ASSOCIATION NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 18, 20 July 1907, Page 14

ASSOCIATION NOTES.

[Bt Vangtjabd.l ; The result of the Senior League was decided on Saturday, although the competition does not close until this afternoon. . As matters stand now, Swifts havo a score of 15 points, and Northern Wanderers and V.M.0.A., tho next teams on the list, a ' score of 11 points each. The only interest tho competition now affords is who will occupy the second position in championship honours. Swifts are to be congratulated on thf>ir win. Thcv are undoubtedly the strongest club iv Wellington, and havo done more for Association j football in this city than any other combination. Other clubs have "starred, but r.ot one of them has placed its teams in all grades in such a consistently strong condition as Swifts. Tho club was formed in 189+ by the late Mr. Alex. Henderson, at that timo a momber of tho Rovers' Club. In 1895, 1896, and 1897 the senior team won the championship and secured the Izard Challenge Cup, but afterwards restored this trophy to the Association. In 1898 they were runnors-up to Rovors; in 1901 won the championship ; in 1906 were runners-up ; and now in 1907 they again win tho championship. Tho junior teams also have fine records. Thesa will bo published later in tho scasow. Those who have kiflowed the play of both Diamonds and V.M.C.A. expected a keen match between them on Saturday, ! and wore not disappointed. The play, generally spooking, was even, Diamonds, if anything, having a slight advantage. V.M.C.A. were superior in the rear division, and Diamonds in tho forwards. The latter were very dashing, and, excepting Duffy, shot splendidly. The V.M.C.A. forwards, on the other hand, lacked combination, -and it is not to bo wondered at). During the season the men have been changed round co much that it is now difficult to classify them. Theso changes iray havo been necessary; if they were, the club is unfortunate, for they are spoiling tho play of some of tho best men. i There was only one score registered durI ing tho game, and that score cost V.M.C.A. tho match. The ball went i through off Storr Diamonds, however, j were several times just on the ace of scorI ing when' Mr. Alf. Williams pulled them up for breaches of the rules. Hathaway and Black were the leading lights amongst the Diamond forwards, and Tempest and Wi Roberts amongst the backs. Tempest, in fact, wax about tho best back in tho match. Hft agility reminded one very much of Joe Taylor, his predecessor at centre-half. I O' Gorman and Reos-Jor.es both played scundly at back. The latter, although deficient in hoight and weight for such a position, made his play effective by the exercise of pluck and judgment. Gibson was the best of tho halves. Storr was good, but the right half was too selfish *br I anything. The fooner ho learns to watch ! his forwards and kick the. ball to them whenever ho see's an opening — instead of trying to dribble it to them — tho better. Miller had little or nothing to do on tho right wing, and when ho went centreforward in the second half he was not a success. Saunde'r3 played well at centre and subsequently on tho wing. In the latter position he was inclined to encroach far too much on the centre. Denett and Crofts composed the left wing, and played fairly woll. The match between, tho Ramblers and the Northern Wanderers proved a very interesting game. Although the latter team won by three goals to ono it was by no means a runaway victory. The result was in doubt until about ten minutes from time, when the refereo gave Wanderers a penalty kick againat Pagef for handling, and Ash jilacea them beyond defeat with a shot that gave Oldnall no chance. Tho combination of both toams was good, tho Wanderers being tho bettor. Irvine of that team played a really good solid game as centre, passing to the wings with, great Judgment. Davidson, at outside right, was in good form, tho left wing boing only fair. M'lnnis, the Vy'auderer's skipper, played soundly. Johnston,' at fullback, was weak and talked too much ; so did tho 'right half. Of tho Ramblers, prido of placo mujf be given to Page't. right-halt, who' put up a great defence, breaking down rush aftor rltsh. Wills . and Palmer, with such a good man behind 'them, should not- hesitate to speculate <a ' littlo . more. .Oldnall, in saving a penalty kick, in, the first half, fully earned the applauso ' the spectators gavo him. Jackson was, in fairly good form. Mouat was the. ,' p pick o!, the forwards. Anker would havo done better had; j ho got rid of the ball quicker. "A correspondent writes complaining that Iho grotmds v/oro not marked out on Saturday, and says: — "It is a great pity tho Wellington. Football Association dobs not remedy this mattor and fo render the duties of referees and' lincsmcu a littlo easier." Goal nets wore used in tho Wanderers — Ramblers match on Saturday, and proved a groat acquisition lo both players and tho referee. It is said that this is tho first occasion on which they havo boon used in a cup match in Wollinclon. Thoi second goal scored by Wanderers was a , peculiar ono, 'and it- is a matter of doubt whether the roferee, in tho absence of .t goal net, would havo allowed it. Tho ball was shot by Ash from a long range, and the referee was some distanco tip the field. It seemed lo spectators that tho ball was going outside the goal. The goalkeeper als>o took this view, for he did 1 not attempt lo stop tho shot. Next moment the not was shaken, and it was , found thai the ball was inside. * Tho Senior Selection Committee havo mado enquiries amongst players as to "who would bo prepared to go to Auckland in the event of being chosen to represent j Wellington in the Brown Shield Touirna[^nent. Over twenty-four players gavo Favourable replies, and it is expected that a BtronsT"ttmni. will' bo sont North. The following are tho positions of tho teams in the Junior League, which will probably be completed in two weeks' timo: —

Played. Won. Lost. Drawn. Goals for Goals agsfc Points.

Swifts B and Northern Wanderers B withdrew from the competition, consoquently all points scored by other teams agaiust them havo been deducted, in accordance with the rules of tho association. Last Saturday' 6 game against Marisfc Old Boys and Swifts juniors was ono of, the fastest games at Miramar this year. Neither team had been beaten this season, so that a tight go was expected. The greens wero slight favouritos, but no ono thought they would "crack up" as they did. Their forwards rarely even showed glimpses of usually good combination, for which the clever Swifts' half-lino was responsible. Swifts won somewhat easily by 4- goals to 1. Cashman, Carruthers, Marshall, and Gosling wero the best of the losers, Guise, Korschborg, Barry, and Pye-Smith doing well for reds.

Swifts ... '.., 7 6 0 1 26 5 13 Maria! Old -Boys'...* 7. 6 1 0 22 9 12 XM.O.A ,751 1 22 4 11 Uovcia 9 3 3 3 12 9 9 KambltTß 7 4 3 0 710 8 Hospital 8 3 3 2 12 14- 8 SI. John's 7 2 4 1 13 18 5 Diamond 8 ?. 6 0 819 4 Toa. 7 1 6 0 417 2 JJorLkem .Wanderer* 7 0 5 ? 0.22 2