LACROSSE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6861, 3 July 1909, Page 13

LACROSSE

(By ''Left Defence.") This very fine game received a material fillip last Wednesday evening, when a meeting of a few Kelburnc enthusiasts resulted in the formation of what is practically a district club for that suburb. It is hoped that this example will act as a stimulus to players in other portions of the city to rally up their friends and form similar clubs. Mr J. B. Horn was elected to the chair, and gave a short speech referring to reasons of the meeting, after which the business of the evening commenced with the election of the various necessary officers. A patron, president, and six vice-presidents were elected, but these gentlemen have not yet had time to signify their acceptance. The young club has been fortunate in securing the services of a very able exponent of the game to act as their coach and captain. Mr Meyer is a recent importation from one of the premier Melbourne clubs, and amongßt a host of other good qualities is a great bustler. Mr E. J. Proud was elected secretary, and Mr C. C. .Webb assistant-secretary and, treasurer, while'a committee composed of the. captain, secretary and treasurer, ex officio members, and Messrs J. B. Horn and W. Wilson was formed.

The new club's colours, light blue iersey. dark knickers and stockings, will be seen in the field against one of the older clubs directly after the AucklandWellington representative match. The proceedings of the evening closed with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Proud for the use of his room. LAWS OF THE GAME. This week I will give the rules bearing upon the play. Intervening rules will follow later. "X.—The Team. Section I.—Twelve players shall constitute a full team. Should it be ascertained at any time during the progress of the game that either team was playing more men than the number arranged for, such team shall have all goals thrown prior to the ascertainment of same annulled. At ' the request .of either captain play shall be stopped and the players called into line for the purpose of counting them. Timekeepers shall make allowance for the time taken in counting the teams.

Section 2.—A1l players shall be bound for the season to the club they first play with in that season, and shall not play with anv other without the express consent of the association or of the captain of the oriosing team. Section 3. —The players of each side shall be designated as follows:—Goalkeeper, who defends the goal: point, first man out from goal; cover-point, in front of: point; third man, right defence, left defence, centre, right attack, left attack, second home, first home, nearest opponents' goal. ' Section 4.—No player shall wear spiked soles, and any player attempting to evade this law shall be ruled out of the match. Section 5.-J-No player shall be allowed to take port \ in a match if he be not dressed in the uniform of his club, unless with the consent of tho opposing captain and tho referee. Section 6. —No change of players shall be made after a match has commenced except for reason of an accident or injury, or upon an agreement made between the captains. In the event of any dispute between the captains as to an injured player's fitness to continue the game, the matter shall at once bo decided by the referee. Either side may commence to plav with less than its full number, and may complete its team at any time during the game. Section 7.—ln the event of accident or injury during a match tho referee shall at once stOD the play, and at the resumption of the game the ball shall be "faced off" at the place where the ball was at the time of accident* The referee shall have the right* to direct the removal of the injured player and. in the event of injury, shall equalise numbers of players on each side in such manner as he may think fit. Timekeepers shall make allowances for any timo lost. Xl—The Game. Section. I.—Use game, shall be started

bv ball being- "faced off" in the centre of the field, after the captains have tossed for choice of goals. When the sides are ready the referee shall call "Play." The players facimr shall not lie allowed to use left-hand crosse. Section 2.—A match shall be decided bv the greatest number of goals obtained by either side during the time the captains have agreed upon to play. A oal shall be scored bv the ball passmgbetween the posts from the front. Section 3.—The game shall be divided into four quarters, the first two of twentv-iive minutes each, the second two of twenty minutes each (unless otherwise arranged bv the captains), with an interval of ten minutes between second and third quarters, but at quarter and three-quarter time the interval shall only be long enough to change ends. On the resumption of plav after such intervals the ball shall be "faced off" in the centre of the ground as at the commencement of the match. Section 4.—Should the • ball be put through either goal by one of the players defending it bv whatsoever means, it shall be counted eoal to the opposite side. Should it be put through by anyone not actually a player it. shall not count. , Section s.—ln the event of a goal post being knocked down during a match, and the ball nut through, which would, m the opinion of the umpire, be a goal if the post were standing, it shall count a goal for the attacking side. Section 6.—When a goal has been allowed the ball shall be "faced off" in the centre as at the commencement of the match. , Section 7.—The goal-keeper, while defending the goal within the goal crease, although not allowed to catch and throw with his hand, may put away with his hands or feet, or block the ball in any manner with his crosse or body. Section B.—Any player is out of play if he dron his crosse during the game, and must not touch the ball or impede an opponent in any way until he recovers his crosse. Should he do so the referee may call "foul." Section 9.—ln the event of.a match being interrupted bv darkness, bad weather, or anv circumstance wherebv the captains and referee think it inadvisable to continue playing, such match shall •be referred to the association. Section 10.—Should the ball lodge in any' place inacessible to tho crosse, it shall be taken out bv the hand and "faced off" at the direction of the referee. . ~,-, Section 11.—When the ball- is being "faced off" no one shall be allowed to stand closer than five yards from, or interfere with, the players facing until the ball is out of the crosses.