FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 12205, 25 May 1904, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. [By Refkeiee.] The following table shows the positions of the teams in the senior grade competition ;

The positions of the teams have somewhat altered since last Saturday, although Zingari-Richmond still hold a lead of 2 points from Southern. Aiuambra have improved their position, and are now lying iliiul with Kaikorai. Dunedin and Unioii have gone back into fourth place, and University, although still second last, have added 1 point to their total championship points. four leading teams try conclusions next Saturday, when Zingari-Richmond meet Kaikorai and Alhambra most Southern. Hie Southern managed to scrape home by 12 points to 10 against Dunedin last Saturday, but when all is said and done there was very little to pick and choose between the two trams. Southern had slightly the best of it in the scrums, hut the Dark Blues were quite a match for their bigger opponents in every other department of the game. The Dunedin this year have proved themselves a hard team to beat. Ihey are a bit on the light side, but, like the Zingari, their forwards are a keen, hard-working lot, and play the game out to the finish. Their backs on Saturday were without the services of two of the cracks, hut judging by their display individually, they must be a good combination when they are all playing. They kick well and handle the ball cleanly, while thev have also pace on their side. They attacked and defended strongly, and, assisted by erratic parsing on the part of the Southern rearguard, they were able to keep them at bav. Toe Southern backs will have to improve their passing if they intend continuing to play a back game. The ball was invariable badly passed, and when it did get out cle;mly no one seemed to think of making ! an opening, with the result that the wing j three-quarters always found themselves ] blocked on the touch-line. They were also inclined to pass too soon, instead of drawing their opponents in on them and then sending the ball on. The forwards packed better than on the previous Saturday, but are still not the “same, dashing crowd as last year in the loose. They, however, seem to be improving every week. Kindley played a safe game at full-back compared with his display the previous week. On Saturday he rose to the occasion, and made no serious mistakes. He fielded the bail much better. Chambers and Bonnet had very few chances on the wing when the ball came from a passing rash. They both played serviceable games, although they have done better things m the past. Casey, at centre, should improve his passing, this being about the only weak spot in his play. His defensive work is always sound. Harley, at five-eighth, is a player of the right stamp, and one who will be heard of before long. His passing however, was not as accurate as it might have been, and he might also try to cut in. now and again. He is always there in coming round for a return pass' and is faston his pins. Smith, who replaced Sutherland, played next to Harley, and is the makings of a good man. Popham was in his usual place behind the scram. Casey, Taylor, and Goodman were about the best of the forwards.

Ross played a safe game for Dunedin at full-back. Tnmbull, who played on the wing, is a bit on the light side. He, however, did good work. Reid, on the other wing, continues to show promise. He is a valuable man to lus side. O'Sullivan and Paton both had a try at centre three-quar-ter, the first-named getting in some smart work at times. Watson, at five-eighth, again played np to representative form. He is a brilliant attacking player, and a tower of strength to his side all round. Morgan, behind the scmm, was a trifle slow. Churchill, who had a kind of roving commission, was again one of the most prominent players on the ground. The forwards were a very even lot. The feature of the match was the magnificent place-kicking of Paton, who for accuracy from long kirks is one of the best I have yet seen. He kicked two splendid goals from near the touch-line, and is also a powerful drop-kick and punter. He is a big stamp of man, and should make a good forward. Place-kicking nowadays goes a long way towards winning matches, and I know a few teams who wonld like to have Dunedin’s champion kick on their side. The crowd who viewed the AlhambraUnion match behaved just .as the crowd always behave at Carisbrnok—they got considerably in the road. Once, at least, Mr Williams, the referee, had to stop the game, and as neither Rugby Union officials nor policemen seemed to be about he liad to put back the interlopers himself One would think that a referee hag quite enough to do without being called on to act as a special constable, and even if he were willing and able to do so the fact remains that as soon as he goes back to the game the,crowd, or gome portion of them, move forward a'udn, and things are as bad as ever. The rule that two heads down—heads of opposing players, of course—make a scrum is one of those things which is supposed to make the game fast and interesting. As a matter of fact, it does nothing of the sort. In nine cases out of ten it leads to a wild tangle, which has to be straightened out by means of another scrum, or perhaps two or three strums. During the Alhambra-Union match the referee adhered to the letter of the law, and was very prompt in putting in the ball. Yet the game did not become faster on this account. If anything, it be camo slower. And this was not in any sense the fault of the referee, who has to take the rules as he finds them and do the best he can. But the matter affords an illustration of the fact that the rules of the game—although apparently accumulating every year—are not what they should be, and many of the alterations which are made from time to time are by no means well devised. In this particular matter every player of experience knows that a game loses nothing from a well-formed scrum, even if the time taken in forming is a second or two longer. Yet sometimes individuals in a crowd may be heard severely criticising a referee for being “ too slow in putting in the ball.” Beanet’s drop at goal on Saturday was a very pretty one, and in concluding to ‘‘ let go” he did the right thing, although at the time there was a chance of a try by passing. All the Alhambra bocks played much better than their forwards. Bennet, as usual, played up to his best form. Coulter handed out the ball in excellent style, and is still justifying the good opinion which was formed of him at the commencement of the seat on. King, as usual, was very sound, and showed that there are not many moves in football with which he is not acquainted. Dobson, Keenan, and Hogg kicked and ran well, and J. 'Johnston did most of the following up for his team. Union were unfortunate in two respects. In the first place they were too light to get the ball in the scrums, and in the second place they practically lost the services of Ye os in the second spell, who received an injury to his shoulder, and could not therefore be expected to do much, although he still remained on the field. Up till the time of the accident he was playing a grand game. As has been already mentioned, W. Munro is a back who is always improving a, little. He had the misfortune to learn "his game in a team which for years was accustomed to find itself pretty much on "the defensive, and it Is very rarely that a back who begins his career in a weak team ever turns out much good on attack. That Munro is hmroving in this respect is all. the more creditable to him. His defence of course, is above criticism. ’

The Zingari made the pace very warm throughout their game against Pirates, but on the whole, their heavier opponents lasted well. The Colors’ back division crave a brilliant exposition of the passing ogame 0 game which kcot the clay continually interesting

to the onlookers. There can be no doubt that the Blacks were outclassed in every department of N the game; that is, of course, as a team. Individually, they have possibly the best stuff in town. D. Stuart played a great game. He is easily the best forward the Pirates have. Time and again he broke away on the line-out, his attack failing only through lack of support. Logan also put in a lot of useful work, while Denniston (wing-forward) was instrumental in spoiling much of Mason’s scram play. • Wilson and Kirkcaldy did yeoman’s service in the scram, Stuart, Fairclough, and the full-back were the mainstay of the Blacks’ defence, which was uniformly good. Stuart and Fairclough, in particular, had an enormous amount of tackling to do in the first spell, and neither of them made a mistake. Fitzherbert showed himself to be a strong, determined runner, but his play was often characterised by uncertainty. White played well from start to finish, but had little chance of showing his attacking powers. There was not a single passenger in tho forward ranks of the Colors. One and all worked like Trojans, and thoroughly deserved the ascendancy which they finally attained over their bulky opponents. Where all were so excellent it is no easy task to single out individuals, but Stewart, Abbott, and Caradus weyo perhaps the most prominent of the forwards. As stated before, the back play of the Zingari team was a sight worth watching. Mason got the ball away smartly from the s<rrum. Bolt played h:s usual accurate game, and Collie made several sensational openings, besides playing up to his usual brilliant form. King on the right wing was not quite to be relied on in the matter of taking his passes, but his kicking and running were perfect. Smith, in the centre, fed his wings impartially, and Wilkinson, on the other wing, made no mistakes. Thompson, at fullback, did not shape too well t first, but towards the end of the first spell he drew first blood for his side. In be second spell he was equal to all demands made on him. No doubt the Kaikorai men would have been pleased if the clock could have been kept back a little on Saturday, because they were clearly playing for a win, but putting this consideration aside, the players must have been glad when the whistle went. The game was played at a high tension right from the jump—not that there was any feeling observable between the teams, but every player seemed to be right up to concert pitch. It must have been an enjoyable game for the footballer? themselves. Play travelled rapidly all over the ground, and every man got a fair chance to keen himself warm. As the dripping forwards pushed their way to the dressing room he must have been a glutton among them who wanted more of it. It would be hard to say who was the most prominent back at Tahuna on Saturday. Baxter and Dobson are both men who naturally catch the eye, and of these two the palm on Saturday must go to Baxter. His pace was very marked ; in fact, it is perhaps for this reason that he did not get quite the support from hLs backs at times that he might have—they could not keep up with him. If Dobson were as clever with his hands (not in the usually accepted sense of that phrase) as he is with his feet there would he few elements of the Rugby came of which lie is not master. In brief, he is not yet the adept at the clean passing game that he probably will lie with more practice. On the University side there were two backs to dispute pride of place with Baxter. These, of course, were Macpherson and Gilray. Macpherson was simply irrepressible all day. He put in some trreat attacking work, especially in the first spell, bub it was towards the close of the game that he seemed to be really in his clement, for he was as pertinacious as a terrier, no sooner stopping one rash than he was called on to stem another. He did not make a mistake.

Nor did Gib-ay, who is a most interest- i ing player. The University backs appear | to be hampered by no particular precon- , certed system, and Gilroy is one of those who arts promptly on his own initiative, | and whose judgment is rarely or never at : fault. His way out of difficulties is usually the straightforward one, but it occasionally appears both daring and original, simply because a physically weaker man might think it impossible nr hazardous, and so never attempt it. He sizes up a situation ; quicker than most men, and is prompt to 1 act. As an illustration, one incident on Saturday is applicable. Kaikorai had a penalty shot at coal in the second spell. The kick was a good one, but dropped short in front of the University backs lined np on goal-line. They evidently expected the ball to bounce forward, and they could thus easily force down. Instead of this, it bounced back. The ball was not Gilray’s, I but the Kaikorai forwards were swoopmg | clown, and the University backs seemed to hesitate. _ Gilray dashed ’ out, and his run carried him through the opposing forwards • —a brilliant, and timely save. Indiscriminate praise is notoriously liable to spoil a ! young footballer, but one is tempted to be- 1 lieve that the ex-High School boy’s head is j too firmly screwed on to be turned by it. Other players are not mentioned by name I here for two reasons. One is want of | space, and the other is that all played so well that all wonld have to be mentioned. The refereeing of Mr M'Donald at Tahima Park strengthened the growth cf an idea which germinated at the start of the season to the effect that referees are I doing their best to keep control of the j game without too much use of the whistle, i and this particularly as regards the knock- j on rule, the too stringent enforcement of which used to lie so exasperating. For this we cannot be too thankful. Mr M‘Donal-1 also put the ball into the scrum himself, and where it was not imperative that ho should wait for the scrum to he properly foimed T;e didn’t wait. The method seemed to answer all right. Spiers and Ronald, Kaikorai’s two crack front-row men, made their first appearance this season on Saturday, when they played with the second. They will probably’ be found in the first next Saturday. Williamson has also made another start. Fitzherbert, an ex-Wellingtonian. who played tor South Africa against the English team last year, has thrown in his lot with the Pirates, for whom he played wing threequarter last Saturday. Abrim, the ex-Alhambra and Wellington representative forward, is at present in Otago. He is likely to be here for a month at the least.

Tiic T? Ante Collegians reach Sydney on the Ist of next month. The party will include Friday Tomoana, a well-known Maori athlete and ex-captain of the school, who has been coaching the boys for a month. The following is the team Rangi, Tukere, Hirote, Poutawero, Erekana (the star of the team), Ron go, Kani, Wharetani, Poroutcne, Motno, Pine (captain). Huata, Wanor, Erehana, Kaiwai, Tawhai, Metane, Kepa, Nucra. Waaka. Three of the team are twenty years of age, the remainder being from sixteen to eighteen. The heaviest man, Naera 14.0), is seventeen years of age. Tlie matches on the Te Auto programme ore:—.Time 4—Second school team in (he Great Public Schools’ Competition, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. June 7—Combined Bathurst schools, at Bathurst. June 11— First school team in the Great Public Schools’ Competition, at the Agricultural Ground. June 15—Combined Great Public Schools, at the Agricultural Ground. Public IS—Combined State Schools, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. June 22—University F.C.', at University Oval. June 25—Fort street Training School, at Sydney Crirket Ground. If the te Ante boys equal the expectations of their friends, they should not (sa-vs a Sydney writer) find this programme a Very difficult one to fulfil successfully, though we are looking forward to their defeat In the ’Varsity match. The British team, on arrival at Adelaide will he met and escorted to Sydney by Mr C. W. ■ Oakes, M.L.A., one of the vicepresidents of liic New South Wales Union. Mr W. A. Band, hon. secretary of the Union, will accompany them to New Zealand as the representative of the Union. The programme in Australia includes three test matches, two to be played on the Sydney Cricket Ground and one at Brisbane. If one be not mistaken, the Britishers will enter the field for the first test match with one conspicuous advantage, since by that time (July 2) they will have thoroughly worked up their combination, while the Australians will probably have had no match practice as a team. Air Roland Kean, the honorary secretary of the South Wales Referees’ Asseebu

Don, is in receipt of a letter from Mr R. P. Browne, an old New South Wales Rugby Union official, who is at present in England. Writing from London, Mr Browne —“Judging by the expressions of opinion on this side, the British team going over are a particularly warm contingent. Experts are agreed that it is the best team that has ever left England. The threequarters are a brilliant lot, though it was unfortunate that Gwyn-Nichols could not get away, but an attempt is being made -to secure Jowett (a Welsh international). If he goes, then yon will see a- second GwynNichols. I hear great accounts of Stanger Leathes as full-back. Bedell-Sivright, who is one of the forwards, is looked upon as tho best in Britain to-day. He is very popular here, and is bound to be so in Australia. He reminds me very much of poor old Spragg ; so you can guess what he is like. If New Zealand can beat this team, they will defeat anything they are likely to meet when they come over.” Jowett is coming with the team. Llewellyn, one* of tho British team, is said to be one of the finest three-quarters that ever played for Wales. For the last five years he has played in every engagement m which Wales has taken part. He° is said to be one of the most dangerous trygetters, and is extremely fast on his feet. Llewellyn is rather below medium height, but he is as hard as nails, a brilliant tackier, and, in fact, a fine player in every sense of the W'ord. In addition, the Welshman is a magnificent all-round athlete. When to vyas at Brecon College he twice won the Sports Challenge Cup, the competition for which included the 100 yds, the quartermile, the long jump, the high jump, and tho hurdles. One year Llewellyn was placed first in every event save the hurdlee, in widen ho was second. The following year he won the live events, and, in addition, broke the record for tho long jump, so far as Brecon schoolboys were concerned. The official measurement of the jump was 19ft 3in, but Llewellyn jumped from a foot behind tho mark, and therefore covered 20ft 2in. Ho is both a. teetotaller and nonsmoker. The • Welsh three-quarter was t" euty when he was picked for international honors. The game was against. England, and he signalised his appearance by registering four tries. There was a lively discussion by the Wellington City Council as to tho expediency of permitting a football match with the English team to be played on the Basin Reserve. Some councillors considered it would be interfering with private enterprise, as the Athletic Park Grounds were available, but it is understood the Rugby Union do not feel inclined to take them, owing to tho terms demanded by the Park Company. After a long debate, the Council by 9 vc •■‘s to 3 granted permission for the use of ta. Basin Reseive. In discussing the proposed Southern tour of the Wanganui representative team, the 1 Herald ’ says it is given to understand that the selectors have decided not to choose a player—no matter fcow good he may be who is likely to bring discredit upon the Union in any way, either by unsportsmanlike conduct on or off the field, and those who have a tendency to undue roughness or questionable tactics will have to°stand down in favor of those who plav tho game fairly and cleanly. ASSOCIATION NOTES. [By Bahkis.] Tho following -table shows the positions of the senior teams :

A word to the schoolboys. You have begun very well indeed, but there are a few things you are inclined to fotget occasionally. For instance, some of you who have not got a distinctive school jersey have quite forgotten about that white band jou must have ready to slin over your shoulder if your side loses the'toss. When you remember Low difficult it is for the referee to distinguish one side from the other, I’m sure you won’t need me to again remind you of this "matter. One thing af a time is quite sufficient, so I’ll finish this note by congratulating those teams whose eleven jerseys of the same color, and eleven pairs of white pants, make the work of the referee a pleasant one. The state of the Asylum Ground is a fruitful topic of conversation. In the Northern-Roslyn match parts of it were in that sticky, clinging condition so trying to players, mentally and physically. A man is certainiy not seen at Lis best when “ constructive impact ” results in Ids removing on L;s person portions of the reserve. But last Saturday in the Roslyn-Rangera match the same ground was baked hard as bricks. Consequently at every fall a player rose leaving portions of bis skin clinging to the clay. Needless to slate players don’t consider this a fair exchange. However, in spite of the erratic bouncing of the ball, the play in this match was mostly good. Kempston, who played a dashing forcing game, was not troubled by the uneven nature of the ground. His kicking was sure and well placed, and he is in his place at right-half. Dodson at full-back was in difficulties very often. His judgment was faulty, and he did not do himself justice. Newman, ofi the other hand, was equal to most emergencies that arose, and was very safe. Sparrow plaved well at left-half, but one cannot help fearing that he is too light to stand the severe strain of first-grade football. Already he boars scats received in matches, for he is a. very plucky player. The Rosi-n forwards were playing two second men 'in place of R. Brown and Us-her on the list of wounded from Die previous Saturday. The rest were obviously suffering from minor casualties, but they played a game sufficient unto the day.

The Rangers’ backs'played a really good game. Special mention is m:ide of Lambert, who played the best back game on the ground. I except Smallbone, of course, whose play in Roslyn’s goal was up to the high standard that player almost invariably attains. Mills and Aspinall materially assisted Lambert in the sound defence of their goal. Of the forwards Lambert the captain—was the bright particular star. When he permanently infects the rest of his pack with some of his energy and skill the Rangers team will occupy a high place in the grade, Mr Lang made an dScient referee. He is quick to detect off-side play. I wish to draw the attention of players to law 10, which reads as follows:—"A goal may be scored from a free kick which is awarded because of any infringement of law 9, but not from pny other free kick. When a free kick has been taken, the ball shall not be again played by the kicker until it has been plfiyed by another player. The kick-off, corner-kick', and goal-kick shall be free kicks within tiic meaning of this law.” Advice from Wellington leads me to suppose that the N.Z.F.A. "will have some difficulty in obtaining a selection committee that can follow up the form of the players in the New Zealand centres,” which means practically that all games against the visiting team would have to be seen. The E.Z.F.A. have asked each centre to nominate those players who are considered worthy to represent the colony, but this plan has obvious defects. For instance, though no doubt too many names will lie nominated for most positions, there may be some positions for which no nomination will be made. The best selection would undoubtedly be made by an unbiased sole selector, who was able to see every match played by the visitors. Have the Council a competent man available? The following is the programme of the New Gouth Wales tour:—June 29, play North Island, at Auckland ; July 2, Auck land, at Auckland; July 7, Wairarapa, at Master ton; July 9, Wellington, at Welhnvtoi.; July 14, Canterbury, at Christchurch" July 16, Otago, at Dunedin; July 20' Southland, at Invercargill; Julv 23, New

Zealand, at Dunedin; July 50, New Zealand, at- Wellington

In the match Momington v. Kaitangata play was of an interesting character and venv fast. The Kaitangata team are a formidable lot, but perhaps not quite up to last years’ combination, being mums the services of such players as Paterson, Ferguson, and Finlay. On Saturday their full-backs gave a splendid exhibition of kicking; the goalkeeper showed flashes of brilliancy. Buchanan at centre-half got through an immense amount of wort. G. Middleman, at left-half, kicked well; his goal was a beauty. Brown, who played centre-forward, performed well. Olliver, on the left wing, never made the most of his opportunities. Among the Momington team, Farquharson, at left-half, played brilliantly, his footwork being a treat to watch. Hickey, centre-half, should back up his forwards more. J. Grenfell, the other half, played well. Young and Harrison, at full-back, performed well, although the former is inclined to rush in far too much. Litolff played a fine game, saving time after time ” very cleverly. Among the forwards, H. Paterson must be singled out for special mention, although at times he has a tendency to hano back among his halves. If this were remedied he would be one of the most useful wing men in Dunedin. A. Paterson, the centre man, was fair, and Roberts-on, on the right wdng, is a very promising plaver. The Momington backs will be considerably strengthened next Saturday by the inclusion of J. Ciark, last year’s rep. halfback, who has returned to'his old love.

Club. rs p 5* £ a o Lost. d rt Q Poi U o p=i tits. c s < ‘a a «.s Zingari-Richm'nd 5 5 0 0 48 9 10 Southern 5 4 1 0 45 «>■> Knikorai 5 2 1 20 18 £ Alhambra 5 2 0 1 IB 19 Union 5 2 3 0 24 28 4 Dunedin ... 5 2 3 n 85 University 5 i 3 i 19 45 3 Pirates 5 0 4 i 3 34 i

Club. 1 Lost. Drawn. & z'o N’( rthern 3 j 3 « 0 1 Kuitansata 3 2 u M^rninston... 4 j 1 \ Wakari 4 i 2 2 0 4 Roslyn 3 I 1 I 1 3 Southern 3 ; 0 o 1 i Hangers 4 i 0 3 I