FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4740, 23 August 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

FOOTBALL.

(By "Touch.*) The senior championship games of the Wellington Rugby Union are being played right out, notwithstanding the fact that tho championship is already decided. Objection has been taken to the action of tho Rugby Union in having these games contested when all interest in the contest had lapsed, and when, further, tho teams first and second in the championship list were quite content to let the contest end at that, recognising that to play the two sets of games remaining would have very small possibility of altering tho positions of Melrose and Wellington. It is beyond doubt that the three senior games that were played last Saturday at Miramar were more entertaining than scientific—more go-as-you-please than hffrd-piayed—but, nevertheless, there yet existed the thousand to one chance that Melrose would fail to win, in which case tho championship result would have been altered. The Rugby Union, having that point in view, is to he commended on the fairness of its iectsion to complete the games—find from a football point of view they are to be further commended on their decision to play last Saturday’s games at Miramar,, “far from, the madding crowd’s ignoble jeers.”

Tho return game between the Wairarapa and Wellington teams will be played at the Athletic Park this afternoon. Judged by the narrow margin of Wellington's previous win, and also by the later performances of our team, the men from “across tho divide” should this time manage to add to their long list of unsuccessful games against Wellington a well-deserved victory. Some time ago this writer spoke of the desirableness of the Wellington Eugby Union setting up a committee to negotiate during the off-season for advantageous terms of accident insurance for players. The series of accidents. that have occurred in this season’s representative games, coming after quite a number of accidents that took effect in cup contests, lends added weight to my contention. For two seasons past the union has made nugatory attempts early in the season to institute insurance benefits for players; but owing to protracted negotiations these have each season fallen through. It is not fair to players that they should be mulcted in costs of accidents incurred by them while playing in a game for the benefit of the union, and in justice to the players the union should forthwith set up an energetic committee to bring down a definite scheme for consideration at the next annual meeting of the union. The question of “maintaining a strong finance” should not be allowed to deter the union from taking the steps necessary to give to players some security against accidents they may meet with.

Mr tV. AV. Beck, the well-known Wellington referee, supplies me with the following notes on the representative game that was played between Taranaki and Wellington at New Plymouth recently : Dear '‘Touch,” —Sheer hard luck robbed Wellington of a victory against Taranaki on Thursday. The forwards were very evenly matched, but our backs were far ahead of tho opposing men. Our opportunities to score were many, but somehow or other the forwards would not let the ball out cleanly, and when it did come ont right our half spoilt it by either a bad pass or by trying to out through. After seeing the two matches at Auckland and New Plymouth 1 have come to the conclusion that our team sadly wants a forward who will lead the others. For Taranaki O’Dowda led the Vanguard as only a veteran can, and to him alone can be given the credit of the win. On tho line or in the loose he-was always there, and .stimulated his men in a wonderful manner. Oh! for a player like .100 Caluan, who will keep his men up to the game. The same raggedness observable in Auckland amongst our forwards was still present at New Plymouth, but in a lesser degree. A word or two as to individual play. George Spencer played another solid game, and was called on several times to show his capabilities, which he did most satisfactorily. Of the three-quarters. Mclntyre shone out most brilliantly. He played a game which v<as perfect. Kicking, stopping and running in a way I have

seldom seen of late years. I feel sure if tile selectors of the North Island team saw tiis New Plymouth display they would look no further for a win;.; i:hrec-puaiter. Wallace seems overburdened by the cares of captainship, ami did not put in the fine work done in the Auckland match, Slattery was good, and made tile most of the few chances coinin'; his way. Johnston was very ycod as fiveci”hths. and played a deal better than he did at Auckland. I'. Roberts was weak on the offensive, but put in some good work stopping rushes. Watkins and Mann were very good on the wing, and had the be-t of the deal with their opponents. Dodd was far and away the best forward on the Wellington side, and gave a good all-round exhibition. McMinn shone out: well'in the early part of the game, but slowed down considerably towards the end, Joyce was good, and nbly seconded Dodd’s efforts. In conelusion, J would like to mention the splendid spirit in which all the players on both sides in this match olayed. It

was most amicably fought out, and the Tarftnaki players seemed more sorry than Wellington when it was found out that Hie second spell was played ten minutes short. Indeed, it was almost a pleasure to lose a game to such sportsmanlike opponents.

The representative game between Marlborough and Nelson will be played this afternoon.

Christchurch “Truth” thus discourses on a recent football event: —“tip Maw Plymouth way tho publicans entertain some curious views on colour. Mr Piiiama, a member of the 'Taranaki rep. football team was, without a valid reason. refused accommodation by two enlightened bearers of the white man’s burden and drawers of the white; man’s beer. As no valid reason for their action was disclosed in the Court that investigated the matter, we presume that the lily-skinned O’Driscoll and tho creamcheeked Buckthought rejected Piliamn because his skin was not like theirs. And this thing can happen in a country which sTTcks out its chest and brags in a loud voice of its Democracy and the Brotherhood of Man as if it had invented those interesting cogs in our social mechanism. In America tlio Southerner expresses an expectorative opinion when he meets up with a “nigger,” but he makes no boast o£ being civilised enough to understand that a man does not use his skin to think with, or fight with, and work with, or even to feel with. The wonder is that tho Taranaki publicans did not conclude that at any rate a Maori’s money is as good as a white man’s, and when we consider that tho Maoris’ loyalty and honour are often greater than those of his white brother, even when he keeps a hotel, we are inclind to grow hot over Messrs O’Driscoll and- Buckthought.” “Fair Play” writes' to condemn the report given in last Monday’s “Times” about the inter-college game, St. Patrick’s v. Wellington. “Touch” did not see the game, played, but he must nevertheless take objection to “Fair Play’s” insinuation that the reporter who viewed it was prejudiced against the winners, because he had backed the losers. That is no argument; it might as unreasonably be inferred that “Fair Play”,is annoyed because his team won when he did not back it. As a matter of observation, too. it should be pointed out that the man who loses money on a team or a horse usually, instead of making excuses, proceeds to “beat his joss.” There certainly is some weight in “Fair Play’s” remarks about the ground on Saturday not being conducive to scientific football; but. after all, the subject fines dow’ii to this—that tho reporter took one view and that “Fair Play” took another. In justice to “Fair Play,” his criticism of tho “Times” criticism is here printed verbatim: Sir, —In the best interests of football I must ask you to allow me to join issue with your report of the junior Cup match Inst Saturday. Your reporter says, “the match iWellington College v. St. Patrick’s College) resolved itself into a question of strength v. science.” Verily a very pretty alliteration indeed, but then alliteration does not carry much weight it not backed by truth. From start to finish the game was very ably contested and very ably played. The Wellington College boys were in excellent form, and played all through with-great pluck and spirit, but it must be admitted so also did the St. Patrick’s College boys. Every footballer knows that last Saturday was not a day for exhibitions of scientific play. In no part of Wellington was there any show of “science” in Saturday’s games. In the match under review, both sides played a very good game. St. Patrick’s forwards were apparently heavier than ’Wellington’s, but the Black backs could easily outweigh St. Pat.’s backs. Two of the St. Pat.’s forwards spent the intervals at half time In removing the gory signs of battle, and one of their men had to leave the field. Strange proof of strength. Your reporter cannot have followed with much interest the junior Cup matches of ibis season, or else he would know that St. Pat.’s have alreadywon six Cup matches—a wonderful feat for a team who in his opinion show no science in their game; or does he mean to imply that by sheer weight and strength a handful of schoolboys wrested the victory from Melrose? Such was not the opinion of the crowd on Saturday, as they kept shouting. "Don’t knock them all out. Blacks.” No; the Blacks played, a very good game. So did the Blues. Both showed as much science as the field and day allowed. AVhy, then, pass so ungenerous a criticism? Reporters to a public paper should bo above bias and above suspicion. It should not be possible for those who watch a match on Saturday to say when reading the report on Monday, “Hem! that reporter backed the other horse.”

At the Thames last Saturday the Auckland Eugby Union team played its return game with the Thames sub-union’s team. At half-time Auckland led by five points to nil. and at tho conclusion of the game the score stood at 8 points to 0. Auckland’s score was made up of two tries, one scored by McKenzie and one by Long. Young converted the first try. The Auckland reports say that the Auckland team won the game by the superiority of its backs. Thames had the best of the first spell, and "forced” Auckland six times.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. (By “Line Umpire.”) The third-class championship has now been completed, and has been won by Kaiwarra. , The senior championship was virtually completed by St. John’s defeating Diamonds last Saturday, the yellow and blacks being too far ahead to bo shifted from top place. The St. John’s Club are to bo congratulated upon their proud position, and their performance is. for a young club, an excellent one. The team has proved itself a very good one, strong in every department, and has won every match in the second round, though it has still to play Hovers and Marist Bros., which teams were the only ones to lower; the Yellows’ colours in the first round. On present form, however, it is very safe to say that St. John’s would lose no more points. Last Saturday’s game between Diamonds and St. John’s was a keen fight from start to finish, and was very even until the last stages, when St. John’s clearly showed they were the better team. A word of praise is due to Koher for the excellent way in which he has kept goal for St. John’s, and without being unduly unfair to the rest of the team, it may he said that they would have had to suffer defeat at the Hands of the Swifts and Diamonds. ICober occasionally has veryoff days, but ho has not been troubled with these very much this season. Manchin punches out in good style, a save from a final effort by Morrison last week being a very fine one. But he might have saved the first and last goals. Amies gave as good an exhibition of back play as ha's been seen this season. He made no mistakes, and his kicking was neat and powerful. Wilson is the weak spot of the team, and is far too ranch inclined to take flying kicks at the hall. He does not judge it a bit. Ballingall, a promoted junior, shaped very poorly in the first half, but gave a much more creditable game in the second spell. Nagle put in as much hard graft as anyone on the field. Ho placed the ball

splendidly to his upwards, while he i:necked I.l opponents m fine style. Me Whan net plays a-, prelly a hatl-back game as anyone ;n Wellington, and always, dues Ins work well without any show. Mouat on the right wing, Is stilt young at the game, but; scored two goals. He worked very hard all through. Smellic’s display was a good one, and with Brodie gave the opposing backs a hot time. Brodie. centre lorward, ployed a very keen game. Though ho is not a good shoe, still lie makes up for this by the extra work -fie puls in. Morrison played a fine game on the left, delighting everyone with many brilliant pieces ot work. The run and centre which he put in when St. John’s scored their second goal was one of the best pieces of work ever seen at Miramar. A. Mount, at inside leit, rank-, with the rest oj the forwards as a worker, and be fed Morrison' to good purpose. ■Roberts was very sate at back, and on many occasions relieved his side with some fine kicks. His partnorg Swain, was not so brilliant, but got through a good afternoon’s work. Taylor played a fine game at centre halt, and has quite regained all Ins old form. He was very good in defence and very ‘‘heady” on tire attack. , Jameson was nothing brilliant. lint worked hard. The other wing half, O’Connor, was decidedly weak, and iiad no chance against Morrison and Mouat. Wells played his usual consistent game on the wing, but with a weak hail behind him would do Ins side much more service by occasionally making his own openings. Collins does not seem to have the same dash in him this season, and docs not feed his partner to such good purpose as formerly. Bethell is a very hard grafter, but is not tho man Siunctt was in the centre. Hathaway was out of place at inside left, and though lie put in some fine work lie seemed to be boxed up more than if fie was on tho wing. His partner. Burbush, gave a very fair display. An interested spectator at last Saturday’s match war h’ob Sin nett, who has a few weeks' holiday from the West Coast. * Marist Bros, only mustered seven men against Rovers, and, to make matters worse, the trust;-/ Fitzgerald was among the absentees. The result of the match, a win for Rovers by G to 1. .seriously affected the coupon competition. Adair, a promoted junior, played a very creditable back game for Rovers. He is not afraid to tackle, and is the makings of a first-class back. Two more juniors, Waugh and Murch, were also playing, and their play clearly showed that Rovers would do no harm in taking several of their juniors for the Charity matches. Frank Williams played an excellent game on Saturday, though, of course, his play is discounted by tire fact that his opponents were short-handed. Still, his goals were very cleverly got. >