LACROSSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 282, 22 August 1908, Page 9

LACROSSE.

(Br Wing Defence.) Last Saturday's game, Capitals versus Federals, played at the Basin Resarve, resulted iu a win for Capitals, with a score of eight goals to Federals seven. For the Capitals, Faraa scored 4, Hudson 2, Shaw and Rankin 1 respectively. For Federals, Casey 2, Stacey -3, Web and Everard 1 respectively. i ■ , • Tlio result of the Auckland match was shown in the improved maimer »nii players of_both teams grasped the importance of quick and short passing. The new players have improved rapidly, and are -showing keen interest in the game. Auckland in defeating Wellington in the recent match piled up their score by systematic combination play against Wellington's inexperienced team, who suffered accordingly from a lack of concentrated system of passing and playing respective positions, i.e., checking and 'knowing when to break away from their opponont, so as to give the running member of their team an opportunity to pass without jeopardising the advantage winch they have by possession of the ball. In the first half of last Saturday's game tho Capitals had the Federals at their mercy by adapting the tactics of tho Auckland team and the passing rushes of the Fama brothers, Rankin, and others. on,..the attack, completely nonplussed the Federal defence, who when breaking through and obtaining possession of the ball made the great mistake of making long passes to their attack players, who were being consistently marked by their oppononts. In tho second spell, tho Federals reversed the - position when Stacey, Edmunds, and Casey took possession' of tho ball and by brilliant short passing, jrith the assistanco of tho attacked playeTS, soon placed the puck botwMn tho goal posts. This they repeatedly did until time was called, and it is safe to say that, with another fivo minutes to play, Federals would have carricd off the honours of tho day. " Wing Defenco" was disappointed in not seeing Messrs. Robinson, Escort, Strceter, and Chilmau on' the field, as with theso experienced players, tho numerous spectators who witnessed tho game would havo been treated with a display of Lacrosse as it should be played, although from a spectator's point of view, last Saturday's match was keenly contested and very pleasing 'to witness.

While in conversation with spectators attending tho match, tho writer was pleased to notico tho compliments extended to the game of Lacrosse, and to tho brilliant play of members of both teams.

Tho absence of Mossrs. Horn, Jankse, Parks, and Montgomery, who played such a rattling good game iii Auckland in the recent test match, was regretted by other members of tho respective teams, but it-was pleasing to know that theso players were - contesting a game in Auckland for the interest of our American visitors, and tho Wellington enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the greater part of t-he scoring . was done by Wellington players.