Football.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 62, 10 September 1910, Page 14

Football.

'ASSOCIATION. fßy "Vanguard, ") This afternoon the Basin Reserve wiD, circumstances permitting, have been tho scene of the third Brown Shield contest, and Auckland representatives will doubtless have done their best to show cause why the coveted trophy should not remain with the Empire City. The old antagonisms between Wellington and Auckland are mentally revived in such a contest as this. By a law of association, familiar to all persons of much experience and observa tion, we read into the struggle contests in the wider field of commerce and civic prestige, for priority of consideration from the standpoint of mail services and sundry others, which would be readily enumerated by Mr. Gunson. However the issue of these matters may be, w« may rest assured that the Northern men have come to put up a good fight, and if they prove themselves to be victors, no one will more readily accord them praise than the Wellington men themselves. No doubt to-day's struggle will have been fast and interesting — a contest between Auckland and Wellington will always have the latter merit — but at the time of writing there are no special indications that Wellington . should lose the honour which it has retained against so many challengers in the past. The end is now drawing in sight for the Charity dip competition, and the issue lies between Swifts, and Diamonds. Last Saturday's game on the Basin Reserve shows how a champion team may easily succumb to a team which had hitherto been regarded as second-rate. It was evident that' the blacks had' made a special effort to produce the best com-, bination available, and they were out to win the game. They forced the pace throughout, and made matters lively for their opponents. Their success was due' in no small measure to tho fine work done by Patrick in goal, and it would not surprise the writer to see this player chosen for representative honours "at an early date. His coolness, resource, and promptitude were commendable. Ramblers' forward line was not what it used to be; Edwards was observed to he at full-back, and Warnei was centre-forward. Neither seemed to shine in those positions. It was a laborious task for the red and white men to get under way against the hustling Diamonds, who charged promptly, and as often as not shifted the scene of- play backwards. Tho blacks deserved their win, and if they retain the same form and eagerness against the maroons, their prospects for winning the cup are good. At any rate, a willing encounter should take place in tho final. Great enthusiasm exists among the boys who are about to leave for Dunedin and meet a boys' team representative of Otago. - There are some very promising lads in the combination captained by Marshall, and it will surprise "VanguaTd" to learn that the Otago boys have defeated them. There are, of course, a large number of boys' teams in Dunedin, and the Wellington lads must do their level best as representatives of the province holding the Brown Shield. It has been definitely arranged that the boys, on their way southwards, will play a team representing Burnham School, and this will give them a little chance to improve their combination. Advice has also been received that the lads will be carried from Lyttelton to Dunedin at a fare of 12s 3d — a generous concession by the Railway Department. A correspondent kindly informs me that Mr. E. E., Timperloy ("Timp."), the V.M.C.A. inside left, who has for the past three weeks been laid up in a private hospital, is now on the road to recovery, and will shortly be out and about again. This is very pleasing news, and "Vanguard" unites with a host of well-wishers in hoping that Timperley will soon be restored to full health and strength. The writer is informed on good authority, however, that it may be some time yet before the clever V.M.C.A. player will be able to take the field again. The Wellington Football Association's cheque for £43 has been handed to the treasurer of the Children's Hospital Fund as a result of the Brown Shield match against Otago. IVi view of the atrocious weather conditions, this result must be regarded as highly satisfactory. A letter from the Manawatu Association advises that the date suggested by Wellington — 14th September — would be quite suitable to the former for the Wel-lington-Palmerston match, and that they have arranged to secure the show ground for the purpose. Provision is also being made to entertain the Wellington men at dinner, and Secretary Dunlop hopes that our representatives will enjoy the trip. The team will leave Wellington on the morning of Wednesday next, and will be under the management of Mr. Duncan. The English Association team touring South Africa is a fine combination — the most sporting and the happiest touring party I have met (writes a Referee correspondent in Pretoria). There are amateurs and professionals, the latter preponderating, and they are a big, happy family. They are smashing records both in "gates" and big scores. At the Wanderers, Johannesburg, in their first match, there were 15,000 spectators, and, mark you, only four turnstiles to admit the crowd. The takings for the one match covered the whole guarantee for the Transvaal matches. Besides they lost over £250, aa the crowd broke loose, broke over fences, and rushed in everywhere. Over 2000 got in "on the nod." In the following match adequate chargebox provision was made. In Pretoria the largest sporting crowd (over 6000) ever seen there rolled up, and the Englishmen gave a fine exhibition- South, Africa has a lot to learn about Association from these Englishmen. Negotiations are in progress for the acquisition by the Association of a piece of land fourteen acres in extent at Karori, for playing purposes. It was decided at last committee meeting to write to the Reserves Committee to have earmarked that portion of the ground to be used. It is said to be the only place in the neighbourhood which is suitable for a sports ground. Its position is to the right of the present cemetery. A good deal of interest is being taken in the "all-sports" gathering under the auspices of the Wellington Boys' Institute, to be held at the Athletic Park on the Bth October. The proceeds will be in aid of the institute's fund, and Association will be represented by an eleven-a-side exhibition for half an hour, commencing at 3 p.m. Two teams will shortly be picked for the purpose. The idea of the carnival is rather novel, and the fact that every sport will be represented should ensure a good attendance. It is satisfactory to note that the difference between Messrs. J. Davidson and E. A. Anderson has now been composed. At Wednesday's meeting a letter from Mr. Davidson to Mr. Anderson was considered in committee, and members expressed satisfaction. The writer, after expressing regret, hoped that his relations with Mr. Anderson would henceforth be amicable. RUGBY. (By Dropkick.) One could not help feeling sorry for Southland on Saturday, what time the Wellington men were racing through the red ranks, and notching point after point .with ridiculous ease. In thefirst-

spell the Southerners, especially the forwards, showed fair form, but after the interval thsir exhibition was absolutely the weakest seen on the Park for years and years. Wellington was tho - supei-ior team right through. Some of the forwards were quite big enough to push Wellington off the paddock, but once again skill triumphed over brawn, as the collective heave of the black-jerseyed brigade carried practically every scrum. There is no doubt in "Dropkick's" mind that in future matches a B team should represent Wellington. Southland has been getting weaker and weaker these last few years, and now that the mighty Stead has retired there is not a single player representing the province that one could point to as a New Zealand representative. A Wellington B team would have been more than a match for them last Saturday, but the public would have been spared the pitiful sight of a team taking its beating lying down. Several of Wellington's tries were "out of the box." Dawson especially distinguished himself, and there is no doubt that the nuggefcy Old Boys' three-quar-ter has improved so much that he is now our best winger. The other Old Boys' representative — Avery — has also risen to the front this season, and it is many a long day since we have seen his superior as a wing-forward. "Offside" Mac was a great player in the position, but I doubt if even he was ever a better man than Avery is at present. - Of course, Avery had poor opposition on Saturday, but it would have taken a very good man to have stopped him when, with the ball in his possession, he burst through the demoralised red vanguard. Perhaps the most pleasing exhibition among the Wellington baoks was given by "Teddy" Roberts. Some time back "Dropkick" had occasion to chide Roberts for not going down to rushes, but if he will only play in future games as well as he played on Saturday, nothing but praise wiil be forthcoming in these columns. Roberts's work in opening up the places was up to N-ew Zealand form, and one cannot say better than .that. The other backs also played well,,M'Leod being especially noticeable for his unselfishness. His potted goal was a peach. On this season's form "Mac" should be a certainty for the North Island- team^ Ryan, of Victoria College, who only won his spurs this season, had very little to do, but he did • that little well. Fred r Roberts was the same Fred Roberts. Forward no one shone out above his fellows ; one and all worked well. Perry, however, has a tendency to get offside, and thus may lead his side into trouble when pitted\ against a team, with a, good place kicker. For Southland R. M. Stead, at intervals, showed dash, but he is a long way removed from representative form. M'Lennan, the captain, was the best man of the side, and he showed mppiaess and dash on several occasions. Forward not one man singled himself for notice. There is a great deal of indignation fimong the junior players in tlje city in connection with the selection of the [ junior representatives. That the teams have beeu selected in a careless manner there can be no shadow of a doubt, and "Dropkick" may have something to say about the matter next Saturday. The motion by a referee at the last meeting of the Referees' Association : "That if Mr. Meredith be selected to referee the Otago match, other members of the Association do refuse to act in | the future," just about takes the biscuit for pure and unadulterated nerve. The serious manner in which a number ot referees take themselves has now become j ridiculous, but "Dropkick" is so tired of the Association that all he will say in regard to its latest absurdity is thai the outside unions are only^ showing their good sense in asking for a referee who, - with Messrs. Card, Francis, and Spencer, is head and shoulders above any of his fellows. It is about time a number of the present referees retired. It would be in the best interest of Rugby football if they did.