ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

[Br Centre-Half.]

Following is a table showing the positions of the l*'irst Division tstims to date:

Senior Division Table. The First Division table has undergone a few alterations, Thistle's sensational defeat by Corinthians jeopardising their championship chances. Incidentally, Corinthians' "goals against" top the half century, but, as they gained their first two points by their magnificent win, goal averages aro things of nought in their camp just now. Congratulations to Alv. Lewis and his boys. Swifts still lead with 20 points to their credit, and Hospital, have-como up into second place, and are level with Thistle, each team having 18 points.-To-day Corinthians meet Swifts, and the gaino gives promise of being a battle royal between the top and bottom teams. The Humbug of Otago. Tlio comments in this column a few weeks since, on the Otago F.A.'s action regarding Connor have evidently hurt tho feelings of friend "Left Wing." Writing in the "Otago Witness" (and, feelingly, as we all do \i;heu under correction), he chides mo with drawin" my conclusions from "a bald newspaper report." An airy excuse certainly, but no reason. As it is his own phrase, descriptive of his own report of tho matter ho has no right to blame me for any inaccuracy or absence of necessary facts. For his information, it may bo stated tiiat his report was not relied on entirely by any manuer of means. It would be kindly courtesy if ho were to give equal publicity to the fact that tho Xew Zealand F.A. reversed tho Otago F\ ' s decision in the matter.

Certainly tho O.F.A. are entitled to administer their own "petty domestic affairs, when properly construed as such but no Chineso Wall of exolusiveness can alter tho fact that the O.F.A—an auxiliary affiliated branch of the N.Z.F.A. and through thorn of the English F.A.-are bound to govern tho game, both on and off tho field, strictly according to tho parent body's laws, and any infraction or maladministration of these laws docs not come under tho heading of "petty domestic affairs," but is a matter which, affecting ele-mentary-justice between players and officeholders, immediately . and automatically comes under tho jurisdiction of the supremo governing body. How about the Caution List? Hovers, an Undeserving Team. Judging by their display, Rovers do not deserve to he five rungs lower in the League ladder than (heir victors, tho losers football in tho second half being really good. Their half-backs, Jlillar, Bradbury, and Duley, worked tremendously hard, ami it was no fault of theirs that their side went down. Duignau is not a centreforward as yet. but mado up in dash what he lacked in discretion. One acrobalic turn of his (ovor'Cockbiirn's shoulders into the net) was highly diverting, and another "star" item was Millar's flooring of the Hospital linesman. Hospital forwards were in good fettle, and, as the result of some fine combination, they placed three

goals to their credit by half-time, Elliott Having a couple to his credit for the second week in succession. Martin was prominent throughout, and saved a certain goal by clearing from Phillips under the liar with Kowan beaten lo the world.

Croft has a nice turn of speed, which he utilised to good effect, anil, with a little more accuracy in centering, lie would have provided his inside men with more chances. Wallis played one of his best games. Itis clean tackling and lino volleying stamp him as a class back, and, behind liim, C'ockljurn displayed his cleverness on many occasions, rivalling the opposing keeper with his doughty punches of the ball.

Hoots, as usual, was always in the picture with his headwork, playing the ball with his cranium more often than any other 111:111 011 the field. Lowe, at outside right, scored Hover's only goal as the climax to some exciting moments round Hospital's goal, the ball being driven in and out in quick succession before the wing man sent it into the net. The point scored, soon after' ehango of ends, livened up Hovers wonderfully, and, for the rest, of the game, tho play was fast and interesting, the long wing to wing passing of Rovers contrasting with tho short passing of their opponents. Altogether, it was an exhilarating, pleasant a contest, highly enjoyed by an appreciative number of spectators. Not Stated in "The Text Books." A demonstration of lightning dental surgery was given in tho Rovers-Hospital match, an. unfortunate Hovers forward having four teeth extracted by a method not in the text-books on the subject. Drinking a soothing cup of tea after the game, the player plaintively remarked that he "had intended to have duck for Sunday's dinner." lie was immediately overwhelmed with offers of "company to dine," the self-invited guests offering to bring along an extra tooth-pick for their best's benefit. .Needless to remark, their misplaced sympathy was not appreciated by the toothless one. Otago and Canterbury. In conversation with an enthusiast who saw the Browu Shield match Canterbury v. Otago, played at Christchurch last Saturday "Centre Half" learned that the match has done a lot of good for the game in the Citv of the Plains. The locals played a tine game. Ward is supposed to be the "first" forward in the Dominion, and Bissett and Norman are just as good as ever. Both are men who can take the centre-forward position and g.i straight. Is the Corinthian Club going to pravido us with such a man for Wellington? Porrest and Dave Fullerton also in great form, undoubtedly the Dominion could this year put in the field a team which would not disgrace us anywhere. Shepherd was the man outstanding on the Otago side, his bouts with' Ward, taking the fancy of the liugby people who were among the spectators. The Canterbury Association mnsider; that the visits of the Manawntu and Wellington Association in quest of the Shield will create a deal of enthusiasm, and give tho game 11 push' that' it lias been wanting for somo years past. Representatives Who Must Go. The writer was not much surprised at tho defeat of Thistle; the Blues have been very lucky to get as high up the ladder as they have done. The Corinthians not only uiado 110 secret of" their intention to give tho Scotsmen a "go," but most of them we-o quite confident of victory, and undoubtedly tho better team won. Ives must get' a place in the team b visit Christchurch, 011 his display in recent matches, while Ash, if he "continues on" cannot possibly be left out. Tho "lit'tlo one" has trained hard, and tho Thistle front line would be a poor, lot without him. Nothing to Enthuse About.

There was nothing to enthuse about in the Y.M.C.A.-Diamond fixture. Hollis got plenty of practico and, without doubt, this yomij? player is very clean in his work. Wiisou put iu a lot of good, solid work also. He and Jardine are a pair of very fair half-liacks. Neither Phillips nor Smith—the "Young Jlen's" representative men—did anything startling, but the whole, side was. disorganised , through being a mail'short. ' "

I'atrick is a beautiful kicker, and is a very useful man to the Blacks. Roberts was in great form, very few of his returns are wasted. Baruett was (ho best of the halves, his shooting being very good. The Blacks' forwards have not the dash of the old Diamonds we used to see. Bnrnett and Roberts placed some beautiful corners 1 last' Saturday, but the forwards did not,-score direct from one of them; Burbush, an emergency (also an old timer, I beliove) played quite a dashing game. A. .Lowe was fair at times.

■g A ';'■' "2 b is a & g '§ -s | -i| 1 Swifts 12 10 0 2 38 14 20 Hospital ... 12 9 0 .3 .41 17 ■ 18 Thistlo 12 9 0 3 29 17 18 Ramblers" ... 12 7 1 4 30 21 15 Diamonds ... 11 5 2 4 .il 21 12 Y.M.C.A. ... 12 5 1 6 1G 25 11 Hovers 12 4 2 6 IS 23 10 Wanderers 12 3 1 8 1G 27 7 S. John's ... 11 1 2 S 11 29 4 Corinthians 12 1 1 10 10 50 3