LACROSSE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7139, 28 May 1910, Page 13

LACROSSE

(By "Point.") Tho writer desires to preface hi? remarks this week with a whole-hearted invitation to all those interested in. lacrosse to take the game seriously. It was understood that practice matches were things of the past, and that the four Wellington chibs, Capitol, Columbia, Wellington, and Ivelburne, hud settled down to business iu real earnest to decide the destination of the Proud cup. After two unremunorativc Saturdays, a start was made on the last day of last week with the first round of the competition. The writer paid a visit to Buppa street, where Ivelburne met and defeated Wellington by 11 goals to 2. This game was played under startling conditions. Never ih "Point's” varied experience of sport has ho been privileged to witness a cup match contested (1) without the attendance of a referee, (2) captains mutually agreeing to suspend operations at half and full times, and (3) the absence of an official timekeeper. Further, the game was played in two halves instead of four quarters. It has been stated to “Point” that the match between Capitol and Columbia, on the Basin, was played under practically like conditions. Surely this is grossly irregular!- Who is to blame ? Oanuot the ‘Wellington Lacrosse Association prevail upon two gentlemen to take ux> the game and study it sufficiently to .enable them to take charge of these cup matches? Unless something is done in the matter lacrosse cup matches will be treated by a sports loving public as mere farces, "Point” would emphasise the fact that those matches really ought to be rc-play-cd under proper cup conditions. The match between Ivelburne and Wellington did not set tho harbour on fire. It was a decidedly one-sided affair, and there was only one team in it--Ivelburne. In "Point's” report of the match in .Monday's issue he naively referred to \he play of one particular member of the light-blue's team as somewhat aggressive, and certainly stated that the said player’s tactics were not called for in tho game of lacrosse. "Point” has since learned, that Seely—the player referred to—took pert in the match and played throughout with two fractured ribs. The injury was received in the football match between United Banks and Bank of Now Zealand. In view of these circumstances "Point” hastens to assure Seely that the remarks were made without his knowledge of tho disadvantage the player laboured under, ft is very comforting to know that men of such stamina and grit are still with us, and the fact that Seely uncomplainingly took part in a game that-requires at all times men sound of wind {and limb, augurs well for the nation maintaining the position it holds, at present —viz., that of being able to the

lie to those \rho plead ■ the decadence o{ the race. ...

“Point,” however, would counsel players to carefully study the rules anent dLcgal tactics, in view of the fact that one 'of these Saturdays a match may be played with a referee in attendance. All lacrosse players and enthusiasts join in tendering sympathy with their plucky fellow-sportsman, Seely, and wish him a speedy recovery. , There can ho no gainsaying the fact that many of the players in the . Eelburne and Wellington teams possess sound lungs. There were practically twenty-four captains on the field at Duppa street on Saturday, and the "still small voice” of' Meyer, could scarcely be heard at times. Firth, of Wellington, would ho a very valuable man to his side if he dropped a few of his “gallery” touches. On Saturday he did some clever things, and heat some clever men, but in the end was beaten by himself. Never mind tho “gods,” Firth—play the, game. Eobinson got in some good work for tho "reds,” hut-he was pitted against a man who took up', a great deal of his time—to wit, Meyer, the Kelbumo captain.

There wore few brilliant men in Wellington’s team, 1 consequently "Point” does not -feel disposed, to take up much space in dealing with them. Let it suffice to say that, in addition to Eobinson and Firth, Carver and Wicks are perhaps worthy of mention. Tho pick of tho Kelburns bunch would bo hard to find—Pledger, Webb, Loughmane, Jordon, Fergusson, and Meyer worked well, while Proud seemed to ho out to get as-much .jas possible out of the game iu the shape of strenuous exercise, With a little judgment and surety Proud ought to : develop into a really good man on defence. On the Basin Capitol won by 11 goals to 6, after a keenly contested game—also played without tho attendance of an official referee. A feature of the match was the combined play of Borrodale and Montgomery. Capitol’s best were t Dee, King, Eahkin, Borrodale, Montgomery, and Forbes; Coltunibia’s, McGovern, O’Leary, Grant, Leydon, Casey, and Verschaficlt. = . ’ TO-DAY’S GAMES. Kolburne versus Columbia, at Duppa street, 3 p.m. Referee, Mr A. G. Anderson. Capitol versus Wellington,' at Basin Reserve, 3 p.m; Keferee, Mr McDonnell.