FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17105, 10 September 1917, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

RUG-BY. First Grade. Port Chalmers v. Alhambra.—The match between these two teams, played on the North Ground on Saturday, provided a very interesting gam©. The teams were fairly evenly matched The Port team took the aggressive from the start, and on the whole did the bulk of the attacking. The play of fie backs was of a high standard, acid helped to keep the many onslaughts of the opposing forwards in oheck. The Alhambra team, as a whole, also contributed to the open play. After a good display Port Chalmers won the day by 13 points to 11. Swanaton, Scott, audi MaoGregor each scored a try for the winners, while Stevenson* and Clangham each converted a try. Cameron and Devirue scored for Alhambra, while Rutherford, who also kicked a goal from a mark, converted Cameron'a try. Mr J. A. Brown acted as referee. Pirates v. Kaikorai.—This match was played on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday afternoon before a good attendance. The play on the whole was of the free and easy kind, and it appeared at times as if the teams wore not taking the fixture seriously. However, these occasional lapses were compensated for by intervals of good play on both sides. The Kaikorai forwards indulged in some good dribbling rushes, and might be considered unfortunate in not scoring on more than one occasion. The tackling of this side, too, was most effective, but the same could) not be said of the Pirates, The game resulted in a win for Pirates by 8 points to nil. The first try was scored by Matheeon from a loose rush, and he converted this try.

The second was secured by Churchill after a good passing rush, in which all the backs participated. The kick aA goal failed. Mr R. M'Kenzie controlled the game. Second Grade. AlhambTa defeated Union at Opoho by 6 to 3. Tries were scored for the winners by Pearson and) Sullivan, while Jones scored for the losers. Zingari-Richmond won by default from High School B. Third Grade. Zingari-Richmond (14 points) beat Union (nil). WELLINGTON v. AUCKLAND. (Per United phess association.) WELLINGTON, September 8. Wellington defeated Auckland, at Athletic Park this afternoon by 21 points to 11. MARLBOROUGH v. NELSON. BLENHEIM, September 8. Marlborough beat Nelson by "14 points to nil. Nelson, was defending most of the game.

ASSOCIATION. The second round of the " knock-out " competition in the First and -Third Grades was played on Saturday. The finals will ha played off on Saturday next. A Grade. ( Mornington v. Christian Brothers.—Mornington and Christian Brothers met at Culling Park, Mr R. Robertson being referee. Although much less successful than Mornington over the season's play, Christian Brothers were hopeful of securing a victory, and. applied themselves diligently to the task. Mornington, however, proved superior, although the score of 4 to nil did not rightly represent the respective merits of fthe teams, for the losers had a very fair share of' the advantages throughout tho day. Christian Brothers' shooiing was at fault. In the first spell Mornington, facing both sun and wind, managed to pierce the defence once, Sbadwell being the scorer. A penalty kick gave Mornington another splendid chance before half time, but Dickers shot was splendidly rejected by the Brothers' keeper, who played a fine giame. After the interval Mornington thrice drew blood. Twice M'lvor " found the net " from scrambles under goal. The fourth goal was the result of good work by Maaon, who, from half way, travelled up tho wing, then converged upon the goal and beat the custodian with a cross shot. Mornington will contest the final with Southern. Mbrnington, 4 goals; Christian Brothers, nil Second Grade.

High School and Northern played the final of the " knock-out" competition at the Oval Mr R. Brown being referee. High School,' who won the Grade Competition with a fine record, came out top also in the " knockout" competition, winning the firul by 4 goals to 2. C Grade. Northern B beat Maori Hill by 3 goals to 2, and will meet Old Boys in the final of the "knock-out." The final matrfi of the C Grade Premiership was played at the Oval between Northern A and) Old Boys. At the conclusion of one and a-half hours' play th© soot© stood 1 goal each. Am extra 10 minutes was played each w&y, but the result was unaltered, the gaane ending in a draw. Northern A, tLerefore, win the competition, leading from Northern B by a point, with Old Boys, a point away, third.