SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 36

SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

The Ksikorai held their final practice match at Bijhopscourt, the Probables meeting the Rest of the Club. After a very fast and interesting, game the Probables won by 15 points to nothing. Good form was shown all round, but more especially by the younger members of the club. Zingari-Riohmond held a practice match on Saturday afternoon batween a Probable Fifteen and the Club. After a fast;, open game the Probables woo by 14 points to 6.

The Pirates Club played their final practice match at Carisbrook, a Probable _ Fifteen (colour*) being pitted against the rest of the Club, numbering 19 players '(blacks). After a closely contested game the Colours were victorious by 11 points to 3.

The University Club held a practice match, President v. Vice-president, at Tahuna Park on Saturday, the former winning by 21 points to 12 For the President's side Gregg, O'Shea, Stevens, Cran, Simmers (2) scored tries, Cran and O'Shea (2i kicking go»!s. For the Vicepresident's side Ulrich scored a try, which Gibson converted, latter pl»yer «nbsequently pottfng a Tnagaificent goal from a difficult angle. ■ Tuoras-n, who kicked a goal from a penalty kick, wa< th*j oniy othsr ecorer for the losers.

The Caveriham Club held their final practice match ab St. Clair Park, a Prob ible Fifteen playing the Rest of the Club, and after a fast and exciting game the Probable team won by 12 points to 4. Thome (2), Lang, and Simpson secured tries, Scott scoring for the Club. The forwards showed good form, but the passing of the backs was weak and lacked combination. Tbe Huttfe flowed * Prob»bl« ffiitMß

against the Club at Tahuna Park. After a fast and interesting game victory rested with the selected team by 7 points to nothing. M'Kay scored a try and Michael placed a goal from a mark. The Melrose played a practice m»tch on the Asylum ground botween stdea chosen by Highley and F. Lambeth. An evenly fought game resulted in a win for Higuley's side by 5 points to 3. The greasy condition of the ground took away much of the interest. The Star held their^flnal practice match on Saturday Captain v. Deputy-captain, and, after a fairly fast game, victory reatad with the Captain's side by 14 points to 13. The Union Club's Probable Fifteen defeated the Club (numbering 21) by 20 points to 3. The greasy state of the ball prevented accurate passing, but the play of the forwards was good. The Club have a promising lot of young players, who at times gave the Fifteen enough to do to keep them from scoring. At • Wellington the Championship football matches were begun on Saturday. The Poneke and Melrose match was played at the new Athletic Park, Poneke winning by a goal from a mark and a try (7 points) to a penalty goal (3 points). The AthleMc and Wellington match wa» played at Petone, Wellington scoring three tries, one of which was converted (11 points), to a try (3 points). -. The match nnder Association rules between the . Zealandia and Rangera Clubs was played on the former's ground (which was in firat-class order), and proved a very fast and exciting game. Peters winning the toss for the Ringers, elected to pl&y against the wind, wh<ch blew fresh all the afternoon. There was some very good play od both xidea, the Zealandia having slightly the best of the first spell with the wind in their favour. At the call of half-time there was no score on either side. On changing ends the Rangers ma.de things very lively, and were ouly prevented from scoring two or three times by the splendid play of Simons (full baok) and Bennett (in goal). The game, taking it all through, was fairly even, and resulted in a draw, neither side scoring.

For the Rangers Kober (in go»I) was very safe. All the backs played well, especially O'Connor, who kioked and headed splendidly. Peters, Sligo, and Calder were the pick of the forwards. For the Zealandia Bannett (in goal) was all that could be desired Simons, Lichtenstein, and Dawsoß (three new players) played a very good game considering it was their first match, and should strengthen the back division considerably. Cameron, a half back, played well, as did Aflams at centre half, but the' latter is rather light. The ZeaUndia forwards played a hard game, and with a little more practice will make a good set. Mr J. Nicholson was all that could be derired as referee.

The Roslyn and Northern Association clubs met at W*kiri on Saturday, the match resulting in Rjslyn winning by 6 goals to nothing. Rwlyn, with the wind in their favour in the first spell, scored 4 goals. In the second spell the play was more even. The game was not very interesting from a spectator's point of view, the home team baiog too strong for their opponents. The Northern were without Brown, whose services were greatly missed. Although their individual play was good, thsy lack the combination of their opponents. Elder, Clarke (2), Kilgour, Benfell, and Saelmerdine played well for the Northern, as did C*lder, A. Dobson, Hayward, Banting, Arlidge, M'Millan (2), and Brown for the Roslyn.

The Rangers Second met and defeated the Zealandia Second by 1 goal to nothing. In the first spell the determined play of the backs of both teams prevented any scora bei-ig tnnde. Ttie Rangers had the best of the second spell, and after an exciting tuasle, in which Dobbie figured conspicuously, Gordon succeeded in scoring. Rash shooting on the part of the forwards spoilt several chanons of increasing their advantage. Cameron and Russell (backs) and Fleming (forward) played a good game. Of the Zqalandia, J Hutton and B »nfell (backs) and O'Connell (forward) were th» pick of the team. The match Northern Second v. Roslyn Second was played on the Northern's ground. A fast and exciting game resulted in a victory for the Roily n by 6 goals to 4 goals. For the Northern, Irvine, M'Nair, Clark, Alexander, Williams, and for the Roslyn, Grey, Wright, Omand, Archer, Brown, and Gilroy played well. Mr Russell controlled the game to the satisfaction of all.