FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1097, 8 April 1911, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

£BY AmsToimiiUa.)

RUUBY.

That Gentle Match Last Week. There-was a free and easy contost at tho park last Saturday—a pleasant opening episode. It was not exciting, but it brought forth somo signs of promise. Poneke opened the season with the material —party raw—of a first-class forward pack. They have size and stamina, these big men, and tho abounding pluck, that accompanies physique. If they were . skilled .in proportion their rush would be as irresistible as a blizzard. This may .come in time; it rests with themselves. Meantime they are equal to a good rush , now and then, but at other times their impotence in the rough and tum- ., ble suggests a picture of bewildered buffaloes. The Poneko backs, as a body, made a mediocre showing on Saturday, and were completely outclassed. .Tho Oriental backs are clcver, and the , whole team swings together in a way that ghowed to advantage, in contrast with the "frigged stylo of Poneke.. To maintain a nodding acquaintance with tho championship should givo Oriental no great trouble. If there 'is any danger it rests ,on tho fact that the team seems inclined ,to avoid the strenuous life. They all do, ■ these times. A littlo more "steam" would ido the backs no harm. They have an aimj less way of rambling about the field at I times that make 9 ouo ill. Roberts, of ; course, is tho exception. If his comi rades displayed an equal desire to move straight up tho field, instead of sagging 'across its■ breadth, they would becomo U very dangerous "lot of backs indeed. Tho way in which Oriental_ allowed | themselves to bo penned 'up in defence j during the greater part ot tho second 6pell on Saturday looked very much liko sheer laziness. Presumably members of the team have not .yet attained their stride. ' I ..Place-kicking oii . Saturday was a lost art that nobody could bring to light.' V 'Easy, kicks' were missed with clock-work ■regularity. Also promising chances of a goal from tho field were neglected in a < depressing way.

'Cauterising a Critic. '. The Wellington' Rugby Union stops a £ood many buffets of. criticism with its jofficial, face—often, indeed, accepts them in the spirit of resignation worthy of the old-time martyrs.. But it is written that even the worm will turn, and tho Rugby Union is not a worm. The other evening ' Mr. W. Perry, a member of the Management Committee, broko a lanco in defence of his union. That body, he 6aid, did not obiect_ to fair criticism by the fPress, the public, or anybody else; but it had lately been made tho target of absolutely .misleading statements (by a con- . temporary) that should not be allowed to pass _withoitt contradiction. It'had been alleged' that at its: annual meeting tho/ .Tihioiv;'W!i9 severely .taken to task by Mr.'. D,'l):"Weir. .This.was untrue. It jnras, in fact, at tho Referees' Association that Mr. Weir' had directed his 'shafts. Again, it had been stated that, for "gate" purnoses, the union had last season altered the arrangement of fixtures to the detriment of the Weaker clubs. The action of the-Management Committee in regard to these "fixtures, JJr; "Perry remarked, had. heen reviewed at. a""meeting of delegates.; The result was that the nolic.y of the com-' .Jiittee was upheld by 33 votes to 3. Ihe • matter was revived.by a delegate at tho annual meeting, and motions that he introduced dealing with it and with another similar question were supported by one vote—his own!

The Mystery of a Broken' Jaw. Passing to a graver matter, Mr. Perry 6aid the. union had been accused of in- . eptitudo in connection with a rough play . incident that occurred last. season. It had been said that "the mystery of a broken jaw" remained as big a mystery as ever. The author of the allegation; jihad expressed pleasure at seeing that the ' r \iS ; ew Zealand Union intended to take the matter up, and "."cd it through." The union, Mr. Perry declared, had done its best. A proper inquiry had been held, •jis.-to the New Zealand Rugby Union, it had notified them that evening that ,it did not- intend to take any further steps in the matter. Tho police, Mr. 'Perry added, had done their best to solve i "the mystery." They had taken all means in their power with a view to finding out who committed tho. assault. Sinco the police had failed, he did not see how this committee could have succeeded. As to the, general position, Mr. Perry men* itioned that only in three AVeJlington. matches (one senior and two fourthclass) had players been ordered off the Sold last season. The chairman and other members of the Management Committee concurred in' approving the stand taken T)y Mr. Perry.

{ The Strange Old English Union. ; In its own domain, the English Rugby. !,.Union is a fine old crusted institution, and the admiration of all beholders. As ! a : suzerain body it is-sometimes a bit of a nuisance. Last year a new rule was ] introduced—that, from a lino-out, the btill ! should be thrown at least five yards out ' frtm the line. , In its wisdom, tho English Union has- now decreed, that the ' penalty for a Dreach of this Tulo shall be a scrum teii yards out. The object of tha new rulo was to promote opeii play. Tho effect of the penalty will bo to tighten it and to increase the number of those "close scrambles," the scrums, that do a good deal to lower the interest . in. Rugby. Therefore, tho penalty is stupid.' It has been approved by tho New Zealand Union, but the Wellington Union's delegates are to utter a protest at tho annual meeting of the Dominion ,bodv on May 11. It is to be hoped that the "protest will be a strong one, and well backcd,

Can the Kiwi Mate with the Eagle? Dnos it follow that wo must drag for ever at-England's conservative .tail? Tho whole question of alliances is one to be viewed with open eyes. Jf England cannot be brought to reason, Australasian footballers might find the broader field they need in .an alliance with those American States where HitKby is already a promising shoot, and will undoubtedly attain" a splendid: growth- by and by. Only the othei-dav, .Air. D. Hurbank, who will bo remembered as tho volatile manager of the Californian team that toured Australasia last, year, was talking of the possibility of playing international chnmpionshins in his State. The Eagle aiid Kiwi, as Mr. Bnrbank remarked when he was in Wellington, have already touched wings. There seems 110 particular reason why they should not do it again, and often.. That is, if the game itself lasts. What a question that is, to bo sure!

Where has our Dribbling Gone? In memoriani laments for the defunct art of dribbling are frequently heard from old-timers, but the oft-repented fiiehs for "what used to he" will not brin? back th<> dribblers of the "good old davs." If any club hud sufficient enterprise it could make itself formidable bv making a temporary use of the Association code. The average Kugby player knows very little of the "soccer" game, nnd etreJ still less, his attitude towards the followers of the round hall liping one of lofty tolerance. At '-ho same time there is that in the "soccer" game which is sadly lacking in the average Rugby ion, particularly the forwards viz.. the Association pluycr must n=e his brain as well as his feet. If any Rugby club would try the experiment of giving seven good forwards a course of training nt the Association game, allowing them to thoroughly master the art of controlling tho ball, and then let them looSo amongst the clumsy-footed forwards of in-dav. the result would be disastrous >n I he latter, and a change would come o'er Kugby. True, no player eould ever conthe oval Kugby ball as lie could the

round Association ball, but clever footwork is, nevertheless, quite possible witli the ovnl ball. How. does Roberts Manane It? There is probably no close follower of Rugby who cannot call tp mind having seen "Fred" Roberts burst througn h bunch of forwards with the ball at his toe, and then pick the leather up, and career off up tho open field. Thore are always those in the grandstand or on the lino who call those flights of the champion half-back "strokes of genius," or "marvellous." As a matter of fact, tho reason is not difficult to find. Roberts undoubtedly has a surer control.of tho ball when it is at his foet than any player in senior ranks, and the reason is that he has been well sclioolcd in the "soccer" game, and has been taupht to use his feet as well as his head. Yes, seven good senior Rugby forwards, of average intelligence, who were given a course of "soecist'" training would surely make hacks of tho lumbering forwards of to-day, jvhose feet and hands are always in tlio way.

ASSOCIATION

(By Centre-Half.) "Train up a Youth . . The game to-day suffers largely through' lack of interest in the -welfare of junior clubs. If these are to bo recognised as tho universal providers for the seniors, it is just .as much tho common-sense duty and obligation of the senior clubs to look after the juniors, ns it is for an elementary school to provide an infant department. Do our clubs make sufficient use of the coach? In cricket tho professional has various duties to perform, but one of tho most important is to instruct, advise, and coach the juuior. In our football tho name of tho eoacli. is 1 almost unknown. Our youths are learning to play the game anyhow—at least with the exception of some few • boys' teams. If clubs expect good players they must endeavour to "make" them, and the only method is to select and train likely youths. True, it. is that last, year tho play of somo of tho boys' teams improved wonderfully owing to the fact that some enthusiasts took some of them in hand, but the writer, in making these remarks, is speaking of all junior grades, and perhaps some of the senior ones too.

What are Neutral Linesmen For? I have a query , from a man who takes the line-flag occasionally asking me tho above simple, but pertinent question. Another linesman complained last season about his treatment by a referee; and said: "I might just as well havo been at home, for it appeared to me that tho referee did not require linesmen." Dors he not? Neutral linesmen were introduced for tho special purpose of assisting the'referee'"to"control," to' minimise the number] of mistakes, and to assist in tho detection of offences. Some referees, are no doubt very clever, but they can never be clever enough' to dispense with the linesman's assistance.

And the referee has only one pair of eyes. He cannot see behind him, and the veriest novice knows that it is frequently behind tho referee that tho players "perform their little pranks." No, the linesman is not intended to triefclv walk the line and signal when the ball is ont of play. Ho lias a duty to perform under the laws of the game, and he is expected to do that duty, and if tho referee interferes with him, and declines to allow him to do it the referee^(on a complaint b.v the linesman to the Referees'; Association) will b9. very sfiou either put in his place or—put out'Of it.

General Notes. Last Saturday nearly nil the teams that figured in the various grades last year indulged in practice. Taken on the whole the displays given were not bad, considering that they-were the first games of the season. . On April 22 the various competitions will commence, and secretaries of clubs are requested to send in entry forms to the secretary of tho W.F.A. (Mr. A. Williams) not later than Wednesday neit, April 12. ' In the appointment of Messrs". H. Godber. It. Walls, and J. B. Paton as, a senior Selection Committee'for the, coming "season, tho Management ' Committee have done well. All are old players, and two of them (Messrs. H. Godber and J. B. Paton) have been followers of Wei-, lington football for years. Mr. R. Walls is a recent arrival from Homeland from air accounts, lie will prove a pood man on the new committee. There is nothing to be said against the personnel of the committee, but why not a sole selector? Easter is fast approaching, and, following the Swifts. Club's lead, Rovers havo been granted permission to travel to Fcilding and Palmerston, where matches will be played against local teams on Saturday and Monday next. Swifts go across the Strait to Havelock and Blenheim. These tours have been ™-vy much enjoyed in the past, and "Centre Half" wonders why other clubs do not take advantage of the holidays in the same manner. It is understood that the Mental Hospital Club do not wish to play in senior football this season. Why is this? The club did exceptionally well .last year, and in the opinion ot thoso competent to judge, could easily hold their own with senior teams in Wellington. Give it a trial, Mental Hospital, for one season, and see how you come out of tho struggle! A well-known referee t'ells a good story against himself. Ho was officiating in a match, atid had occasion to admonish; one of. tho players. Tho player was not exactly rough, but his methods wore— well, a little robust—and last tho official was obliged to pull him out of the iuick. Note-book in nand, he lectured the offender, and finished up by'saying: "You play liko a wild man; what is your name?" "Wildman, sir," meekly responded the culprit. Secretaries and others interested in "soccer" football in Wellington are asked to send in any news items connected with their clubs. Address all communications care of "Centre Half," Thf, Dominion, and put "Association Football" on tho envelope. A Scottish League referee has-come iri. ■ our midst in the person of Mr. Lithgow, of Glasgoir. His experience in- handling first-class games should be of great benefit to our local whistle-holders. Johnston. .of . Scottish, international fame, is, wo understand, loeated in tho Queen City. Perhaps his presenco may induco the Blue and Whites to have another try for tho Brown Shield. Coiin .Webster has on understudy of no mean pretensions, we hear, anil tho lengthv Bennett is already much talked about' for his display in goal for the Diamonds last Saturday. Tullorton is duo hero shortly from tho South of England. Let us hope he will not havo to go to Auckland, like Johnston. St. John's visited Mental Hospital on Saturday last, and found the Red CrOss men already in good form, and Phillips, as usual, found tho net with that left of his. The Porirua team is considerably changed, but is easily good enough -to keep somo of our first division teams busy. Committeeman Walls took the field for St. John's, and acquitted himself well, "Stan" Jardine lias left tho Thistle Club and thrown in his lot with the Y.M.C.A, This young player is an enthusiast, and a fine stamp of centre half, and will be welcomed by the Tiger Strines. He ought to fill Gibson's place to a nicety.