LACROSSE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7451, 27 May 1911, Page 7

LACROSSE

(By "Point.") Hail Columbia! Congratulations to the blacks upon their well-merited victory over the hitherto irresistible light blues, Kelburne to wit. Who expected Columbia to win? Not the Men o' the Heights, I'll wager. Supremely confident of their ability to put up a record score against Bert Casey’s team, Meyer's stalwarts blew out of the pavilion at the Basin on Saturday, passed a few uncomplimentary remarks about the meteorological conditions, and winked knowingly at each other as they surveyed Columbia’s little band. In the first quarter Kel-,

burno came away in good style and gave Columbia-something to he going on with. The blacks however, soon retaliated-and kept Skipper Meyer’s blue boys hopping around to a lively tuno. Oleary, of tiue Columbia team, early demonstrated to the onlookers that to is a player of resource and skill; while KeTburne’s own Moyer showed that ho is still a cunning wielder of the crosse. The quarter concluded with the scores; standing—Kcibnrne 2, Columbia 1. , . After crossing over the blues - carried play into the enemy’s camp, and Colum- 1 bia’s defence was , sorely taxed. Plucky play by O’Leary and Thomas kept the Kelburne attack at bay; but it cannot bo gainsaid that had the blues’ vanguard shot accurately and indulged less ■ in passing and re-passing in trout of goal there might have been a different story to tell to-day. , Several of the Kelburne colts are not too familiar with the crosse. It seems rather a pity to see promising young players to badly in need of practice. What's the matter with tho park these mornings? Half-time saw the score standing in Kolburne’s. favour by 3 goals to 2. Things were more than middlin’ in. the third quarter. Columbia sot the pace i early and gave tho blues' defence an anxious time. Kelburne, however, defended well, and on more than’one occasion cent tho "niggers" about their business. Tho call of "third quarter" came with -neither side having added to its - score. .

In tho last quarter Kelburne "went down for nine” at the start. Resuming, the blues looked a trifle "groggy," and. had Eeferee McGovern exercised his authority to the full extent the cable tram tourists might have been disqualified on a foul. . Temper manifested itself, and blind hitting resulted. Columbia got in. and administered tho knock-out. Kelburne took tho count; the towel came in, and net before it was required, considering tho weather. Lucky (but deserving Columbia left the field, winners -by 4 goals to 3. - Tho match set down to be contested at Dnppa street, between Capitol and Wellington, went to tho former team by default.

OBITER DICTA. O'Leary (Columbia) and Meyer (Kelburne) were easily the bei>fc men at the Basin on Saturday. Fama, for the blacks, has not lost his. old dash, but Leydoa vvae no I reliable. Grant (Columbia) is really a player of exceptional merit. This clever’ young - -- sler has a great future before him in. the game. Thomas, in goal for th© Hacks, was safe; he deserves encouragement. I am sure the absent skipper of the Columbia Club, Mr A. 11. Casey, will rejoice to hear of his Lacrosse is poorer by the genial Bert'a af> . seuce, and it Ls to be hoped enthusiasts of the game will rally round the flag and keep it flying until the j“Boss Crosse" conies back' from Coronation Land. Meyer Is still the mainstay of the Kel* burne defence. I hold no brief for tho ex-N.S.W. rep., but it would require a mighty powerful telescope to discover a more brilliant "star" in the lacrosse, firmament than tho blues' skipper. _ proud is determined and persevering 1 , but just a little forceful. Heath, a new man, knows the game, and. consequently feels disposed to dispnte points with the referee. . Hill, Canty, and Jordan are deserving of mention. TO-DAY’S MATCHES. Kelburne v.' Capitol. Referee, Mr A. G. Anderson, _ ■ Columbia v. Wellington. Ecferce, Mr __ T. J, McGovern.