FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1157, 4 May 1894, Page 25

FOOTBALL.

By “ HALF-BACK.” The following players represented England against Scotland: J. F. Byrne (Moseley), back; F. Firth (Yorkshire), 0. A. Hooper (Middlesex Wanderers), S. Murfitt (Durham) and W. Jackson (Gloucestershire), three-quarter backs; E. W. Taylor (Northumberland)andC. M. AVells (Surrey), half-backs; 11. Bradshaw.(Yorkshire), IT. Speed (Yorkshire), T. Broadley (Yorkshire), W. Walton (Castleford), F. Soano (Somerset), A. E. Elliot (Middlesex), J.Hall (Durham), A. Allport (Surrey). Scotland was represented by the following: Gregor McGregor (London Scottish), back; G. T. Campbell (London Scottish), W. Ncilson (Cambridge), H. T. S. Gedge (Wanderers) and J. J. Gowans (Cambridge), threequarter backs; J. W. Simpson(E.ll.S.) and W. Wotherspoon (West), half-backs ; J. D. Boswell (West), captain; G. T. Neilson (West), R. G. McMillan (London Scottish), H. T. 0. Lcggatt (Watsonians), W. 13. Cownio (Watsonians), W. McEvvan (Edinburgh Academy), W. E. Gibson (E.H.S.) and 11. r’. Menzies (Aberdeen).

The Waikato Rugby Union lias elected tho following officers: President, Mr George Edgeciunbo; vice-presidents, Messrs F. W. Lang, M.H.R., Joshua Smith and A. Bach; hon treasurer, Mr N. I. Hunt; secretary pro tern.-, Mr James Hill.

At the annual meeting of the Franklyn Union (Auckland), the following officers wero elected for the ensuing season: — President, Mr F. J. Ohlson ; vice-presidents, Major Harris, M.H.R., Messrs Proude, J. Roulston, sen., H. Walsh and Pulman; secretary, Mr James Eoulston, jim. j treasurer, Mr George Dean.

I notice amongst the players (first fifteen) selected by tho North Shore Club (Auckland) to practice the names of Oliphant, Cassels, Speight and Valentine—all ex-members of tho Poneke Club.

The South Canterbury Rugby Union has elected the following officers: —President, Mr Moss Jonas ; vice-presidents, Messrs J. 11. Grahame, T. Smith, A. Perry, J. T. M. Hay hurst, W. Ballantyne, W. Halstead, T. Barker and H. McLean; hon secretary; Eov P. J. Cocks; lion treasurer, Mr C. S. Fraser.

At the annual general meeting of tho Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union the following officers were elected for tho ensuing season: —President, Mr F. Logan; vice-presidents, Messrs A. J. Cotterill, T. 11. Lowry, Thornton (To Aute), T. Sidey, C. M. Whittington, T. Morgan, F. Fulton and E. Black; hon secretary, Mr A. C. Bennett; hon treasurer, Mr Geo. Fleming; Finance Committee, Messrs Logan, Cotterill and Taylor; Managing Committee, Messrs Logan, Swan, Fleming and Bennett; auditors, Messrs G. White and F. Fulton; Ground Committee, the officers and delegates of the Union and Messrs Hindmarsh, Gilberd, F. G. Smith, J. Manaena and Taranaki; delegate to tho New Zealand Union, Mr T. Morrison; -vicepresident to New Zealand Union, Mi\ F. Logan ; selector of teams, Mr F. Logan.

There are signs in South Wales (says an English paper) of the introduction of a five three-quarter game. The Swansea team, when playing Cardiff last Saturday, brought a man out of the scrummage for tho nominal purpose cf “ assisting in tho defence,” oblivious of tho fact that tho most important part of the defence of a Rugby team is the centre of the scrummage.- To such an extent has the fallacious notion gained ground that a back is a more valuable man than a forward. It is not easy to understand why clubs with this belief play auy forwards at all.

Cook and Rides, of tho Merivalc (Christchurch) team, who had stated their intention at the beginning of the season of retiring, are playing again. The temptation must be very strong.

“Tho Barracker” writes to a Christchurch paper regretting that ho has observed a tendency to rough play amongst tho players.

The New South Wales Rugby Union have decided that the premier club in each of their competitions shall bo awarded 16 medals of a value of not less than one guinea each.

Tho season was opened in Napier last Saturday with tho time-honoured match Town v. Country, tho “ townies ” winning by 13 points to 12. Two old Wellington players were engaged in the game, “ Buff ” Caradus being amongst the victors, and Gage was on tho losing side—something of a novelty for him. Swan skippered the town team and Gage the country men. For the winners, Swan, Elliott (another old Wellington player) and Barnett scored trios, Caradus placing two beautiful goals. For the losers, Jack O’Connell kicked a goal from a mark and Chadwick and Hiroa (good old Hiroa!) scored tries, Jack O’Connell converting the last-named's try. » * • t special meeting of the Otago Rugby

Football Union to consider the proposal to affiliate with tho New Zealand Union will be held next Saturday.

Thus “Forward” in the Otago Witness: “ At tho beginning of last season a great ‘song’ was made by the New Zealand Union about the busy season that affiliated Unions would have in playing each other. What happened? Wairarapa could not raise a team to visit Wellington, and tho annual report of the committee of the Auckland Union makes mention of ‘ the absence of visits from foreign teams.’ ”

If more matches were not played by tho various Unions last year, it was in consequence of the tour of the Now Zealand team to Australia. This certainly was the reason why Wellington did not send a team to Auckland. The Wellington and Otago representatives were the only teams expected in Auckland last season. As a matter of fact, tho season was a fairly busy one. If “ Forward ” would only put things a little fairly—almost a matter of impossibility for him —he might tell us that Auckland visited Taranaki; Hawke’s Bay visited Timaru, Wellington and Manawatu ; Wellington played Manawatu, Nelson, Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay ; and Wanganui played Wairarapa and Manawatu.

Mr § Mark Cohen thus writes to the Otago Witness : —I have not time this week to point out the inaccuracies—to employ a very mild term —which havo found their way into “Forward’s” criticisms of the Rugby Union annual meeting on Saturday week, but I trust that, in ordinary fairness, you will permit me to do so in your next issue, or to find room in your Football column next week for my reply to those and other criticisms of the non-affiliation party. There are always two sides to every question, and I shall undertake to show that “ Forward ” is throughout as much the mouthpiece of the party lie works with as he represents me to bo the briefholder for the N.Z.E.U. Allow mo to say here that ho is absolutely unfair when he says that I was “unable to meet” Mr James Allen’s charges, because he knows—if ho do not he should —that I told the meeting that it was hopeless to expect me almost at the hour of midnight to answer half a dozen speeches, and I was not so foolish as to attempt to tiro the patience of men who wanted to get to their homes. But I undertook to reply to them when the opportunity offered, and 1 shall essay that task next Saturday. If Mr Cohen expects fairness or accuracy from “ Forward ” or the select combination ho represents, on the subject of the New Zealand Union, he is very much mistaken.

Tho season was opened in Christchurch last Saturday, the senior matches resulting as follows :—Mcrivalc beat East Christchurch by 31 points (2 goals and 7 tries) to nothing; Christchurch defeated Lin wood by 26 points (4 goa's and 2 tries) to 3 points (1 try), and Kaiapoi beat Canterbury College by 17 points (a goal from a try, a penalty goal, and throe tries), to 3 points (a try). The New South Wales Eu-by Union, by an overwhelming majority, lias carried a resolution in favour of the establishment of electorate football in 1895. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. A meeting of the footballers of the .North Shore interested in the Association game was held in Devonport (Auckland) recently for the purpose of forming an Association Football Club, Mr C. C. Dacre presided. It was decided to form the club, and to call it the “ North Shore Association Football Club.” The following officers were elected: —President, Mr E. Mitchelson, M.H.R.; vice-presidents, Colonel Goring, Dr Roberts, Colonel Burton, Messrs McCorquodale, E. Ford and W. Buchanan; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. G. Allan; delegates to New Zealand Association, Messrs J. Burgess and A. Dacre.

The Napier Association Football Club opened the season at Farndon last Saturday, says a local paper, with a most useful and enjoyable practice game. It is evident that with a little more practice the Club should bo able to put a couple of good elevens upon the field, as the old players of the game are taking a keen and practical interest in its welfare here, and the new chums are shaping very well indeed. Seeing that there are so many old Association players in this province, including several English anil Scottish Internationals, there is no doubt that this game, which has been the chief winter sport at Home for years past, will take a firm hold here. Sides were picked by Messrs Wolstenholnie and Gillespie, the former’s winning by three goals to nil. Wolstenholme, Gurr and Mackay played well for the victors, and Gillespie and llill for the defeated.

MISCELLANEOUS.

RUGBY UNION. • TIIE SELWYNS STILL JUNIORS. A special meeting of the Rugby Union was held in the Exchange Buildings on the 2nd. There were eighteen delegates present, and Mr E. Davy occupied the chair. Mr A. T. Bate moved that a new by-law be added, to read, “ That a vacancy on the Management Committee shall be deemed to have occurred in the absence of a member of such commit too from three consecutive meetings without reasonable excuse, such excuse to be sent to the secretary in writing not later than two days after the meeting/' Mr C. D. Morpeth, seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Morpeth brought up the question of registering the Union, so that they coulcl suo and be sued. Ho explained that the Union could not bo registered under the Joint Stock Companies or Friendly Societies Acfcsjjiiiti-Mrfrould therefore be necesi. • . J

ssry to get a special Act put-through Parliament. lie pointed out that if an Act was passed ot her unions and athletic bodies could bo registered under it. It was suggested that the Union should communicate with the New Zealand Union, as the matter was an important one, and it was decided on the motion of Mr 0. Earle, seconded by Mr A. T. Bate, that the secretary should write to tho secretary of the Now Zealand Union on the subject. The secretary and treasurer were appointed to sign deeds on behalf of the Union.

In reply to Mr Earle, the chairman stated that the Management Committee had rescinded tho resolution declaring tho Sclwyns seniors, and decided that Messrs Galloway and McLaren, late of tho Athletic and Melrose Clubs respectively, should be classified as seniors. On the motion of Mr Earle it was decided that the Committee should explain why they had declared tho two players mentioned seniors.

Tho Chairman, on behalf of tho Committee, stated that Messrs Galloway and McLaren had played as seniors all through last season. The Committee had power to classify players, and they considered these two players were seniors, and should play as such. Mr Earle moved that the resolution declaring these two players seniors be rescinded. He stated that everyone know that Galloway was not a success as a senior last year.

Mr Mackenzie: He’s as good as a good many more.

Mr W. 11. Fordham seconded the motion

Mr Bate said it would be a retrograde step to make these players juniors, and he did not think it was fair that juniors should bo compelled to meet senior players. Messrs A. Campbell (Melrose) and E. Davy (Athletic), on behalf of their clubs, stated that both players were good enough for the first fifteens of their respective clubs.

On being put, tl\o motion was lost by 10 to 7. " The Chairman stated that the use of a paddock near tho show ground, in which two matches could be played, had been procured.

In answer to a question, the Chairman stated that it would be necessary now to draw the fixtures for both seniors and juniors all over again. A motion by Mr Grant that the junior matches already fixed for next Saturday bo played, was lost. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Gormloy, that it be a recommendation to the Management Committee that the junior matches be started next Saturday. FIXTURES FOR THE SEASON. In consequence of the Management Committee having rescinded the motion declaring tho Selwyn Club seniors, the fixtures have been re-drawn, and it has been decided to play two rounds for the Senior Shield. Tho fixtures are as follow : Senior Shield. May 5th —Athletic v. Melrose, No. 1 Petono; referepgv Mr Fache. Poneke v. Wellington, Show Ground ; referee, Mr G. F. C. Campbell. May 12th—Poneke v. Petono, No. 1 Petono. Wellington v. Athletic, Show Ground. May 19th —Melrose v. Wellington, No. 1. Athletic v. Petone, Show Ground. June 2nd—Melrose v. Petone, No. 1. Poneke v. Athletic, Show Ground. June 9tli —Poneke v. Melrose, No. 1. Wellington v. Petone, Show Ground. JUNIOR SHIELD. May sth Selwyn v. Melrose, No. 2, Petone; referee, Mr Hodgins. Oriental v. Athletic, No. 0; referee, Mr I. Hyams. Poneke v. St. Patrick’s College, St. Patrick’s ground; referee, Mr Liddle. Wellington v. Petone, No. 7; referee, Mr Grant. THIRD-CLASS CUP. m w May 5th —Athletic v. Oriental, No. 3 ; referee, Mr Finucane. Ilugby v. Selwyn, No. 4; referee, Mr Gibson. A meeting of tho Management Committee of the Rugby Union was held last Wednesday. Present —Messrs Davy (in the chair), Bate, Wynyard, Grant, Ilodgins, Ford ham and Morpeth (lion secretary). The action of the chairman and secretary in renting two additional grounds at Petone for <£o was approved. The secretaries of the Poneke, Athletic and Melrose Clubs forwarded lists of defaulters to their clubs. The secretary was instructed to forward a list of the names of defaulters to the secretaries of the various clubs. Tho treasurer submitted a list of defaulters to the Union. Tho Railway Commissioners wrote stating that the ordinary trains on Saturdays at 2.20 p.m. from Wellington and 5.12 p.m. from the Ilutt would stop at the show ground platform; and also that special trains would stop instead of the ordinary trains when run. The treasurer was instructed to notify clubs whose subscriptions are not paid that they must lie paid before the 4th of the month, otherwise they will not be allowed to play in matches they are drawn in. It was decided that tho various grounds should be known by the following names : —No. 1, Petone ; No. 2, Petone; No. 3, Petone ; No. 4, Petone; No. 5, Show Ground; No. 0, Butler’s paddock; No. 7, Butler’s paddock ; No. 8, St. Patrick’s College ground. The Management Committee of the Rugby Union on Wednesday decided to offer Loriiner, of the Orientals, a chance of explaining why he is playing fora junior club. Lorimer, it may be mentioned, represented Nelson last year.

At a meeting of the General Committee of the Rovers Association Football Club, on the 2nd, the following resolution was carried: —“That the club’s delegates be instructed to urge upon the Council the necessity of having linemen in Cup matches, from whom the referee should seek advice in cases of doubt. The following now members were elected: Deighton, Far-

tingtou, Badden, Hawley, Somerville and Atkinson.

Mr J. P. Firth, tho Nelson Union’s delegate to tho New Zealand Rugby Union, has received a statement of the chaiges to be made against the Wellington representative team which visited Nelson last year, and which are to bo enquired into at tho next meeting of the New Zealand Union.

A match between the first fifteens of tho Poneke and Wellington Clubs was played at Pel one on Saturday afternoon, tho former team being victorious by 9 points to 4. The game was stubbornly contested throughout, and there was some good play oil both sides, especially in the second spell. In the first term Harley potted a goal for Wellington, and in the second half, Wynyard, Puduey and Roberts gained tries for the Pouches. Roberts took the place kicks but made nothing of them. Amongst tho winners’ forwards, Blacklock, Kelly, Young and White showed up well. Of tho backs Wynyard played brilliantly, exhibiting all his old dash. All the other backs did well, especially Roberts. On the losers’ side L. Harley played splendidly amongst tho backs, making several brilliant runs. A. Duncan, Johnston and Home were the best of the others; Bishop, Thompson, Pownali and Hutchinson were the pick of tho forwards. Messrs Fache (Wellington) and Poland (Poneke) were tho lino umpires, and Mr W. Mackenzie acted as refereo. The Athletic Football Club held a scratch game at the Show Ground, the first fifteen playing the rest of those present, who numbered between 2J and GO. Tho first fifteen had an easy time of it, and tries innumerable were scored by members of tho team. The multitudinous juniors did not score. Mr Davy officiated as referee. Tho Wellington College first fifteen beat the Orientals by 23 points to 5. For the winners, McGovern scored two tries, Trips two, and Whitcombo one—Page converting three of the tries, and McGovern one. AY, Woon scored a try for the Orientals, which was converted. Mr LeCren acted aa referee.

The Selwyn second fifteen defeated tho Wellington College Juniors at tho Show Ground by 34 points to 3. For tho winning team Beale scored 5 tries, Shilling 3, Minoguo 1, and McFarlano 1, two of tho tries being converted. A match was played at Island Bay last Wednesday between teams representing the seniors and juniors of the Drapers* Football Club, and was won by the latter, after a good game, by 14 points to 9. Lanham scored two tries, and Clayton and Herbert one each for the juniors, Smith converting one of Lanham’s tries. For tho seniors, Gibson (2) and Orr scored, none of the tries being converted. For the winners, Lanham, Mills, Clayton and Staff played well; and for the losers, Gibson, Hooper, Wallace and McGuire worked hard.

A meeting of the junior members of the Athletic Football Ciub was held in the gymnasium last Tuesday. Mr R. P. Hood was re-elected captain, and Mr J. Linloy deputy-captain. Messrs Bourko and Seagar were chosen to act with the captain as a match committee.