GENERAL GOSSIP.

NZ Truth, Issue 474, 18 July 1914, Page 11

GENERAL GOSSIP.

Although the Ktrikc enmo. off on Saturday there seemed to be no dearth of rcfercM. Thl« perhaps will bring the referees to their sense*. Kaat could not turn out for t'nlver- , ally' on Saturday, as he has put his ankle out. In the Junior competition Sclwyn by , defeating J'cton^ arc practically assured of the champloiiMhlp. In the senior Cup competitions at Palmcreton on Saturday i u »t, Vnltcd boat [''eliding by «ix to live, and Oriental *uccounte<l for Western by nix to nil, the Ku-mf being. declared off at half Urne. At Wangamil. Knlcrnu defeated Pinitca by IS to 3. North and South Walrarnpa tried

o 1 conclusions on Saturday last, the South I gaining the verdict by sto 3. W. I Redmond touched down for the winners, McKenzie converting. D. Ross scored for the North. Buller played its first representative match of the season -against Inangabua on Saturday last, and defeated, the goldfields fifteen by 34 points to nil. Clem Green played for the winners and was conspicuous for sterling play, - numerous passing rushes being got under way by him. Buller's prospects of being able to retain the Seddon Shield during the season are very rosy. To-day's fixtures and their location are as under: — Senior: Oriental v. Wellington, Athletic Park No. 1; St James v. Petone, Athletic Park, No. 2; University v. Athletic, Petone No. 1; Poneke v. Melrose, Polo No. 1. Junior: Wellington v. Oriental, Polo No. 2; Selwyn v. St. James, Polo No. 3; Poneke v. Athletic, Polo No. 4; Petone v. University, Sharpe's No. 1. N.Z. TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. The victory <of the New Zealand team on Saturday last against New South Wales was well received m the Dominion. I It was not thought that such a large margin would separate the old-time rivals. According: to the Sydney papers, the score would have been bordering on the half century had the goal-kicking been as good as the rest of the play. Cain, Taylor, McNeece, • Bruce, Lynch, and J. Ryan scored tries, and E. Roberts landed a penalty goal, making the score. 27 to 6, two tries by Carr and O'Brien. A notable feature m this game was the execrable place-kicking of our representatives. Out of eight tries none were converted, the solitary goal being got by E. Roberts from a penalty. Cockroft, we are pleased to see, is to go over the Tasman to replace Loveridge, who has apparently been badly injured. This player should materially assist the kicking powers of the team and his inclusion, even at this late, hour, will give undoubted satisfaction and pleasure to his admirers. Taylor, who took Loverldge's place, performed (by report) very well. He is a versatile man and, as he showed here some, years ago, quite a good wing three-quarter.' He has plenty of pace. E. Roberts* is not, as was alleg-. Ed by the Petone deputation, medically unfit; but has not, owing to his variable residence, been I , called upon by the' military authorities. A ; • The forwards; although reports are' very, meagre, seem to have kept up the good : reputation .and traditions of the Air Blacks. They are 'certainly a. hefty lot "All Black" hoDes, However, that, for the : f uture^of • Australian Rugby," the nest game will. be much closer, and, should "the Australians snatch' a vic-^ tpry, no good 'New Zealatider will : grudge- it to them. Indeed, a victory" over the All Blacks would have 'a tremendously strengthening influence' on the"- game on the other side.' • .. ■ The • Australian team which meets the All Blacks ori Saturday is said id be. a much superior, combination to ttiat of the Cornstalks . and it is hoped that' a close and brilliant game, will .result', '