ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 218, 8 June 1908, Page 9

ASSOCIATION.

SENIOR LEAGUE MATCHES. FIRST DIVISION. Tho "socccr"players woro favoured with pcrfoct weather on Saturday.- Thistles journeyed to Potone, and gavb the Buburban team a lively time, a drawn garno, 0110 all, resulting. Tlio Swifts havo evidently' fallen upon evil days -at "tlio Basin Reserve, for they sustained rather a bad defeat—3 goals to I—at the hands of Ramblers. Y.M.C.A. inflicted a decisive' dofeat on Wanderers, scoring 6 goals to their opponents' "duck." Diamonds received'their first check this season at the hands of Rovers, who defeated them by 2 goals to 1. Tile following aro tho results, of-tho games:— Potone, (1) v. Thistle (1). Ramblers (3), v. Swifts, (i). Y.M.C.A. (0) v. Wanderers (0). Rovers (2) v. Diamonds (1).

, THISTLE v. PETONE. Favoured with good weather—which is essential with the l'etono ground »' ho roughest in tho ■ . Senior Division—Thistlo won tho toss, and straightway made tracks for Petono goal, llenai cleared and gave tho Thistlo defence a warm time, threo corners being gained in succession. Taplin, Petoue's right winger, from au awkward angle, called upon llowan to save his goal., A break away by the Thistlo forwards ended by Haining testing M'Kinuon's (Petone), who saved with ease. linmcdiatoljc al':er, he almost let his side down badly,: fumbling a shot from Haining and just managing to tip tho ball round tho post,' thus conceding a comer. - Taplin got hold, and raced to tho other end although tackled several timos ho finished a grand piece of play by beating; Rowan (Thistle's goalkeeper), who hud no chiinco. _. This spurred'tho Thistles. From tho -kick-off, Blackwood gciS-away on tho left, centred to Naughton; who had no troublo ill beating M'K.innon—first goal for Thistlo. (Sparrow, Petone's centre-forward,' their bustled for an opening, and Duncan to ■ check his career had to give a corner. M'Ardle by ono of liis characteristic kicks put the ball out of danger. The second , spell opened with the Petono defelioo in. difficulties, and Joyce, in trying to cleat his lines, skied tho ball into his. own goal, but M'Kinnon was safe, and retrieved the mistake. Tho Petono men then bombarded .-tho Thistlo goal, shots being rained-in from Wright, Smythe, and Hawkins. Naughton (Thistlo) . cleverly eluding the half-backs ; and full-backs, dashed on until lie, was. about ten- yards fromgoal,"when ho spoilt a grand effort by feohlo shooting M'Kinnon ' easily. .* caught _ and thrcif out. Taplin' was' very ' conspicious on tho. right wing, giving- Birss and Saul a warm tlitno of it. , He led an attack on. the Thistle' goal, 'rind'centred to Sparrow, .who was-being well watched by M'Lollall. Tho latter was playing an energetic game, assisting tho attack 'of his forwards, and stoutly defending.-,. A freokiek against Birss (Thistle) saw Hawkins lift tho leather Into goal, when Rowan made a brilliant savo fisting-»the_ ball well out of. dangor. Blackwood, was neglected during this half_ of tho gaine, never receiving; a pass from his partner, Connelly, who was - very weak; -Wright played a useful gamo for Potone. Renni was very safe with hii kicking'-for Petone ho had to comei over, and aid Joyce continually to savo his goal. The llev. J. D. Russoll had control of tho match, and gavo satisfaction all round., I ,Tho gamo ended ~.. , Thistlo , ... ; ... ' 1" l'etono . , ■ .i... ... ~.. 1 .

RAMBLERS v. SWIFTS.. . Ramblers were in good form at the Basin Reserve, on . Saturday, and gavo Swifts, last year's champions, rather ( ''a drubbing. -Tho glory of. tho'Swifts has evidently departed. From' the' kick-olf, Ramblers vigorously attacked. 'Their first score was from A: corner.' the ball being' smartly headed through by Auktir.' - '(l-Mj).V ■ ' Pye-Smith (Swifts) rescued his side from a second disaster not long after.. A smart piece of. combination brought Ramblers their second goal. Coward /"got possession of tho ..Hall, passed'to Saunders ; the/latter centred to Waters,.'who scored. (2—o). ' Moiiat very nearly Scored soon-.after, but tlio Swifts' goalkeeper'was on tho alort, and Saved brilliantly.'_ Ahothei excellent display of combined tactics raised the. Ramblers scoro tb .three goals. Moilat receivod a pass from Jaokson, centred to An* ker, who scored neatly.' (3-p-O)/ Swifts then v.'oke up, and attacked vigorously. . A few minutes before timo was Called, • Scott (Swifts) got possession of tho ball, and with a .beautiful,,shot,/fast and. low, sent it flying through tho Ramblers goal. (3—l). 1 Mr. H. L. Godbcr acted as rofcree. The gamo ended-r- . . ' . Ramblors ... ... ... 3 Swifts ■' ... . ' ... ... ; '1 Y.M.C.A. V. WANDERERS.

Y.M.C.A. defeated Wanderers. on Saturday. Playing with groat Vigour and dash, they won by six goals to nil. Right from tliq kick-off the Y.M.C.A. forwards ' bustled tlio Wanderers, and thoir first goal camo soon after the gamo started, Forbes scoring l'rora a fast wing rush. (1—0). Forbes (Y.M.C.A.) played, a brilliant ; game all through. Tho next goal was a .chance' ono, tho ball coming out from, Irvino and rebounding ofl: Gibson back) into tlio goal. Goal No. 3 camo soon after. Tho field crowded on top of the ball, and from tho middle of tho struggling ■ mass. the leather wriggled out 1 , and a Y.M.C.A. man promptly selit it through. The next Y.M.C.A. goal carafe as a free present from Wanderers, whoso cen-tre-half : (Perks),'in tho oxcitement >. of tho moment, : sent, tho ball flying through his own goal. Tho fifth goal.Vas - scored by Forbes froni' a penalty kick, and just'b'eforo tho whistlo blew Gibson added goal No. G to tho, -Y.M.C.A. score. Wanderers won) considerably weakened during tho second spell by tho losp of one of thoir bucks, who sustained a slight injury, and had to leave the- field. The gamo' ended— y.m;c.a;" 6 Wanderors ... ... ... 0

ROVERS V. DIAMONDS. The hitherto invinciblo Diamonds wore forced to surrender- to .defeat at tho hands of Rovers on Saturday, when they were beaten by 2 goals to lv There was no score during the first spell, each side evidently feeling tho wny and gauging cither's strength and 'tactics. Consequently things were, rather tamo until well into the second spell, when Rovers drow first blood. Barry ccntrod to Cashman, who saw his opportunity, and scored. (1—0); Thereafter tho batilo waged furiously, Diamonds having their unbeaten prestige to preserve, wliilo Rovers, close behind in championship points, wore out to beat thorn. Hathaway camo porilously near scoring'; from a vigorous onset on tho Rovers' goal. . Ho shot hard, but a baro inch or so high, and the hall hit tho crossbar. Rovers retaliated, their forwards got away, broke through, and O'Shea scored. (2 —0). Soon after, Diamonds drew blood, Hathaway distinguishing himself .by a long "header . right into Rovers' goal. (2—l). This was tlio last scoro, .ill spite of tho strenuous efforts of Diamonds to even up the numbers. The finish was a brilliant ono. Mr. A. P. Levin was rcfereo for'tke match, which resulted: — Rovers ... .1 2 ' Diamonds 1

SECOND DIVISION. Tho following are tlio results of tlio Senior second , division matches: — St. .John's I v. Montal. Hospital.—This match was played at Porirun. St: John's won tho toss and played with the sun at their backs. Hospital attacked strongly from tlio kick-off and broke through their opponents' backs, in goal being called upon to clear several times, which ho did in lino stylo. _ With tho exception of Forgussoiij the St. John-forwards wore playing very raggedly, but as play progressed tboy improved, and from a passing rush Trovothic scored a good goal. Shortly aftor"-irds St. John's again attacked, and sonin fine eombined play by Dick, Shaw, an.d Trovothic resulted in the latter scoring again, hut the referee gavo it as oft-side. Hospital then forced, and a mis-kick by a St. John's back' lot. the.m in, Thompson scoring from what

should have been a free kick for "bands." Tlio second spell was fast and furious,'as first Hospital and then St. John's came very elosoj to scoring. Only the excellent goalkeeping by both custodians kept- the score down. About five minutes before call of time Forgusson, of St. John's, who had been playing a splendid game all through, took the ball from halfway, and by a fine individual effort wont through tho wliolo of tho Hospital backs, and wound up by enticing tho fjoal-kcepor out and scoring a goal. An exciting finish ended: St. John's, 2; Mental Hospital, 1. . Wanderers v. Letter-carriers.—Tlio Lettercarriers won tho toss and played with the wind. Wanderers kicked off, and soon woro aggressive, a good combined run by tho Wanderers forwards resulting in Pickering fleering a clover goal. "Carriers" soon were in tho Wandorers' territory, -and Bowels, picking up a fine pass, gave Webster (goal) no clmtico. After this Wanderers played hard for the lead, and Hunter, rushing in, beat tho "Carriers' " goal-keeper for tho second time. Wandorers were playing a clover game, and wore inoro dangerous than their opponents. Half-time came: Wanderers, .2; LetterCarriers, 1. Tho first stages of tho second half were characterised by brisk attacks on both goals. The "Carriers" wero/playing hard for evens,-and a huge punt by Bell nearly did it. They at last equalised, and a lively game-ended: Wanderers, 2; LetterCarriers, 2.

Y.M.C.A. v. St. J6hn's.—Y.M.C.A, mot St. John's at Minimal*. With thc.slopo in tlioir favoui-j tlio Y.M.C.A. .soon made the paco, and after a combined forward rush Hedge scored, ton minutes from tho start. Still continuing to press, Y\M.C.A. were again successful, liirkby scoring tho second goal. St. John's.rallied, and played quite an improved game up to half-time, when the score stood 2—0.: Upon resuming, Y.M.C.A. penned tlioir opponents in for quite twenty uiiliutoSj and,could do everything hut:.score, the St. John's goal-keeping boing very .sound. Eventually the latter broke away, and Baker, running out; left them with an open goal, enabling them to score. _ It was an exciting finish, it being rather difficult to distinguish the players in the-semi-darkness. The'gamo ended: Y.M.C.A., 2; St. John's,,!. Watersidors v. Toa,—At Porirua the Watersiders v. Toa match . frns stubbornly contested on both sidosi Toft's defoncc was very strong, but was unequal to the porsistent attacks of tho Watei-Sidors. Tho game resulted: Watorsiders, 4; Toa, nil. . For the Watersidors, Ciarrod, Brott, and Woodcock scored. , Garrod tw'o goals. Watcrsidera played ono man short. 1

Ramblers v. Rovers — Give-and-take play rosultcd on both sides in this gamo till:within- about ten minutes of, tlio first spell, -when Ramblers .seemed to combino -hotter,-' and- as a rosult 'of I good ■ play- Bradford, of the Ramblers, scored ft goal. 'Ramblers again attacked strongly, and White, goal-keeper of the Hovers, rail over two paces. A'free kick was awarded Ramblers, and Grant sent tlio ball-through the goal posts. The Rovers strongly objected to the.goal being allowed, find 6no or two of tlio Ramblers seemed to uphold the Rovers; this incident' practically, marred the game. Play was roi sumed, and Wills made a prominent display; Scoring the third goal for' Ramblers. In the second spell Ramblers had . it all-their own way, and kept the Rovers "continually on the 'defence. Through • a corner kids, Smallbono placed tlio ball in a good ppeitioh, and-. Firkins rushed in. and scored from a difficult- angle. 1 The Hovers after this made a botter show, and - through 'tlife Ramblers, handling the .ball were, awarded a penalty. Turnbull took the kick; and mado a very good attempts Darkness, was now setting, inland Bradford, who was'undoubtedly the host man on the-ground, through good and'clever dribbling, scored the fifth goal for Ramblers, aiid this; ended the game. For Ramblersj Bradford, Firkins, Smallbono, and Wills played well, while for Rovers, Martin, White, 'Turnbull, and Clements did good work. - Mr. Frank O'Connell was'referee. It" is Understood that ..the Rovers have decided to pro' test against olio of the godls allowed. , ■ ,

i el. • JUNIOR '"Y.M.C.A. v. Diamonds.-r-Tliis ni'atfcli wa£' won by Y.M.Q.A. with a scOro of 3 goals to 2./ The .Y.A1.0.A. scdrers were Wilkin's r (2) and.' Lennoxr/ih .tho,.forward, diyjsibj Wilkius was, 'tlio. most-, prominent, whiteWil-' son, of the rearguard, played nf conspicuous gamo; Cunningham, for Diamonds, was tho pick of the team; Kaiwarra v. Petoilo.—Kaiwarra beat Pfttono by 2 goals, to nil Bo'wden scored both goals. ; i ; ' "Bfc:- Paul's'.v.; Ra'ngerS.—This match re-; Suited in a win-for St. Paul's by 3 to nil. Aickin -and Grubb, of thb back divisioli; played-a good game.- , ' ■ South Wellington v. Rahiblors.—A .win for South 'Wellington by STgoals to nil.. In fUturo tlio League matches will commence' at 2.45 p.m. sharp' on ; Saturdays. This, alteration in the tifne for starting has beeii deemed- advisable on' account of' the failing Tight'towards itlio' end' of the Considerable' incoilvciii'ehcG 1 has been caused to public and players alike by ih.o encroachments by the spectators, on the playing area at tho Basin Reserve. A marked improvement 'in this state of affaits,w«s lioticed on Saturday, whoii tho public carefully kept on the footpath.- This unexpected consideration may or may not halve been duo to tho. presence of a' policeman. Allyway, tlio policeman was tliero. Tho presence of a policeman 'would' not,«be necessary wero tho spectators to do a : little' quiet tliiuking over this question of encroachment,. when thoy would probably como to the conclusion that they would have everything to gain and nothing to lose by. adopting a sportsmanlike attitude towards the .'players.

AUSTRALIAN GAME,

newtown v. Wellington; Tho premiership matches < wero • advanced another stago on Saturday, when Newtown and Wellington mot ,on the Basin Reserve. There was a largo attendance of spectators. Nowtown kicked towards tho. western goal, and, securing tho ball on tho bounco, forced it into their opponents' territory. Grant gained possession of the ball, and safely piloted it through tho uprights—first goal to Nowtown iii less than two minutes from tlio start. Spurred on by their initial' success, Nowtown maintained tho attack, Patrick beiiw prominent. Play was transferred to tho other ond.of tho ground, and Ward, marking the ball, scored a clever goal.'amid much applause. Shortly , afterwards Lawronco secured the leather, and,notched a first-class goal from a difficult angle. Tho play; continued fast.on each side, and at quarter-timo tho scoro Stood: Wellington, 2 goals.4 bohinds (16 points); Newtown, 1 goal 2 behinds (8 points). On the change of ends, Wellington, playing a forcing game, quite took possession of the play. M'Grath.and Hurloy in the ruck were in magnificent fettle, and quito outshone their Opponents. The ball was forced into the Nowtown territory, and Ward and Lawrence scored splendid goals. A feature of tho gamo at this stage was tlio kicking-off of tho Nowtown full-back, Ryan. Time after time lie sent the ball up to tlio halfway' lino, only to have it returnod by the opposing forwards. Wellington pressed their opponents severely, and continued to monopolise the scoring.. A'series of clover exchanges culminated in a good goal notched by M'Grath. Duillo was showing splendid form, and adapted himself to-hew conditions in grand fashion. -Both teams showed signs of nagging towards tlio close of the quarter, which" eloquently testified to the great paco at which tho gamo. was being lilayed. As tlio h'-ilf-time bell rounded" Wellington had secured a' substantial lead, and tlio board showed: ,Wellington, 7 goals 8 behinds: (60 points); "NewtoH li, 2 £,oals 2 behinds (14 points). On resinning after tho interval, Newtown made a great effort to redncc their opponents' lead, and some brilliant play ensued. Tho effort was only a temporary olio, howevor, and onco moro . Wollingtoij. wero in the ascendant. They added three, goals to thoir scoro in rapid succossion, whilst Newtown had to be'content-, with a solitary minor point. Hutchison, Burns, and Ftirnis's wero working very hard to avert defeat, and Ward, Vare, and Hoathorn wero much in evidence for Wellington. .At' throe-quarter time tho scoro was: Wellington, 11 goals 8 behinds (7-1 points); Newtown, 2 goals 2 behinds (1.1 points). The last quarter , still Ww tlio Wellington men attacking vigorously. M'Grath, in the ruck, was very prominent,

and Nathan and Varc"lent able assfstanco. • Neville passed the ball, cle.yerly to Burns, who sent it forward, a" goal to Newtown following. Givo-and-taknjpjay,-followed-.on-butH sides, and eacli team scored goals. Towards the finish tho light commenced to fail, but the pace was maintained to 'the-find-'. The final result was — ~ Newtown 5 goals. 13,b.ehin<ls.Y (4J.P,ts.) Wellington 15 goals 12 jjjts.) NOTES BY KICKERO., , It was pleasing to'ithe :dcv.ot(:cßv..of,;.the Australian gtfino to i|)a..gre9tqd, tyitu.such o largo number of 9pec l ta.toi;s, tho Basin lieservo.lnst* Saturday Svcqk, to Vi'ituess tho Nowtown-Cit'y A'atch;- It-'wilt bb;¥cinentbered that Newt&wM' wCfe" preiftiel's. Inst season, and, as Gifcy'tf hsd !k< fairly?: strong combination in tho niatch interesting, and .: but onp noticeable tiling froinja"|])qct'Stbr's' point of view was the way sides kept leaving their places,'*.liM "Umpire'Pearco was often heard to'their proper'positions. ..Ofwolirse',this was right enough in a way, .but .ntf'iu.-ths; duty of: each captain to keep his Weil uiideri-cdntrol,; and; especially, in their is a very important, raift-offin game, it is to bo' pay more attention gaino in futuro mutches. uv..-w:' u.» r"! •. ifc:;pjA} ' On this occasion it-vara^'csyicctefli'that !a strenuous battle \vouldt^lid---fonfehfc-. f ta? Suit, however, was rftthen an: niisy'.'wini'ior' Newtowiij althbughhv' CStyoi' kept onthtjm going all'the time, butribeir forwards'* Were very weak and invariirhlv «.they .'shquld-mavp scored goals,- but their'kieking •lacked'idirection, hence some veryt'masy :«lianbe»it\ycr<i lost. City, however? w<*rbc»r,der:vjari;dißad-i' vantage' through 'beiug.-.lavo"iiion shrfHitttfa? first quarter, and' it'.<«'asrrigt"until"tlle end of "tho" first half of tlte rii'i®Hlfafc;l'thoy their, fiill complemcnfe'Ki. J.iss! <• "a'&i'tZ King c'aptainec] .tho->vNe\ft<jirnJan'd'::Cr<)Tnte led tho City" team. ' O.nrrtWe game, Newtown attacked Gifrp mostly on tho defensive. Threaitinitsi'.th'ey found an opening a number of snapshots put on fLvp.j3pjnts. i 3 got. tile ball past' n single point. Grant, Nb'vllTe', ifiid King (Nowtown), and Cromie,. (City). were prominenti'thMugh'oufcHlie-.ffifst quarter The, gamp ktptt;.pici : Ey..livel,v tho spectators were hot hackvyardwinj iapplauding .good .'play.; \ In.'tho fsecotid fquarter City rallied, and' held thcii'vbwiivfor tiind through- the fine efforts .of Paul, .QrofiiioV Galland, and placing a cool gamp fyill" back. Oil : ,tlip }vijjgS M'Wliao and Jacobs als6 r -piit-iii; g66d -wore,' and Hodge, Spottiswood and'lTniSCfonwds). Other players also showccL The half time ended ""triWP Gitj* f =nress'iii'.and the scores stood—Newtown",*37?p&BltS-J•'Q&y, 12; points.. .! The seConcl half on6lVad''U^'ti i jth'Bomp' t fast and even play on jboth ..sides, l'at'ficky Grant, Burns, ; Neville, fiinil'Bradshaw, for Newtown, and Paul, and M'AVliae,'. forl-..CitK:l.beirig. '.promi inontior good play. As thevganift progressed, the pace was proving'tqo ■inoch ; -'for<'thei fed and Blacks, ' although, ■td'i Nowtown, on tho team, and appeared .{Qihiwoihad* somc/trairiing, prior - to. the match;"aiid withodt t, this'".;!i team cannot oxpcct- to< lipid ! ite-own;'. Tafc jug everything into eonsidoratioh'a:igl'bat"dd<ll of improvement could bP'Slloivn all 7 1' bund;. The!hand' ball, which is -vefy 'effective, 'was absent; and tho passingy'getinrrill.y >should have been bettor. Kibkiiig- f(lr-;gb»l wMfttefi cidedly.'Weak.on.thp Npwtowh •; Seorpd heiyi6t , '' s ' ■ -uftpf room for i'mnr6vpmbnHift! y thi>ir '•kicking< for goal. 'Patrick' .was the "•be|tV : fbr'His'; ; sid6! "lii this department,' out of the seven scored. 'finielibtl up in favour ,6f NoWtdjv'if wittf.'a.'mffirjjin-ff 20 points. '.i' : ''-;fr : '■ ■ One thing' rioticbablp''dilHiig. the' lflateli was a" number v of bqross tho,. ground-bpttveeil or stahding- in' the''fi;oil; ppsll in the' centre of 'thq^i i pufi3:' OTh'ia; j's]i A pf course, .disallowed;" fd/iili 1 d acf-f 13kblo to rone th 6,,'; gi'6(iU , d. 'iieS. be difficult' if laccosso '■ players 'woW^fcb-ppeYSM.!-'^^