FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 183, 2 August 1913, Page 16

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. Ur. J. (McLeod, chairman of the committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union, writing to a supporter of the game in Auckland, states: "We"hope to take that Shield on August 16th. If we don't we intend to make the Auckland Rugby Union a present of it for keep 6." "Wellington has never played under a fairer referee." Such was the remark made b3* Mr. D. Weir, manager of the local representative team, when speaking to a "Post" representative regarding the interprovincial match last Saturday. "We were really surprised when we returned," be added, '"to And there had been some comment on the manner in which he had carried out his duties. Tliere is no one to blame for our defeat but ourselves, and it is absurd to blame the referee. He was quick with tbe whistle, and was undobutedly the best referee a Wellington team has had in Auckland. There is no doubt that we had the best of the game, however, although the points don't show it. We should have won, as we made any amount of openings, but we did not avail ourselves of them."

Unusual preparations are being made at San Francisco (writes a correspondent) to extend a most enthusiastic welcome to the team which the New Zealand Rugby Union has decided to send to California during the forthcoming autumn. A programme of 14 matches has been arranged for the visitors, starting on October sth, against the Olympic Club of San Francisco, and winding up on November 15th against a team selected by tiie Californian Rugby Union to re-present "All-America."' The games include matches with the University of California, the University of Nevada fit Reno, the University of Southern California, the Barbarians Club of San Francisco, the University of Santa Clara, and St. Mary's College of San Francisco. The New Zealand team will be very lavishly entertained by the British Empire Club and other patriotic societies in California.

The athletic authorities of South Africa are perturbed in regard to the inclusion of professional runners in amateur football teams. "The Sporting Star,' , of Johannesburg, in commenting on the position., says:—Representations are to be made by the Transvaal Amateur Athletic Association to the parent !y regarding the action of the gov-.-.111112 bodies of football ill the matter of the reinstatement of professional runners a.s amateur footballers. There are several instances on record of men who have run in professional meetings being reinstated, and to which, in the circumstances, the Association, while not approving of the attitude adopted, took no exception. It has been recognised often enough that there are many cases in which . reinstatement might be advantageously granted to applicants who have sinned in error, or who really did not understand the gravity of the step which they were talcing. But the latest reinstatement of a professional runner a man who has run here and in England in important matches and for big stakes —is another matter, and in fairness to all will have to receive more than passing consideration. The existence of the Association seems to have been ignored.

Each governing body has a right to its own oponion, and if footballers are of opinion that a man can be an amateur, a professional, and again an amateur it is their own business. But it was not on a point of having been a professional footballer that reinstatement was sought in the particular case commented on. Here, a man became a professional runner of his own free will and as a means of livelihood. With that step he lost his right to play in thee amateur football ranks. He applies to tbe governing body of football, and is reinstated an amateur as far as football is concerned, without reference oto -the, 'Athletic Association, aga-mst which he orijrinaily sinned! And now he is an amateur footballer and a professional runner! What an anomalous position; surely it will be put an end, to, or at any rate made impossible in future. It seems that in this question of reinstatement of footballers a great deal depends upon the applicant's quality* of play. The small fry is treated with virtuous indignation, and is informed of its unforgivable siu. Let tho crack player come along, and the door for his re-entry is thrown wide open. PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOOTBALL. Tbe Rugby fixtures of the public schools were advanced a further stage on Saturday afternoon last, in the B and C grades only, the concluding matches of the first round in the A grade being postponed owing to vaccination troubles among so many of the members of the teams drawn to try conclusions. Indeed, it was a common sight to see on the sideline boys who bore only too plainly evidence of having taken precautions against smallpox; while it is also safe to state that the enforced non-participation in the games was not appreciated by the said boys. The weather conditions prevailing were a great improvement on those of the previous week, and this was reflected in the play, some good football being played in several of the matches in the B and C grades. As a result of the games no great change resulted in the comparative positions of the competing teams, Vermont Street still leading in the B grade and Epsom in the C. An interesting match was expected between Newton West and Onehunga, but the latter failed to send out a team. Napier Street, Avondale, Epsom, and Ellerslie won their matches "with substantial margins, while the Vermont Street v. Bayfield and Mt. Roskill v "Newmarket were very close games. Playing on No. 8 ground, Mt. Albert with a short-handed side found Napier Street too strong, but the wearers of the 'Varsity blue are to be commended on a plucky game against heavy odds, the miniature forward for the blues playing with much confidence. Napjer Street boys did not always shine to advantage, perhaps taking the Mt. Albert lads too cheaply. However, the score ran up and was accounted for by Cole (2), Nicholl (3), Martin, G. Cole, Anderson, Buckley and Partington. The Newton WestNapier Street School should prove an interesting match. |

At Eden Park, Nelson Street, with a very weakened team, could not prevail against Avondale, and little comment can be made on the match. On the previous -Saturday, owing to unsuitable arrangements, not the fault of the team, the Avondale boys were reluctantly compelled to default to Bayfield, a decidedly promising match, tlierefore, not eventuating. Last Saturday the suburban boys though much inconvenienced by a one o'clock match, fulfilled their engagement witb Nelson Street, Napier scoring for the latter and Paice (4), Holmes (2), Cruni, Archibald and McMicken for Avondale. Holmes brought Off some fine goals. As predicted, the Bayfield v. Vermont Street fixture turned out to be a very close and interesting game, and the result was in doubt until the close. Play was confined chiefly to the forwards, both packs being good, Bayfield especially so. Bagnall again standing out, but being well supported by his comrades. Vermont Street forwards lacked the combination of their opponents in the same department, but the green and black backs were superior to Bayfield's. The back division is Baj-field's weakness, the half on Saturday being very unsuited to the position. Vermont Street's score was obtained by Slade and Wilson. Playing on No. 1 ground at 1 o'clock, the victorious Epsom boys played quite a spectacular game against their much weaker opponents, Maungawhau. Wright at half for Epsom played a sound game and worked his backs well, while Grierson and H. Smith were conspicuous in the front division. Morgan did some fine tackling for Maungawhau, while Mitchell's kicking was of much service to his side. Epsom's score was obtained by H. Smith (2), Wright, Snodgrass, F. Smith and Ibbertson. Though defeated by 12 to nil in the first round. Newmarket put up a close fight with a much weakened team against Mt. Roskill, the latter winning this time Iby 5 to .'".. Several chances were lost by both sides, at the close particularly by the Newmarket boys. The came was chiefly a forward one, the back divisions of both sides being very weak, combination being absent. For Nit. Roskill the points were secured by Cole, and for Newmarket by X. Lawrence. Kllerslie did not have much difficulty with the plucky Te Papapa boys, though the latter kept the former penned in their own quarter for a considerable period, but were unable to put on the finishing touches. The Te Papapa boys are tn be commended on their consistent playing of uphill games. Ellerslio's total was run up by Green (.1). Knight, Fisher and Banks. Kdendale registered their first default on Saturday last by failing to meet Normal. The meeting of the latter team and Ellerslie should decide the team for the second place in the C grade. NOETHEEIf -.HAGUE FOOTBAIX. One of the arguments advanced in England against the transfer of colonial players to English clubs is that in the case of a transfer from one English club to another the player has no share in the fee, whereas the colonial player transferring to England makes his own terms, and takes the whole of the sign-ing-on bonus. Possibly more to the point is the view advanced by one critic that, as the Northern Union is now constituted, the weaker clubs do not get a chance in the matter of securing good colonial exponents. Tbe Oldham Rugby Club (Eng.) has passed through a bad season. The report issued states that both financially and from a playing point of view it has been the worst in the club's existence. The chief cause has been the exceptionally wet season, the loss on the Huddersfield and Wigan fixtures alone being £900, while injuries to players had been too common, and had much to do with the non-success of the team. There was a loss of £1,415 7/8. on the season. The principal heavy item of expenditure was £2,9!>9 19/2 for wa<*es, bonuses, and transfer fees. The committee again tried the policy of paying all charges out of cash received, but it was found necessary to withdraw £1,400 from loan account. ASSOCIATION. It has frequently been the subject of comment during the present season, in those places where the faithful have been gathered together to discuss the why and the wherefore of things that matter in tbe world of Association football, that we did not have an outside right of conspicuous merit, one who (it may be said just by way of illustration) was worthy to hunt in the same pack where Reggie Boyne was in the centre, and Rod Webster was on the left wing. But it appears ( let us be careful and simply say that it "appears") that the hour has arrived and has brought witli it the man. The man is Morton, of Corinthians, who has forced himself into prominence by really brilliant play in the last few matches. Against North Shore, in tbe wind and rain, and again last Saturday against Brotherhood, in more wind and rain, with much mud added, he played like a book. East, tricky, and as surefooted as Athos, the skater, on the stage at the Opera House, he retains control of the ball as certainly as if it were fastened to his boot by a rubber cord as he dashes away down the side line and buzzes in a centre that rattles the most composed goalkeeper. If Morton keeps on the way he is going the selectors won't need to look much further for a rep. outside right. But it doesn't do to be too sure of anybody these days. Life is full of disappointments. There was a fellow called Cop—but that is another story.

Fresh from their victory of the pr - vious week, the Tauranga eleven journeyed to play a return match against Waihi. Though the team was weak compared with that which took part in the home game, the Taurangaians effected a draw, a very creditable performance, especially considering that they had been travelling from 5 a.m. Up to the present the Tauranga club have played foxrr games, having beaten Ngapuhi 10 to 1, Katikati 2 to 0, Waihi 1 to 0, and drawn with Waihi 1 all. To-day Katikati are due to play at Tauranga, and probably Waihi will again try conclusions on the following Saturday. A Tβ Puke eleven are to be invited for next Thursday, and it is not improbable one of the Auckland clubs may pay Tauranga a visit. They invite correspondence with town clubs.

There-now seems to be every prospect of a representative match with Wellington becoming a reality thia season. The fact will give an added zest to the play for the remainder of the matches, and speculation is already rife as to the probable constitution of the representative team. The task of the selectors is a difficult one, with so many men just about on the same mark. In a general way Auckland is this year strong in backs, but comparatively weak in forwards. Of full-backs and halfbacks there are good men aplenty, but it will be a ticklish job to build up a forward line of even strength, throughout,

With further reference to the Corin-thians-Brotherhood match, the toughest tussle on Saturday last, some mention is due of the half-back play. The fullbacks have already been dealt with fully. The Corinthians'' powerful leader, R. Shepherd, was again very much to the fore, and his heading was as brilliant as ever. Shepherd is a past master at this very difficult art, and his ready skill with both ends of himself, as it were, makes him doubly valuable to his side. What must not be lost sight of, too, is the very obvious fact that this player uses the brains inside his head as well as the skull outside of it.

Ridings, at centre-half for Brotherhood, did not show to such advantage as in tbe full-back position. Much practice in the latter place has made him more deliberate than a centre-half has time to be. His place, however, was the very best in the circumstances, the_team being somewhat disorganised. Ridinge was unfortunate in not having the support from his wings that Shepherd was able to rely upon in his working team. Bond, for Corinthians, played an excep-l tionally clever game at right half. One missed Menne in the Brotherhood forward line. Cocken seemed to be quite lost without his better half. On the other wing, "rank Pearson was quite off colour, and ad not do himself justice at all. Rodgers showed plenty of dash and useful initiative at centre forward, but even he couldn't shoot for his supports as well as make the openings for them.

' The Corinthians' forward line, on the other hand, was a very capable working combination. It has already been explained that Corrin, the Brotherhood full-back, played brilliantly, which accounts for tiie lack of net results to Corinthians. Morton has been given a paragraph to himself. Percy Rose, in late matches, has been coming into his own. As a dashing, tricky forward, with an unselfish habit of making good openings for his comrades in the firing line, and with a very dangerous straight left (or right, as the occasion demands) of his own, he stands in the first flight of forwards to-day. Craig is always a useful and reliable man, and Centre-forward Shepherd, on his occasional appearances in a white jersey, makes his presence felt. No one seems to be able to get the Corinthian forwards going like he does. Special mention deserves to be made of the two goalkeepers. Burton was a lame duck, but be stuck .to his task courageously, and may rest assured that he was largely responsible for the successful defence put up by his side. Coughlan, in the Corinthians' goal, gave an excellent account of himself, and showed admirable judgment in timing bis rushes from the goal mouth to clear away gathering danger. Both Burton and Couglan performed wonderfully with the greasy, heavy ball. Tbe score of two goals to one in the North Shore-Hotspur match, played at the Shore on Saturday, just about indicates the trend of the play. Although Shore were without the services of several of their regular men, they early forced the pace, and in the first few minutes were awarded a penalty. Harper failed badly with the kick., Towards tbe end of the first spell, from a melee in front of Shore's goal, Hotspur opened the score. Miller making a good, but futile, attempt to save. The goalee was called upon again a few minutes later, but saved grandly. At the adjournment the score was in favour of the visitors by one goal. From the kick-off Shore made a strong attack upon the Hotspur citadel, and after about ten minutes play Harper made amends for his previous failure, scoring, as a result of some tricky play and a really good shot. During the closing fifteen minutes, Yarrdley received the ball from Dacre, and heading beautifully, sent the ball in the direction of the' Hotspur goal. The opponents' left full-back assisted the learther in its flight, and gave the goalkeeper no chance of saving. Some good Hotspur left-wing work nearly resulted in an equalising .goal, -but with only Miller to beat, the inside man mulled badly. The exposition of football was not brilliant throughout this game, bnt this was hardly to be wondered at with the Shore eleven, the team being, 1, in a measure, an experimental one. However, the recruits from the second string did well m their initial appearance for the Seniors, and fMuirhead's work with Wallace on the left-wing -was particularly good, especially in the first spell. Tbe players on the opposite wing did not properly settle down. Dacre, at fullback, and Douglas, at half, were in good form, the latter especially doing tremendous work. Miller, in goal, gave hie usual good display, and was responsible for several Teallv brilliant saves.

Of the Hotspur eleven the outside left was the pick of the forwards, while until his injury. Walwork, at full-back, waa a tow-er of strength. The ltitter'e retirement practically lost Hotepur the match.