Football.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1903, Page 13

Football.

RUGBY.. , [Bx Dkopkick.] NEW ZEALAND TEAM FIXTURES IN AUSTRALIA. New Zealand v. N.S.W., at Sydney, Saturday, 18th July. New Zealand v. Western Districts, at Bathurst, Wednesday, 22nd July. New Zealand v. N.S.W., at Sydney, Saturday, 25th July. New Zealand v. Metrop., at Sydney, Wednesday, 29th July, i New Zealand v. Queensland, at Brisbane, Saturday, Ist August. New Zealand v , in Queensland, Wednesday, sth August. New Zealand v. Queensland, at Bris- ! bane, Saturday, Bth August. New Zealand v- Northern Districts, at Maitland, Wednesday,, 12th August. New Zealand v.' Australia, at Sydney, Saturday, 15th August. New Zealand v. Combined Country, at Sydney, Wednesday, 19th August. A varied assortment of anathemas was hurled at the heads of those responsible tor ordering the match New Zealand against Wellington Provincial Unions 1o be played in last Saturday's heavy rain and raging northerly gale. It was certainly no day for football, and the exhibition given under the circumstances was not at all bad. However, as far as the forwards were concerned, they should not be let down too lightly. On the day's display the combined Wellington team was far and away the better combination. It held its own fairly well against the wind, and when playing with it had the New Zealanders iv difficulties almost the whole time. It is doubtful if the .touring team will meet a stronger forward combination than the one pitted -against it on Saturday. The defeat 'will no doubt do the New Zealand Reps, good, inasmuch as it wjll have shown them at the outset of the tour that they were not such a superlative combination that it could live on a name. There were only three men in the New Zealand vanguard who stood out prominently — Armstrong, /M'Minn (both of whom should make a great hit on this tour), and Gallagher. The others were all— well, passengers. The backs could not be expected to do a great deal— nor did they. It was rumoured that they were told to take care of themselves, and this they did ngut well. One exception was R. M'Gregor at full back. This player put in some capital work, and by his display put an end to a good deal of the grumbling about his inclusion in the team as fullback. The Wellington forwards *s a body played a good game, and at times some fine individual work was done. Warner, on the wing, was one of the bright particular stars. Cross, Calnan, Cadwallader, and Johnston were all in evidence at different times. The backs as a whole were far superior to the New Zealanders. Gray waa about the best of the team, and he adapted himself to the weather conditions more readily than his confreres. He put in several fine pieces of dribbling woik. Wilson was a useful man, and made more use of his legs than ; the other backs. Frank Johnston also put in some creditable work. The two up-country backs, Winiata and Furrie, did fairly well. Both these players should prove topnoteheis on a decent .ground. ,

Exception has been taken by a Southern paper to. the statement made by the Sydney Telegraph that the inclusion, of "Jimmy" Duncan in the New Zealand Rep. team gave that combination a preAddmite flavour. The following are some of the details of the veteran's career given by a Dunedin writer: — Duncan has played in close upon 50 interprovincial and intercolonial matches, and has been the mainstay of Otago football for a number of years. He looks older than he probably is, for, though, his age i apparently a matter of some doubt, it is believed to be about 36, whereas, with his hat off, his bald head gives him the appearance of being ever 40. Still, at 36, most men have relinquished active participation in football. Sixteen years of continuous play have left him with many of the powers that have made him' famous throughout the colony and in Australia. Though he is not as fast as in his younger days, when pace was his strong point, the writer declares that "he can stop rushes with the best of players j his collaring is as deadly as ever ; he is the same adept at passing and making openings, and is usually going as strong as the rest of them at the finish." In knowledge of the game and cleverness no player in the colonies can teach him anything. It is fourteen years since he first represented Otago, and he has played in 45 representative matches, besides two intercolonial matches. "He has captained the Kaikorai Club for many years back, and the Otago team for the last eight years. Ho piloted the New Zealand team home to victory in their match against New South Wales at Wellington in 19U1. He also had the honour of captaining the New Zealand team. in Sydney in 1897, when they beat New South Wales for the rubber in tie last test match, and he has now been elected skipper of the present touring team. Duncan, indeed, holds a record which he may well feel proud of. He has seen them all out, and is the ,only one of the 1897 New Zealand team who is getting another trip to Australia. In fact, there are only one or two other members of that team still playing the game.' [Since the above was written Humphries (Taranaki) has been included in the team.] The following is a list of the names of 'the New Zealand team which vijsited Australia in 1897: — Backs: S. Orchard and E. Glennie (Canterbury), G. Smith (Auckland), J. Duncan and A. Armit (Otago), L. Allen, A. Humphries, and A. Bayly (Taranaki) '; forwards : W. McKenzie, J. Calnan, T. Pauling, W. Hardcastle (Wellington), R. A. Handcock, F. Murray, A. Wilson (Auckland), W. Wells and H. Mills (Taranaki), F. J. Brooker {Canterbury), W. Harris (Otago), and J. Blair (Wanganui). W. Roberts (Wellington) was sent to Australia- after the first match, in which Duncan was injured. The. matches played against New South Wales and Queensland resulted a& follows : —Against NW South Wales New Zealand won by 13 points to 8 points ; against Western Districts" New Zealand won by 16 points, to 15 points ; against Central and Western Districts New Zealand won by 27 points to ( 3 points , against New South Wales (second match) New Zealand lost by 8 points to 22 points ; against Northern Districts New Zealand won by 16 points to nil ; against Queensland New .Zealand won by 17 points to 5 points j against Queensland (16) Newr Zealand won by 29 points to 6 points; against Queensland New Zealand won l>y 24 points to 6 points ; against New England New Zealand won by 53 points to 5 points ; against New South Wales New Zealand won by 26 points to 3 points. Of ten matches played the New Zealand team won nine, lost one ; scoring 229 points for and having 73 points scored against. The 1897 team also played a game against Auckland at, Auckland on their return, and were defeated by 11 points to 10 points. It is sad to observe the persistent stupidity of the average Canterbury Senior Championship forward (says the Canterbury Times). For no apparent cause, he is prone to regard himself as a human — sometimes inhuman — bullock, whose mission is to stamp, and rush about and bellow. When he tackles a man, it selrom occurs to him to speedily secure the ball ; he wrestles and mauls aimlessly till a Hock of opponents has arrived in supp6rt of the man with the ball. When the average present-day forward attempts to pass, or take a pass, his clumsiness usually draws a laugh from the spectators. How often has that old, old wail been made at the close of a lost battle : "If that forward had only taken, the ball," or "if that forward had only passed properly?" It is idle for the forwards to plead as excuse for their ineptitude that they have no opportunity to practice the finer points. What do they do in their training-rooms? Surely they do not bullock all the time there, "hardening" one another for the Saturday matches ! Not long ago certain Blenheim football players wondered why the local ladies failed to patronise their antics. In explanation, "Full Back," the compiler of the football notes for the Marlborough Express, has received a note from a girl who modestly writes : "If you desire our patronage at these weekly events it would be just as well to have a few seats provided, and have all combatants decently dressed." There is little wonder (says the Stratford Settlsr) that the critics are severe on Taranaki football, when we see players, even though the third juniors, going through a game with cigarettes in their mouths. Such conduct is reprehensible in a- degree, arid reflects but little credit either on the individual or team. ASSOCIATION NOTES. -[Br Vanguard.] The present intention of Mr., J. J. Roberts, is to select the representative team immediately after the next trial match, which will probably be played the first Saturday after the termination of the championship matches. I would remind those who intend to send me their votes for a "popular" representative team that the day on which the official selection is made these nominations close. No one seemed heart-broken last Saturday when it was found that no steamer to Miramar was available, and a postponement of the matches was thus necessitated. There was a big muster of players in readiness, but the heavy downpour of rain was enough to damp the ardour of the greatest "frother." I am privileged to peruse a private letter from the Secretary of the British Football Association of West Australia to a local enthusiast. He states they are .making good progress in the advancement of the soccer code in that State, though this year there has been no increase in the number of senior teams, but amongst the juniors — who are this season a self-governing body — the game is spreading like wildfire. There are also eighteen school teams going in the metropolitan area as against twelve last sea&on. One i of the keenest supporters of the game in the Western State has this year presented a most handsome Charity Cup ac a cost of £75. This is being made in England, and it is hoped to have it out before the season closes. There is ako a movement on foot to secure their own grounds, but as it is rather a large ordei, probahly necessitating a £6000 or £7000 company to cairy it out, the writer seems rather doubtful of ability to carry it through. The Corinthian Club, the leading Amateur organisation of English football, is now said to be touring South Africa, and there are excellent prospects of this team crossing the ocean and engaging West Australian teams. Should it decide to da £bi<* the game would be given a de-

cided lift in this State. At present it is one continual struggle for grounds, and with the exponents of the Australian game ; and the enthusiasm aroused, by the visit of an English team would do much to overcome the&e difficulties. It will probably be in the far future before we in New Zealand . see an English team, but there is no reason why we should not receive a visit from an Australian team. With this object in view. t2u> \ T ew Zealand Association has •wfc-'j.<**- & tin New South Wales Football association, and, if the papers over there may be taken as giving a correct indication of the governing bodys intentions in the matter, there is every prospect of a New South. Wales eleven coming to "New Zealand during 1904. The Auckland Football Association has invited the same body to send a team over, but the New Zealand Football Association is the one and only proper authority in New Zealand to Invite visiting teams from abroad. Mr. F. J. Courtney, the popular and well-infoimed Secretary of the N.Z.F.A. is at present on a holiday visit to New South Wales, and intends to look up Mr. Burt, the Secretary on the other,- jside. On Mr. Courtney's return we shall- be better informed as to what are the chances of a visiting team next year. Mr. H. G. Mayer, a well known local enthusiast, who went Home to England in April, 1902, has left the Old Country on his return, and 1 expects to be back in Wellington early in September. He wants to se the finals for the local Charity Cups if possible. The local referees' club has taken a step in the right. direction by appointing an Examination' Board consisting oi Messrs. A. Williams, A. E. - Gibbs, and 0. A. Lawrence to examine all members. A disgraceful scene is reported as having taken place in the Gratton-Y.M.C.A. match in Auckland recently. A Grafton back was badly beaten by Asbury; (V.M.C.A.), when the beaten, back da liberately turned round and attempted tt give Asbury a vigorous kick The attempt was so' barefaced that there "were loud' cries of "Shame, 1 -"Put him off," etc. The game was stopped for some fifteen minutes, and then proceeded minup both players directly concerned. The referee certainly appeared to have made a mistake, as no one could perceive that Asbury had done anything wrong. Many of the games in Auckland this season have been marked by bad feeling, and should strong measure's Hot be token the game must go backwards. In "some cases the referees are to blame for not having a firmer hold upon th? game. Still there have been times in Auckland, this season, too, when players have been reported for roiugh play and nothing has been done to them, so that a referee gets little help by reporting any one. Apparently al} £he" soccer centres are badly off for referees. In Auckland referees have had in many cases to be picked up on the ground. In Otago • local player says — "We can get plenty of men to act, but with one or two exceptions they are absolutely useless ; and 1 the annoying! part of it is that they consider themselves such heaven-bprn bearers of the whistle, and! have np hesitatiojn in letting a fellow know what they think pf themselves." Another Dunedin player, who i« high up in soccer down South, thinks that Mr. Roberls's scheme of clubs competing fpr the Brown Shield is a very absurd one and impracticable, and adds that there is little chance of any Dunedin clubs travelling to ; take part in such a competition. This, of course, may, be only an individual opinion, for from other sources favourable opinions have been received on the Roberts scheme. The Referees' Association held a meeting last week at which, the rules were discussed. This is a very excellent idea-, and these meetings should be held every week. There are numerous knotty points to be opened out, upon which there should! be uniform action by all referees, amd not, as we find at present, one referee penalising a certain thing while the next does not. A case in point, carrying the ball between the knees, was discussed. Some said that there is no offence committed; others, that a free kick should be awarded. This has been discussed before, when it was decided there could be no penalty, which certainly seems to be the right decision. Carrying may be a form of handling, but by no stretch, of imagination could carrying by the knees be called handling. Another point is one which came -up only this season in a junior match. The ball was thrown in by A side, struck tb« referee, and bounded into touch.- A side claimed the throw in again, but the referee awarded it to B side, which was aparently the correct decision. To prove this: Law 4 states "the ball is still in play if it touches the referee"; Law 5, "When the ball is in touch a player of the opposite side to that which, played ife out shall throw it in." If the ball being thrown in goes into touch without being 1 playedi by any one, the resulting throw-in is given to the other side, so the ball touching tlie referee and going into touch. is equivalent to not hating touched any! one. There are those who argue that the ball should be thrown up, but a throw-up (Law 15) is only allowed "in, the event of any temporary suspension of play from any cause . . ." The ball striking the referee canpot come under tiis definition. Corner kicks, free kicks, goal kicks which should happen to fouclj the referee are dealt with on the same lines. The hardest case of all is when the ball — in play — strikes the referee and goes through the goal. The decision mußt, of course, be a goal. Fortunately such cases are rare, though I can call one to memory in local matches. The game was between Rovers and Swifts at Petone to July, 1896. There was no score when 'Jack' Macdonald put in a very hot shot which glanced through goal off the referee, who at once rightly awarded a goal. The incident, of course, led to newspaper; controversy, and it was argued that the Swifts Should agree to replay the match, but it would have oeen very bad luck for the Swifts had the shot 'been "kept out" by the referee. I would suggest to the Referees' Club that they should' invite captains and all players possible to their discussions.Much good would, I am sure, result. Under the heading "A Welcome Change," Christchuroh Truth says: "We are glad to welcome the formation of a. Canterbury Association Football League. We do not know the reason for it, but it is a fact that Rugby football in' this province is more reminiscent of the old gladiatorial fights than it is ir the rest of the colony. Superfluity, even superfluity of blood and hair and broken bones, must pall in time, arid if the Canterbury public, after all its experience of our local "bludgers," is not aching for some sort of football less sanguinary and more scientific than it lias been used to — for a game that develops wt'K'vpt^ — %^- l Kfxi> pugnacity, and science without slaughter — then the time is ripe for some farseeing entrepreneur to put on bull-fights at Lancaster Park right away. We do not say that Association football is superior to properly-played Rugby football, or even the mysterious "Australian game" that keeps on happening down near tho estuary, or any other sort of football at all, but it is as superior to Rugby footj ball, as played here of late, as it is to j any other kind of assault and battery. Association football is popular in the three other cities, and it is even more popular Mian the Rugby game in England, and there is no reason why it should not grow it> favour here. We anticipate that as soon as the public has slaked its thirst for blood it will flock to se« the new game,."-