ASSOCIATION NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 50, 27 August 1904, Page 14

ASSOCIATION NOTES.

[Bt Vanqtjahd.]

Tho wind took the heart out of players and sciontifio play out of the matches on Saturday. The game between Diamonds and St. John's resulted in a vic.tory for tho former team, who have now .established such a lead from the other clubs that it seems almost coitain that they will win tho senior championship. Diamonds' thoroughly deserved their win, foi they adapted their play to the day to more advantage than their opponents, and played with moro vim. St. John's are undoubtedly a Une weather team. They "knew exactly what was required of them to combat the Diamond, attack with tho wind, but could not put the theory successfully into practice. On such a day us Saturday the whole of the defending team should have played the ball on the leeward side of the field until nearing the windward goal. St. John's did this with about two exceptions— when M'Nair and Dixon centred near their own goal — and these proved the two openings which led up to Diamonds manoeuvring into favourable positions and scoring. Tho game resolved itself into a twwle between the backs. Tho forwards could not possibly work with cohesion, and the only thing left for them when playing with the wind was to lie well down on tho backs, smother their returns, and shoot 'promptly whenever opportunity offered. It wa» pitiable to see tho forwards of both teams working against the wind. They tried to hustle the backs,

but their cffortN on (he wholo were, fiuitloe». Occasionally they broke away, but thoir progress was so slow that tho backs had little difficulty in venov«ring and £«- ting in a kick which sent tho ball either Hying or bouncing to the lcowaul goal. Tho only incident- in tho wholo match deserving of special mention was Ilathawuy's gonl. Ho secured an opening about twenty yards from tbo St. John uprights, and banged tho ball in with sucJi force that tho goalkeeper had no possible chance of stopping it. The junior representative- team went over to Nelson in chargo of Mr. All Williams last Thursday in order to play against a Nelson eleven to-day. Tho Wellington team is a strong one, and should givo a good account of itself. Last year the junior rep. team went up to Carterton and defeated the local eleven somewhat easily These short trips have done a. considerable amount of good in encouraging junior football, and I am sure tho Management Committee of tho Association will do iU utmost to arrange for them each season. The Ruahino Association has invited! the. Wellington senior representatives lo play at Palmerston in the course of a lew days. The date of tho matcli was originally flxed by tho Wellington Aaso elation for tho 31st inst., but it i« no». known ab tho timo of writing whether this will suit Ruahine. The Swifts journeyed to Pctono and played the suburban team on a very heavy ground, ovei which iv .strong N.W. wind raged. The town team won by two goals to ono. All tho goals were good ones, tho first goal being registered just before ialf-time. Tho Petono backs cleared a corner kick, and Duff, pouncing on tho ball, sent a lung fruit shot, which just went under the cross-baT. The second goal was scoured by Pye-Smith, who, lifting the ball over tho full-backs' heads, scored in the corner. The last goal was obtained by Reuai, for Petone, just on tho call of time. It was a very fast shot. The game was, os tho whole, a very slow ono, owing, no doubt, to the condition of the ground. Tho maroons having ono short played Whito aa solo full-back in the first spell, and had much the better of it. Tho Petone full-backs aud goalkeeper played very well, especially tho latter. Their main object, however, Hcemcd to be to find tho lint. In the second spoil tho town team began with several combined forward rushes, and penned their opponents in their own 25'». for some time. Then thn Potone's turn came, and they made several dangerous invasions into Swift's territory. Bub Whito returned them to dcffend their own citadol. Careless halfback play allowed the suburban vanguard to get away aud score just on time There was no brilliant individual play. Tho closest to brilliancy was the work of tho Petone keep. The suburban packs were fair, but thoir halves did not render much assistance in attack. Tho forwards were inclined to kick too hard. Rcnai, playing centre, fed hi« wings nicely. For tiie winners, tho goalkeeper and full-backs did what little they had to do sati*«f«,ctorily. Tflu> halves were fair. They should, however, be smarter with their passing. The forwards did not play with enough combination, and they should Shoot quicker when a good chance is presented. Medcalfo displayed most Hclenre, but did not seem at home on the heavy ground. Pye-Smith, a promoted junior, showed signs of having developed a good knowledge of forward play.