FOOTBALL.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1136, 17 March 1910, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

i NEW ZEAL-ANDERS AT HOME. i NORTHERN UNIONISTS. j [From Our Special Correspondent.) j ' London, February 3. ! Friday and Saturday of last week ■ witnessed a record list of what may be called notable registrations, all, of course, made with the avowed intention of clubs qualifying the plavere for . the Cup-ties. St. Helen's have registered another colonial in Frank Talbot, a powerful scrummager from Christchurch. Talbot came to England with Gray, but, unlike the half- ; back, his intention was to .join a Rug- j by Union club. When, however. Seeling signed for Wigan, Talbot determined to throw in his lot with the Northern Union. A story could be told, says a well-known football daily, regarding the •■hunt" which has taken place in Gloucestershire, where the Dominionitc has been laid up with influenza. However, St. Helen's had Gray on their side, and Talbot duly signed for tbe West Lancashire club, i The Northern League Committee have, recently received complaints that the boots worn by many of tho players aro studded in such a manj ncr as to be dangerous to other playj ers. Tangible evidence that such is the case ha.s been produced and it would armear that tlie studs aro so made as to leave the nails fully exposed by having tbe leather carefully pared, away. The committee feel that tho time ha.s arrived when action should bo taken to prevent further ! injury to players from this cause, and a special circular is to be forwarded is to all the clubs in the Union on the subject. The committee call the attention of club officials to Rule 18 in "Laws of the Game." This declares | that it is illegal for any player wearing any projecting nails on any part of his boots to take part in a match. ! The League Committee are, further, of the opinion that studs should bo so made as to show a bearing surface of at least the size of a three-penny piece. That wonder of the football field. G. W. . Smith, the veteran "All Black." is still a shining light in the forefront of the Oldhnm team in Nortihern Union football. "Smithie." : showed on Saturday last, in the | match against- Leigh, that the passing years have not yet dimmed his brilliI ance. He played n great game in the i Oldham three-quarter line, and scor|ed throe, times in his old dashing style. His second try was the best in | the match. When the ball came outito him Smith was close to the touch i line. and. with two men to face, it r-eemed impossible- for him to getthrough, but with a little short punt he lobbed the ball over their heads, and, clashing on. gathered it again for a really fine try.