FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 205, 23 May 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

(By Aiustobolus.)

TOUR OF THE BRITISHERS. To-day.—Wairarapa and Bush Unions, at Masterton. . . . -4 Wednesday, May 27.—Wellington Union, at '. Wellington. ' ' 7 Saturday, May 30.—Otago Union, at Dunedin. •> Wednesday, June 3.—Southland Union, at . Invercargill. Saturday, Juno 6.—First Test Match, at Dunedin. . Wednesday, June 10. —South Canterbury Union, at Timaru. Saturday, June 13. —Canterbury Union, at Christchurch. Wednesday, June 17.—West Coast and Buller Unions, at Greyinouth. ■Saturday, June .' andMarlborough Unions, at 1 . Nelson. 7 Saturday, Juno 27.—Second Test Match at Wellington. • Wednesday, ; July I.—Hawko's Bay) Union, at Napier. ; Saturday, July, 4.—Poverty Bay ' Union, at Gisbonie. ' • Wednesday, Jujy .B.—Manawatu. and Horo- - I wheniia ■ Unions, : at Palmerston. Saturday,- July 11.—Wanganui Union, at Wanganui. - , Wednesday, July 15.—Taranaki Union, at New Plymouth. Saturday, July 18. —Auckland Union, •at ■ Auckland. Saturday, July 25.—Third" Test Match at Auckland. TIME-TABLE OF THE. TOUR. Arriva at Wellington from Masterton on May 25, at 11.30. a.m. Loavo Wellington for Lyttclton on Slay 27, at 8 p.m. • " . Arrive at Christchurch on May 28, at 10 a.m., and leave on ;May;2B, at 11.55 a.m. 'Arrive at Dunedin' on- May ,28, at .9.15 p.m., and ( leavo 011 June 1, at ,8.20 a.m. Arrive at Invercargill on Jurie 1, at 2.20 p.m., and leave on June 4, at 8 a.m. Arrive at Dunedin on June 4, at '1 p.m., and leave on June 8 or 9, at 8 a.m. . Arrive at. Timaru on June 8 or 9, at 1.26 p.m., and leave on June 10, at 7 p.m. Arrive. at Christchurch on Juno 10, at 10.40 p.m., anl leave on June 16, at 7 a.m. Arrive at Greymouth on June 16, at 8.10 p.m., and loave on June 18, at 9.50 a.m., for Reefton, - thence per coach-to Nelson. Arrive'at. Nelson on June 19, and leave on Juno 22. • ■ ' ' .. .:7 ■ .

. Arrive ; at Wellington on June 23, early, ' and leav.o on Juno 29, at 8.22 a.m. . Arrivo at Napier on June 29, at 5.38 p.m., and Iccrvo oil July 3 by steamer. Arrive at Gisborne the, same night, and leave on July-5. - Arrive at Napier on July' 6, and go on to Palmerston North the same evening. „ Leave Palmerston North on July 9, at 11.49 a.m. ■ Arrive' at Wansanui 'on July 9, at 3 p.m., and leave on July 14, at 2.25 p.m.' Arrive at New Plymouth on July 14, at 8 p.m., and leave by steamer on July 15, at 9 'p.m. '■ ' Arrive at Auckland on July 16, early. 3., After the- match at Auckland on*?uly 18 s. visit will be paid to Rotorua, returning to Auckland for the second match here on July 25.' ..." • ' . Wairarapa : and Bush - Districts v. the British team at Masterton to-day.- . O'Leary will captain jbho.-lpcal.iteam,.-whose colours will be; green. £g. ■ .. Although,on jthe soft side, .thejvisitprs will,' it is'-; anticipated, gam , ;"the s 'hon'burs-' i of l the day. ' : ' •: Among the numerous spectators will be en-' thusiastsfrom'far.and wide.- -If-possible the selectors of the New Zealand'team will be present. '• .•: ' ■ The first match between Wairarapa and England was played in Masterton 20 years ; ago, and was won by England by 5 points to 1 after a very exciting game. Tho try for Wairarapa 'was obtained by : J. Perry, the half-back, who evaded the English backs and scored near-the corner. One of the visitors got so close to him that ho was scraping at tho:,back, of his jersey. ~ Fixtures to^day :—Petone v. ( Wellington at • Petone'; Oriental v. Victoria College; Poneke v..Athletics; Melrose v. Old Boys,; St. James 7. Southern. ' The New, South Wales " Rugger" team to visit. England will include Queensland . players. ; "• Wairarapa meet Canterbury, on Lancaster Park on Saturday, July 18. Otago and Taranaki play at Duncdin on July 25. ■ . . The team to represent Wellington will: bo . announced on Monday. . / It is : anticipated that • .the forward divi- ' sion will .be equally strong in loose, and tight work:. ;■ .. . " : ■ ' .' .' '' : The. delay in not .picking the Wellington vanguard "earlier has not been without its 1 advantages. With ■ sixteen "possibles" in training/ indoor work of the highest order has been attained. - : \ The -local backs should give a good account of themselves. If 'anything, they will bo stronger in attack than .on defence. B. R.. Bedell-Sivriglit, who captained the last _ British team, is at presont studying medicine in Edinburgh University. ' Each. member of the British team receiyed two jerseys, two pairs of two pairs of stockings, a muffler, /two neckties, a hat-band of the team, colours, and a blazer. ' The men who make the most of their.: opportunities are the men who get on best in the world, and that is the chief reason why ' in Rugby football the Welshmen are. at present on top.—" The Bystander." . The members' ! of the New Zealand team for tho first "test" will be assembled in Duriedin a: week 'before, the international engagement, and will probably be "quartered at -Mpsgiel, where ' special arrangements will bis made for their training,, etc.' The Dominion team will not depart from the formation which, has proved so satisfactory in recent years—viz., scrum, one wing forward, half, two five-eighths, three, three-quarters, and full-back. Regarding the merits of various members of' the British team, tho following will bo of interest:—Vassall .represented England this season against Ireland; Davey and Oldham against Scotland; Harding represented Wales against England and Scotland; J. L. Williams represented Walos against Eng- : land, Scotland, and Ireland; Gibbs repte- , sented Wales against England, Scotland, Ireland, and France; and , Dibble represented England against Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and France."

Mr. F. A. Midlane, a young New Zeal?j;der. who played centre three-quarter for the Sydney District Club,; has returned to Wellington. He intends going into business with his brother.

. Peter Ward, of Invercargill, New Zealand, who played for Now South Wales against ' Mullineaux's British team in" 1899,;, has reappeared in football in Sydney. lie figured among the backs of Newtown in their match at Newcastlo the other day, and scored a try. His contemporaries in the representative team of 1899 have all dropped out of the game. t It is a matter for-regret that the British team cannot be considered representative of our islands, for disagreement among au- ' thorities led to and Ireland refusing to'sond men. It is to be hoped that the Eniilish and Welsh-players may make a good .fight for it, but, .with romombraness of th'o "ill Blacks" who wore over here years ago, wo can scarcely hope for much Eunsess in test matches. —"The World."

It ssems a 'pity that the delegates, to the Rhnn.il- meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Football "Onion were not specially invited to 1 remcin in Wellington to participate in the welcome to the British footballers. As it was, however; a large number of them did not return to their homes until aftor tho arrival of the visitors.

' Tho Management .Committeo of tho f South Canterbury Union has, in accordance with the resolution of a meeting of delegates demanding an extension of tho term of, suspension infiictod on J. W. Waldie,.a Senior player, for

tnppmgj increased tho sentence to one of disqualification until tho end of the present season. _In any light to uphold the English Rugby Union, against tho introduction of veiled pro-, fossionalism into the game' we would have been eager to lend our support (remarks tho "Athletic News"). Professionalism wo do not oondenih.; wo consider the conditions of modorn sport call for such a thing, and good well-governed professional Tecroation is to be respected. But another thing has to be remembered. Tho beau-ideal of entertainment is amateur sport. If a socioty strives to keep tho particular recreation in which they are interested frco from professionalism that body must, be honoured and aided in thoir !effort,- because ethically they are right.' But it will not do to deal 'weakly with a suspected abuse with mere threats. know what the Soottish Football Union, whose_ position in the matter of professionalism is splendid, would have done under the circumstances; but for the sake of tho menlbers of the Commission wo shall not repeat our estimation here. ' Interviewed prior to leaving England, the late Mr. Baskerville, secretary to the professional " All Blacks," -said" Many of tho grounds were excellent, but we had much bad weather; and this spoiled them so greatly that often we played on grounds such as in a New Zealand match no one .would have dreamed of proposing that a match should be played on; -in weather, too, that in the oolbny would have been deemed far too bad for play to talce place at all. It was not at all an uncommon experience for us to have some half-dozen men laid aside with'influenza or bad colds, and unablo to play, .while at the same, time others have had to stand a's-ide .owing to some injury received in a previous contest-rcircumstances over' which, of course, wo had no control, but which nevertheless did hamper Us considerably. . . . Given good health, decent weather, and a little good luck, we should, of course; have- done better, and certainly should have saved several games that .we lost by very close margins. : We defeated half the counties, some: by 'large odds. England only beat us by two points and Wales by only one; The fact is, this _ New Zealand team and the Eng-lish-professional teams were very closely matched. But, like the.' All Blacks, 1 we suffered through those who made our arrangements, keeping back our chief matches until too late. As a consequence we havo become thoroughly -stale and tired —almost dead-beat • -so that the very name of football is quite loathsome to us." MAORI TEAM. VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. LIST OF THE MEMBERS. , The Maori football team, which will tourNew South Wales and Queensland, leaves for Sydney by. the Moana, on Monday. It has been organised by; Mr. Asher, ex-Auck-land and New Zealand 'representative, who will act as captain. . Miv T. J. O'Farrell, a'prominent Sydney referee, will tour with the .-team-as secretary.' ,;'" In addition to' football, exhibitions of liakas, war dances, and Maori games will be given, with full equipment. Included in tho combination is the gold medallist and cham,pkmhaka performer of Rotorua. The' names and ' weights of tho players .are 7' 7": 7' ! Full-back: Aritaku Wihapi, 12st. 121b., : represented Te -Ante College and Tauranga. Full-back and five-eighths:, Hoeroa, 12st. 71b. (Tauranga). / , ■ i -

/ .Three-quarters: Asher,. 12st.; Nikorima/Ratete, lOsfc. 101b. (Rotorua); Tekupa Pouwhiuwhiu, £l2st.' Rotorua); -Frknk Hauaiirf 13st. ! (St. John's C6Uege)';^HDane'"Witeriana 1 12st. ; (£>t. Stephen's College); Hone Tuki, 13st. (Waikato); Nutana Wiki, 12st.. 121b. (Northern districts); Hamuora Tawliai, lOst. 51b...(T0 Aute.College and Rotorua);' ' '•' '. Five-eighths:_ Ma'na -Tay-list. 71b. (Waikato and Hamilton); also Hoeroa, who may play full-back. y

Half-back: Haukore, 13st. (Tauranga)., Forwards: J. J. Stanaway, or Hone Haira, 12st. 71b. (Northern Wairoa) ; Mikaera, 13st. 71b. (Rotorua); Mihi -Ririraui, 14st. 101b! (Tauranga); Toi, 16st. 21b. (Tauranga); Bienville Barclay (Punga Pnkere), 14st. (St. John's College)-; Pi rit a Wharepapa;. 12st. 131b. (Tauranga); Hikatarewa, 14st. 71b. (Rotorua) ;' Iharaira, 16st.'lib. (Rotorua); Patikura Wetini, 16st. (Matata); Tiopira Hehare Rota, 14st: 31b. (Goldfields); Henare Ririnui, il3st. 121b. (Tauranga and Rotorua); Pita Tapihana, 13st. 71b. (To Puke); Hopepa Toreo, 14st." (Hastings).

LAST SATURDAY'S MATCHES. ! The unequal nature, of-the surface of tho Petone ground proved a pitfall to tho Poneke representatives last week. It was noticeable that whilst somo of the town players Waited for the bounce, the local men rightly preferred to take no chances. / . , The whistle was blown:moro .frequently than was necessary. Time and again play was, stopped .when, the side committing a minor irregularity gained none or only an infinitesimal advantago. \ . Mackloy showed promise of much greater things in the ; near future. He has a good turn of speed, and only requires" more intimate acquaintance with the - finer points of the game. , , J. Ryan did hjs full share-towards stopping forward rushes. Frequently he saved his.side, by splendid kicks into touch. His' claim for representative honours is a strong one. ' Green, at half, .played meritoriously. >His defence was sound, and when his' side wero on attack lie displayed considerable judgment. His clever try occasioned a hearty burst-of | applause. Wallace was the best back on his side. Without his services Poneke would at time's have : been in a bad way. Occasionally his attack was brilliant. He does not field the ball as cleanly as might be desired. . Mitchinson's display was. not up to expectations, even allowing for the fact that he was out of position. His admirers look forward to a more finished-exposition to-day. Magce played better than previously this season. That he made mistakes cannot be gainsaid, but, on the whole, he assisted his side greatly. : The Poneke forwards showed better combination, but this advantage was almost equalised by the brilliance, occasionally, of tho individual efforts of several members of the Petono vanguard. ■ . I

Last Saturday morning it was stated that Wellington Club were putting a strong team ill tho field against Oriental, and during the match it was apparent that tho combination was the strongest one that they have' had for several years. What appeared to lose them the match on Saturday was want of experience among the backs—there were no old heads" among them. -If tho team manages to cling together, however, and keep up solid training, it should bo a tough proposition in tho second round.

The outstanding feature of Saturday's match was the splendid exhibition of forward play by A. C. Wilson. Though nearly 15st. i, s . v P?y active, and his play reminds one of \> atkms at his best, for N Wilson is continually 011 the ball, and tackles in raro stylo. Indeed, in this latter respect, his backs might well take pattern by liini. The rest of the 'Wellington forwards all played well, Syines, M'Kollar, and 'M'Kav appearing to most advantage. Tho efforts of the two last-named to open up the play wero .commendable. Turner worked hard, but did not appear to bo as useful at wing as ho is in the pack. .- With the exception of Shoridan, nono of the backs know much about low tackling. Iu tho opinion of many Sturrock should not have been allowed to score. Apart from this, no serious mistakes wore made.

Abercrornbie's try was tho result of beautiful passing among the backs, and was tho style of play that must prove offectivo against any team.

Malfroy was very useful behind the scrum, and was also conspicuous in the loose play on several occasions.

When playing with tho wind in tho first spell, tho three-quarters indulged in kicking once or twioe when , a run . would have been

inoro advisable. A wing three-quarter with any paco should always take advantage of an opening in preference to kicking with a high wind over tho dead hall lino, i Then, again, thero is never much necessity for three-quarters to make use of a mark as when they receive tho ball they are usually in a position to run a few yards and get in their kick, and this is undoubtedly preterablo to going back fivo yards to do the same thing. The Oriental back division would bo a poor concern without Roberts. In fact, the All Black is the heart and soul of tho team, lie played one of his best games on Satur--1 day,. Ins running, passing, tackling, and lino kicking being superb. tt rwra 0 proved fairly safe. H. D. Thompson's play was sound without the usual brilliancy, but it is a fact that ho P' a 3"s better in better company. The rest of tho Oriental backs were just ordinary, Sturrock being probably 'the best of them. The pack did fair work, but on one or two occasions their efforts were marred by off-sido play. Lambort, Heonaii, Isaac, Hamilton, and Gillespio all played solidly.

Melroso did not appear to be doing their best against Athletics in the first spell last Saturday-, and tho play throughout the match was not of a very high order. No fault could bo found with G. Spencer. He was quite safe at full-back, and did some good line-kicking. He placed a nice goal from a penalty, but the rest of his place kicking was not quite up to tho usual standard.

Greeks at half, and Church at five-eighths started several passing rushes, but the ball never travelled very far. Among the forwards, J. De Blois and J. Spencer stood right out above tho rest of their side. Tho former was particularly good in the second spell, and headed all the rushes. E. 0. Hales was again called into action for Athletics, owing to an injury to one of their .forwards. Ho mado a useful emergency. Evensoii played well at centre-three-quart-ers and five-eighths, and Clarke and Poole supported him- fairly well, though thero appeared to be something lacking in tho combination. Richardson ably filled the role of half-back. He is the lightest player in the senior ranks, but he is as game as a pebble, and stands up to the rough stuff on every occasion. The forwards all appeared to be doing their best, but tho fine exhibition given by Wilson completely overshadowed tho work of the others. He was prominent from first to last, and was mainly instrumental in spoiling the Melroso back' play. He got numerous knocks during the course of the game, but always caiv up smiling, and was playing as well, in tho last quarter of an hour as at any part of it. He is looked upon as a certainty for"nest Wednesday's team.

Victoria College v. Southern.—A very even match, in which wind was the deciding factor. The teams were probably playing for the last place in the competition, ana the game was keenly contested. The College forwards wero faster and better in the loose than the Southern, though the latter showed to advantage in thescrum. Had the College made the best use of their forwards' pace and kept tho ball in field in tho first spell, they might have scored moro than the i-ix points advantage which they accumulated in tho first spell. The Southern forwards worked hard in tho first spell against tho wind, and were in better training than the College men, who seemed to wake up only at intervals. The College men cannot hope to win matches until they get into form. There was not much passing 111 the game. The Southern half-back got the ball away several times, but tho attack usually broke down in the initial stages. Wilson and Hitchings made some good runs for College; tho latter, however, although making good openings, seemed to have difficulty in getting rid of the ball. .• O'Leary, the College full back, was very sound in defence. liis kicking and fielding were excellent. Ho should have strong claims for the. University team which is to visit' Sydney.

Prendevillc played his second gamo as wing three-quarter, and greatly improved on the-previous week's display. When Boj-ce retired injured, F. Wilson was transferred from wing forward to fiveeighths, and ho appeared to relish the chauge. • . . . ! • MacMorran's defence was good, but he is not quick enough in getting the ball away. Goodbehere did well en. the wir.g, but unless he is given more chances, his pace will be wasted.-

G. Bogle, who is the mainstay of tho College defence, was an absentee.

Among the forwards, Curtayne worked well throughout. Morrison, who was- allowed to como on in tho' second spell ic place of B °y ce > is ,a very promising and fast forward. ■The Southern full back was reliable, aricl the wing three-quarters did tho little that was .required of them in creditable style. Hunt, at five-eighths, kicked well, and took the brunt of the defence. _ The forwards were honest and hard-work-ing throughout* • WEDNESDAY MATCHES. tOf the games played:last Wednesday, that between Artillery and Tramways was per-, haps the most interesting, tho moro r so smco the result was rather unexpected. Artillery sustained their first defeat of the season by 6 points to 3. Had they utilised their weight to better advantage, especially in tho scrum work, the tables . might have been turned. Since Gillespie quitted their ranks, however the forwards of the Permanent Eorco seem to be at a loss for a leader, and this week left the brunt of the attack to the backs. The latter did not disapDoint their backers, but the Tramways full-back was- a stone wall that needed some negotiating. Both half-backs showed • a creditable degree of smartness, arid sent the leather flying in good style whenever it''came their way. Either Logie was off form, .or his hand turned up "no trumps," for his kicking at goal was not attended by such good results as it usually is. The game, Stars v. Butchers, provided an interesting struggle, though the issue could at no time be said to be in doubt. ■ The Star forwards had an efficient leader in their: right wanderer, Gosling, though at times he proved a little too impetuous. Levy, ,the Butchers' right wing-forward, was also prominent in attack and defence. Though Stars had an ample margin, they would have obtained still more but for the efforts of the opposing full-back, Killeen, who proved himself the safest man; on the ground. Whittaker attacked well for Stars, but. he still displays a tendency to hang on to the ball. The worst fault of tho Butchers was speculation, which they indulged in from start to finish. Bakers showed still more improvement than previously, and fought stubbornly, although they were defeated.. If they could infuse a little more energy into their play, they would be dangerous. As it was, on AVednesday they failed to grasp chances extended to them. ' ■ . Orientals have yet to find a reliable plccekicker for their team. Wednesday was a perfect day for place-kicking, and joints which should have been notched from penalties and tries were thrown away fcr tho want of a pilot to propel the I all be I ween the posts.

WAIRARAPA NOTES. TO-DAY'S MATCHES. The marked. weakness in tho WairirapaBusli Districts representative match, pjejed last Saturday at .Ma'sterton, was tho pessing of the. back divisions of cither side. With Wairarapa this weakness was confined principally to tho three-quarter divisions, while on. the Bush Districts side Collins, centre three-quarter, was a linkless unit, who appeared to disregard his wing auxiliaries. On 0110 occasion, had Collins transferred tho ball to Connor, that player must have scored a try.

Tho Wairarapa three-quarters had much to answer for. Time after time they throw away chances of scoring in a most "flagrant fashion. N. Jl'Konzie and Darvell were tho principal ottondors. Once, in one "of tho-pass-ing bouts, which wero repeatedly mulled, M'Kenzie could have got over himself had lie shown a little more decision and ran with tho whole-souled idea of gotting thoro. In Rugby football determination is an essential, and frequently proves the fallacy of tho statement that brains will always boat muscle. Still, it is to bo admitted that the more brains used in co-operation with muscular power tho greater the chance «f uuccese..

Summed up, there was hardly an atom of scienco in tho game. Tho backs certainly made attempts to pass the ball, and failed ingloriously, but they never mixed their play. It is not always nccessary that a back attack must bo a passing attack. It may bo brought into concrete form after .1 series of high cross-kicks or straight ahead kicks, or, if tho other backs are. encroaching too much, by meek punts just over their heads. Then there is tho cross passing and backing up. On Saturday O'Leary was the only bcck on tho field who attempted to back up. Tho forwards on either side never attempted once to scrow tho scrum. Their scoring gamo was simply one of heel-out. After thirty years' experience, Wairarapa should know something more about this portion of the game, even if the Bush do not. 011 the other band, tho loose play of both forward divisions was very good, but it was not thorough enough. More grimness is required in sticking close to the leather. In this department Brencliley appeared to play a most honest gamo. It is to Lo - hopcrl that in to-day's match the country fnvards will adopt a Berserker style of ' c !ay, end go "eyes out" till the finish. Were the Anglo-Welsh fifteen in form, thoy should beat Wairarapa easily on points—that is, judging by the recent display of the country players; but as the visitors are certain to be without any great cohesion, the gamo should be close. It will surprise many if Wairarana win.

In tho second spell of the WairarapaBush representative match last Saturday, N." M'Kenzie (centre three-quar-ter) changed places with Russell (full-back). The chango was not productive of any benefit to the side; indeed, the opposite was the case. M'Kenzie did not keep in a proper position, he became manifestly nervous, and ho did not seem to be able to do the right thing. Had he'- been allowed to remain at centre three-quarter, it is vory probable that he would havo retrieved himself. As for Russell, he appeared to have little idea of attacking three-quarter-back play. J. O'Leary, the white-headed boy of tho Wairarapa football public, has tho chance to-day of playing hitiiself into tho New Zealand team, but it may not be an easy chance. O'Leary is one of tho soundest and quickest kicks in the Dominion, and he passes well. Wairarapa hopes will go with him to-day'in demonstrating his fitness in other departments of tho came. The Wairarapa three-quarter-backs in today's match are the weakest part of tho combination, unless they turn out a surprisepacket. Connor is tho one who may be expected to do something, if he can get the ball, but last Saturday Collins ciid not slow that 110 regarded a wing three-quarter alongside of him as an undisputed necessity. Darvoll, tho other three-quarter, hardly appears to bo maturo enough to give success in-a big game. Henderson, second emergency ■ forward in to-day's representative match, weighs lOst. 51b. 'Were he three stone heavier, lie would bo ono of the greatest loose players in the Dominion. If some of the Wairarapa-Bush forwards talk less during the .game, and work harder, their side' will benefit materially by tho change. Watch tho leather, and keep on it, should bo their axiom. Some unfavourable comment has been made because Workman has been selected wingforward for Wairarapa in to-day's match. Workman is an old player with a good head. It will bo his own fault if he does not pay proper attention to the British halves. Of tho Wairarapa team playing to-day, O'Leary, Groube, Adams, H. M'Kenzie, and Workman have represented, the district on other occasions, Ross has represented Canterbury, and Swainson Hawke's Bay and Manawatu: M'Carthy has also played, in the elect from Hawke's Bay.' In appearance, Adams, tho Wairarapa liflfback, is something like Parson Mulfineaux, who brought a first-class British team to Australia nino years ago. 'It was "Banjo" Patcrson who immortalised Mullineaux .in doggerel'verso, which likened.his face to an eight-day clock.. Adams has also square-cut foaturjs.