Wellington.

NZ Truth, Issue 274, 1 October 1910, Page 3

Wellington.

Benefit Cup Match. St. James Defeat Oriental by t6 points to 10. The annual contest for the afoo*e took place at the Athletic Park,, Wellington, on Saturday last m the presence of about 1000 people. Tbe pinners of tfoe senior championship, \JHental, were tackled by the run-riers-up, St. James, and, as is quite usual m this yearly contest, the runner s-up came out on top. The attendanoe showed pretty conclusively that the public have had just about enough football for this year> and the majority of the players are fl,uite ready to put away the jersey for a bit. Neither team played wi-tih their, full strength, Oriental being without; P. Rdbwrts and McLeod, and St. .^wear missed the Roberts (&), Bradiy "and M'cUrath. In spite of the fc t- that the players had been bayTrf^fa spell for some weeks, the game ggs a r-eniarkajb-ly good and fast fcifeibitico. Tbe St. James forwards, particularly, made it as open as one ooukl wish and quite carried tbe Orientals with them. Having slightly the best of things m the matter of condition, they worried Itoe Made and white forwards to death, and were a/bly seconded by a safe, if not brilliant, set of backs. For the greater part of the playing time the Oriental men had more fchan their share of defensive work to do, and although they were bofcfo first a-nd last to score, tfoey found themselves up , against ft most of the time.. On more than one occasion, however, they came away with a fine burst and caused much anxiety amoo»?9t St. Junes' supporters, Py?e making, one ■great, attempt to core, awd only missed toy inches. The. black and white players threw the ball about m great style on every available occasion, but there wasn't much direction m their passes. It looked very nice, but wasn't very effective. Oriental scored first, Newton Snteroaptdng a<nd feeding Sturrock at tbe rigjht moment, enabled the latter to cross the reds' line m a good place. Kinvig added the goal, a<nd Oriental felt confor table with a lead of five points. I<t wasn't for 'long, however, as a good, piece of work by Helliwell, W- Crewes and Thomas saw the latter score near the posts. It was a splendid try, the attack being made like clock work, and Crewes' cut m was well done. The latter player kicked a goal from a try, making the score 5 all. St. James continued to have the best of tflie forward work, and were getting possession of the ball m the scrum. From a penalty almost at the posts W. Crewea. landed another goal,' putting his side m the lead at half-time by 8 points to. 5. Th© second spell was mainly a repetition of the first, but towards the end most of the players -giat very tired. Cameron (Oriental) retired for repairs, and Childs took his place. Sti James aame to the attack time after tome, aoad at last were rewarded by Tyler scoring. This time Crowes missed the kick. Score : St. James 11, Oriental 5. King, wfeo was playing a particularly good game, added a "try shortly afterwairds from one of the reds loose rushes, which were playing tbe deuce with the Oriental team. Crewes concerted, making his third successful airtramspt for the naiatch. Oriental made desperate efforts to turn the tide, but it was much too late. They tried to briovg off some passing rushes, but the haadlmg was faulty and the big St. James forwards were on to it like wolves, dries 1 pulled themselves together for ; one more big rush, and Tyrrell managed to cross the reds' lints. Kinvig kicked the goal, the ball dropping over,' after striking the bar, and. the game finished: St. James 16, Oriental 10. The St. James forwards won the game, being altogether too big and well conditioned for She otfeer side. Their general work was good and' dean, and m the loose they were excellent. W. Crewes played weH, and madeoo mistakes with his kicking. Thomas. has not got enough pace for a three-quarter line. The outstanding, feature of Orientals' play was the line-kicking of Kinvig, saving a verytirad set of forwards a tremendous lot of ,work right throughout the game. Pyle, Newton and Sttrrnock all battled hard ibebind a beaten team of forwards. "Mr L. Simpson refereedtsuccessfully.