ASSOCIATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 101, 29 April 1912, Page 3

ASSOCIATION.

SENIOR DIVISION. Swift* (2) r. Thistle (1). Diamonds (6) v. V.M.C.A. (1). Ramblers (0) v. Wanderers (0), Hospital (2) v. Rovers (1). St. John's (5) v. Corinthians (1). The wind was the chief factor in Saturday's play in the Association games. It blew a gale from the north-west, and the finer point* were difficult to make in consequence. "Details follow: — SWTFTS (2) v. THISTLE (1). Tlw wind swept down Kelburne Park from the nor'-west, and at times considerably interfered with the play. However, Swifts deserved thoir win. They showed better farm and combination than Thistle, besides, on the whole, excelling in individual play. Swifts kicked off with the wind blowing gustily in their favour, and after a few minutes' desultory play, Vessoy beat the goalkeeper and drew first blood. ffiSwifts 1, Thistles 0. Swifts were dieplaying very fair combination, but Thistles, in spite of the wind, kept the opposing backs busy. Barnett was playing a rattling good game for Thistle on the left wing, and Roberts on the right (ov Swifts put in some attractive play. The play was interesting, though lacking incident, for the remainder of the spell, except that just before half-time the Swifts' forwards made a good combined movement down the field, got the ball into close quarters in front of the- Thistle goal, and Roberts caught it on his knee and put it through the posts. When halftime_ was sounded Thistle were attacking vigorously, and the score was — Swifts 2, Thistle 0. In the second spell Thistle fought hard to regain lost ground, and more than once had the Swifts' backs working all they knew to keep the ball out of the danger zone. The reds retaliated with a- series of passing rushes which gave the Thistle goalkeeper more than enough to do. and it is to his credit that he was able to avert disaster by safe cool play. Then Thistle got to work, and used their utmost endeavours to score, but the Swifts were too good, in spite of the wind, and had no great difficulty in relieving the pressure. In fact, on one occasion they were only prevented from a, certain score by offside play. Then, a. few minutes befoi 1 © the call of time, Thistle made a determined effort, 'centred from the left, did some excellent passing in front of goal, and Kitchen shot successfully. There was no further score, and the game ended : Swifte 2, Thistle 1. Mr Yeomans was referee. DIAMONDS (6) v. V.M.C.A. (1). Diamonds easily accounted for V.M.C.A. at Duppa-street on Saturday, and ran up a total of a half-dozen goals to their opponents' one. Notwithstanding the large numuer of goals scored, however, a fast and interesting game was witnessed. Diamonds, with the stiff' wind blowing at their backs, early pushed the attack, and Hollis twice showed he was no ornament in his position as goalkeeper for the Young Men. j V.M.C.A. soon rallied, and made a de- 1 terniined rush, but the blacks' defence ■ was too good for them. Once more Hollis was called on to cave, but a few moments later Black was successful in getting first blow home for Diamonds. Shortly after this another goal was added to the blacks' total, Lowe passing to Black, who, with the excellent pass he received, found no difficulty in goaling. Hathaway put in a shot later, and Hollis', in saving, slipped on his i knees, and his hand somehow was the unwilling, agent in adding another goal to Diamonds' total. Tne Young Men secured their first goal shortly after commencement of the second spell, Gowan being responsible. V.M.C.A. again attacked, but their shooting was none too good, and again they seemed unable to allow for the wind, although it was ■in their favour. The rest of the game was mostly in Diamonds' favour, three more goals being added to their total. Black was responsible for two and Lowe for one. ' Mr. F. W. O'Connell was referee. I WANDERERS (0) v. RAMBLERS (0). Newtown Park was in excellent condition, but the boisterous wind wae against fine play. The teams were very evenly matched, but the game was at no time interesting. Ramblers, if anything, had the better of \he game. They attacked from the outset, and after more or less uninteresting play, the whistle at half-time found Ramblers attacking, with no score to either side. On resuming, Ramblers again took up the offensive, Edwards making a fine run up the left wing, but his. shot at goal, a very good one, was well saved by Webster, the Wanderers' custodian. Ramblers' attack was relieved by fine play by Parsons, who was shifted to centre half, and O'Shea. and a foul brought play into Ramblers' territory; a fine shot by Daley being saved by Ctittell. Half-way through the spell the wind heightened, and play became very erratic, and control of the ball was almost impossible. Ramblers, however, kept up their attack, the game ending without any score. Mr. Rutchinsou was referee. HOSPITAL (2) v. ROVERS' (I). Mental Hospital met Rovers at Porirua on Saturday. Play wa-s even in the first half, during which a high wind was troublesome. Mainly by the aid of Grant, Rivei* got a goal by a rebound into the net, after an opening furnished by a penalty kick. In the second spell Hospital attacked persistently. Hughes registered two goals for the Hospital team, which won by two to one. I ST. JOHN'S (5) v CORINTHLINS (1). t At Miramar on Saturday afternoon St. John's easily defeated Corinthians by 5 goals to 1. St. John's, who bud the advantage of a strong wind iv the first half, only registered one goal, and it looked as, though their opponents, who had by superior combination carried the ball near St. John's goal on t,everal occasions, would have a fairly easy task in the second bpell. However, St. John's completely outclassed Corinthians, who badly lacked combination and condition. The only score of the spell came to Hi. John's just before the end, acil followed an attack by Corinthian*. The ball travelled quickly from one goal to the other, Bruce beating Irvine with a fairly good i-hol. The balance of the spell \vti« in favour of St. John's. From the kick-off St. John's tallied and Bryant put in a fine run up the left wing. He centred nicely to Bruce, who, after a short dash up the centre, bhot the leather past thu defending goul-keopei-. HL John's, 2; Corinthians, 0. Corinthians took a turn at attacking, and a goal rewarded them, Leach scoring with a long dropping shot. St. John's, 2: Corinthians. 1. This was the last effective effort of the Coriuthian men, who were quite outplayed by St. John* in the luWr stages. St. Joftn's added three more goals to their total, the eeorers being Bryant (2) and Johnson. For St. John's. Evans (in goal), Dick (right-half), Shaw (centrehalf), Bryant, Bruce, and Mawby played well, us did lyes (centre forward), Irvine (in goal), Bradbury, und Trevethick for the losers. Mr. J. B. Paton was referee. SECOND DIVISION. V.M.C.A. tied witli Brooklyn— 2 goals earth. RaQj ajjd Stivou^ ecoimi tor