ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 15187, 19 May 1913, Page 1

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

FIRST GRADE. Mornington A 4, High School Old Boys Mornington B 5, Northern A 4. Kaitangata 4. Nortnern B 1. Christian Brothers 4, Ravensbourne 1. Koslyn-Wakan 1, Maori Hill 0. The most surprising result in the series of first grade matches in Dunedin on Satday was the defeat of Northern A by Mornington B. It was not a fluky victory for Mornington Club’s “ second string” and it was doubly meritorious in that they achieved more than Mornington A could against the same opponents. Kaitangata, with a much improved team, easily disposed of Northern B at Culling Park, the latter team again failing lamentably in the matter of shooting. Their play as a whole, however, was better than they had shown previously. Mornington A and . High School Old Boys played an interestnig match at Culling Park, the former team winning on merit. They knew too much for the “ Boys,” who require coaching in respect of several important essentials. Ravensbourne appear to be far behind their strength in previous seasons, and fell easily before Christians Brothers. Ros-lyn-Wakari just managed to beat Maori Hill.

Mornington A v. High School Old Bovs. Mr MacGillvray had charge of this match at Culling Park, which was very' greasy. Rain was falling steadily when the game started, but it did not damp the eagerness of the players. There was a pleasing crispness about the play that is characteristically lacking in Association football in Now Zealand. Mornington were the first to score, Shadwell securing the honor. If the ball had been dry he would not_ have gained it, for Anderson let the thing sliddcr through his hands. Old Boys were not long in arrears, Alloo, who accepted a fine pass from Allen, beating. Meutimer with a good shot. There was no further scoring in the first spell of 40 minutes. In the second spell Old Boys were unable to hold the Morn ington, who scored three goals to their one, the scorers being: For Mornington, G. Campbell (2) and Fraser; for High School Old Boys, Alloo. Between the goal-getting there was much fine football. Mornington A 4, High School Old Boys 2. Mornington B v. Northern A. The surprise which was created in Soccer circles on Saturday was the failing of Northern A to sheet home a victory against Mornington B—a team comprised mostly of last year’s juniors. Also by this achievement it is the first occasion on which for many seasons a Mornington senior team has had the honor of gaining a _ victory over a similar eleven from the Northern Club. It was a remarkable game, especially from the goal-scoring viewpoint. Northern were two goals behind on commencing the second spell, and when they had reduced this deficit by one the Hill boys rallied, and notched three goals in quick succession. However, this result seemed to bring Northern to their senses for the first time during the encounter, and within a short space of time they, too, scored three. From that'stage to the finish they hammered away at Mornington’s goal, but penetration was fruitless, and thus the Hill team ran out winners by 5 goals to 4. K«tanga7A v. Northern B. This match was also played at Culling Park, starting at 2 o’clock. ’ Mr R. Robinson was referee. The country team were by far the superior team, and had no difficulty in securing a decisive win. Northern have much to learn before they can hope to gain a satisfying position in the competition. But they need not be discouraged. They are not the poorest team in the competition. Kaitangata adopted the most profitable style in the circum stances —long passing, “ and shooting as often as possible. In the first spell they scored three goals, Jap Thomson (not Yap, as was printed on Saturday night—he is a silent and therefore an effective player), Pryde, and John Rarity dividing the honors. Northern shaped much better in the second spell, and equalled Kaitangata in the matter of scoring, each team obtaining a goal. Patterson scored for Northern and Pryde for the Kaitangata Kaitangata 4, Northern B 1.

Christian Brothers v. Ravensbourne. Christian Brothers defeated Ravensbourne at the Gardens by 4 goals to 1. The play was more even than the figures indicate. Not much heed need be given to the cries from the touch-line that the referee favored the Christian Brothers. That is a stock argument with barrackers for a losing side. Mr Martin may not have seen all the off-side, but his decisions in regard to what ho did see and his control generally could no doubt be justified in cool review. The true causes of Ravensbourne’s failure were—(l) that they trusted to short passes, whereas the Brothers went in for long kicking, which was the proper game on the slippery ground; (2) the weakness of one of the Ravensbourne backs who went on in M'lvor’s absence—and it may be added that whatever luck there was went mostly in favor of the Greens. For example, French fell in the mud when trying to stop Tarleton’s first shot, and Liddell’s penalty kick landed the ball straight into Stapleton’s hands. But the Brothers’ win is not to be explained away. On the day, and with the teams as they were, the Greens were the better side. The scorers were :—Christian Brothers, Tarleton 2 and Thorn 2; Ravensbourne, Donaldson 1. Roslyn-Wakari v, Maori Hill. This game was played at the Clear, which was in a rather slippery condition Mr Preston had charge. The contest was an even one right up to near the final whistle, when a cross-shot by Sims enabled Bceby to be beaten at "close range by Elliott. Till then a draw seemed the c'.ny feasible conclusion as command over the ball was an impossible order. Flukes on such a day a. - e always possible, but the one goal obtained was somewhat unexpected—it was not a fluke The game was a very friendly one—not t-..0 milk andwaterish through there beh g manv patches of go id-spirited, hard play. Both teams wen out to win, and as fortune had it a well-got goal gave victory to Roslyn-Wakari. Result: Wakari 1, Maori Hill 0. SECOND GRADE. Old Boys 3 goals beat Northern 2. Stephenson, Nugent, and Peake scored for Old Boys, and Abernethy and Adamson for Northern Christian Brothers 7 goals beat RoslynWakari 1 goal. Scorers for winners ; E. Salmon (2), J. Newman, J. Walsh, and J. Salmon. THIRD GRADE. Christian Brothers A beat Christian Brothers Bby 6 goals to nil. Scorers: Newman (2), L. Walsh, J. Salmon, L. Pethenck, and Cantwell. Roslyn-Wakari 4 goals beat Southern 1 goal. Northern 3 goals beat Old Boys 1 goal Old Boys and Mornington drew, 1 goal each. McLennan scored for Old FOURTH GRADE. Southern defeated Christian Brothers by 1 goal to nil, J. Langley scored. Green Island B 3, Mornington 0. Otago High School Old Boys 3 drew with Green Island A. Crimp (2) and Ritchie scored for Old Boys.

Northern (2) beat. Roslyn-Wakari (1). ~y? r Dryden scored for the winners, M Lauchlan for the losers. SCHOOL MATCHES. Christian Brothers A defeated Kaikorai 10vaI by 9 S oals to nil. Tarleton (2), Thompson (2), J. Brodie (2), Collins, Tj’lee, and G. Brown scored. Mornington beat Normal by default. High Street 4 goals beat George Street 1. Carline (2), Robert, and Ringer scored for High Street.