Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 110, 9 August 1902, Page 24

Association Football.

By Centre Forward.

Theie were two surprises at Miramar on Saturday. It was expected that Swifts would secure a victory over Diamonds, and Queen's Paik would make St. John's go for a win. Diamonds, by well concerted play, weire continually on the aggressive, and gave the maroon backs a warm time. Diamonds lost the toss, and made a oreditable stand against the wind in the first half. The Swifts' forwards were very loose, and missed several olianoes of scoring. The want of combination, when they had the wind with them, was most noticeable. The defence of Tayloi and Roberts, and the forward play of Hathaway, were the most prominent features of the game Hathaw ay was in excellent form, and, in my opinion, played one of his best games. Ta,vlor is a player who is "coming to light" again. At the commencement of the season he was lamentably weak, but his present style of play is worthy of attention bv the selector. *. *■ * Queen's Paik, favoured by the wind in the first half, should have made more use of it To allow St. John's to score a goal against them whilst they were unable to reeister any does not speak well for their defence. On several occasions St. John's goal mouth was in jeopardy, but Nagle was there, or thereabouts, and managed to checkmate the opposition. Downes, Ferkins, and Naughton weie playing sweeping games down their respective win^s, but kept on to the ball too long to be of benefit to their side. Brodie, Mow at, and Smelhe were most piominent for St. John's in the second half. They were the means of scoring two goals to their credit. Nagle secured a goal from a penalty, which gave them the substantial win of four goals to nil. * *■ * The game in the suburb was unmarked bv any brilliant play. The local team w as without the services of Asburv and included in its ranks several junior players. The Old Boys' team was minus the services of two players, but managed to secure a w r in over the suburbanites by two goals to one. On the southern wing, the ground was very sloppy, and water was lvmg on the surface, rendering the play ineffective and perhaps, affecting the result of the game. The Petone forwards were playing a hard pressing game in the second half, and were within an ace of scoring on several occasions. Off-side play by the junior players spoilt several pood chances for their side. With a little more coaching, the young Petoneites' play would in some instances be more brilliant than that of the senior team. Earle was the mainstay of the Old Boys' team. His powerful kicking and excellent defence slaved the situation on numerous occasions. He uses his weight to advantage also. M. Renai did serviceable work for his team, and to a large extent the good play of the forwards was due to the numerous openings he made for them. ¥■ * * The schools' competition branch of Association football is one which is likely to become most popular. The interest which the teachers are taking in the introduction of the "soccer" code of football in their respective schools augurs well for the future of the game. , At the meeting of teachers and scholars, convened for the purpose of adopting rules and making fixtures, the liveliest enthusiasm was displayed by both the teachers and punils. On the suggestion of the teachers the W.F.A. will control the competition this season, but it is the teachers' desire to have the management in their own hands next season. At so late a period in the season, the number of entries for the "Primary Schools Competition," as it is termed, must be considered satisfactory. The tw r o ends of the city are represented in Island Bay and Kaawarra, and it is to be hoped that ere long all schools betweeai the two districts named will have a representative eleven competing, and endeavouring to bring victory and credit to themselves and their school. *■ -* * The decision of the City Council to allow lnterprovincial football matches, to be played upon the Basin Reserve, if the Cricket Association is favourable comes as a surprise to many, after the repeated refusals to the many requests of the Wellington Football Association bv the Council

As the Cricket Association pay a considerable sum foi the up-keep oi: the Basin Reseive, and although the Reserve is common property it is reasonable that they should have a voice in the uses to which it may be put. At the present time the* playing ground of the Basin Rteserve is virtually the pioperty of the Cricket Association, and anything considered detrimental to the ground is referred to the Association In consideration of the expenditure

which the Omcket Association is put to, tliis appears to be fair and equitable. In dealing with this question, it is to be hoped the Cricket Association will show that "sporting" feeling which should prevent, them raising any objection to the wish of the Council, and the desire of all local footballers. The ground is unproved for cricket by the playing of football on it, and thus the only possible objection that can be raised is at once disposed of.

Capital acceptances have been received for the tin cc principal events on the programme of the Canterbuiy Jockey Club's Grand National meeting, and, as this is the last opportunity I shall have of dealing with the handicaps, I shall have a, try and select probable winners. In the Steeplechase, The Guard occupies the post of honour, with 13st 21b opposite lias name, and all will admit that the son of Vanguard has fully earned his impost. He has already thas season won the Wanganui and Auckland Steeplechases, and in the latter he carried 12st 31b, over a much harder course than Ricoarton. He is not a big horse, but what there is of him is very genuine, and he has again and again proved his ability to successfully cover long journeys under heavy burdens That The Guard will run well there is not the least doubt, and I believe there are few engaged in the race that can beat him. Moifaa, on the 12st 81b mark, has not been running at all kindly this last season, and there is a rumour that all is not well with him. Should he strip fit and well, he would beat more than will beat him. Last year the son of Natator was weighted at I3st 61b. but ran off when going well. In the recent Auckland Steeplechase Moifaa fell when running second to The Guard, and he is now meeting the latter on lolb better terms. Cavaliero was a complete "frost" at the Auckland meeting, and his indifferent display was hard to account for, in view of his good showing previously at Takapuna. That he will race better over Ricoarton I have not the least doubt, and were the Steeples his mission he must prove a hard nut to oraok. Gobo., on the list 131b mark, is not unduly weighted, and, although he jumped rather poorly in the Wellington Steeplechase, he succeeded in landing the stake. Gobo won this race last year, and it is 1 quitei on the cards that he will repeat his performance. Cannongate has one or two crosscountry events to his credit, and will run well. He finished fourth behind The Guard at Auckland, and meets the latter now on 131b better terms. Plain Bill won the July Steeplechase at the Wellington meeting easily from Straybird, but -miade a very poor showing in the big Steeples. That he has returned to form, and will run well, there is no doubt, and no one will begrudge the win to has owner, who has not had the best of hiok lately. Haydn has proved his ability to negotiate the smaJl sticks, and there is no reason why he should not be equally proficient over the bigger timber. He has plenty of pace, and can be depended upon to run a good race. Huku is highly thought of down South, and is expected to atone for his poor showing at the local meeting. Roller is reported to be in good condition, but I think he will find the distance too great. It is extremely doubtful whether Frost wall make the journey, but, should he do so, he has been given a chance with. lOst 41b. Both The Swimmer and The Phantom have an outside show, and may be both standing up when others are down. They are splendid jumpers. Straybird and Pipi will find the distance too far, but Lochade should be thereabouts at the finish if the race is run to suit him. Awahuri will probably cut out the running for a counle of miles, and then retire. Shylock ran well at Wellington, and, if he stands un will not be far away when the winningpost is reached. To sum up, I shall pin my faith to The Guard, Cavaliero, and Lochade in that order as the placed horses m the Grand National Steeplechase of 1902. In the Grand National Hurdles, a field of twenty-two have cried content with the handioapper's adjustments, but probably this list will be considerably reduced before the day of the race. Cavaliero is at the top of the list with 12st 91b, and with all his weight will take a lot of beating should this race be his mission. Royal Conqueror, on the list 131b mark, ran two good races at the recent local meeting, and will be galloping at the right end of the journey. I doubt if The Guard will start, but he would require to be reckoned with with list

121b on his back. Battlwixe, if he has recoveied fiom his trip to Yictona, is well in with list 91b, and should give a good account of himself . Waiw era is nicely weighted and will beat moie than beat him. Haydn won. this 1 ace last ■sear, and should not be out of it this yeai . Huku has won several good races down South, and, as he is a beautiful jumper, will take no end of beating. Ido not caie for Oannongate or Mars, but ha\ c a leaning towards Treshain and Stiathnairn's chances. Tresham put up a fair performance at Auckland, and should be capable of something better now he is more seasoned. Strathnairn proved his ability to jump at the Wellington meeting, and, as he has plenty of pace, he will be very hard to beat. Hotu, if the Hotu of a. season 01 so ago, is pitchforked into the handicap, but he appears to have lost a.l 1 form. Rollea* and Kohinui will find the distance too far. Ido not care for anything further down the list till Smithy's name us reached. This horse put up some splendid performances last year in hack company, and I should not be at all surprised if he led the field a merry dance for a mile or tw o To sum up I shall select the top weight to win (if he 1 starts), and next to him I like Roya.l Conqueror and Waawera. For the Wintei Cup Bla^ei heads' the list with list 91b, and, if he is as brilliant as of yore, will take no end of beating. Ostiak cannot complain as regards weight, and will run well. I

The acceptances for the other events have not closed at time of w riting, so I am someVha.t in the dark as regards owners' intentions, but, with a start I ■ think The Swimmer or Hutana will win the First Hunters 1 ' Hurdles , Battleaxe cxr Strathnairn, the Maiden Hurdles , and Whangaroa and Shy lock, the Enfield Steeplechase. The French Derby was run at Chantilly last month, and was won in a canter by the favourite, Retz. The colt named carried 9st 21b, and out out the mil© and a-half in 2min 3osec, so that he musti be something decidedly out of the common. He was ridden by J. Reiff. The total value of the stake was £7496, of which £400 went to the second, and £200 to the third horse. Since then, Retz was made a hot favourite for the Grand Prix de Paris, but suffered defeat by a head. Amongst the contestants! in this latter race was Sceptre, the winner of the English Oaks, ar.d it is stated by a Parisian writer that M. Blanc, the owner of Retz, bet Mr. Sievers £12,000 to £8000 that, his horse w ould be placed before Sceptre. The latter finished sixth. During last week Romany Queen was supported for the New Zealand Cup to win £1500 at an average of 100 to 3. Romany Queen who is on^ of Mr. Stead's team in training at Yaldhurst, is a three-year-old filly by Gipsy Grand from Ich Dien, and she thus claims relationship to the Auckland and Wellington Cups winner, St. Michael. Orticiform's name is the most notable absentee from the list of acceptances for the New Zealand Cup. Her owner considers that she has been unduly burdened in being allotted 9st 41b in the big two-mile race. The Yaldhurst stable has set a puzzle before backers as to which is their can-

do not oaie for Battleaxe nor Fleka, while Cora Linn is reported as under a cloud . Muscovite, if well, would run well, and the same may be said of The Shannon. Scotty is not harshly treated, and will beat moie than will beat him. Field Battery has been a disappointment so- far, but perhaps he has a weakness for Riccarton, as it was there he gained his first and only victory, and will make some amends for his previous mgJonous displays Siege Gun is highly spoken of, and should he be successful his victory will entail a 71b penalty for the New Zealand Cup. Cameo, if in form, is not unduly weighted, and the same may be said of Magnificent, Oracle, and Djin D]in. Somerled is well treated with 9%t 71b, and if properly recovered from his accident w ould take no end of beating. Rubin is somewhat of a back number, and Bill Perkins will find the class too good. Durable and Calcita are both well, and will give good account® of themselves if the company is not too sielect Waiwhera is a good stamp of a horse, and should run _ well. Kelpy I do not like ora any account, but maybe his form at the Hutt was all wrong. To select the winner is a somewhat difficult task, but I shall place them in the following order — Somerled 1, Ostiak 2, Field Battery 3. And if there is to be a> som-prise, it may come from Cameo.

diida.te for the race in. question. As soon as the nominations closed, Siege Gun was rushed, and he was asi food a favourite as anything, and them before the weights were due, he receded in the betting, and Cruciform bcame the popular fancy. Within this last fortnight, both, Grand Rapids and Romany Queen are reported as haying been supported by the stable, while Siege Gun has again come into favour. Then, comes news of Crueiform's withdrawal, which looks as if the stable had only l^ept hey in the race up to the present tpne to blind backers, until the money was gob on the selected candidate and the early supporters of the Yaldhurst stable are beginning to kick themselves for rushing into the market and backing one or two of the candidates without having something more tangible than fancy to go by. During the time Nonette was under a cloud last week, he weakened m price for the New Zealand Cup, and £500 was secured about him at £100 to 8. Since it became known that the son of Seaton Delaval was sound, he became firmer in the market, and little money could now be obtained about him at 10 to 1. Ponxua's full-sister, in training at Ellerslie, continues to please the coursewatchers, and she is looked upon as the one most likely to annex the Avomdale Stakes in September next.