FOOTBALL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1679, 4 May 1904, Page 56

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES. The warm weather of -Saturday last induced a large attendance of the public at the Athletic Park, where two games in the - senior champioildhip competition were contested. Open’ play obtained all through these, but, the play was below par so far as science was concerned. “ Following are details of the several games:— ’ OLD BOYS v. ORIENTAL. This match was exceptionally fast, and the final result was in doubt right up

to tlie no-sido signal. Ere five minutes? play had gone Old Boys broke across tho Oriental line, and Blacklook touched down, hut the (line-umpire’s flag was up, and so the soore was not allowed. Soon, afterwards, Stuckey crossed Oriental line, hut there lie lost the ball. After much even play in various quarters or the field. Oriental got on a rush t'o neaa? Olid Boys’ goal, Whore finally Best touched down, but no goal followed: 3 —o. Bush and Asher soon -afterwards were associated in a charge that would have gained a try but for Asher failing to take an accurate pass. The second spell was quite as open and even as the first had been, but each team missed many chances to score. About threeparts of the way through it, a fine dash, of the Olid Boys’ men placed Oriental on the defensive in their own goal. Oriental gradually relieved the pressure, but a fine line kick by Buddie enabled Old Boys to renew the attack. From a scrum, Jordan kicked the bailil clear, and it went over Oriental line, where Ole* hand secured it and scored a try that was bettered, giving Old Boys a too points load. There was no further scoring, though on occasions each fifteen went very close to so doing, and tho game ended iu a win for Old Boys by 5 points to 3. Mr W. Beck was the referee.^ MELROSE v. WELLINGTON. This game was olosefy contested, but all through it Melrose had the upper bdnd just enough to save their supporters from anxiety. There was no score until the first spell was .all hut over. Then a characteristic rush of Melrose forwards ended in McGrath gaining a try that was bettered: s—o.5 —0. The. Wellington men played a hard game in the second spell, Mclntyre being especially prominent well seconded by Adams and Bhicklock.’ The Melrose pack, however, played with grit and combination, receiving strong support from G. Spencer in the shape of strong, and effective hue kicking. Eventually a line of six Melroso f orwards in open order swept down the field and beat, all opposition, McInues scoring a try that was not improved on. The Wellington men, however, were not done with. They kept Melrose hard pressed for a time, and eventually a free kick on the twentyfive yard border enabled S. Wilson to send the ball nicely over the bar: 3 8. There was much even play after this event, but no further scoring. Mr A. C. Nonas was the referee. PETONE v. ATHLETIC. The match played between Petone and Athletic on the Petone recreation ground ended disastrously for the lastmentioned team. When time was called the score read 48 points to nil. Petone kicked off in the fir'st spell against a wind blowing diagonally across the field. Play was fairly even for a time. By degrees the blue (Pctoue) forwards began to assert v them selves. A good chance to score was thrown away by Grouts getting off side. Hales weakly attempted to place a goal. Athletic made things warm for a spell, and Petone’.s temporary reverse was productive of much howling and appeals, wherefore the referee intimated, “I’ll order somebody off the field directly.” The blue forwards took command when quietness was obtained. Athletic were penalised for off-side play, and M. Ryan placed a goal. 3—o. Wright was prominent in a forward rush which followed, and narrowly missed scoring. The advantage gained was turned to good accopnfc by McGregor, who picked up from tho ruck and passed to P. Ryan, who sailed in at the corner. No goal. 6 —o. A few moments later Athletic were again in diffioultie's. Cross sneaked. the ball out of the scramble and dived through. McGregor converted. 11 —0. Halftime .stopped the picnic. Aided by the breeze, Petone set out in the second half to rattle up a record score. Wright was responsible for the first opening, a passing rush between Ramsden, Braid, Barber and P. Ryan ending in the latter scoring 14—0. A state of chaos prevailed in Athletic’s twenty-five after this. McGregor terminated the violent scrambles of the forwards by potting a pretty goal. 18—0. From the kick-out the same player galloped off with the ball and passed -to Biraid, who scored. No goal. 21 —0. Athletics were now (utterly disorganised. The blue forwards simply swept the field. Selwood, a nuggety player, concluded a dashing itun by transferring to Wright, and so another try was added to the already long list. McGregor failed with the kick. 24—0. Barber and Beckett next took charge. The last-mentioned of the pair raced from the twenty-five flag and touched down in a good position, but the kick wa's again a failure. 27—R. At this stage it was not a desilre to watch the play impartially that exhibited itself. The spectators languidly followed the individual attacks of the blues and innocently speculated as to who would soore the next try Fraser did, and Hardham kicked wide., 30—0. Braid, who got right over the colours’ line a few moments later, was determinedly assailed by full-back Hales and prevented from scoring. Another kick-off, more appeals for alleged wrongs, more disorganised scrambling, and Driscoll notched another “3.” No goal. 33—0. Plucky play by McCarthy, the colours’ half, temporarily arrested the trv-gefe-

ting fiasco, but it was a brief respite—very brief. Practically the whole of the time the ball never got outside the colours’ twenty-five. A loose serum gave McGregor a chance, and picking up cleanly, he made good the opportunity, and subsequently converted. 38—0. Wild forward rushe's followed. An extraordinary piece of football juggling later saw Bard-ham streaking for the line. Of course he wasn’t stopped.' Barber converted the try. * 43—0. After McGregor had scored again and Hardham had converted (48—0.), “Time” - brought relief to the disheartened supporters of the vanquished team. Mr D. McKenzie held the whistle. . MASTERTON, May 1. On Saturday the Masterton juniors beat the Greytown juniors in a scratch match, scoring seventeen points to nil. At Greytown tihe Masterton seniors were beaten in a scratch game by the local seniors, the score being 32 points to nil. Two Masterton men were disabled in the beginning of the first spell. The game was rough. CHRISTCHURCH, April 30. - Albion, 5, heat Christchurch, nil; Linwood, 6, heat Canterbury College, 3; Sydenham, 5, beat Merivale, 3. DUNEDIN, April 30. Dunedin beat University, 10 to 3; Kaikorai beat Pirates, 3 to nil; Soiithern heat Union, 6to nil; Zingari Richmond heat Alhambra, 10 to 3.