FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 14

FOOTBALL

V. RUGBY NOTES. (By ‘Touch.”) Tho resolution of .the Xcit Sontt Wales Union expressing disapprobation [ of the improper action of Bedell-Siv- : ] right in taking his team off the field! i during tho match against the Northern j Districts Union at Newcastle comes a:; ■ a surprise. After what looked to be I i a whitewashing of Dohson, through ■' whom the trouble was occasioned, it ! seemed that the incident would not bo : heard of again. Undoubtedly the Brit- ! ish captain deserves the censure; bin [ action was -1 an insult to the referee, to j (the opposing team, and to the public. . 1 It was childish. Whether the referee . j was, right in ordering Dobson off tho i I field or not was no justification for roimmoral of,the team from play. If ever;;

ipaptain started taking Ins team from the field when ho differed with rulings of the referee a beautiful state of alV’airs would result. Shaking to a Sydney “Daily Telegraph" reporter after jlhe match tbo British captain said that ',his reason for taking his men oft the field when Dobson was ordered oft was Chat ho regarded the referee’s charges as a personal insult not only to Mr DobOOit but to the whole of the members of tho team. The alleged offence was (not any breach of the rules of the game, but a personal one. which would reflect on the character of anyone guilty of it, and through him on the whole of his comrades.. They could not believe .Mr Dobson guilty, as ho was one of ft lie juictest and most gentlemanly .members * of the team, and a man -most unlikely to use language such as that charged to him. Just so; but tho fact that any captain could, not believe a member of his team to bo guilty or that he was a gentleman most unlikely to use language carries about as much weight as the tail feathers of a kiwi. It will be interesting to see what action the English Union will take. • Tho ball used in the British-Auckland snatch has been presented to Mr Murjrnv, solo selector for tho northern province, . . Tho junior representative game played last Saturday between Wairarapa and Wellington was not an interesting contest, but it served to show that the Styles of play indulged m by tho senior representatives of each muon are 10flected in tho juniors. Wairarapa sent down a sturdy sot of forwards, who kicked like mules and followed up last, to the detriment of Wellington’s hacks. A specially good man was Moana, a ftplendidly built lialf-caste who played wing-forward; and in tho solid a Maori named Hikipono ,did prodigies of pushing. The Wairarapa rearguard seldom attempted passing—their one idea was to kick for the line and leave tho attack to their forwards. This is a good enough plan when a better one is nob opposed to it. Wellington, however produced that better plan, and in the Inst twenty minutes of tho game notched nine points, two tries being pined through passing amongst the backs. Tho Wellington team was a light one, but fast and vigorous. A very fine fullback was young Mitehinson, who only two seasons ago was playing in a public school team. Young Ryan, of Petfood, was another back who did good work ill collaring mid kicking. The Wellington forwards, though outweighed, were not outplayed. Foot Head and Capipbcll were consistently prominent. The last-named player is apt to mix tno methods of las two athletic pastimes (boxing and football). To tho forbearance of a Wairarapa wing-tor-ward twice his weight Campbell owes the fact that the two were not put oft the ground. Boxing is a commendable pastime, but the man who can’t play football without wanting to show his . ability with tho “raw ’uns” should lie placed permanently on tbo bank. Campbell should make a note of this warning, for a warning in print often caves one from tho referee. It, is an obvious reflection that no official can thoroughly follow the ■ jhi a football match and keep full watch over all parts of the field. Often, too, ej-hilo the bull is being rushed for by

the forwards, the back who has just kicked it is being interfered with so that lie cannot run up to put his men on-side. Practices such as these cause much bad blood, and generally when the man offended against retaliates he is caught and punished while the original offender lias to ho allowed to go free because his offence was unobserved by the referee. A suggestion has been made by a local enthusiast that these troubles could be minimised by authorising tho line-umpires to report to tho referee any offences of the kind that might come under their notice. This strikes “Touch’’ as a commendable suggestion. The old and abandoned practice of allowing club officers and spectators to report cases of rough play was too swooping a power to confer and one that gave scope for splenetic interference and false charges. In the case of line-umpires, however, tho matter would be different, for m all local matches tho lino-umpires are themselves members of the Referees Association, and by virtue of their office impartial men. Further, there would he no violation of the present rules of Rugby which give the referee solo charge of the game: the lino umpires would report to the referee and ho would take such action as he thought fit: a free kick or a caution or both in respect to interference, a caution in regard to rough play that he did not himself observe, and so on. This writer is struck with the fea.siblenees_ of the suggestion, and so puts it ill print now in tho full belief that after it has been laughed'at, as. most unexpected suggestions arjc, it will bo eventually adopted, as have been other proposals made in this column during tho' past five seasons—notably tho ordering of a scrum when the referee erroneously blows his whistle for a mark which tho player fails to hold. It is worth while to recall the fact that when “Touch” first made this suggestion it was contended by many scribes arid by the ‘Wellington Referees’ Association that it could not be given effect to, but less than twelve months subsequently a conference of referees representing practically every union in tbo colony adopted the proposal and since then it has been acted on from one ond of New Zealand to the other. "At tho, Athletic Park this afternoon Petone and Poneke will, play off the tie, for senior championship honours. The game has been awaited with interest, and given fine weather there is sure to be an attendance of many thousands to see the contest. Closely-contested games have resulted in the. two previous matches between ‘ these teams, and each team has lost and won. a game. Since the last match was played" about six weeks have elapsed, and there is tho chance that one or other cf the teams may have failed to keeup to concert pitch. The big issue at stake, however, will probably have induced all members of the teams to continue training. A hard-fought and interesting match will in that event ho assured, and its result is hard to forecast. Taking into account, however, that Poneke. in both their losing and .winning games, crossed Petonc’s line on more occasions than the suburban team crossed Poneke’s, “Touch” tips tho winning team to he Poneke. Tho umpire in a junior football match played at North Melbourne recently bad an unusual experience. The teams en-

gaged were Fitzroy United and Wreckyn Stars. Some dissatisfaction having arisen over tho decision of the umpire, a member of the Star team flourished a revolver at the umpire, whoso decision he had twice resented. A member of the Fitzroy team knocked the - revolver out of the threatener’s hand, and a general melee followed, both on the field and in tho enclosures, where tho North Melbourne “barraokers” were assembled in great force. One of tho harritekers jumped tho fence, and, joining the fray in the centre of the field, seized tho revolver and fired two shots in the air. When the reports rang out the players became greatly alarmed, and bolted in different directions from the field, so that when the police, who had been sent for, arrived on the scene, thero was nobody about. The name of the umpire is given as Thoobridge, but as none of tho players seemed disposed to inform on the player .and “barracker” who used tho firearm, the police have been uuablo to enter upon a prosecution. Last week a game that created much interest at Mastorton was played between teams representing the Wellington tailors and tho Masterton tailors and bootmakers. Tho Wellington men had tho best of tho game throughout, and won by twenty-two points to nil. Trios were scored by J. Patterson (2), Siievers, Jacobson, Allender, and B. Baker, and two of them were converted. The Wellington team was captained by R. Siovers, and the country team by J. Carpenter. The visitors were very hospitably treated during the trip. Mr F. Evans has been asked to referee in the Otago-Wellington match next Saturday.

Tho special reporter of tlio “Otago Daily Times," writing of the Canter-bury-Otago match last Saturday, says; —lt was a poor game from a football ■point of . view. The high wind blowing down the ground spoilt tho passing of both sides. Booth’s place-kicking, which was a feature of the match, won the honours for Otago. Canterbury took the field favourites, and when they won the toss tho game was thought to bo all over bar shouting. The passing was wretched, and this applies to both teams. The Blues’ vanguard followed up splendidly, frequently in the second half smothering the Canterbury backs before they could get their kicks in. The Otago backs, assisted by long kicks up the field, and adopting this style of play, scored from the mistakes of the opposition. Gilray was the star of the Otago, rearguard, his brilliant play on defence and ' attacking delighting the spectators. The Canterbury forwards averaged nearly a stone heavier than tho Otago pack. The sister province expected to win with her smashing vanguard. hut something more than weight is wanted.. When the ball used in the match burst it was anticipated that another would bo easily procurable, but fully ten minutes was lost —the while the players lay about the grass—before a new ball was found. There were fire balls in'tho paviliod, not one of which was blown np. By an error of judgment the Canterbury captain robbed his side of a try against Otago on Saturday. Canterbury bad Otago pinned on tho line, and from a throw-out a Canterbury player secured the ball and dashed over. Just prior to the incident the Canterbury skipper decided to have »J

.scrum instead ol tiic tlirow-out. from tho line, and a scrum Canterbury had. but lost the try. This was counterbalanced at a later Mage of the game by tliG honesty of Otago’s line umpire (Mr M • Wilkinson). The hall wa«; thrown out from the line at Canterbury a twentyfive and secured by 0. Stuart, who. running at top speed, spread-eagled the Canterbury backs as they made frantic efforts t.O’ bring him down, ajid grounded the ball safely over the line. It was a grand piece of rush work, but was unfortunately not rewarded, as th© ball had apparently been thrown out at the wrong spot. Only the one umpire himself knew .it, for tho referee was about to award a try when his attention was drawn to the line umpire's flag. Tho Canterbury players themselves wore quite satisfied, and expressed regret that such a splendid piece of lino-out play and running should go unrewarded. Gilray, tho clever Olago wing threequarter, travelled no further than Canterbury with the southern touring team. Twenty-six matches have boon played between Olago and Canterbury since 1878. Of these Otago has won fifteen, Canterbury has won five, and six have been drawn. Canterbury has defeated its southern neighbour only onco in the last, .-leven years. Mr Peter Mackie. who was referee in the British-Auckland match, told tho ■‘New Zealand Herald'’ that tho team from the Old Country did not show the same form as in Wellington, or against Taranaki Judging from tiro visitors’ play in the New' Zealand match, and reckoning upon Auckland playing up to the standard they did, he considered the tussle for supremacy between tho two teams would have been particularly keen and even, and would 1 1 avo heeu a narrow victory for either combination. Coming from an ex-Aucklander this should quiet the little ones twho have been crying at the corners that tho Britishers were not stale, and that the northern team. won because it is the best in the world.

A real good tip was given to the Auckland -‘Star” before the TaranakiAucUland game last Saturday by Mr Mackie, the Wellington referee. “It should ho a very hard game,” ho said, “and after seeing tho two teams play I am inclined to the belief that Taranaki will win, though by a very small margin.” Speaking of tho Auckland-Taranaki game tho Hawera “Star” says:—There appears to ho a great difference of opinion as to who had the host of tho game. The telegraphed report certainty gives the'Aucklanders the credit. On the other side, the referee said that our men had tho advantage. ' The game was mostly a forward one, although tho Taranaki backs were particularly distinguished by their excellent defence. Auckland had tho better of tho game in line work and in the’ scrums, hut when there was anything like open work they were not in it. Altogether it may be fairly claimed that Taranaki had tho bettor of tho game. The Taranaki backs played a great defensive game/ All of them were extremely safe- From tho results of tho game, throe men being injured, it might appear' as if the game was ronght. This, however, was not so. It was played in a very friendly manner, and the accidents were extremely unfortunate. Mynott offered to allow men to take the places of ithose injured, and the Aucklanders accepted tho offer, thoroughly appreciating its sportsmanlike spirit.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. WELLINGTON V. NELSON. (By “Linesman.”) The most discussed topic in soccer .football circles last week was the visit of a local junior representative team to Nelson to play the Wanderers Club there, a visit which''has done a great ■deal of good to tho game, not merely amongst local juniors, but also in Nelson, where tho supporters of the dribbling system are particularly enthusiastic. Junior players have had little encouragement to improve their standard of play and stick to the game, but the chances of junior representative games each season will, no doubt, increase the enthusiasm of our, younger players. Chance of inclusion in a rep. team generally makes them “buck up” far .more than' ordinary cup matches will. The opinion of ■ some of the keenest local enthusiasts is, “Improve junior football and wo will got better senior games ana stronger representative teams.” They are right. It is a big mistake to send a senior rep. team to start tho game in new districts. A junior team will do equally well. As far as Nelson is concerned, the prospects are particularly bright, as the officials are very keen and hardworking- It is stated that another club will shortly be formed in Nelson. Clubs have been .suggested in Molueka and Golden Bay. Among those who may be mentioned as working the gam© up in Nelson are .Messrs C. Snow (president), Allan (secretary) and Wilson (captain). These gentlemen may he congratulated upon the excellent start they have made. But their task is made an easy one, for all of their club mates have rendered them every assistance.

The game itself was a good exhibition, though at times the visiting forwards played wretchedly. The -whole of the team was composed of home players, and the combination shown by tho forwards would have put any local team in the shade. Katcliffe, on tho left wing, is an excellent player, quite equal to any forward who , played for Now Zealand against Now South Wales. The goal he scored was a beauty,, secured after a fine run. East, in the centre, is cloven - , and kept his wings well Together, but was too iVcl 1 shadowed by Pye-Smith to bo particularly brilliant. Tho forwards all played well. The halves and full-backs were weaker and skied the ball far too much. Wilson was the best back. Thornton made many good saves in goal. On the Wellington side, Mackay had nothing to do in goal. Elson ,-and Thawlcy were both very safe at fullback tackling and kicking in fine style. Pye-Smith had one fault, occasionally he kept too far back, owing to the attention he was paying East. Staples did nothing wrong, hut Barnett was no match for Eatcliffe, and he gave skipper Elson one or two very anxious moments. The forwards as a forward line were very disappointing. Hodges and Lowe were the best, both working hard and putting in several shots. Bennett could do nothing right at inside left, and was shifted on to the wing. His partner Eobinson, worked hard throughout, and was responsible for the second goal by rushing the goal-keeper. Wells was not a success. It was the first game of soccer football ever played in Nelson, and at' first the spectators, who numbered close on five hundred, were highly amused by the players heading the ball, but towards the end of the first spell they began to understand the points of the

gam?. In the second spell sonic very good play on both sidos was impartially applauded. There was a great shout whoa Ncbon equalised the score just befor- time.

The game was played ni a full-sired ground, being 120yds long, the play was very fast, and some lino individual dribbling was shown, particularly by the Nelson forwards.

The Wellington team was splendidly entertained while in Nelson, and desires to express its appreciation of the way tho Nelsqn officials mad© the trap a very pleasurable one.

Of local games last week most interest was shown in tho Diamnnds-Swifts fixture. which resulted in a drawn game of one goal each. The high wind was all against, good football, tho result being that play was mainly confined to the backs.

St. John's only managed to heat Pe-t-one by one goal to nil, and it can hardly he said that they had, any the he tie? cf the play. Petono were playing several of their juniors, and they gave St. John's a warm time ol it. St. John's are not by any means the team they were last season, and they will have vo improve very considerably if they wish to retain the Charity Cup. There was little brilliancy in either ol tho Rovcrs-V.AI.C-.A. or Queens ParkPearls games. Tlic Parks were two men short, which resulted in the whistle going frequently for oif-sido. Good lorm was shown by “Foss” Clark and G. .Martin, hut of the others little need be said. 1 was taken with the way tho Pearls’ captain supported tho referee in his decisions. Other senior captains would do well to follow tho exee-lont example shown by tlicit- younger confrere.