ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 217, 10 September 1904, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

Though the Corinthian team which went to New Plymouth was greatly weakened by the absence oi several regular players, it was able \o beat Taranaki by a goal to nil. W .en the -round was wat the AucklarJers lost a match against New Plyin »uth. but against Taranaki, under conditions more favourable to a coinbb.ed game they gave an exhibition witch won hearty commendation from the local spectators. The Corinthian ,eft half. Mould, played a game which astonished 'his colleague* who had not counted maoh upon his services, but he excel ed his usual form. Dugmore only handled the ball in ffoal four times during the imnie which that Corinthians had Taranaki well in hand all the time. In the Taranaki team which played the Corinthians were several players whose services would be welcomed in any Auckland team. Dines and Ambury (forwards) and Bul:f k. the Tarannki fullback, were "spotted" as particularly good men by the Auckland

visitors. _ . ' Mr W C:owati. secretary' of the Lorinthian team, told * New Plymouth au<l<em'e after a complimentary 'spread to his team that interest in Association had vastly increased in Auckland, the teams bavin- increased from eight, three vcars ago, to 19 last season, while tho attendance at cup matches had risen from a couple of hundred to a thousand. . It is conceded by the Taranaki papers that Corinthians were without doubt the most scientific combination; bnt it reports of the returned players are to be believed, the Taranaki men play with tremendous dash, and are likely to supply the game in Maoriland with a little more of the life which is badly needed in most portions of the colony. Most of the players are of big build—l believe they average about twelve stone —and are not afraid to use their weight to the best advantage. Syd. Clark, an ex-Tabernacle player, captained iaranaki, and had with him as fall-back a player named Bullock, and both played with tremendous vigour. Among the forwards Dyne, who was well known as a Rugby rep., and the MacAllum Brothers and Ambury. all played well; the three latter are from England, and combine splendidly. The goal-keeper also plays a sound game, and will most likely develop into a top-noteher. The Aucklanders are full of praise for their treatment. The Taranaki Association did splendidly in the way of eni tertainment. and the boys were really sorry to leave the pretty West Coast town. At a social given in their honour the Mayor promised 1o give Ins best efforts towards despatching a team up North next year. He appears to be a real enthusiast, and kicked the ball off in the match. It was rather amusing to ail present but himself that, when the whistle blew. Mr Cocks made a short run and a tremendous kick at the ball, but buried his foot in the mud. Ho evidently was out of form; the ball rolled a few feet, and the Mayor retired with a limp, which betokened a straining of the tendons of his foot.