Football

Since last issue football has been very satisfactory, but we have throughout the season been handicapped by successions of wet Saturdays, and a correspondingly small number of games, and as a result it is probable that the championships cannot be finished. We have now one match to play (against Petone) which, if we win, will place us level with Pld Boys and Petone for first place on the championship ladder, and the advanced stage of the season will not permit the further games being played off. If we lose, we are, with Old Boys, runners up.

During the season Jackson, Aitken and Morton have played regularly for the Wellington representatives, and the first named has captained that team.

The following is an account of the matches played:—v. Athletic won 45—0. The score speaks for itself; v. Petone lost 27—3. This was played on the Saturday after Capping festivities in the mud and rain at Petone. We played one man short and every man tired, and in spite of the sterling efforts of Aitken and Jackson, could not prove ourselves a match for Petone; v. Oriental won 15—6. Played at Duppa Street during the vacation, when some of our team away. We managed to secure a win after a very ragged game, mainly through the efforts of the forwards. Jackson, Wilson and Adams scored, all tries being converted by Morton; v. Wellington won 19—8. In the first spell we held our own in an up and down game, and managed to secure a score. Until well into the second spell there was no further score. Cohen, Wellington, as the result of two forward rushes, crossed our line twice in quick succession. The score stood against us, 8—3, until page 61 almost the end of the game, when Charles scored from a scrum near the line, and Morton converted. At this stage Aitken made some very fine efforts, and scored three times, thus making us the winners by a considerable margin; v. Wellington College lost 12—8. This was a fast, open game, in which the result was not decided till call of time. During the first spell we had decidedly the best of the game, and were unlucky in not putting on more points. Two tries were scored one by Jackson and one by McRae, one converted by Morton, which left the score 8—3 at half time. Thence, from the kick off, College attacked vigorously, and we were forced down, but play for the rest of the spell was of a very even nature. College kicked a nice penalty goal, bringing the score to 8—6, still in our favour. The score stood at this figure till almost the call of time, when College twice crossed our line, once as the result of a nice passing rush, and once by clever working of the blind. Although we probably had the best of the game College put up an excellent fight, and deserved their win; v. Oriental, won 26—3. This was a very easy win, the only feature being the interesting game going on on the next ground; v. Old Boys, won 18—11. This was a fast spectacular game, in which both sides played to a standstill. From the kick off we attacked for a short time, and then for a large part of the spell were hemmed in our own twenty-five. During this stage Old Boys registered two scores (one converted) 8—nil. We then rallied, and after several unsuccessful efforts managed to score, Jackson touching down. Morton converted, and this score was unaltered at half time. Early in the second spell Porter scored for Old Boys, making the score against us 11—5, and from then we took our share of the attacking. Well on in the second spell the ball came out of the scrum at half-way. Morton beat his man and passed out, and the concerted work of Aitken and Jackson resulted in a brilliant try by Aitken, Morton goaled. From the kick off we again attacked. Jackson put in a good run, centred, and Aitken, by means of some clever foot work, beat the full-back and scored. This put us in the lead 13—11. Old Boys rallied, and for a short time we were hard pressed. However, some good work among the forwards carried the ball to the other end. From a scrum Morton worked the blind, passed to Lusk, who beat his man, and passed to Wilson, enabling the latter to score an easy try. Morton converted, and shortly afterwards the whistle sounded. The whole team played excellently in this game, and it is scarcely possible to single out anyone for special praise. Still, undoubtedly, it was to Aitken that we owe the game, but he was well seconded by Morton and Jackson, nad, indeed, all the backs. O'Regan's line kicking was a feature, and Morton has proved himself a place kick second to none in the competition. The forwards, one and all, played hard and well throughout, Charles and Adams being particularly conspicuous, while Wilson put in some specially good work in getting on to the opposing half.