T. King; Wellington v. Athletic, Newtown Park, Mr Hansen. The resignation of the secretary, Mr F. Seager, was received, Mr Goldie being selected in his stead, the latter gentleman also being promoted to be a senior referee. The following resolution was passed j—"That the A&B9Ws9R9s} t&9 attention <tf

the Kugby: Union to the filthy state of some of the. grounds at Petone, and that it be requested to rope off ground No. 1; failing a more satisfactory Btate of affairs the members of the Association will consider the advisability of ; , not acting in matches drawn to be played ai; Petone." The growth of rough play was discussed, it being'finally decided to hold a special meeting next Tuesday, with a view to taking united action in the matter The secretary reported that the Poneke Club had informed him vorbally that it objected to Mr G. Faohe acting as referee in any of its engagements. It was decided to ask the club in question to send in its objection in writing, and that failing a reply no action be taken.