Lacrosse

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7853, 15 July 1911, Page 17

Lacrosse

(By "Point,") Tho gentleman who has perpetrated upon poiileritv a compact little voiun.o dealing with 'piscaiOJ ial matters in general, and the luring of tinny denizens of the p els and streams to destruction in particular, sayeth, among Giber things: “If thou oc a severe, sovr-com-pieXiOned man, then 1 here disallow theo to be a competent judge," Of course angung iuia lacrosse arc two very different things. A good ungicr may become an indifferent iacros«eiir, and vico versa. But while wo are on ibo subject i cannot rexrain from remarking rhat several laori.«*eiiT3 i have HOt-n this season might exp,rieneo less difficulty in ©arching trout - with the cro-.-e than attemxuing to ensnare in its jue?h63 a harmless mdiaiuboer ball. Now, ouo would scarcmy expect to find persons attempting to combine two so wide!}- t>ex>aratod pursuits as lacrosse and angling, and, as it were, endeavouring to indulge in both at one and the same time. Let two or three prominent players came along to a match recently, and, in addition to essaying the game of lacrosse, went a-iUhing for that which most of us catch without putting ourselves to any appreciable inconvenience. Tne bait used proved effective and txieso indiscreet anglers soon had a “ninbie"; then a series of “nibbles"; then a

"bite"; and finally they caught what they were fishing for—trouble. And no small fry at that.

But tho judge in this particular case is not of the “sour compiexioued" vari et3’, although ho is severe —and, moreover, is “allowed to be a couii>etent juuge." His action in the matter will, L hope, have tne desired ©fleet of putting an end to wrangling, on tho field of play, over decisions and. rulings wnicn true sportsmen do not hesitate to accept as final. A referee's lire is not a couch of fragrant posies. The man is not ye. born who can x> i€as ° everybody. Terhaps when the study and practice of eugenics becomes universal the immaculate referee may be evolved. But in prosaic days we must make the best of the material at hand.

There was some excitement at the Basin on Saturday wli.n Columbia mot Kelburne in tne third round of the Fraud Cup. The blacks had casdy the best of the game in the first two quarters, but simply donated the match to Keiburnc in the second half. A late start, occasioned by some dolh3’ in getting the goal-ports fixed up, enaoled both teams to take Th.e field at practically full fighting strength. The resulting game was last and strongly contested; and Columbia, at the end of tho first quarter, was leading by 4, goals to 1. In quarter No. 2 the blue brigade showed their teeth and gave tho blacks a lively time. The interval was called with tho scores standing at 4 goals to 3 in Columbia's favour.

Early in tho third quarter it was seen that Columbia had called tho time and would have to pay the piper. Kelburne wore down the blacks' defence and kept the O’Leary busy. Columbians axo fortunate in possessing a man of O'Leary s calibre. Time and again, recently, I have observed this sterling player keep an opposing attack at bay, while receiving no support from his own men. On the call of time Kelburne retired victors by 7 goals to 5. Mr A. G. Anderson was referee, and experienced some little difficulty in disuading players from carrying tho bail out of bounds.

Apropos, it may bo remarked, that frequenters of tho Basin Reserve complain that lacrosse players pursue tho game on the footpath, at tho Kent terrace end of tho reserve, to tho danger of life, and limb. I'do not see that there ib 1 anything to justify an outcry against tho practice of carrying the bail to tho path, but I think a boundary ought to be fixed, as very young children frequent tho track and diere is just the possibility of an accident occurring one of these days. ;

Meyer (Kelburne) did not have matters all his own way on Saturday, neither did his clubmatos Proud, Jordan and McNamara. Hill is a willing worker and appears to have the game at heart. Gauder is a , very promising player, and steadily improves in stick-work. Canty proves* a sturdy defender and this versatile sportsman is a decided acquisition to Kolburne's defence. Hutton, Lcughnan and Eeg are capable players who got in some tolling work on Saturday. Loughnan, I may add, must surely secure representative honours in the near fu-. tare. Young Jones is coming on and promises to bo one of Kelburne's stalwarts.

Columbia’s best wore: Tama, Lcydon, O'Leary Quinn, Duignan, Thomas and Grant. Fama was in excellent trim on Saturday; his ability, to catchy the ball and get up speed right away is just what ia required from a capable lacrosseur. Lcydon is still suffering from the effects of a recent accident, but gave a good account of himself. Tho O'Leary is irreproachable. Duignan,' for a new and inexperienced player, . gavo Kelburne some anxiety; he will soon become a front-ranker. Thomas, Columbia's goalkeeper, is really a marvel. He saved some shots on Saturday that would have taxed the resources of men with considerable experience of tho game. Verschaffelt with the other members of tho team played well.

The association should see to it that tho goal-po3 4 s and nets are in position by 2.50 p.m. each Saturday. ❖❖❖

At Duppa street Capitol won its match with Wellington. The game, from reports to hand, was not particularly interesting. Mr P. J. McGovern was tho referee.

There is some talk of a representative team being sent south to play at Christchurch this season. I hope the selector will not overlook such men as: Thomas (Columbia}. Loughnan (Kelburne), and Canty (Kelburne). Those players are nteadily improving and demand recognition.

The ladies are being attracted to lacrosse. In iny opinion the game should prove a most interesting one to the fair sex. It provides the exercise of which most young women stand in need. There is no gainsaying the fact that tho full play to which the arms are subjected in the' Canadian game must have a beneficial effect upon tho muscles of the chest and shoulders. I do not hesitate to say that as an aid to the development of the figure lacrosse is without an equal in our present-day sports for young women. There remains but one things to do. Let us make a start with ladies' clubs.

X think the Kelburne Club would be well-advised to arrange for a re-play of the match set down for Saturday, June 24th, which was won from Capitol by default. There was obviously some misunderstanding over tbe game and I r of opinion that had Capitol’s men anticipated the match being played they would have been present on the day in question. The Kelburne Club has nothing to fear from the greens, at least. T loam so from several of its members. That being so there is really no reason why the match should not take place. The game will revive interest in tho cup competition.

To-day’s Matches. Kelburne v. Canitol, at Basin Reserve; Mr P. J. McGovern. . _ Columbia v. Wellington, at Duppa street; Mr A. G. Anderson.