ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 121, 23 May 1914, Page 14

ASSOCIATION

(By "Vanguard." ) POSITIONS OF TEAMS. The following is the present position of teams :—

LITTLE TO ENTHUSE OVER. There was little to enthuse over in the Swifts-Hospital match at Porirua. When the Swifts arrived the rain was falling heavily, and, with a stiff southerly blowing, things were anything but pleasant. Ross was not very keen about starting, as lie was two men short, but the players thought they might as well get in to it. So out they went. Hospital found themselves without Cross, who could not get relieved from his duty. They decided to play one short, so as to balance things somewhat. Swifts played a sporting game by retaining the two backs, instead of playing the one-back game. This gave the Hospital forwards more scope, and they quickly got to work in a sensational manner. In the first six minutes of the game three goals had been scored, and the few spectators began to wonder if they were going fo witness a record score. Hughes scored the three with good shots, the second goal in particular being a beauty. Before the gam© ended Hughes added two more, making his tally five for the match, which is somewhat of a record. Hospital attacked practically throughout the spell, with an occasional breakaway by the Swifts, who were never really dangerous. The understanding between Daily and Heath on Hospital's right wing was well-nigh perfect, and their passing on the heavy ground was a treat to watch. Their wing was easily the strongest, and from them came most of the opportunities to score. Before half-time arrived Hughes scored again, making the score 4—o. After refreshments, which were greatly appreciated, the players made another start. Only forty minute spells were being played, owing to the late start of the game. Swifts did a lot better in this half by only allowing Hospital to add two goals to the score, although it was almost miraculous how on several occasions apparently certain scores were averted. On one occasion Skinner hit the crossbar with a stinging shot, and then a little later Daily hit the upright, from which the ball cannoned to the other upright, and then out of play. Swifts responded gamely, and on three or four occasions Cobb was called on to save. But the Swifts' attack consisted mainly of solo efforts. Hart got away, and shot good and hard, but Cobb had plenty of time to get to it, and clear. A little later Twohill made a dash, and sent across a lovely centre, but Cobb, throwing himself full length, punched the ball out of danger. The rest of the game was mainly devoted to Hospital doing as tliey liked. Hughes scored the fifth goal with a long "ground shot, which Penlington might have saved. The last score came from Daily, who, after a tricky run, beat Penlington with a shot in the corner of the net. Of tho Swifts Penlington saved many fine shots and certainly kept the score down. All the defence worked hard in a hopeless struggle. The forwards never really had a chance. For Hospital Hughes played a good game, besides scoring five goals. Daily and Heath also did well. The defence was. not troubled much. Mr. Wells gave every satisfaction as referee. A LIVELY CLASH. Tho V.M.C.A. -Diamonds "go" on Saturday, was one of the liveliest clashes which has been witnessed in Wellington for quite a long time, barring, of course, the Hospital-Corinthian affair on the Basin Reserve the week previous. It is good to see the V.M.C.A. play. They are all so evidently out to win if they can, and they are so obviously ready to accept defeat if they can't win. Also they are in such good nick, and they play such a lively, whole-hearted, clean, ai)d strenuous game that one can only regret they cannot be given the advantage of real good coaching. It was evident throughout that they had the better of the game, but it was significant of the equality of the play that the first half of the game went by without a score. Of course, the weather conditions were atrocious, but the play generally was surprisingly good considering, and, after all, it is quite likely that the experience gained from playing in what practically amounted to a hurricane, will bo found to be very valuable in the future. Diamonds have not done too well this season, aJid it is difficult to say why. "Vanguard" suggests to himself that they have not trained sufficiently in between whilee. They play a good, hard clean game, but lack the final polish which means a score. The goal they got on Saturday was not their fault, it was pure luck. If V.M.'s hadn't fouled a Diamond player they would, as far as 'could bo seen, never have got past the backs. It would, of course, be wrong at this juncture to discuss the merits or demerits of the referee's ruling as to the goal which Diamonds scored. We shall probably hear a good deal more about it before the question is settled. GOOD EXHIBITION" The match Corinthians v. Rovers, played on the Basin Reserve on Saturday, provided the spectators with as good an exhibition of the soccer game as could have been expected under the circumstances. Although botli clubs wero only represented by scratch teams, the Corinthians not finding a full eleven until the game had been proceeding for some time, both sides made the contest an exceptionally willing one, and some fast play, characterised by some clever foot ami head work, was witnessed. Generally speaking, tho Corinthians had the upper hand, being on the attack most of the time, but the Rovers made a stout defence, and prevented their opponents from putting up a much more formidable score. Where the Rovers' principal weakness lay was in their forward division. While they did not lack the dash which is so eminently desired, they were weak in their combination and shooting, with the result that they failed to make the most of the opportunities that presented themselves. What the team ought to do is to get together more, and practice the finer points of the game ; if they follow this advice they will certainly give tho Corinthians a much harder task to brat them next time they meet, for on Saturday, although defeated by six goals to nil, they demonstrated that 'they havo the makings of a good sido in them. Of the Corinthians Ballard, perhaps, was responsible for tho best work, while O'Shea. Roberts, Burke, Rutter (right full-back) and Rickcrby also showed up prominently. Among the Rovers Freyberg at centre half played the beat game. Night dispensaries are being established iv Sydney, announced tho Minister for Public Health last week. Mr. Flowers said it was only the beginning of v largo echo mo, and tho ggonor it was completed, the bottefj,

Team. Corinthians Hospital Hustle ... Swifts ... Diamonds Brooklyn V.M.C.A. Rovers ... Wanderers Petone ... •o _ d ••■ ° 2 .2 .° 2 P* IS Q 3 2 1 3 2 1 3 2 1 3 11 3 1 1 2 10 2 0 1 3 0 0 1 ,0 0 0 0 0 ' £ 8> -2 « . . "i .a S 11 8 | 3& o £ 0 12 0 5 0 15 2 5 05 4 5 13 6 3 15 3 3 14 3 2 118 1 3 0 13 0 10 6 0 00 0 0