FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1683, 1 June 1904, Page 55

FOOTBALL.

, RUGBY, (By ‘Touch.’’) Poneke wa« primarily defeated last Saturday by the off-side play of Poneke forwards. The foregoing paragraph should be out out by every Poneke player and be pasted in his hat for future warning. There, is no gainsaying its truth, for Petone with one try and two penalty goals gained a . two point win from, Poneke, who had scored three tries. In season and out of season this writer has stressed the truth that off-side play doesn’t pay, but the present occasion is so opportune and fitting to rub the point in that it must be taken advantage of. The game was a very fine one, and it was witnessed by over three thousand enthusiasts, despite the wet weather conditions. ’ Taking into account the slow ground and wet weather, the match must be written down as being a fine advertisement for football. The result hung in the balance all through, and there was a fierce earnestness about the play that satisfied the gory yearnings of .the multitude.in partial measure. Cnee; or twice there was individual rough play, and it was pleasing in one instance to hear the crowd fire a salvo of healthy hoots at a Petone player who wilfully charged a Poneke man when, timely warning of a mark had been given by the referee. The outstanding feature of Saturday s game was the excellent showing made for Petone by D. McGregor. When he played in Wellington for the New Zealand team against New South Wales, McGregor played a fine offensive game, but on Saturday he showed great imj>rovement, for his defence was as good as liis attack, and both were high-class. Hardliam as an emergency back shaped well, and S'elwocd was good on defence. Oallam was, the most hara-work-ing of all the Poneke pack, which did work hard to a. man. Stevens and Slater were the most consistent of the backs. Wallace did poorly in the first Mlf, but later on he improved. Slattery’s defence was good, and his turn of speed once enabled him to overnaul McGregor when the latter player had a cleai 1 field before him. The Basin Reserve is not sacrosanct to cricket, but. there are those who really think it is. “Touch” has nothing against the game of cricket (partly through choice and a trifle through necessity lie writes in its praise as “The Hittito” on occasion), put he wishes to say . that those misguided zealots who look upon the Basin Reserve as being wholly reserved for cricket in the offseason as well as the on are a set of dogs-in-the-manger who should be warned off the globe. The turf of the reserve now is in a very parlous state, and a few football matches played on it would greatly solidify the ground and simplify the ground work for improvement next year that has been already decided upon by the Cricket Association. . But this notwithstanding, some of the unreasoning zealots.are dropping scalding tears of agony down the necks of unwilling listeners because the City Council has given permission for the England v. New Zealand Rugby Football match to be played on the Basin Reserve. The match is a most exceptional one; to play it on the reserve will enable a .large number of people to see the match who would not trouble to walk to Newtown; to play it on the reserve would do no harm to the turf ; and, further, it would serve to put in a right light the nature of the hold over the Basin that the Wellington Cricket Association possesses. Therefore “Touch” will be, pleased to see the great Rugby game played- on the Basin Reserve, and he will view unmoved the flow of tears (on the footpaths outside the reserve) from the monopolistic few who decry ,any departure from the hold-tight policy of the Cricket Association. SATURDAY'S SENIOR GAMES. , . ’ Over three thousand spectators as- . sembled at the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon. The prospect of a hard and closely contested game between Petone and Poneko was the chief inducement to a good" attendance. A strong and bleak southerly’- wind blew, with occassional faint falls of sleet. The ground was heavy, and the surface greasy; but nevertheless a really excellent gamo resulted. The result was in doubt until no-side was sounded, and the quality -of the back play was excellent for so. unfavourable a ground and ball. The forwards were two fine sets, but the balance of brilliancy was on the side of Poneke. Petone’s was the more consistent pack in its work, however, and tho fact * that some of the Poneke vanguard in misguided smartness earned two free lucks for Petone by getting off-side, and so enabled two penalty goals to be kicked against Penoke. in considerable measuro ' discounted their otherwise good work. Petone won by H points to 9. after what was undoubtedly the best wet weather game seen in Wellington for many r. year. On tho neighbouring ground Oriental won from Wellington by 9 points to nil. and at Petone the game between Melrose and Athletic ended in a draw. .Following are details 7 PETONE v. PONEKE, The game; was lively and fast from ; kick-off to. no-side. Poneke set the ball sailing from east to west (against the wind), and for a minute Petone, had tp

defend, but they worked eastward by slow degrees, and Poneko were hemmed' in their fives for a few minutes. Finally, a red (Poneke) forward was caught offside by the referee, and from the freekick McGregor ivas credited with a goal: 3—o. Poneko soon invaded again, and this time the attack ivas long-sustained, but the blue defence Avas sound. In all the loose Avork tho red pack shoived' up best,- but the steady hard pushing of tho Petone pack (added to excellent Avork by McGregor) neutralised- tho attack. Tho blue backs used the Avind to advantage, and eventually Poneko had to beat off a strong charge of backs. There was some backing and filling in the red base, and then a loose forward rush of blues took tlio ball in front Poneko goal, where Braid shot Up fast and scored a try for Petono in good position, McGregor converting: B—o.8 —0. The bine invasion ivaa renewed, and an ofi-sido experimenter of Poneke’s ?ava McGregor another chance to kick a. penalty goal. He ay as equal to his chain.?: 11—Q. Petono find thii advantage when the second spell ay as begun, but the reds, with fine elan.set to work (o equalise- mutters, and very nearly succeeded in s:• doing. Braid, from an aivkivai d position made a weak kick, and Wallace pounced on the leather and mit in a good run. When grassed near tho touch line, he passed Avhiie failing to J. J. Taylor, and that player picked up cleverly, dasK ed over the line, and scored amidst loud applause. Stevens made a. fiuo but unsuccessful effort to convert: 3 —13. A lot of desperate play in Petono quarters followed. and then Poneke were called on to defend. Gradually they cleared, and worked back to blue boundary. Tho blues fell back doggedly, but Poneko would not bo denied, and finally from ;V mush near : touch-in-goal Griffiths dropped across the line, and scored a. try that Stevens just failed to better: 6 —ll. Petono changed the aspect of play by .a Aveli-sustained attack on Poneke reserve, but the red backs beat them off, and gradually- the' scene of play receded till Poneke ivere- struggling on the outer base of Petone. When a scrum'“broke up here, Griffiths, clear of his felloAvs, broke into view. lie worked, his way along the vie inti v of the touch line, eluded and bumped through six or eight opponent:?, and finally grounded the ball behind Petono goal-line after a magnificent effort. Stevens made another good but unsuccessful kick: 9—ll. Petono responded with a fine effort against the Avind, but the reds were not to be denied, and they gradually removed pressure. Play Avas fast and furious, and the onlookers were roused to enthusiasm. Up and down tho field the game ivent by fast gradations,' and, on occasion, each team ivent close to a score, but there ivas no alteration effected, though McGregor once made a pot at goal that missed by the narroAvest of measures. There ay ns a very small amount of difference in the merits of tho teams, but it is fair to say that Petone had the ivorst of luck, for they lost the services of P. Ryan early in the. first, spell, and thereafter played shorthanded.. On the other hand, it must be said that Poneko’a were the better scores, three well-earned tries against one try and two penalty goals. ■ Mr Norris was tho referee. ORIENTAL v WELLINGTON. The Oriental ax .Wellington licat was something of a scramble, which neither public nor players took seriously. In the first spell Bush and Roberts scored tries for Oriental. S. Wilson kicked a penalty goal, but as the ball in transit touched an opponent’s hands, the goal Avas ineligible. In the second spell another try Avas gained , by Roberts, and thus Oriental Avon the game by three tries (nine points) to nil. Mr G. Clark was the referee. MELROSE v. ATHLETIC. These teams met at Petone. Nearly, all the blue harraekers had journeyed citywards and the audience in consequence Avas a very small one. The Melrose rearguard, excluding Spencer, Avas again lamentably Aveak. and the game ended in a draAV. each side securing three points. Athletics Avon the toss and thereby secured the advantage of the wind. Shortly after the kick off, Green scrambled over the Melrose line and touched down. Hales’s attempt to convert Avas a failure. Play Avas better after this, the game being wholly a forward one right up to half-time. Spencer, who had been doing excellent work for the reds, kicked a penalty goal soon after play commenced in the second spell. Melrose made strenuous efforts to increase the total, but the blues set up a good defence and managed to stave off their opponents until “Time” Avas called. Spencer and Hales, full-backs, Avere the pick of the rearguard. Amongst the Athletic forwards Moore, Barton, Green, Gibbs and Bates sliOAved up well. Adams, MeInnis and Sievers played ivell for Melrose. Mr Nimmo ivas referee, JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The matches for the Junior Championship Avere continued on Saturday. Most of tlie grounds at Miramar Avere in a bad state. Southern and Athletic each scored another ivin. The teams are shaping well this season. FolloAving are results:— Southern registered another Avin at Miramar, defeating the Oriental team by 31 to nil. The losers Avere at a disadvantage, playing three men short. They had no chance throughout, the reds having control of the ball even when the Avind ivas in Orientals’ favour. Tries Avere scored by 0. Hegglun (three), D. Hegglun (tAvo), Burrows, Ridyard, Neilson and F. Manning. Mitcliinson converted twice.. Athletic defeated Melrose by 6 to nil. The score was made in the first spell, Brady and F. Sievers getting over the line. A Melrose player managed to get into scoring territory in the second half, but the try was not allowed. Petone defeated Wellington by 2fi points to 3. For the Avinners Armstrong scored five times and Bowman once. Kelly converted four tries. McKellar scored for the losers.' St. James’s defeated Johnsonville by 8 to nil. Kia Ora won from Victoria College by 15 to 3. Old Boys won from Poneke by default. k THIRD-CLASS. Oriental- defeated Athletic, by; 8 to

nil. The score was the result of three penalty kicks by Birch (tivo) and Brewer. St, James’s won from Victoria College, the spore being 17 to nil. The latter portion of the game ivas very fast, tries coming at the rate of about one a minute. Laughton, Wilson, Wright, Couzeiis anil Cropp obtained tries, one being converted by O’Connor. Melrose Avon from Poneke by default. St. Patrick’s College defeated Southern by oto 3. For the winners Redwood scored and converted, and O’Coniieii obtained a try. CHRISTCHURCH, May 28. The first round of the- Senior Championship finished to-day in fine Aveatiier, tlie grounds being rather slippery.from recent rains . Sydenham, \z, beat Leawood nil; Christchurch, 6, beat Merivale, nil; Old Boys, 11,. beat Canterbury Oo liege, 3. DUNEDIN, may 28. In senior football Zingavi Richmond and Kaikora-i drew, no score; Southern boat Alhambra, 8 to nil; Pirates beat Dun'cdin, 12 to 3; University beat Union, ft to-3. AUCKLAND, May 23. Senior football matches resulted—Newton, 3,-beat North Shore, nil; Ron con by, 32, boat Suburbs, nil;' City, 23, beat Par-ne-J, nil. PALMERSTON, May 28. -The football match Pal merston v. Atvahuri ended in a draw, each side scoring a try. The game between Old Boys and Institute resulted in a win for the former by 9 points to nil. MASTKBTO'N, May 29. The Championship Cup match yesterday between Mastertom and Greytown seniors resulted in a win for Greytown by 3 to nil. - WA IRA RAPA v. WELLINGTON. The Selection Committee of the Wellington Rugby' Union (Messrs ,!. Laughton. J. Lynskey and D. McKenzie) has selected the following team to represent Wellington against Wairarapa at the Athletic Park next Friday (Prince of 'Wales’ Birthday):—Full-back. G. Spencer; threequarters, J. S. Wilson, J. Barber W. J. Wallace; five-eighth, D. McGregor; half, F. Roberts; forwards, W. Hardham and J. J. Taylor (wings), 11. Driscoll and D. Gilchrist (front rank), T. Cross, H. R. 'Wright and E. H. Best (second row), J. Hainan and E. L. Watkins (back row). An ex-Dunedin football folloiver, who has been resident in Wellington for a sufficiently long period to be a judge of individual merit, and not long tiuugb to acquire personal prejudices, expressed the opinion that the team constituted the most representative fifteen ever put into the field by Wellington. The selectors are certainly to be congratulated on a successful first performance, thougii the absence of Mclntyre from tho three--quarter line is matter for regret. McIntyre plays Avith a club team- l bat assists his efforts little in the way r.f combination, and through this lack of support his merits are .apt to be underestimated. The exclusion of Dodd fiom the front-rankers has been adversely commented upon, but it is a fact that this season Dodd has lacked much oi his old dash, whereas Gilchrist (the new man) is a player of excellence Avho ha-s lately struck top form. The team as a ivhole is a good one, but it Avill he found to have a weakness': the pack will be fast, hard to stop ivlien going, but subject to occasional failures to put the w light into the scrum that will enable the green vanguard to literally Avalk over its opponents. MASTEETON, May 29. The folloAving football team has been chosen to represent Wairarapa against Wellington on June 3rd: —E. McKenzie, Smart, Fairbrother, A. C'adwallader, Johnston, H. McKenzie (Carterton). Rogers, M. McGuire, Baird, Workman, D. Hcly (Greytown), Logan, Joe O'Leary, Warner, Spackman (Masterton); emergencies, Crawley (Carterton) and Wrigley (Masterton), backs; Whiteman (Greytoivn) and Hurley (Carterton), forwards. Mr L. Smart, secretary of the union, is to act as manager. Mr A. B. Charters, one of the selectors, and a member of the Management Committee, Avill also acconfpany the team. The team Avill leai r e Wairarapa by the early train on Friday, returning on Saturday evening. THE ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union has decided to ask the several affiliated unions to make nominations for the New Zealand team to play against the visiting Englishmen. Hie eomnnittee will meet next Wednesday to make further arrangements in connection Avith tlie tour of tne Englishmen. ASSOCIATION. SENIOR MATCHES. The heavy southerly wind that beat across the Miramar flat on Saturday spoilt all play in the Association football matches. Pearls v. Queen’s Park.—This game resulted in a draAV, each team scoring one goal. The Queen’s Park goal Avas got by ■Haining in the first spell, and the Pearl goal by P. Martin in the second spell. Both sides played only eight men each. Diamond v. Swifts. —Former Avon by tiro goals to nil. Ilatliaivay and Reddy scored for the ivtnners. Y.M.C.A. v. Rovers—Latter Avon by three goals to nil. The scores Avere Patou -(2) and Williams (1). St. John’s v. Petone—The town players Avon easily by six goals to nil. The scorers Avere Brodie, W. Mount, Smellie, Dixon and A. Mouat (2). JUNIOR LEAGUE. Ramblers A defeated Swifts B by 3 goals to> 2. Wills (2) and Murrell scored for the Ramblers, and Lowe (2) for the Swifts. Swifts A defeated Pearls by 2 goals to 1. S. Betliell and Biunsmead scored for the AVtixmers, and Gillespie for Pearls. Kaiivarra defeated Y.M.C.A. B by 5 goals to 1. St. John’s defeated Y.M.C.A. by 5 goals to 1. Diamonds beat Ramblers B by 2 goals to nil.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. A special meeting of tne Management Committee of the Wellington- Football Association was held in Mr T._ Shields’ omce on Saturday evening. Mr jm. Fraser presiding. The meeo.ng avas called to arrange a representative match with Canterbury, and it was decided to play the latter, Association at Newtown Park on i- riclay next, at 2.30. In tne event of. Newtown Park being too wet to play on the match wi ii be played at Miramar. . A subcommittee avas appointed to arrange to entertain the visitors at a smoke concert. The Southern' team will arrive on Friday mm lung, aim is composed of—Goal, G. i j. m:\vimson; full-backs, P. A. Cornish, Rodgers; nalves, P. i, ilison, Perks, W. Seymour; forwards. J. F. Parsonson, M. F. Hill, A. Stark, Sandall, W. Marshall. THE AUSTRALIAN GAME. FEDERAL v. LEFROY. A match took place between the above team* at S-e-atoun on Saturday. Between 70 and cO people journeyed by boat to ivihiess the game. The .f ederal was captained by J. iiayes, and the Lefroy by J. Kelly. Hayes won the toss and kicked with the wind, Avmch Avas blowing straight down tne ground. Not a pome was scored aga.nst the Avmd by either eiue. borne .first-class form ivas displayed by members of both teams, uiougu tne wind ►spoilt anything like a good game, high marking being out of tne question, xtobertsoii alone stood right out tor ms marking in. tne first half, playing back for Lefroy. The first quarter ended, Federal 7 feeh.nds—7 points; Lefroy, 0. Kicxing ivith the 'wind Lefroy managed to kick a goal and two- behinds. Tho nrst half ended— Lefroy, 8 points; Federal, 7 points. Resuming play, Federal soon wiped off; in© deficit, and at the end of tne tmrd quarter had piled up o goals and 1 behind to their total, Avhilst Lefroy nad not added to theirs. The game at the last change stood: Federal, 5 goals, 8 beuinds—3B points; Lefroy, I'goai 2 behinds, 8 points. In the last quarter Lefroy made repeated attacks on their opponents’ goal, but Hayes had strengthened his baex 'men to repel the attack, and they were only able to add two minor points, though every man ivas .doing his best to wipe off the margin. The game ended in favour of Federal by 5 goals S behinds, 38 points, to Lefroy’s 1 goal 4 behinds, 10 points. •