ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8794, 25 July 1914, Page 14

ASSOCIATION GAME

(By "Goal-keeper.”) Corinthians are still in the lead in the championship competitions. Even when the extra game that they .have played is taken away, their total is nineteen points as against Hospital s seventeen. Thistle have dropped way behind to twelve points, tying- with K.iVi.C.A. for third place. Diamonds are well up with eleven points, and the other five teams range from seven points to one. Something seemed to be wrong with Corinthians last. Saturday at Kilbirnie. It may have been an off day, but there will be no doubt of the result of to-dajl’s Corianthians-Thistle clash if the same lethargy continues to be shown. Corinthians however, have a habit of rising to the occasion. Sometimes they only just get there, as last week when they defeated Swifts by two to one; but they, get there, and that, after all, is the mam point. Y.M.C.A. put up a splendid game last Saturday, and were only beaten on the post by two goals to one.. The big defect of Y.M.C.A. is inaccurate shooting. With a little practice the “Ymie” boys could be made almost invincible. When the representative team comes to be chosen, the claims of Hollis, at goal, should not he overlooked. Petone is only a young club, and has always asked that, its players receive a week’s notice before being ■ pitted against Hospital. Last Wednesday the management committee were notified that Petone could not go to Pbrirua to-day. The match consequently goes to Hospital by default. To keep the runners-up in trim, a match is to be played between them and a team from the warships m pon. Although Hospital' did not expect to win easily against Y.M.C.A. last Saturday, they were evidently not expecting such a close call. The visitors played, a grand gam© shewing greater pace and better comoination than the home team. Y.M.C.A. 'were at full strength, and had certainly gone to Porirua to win. Duncan was making his first appearance for Hospital since his accident, and Elliott was also reappearing after a spell. Through the absence of Cross, his position was filled by Skinner. . The game had not been in progress very long before Hindmarsh put the finishing touch on some pretty work by the forwards, and Y.M.C.A. were leading by a goal. This livened up the Porirua men. and the game' was very rapid in its changes- Both teams were having narrow escapes, and only splendid defensive work prevented a score on several dccasions. At last Hughes sent out to Daily and the latter, gating away, tested Hollis, who did not get rid of the ball cleanly, with the result that Foley, rushing up in fine style, carried all before him, and the scores were even. From then on to the end of the spell, the game continued very fast, but neither side could increase their load. The second half was one to be remembered, being full of excitement from start to finish. Hospital kept trying Hollis with good shots, but he ■vas at home every time. Then the lefence at the other end would be •orking like Trojans to stop the per istency of the Y.M.C.A.’s_ forwards. 3o the game progressed, with excitouent at fever heat. As the match was drawing towards a finish, both teams redoubled their efforts, and urged on by the crowd the football was good to watch. With only e» few minutes to

time, Hoare was penalised for holdin, and Skinner placed the ball well to his forwards, and they wasted no time dallying, but in one irresistible charge carried the ball right into the goal-month, where it was seen to fin'd the net off one of the defenders. There was only a couple of minutes to go, and Hospital retained the lead; winning a game that will bo remembered for some time. The whole of the Y.M.C.A. team played splendidly, the combination of the forwards being a treat to witness. Their only weakness was in shooting; there was hot enough sting behind it; also they did not shoot often enough. Hospital were clearly bustled off their usual game, but they played with great heart when things were looking “blue.” It was this determination of spirit which gave them the victory in the last few minutes.