SPORTS & PASTIMES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7140, 30 May 1910, Page 5

SPORTS & PASTIMES.

EUGBY FOOTBALL ST. JAMES DEFEAT PONEKE. RESULTS OF SENIOR MATCHES. Bt. James 6 Poncko 0 Athletic 8 Melrose 3 Old Hoys 13 Wellington 5 Oriental 15 Victoria College 5 Pcfconc 32 Southern 3 Largo quantities of money changed hands on Saturday as tho result of the contest between St. James and PoJickc, though what speculation took place naturally had to be done "under tho rose,” Tho -fight between these teams, both unbeaten up to the time of their meeting, was expected to bo severe, as it had an important bearing on tho result of tho senior championship. Public interest in tho contest ■was great, tho attendance at the Athletic Park was easily tho largest of this season. The stand was full, while tho northern end and western banks woro # black with vociferous onlookers. ,‘Public opinion on tho issue was evenly divided, and that there was justification for this was shown by tho fact that up to half-time there had been no score. Tho second spell told a different talc, and St. James left tho field winners of tho best contest seen on the {park this season by a margin of C points. Judging by the play in tho first spell indications pointed to Poncko having tho upper hand iu the second, but tho dying St. Jimmies completely reversed tho previous order of things, and routed their opponents frequently in the last part of the game. Their victory was well received by tho crowd. A very tragic incident marred tho Sloasuro of tho spectators —tho sudden eath (reported elsewhere) of 'Mr Frederick Hills, father of Hills, one of the frout-rankers for St. James. Some comment has been made at the action of St. James in continuing the contest under the circumstances. It would certainly have been more sympathetic and graceful if they had decided not to play tho second spell out of respect to tho memory of their confrere’s father. Little, if anything, would hare been lost thereby. Poneke, un<lci\ tho circumstances, would not have claimed the match, while too cessation of play Would have met with the approval of a large section of the spectators. Another incident occurred early in tho match and raised a chorus of " boohs” from a section of the onlookers. After a strenuous rush by St, James, Moffntt, one of their leading forwards, was ordered off by Air J. Francis, the referee 1 . Immediately there rose a yell of "Put him off, too!" and Leahy, who was making his first appearance for Ponoko this season. subsequently followed, leaving each vudo with fourteen men. The two men ordered off were alleged to have boon doing a little "ruffing" which is not In accordance with the rules of the game. Tho remainder of the matches in connection with the senior contest call for little comment. There were no surprises, • except perhaps the score Potono ran up against Southern —32 points to 3. For a " senior" contest it was not a bad performance. • ST. JAMES v.. PONEKE.

Tho first spell of the contest favoured the red and blacks, but lack of judgment in kicking and clumsy york on a couple of critical occasions lost them opportunities which never again presented themselves, and which, had they been made tho most use of, would probably have put a different complexion on the game. Both teams gave a. vastly different display to that of the previous Saturday, and the contest was well worth witnessing. Poneko commenced operations by kicking off 'with the sun in their faces, though otherwise the conditions were favourable and about equal. Prom a throwin on St. James's quarter Walshe kicked rather hard, and a force-down resulted. Shortly after a scrum took place in front of St. James’s uprights. Poneke got the sphere,, Tilyard sent it on to Walshe, thence to Mitchinson, who sent it on to Elliott, who missed, the ball going out. Chance No. 1 lost. St. James rushed down field from the thrown-in. but near half-way had a free kick given against them, Gardiner having a place-kick at goal. The effort was good but unsuccessful, and was followed by a similar kick by the same player almost immediately afterwards, St. James forcing. On resuming St. James instituted a rush, and invaded Poneke territory for the first time, hut E. Eyan picked up. and, ■breaking between two men, luckily relieved with a punt, changing the venue to St. James's twenty-five. Another hard punt by Walshe enabled St. James to force. Chanco No. 3 lost. Poneko soon after were attacking strongly, when tho whole aspect of tho situation was changed. One of tho red and black backs kicked the hall across field, another failed to take it, and St. James broke away with a rush which proved irresistible until they were right down on Ponoke's line. It ■was at the end of this onslaught that Moffatt and Leahy had to compulsorily retire. This seemed to rouse the ire of the players somewhat, as, in football parlance, they commenced to " hoe it in" in the most approved style. Their efforts were abortive, and a long time elapsed without either side having a sustained advantage, play changing between the two twenty-fives with rapidity. Then St. James were given a free kick in .Vi easy position, and Thomas had a shot at goal. His placekicking was not as good as his linekicking, the only result being the forcing of Poneke for the first time. Prom a linc-ont and a long throw-in St. James broke away, hut wild, speculative passing spoiled an excellent chance, a clever piece of characteristic Mitchinson work taking the balk right down to St. James’s line. Bradley had a shot at goal in an easy position, but failed. Another long spell of neutral .plav followed. Near the end of the spell E. Eyan passed out to Walshe, who, with a splendid kick, took play to the St. James line. The ball descended to the ground from the throw-in. Walshe scooped it up, and, on encountering an opponent, passed to FlanaSan, who was standing a little deep. Ce failed to secure tho ball, which was low when it reached him, and lost what looked like a certain try. Chanco No, 3 lost. St. James relieved with a kick to half-way. Just prior to halftime Poneko again got on to their opponents’ lino through a short, accurate punt hv Gardiner. Walshe again got ■ the bail, and passed to Flanagan under vireran stances similar, but with a liko ■ result to tho incident previously detailed. Chance ■ No. 4 lost—and, incidentally, the game. Hills retired in the second spell con- ■ sequent on the death of his father, his place being refilled. So far as tho play of St. James was concerned the alteration seemed beneficial, for whereas in , the first spell they seldom got the ball ' in a scrum, in tho second they had an ■ almost exclusive monopoly of it. Another noticeable feature was the penalising of Poneke, innumerable free- • kicks being given against them. Soon after resuming H. Roberts market! a ball which shot out to him from the ruck, and Bradley lauded a good goal from an easy position, greatly to the delight of St. James supporters. This inspired renewed vigour on Poneko s part, but it was not long before their fight began to flicker. St. James attacked violently, Mitchinson affording his side temporary relief, hut the Jimmies again got down to Poneke s lino, another free-kick being awarded them. Bradley failed to convert. Poneke were afforded relief by Slater, their full-back, indulging in a run. taking tho hall down to tho St. James

twenty-five. It did not remain there long, superior scrummaging by St. James sending it bade to half-way. If. Roberts then headed a ‘ Jimmie attack which swept everything before it till near Poncke's line, St. James getting another free-kick in the rcsuunig plav. Bradley had another unsuccessful*’ shot at goal, and W alshe, with a, "reat run, removed play to half-wav, only to sec.his side again, mercilessly driven back. Poneke were in a desperate position for a long time, having attack after attack hurled against them, but eventually they luckily forced through the miscarrying ot a pot. St. James were not to bo domed, lind as soon as tie ball ivas again ni motion they organised an attack v. Inch enabled one of their forwards to score. The try was not converted. Poncko made strenuous efforts to equalise motors. and wont very near doing it. iliey were attacking strongly in the fat. •Tames twenty-five when their full-back, Slater, made' a dash for the line, only to bo pushed out over the coou-r ling by Thomas, tho opposing full-back. Jn a melee which eventuated a minute afterwards Uennchy appeared to touch the ball down after tho Poneke forwards had carried it over the line. Mr Prancis ruled that it was not a try, and received some healthy hoots from a dissatisfied section. _ It was a very moot point whether § it was a .try or not. Dcnnohy corfca*niy had his arm on tho ball first, but whether he steadied it with lus hand it was h a m to say. Darkness had commenced to • descend, and it was hard to folloiv pluv which does not matter a groat deal’ as tho score had not undergone alteration when time was called. ATHLETIC v, MELROSE.

Despite the almost perfect weather which prevailed on Saturday the prospect of seeing tho contest between Athletic and Melrose attracted but very few spectators to JCarori, and those who dia make tho journey witnessed but a very moderate exhibition of Engby, altuougn tho game during the first half was willins enough. Piny opened with kicks at long range. Athletic attacking strongly. Ultimately Melrose cleared their line and Scott was mainly instrumental in getting the. ball down to the other end of the ground when Athletic forced. Ihe hall was soon in Melrose's twenty-five when Evensen got close to the lino, but the three-quarter division temporarily relieved tho strain. A long kick sent tho leather back and Melrose got out oj. trouble with n force. Evensen then had th© easiest possible chance of a score, light .opposite tho goal nosts, but fumbled the ball” A moment later, however, lie started a passiug run, and the ball going across to S. Wilson, the latter dashed in on the comer and running round grounded tho oval behind the posts, McKenzie adding the major points. Soon afterwards S. Wilson came within an aco of getting in again, being just stopped - in time. Operations were momentarily changed to tho other end of the field, but Athletic soon had the ball back again. Here McKenzie, who was making his first appearance, had the misfortune to get his thumb badly broken, the bone coming right through the flesh, and ho was compelled to retire. Athletics were then given a free kick. Evensen registering a perfect goal from a bad angle. Then Wilson took a mark in a likely spot, Evensen narrowly failing in his shot at goal. In tho second half Melrose rallied well and for a time Athletics were hard put to it to avert a score. Twoomey failed ia a shot at goal, but getting another free kick for obstruction booted tho leather safely across tho bar. Matters then slackened down and tho light become so bad that it was next to imT>i>ssiblo to distinguish tho players let alone see tho ball. A dull game was brought to a conclusion with a fine run by S. Wilson, who took the ball from centre to within a yard of the Melrose line. A timely force got tho latter out of trouble. Athletics thus winning by 8 points to 3. Mr Martin made a conscientious referee although more than one of his decisions apparently did not give entire satisfaction. ORIENTAL v. VICTORIA COLLEGE. The Oriental-Victoria College match re suited in a win for the former team bv 15 points to 5. College played a very willing game-so much so in fact, that one spectator was heard to remark '•These College fellows play a somewhat rough game/' Play opened with Orientals facing the wind, but this did not seem to tell against them much, for within a few minutes of the commencement Mathieson received a pass and dashed over the students' line. The same player failed to convert. College forwards next essayed a rush on Oriental's position, but Kin rig relieved with & kick. A little later McLeod managed to elude several of the greens and succeeded in crossing the line near the posts. Kinvig failed with tho kick. Soon after Mathieson made a fine run but was prevented from scoring by Burgess. McLeod, however, obtained possession of the sphere once again and scored another try. Roberts could not place the leather over the bar. Oriental, 9; Victoria College, 0. Pyle, after a passing rush, added a try to Oriental's score. He took the lack but was not successful. Though College tried hard to score they did not succeed in the first spell. In the second half Oriental attacked in great style and College were compelled to force down. Roberts made a very good run and passed to McLeod. Before the would-be recipient of the ball received it he was attacked and Oriental were awarded a free lack, Klnvig's attempt was fruitless. Following on this was a humber of splendid passing rushes on the part of Oriental. .Indecisive play ersued until Oriental were awarded a free kick, which was not productive of a score. Oriental then swooped down again on College territory and Sturrock crossed the line. Kinvig failed to convent. College retaliated valiantly, but Oriental's defence was solid. Sturrock (Oriental) got away with the ball and probably would have scored but for lack of support. Towards tho conclusion of the game college mad© a bold attempt and scored. Wells touching down. Curtayno placed the ball over tho bar and the game ended—Oriental, 15; Victoria College, 5. The whistle was held by Mr C. Bell. OLD BOYS v. WELLINGTON. Tho match between Old Boys and Wellington resulted in a win for Old Boys by 13 points to 5. Wellington had a very slight advantage in tho first spell, but their opponents played a vigorous game. After a series of throws-in near Wellington's lino the yellows commenced a rush but nothing came of it. Old Boys were awarded a free kick which Avery failed to turn to good account. For a time oven play ensued till Avery (Old Boys) initiated a good rush, which ended fruitlessly. Nothing of importance occurred till Hurlo, securing the leather, ran down pretty well the whole length of tho field and scored a fine try. Lambert took tho kick and safely negotiated tho cross-piece. Wellington, 5; Old Boys, 0. Shortly after half time sounded without any further* score on either side. On resumption, Old Boys played very determinedly, and Grace obtaining tho ball at about half-way ran down and scored beneath the posts. Avery was entrusted with tho kick and was successful, Wellington, 5; Old Boys, < 5. Spirited play on the part of tho whites followed. Avery got tho ball and scored another try for Old Boys. Ho failed to convert. 8-5. A little later, the whites' total was further increased by Jacobsen, who scored a try. Avery took tho kick and succeeded in raising Old Boys’ score to 13. Tho game ended with tho score as above. Mr A. Thompson was referee. PETONE v. SOUTHERN. Pc tone inflicted a severe defeat on Southern at Lower Hutt, beating thorn

by a margin of twenty-nine points. Right from the start the blues showed their great superiority. Southern having a "look in" very seldom. The maroon, forwards played fairly well, but their backs wore weak, and the P-etono rearguard -ran clean round them time after time. In tho first spell the blues • scored 16 points — four tries, two converted—to 3, a try by Cunningham. In the second half, Petone had it all their own way. Joe Ryan and Nankivell eacli scored two tries, two being • converted. The game thus ended—Petone, 32; Southern, 3. Mr R. Fordyco was referee. JUNIOR. Petone 11 Wellington . 0 Selwyn 16 St. John’s 2 Melrose 21 Old Boys • 3 Victoria College 21 Poneke 3 THIRD CLASS. Poneke 9 St, John's 4 Southern 7 Oriental 0 FOURTH CLASS. Oriental A 34 Hutt 0 Athletic 24 Poneke - 0 Oriental B 11 Old Boys 8 Petone 3 ’Melrose* 0 Victoria College 13 St. John's- 0 FIFTH CLASS; What probably constitutes a New Zealand record was established by Petone against Poneke, tho suburban team winning by 85 to nil. Mcllvride notched 14 goals. Bale and Murphy scored 6 tries each, Pitznuaurice and Webb 3 each,' and Oolquboun one, SCHOOLS MATCHES. In tho Public Schools Rugby competition last week, matches resulted as follows; Terraco (12) beat Newtown (0); Te Aro (9) beat Brooklyn (0); Clyde Quay (12) beat Thorndon (0). NEST FRIDAY’S MATCH. NEW ’"ZEALAND v. WELLINGTON. ' The New Zealand team which leaves hero on Friday next to play a series of matches in New South Wales and Queensland will try conclusions with a Wellington representative team on tho Athletic Park on the afternoon prior to their departure. Tho two vacancies in the forward division, caused through two defections in tho original selection, will be filled hy D. Evans (Hawks's Bay) and McKellar (Wellington). Stohr (Taranaki) will replace Fryer, who is unable to make the trip. F. Herring, an Auckland player. Is also unable to go. . Tho Wellington fifteen to play the New Zealand representatives on Friday was announced on Saturday evening as follows: Pull-back. Thomas; three-quarters, Dawsou; Bradley. Mathieson; five-eighths. Evenson and Walshe: half, Tilyard; forwards, , Elliott, Irvine, Taimaliill, Rapson, Perry, 1 Bruce, McFarlane, and Avery. Emergency, B. Kinvig. Tho selectors have done a little experimenting with tho three-quarter line, and events will prove whether their judgment ia right or not. The team otherwise is representative of Wellington’s strength, and a good match should result, though there should be litue doubt as to who will bo the winners. MATCHES ELSEWHERE. FHOM OTJB OWN CORRESPONDENTS. MASTERTON. May 28. The Wairarapa Rugby Union’s championship fixtures this afternoon resulted as follow: —Senior, at Carterton—Carterton beat Red Star by 8 points to 3. At Gladbeat Grey town by 9 points to nil. Junior.—Mastorton beat Wcraiti by 18 points to nil; Liberal beat Greytown by 18 to nil; Carterton beat Lower Valley by 16 to 3: Dalcfield beat Red Star by i 6 to nil. Third class.—Red Star heat Carterton by 6 points to nil; Masterton heat - -r> afield by 11 to 7. The first round of ia© senior championship closed with to-day's matches. Carterton are leading with two wins and one draw; Red Star two wins one loss; Gladstone one win and two losses; Greytown flast y-sar’s champions), on© draw and two losses. Tho first round of the third-class matches was also completed. Red Star are loading with three wins and no losses; Carterton two wins and one loss; Masterton on© win and two losses; Dalefield three losses. Dalefield arc leading in tho junior championship, with Masterton second and Liberal third. . PALMERSTON, May 29. There was again only one senior match in the Hawkins shield contest. Old Boys having forfeited to Kia Toa. Feilding met Palmerston, and a fast game, with an exciting finish, was the result. Club football is better here this year than for many season's past, all“the senior teams having splendid bark divisions and good working forwards. Palmerston opened with a very strong breeze at their backs, and Boon scored a fine try. Downes converted. The Feilding backs responded with a beautiful passing rush, which Chamberlain rounded-off by sprinting finely over the line near the corner, ho kick was a failure; Downes kicked a penalty goal near tho end of the spoil, and when Palmerston turned their faces to the gale in the second spell ?y had an advantage of five--points. Their load was reduced to two very quickly, Hughes kicking a penalty goal for Feilding. For the rest of tho spell Feihl>ig battled away at the Palmerston defence, but failed to cross the line, and tho game ended in a win for the local toara by 3 points to 6. "Tiny” McMinn made his first appearance as a senior referee in this game. Palmerston juniors defeated Kia Toa by 9 points to 3, and Feilding defeated .Linton by 25 points to 3. ~’PHESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, May 29. Football matches in th© senior competition-, on Saturday resulted, as -follows; City (6) beat Parnell (5); Marist Brothers (9) beat Grafton (5); Ponsonby won by "default from Newton. CHRISTCHURCH. May 28. In the senior matches Merivalo • beat Albion by 13 to nil, neither team having been beaten prior to the meeting. Linwood defeated Christchurch by 8 to 5, Sydenham vanquished-College by 19 points, and Old Boys proved better than Marist Brothers by 3 points. . DUNEDIN, May 29. Football results on Saturday ' were.— Taieri Rovers (15) beat Union (6); Southern (17) beat University (6); Ziugari-Richmond

(28) beat Pirates (3); Alhambra (18) b?at i Kalkorai (3); Port Chalmers (23) beat Duni eclin (3). So far Southern, Alhambra, and Zingari-Rlchmond are unbeaten. WANGANUI, May 29. In the senior cup contest on Saturday, Wanganui beat Pirates by 10 points to 6. Eastern defeated Kaicrau by 6 points to 3. A CORRECTION, PEESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, May 23. The Rugby player who was suspended by the union last week for striking an opponent was Tansey, not Dansey. The name was erroneously telegraphed as Dansey. NEW SOUTH WALES DEFEATS QUEENSLAND. By Telegraph—Press .Association—Copyright. (Received May 29, 5 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 28Ten thousand people witnessed the Rugby football match between New South Wales and Queensland at the Sydney cricket ground. For the greater part of the match fast and open play was seen, the score at half-time being 5 to 3 in favour of the homo side, the Queenslanders holding their own well. In the concluding spell the Welshmen showed superior combination, while their tackling was very hard and clean. When time was called N.S.W. had notched 13 points to Queensland's 3. THE ASSOCIATION GAME SATURDAY'S PLAY. . ■ FIRST DIVISION RESULTS. Diamonds 2 Rovers • Swifts -2 Y.M.C.A 1 Favoured with fin© weather, the soccer competitions were continued on Saturday afternoon. Only two first division games were played, owing to the several defaults earlier in tho season, and the first round was thus concluded. Some details are appended: DIAMONDS v. ROVERS. The ICelburne Park game between Diamonds and Rovers was of a very ordinary description, being devoid of really interesting features right from end to end. It resulted in a win for Diamond by 3 goals to 1. Rovers wore apparently tho weaker in both combination and weight, but notwithstanding this they played with commendable spirit, and did tho best possible. At the beginning of tho game they pressed their opponents with some determination, and soon had them in a tight place. A corner kick was awarded them, but no good result followed. Rovers' attack was maintained for a while, until Diamonds, taking advantage of a favourable opening, mshod their opponents' goal. Once again, however, effort was not. productive of results. The first score of tho gam© was secured soon after by Rovers, who outmanoeuvred Diamonds completely. k Gibson, their centre forward, got home neatly, after a fairly good piece of forward play. Diamonds equalised before long with tho aid of a penalty kick right in front of Rovers' goal mouth. P. Roberts was entrusted with the shot, Penlington failing lamentably in trying to stop it. The blacks continued to hold the advantage, and a few minutes later scored again, as the result of a lively skirmish, which culminated in Hathaway rushing the ball through. Tho spell ended after a period of uninteresting and unproductive play. The whole of the second half was practically devoid of any ■ incident worthy of record, the teams just drifting up and down the field in more or less aimless fashion. Tho goals were never in serious danger, though towards the end Diamonds had one or two shots which were not so very wide of the mark. The ©pell ended, without addition to the score. Mr J. Davidson was in charge of tho game. ■ SWIFTS v. T.M'C.A. One of the best exhibitions of association football seen this season took place on the Basin Reserve on Saturday between Swifts and Y.M.C.A. ’The game started at a good solid pace, which was maintained till half way through the second ‘ spell,' when play opened out considerably, and the' pace increased to a pitch that sorely tried the staying powers of even the most fit. All. through, the match was characterised ■ by good combined play and well judged and accurate shooting. ’ Y.M.C.A, won tho toss, and played the first spell with tho advanntage of a light breeze. For tho major portion of the first half Swifts had the better of a very close argument, and confined play to Y.M.C.A. territory. Several times Swifts went very close to scoring as the result of corner , kicks, .but smart .work by the Y.M.C.A. defenders saved the situation. The first spell ended ■without any score having been registered, and with both teams going hard. With the change ox ends, the game assumed a more interesting aspect, tho hall travelling, rapidly up and down the field. Swifts drew first blood about ten minutes after the commencement of the spoils Swift scoring from' a scuffle in front of the Y.M.C.A. goal mouth. Y.M.C.A. were not long* in equalising, tho ball striking Timperley and rebounding' into Swifts' goal. With tho scores even and a draw probable, both sides made desperate efforts to notch' the winning goal." Saunders, a Swifts player, was compelled to retire on account of an injury to a knee, and short-

iy afterwards Norman, another Swifts man, left the field suffering from a similar trouble. This left Swifts with only nine men, and the game became ■ very fast and open. It was not until near the termination of the match that Swifts scored tho deciding goal, Vessey beating the Y.M.C.A. goalkeeper, and sending in a fast shot. Y.M.C.A. -were by no means disheartened, and pressed hard, but the whistle sounded without any addition to the score. Mr H. Godber was referee. SECOND DIVISION. Mental Hospital heat Porirna Toa by eight goals to two. For tho winners Davis G', Elliott (2), and Phillips (1) scored, Davis and W. Nera scoring for Mental. lies-, P Marist Old Boys heat Diamonds by 2 goals to 1. Bowden (2) scored for Marist Old Boys and Magee for Diamonds. Swifts beat Webb street Primitive Methodist by 4 goals to 3. THIRD DIVISION. Y.M.C.A. heat St. John's by two goals to one. Coad scored one goal for the winners, the other being accidentally put through by the opposing goal-keeper. Miller scored tor the losers. , . . - Brooklyn beat Diamonds by three goals to one. Robinson, Davies and Moore scored tor Brooklyn and Harrison for Diamonds. FOURTH DIVISION. Swifts A heat Diamonds by default, only aovS members of the Diamonds, team P Ma?fst A 8 goals to nil. Kennedy (3), Coleman (2), Heck and Rich arda scared. One goal was accidental!* 4 goals to Sr-tn? ior thl° winners'' N ™toV£udNewtown Congregational played a drawn game, each side scoring one ~oat Swifts B ,hy 6 goals to Bryant (2), Maeklin and .alter scored goals. fifth a division. P g hmips to se n ol for the winners. FIFTH B DIVISION. Swifts beat Ramblers by-3 goals to nil. n„ TT ~iv (2) end Richards scored for Splits. T.M.O.A. B defeated Newtown CongregatioA oy V goa.s to nil. Crowther (5), Swenssen and Maclntyre scored goals. Institute beat Y.M.O.A. 0 by 3 golas to H’tVadestown Wanderers beat Marist B by one goal to nil. McDonald scored for the winners. .SIXTH DIVISION. T.MLOA beat Porima by 3 goals to 1. Aaraodt. Jones and Home scored for Y.M.C.A. , , x ... Marist A boat Seatonn by 5 goals to nil; Casey (2), Ryan. Halley and Hickey scoredfor tho winners.