FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3419, 26 September 1919, Page 44

FOOTBALL.

By Full Back. Tho curtain has been rung down on football for the season, as far ns official matches are concerned at any rate, and when it is considered that for four years the bottom was practically knocked out of Rugby, it will readily be conceded that the standard of play locally has been distinctly good. Many promising young players have come to light, and yeoman service has been done by several who can almost be looked on as old-timers. The experience of the latter has been invaluable to the younger players, and there i 3 every reason to expect tho standard of play next season to be comparable with the best exhibitions of the game in past years. Although the Otago representative team on Saturday was weakened by the absence of a number of its leading players it had no difficulty in inflicting a heavy defeat on the South Otago representatives. Ready (full back) was the only one of the original rearguard, while several alterations were made in the forwards.

Though the South Otago players had to submit to a heavy defeat they are to be commended for their efforts to keep the game open. When the opportunity offered the backs wero not afraid to throw the ball about, but as a rule they ran too straight across the ground, with tho result that the wings were jammed on the touchlino before they could get going. Heads (centre), Shepherd (wing three-quarter), and Prescott were the pick of the backs, and Hewitt stood out for fino play among tho forwards. The great weakness in tho team was the defence of the backs, who, when called on to tackle or stop rushes, were, as a ruls, found sadly wanting. Mr Percy Hislop, an ex-Pirates and exOtafro representative half-back, who is now resident in Balclutha, also witnessed the game. Ho has been acting as guide, philosopher, and friend of the South Otago players, and at the conclusion of. the first spell ho treated them to some plain This appeared to have the desired effect, as tho visitors showed to particular advantage whpn hostilities commenced in 'K 3econd half.

. A Middlemarch correspondent asks me to publish the names; of the players in the New Zealand beam which defeated the Angflo-Welsh team, captained by Harding, on the Carisbrook Ground on June 6, 1908. The players were:—Backs—J. Coleman (Taranaki), 11. ~D. Thomson (Wellington), F. Mitchin&on (Wellington), D. Cameron (Taranaki). J. Hunter (Taranaki), J. W. Stead (Southland), F. Roberta (Wellington); forwards —S. Casey (Otago), E. Hughes (Southland), A. H. Francis (Auckland), W. Cunningham (Auckland), A. Wilson (Wellington), C. Seeling (Auckland), A. M'Donald (Otago), G. Gillett (Auckland). New Zealand won by 32 points to 5. In commenting on the North v. South Island match, the Christchurch Sun's special reporter states: —"The 'find' of the day was a South Islander, Steele, the West Coast wing three-quarter. He is undoubtedly a great footballer —the real type of scoring three-quarter, and strong on defence as well. He is a sound, hard tackier, he can field a difficult ball, and he goes for the lino like a tiger, reaching full sprinting speed in three or four yards. Steele scored two of the South Island's tries,.and went very near to getting two others. In the case of his second try, his chance came when a North Island back cross-kicked in the southern twenty-five. The West Coaster took the ball on tho bounce, handed off two opponents in one motion, jumped a yard ahead of both in the next stride, and went off up the touchline at a track pace. Malin, the northern full back, dived at him sideways, but Steele brushed past him and went round behind the post. His first try was not so spectacular, but it was a better piece of work, for Steele added a clever swerve to his run." The South Island forwards were heavier than the Blacks, - and they were a fast and good hunting pack, too, but the northerners, though lighter and no faster, held in their general play a certain nippiness that enabled them to jump in and seize opportunities of feeding tho backs that the Whites missed. In that thev wore splendidly led by the wing forward, Jacobs, a Maori, who played recently with the Pioneer Battalion's team. Time and again Jacobs set tho backs in motion with really brainy movements. Ha Was easily the best forward on the field.

On Saturday a Rugby match was played on the North Ground between teams representing Messrs Wilkie and Co. and Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs. The game resulted in a win for Messrs Wilkie and Co. by 12 points to nil, trios being scored by Smith, Meenan, Carnegie, and Manly. NEW ZEALAND RUGBY' UNION. CONFERENCE OF COLONIAL UNIONS DESIRED. WELLINGTON, September 20.

A special general meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Rugby Union last night considered the English Union's reply to the suggested alterations in the laws of the game and the rules regarding professionalism; also to discuss Auckland proposals for alterations of the rules of the New Zealand Union and the laws of the game.

Mr Frost (Auckland) moved an amendment to rule £, providing that, while affiliating with the English Union, the New' Zealand Union should have power to make such amendments in the laws of the game as are deemed desirable.

Mr SLade (Taranaki) seconded. Beveral speakers thought that New Zealand had reached a stage -when it should control its own affairs.

Finally Mr Frost withdrew his motion, the meeting having decided to favour a canference of delegates from the New Zealand, New South Wales, Queensland, and, if possible, South African Unions to discuss the laws of the game.

Mr Frost asked if some sort of exemption could not be granted Auckland meantime. If Auckland were compelled to go back to the old laws Rugby there would be killed; it would not bo able to stand up against the League game. The Chairman ruled that permission to play the amended rules could not be granted by the New Zealand Union under their present regulations. OTAGO v. SOUTH OTAGO. EASY WIN FOR THE FORMER. The match between Otago and South Otago was played at Carisbrook on Saturday afternoon in weather which was unseasonably -warm for football. In the Otago

j team Watt (Zingari-Richmond) took Fairj maid's place in tho front of tho scrum, Knox I (Union) replaced Denniston, and Elder (Kaikorai) replaced Holmes. The winning of tho toss gavo a distinct advantage to the home team, as they had the assistance in the first spell of a fairly stiff breeze, which practically faded away during the eccond half. This probably helped Otago to compile their big total of 43 points, but tho Blues would undoubtedly have won under any conditions, as the defence of the visitors' rearguard could hardly have been weaker.

Prescott kicked off for South Otago, and the Blues immediately carried play to the visitors' quarters, where Mathcson was penalised for talcing the ball out of the scrum. Fast following up by Marks bustled Heads, but a forcedown was the only result. On resuming, the Blues' forwards raced for tba line, and mulling by two visiting backs enabled M'Donald to score a soft try behind the posts. Mathcson had no difficulty in adding the major points. Otago 5, South Otago nil. Otago kept up th;? pressure, and the Colours were _ again compelled to force. A well-judged kick by Cuff saw the ball in close proximity to the Blues' goal line, but Reidy effected a nice save. Passing between Heads and Shepherd gained little ground, and a counter rush by tli3 home. forwards removed the scene of operations to midfield, where, from a «erum. Matheson sent the ball out smartly to Jeffs, who transferred to Marks. The last-named took an awkward pass with one hand, and after making a splendid opening passed to Irvine, who touched down beside the posts. Matheson added the extra points. Otago were securing the ball in practically every scrum, but tho passing was extremely weak. A gcod opportunity was lost -by a weak pass from Jeffs. Shortly afterwards Mathcson broke away from a scrum, and after cleverly beating two opponents spoilt the effort by sending out an impossible pass. From loose Elay tho Otago backs started a passing out, and Grsville, taking a high pass when running at top speed, raced across at the corner, but had already gono into touch. From a loose rush Wills accepted a pass at his own twenty-five and ran clean through the visiting backs to score_ alongside the posts. Matheson failed with tho kick. Otago 13, South Otago nil. Fast following up by the Colours' backs took play temporarily into Otago territory, but a counter rush by the Blues' forwards was checked by an infringement under the visitors' goal posts. Matheson fielded Prescott's kick, and ran right through the Colours' backs to score wide out. The scorer added the extra points. Otago 18. South Otago nil.. Otago were quickly back within striking distance, and passing ensued between Matheson, Jeffs, Marks, and Wills. The last-named took the ball with one hand, and racing over near the corner, ran round behind the posts. Harty kicked a goal. Otago 23 points, South Otago nil. Th© home forwards wero much cleverer than their opponents, and the tadkling of the South Otago backs was the worst seen on the Carisbrook Ground this season. A fine rush by the Otago forwards ended in Knox outpacing the opposition, and scoring unaer the posts. Irvine failed with the kick. Otago 26 points. South Otago nil. Loose forward rushes let the visitors into Otago territory, where Jackman broke away smartly and placed the Otago line in danger. An infringement by the Blues gave tho visitors an opportunity, and Cuff placed \ nice goal. Otago 26 points, South Otago 3 points. Half-time was called shortly after with the score unaltered. Jackman broke away at the commencement of the second spell, but Reidy and Matheson removed play to half-way. Heads headed a great rush to the' Otago line, and Hewitt touched down close to the posts. Prescott kicked a goal. ■ Otago 26 points, South Otago 8 points. The visitors again attacked, and passing between Prebble, Jackman, Prescott. Heads, and Cuff .gained ground, but too hard kioking enabled the Blues to force. The visitors were now showing much improved combination, and a capital passing rush between Prebble, Prescott, and Heads saw the last-named beat Wills and send on to Shepherd, who scored a fine try. Cuff failed with the kick at goal. Otago 26 points, South Otago 11 points. The visitors again opened out in a passing rush, and Hewitt beat two men cleverly, 'but was grassed a few feet from the line. Otago swept down the field, and Jeffs made an opening and passed to Harty, who evaded two opponents and handed on to M'Donald, who was collared on the line but managed to ground the ball for a try. Harty failed with the kicK. Otago 29 points, South Otago 11 points. A long kick by Cuff and fast following up by Heads took P'ay close to the Blues' line, but the Otago forwards quickly returned to the attack, and Harty was grounded a few feet from the line. Passing between the Blues' backs saw Elder pushed out near the corner. From the ensuing play Matheson secured the ball and scored, but Jeffs failed to convert. Otago 32 points, South Otago 11 points. South Otago rallied splendidly from the kick-out, and Jiewitt made ( a slashing run before passing to Heads. The latter passed to Ouff, who was grounded when almost over. H. Anderson, who had followed up well, secured the ball and scored at tho corner. Prescott failed to convert from a difficult angle. Otago 32 points, South Wtago I*. The game continued fast, and tho next score resulted from passing between Harty, M'Donald, and Greville, the last-named scoring wide out. Harty's kick at p-oal was resultless. Otago 35 points, South Otago 14 points. Otago maintained a solid pressure on the visitors' line until Cuff relieved with a fine lino kick. Short passing rushes by the Blues' rearguard gave tho visitors an anxious time. Matheson made a nice opening and sent the. ball on to Marks, who got over but_ lost the ball when attempting to ground it. From the kiok out Matheson made a clever opening and sent the ball on to Harty, tho latter handing it on to M'Donald, who touched down in "a favourable position. Irvine kicked a goal. Otago 40 points, South Otago 14 points. Otago set up another hot attack, and passing between Matheson. Jeffs, Marks, and Wills saw the last-named get across. Harty failed with the kick. Otago 43 points, South Otago 14 points. Time was called a couple of minutes later without alteration to the score, the result being: Otago ».. ... ... 43 points South Otago ' ... 14 points Mr R. M'Kenzie controlled tho game. SECOND GRADE PREMIERSHIP. RAVENSBOURNE'S LUCKY WIN.

The final for the Second Grade premiership was played at Carisbrook on Saturday

afternoon between Ravensbourne and West Taieri, the fixture taking the form of a curtain raiser to the fixture between Otago and South Otago. A considerable amount of interest was■' taken in the match, this doubtless being duo to the beating imposed upon tho West Taieri team by Ravenbourne when the former were regarded as "almost certain winners of the competition. By their win tho West Harbour team brought themselves in lino for tho championship, and necessitated the playing of another match to decide the issue. Ravensbourne, ■who won the toss, played with a fairly strong breeze in their favour, and during tho first spell ran up 11 points to their opponents' nil. Judged by the play during the first half, the result appeared a foregone conclusion, but on changing over the West Taieri team showed by superior football that the game was not the one-sided affair that it had appeared during the first spell,' and by opening up the game they scored three tries," one of, which was converted, thus equalising their opponents' score. As showing how the element of luck was against West Taieri, it may be mentioned that they had three shots at goal from easy positions. Tho first time the ball struck the centre of the crossbar and., bounced back, while on each of the other two occasions the ball struck the post and bounced back into play. Then, again, Hughes (full-back) had a "pot-shot from the centre of the field, dose to the halfway line, and the ball went over the top of one of the posts. About halfway through the second spell Ravensbourno invaded their opponents territory, and were within an ace of scoring, but were obstructed in. their advance by Hughes (West Taieri full-back) lying on the ball. For this Ravensbourne were awarded a penalty kick in a handy position, and Hutton, with a well-judged kick, landed a goal, thus giving his side the lead by three points. From this onwards, although they attacked determinedly. West Taieri were unable to increase their score, something going wrong at the psychological moment and \ nullifying the good play responsible for placing their opponents on the defensive. The game ended in a win for Ravensbourne by 14 points to 11. The match was controlled by M. J. I. Gwynne. ' . • » , After the match the president of the Ravensbourne Club entertained the team at Brown's Tea Rooms. "'

INTER-ISLAND MATCH

EASY WIN FOR THE SOUTHERNERS

■ , WELLINGTON. September 20. The Rugby match between teams representino- North and South Island, played on Athletic Park this afternoon, resulted m a win for the North Island by 28 points to 11 There' were about 10,000 spectators present. The game was divided into four spells of 22 minutes each. A high north wind which swept across the ground spoilt play to a large extent. The North- Island team played with better combination than the southerners, to which fact their success was largely due. The South Island won the toss, and the Northerners kicked off against th> wind. The South forwards rushed mto North's twenty-five, Corner saving by finding the line. South Island, assisted by the wind kept on the aggressive for some time, upahd-down play following, .and. then the North were penalised; but Campbell s kick went low. There- was some hard footwork in the North Island twenty-five, ■ but at length the Northern backs swept into the South Island half, and Wilson put in a great run. He was held up, but the Northerners pressed on, and finally Nicholls 63cured the ball and passed to Roberts. The latter ran on, but was grassed, and Baddeley dashing in picked up smartly and ran on and scored behind the posts. Roberts converted-. North Island 5, South Island nil. The teams then changed round, and the Northerners immediately commenced to attack. Suddenly Steele came away from the South Island twenty-five, and broke through all opposition until ho reached the halfway line, where his progress was stopped by Corner. He afterwards picked up from the loose and streaked up the line. All attempts to stop him were fruitloss, and he scored a magnificent try. Campbell's kick failed. North Island 5, South Island 3. Play now became exciting and fast. Tho North Island backs did some smart work," and the Southerners were forced away. back down the field, some close play taking place on their line. Suddenly Nicholls picked up in the corner and transferred smartly to Roberts, who crossed over. Jacobs converted with a good kick. North Island 10, South Island 3. From play in front of the South Island jroal Roberts attenuated to pot a goal, but the ball went a trifle wide. The Northerners kept up the pressure, and there was much interesting play. A splendid opening was made by Nicholls, 'who sent the ball on to Corner. The latter might have scored himself, but he wisely decided to transfer to Algar, who ,' crossed without difficulty. Jacobs made a poor kick. North Island 13, South Island 3. Owin,cr to the action of a number of spectators who surged round tho press tables at the opening of the second half it was impossible for the reporters to gee a proper view, of tho game. From the glimpses obtained at intervals, however, itwas apparent that the South Island men were playing with more cohesion than in the first half. Further tries were scored for the North Island by Corner, Wilson (2), and J. Shearer. Malin kicked a goal from a mark for tho South Island, and tries were obtained by Valentine and Steele. Scott converted Steele's try.

'(FnoM Oon Own Corespondent.) WELLINGTON,. September 20. There was something like a record attendance at Athletic Park today, about £470 being taken at the gates. As supporters of th? South Island feared would be the ease, the Whites, both back and forward, suffered by comparison with their opponents as regards the finer points of the game. A brisk wind blew across the ground, but, despite this handicap, Roberts, who played at fire-eighths, time and again set his backs going from all sorts of positions. Roberts did not give euch a spectacular exhibition as in the Wellington-Auckland match, but ho was nevertheless the king pin as it were of nearly all the attacking movements of the backs. _ The North had a certain amount of combination, as Alg-ar (wing). Corner (control. Roberts, and Nicholls are ~all Wellington players. The Blackforwards threw the ball out to their backs from the line-out 6, and were also cleverer in the scrums, but the White forwards played a great game, Fisher (Canterbury). Scott (South Canterbury), and Bain being in the thick of tho heavy work. Several times tho White, forwards" drove the opposition, to their lines, but could not finjsh off

tho attack. The Black backs, who wero not afraid to throw the ball about even on their own line, generally relieved. with a good line kick, especially when they had the advantage of tho wind. The find of the match was Steele (West Coast), wing three-quarter. He made two slashing runs along' the line from half way, beating several men on each occasion. In his third splendid dash he just reached the corner flag when Roberts, who came right across the field, collared him. The ball was lying just within the goal line, but Roberts clung to his man, and the referee awarded a freo kick. Some of the spectators held that the referee would have been justified in giving a try. Steele is only a youth, and should develop into a fine" three-quarter. Valentine, on the other wing, had to make his own play like Steele, and played a fine game with the limited opportunities that came his way. In the fourth quarter, playing against the _ wind, _ the southern forwards, with, an irresistible rush, took the ball from half way to the Blacks' line. A Wellington back relieved with a hard punt, and then Roberts was seen to clear away at tho head of a bunch of backs, who simply raced away from the opposition, and scored. It was not tho runaway victory that the scoro would indicate, however, and there wero plenty of incidents which brought the huge crowd to their feet. Bain hurt his shoulder, and had to retire at the commencement of the fourth quarter. WA*NGANUI v. TARANAKI.

EASY WIN FOR THE FORMER.

WANGANUI, September 20. The representative Rugby football match between Wanganui and Taranaki was played here to-day in brilliant weather. Tho Taranaki players were hopelessly outclassed and sustained a defeat by the record score of 56 points to 3. Play in the opening stages was fairly even, and S. George placed a good penalty goal for the visitors. Wanganui attacked vigorously, and at halftime led by 17 points to 3. In the second half the Wanganui backs threw the bail about well, and a debacle followed- Tries came with almost monotonous frequency. J.ne spectators were chiefly interested in the prospect of Wanganui reaching the halfcentury in points, and a converted try, which made Wanganui's score 50 to 3, was the signal for applause. The game reached almost a burlesque level in the closing stages. Wanganui added two more unconverted tries before time was called. A feature of the game was the poor placekicking, only four of Wanganui's 16 tries being converted. The following scored for Wuliganui: Phillipson (5),- Bowie (o). Packer and Stewart (2 each), Scott, Ross, Palmer, and Lockett one each. Bowie converted two and Packer and Phillipson one each. MATCHES AT PALMERSTON. On Saturday the Palmerston and Shag Point teams met en the local ground, and a. keenly contested match resulted in a win for Shag,Point by 8 points to 3. Mr W. K. Taylor acted as referee. As a curtainraiser tho Palmerston and Waikouaiti school teams met, the former winning by 6 points to nil. ALL BLACK TEAM LEAVE SOUTH AFRICA. DURBAN, September 17. The New Zealand Rugby team is sailing on the Anchises to-day. The team was most popular during the tour. • Mr Boumgart, 'the manager, interviewed, stated that members of the team were so favourably impressed with South Afnea—country, climate, and people—that many of them intended to return and settle permanently. FOOTBALL RIOT. SCENES IN MELBOURNE. A BRUTAL EXHIBITION.

Football is becoming notorious for its excrescence of brutality and ruffianism (says a Melbourne paper of August 11). Again on Saturday, this time at North Melbourne, there were outbursts of temper and personal animus which generated into a partial riot, in which players were a butt fori ridicule and the victims of considerable violence. The contesting teams were North' Melbourne and Northcote. With clubs fighting, for the premiership, and with the risk of displacement, one by the other, feeling very often becomes strained, but in this caso the positions of both clubs in the "final fours" were assured. The motive for the outbursts cannot, be found there. Considering that roughness characterised the game almost from the opening, the vievy is iairly conclusive, that the feeling came into the match owing to "relationships" formed on a prior occasion. The match in an athletic sense would have been humiliating to juniors, let alone to teams that have earned places so high on the list. Throughout it was a contest «f individuals, and not very skilful at that. It-was tainted with spite, ill-temper, and cowardly and deliberate charging. The umpire, Pcrtequs, seemed to have no control over the players. Feeling was developed along lines that threatened the whole conduct of the match. THE TROUBLE BEGINS.

A melee was expected, and it came. Just after the opening of the last quarter a contest for the ball took place in the centre of the ground between Donnelly, of North Melbourne, and Gittens, of Northcote. Gittens secured possession and forwarded, but in the meantime some altercation seemed to have arisen between the two players. Fists were clenched, and Donnelly, with a swinging blow to the jaw, felled Gittens, who lay in a crouching position on the ground. Two Northcote players rushed up, and they were promptly attacked by Donnelly. Spectators rushed the ground, and two'constables and one trooper present had no chance of coping with the situation. IS was difficult to discover what was taking place in the centre of tho ground, but Donnelly was ssen to fall, having apparently been struck in the face. By this time there were several hundred ban-ackers on tho playing arena, and the outlook became very threatening. One man ran towards Hardy, of North Melbourne, but the would-be assailant was knocked down by a North'Melbournc man and held on the ground until his temper had cooled. A Northcote player was brutally attacked by some of the North Melbourne . supporters, and he, too, was felled. The game was at a standstill for about 10 minutes, and it looked as if it would be impossible to resume. The ball was bounced, however, and tho crowd quickly dispersed as the game recom-

mcncod. North Melbourne ran out win ners by a substantial majority. "ROUGHS" USE ROAD METAL.

But what occurred on the field was comparatively trifling, viewed in the light of the aftermath. Two or three hundred hoodlums congregated around the exit gate, waiting for the Northcote players to appear. A large heap of road metal closo by provided ammunition. Directly one cab with several passengers hovo in Bight it was subjected to a volley of stones. Not content with this, the ruffians rushed the vehicle, assaulted tho passengers, and smashed tho windows. The drag in which tho visiting players proposed to leave the ground had to go without any passengers. It took a circuitous route, but was followed for a long while by hundreds of howling hooligans until they realised that it had no occupants. Meanwhile the Northcote men had bsen getting out quietly ono at a time. When two Northcote players _ were walking along tho street in the direction of the tramline they were attended by a policeman and a mounted constable, and were followed at a distance of several yards by the crowd, which had returned from its futile chaso of the drag. Ballantyne, one of the players, dropped insensible to the ground. He had been struck on the head with a stone thrown from behind him. He was carried to the tram in a, dazed condition. CRITIC KNOCKED INSENSIBLE.

Not content with this outrage, the mob rushed the tram and endeavoured to drag some of the players off, but were unsuccessful. Afterwards they tried to raid a house in which it was said ono of the players had' taken refuge. Melees in the streets were occurring, _ and ono man, for expressing his candid opinion as to the happenings of the day, was brutally assaulted and knocked insensible. A Northcote player on his way home expressed the following opinion :—"You do hoc want to take any notice of the result of to-day'6 match. Thank God, we did not win. We would never have got home alive."

THE LEAGUE GAME. ANOTHER WIN FOR AUSTRALIA. AUCKLAND, September 20. The match betweeif Australia and Auckland was played to-day before 20,000 spectators in ideal weather. Australia won by 32 points to 8. The game opened with Auckland attacking, and a long kick by ifwersen forced Australia. The same player shortly afterwards had a fruitless •shot at goal from a penalty. A good rush by Ifwersen took play to Australia's line where the visitors were penalised, and Ifwcrson kicked a goal. Give-and-take play among the forwards followed, the ball being taken to Auckland's twenty-five, where a passing rush by Australia ended in Cubitt scoring. Burge failed with the kick at goal. After a further period of forward play, Burge intercepted a pass, and an Australian rush resulted in Halloway nearly scoring. Auckland was penalised, and Barge's kick at goal hit the post. Davidson got an opening and raced down the field, I where he passed to Avery, who scored. Ifwersen failed to convert. Soon after Fraser fielded a kick, and beating several opponents/ passed to Cubitt, who punted over the line and, following fast, scored. Norman converted. Australia, making better uso of their backs, set up several-'attacking movements, Gilbert eventually crossing the line and scoring behind the posts. Norman converted. At the beginning of the second spell,- Horder made a great run from half-way, M'Gregor tackling him before he reached the line, and forced. Auckland again forced shortly afterwards, and from a drop-out U'raser dodged through most of his opponents and passed to Burge, who scored. Norman's kick at goal failed. Scon afterwards Ifwersen snapped up the ball in the loose and broke through to Australia's twenty-live. From a penalty, Ifwersen essayed a kick at goal, but failed. Another shot from a mark in front of the visitors' goal by the same player also went wide. A run by Cubitt and Horder locked promising for the visitors, but Davidson held the latter for pace and saved. After a spell of give-and-take play, W. Davidson made a good opening and down the field, supported by Ifwersen, the latter being tackled by the full-back. The Australians came back with a rush. Latta, Burge, and Norman having the ball between them. The ball was lucked over the line, and Bass saved. Shortly afterwards Robinson broke through and passed to Burge, who scored. *■ Norman failed to convert. Another try was scored by Australia within a few minutes. Burge gathering the ball in the open and dashing over the line. Fraser converted. A pood run by Cubitt and Gilbert resulted in the latter scoring behind the posts. Fraser again converted. Auckland then turned an Australian rush into defence, and M'Gregor. breaking through' from the Auckland side of halfway passed to W. Davidson, who scored. Davidson failed to convert. Play hung in midfield for a time, but just before the bell rang Halloway broke through and pa-s-ed to Burge, who scored. Cubitt's ■kick failed The game ended: Australia 32, Auckland 8. Mr A. Ball was the referee.

TOUR NOT A FINANCIAL SUCCESS. AUCKLAND, September 22. Referring to their tour, Mr Upton, one of the managers of the Australian team, said- "From a financial point of view the tour' would not b? a success. The Australian League would probably lose- about €859 This was somewhat -different from New Zealanders' visit to Australia, recently which showed a. profit to the New 53-aland League of over £1000." Mr Upton considered that New Zealand had some very promising players: in fact, some of the texms he had seen contained better material than the combinations which represented New Zealand in Australia a few months ago. - -\sked how he accounted for the Australians' defeat in the second tost match at Christen ureh, Mr Upton said that the "•round was greasy. This was a great handicap to the Australians. Further, the referee in this match interpreted the rules in a manner Australians were not accustomed to. He advocated the appointment of referees for important games by tho New Zealand Council, and not by the local leagues. WELLINGTON v. CANTERBURY. WIN FOR CANTERBURY. CHR-ISTCHURCH, September 20. A representative League match, Wellington versus Canterbury, wes played in fine

weather, and before a large attendance. The game resulted in a win for Canterbury by 27 points to 15.

ASSOCIATION.

CUP WINNERS v. REST OF OTAGO. Northern, winners of tho cup for 1919, wero matched against a team of selected players from tho other clubs at Culling Park on Saturday. Tho baU was very light and sadly misshapen, and in the high wind prevailing its flight after leaving the toe was a matter of luck. Shooting was therefore very uncertain, and amongst some of the players there was a. general lack of interest, while at one stage friendliness was not the dominant note. Occasionally the Otago rearguard, in which Race and Stevens were outstanding, showed nice combination, but on the whole it was a scrappy, disappointing game of little value. Scores: — Otago 1 goals. Northern 1 goal. SECOND GRADE.

In the Second Grade "knock-out" competition Green Island beat Northern by 4goals to 1. THIRD GRADE. Green Island having defaulted, the Third Grade Cup has been won by Christian Brothers. CHURCH MATCH." A pleasantly-contested game at the Gardens between the Opoho Presbyterian and the United Congregational Church teams was won by the latter by 1 goal (a fine effort by Lowe) to nil. Mr Jarvis was referee. , m ,

A team from the Westmoreland defeated a team from the Marama by 3 goals to nil.