Football.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9, 10 July 1909, Page 14

Football.

4 RUGBY NOTES. By "Dropkick." This writer is an advocate of the introduction of new blood into football teams. A team composed wholly of new men is in for a long, uphill fight with adversity ; a backing of seasoned men is a necessity for successful football. But when one gets a team of fifteen "survivals," and sees slow rushes of its six-teen-stone forwards in opposition to the fast play of younger packs, ranging from 11 stone to 12 stone per man, there is no room for two opinions about the merits or the ultimate if sues. In a lesser degree, the foregoing generality is true of a bacic division as well as of a forward one. Football is as progressive as bookkeeping, and what was good enough in the days of Harry the Nameless will not do for the present times. A Courtenay-place tradesman of to-day, who weighed eighteen stone when his age was only twenty-two, used to be the first man picked in the Melrose Scrum. "We must have weight to Jiang our lighter forwards on," was the philosophy of his club's selection committee, and &o they built their hopes on the beehive ; not altogether unsuccessfully. But the times have changed, and the very heavy forward of to-day lags superfluous on the football field — usually a few yards behind the scrum. Most club executives recognised this fact long ago, but not all of them have acted on it rigorously. For various reasons, tho Southorn Club failed to promote some of its juniors as soon as it might have done with advantage, but the change was made last Saturday, and the end of the match justified the promotions. There had been a disinclination to drop some of the "heavies" who had stuck to the club in its adversities, but when the great debacle occurred two weeks ago, and Oriental ran through them with the score indicator set at 40 points, a drastic alteration of the team's personnel was unavoidableSouthern's team against St. James, last Saturday, was the lightest and youngest combination that has taken the field for Southern this season, and it played a creditable game. St. James, one of _ the best-improved teams in the competition, were only able to defeat them by a five-points margin, the difference between them being a converted try and an unconverted try to one unconverted try scored by Southern. It was an interesting game al' through, and both teams accjuitted themselves with credit. Young Taylor, Southern's half-back, showed good resource, and the manner in which he opened up the play for his threequarters on one particular occasion marked him as possessing the quality that distinguishes exceptionally good men. E. Roberts, on St. James's side, was another back of equal merit. His try, gained by a fast dash around the scrum, _ after he had misled the opposition into believing he would pass the ball, was a brilliant effort. H. Roberts made a nln, half the length of the field, which showed him to possess a nice turn of speed. He and- his brother are demonstrating that they come of an excellent football stock.Thomas, the St. James full-back, is not the brilliant man now that he was carli6r in the season. He did nothing very badly on Saturday, hut his work was mediocre all through. The remainder of the backs played fairly well. Bruco was leading the St. James forAyards most of the time, and nearly every time the Southern pack broke clear there was a Campbell in the lead. None the less, the new forwards were prominent at times, and the forward work as a whole was of good quality. The match between Victoria College and Melrose was closely contested, and at one stage the Collegians looked like notching a win, but Melrose wore them down in the last ten minutes. The Col lege, it is satisfactory to note, have recognised (he great advantages to be derived when such a team as theirs plays an open game against its heavier opponents. Duncan, who was well fea on Saturday, made a number of groundgaining runs, but Goodbehere — who has resumed his place in the College threequarter line — seems to have "lost a lot of his dash" through his recent accident. Greeks and Beavis played steady games in the Meliose back lines, and Patterson showed excellent ability in tackling. Delamere was generally in the lead for Victoria College side, and M'lnnes for Melrose. Thanks to a hardworking lot of forwards, the Wellington fifteen fairly held the local team at Petone last Saturday till a good way into the second spell. One timo the Yellow actually led by 5 points to 3; then the measure of tnis indignity so wrought upon the conquerors of Poneke that hustle was not the word for it when they began to "bog-m" to such purpose that the visitors fell back iD alarm ; at least their high-tackling Backs did, and in a wild disorganised confusion. Their tackling would have made "(Poor Forrard's" heart sore, while their general lack of resourcefulness in a tight corner, and a sudden rush would have been amusing if it had not been so disastrous. At tuch times the Wellington pack made the game close and hard, always doing its best, while flashing despairing glances at the rearguard with little or no effect. The majority of these gentlemen floundered, plunged, halted in their tracks, and looked surprised when 13 stone of bone and muscle ran them down ungently ■because they barred the path to victory. In justice, it must be 1 said that they livened up considerably when the game was lost to tho side, and Sheridan in particular made one dashing run. The generously-proportioned Carr, too, projected conspicuously his bulk in tho last few minutes when the dusk had I fallen; but, as usuaJ, he, led a forlorn ! hope consisting of none but himself. The first spell was about as dull as a game could possibly be. There was practically no open play of any kind. The opposing forwards pet round the ball, locked arms, and put heads in, and then, after a lot of bullocking, merely fell down. A chance kick sent the ball along, up or down, and bore tho forwards met once again, and fought and fell, while the hovering backs bent down, peeping in to catch a sight of the buried ball. It was all good for the circulation of the active participants, ( but beyond these it was useless. Malfroi (Wellington), behind the scrum, was tricky and successful, while the Petone backs were all anxious for and capable of decent work, but the forwards monopolised proceedings. Nankivell, after an enforced spell, was back in the Petone forwards, while Miller took Clem Green's place behind the scrum, and did commondably well. Hardham, too, resumed his old station. Mick Ryan, 'hurt in a flying tackle in the first game of the season, when Poneke beat the Blue, carried a flag. His injured knee is quite well again, but it is probable he will take no more chances this season. Brother Jim, who played the finest game on the ground, upheld the family reputation, his work in defence being just as solid and successful in attack, where he scored a brace of good tries. The first was achieved . by a straight run through, Ryan drf * ng his taclders over the line on his iw i ; the second was the result of similar dashing tactics. From a mark of his, M'Farlane scored three points in the second spell. Lindsay followed persistently all day, being equally successful in the crush and the loose. It must be said that his

brother forwards supported him ably. M'Kenzie and Miller originated some clever passing rushes in the last half. The former was materially concerned in every try. Hardham was always there or thereabout. For a team so far away from the top of the list, Wellington talk too much. Continual appeals were made to the referee. Meanwhile, when the appollants ceased fighting for one brief moment (as they mostly did) to make their plaint, several blue-jerseyed people pounded forward full of business, when, with an aggrieved air, the owners of the voices from the ruck resumed work, they found it had got ahead of them somewhat, and that the unfeeling referee had decided to earn his remuneration without assistance. This constant talking is a bad habit, and is quite out of place. After some opinions previously expressed, it may be inconsistent to say so, but Sellar?, at intervals, played worthily His kicking was more than fair. Hill was not on his game, and got very slow towards the finish. D. Bridge, who scored Wellington's only try, gathers considerable pace, but is too impetuous. Ditto his brother, and Carr, whose best games are yet in front of him. It would be invidious to distinguish among . the forwards, where all battled so bravely, and only failed^ a few minutes before time for want of condition. The Wellington pack are an industrious and wellmeaning lot, and its members should give tho backs a few lessons in throwing the ball about with some chance of ifc reaching a colleague. In the scrums their hookers, on tUe day, surpassed the winners. ! Old Boys played a splendid game against Poneke in the first spell. The forwards worked with great industry, and Poneke had to keep their wits about them right through the piece. It was curious to see hundreds of people forsaking the Athletic-Oriental match to follow the fortunes of the ex-collegians and the Poneke fifteen before the second spell commenced. At one time it looked as if Old Boys would make a draw of it, but once Poneke managed to score the result was put beyond doubt. In a hard-fought game a learn that notches three points secures a tremendous advantage. A score puts "ginger" into the scoring team, and the other side frequently fades away. That's what Old Boys did on Saturday. They died in the last ten minutes. Once they rose from the grave of lost hopes, and Jacobson scored a try, which Marchant converted, but that was all. Nevertheless, the whites showed that they are capable of playing a stubborn game, and with" a little more stamina and finishing power they would be right up with the leaders. Lomax, as full-back, played credit ably, though a mis-kick by him cost hi's side a try. Tho three-quarters did their best, but in the second spell it was decided to keep the game close, with a view to "freezing-out" the Poneke rearguard. The forwards played excellently, Avery being always in the forefront. Thomson, half-back, was responsible for somo fine kicking and rush-stop-ping. Mitchinson was a great help to his side, as he always is. Ryan improved on his showing in the first spell towards the end of the game. The Foneke forwards toiled unceasingly from beginning to end. Oriental played with several recruits against Athletic, and Roberts filled the full-back's position. Vercoe and Matheson were both absent on Saturday. It is no disparagement of Athletics Avin by a margin of one point to say *hat ltoberts's absence from his usual post made a marked difference to his side. The back division never seemed to get going. Towards the end of the game Roberts evidently got pretty sick at the aspect of things, and raced off from thp rear of the field to a point near the goal. Here he passed, but the offering was not accepted, and an excellent and last chanco to turn defeat into victory was lost. The game was not a particularly attractive one to watch. Indeed, the second spell was practically a succession of scrums and forward rushes. Athletic owed three points to M'Ken- | zie, who kicked a goal from a difficult position. It would be wise to prohibit the spectators from swarming over the ground at half-time and at the close of the game. It frequently happens that one match is concluded before the second arranged to be decided on the Park is, and players are much inconvenienced by hundreds of people galloping over the playing field. Something should be done to remedy this nuisance. "Falstaff" and his Red Pill Brigade of sandwich-merj should also be "warned off the course." ASSOCIATION. (By "Vanguard."} WELLINGTON v. TARANAKI. The outstanding event of tho present week is the challenge match with Taranaki, and Wellington has been called upon to show that it can jDroduce a team strong enough to retain the Brown Shield. By the time these notes are read, the battle will have been lost and won. The selectors of the Wellington team — Messrs. Paton, Mayer, and — had no easy task before them in getting a thoroughly representative, and at the same timo .powerful, combination. Certain dissentient voices were raised against the composition of the back lines, but dissent was inevitable where the task of selection was so difficult. Every club except one (and this latter cannot justly claim any brilliant exponents of the game) has a share in the representation ; and even in choosing the back line, regard was had to the individual merits of each man. The combination, thinks the jmpartial majority, is a splendid one, and the prediction may be made that the team chosen will amply justify its choice, individually and collectively. THE PROPOSED SOUTH AFRICAN VISIT. "Some important business was transacted at Tuesday's meeting of the New Zealand Football Association. Perhaps the most important decision was that relating to the proposed tour of a South African team. The final blow to the suggestion was given by the failure of Otago and Auckland — two of the centres from which the greatest financial support was reasonably expected — to produce the guarantees that would be necessary in the event of the tour being decided upon. In a sense the abandonment of the proposal, sine die, is unfortunate. Could it have been realised the Association game would have been given a splendid impulse and advertisement in New Zealand. The South Africans are keen enthusiasts of the game, and would have provided some splendid exhibitions in conflict with the home teams. In another sense, however, the decision was inevitable. Financial depression and unemployment are rife in the country, a .large number ot players are said to bo out of work, and ia view of present conditions it is not altogether surprising that the guarantees were not forthcoming. It is far better to postpone the tour than to incur a big financial loss. Doubtless in three or four years, when times are fat and the unemployed have all disappeared, the proposal* will be revived, and a team of South Africans may yet pay us a visit und,er more auspicious circumstances. RULES FOR REFEREES. Rules for the New Zealand "Referees' Association, as proposed by the Council of the New Zealand Football Aasocia-

tion, have now been distributed to all the affiliated centres, and are a* follow :—: — (1) The association shall be ca-lled the New Zealand Referees' Association, and it shall consist of all local referees' associations, .-is shall become affiliated. Its headquarters shall be in Wellington. (2) Its objects shall be — (a) To tecuro uniformity in. and control of interpretations and rulings by referees on the laws of Association football in Vcw Zealand, (h) To provide referees for all matches when requested to do so by the New Zealand Football Association. (c) To take steps to secure punishment of any person offering insult to a referee. (d) To obtain rulings from the Football Association through the N.Z.F.A. and distribute same to all affiliated ;<ssocia tions. (3) The officers snail be a uresident, honorary secretary, and a management committee consisting of one delegate appointed by each affiliated association, and these shall be elected annually. (4) The affairs of the association shall be in thu hands of the management committee, who shall conduct all the business and arrange for sub-committees for special -work when necessary. Half the number of any committee shall form a quorum. (5) The annual meeting shall be held in May, and due notice, together, with a copy of report and balance-sheet shall be forwarded to each affiliated association. (6) The subscription payable by each affiliated association shall bo 7s 6d per annum, payable before Ist July in each year, and any association being one month in arrears with its subscription 6hall cease to be a member. LAST SATURDAY'S MATCHES. Swifts and Ramblers plnyed on No. 2, iMiramar, but good play was spoiled owing to the uneven state of the ground. The Ramblers forwards lacked combination, and seemed to have very littlo idea of passing. 'Bradford was perhaps the best, but he appeals too much against the referee's decision. Smallbone could not get going against Ouis<;, but ho was negiecfed by his half-back and inside forwards. Jackson was tho pick of the halves. M'Laren, at fullback, stopped the Red forwards onnwnj occasions, but nis kicking was erratic. iM'Lean, in goal, was not seen at his best. Hb should havo saved three of the goals that were scored. The Swifts goal-keeper had very littlo to do. The lull-backs also had an easy time. Graves worked hard in the half-line and Scott was the best of the forwards, Twohill and Sanders, tho outside men, were decidedly "off colour." Tho former overran the ball almost every time, and his centreing was erratic. The V.M.C.A. v. Thistle eet-to at the Basin Reserve was a poor exhibition of the game. 'Play here %vas marred throughout by the very slippery condition of the ground, and Y.iM.C.A. seemed to have deteriorated to the level of a junior second-division team. Their shooting was shockingly wide and inaccurate. It had no sting in it. The forward line, though they worked hard, made many futile attempts to obtain a substantial lead over their opponents, but somehow or other Thistle, by a combination of good defence and good luck, succeeded in itaving off the V.M.'C.A. attack. On the whole, the •Blues put up a better fight than wa3 expected of them. Hall played a splendid game, and was easily the most valuable member of the team. Penlington, in goal, had a tolerable amount of good luck, but he played a sound goal-keeper's game as well. Had tho ground been thoroughly dry, Y.M.C.A.'s victory would have been a greater one. Norman- (V.M.C.A. right-half) should bo faster when a good chance at goal occurs. 'Last Saturday several promising forward movements were brought to nothing through his being too slow. In the Junion League first-division championship contest, the following are the positions of the respective teams :—: —

At Wednesday s meeting of the Management Committee, Mr. H. Waters, secretary of the* Wellington Referees' Association, asked for a ruling on the following point : "The attacking side have been awarded a free kick for a deliberate foul. One of their sido takes the kick, and the ball is just going through the goal, when a spectator pushes or interferes with the goalkeeper, and so prevents him from playing the ball, consequently the ball goes through the goal." Question : What decision should the referee give? The matter was refereed to the j\ew Zealand Football Association, with a request that they decide th.c point. There is an admitted difficulty about it. Whether the goalkeeper was aware of the presence of spectators or not would be a material point. If spectators were crowding the goal he was negligenjt in not protestiug against their presence and having them removed. The goal secured by the opposing team was a sort of penalty for his negligence. If, on the other hand, a few spectators, unobserved by him, had strolled to the goal and interfered, it would appear that the goal was not properly scored. St. John's versus Diamonds, second division match, at Miramar last Saturday, was a very disappointing exhibition, especially as the match practically decided which team was to win the championship. Diamonds were certainly the best team, as far as combination went, but had St. John's shown any daslj at all, especially in tho first spell, there would, in all probability, have been a different story to tell. St. John's forwards were weak on the left wing. Warner and Dick, on the right, played well together, however, and had Dick been less rash in his kicking he would have registered a score several times. He had hard luck in the first spell especially. Saints' half-line was rather slow for the speedy Diamond forwards, and had not M'Farlano, the left full-back been solid, the score would have been greater than it was. For the Diamonds' forward line Lowe, inside-right, and the outside right, played a fast game together, getting in some good vushes. Their backs were also fairly fast, and combined well in feeding their forwards. | Both goal-keepers acquitted themselves creditably, Egley especially keeping the I Diamonds' score down on several occasions. St. John's are unfortunate in not being able to keep the same team together each Saturday. Changes spoil their combination.

JT.M.C.A. A... 31. David's ... Wadesfcown. ... Diamonds Brooklyn. ST.M.C.A. 8... * i i 6^ M -*-■ *~^ Q, & O h 3C 5 11 9 2 0 37 10 5 2 3 18 10 4 3 3 30 10 4 2 4 14 10 1 2 7 13 9 117 7 'no a o a 12 13 13 22 33 26 '3 20 12 11 10 4 3