ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 199, 16 May 1908, Page 9

ASSOCIATION.

(By Centre Haif.)

SENIOR LEAGUE-FIRST DIVISION. © a . ' , .2* m■S ■ » Team. m § m ; O « "X -P •g ; . g |\5 - +3 a •£ St I ° a go i 2 Jfc . S f hi fi o Rovers 13' 2 . — 1 5 Swifts 3 2 — 1 5 Diamonds ... ,'2 2 — — 4 Y:M.C.A. ... 3 2 1 4 Wanderers ... 2 1 1 — ,2 Ramblers ... 2 — 2 — 0 Potone 3 — 3 — ,0 Thistle 2 — 2 — 0 ;

The principal Senior League matches so far have revealed an entire absence of condiin players. This is the general opiniou of tlioso competent to pass an opinion. In 'ast Saturday's match on the Athletic Park, for example; game started off fast enough, but the second half' was vciry wearying; the players simply could not keep up the paei. Condition is ono of the first essentials of football; to play good football, and give a good exhibition of the game, players, must he fit. It is very evident that the toivn grounds are much' faster than Miramar, the ball is quicker, and a player'now needs more pace to keep up with a game which is rapidly improving in quality. "Soccer" is seen to its best advantago on a fast ground, but good exhibitions of the gamo will never, be seen so long as players maintain their present condition. I am glad to note that the subject was mentioned by the secretary of the Association at this week's meeting.., It. was stated that Rovers and Diamonds, or most of their members, had joined forces to use St. Paul's Schoolroom gymnasium. 1 The Y.M.C.A. and Wanderers have their own rooms, while tho Swifts are said to be actively negotiating for a "gym." I feel very justified in making these; remarks, because, tp a certain,' in fact, a'very large, degree, senior players liavo tho moans of making soccer popular and prominent in the public eye tliis season. The senior matches are now played in town before numbers of spectators, who are beginning to take an increased interest in soccer, and it remains with our best players now

to improve tho standard of play to such an extent that the hold upon this public will be retained.

Another thing that/ urgontly needs improvement is " combination "; hardly onco this soason has there been a decent exhibition of combined play. Good truo.combination makes tho game delightful aliko for player and spectator; when are wo going to get this ? Clover passing in tho right direction leads to goals l for your side, and increased interest in your team's' doings by tho spectator. Do not, howover, pass for tho mere sake of passing; a wasted pass is a help to your opponents and a hindranco to youtf own side. The sound player is ono who, having drawn his opponents' attack, then makes a judicious pass, either to his ally or a wing forward, the latter for preference; and by those tactics the player, who should, of course, be unmarked; ''is enabled to make a fine run into the enemy's ground. A pass to' a player who is watched by an opponent is usaloss—probably worse than no pass at all. ' Another weakness in forward play is very often,noted in tho contra forward. \This player should remember that he has to . act as a leader to tho other forwards ;by ; his generalship alone can a losing gainebe won. He should study all tho points of'the enomy's defence; decide in, his own mind whether 0110 wine is to attack moro. than the other; whether long passing should be exchanged for short; when individual play is to bo introduced: and; above all, see that his partners keep tneir places. A good contre will win a game, while an indifferent ono may lose it. . ' The sonior. games set down for last Saturday for tlio . Basin Reserve and Newtown Park were .postponed owing to the grounds being presumably unfit to play on. There must have been some misunderstanding over the matter, as no instructions had been given re Newtown Park; in fact, several toys', matches were actually played" there. The W.F.A. decided this week to obtain official intimation from the Town Clerk as to when the grounds are unfit to play on. As far as I.can gather, however, it is the intention of tliG Reserves . Committee to bo very liberal in the matter.

' It was the quality of the play in the Rovers-Swifts match oil the Athletic Park last Saturday that led me to write the opening. remarks in these notes. With the exception of the little piece of play which led to a score for Swifts,, there was nothing else worthy of the enthusiastic approval of the spectators. ' The Rover forwards had a certain amount of dash, while O'Shea showed a nice turn of cleverness, but their- form on the whole was much below that shown on tho occasion of their match with Ramblers this season. Martin, outside-left, was, almost a failure. W.. O'Shea, left-half, did some pretty work, and passed accurately to his forwards, hut tho other two halves were very wild in their placing. Martin and Duiguan both did well at full-back, tho latter Kicking and tackling splendidly. Penlington in goal had little to do. '

Swifts forwards wero sluggish, with the exception of Lowe, who was full of 'dash, but Bpoilfc his play by an overwhelming desiro to beat I Duignan. "Combination" is the watchword, and an individualist is easily robbed. Scott and Oilier were neglected to a certain degree. Among the halves Graves worked very hard, and will be a real good half when lie becomes more adept at feeding his forwards. White was prominent, as. usual, while Tempest put in a lot of work at, ccntre-hali. but wandered rather much. Elson, despite a nasty kick, was good afj back, but Pye Smith skied the ball far too much. Jameson in .goal saved his side on many occasions. Swifts are sending a team to play the Masterton Club on Juno 3.. A match lias' been arranged between a Taranaki team and the Wanganui Club at Wanganui for June 3. It is probable that W.F.A. will send • a Senior second division team to "play Wanganui towards the end of the season. Tlio matter is at present in tho hands of the Selection Committee. The examination of now referees will not be held until Wednesday week.