FOOTBALL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11889, 12 May 1899, Page 2

FOOTBALL NOTES.

[Quidnunc in “Canteiwbuby Times.”] : In my notes last week I inadvertently referred to Barrett a« the Kaiapoi fiveeights. Eenaldi filled that position. The game between Linwood and Sydenham was open and interesting. The Greens had profited by the previous Saturday’s defeat, and a great change was noticeable, both in back and forward play, more especially in the latter. The Linwood vanguard did not pack so well as their opponents, but they hooked and heeled out the ball more neatly and frequently. On the other band, when the Cardinals aid get possession they could screw right through the Greens. In the loose and on the fine-out the forwards were about evenly matched, but the Sydenham pack got in more brilliant play. Several times they swept all before them, and only a mistake at the-critical moment prevented a score. The inclusion of P. Byrne at half righted the Linwood back system, and some good combined passing resulted. The ball came clear away from the ruck, and frequently was among the backs before the opposing men could grasp the situation. The Sydenham backs gave a poor display. Individually some good work was done at times, but beneficial combined pl!ay was never practised. There certainly was combination occasionally, but it was of the kind that lost ground instead of gaining it.' For Linwood, E. O’Brien, at full, was not up' to his usual form. Several times ho failed to take the ball, cleanly, and once he indulged in a speculation kick. Ha was guilty of the same indulgence against Kaiapoi, and its continuance will certainly prove disastrous to his side some time or other. He should also have used , the touch-line more. W. Byrne is recovering his old form. He tackled well, and ran with plenty of dash. J. O’Brien, on the right wing, was just, warming up to His work when an injury .compelled him to retire. Orchard, on the other wing, hod improved from the previous Saturday, but he has not yet recovered his former dash. He runs rather charily now, somehow, and is an easy prey to the average tackier. Phillips rested a little last Saturday, and made no great efforts, but he had a share in a lot of the passing. P. Byrne, at half, proved a wonder for his inches. He picked up-and passed out neatly, and did a good share of the tackling. Among the forwards, Cowper and Onnandy, on the wings, worked brilliantly. They are both fast° and they used their pace in following up. Later in the game Onnandy went out wing-three-quarter, to replace J. O’Brien, and be was equally serviceable there. In the pack, Fanning, Brundsen and Plunkett battled hard, but the others were not far behind. The only Sydenham backs that deserve honourable, mention are the Reese brothers and Gerard. The latter, at half, played the best back game in the Sydenham ranks. He kicked and passed well, but he had a tendency to cling to the ball too much when ho was down. J. Ree.se, at five-eights, played a sound but not a brilliant game. His passing tactics could he changed with advantage to his side. D. Reese, at centre, is not yet the “Dan” of yore. The forwards all worked hard, and Thomas—the tail! man—was very conspicuous. ■ O’Brien and Gasson also put in some good work. The result of the meeting between Christchurch and Albion, which was looked upon as a foregone conclusion, caused considerable surprise, though the supporters of the Christchurch Club should, by this time, be prepared for any inconsistency in form on the part of the team. With the exception of Flavell, who played in Moeller’s place, the Christchurch team was the same whioh had put Merivale down on the previous Saturday, while Albion certainly had a stronger representation than when they were beaten by Sydenham. The Reds had the misfortune to lose the services of Cardale for the greater part'of the first spell. He came on to the field again at the resumption of play, but had evidently not recovered from the effects of the knock-out. The play was very even in the early part of the game, each team in turn acting on the offensive, but the Reds were the first to score, though they did not maintain the advantage for any length of time. The unexpected stand by the Blacks appeared to surprise their opponents, while giving an impetus to their own energy, and both forward and back they put more dash into their play than they have shown for some time past. Their kicking was well judged and clean, as was the majority of their passing, while the rushes of their forwards were quite refreshing after their exhibitions of the two previous Saturdays. The result of the game should encourage Albion to train and practice assiduously, with a view to further improvement, while it should stimulate the Reds to, a determined effort to regain the half point which they lost on Saturday. While giving the whole of the Albion team full credit for their work, there are one or two players who deserve special mention, Machin being especially. prominent, and I have never seen him show to better advantage, Lewis played far better than on the previous Saturday, and at times put in some really good work, while Butler and J. Archibald rendered great service to their side. All the forwards played with dash and determination, and in no way suffered by comparison with their opponents. Raphael, at fullback for Christchurch, showed sound defence, but his 'kicking was not nearly so good as usual. The combination of the Reds’ three-quarters was broken up by Cardale’s disablement, and naturally their back play suffered accordingly. Amongst Hie forwards, Pascoe, Ollivier and Walters were the most prominent. Judged by the final result of the'game, the wind helped to make the KaiapoiMerivale match interesting. The breeze practically died away in the second spell, consequently Merivale had to play - their very best to equalise matters. Except for the fact that :the country players are reckoned to be ten points better on their own ground than on Lancaster Park, it is difficult to imagine 1 , how they beat Linwood the previous week. When it is known that the Linwood back department is its strength, it becomes .’a greater puzzle, as Saturday’s play undoubtedly showed the weakness of the Kaiapoi team to be in the defence ofithe backs. In the forwards the winners were much superior both in and out of the pack, and to this they owe their victory, !as the backs, although useful, have no system of attack, and it is too late , this season , to perfect one I have remarked on Burrell’s play in another place; suffice it to say that I have never seen a better exhibition of full-back play. The three-quarters' call for no comment.; they are “individualists.” M’Cree tackled safely and so did Dansey; in fact, the latter was more prominent than usual all the game. In a pack, whose defeat the previous week was apparently taken to heart, 'Marriner was prominent. Ho played a solid game all" through. King shone out in the loose work, and Farquhar, whose long-delayed senior game came at last, quite justified his place, He is not a wing 1 ulaver- in the ordinary- accepted term, but more of a roving back, and • with his' strong forward team should be kept in the position or: positions in which ho now plays. Cook was in fine fettle, and should gain his cap this year if his form continues. It is a pity Feather stone does not pLy regularly for Kaiapoi, as he is such a neat and careful player that it is always pleasant to. congratulate -him or his success. Duncan was erratic and uncertain; but I: liked M’Gregor’s play. Though quite .a lad, he handled the ball and lacked splendidly, and, besides, has pace. He lacks experience, and would do better if ho looked for more work instead of waiting for it to come to him. Renaldi did fairly, and Green behind the pack worked very hard, both on attack an-i defence. The forwards do not .appear to be the forwards of old. They have a lot of useful youngsters, however, who should soon be broken in. Reveil and Bate, <,• usual, were about in the open play, the former doing great. work on the line-out also. Lynskoy Brothers and H. Driscoll worked bard, but the latter is not in his last year’s form. Alex. Forbes: will play for the Merivale team in the rest of its matches, Weils, of the South Canterbury representative team, has joined the Linwood Club. ’ J. Forde has rejoined the Sydenham Club, and.will assist the senior team on Saturday.

I hear that G. M’Oree, the Merivale player, is to be married at the' end of this month. The Albion Chib has arranged a match with the Pirates’ team, of Ashburton, for the Queen’s Birthday. For the first time in three years the Albion; Seniorteam on Saturday" turned out as-origi-nally selected. Perhaps this accounted for its good display against Chnstchurch. H. M’Connell, who last year played for the Sumner Club, and Las this season taken part in the Sydenham Senior team’s matches, leaves for England at the end of the week. L. R. Corsbie has left here, hawing ohtained an appointment at Geraldine. He tells me he will play in the South Canterbury district, and he should prove a great help to the dlub he joins. ;That fine player Featherstone assisted his club on Saturday, and it is to be hoped that the game willl prove more attractive than hockey. Despite an occasional fumble due more to want of practice than anything else —he showed capital form. I was pleased to see Frank Brooker at the Park on Saturday. The long__Menvale 'forward has had a serious illness, but is’ slowly recovering, and as he has obtained six months’ leave, intends spending a portion of the time at Hanmer ■ Plains. Low’s lucky kick which-scored four points for Merivalis against Kaiapoi was done in a similar manner to the one that A. Hobbs made when playing for East Christchurch against-Merivale in 1890. Hobbs’s kick won the match for the East Christchurch team. In 1888, G. Smart also kicked a goal in the same way for Meri vale Second Fifteen against Sydenham Second, on North Park. Balch once more took part in inter-club matches on Saturday, and showed all his old dash. His-kicking was really very fine, and the two- goals he scored were from longrange. His dodgy runs were much applauded, and his opponents were lucky in that when once through the, ruck want of condition told, and players that would have had no chance of catching him, were he in form, overtook and tackled him. We badly want a few more of Balch’s class in our Senior teams. It is with regret that I liave to record the death of Mr T. S. Marshall, who died at Napier last Saturday. Mr Marshall was one of the founders of the Linwooii Club and acted as secretary from 1887 to 1891. He was elected secretary of the Canterbury Rugby Union in 1892, and was also club captain of the Linwood Liuh in 1893, and elected a life member in 1894. Thera is, little doubt that the interest and hard work that Mr Marshall evinced were responsible for the prominent position the Linwood Club occupies. Mr Marshall was in indifferent health for some time, and was only thirty-one years of age at his death. Quite the feature of the Merivale-Kaia poi game was the brilliant form shown by young Burrell, the, Merivale full-back. Throughout the game he was, kept busy, and did not make the slightest mistake, his kicking, tedding and handling of the ball being splendid. When it is considered, that he was playing for the President’s Cup two years back, his' display is all the more A better exhibition of full-back play has seldom been seen on the ground, and he appears to have a great football career before him. I hear he has played his last game, but hope, for the sake of his club, himself and the province, he will not retire from a game in which he is so proficient. . When one glances over the names of Senior players this season (writes “ Ex-For-ward” in the Wellington “ Post”), he must be struck with the infusion of new blood. Taking the Poneke Club, for instance, we find old and well-tried players like White, Kelly and Pudney giving the game best, and Saturday’s combination against Petone was almost wholly made up of Juniors and third-class men, only four of last year’s Senior team coming forward to do battle for the Red and Blacks. Among the Athletics appear several new faces, principally promoted Juniors, who have secured deserved promotion to a higher, grade. Wellington was represented against Athletic by . no lets than eight Juniors and three players who have lately resided in the Empire City, and the Oriental representatives have also made a great change in the personnel of their pack. Petone, too, has some new men. The European Press Agency is responsible for the statement that Mr T. R. Dewar, J.P., ex-Sheriff of who is now in the Far East, is arranging' for the visit to England next season of a team of Chinese footballers. The team is being organiser at Wei-hai-Wei, and from all ac-. counts the players have attained a remarkable proficiency at the game. The final inter-national match of the season, under Rugby rules, was played at Cardiff on March 18, when Ireland defeated Wales by a try to nil, and thus won the championship. Wales were unfortunate in the first twenty minutes in losing the services of their famous captain and full-back, W. J. -Bancroft, who, when. Wales were attacking hotly, was tripped up, quite accidentally, , by a ' spectator, and, falling heavily, broke a rib under his heart, 2nd twisted two others. Pot the remainder of the game Wales played only fourteen men. Tire Welsh Rugby Union (says an English paper) had made provision for a crowd of 30,000, but long before the time announced to start the game this number had been exceeded, and there was a general stampede for seats, with the untimate result of a collapse. The gates wore opened at one o’clock—two hours) before the kick-off—-and it is well they did so, for the streets which led to the Cardiff Arms Park,were long before this one mass of'people waiting for admission. The reserved-seat tickets bad, for the major portion, been bought up by a syndicate, who made' a good revenue out of the transaction. However, at two o’clock the field was literally packed with an anxious crowd. At 2.30 every available nook and corner was occupied. Telegraph poles, the cornices of the grand stand, the roofing, street housetops, and numerous other “points of vantage” were occupied, and still the crowd was coming in dense masses, until at last the climax came, and a portion measuring about 30ft on the cheap side of the fencing gave way, which caused a general stampede on to the ground by those who, had paid only the lower rates. The ground inside the enclosure had been well arranged for reserveseat ticket-holders, but with the crush these spaces were soon occupied, and there was a surplus of eight or ten deep . intervening the Press seats and the actual field of play. (To appeal to the crowd was useless, police officials were powerless, • and the Welsh Rugby Union, although exerting themselves to the utmost, were-unavailing. The crowd was still pouring in rapidly, and the only resource was to close up the entrance gates. This was eventually done, but the crowd had , now gone beyond all control, and the Pressmen had to leave their seats, and, forcing their way to the front, had to be contented with seating themselves on the bare turf right on the touch-line. Reserved-seat ticket-holders and such like were mingled in one mass. The following circular has been issued by the south-western division of English counties, comprising Gloucester, Somerset, Dc- , von arid Cornwall, with reference'to rough play; A ‘ With a view of checking rough play, the county executives of Gloucester, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall have passed the following resolutions, which please bring before-the notice of your club members, football players, and spectators generally, as far as possible : —(1) That referees be instructed to deal more severely and promptly with any cases of rough play that come to their notice, both on the part of teams or individuals, and not to fail in their duty to report the ground in the event of the spectators misbehaving themselves. (2) That from this data the several county executives -will mete out a heavier punishment to,all offenders.. (3). That dub committees be called upon.to use their best endeavours to back up the county executives in their efforts to stop rough play, by (a) refusing to play men -who persistently -play a rough game, (b) by influencing spectators to discourage what "is discreditable to the ~ club, (c) especially by insisting on their cap-

tains doing their duty by using their authority to keep their men. in. order.” London “ Truth,” in commenting on the “ Pall Mall Gazette’s ” excellent articles on the situation in Bugby football circles in England, says-:—Putting the^ matter briefly, it is suggested that professionalism should be recognised; but that professional teams should not be allowed any legislative voice , in the game. At all events, the fact of an amateur playing with or against a professional should not debar him from taking part in amateur games. No doubt these ideas make the hairs of the Bugby Union officials, if- they have-any left, stand on end with horror. But it is perfectly dear that unless some steps are taken the time is not far distant when Bugby .Union, football will ben, thing of the past. AH over the South of England the Association game is advancing with rapid -strides. Each year sees- new clubs and increasing gates. If in the-same district-there aire dubs under the rival codes, it is the Association game that gets spectators. It is better organised', and that is one-of the sccrets of success. Then -amateur and professional can play together; and singularly • enough ■ the number of amateurs is growing larger ‘ and their style improving. The very contrary is the case under the Rugby: rules. The “ Pall Mall Gazette ” is to be congratulated on having taken the matter up. But nothing less than a Lyddite shell will break down the stone-wall conservatism, of Rugby Union officialism, JUNIOR MATCHES. The Merivale-Sydenhami Junior Flag match-, played at Sydenham Park, produced an excellent contest. Merivale won by fifteen points,. but the game was far more even than the score would indicate. Play was mostly confined to4he forwards throughout, neither team utilising its backs-to any extent. D. Fraser, who filled the position of centre three-quarter for Merivale, did so with credit. Matheson, on the wing, made one or two nice runs, besides which bis place-kicking was quite a feature of the game. Webster, five-eights, was ever in the thick of the play; Lester showed fair form on the side of the scrum, while-in the pack, Chamberlain, Cooke and - Bluett were most noticeable, the first mentioned especially. For Sydenham, Sommerfield proved a long-way ahead of the other-forwards, of whom Wilson was-next best. Killick, one of thawing-forwards, possesses-a fair-amount of dash, but neither of the wing three-quar-ters—Orr and Rowe—was given enough to do. Walsh, late of the Sumner Chib,.played serviceably at half-back. It must be admitted, when-all the circumstances are considered, that the Linwood Second Fifteen was by no means disgraced on Saturday in being defeated by the Kadapoi Junior Flag team; by five points.. In the first place, the team which journeyed to Kaiapoi to represent the town club-contained several substitutes, and, as if tins' were not bad enough during the progress of the game three of its members were disabled and had to retire. Nevertheless, the Linwood, players held their, own till within about ten minutes of time, when Kaiapoi forced them four times in quick succession and then scored a try —the only score registered during the game. W. Blackwell, who played in' President Cup matches for the country club some seasons ago, ,madehis re-appearanco-this match, and gave by far-the best exhibition of forward play on the ground. .His work on the.lme-out'was particularly -good. Puddle was perhaps the best of the Kaiapoi backs,, the try he scored being a neat piece of.work. Kaaapoi might have augmented their score materially had the team contained a fairly proficient placekick, as two or three easy shots at goal, awarded on account of penalties, were missed. Of the losing team’s forwards Bush was the most prominent. N. Duncan, late of the Lincoln College team, played a rattling game at half-back, while H. Byrne, at fiveeighths, proved very reliable. Although Christchmch defeated Lyttelton by eight points to nil in their Junior Flag game, they had by no means an easy win; in fact, it was not until about ten minutes before the call of time, when condition began to tell, that the old chib’s representatives succeeded in scoring. The first spell was decidedly in favour of Lyttelton, whose forwards proved much too good for Christchurch, and kept them continually on the -defensive. Had their backs handled .the ball at all accurately, Lyttelton must have.scored. The team as a whole displayed a 'Want of knowledge of the rules, and suffer from lack of combination. • With plenty of practice, these defects should be removed, and the Port men will be able to give most of their opponents a good game. Burns, the Lyttelton baif-bapk/ was playing his - first game, and taking this into consideration, he performed fairly weiß. Berry, at fiveeighths, did sometime kicking, but his play was rather streaky, and he badly * at times. Of the forwards, “ Jack Fenton was decidodlv the while Loader played well until -he was injured, and had to retire.' The Christchurch backs worked really well, but their forwards did not give at ail a good display. They packed very badly, and must improve a lot if they expect to give a good account of them-sslv-es against Albion and Mcrivalo. Harper, the Centre three-quarter, was the best back on the ground, and Brown and Smith, the two wings, put in some good dodgy runs. Martin, the ex-High School boy, was five-eighths, • and his first appearance in Junior Flag matches gave very good promise. He took the ball well from his half-back, and always beat;'his men before passing. Ayers, M’Hraith and O'Callaghan stood out most prominently among the forwards. It was pleasing to notice that both, teams received the referee’s decisions unquestioningly. One of the chief factors in Albion Second’s , win over Richmond was condition.- The Albion men have been training very consistently this season, and the-result of this was seen in Saturday’s game. Richmond had somewhat the better of thefgamefor about the first half-hour, but want of scoring men .prevented them from ! malting the most of their opportunities. After Richmond had tired Albion soon asserted themselves. -Of the winners’ hacks, Weston, -Watkins and Gray pub in some good work; the last-named, following his usual custom, played without either boots or socks, and succeeded in potting a goal from the field. The forwards all worked hard. Of the Richmond team, Bean, the full-back, was fairly safe, while Kerr, the five-eighths, and Pentecost, at wing threequarter, also played well. Cooke, Wiley and Austin, were the bast of the forwards. . It was generally supposed, after the severe defeat which the Albion C team received at the hands of the same club’s A team, that when it met the’B team another defeat, although less severe; was • in store. However, this did not prove the;case, as the C team won by a margin of ;ten points—a result probably duo in a measure to several

of the other team being absent. TSe game was not very remarkable as regards good football, the best work being done by the C team’s backs—a combination that should improve with more experience. Hobbs, on the wing three-quarter, is a useful player, while Manks, who plays five-eighths, shows plenty of promise. Taat, full-back for the B team, performed in capital style, his excellent kicking getting his side out of difficulties timo after time. The meeting between the Christchurch and Sydenham A President’s Cup teams provided an interesting contest. Play was exceedingly fast throughout, especially so in the first spell, when the Christchurch plhyers had the best of matters, - and registered six points, bub in the second half the suburbans livened up, and by hard forward play-pressed theteopponerEtetimeafterthne, bat a goal from a penalty-kick was their only score. (The winners are a heavy lot, both bock and forward, but it was evident, on. Saturday, at any rats, that-the team-con-tains one or two “ passengers.” Brewer, on the three-quarter-Ene, who scored bath-tries for Christchurch, is possessed of a fair turn of speed, and he would have proved more troublesome had some of the passes he received been anything Eke accurate. Loinsson, at fnil-baok, kicked wall, and of the other backs Pope was noticeable for some solid work. Forward, Cardale, Sandstein and Harper were conspicuous. The play of the Sydenham team was not noted for cleverness, and had the players shown an ability to take advantage of some of the opportunities which came their way the result of the game might have been different. Anderson, at full-back, performed creditably, and the-same remark applies to Davis and Henderson, .at three-quarter. The play of Tregessr, at five-eights, and Band, Savage and MThail among the forwards,, is also deserving of mention. Albion A had matters all its own way in the first- spell of its match with Linwood Third on Saturday. ■ In the second half the Linwood players pulled themselves together somewhat, with the result that they, on occasions, more than held their own, but they were-unable to break down the Albion defenre,.anch ultimately were-beaten by nineteen points to nil. The Linwood team possesses a rather good set of forwards, but behind the scrum the team is lamentably weak. The Albion team seemed disorganised on Saturday, playing by no mams up to its usual form. The play of Beattie, for the winners, and of Peek, for Leawood, is alone worthy of special mention. J. Austin, who last year captained the Merivale, Junior Flag team, played his first game this season against Sydenham Second last Saturday, but was obviously out 'of form. ; In the Sydenham B-MerivaJe B President’s Cup game the latter won the toss, and bad the wind in their favour-during the first spell. This helped them, considerably, and the first half of the game was fairly even, the only score being' a try to Sydenham. On-changing ends, Menvale went all to pieces, and Sydenham, by good passing, increased their score to thirty points. The fact that it was Merivafo’-s first , game twv counted to some extent for their poor display, but a very great improvement will have to be made before the team becomes anything like last ycaris Btsam. J. Mayne, T. Hutchings and J. Commons were mast conspicuous among the Sydenham backs, end R. Light and G. Kett were the pick of an even lot of forwards. Roberts, Dunn and Fiulayson, among the banks, and Lamb and Mefczies among the forwards, were the only Merivale players who showed anything Eke President’s Cup form. Cook who was a prominent member of the- Christchurch Second Piftecndast-season, has joined the Merivale Chib. The Competitions Committee has decided that the Albron-Merivale Junior Flag game shall be played-at Lancaster Park bn Saturday. The Linwood-Smnner game will be played on the. Albion ground. Junior players are beginning to complain of the state of the grounds on the North Park. The toachJines are trenches of varying width, and no flags are provided to mark the distances.. Martin, who played five-eights in the Christchurch Junior Flag team on Saturday, has recently left the High School. He is one of the most promising backs I have seen lately. The following are Saturday’s fixtures -. Junior Flag—Lyttelton y. Kaiapoi, Sydenham v. Richmond, Christchurch v. Linwood, and Merivale v. Albion. President’s Cup—Merivale A v. Merivale B, Linwood v. Sumner, and Christchurch v. Albion B.