FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12618, 23 March 1903, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. The following is the report of the Olago Football Association for the eeason 1902, to be submitted to the annual meeting of delegates on Ist April:—

Your committee, in presenting tho thirteenth annual report of the association, feel that they can with confidence congratulate the clubs on tho completion.of a season {hit has been in every-respect gratifying; and may, in fact, be Tegardcd as tho most successful in the history of the association, and augurs well for tho future success of the Socker game. .

New Clubß.—Two new cluhs applied for affiliation at tho annual meeting—viz., Hanover Street Rangers and Unity Clubs, both playing as juniors. An innovation in the institution of a schools competition was introduced during the year, 15 Bchoole entering the contest,

Premiership.—Ms competition was again won by the Roslyn I, which team played 10 matches, won 8, lost 0, drew 2, scoring- 18 points. The Northern I were runn«rs-up, with 11 points. Theße matches were keenly contested, although the Koslyn won by a substantial margin. Charity Banner.—The final for the fonnner was played off.as usual between the two highest teams in the senior premiership competition— on this occasion between Roslyn and Northern. Carisbrook Ground was placed tit the disposal of the O.F.A. fre.o of oharge by the O.R.F.TJ. for the match. Tfie game was very keenly contested ' throughout and the result in doubt

until the whistle sounded " time," the result being: 'Hoslyn' 3''goals, Northern 2 goals; the Roslyn thus scouring the right to have their club's nwno inscribed on the banner for the sixth time, ■

. Junior:Cup.—ln t)ie jimior ranks the competition was-exceedingly keen, and the result was in doubt until tho very last match o£ the round, jiid only 7 points separated the six highest teams: Owing to the large number of onthes (or this competition it was decided that the , premiership be' decided on the first round. The. cup fell'to Wskari 11, which team out ofj-10. matches played won nine and lost one, scoring 18 points; Sawyers' Bay A being runners-up -with > 1G points. Schools Competition.—For the first time in the annals of :th« association your can report that a.competition for schoolboys, was inaugurated and successfully carried through. Fitteen teams commenced the season, but onootthese dropped out after playing 1 six,matches. ; The cup and medals presented by "the association' were won by the Kaikorai School, , this team:p.laying 14 matches, won 12, lost 1, drew i; scoring 25 points. The Normal, Caverfham, and Green Island Schople wer« equal for second place, with 24 points. As evidencing the even nature of the piay, it may '. be remarked, that only 1 point separated the i first four teams. .

j;. Fivc-a-side Tournament.—Twenty-two teams entered'for this popular tournament, and exceedingly good.form wns shown by both senior and junior players. The senior competition was won by Kosly'n No. 1 team, and the junior by WakariNo., 4;. Northern No. 1 and Unity No. , 1 being the respective runnets-up.'' ", Interprovincial Match.—The Wellington F.A. sent a team to DunMin to tryconclusions with an Otago eleven. The match was played at Cnrisbrook on September 0, before a fair number of spectators, your representatives being sictorious by three gonls to one. The following players comprised the Otago team:—Goal, H. Murray; full backs, A. Dobson and T. Ashton; half backs-W. Kilgour, D. Jt'Jfillan, and G. Hiddlcmass; forwards—R. Irvine, A..Pergus-son,-G. M'Jlillan. (captain), H. G. Robertson, nnd S. K. Brown; Of these, R. Murray, W. Kilgour, H.'lrvine, H. G. Robertson, and'A. Fcrgußsoji represented their province for the first time, and were presented with caps. ■Wednesday Football.—An attempt was mado to .inaugurate a.competition for players having their weekly half-holiday on Wednesday. Only two tennis were formed, but with these as a basis it is anticipated, least four teams will take the field each week during the coming, season. .-. ■'.

.Third , is the intention of yorir cdmmitloo to cater for players of lighter build by instituting a third grade contest. , This will gi.va players possessing the necessary skill,but lacking weight, and boys leaving school an opportunity of "exhibiting their prowess. ..

' H.M. Warships.—A very enjoyable game was played -between a picked Dunediit team and a team 'from H;M.S. llingaroomii captained by C.P.O. Collier, which resulted in a- win for the local team by 3 goals to 2. The nian-of-wars-men wero entertained at tea, anil an enjoyable evening 'was spent r.t the Coffee Palace. Lectin?.— Your committee arranged -with the Rev.' J. li. Ward (Chicago) to deliver a lecture in tho Garrison Hall m July 22, a, substantial sum being netted.

■ (hi November U a general meeting of Association footballers was held at the Stuart S,troet Hall, (hero )>?>ng. about 250 schoolboys present, besides senior and junior players. The president (J[r S. S. Myers) occupied the chair, and distributed the trophies and caps -won during the year. A programme of music, song 9, etc., was gone through, and' refreshments dispensed. This unique function was the first of its kindiheld in the colony, and was a great success.

A friendly match was played nt Christchurch nt a- Wellington torn and an Otago eleven, victory resting with the southerners.' It" is intended to again meet a. Wellington teara-in Christchurch next Easter, with.a view'to popularising the game in that city.

Referees' ClUb.—The thanks of spectators and players alike are flue to the gentlemen forming'ihis c!ub, Rnd Ihey dessrve great.credit for the elfioicnt manner in which they discharged their arduous duties. It speaks very highly for their capability of controlling the play and players that during the past season only one player was reported for misconduct—that bciiig for a disparaging remark about a refereo. Net oiio case of rough, play was roported.

■ Finance—ln.th's department the association is in ii flourishing condition. After an exceptionally heavy Beason in Ihs matter of expedilure, we ,find that the credit balance is the largest the association has ever had. Tho sum of £3 139,63 was.netted on the final tie for the Charity, Burner,' this amount being handed over-to'local charities.

•Thanks.—Your -committee wish to . remind yon that your heartiest tha-nks are due "to the president (Mr Myers) for the use- of his room for committee meetings; to Mr G. S. Mackie, delegate to the N.Z.F.A..; to the, president, Mr Moncriefi, and membsrs of committee, who donated medals for competition; to the press, for reports of tho proceedings of the association; and lost, but not lease, to the Referees' Club, , for their successful efforts to further tho interests and promote the popularity of the game in.Otago, and especially for the keen interest that members of the club took in the schools competition,

It is with regret that your committee have to report the resignation from the treasurer? ship of. Mi G, S. ll'Xair, owing to his rcmoyf.i from Dunfdin; but rconjd like to place on record their, high appreciation of h'B services in that, office. ~

In conclusion, your committee wish' to urge upon players the necessity of doing everything possible to popularise the Association game by. improving tho standard of play, and trust that tho coming seaSbn will'bo even more prosperous and successful than tho one just past (1902). GREEK ISLAND CLUB. The aiiniial meeting of the Green Island Association. Fnnthall Club was held in the Protestant Alliance Hall on Thursday evening, a fair,number of members being present, In the absence of the president, Mr ,W. G. Smith was elected to the chair, and. after moving the adoption of the annual report, made a few remarks in connection' with tho welfare.of the club, Mid congratulated them on being in a sound financial. position. Tho election of ofllcMieiiiers lor' tho ensuing season resulted as follows:—President, Mr W. M'Donatd (reelected); v;ce-presidents—Hon. A. L»o Smith, Messrs D. Reirt.M.H.R., J. London, 3. Smellic, A. Houleton, H. Stott, C. Samson, s»n.. W. Morelimd, J. Dempster, R. Prebb'.o, and V. Nash; secretary and treasurer, Mr T. Irvine; General Committee—Messrs W. Smith, C. Moroland, AV. M'Loan, W, Crimp, A. Grant, A. Taylor, and J.Deinpstor; delegates to the O.FX, ■ Messrs'W..G. Smith and T. Irvine;, delegate to Sporls Protection Association, Str !W. M'Lean. After the usual vote of thanks to the press and tho chairman the meeting was brought to a- close.

■ The Alhambra Club's opening match at the Reclaimed Ground proved a very successful practice.' • Trains were chosen by the captain and deputy-captain, the -latter's team eventually winning by a small margin after a- stubbornly-fought frame. The club's juniors, showed exceptionally good form for an opening match. A further match will be arranged for Wednesday afternoon.