FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7813, 4 June 1909, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

For some reason, during the present season the game of football m Ashburton has, to a large degree, been robbed of its former attractiveness, and from a spectator's point of view the matches played have lacked that interest on the part of the players that is so characteristic of the game m other centres. Indeed, it can be said that m every match, so far played during the season, there has been a spirit of indifference shown by the players, and with one or two exceptions teams have gone on to the field a number of men short. Some critics state that the local control of the game has been defective and that one' section of players have received more consideration than others, who are equally deserving of encouragement ; but, apart from these and other such statements, it is difficult to accurately account for the game having received such a severe set back. There is one feature m regard to the game that cannot be lost sight of, and this lies m the fact of the playing grounds —which, though excellent for purely playing purposes,' are a long distance from the town. The Rugby Union should, if possible, secure a suitable ground m the Domain, which, as a whole, has been specially laid out, at considerable cost to the ratepayers, to admit of healthy outdoor recreation, with a full degree of success and pleasure to all concerned. It needs also to be always remembered that athletic games and pastimes are robbed of their true sporting incentive when an attempt is made to turn them into money-making concerns or to run them m the interests of a select few.

Football matches played on Thursday resulted as follows: Convent boys v. Hampstead school team was played on the High School grounds, and after a keenly-contested game, Hampstead won by three points to nil, the try being obtained by Williams. Mr F. Pritchard acted as referee, and the match was played with tlio utmost good feeling. A third grade competition match was played on the show grounds between Southern Cross and Springburn teams. After playing for a quarter of an hour the match was declared closed, a ball not being available to complete the time. Neither 1 team scored, and Mr F. Pritchard was the referee. Another third grade match, Ashburton v. High School, played on the show grounds, proved fairly interesting, the teams being more evenly matched than they had been m. former matches. The match ended m a win for Ash burton by 9 points to 5; scores for the. winning side being secured by J. Spring (2 tries) and J. Ford (1 try). McGowan for the High School, registered a try. and subsequently kicked a goal. Mr B. Cassells was the referee. ASHBTJRTOX v. TEMUKA. A senior match was-played on ' the show grounds between teams representing the Temuka Club and the Ashhurton Club. Ashburton took the field with seven men, but during the progress of the match six moro men took the. field at intervals. As a result of this the game was very one-sided ; m fact, the visitors figuratively walked over their opponents, and the match was uninteresting from start to finish. Ashburton failed to register a score, and Temuka won by 18''points. Mr B. Cassells was the referee.