ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14000, 5 September 1907, Page 10

ASSOCIATION.

• Br Lift Wino. The Charity Banner record: to'date is as. follows:— . ■ 1805—Boslya . . 1902—Roslyn • 1896—8031yn..' 1903—Nortnern 1897—BoftljTi 1904—Northern 1898—Wakari 1&05-Wakari 1899—Boslya 1906—Northern 1900—Roalyn ; 1907—Northern 1901—Soutlwrn This year only three teams took part in .the llrown Shield competition. Last year Wellington, Auckland, Ruahine, ami Taranaki competed, Wellington winning. Rualiinc did not 6cnd a team to Auckland to compete this season. Since the. shiold was

presented it has been won by Canterbury once, Ruahino once, Otago four times, Wellington thrics, and Auckland thrice. Invitations to tho Ravensbourne, Roslyn, and Southern socials are acknowledged with thanks.

The Charity Banner- as well as the Cup has again fallen to tho prowess of tho black-and-white hoops. Tho match was more interesting than was the Uup final between ■ th'o samo. teSms. The reason was that. Mornington played some better than in the previous contest. Tho general impression was that Northern was'winning, but Mornington had 'a largo share of the attack and a number of very good chances which were not improved.i Given a transposition of goalkeepers—Reid to Mornington and Leys to Northern—and tho result would probably have been different. Reid is consistently safe in goal, his fielding being very clenn and his eye quick. Allowanco must be niado for Leys at the other end. A man cannot be a flawless goalkeeper at a moment's notice. Some of his saves wero particularly smart, but other attempts were in curious contrast.

Notman deserves credit for the fine, sound game he played. He >vaa wonderfully; steady, his tackling was good,' and. his kicking was more .even than usual. Ba-r----ririgton, too, gave a thoughtful display of half back tactics, although he was scarcely, a 6 troublesome as previously to M'Clelland. Baillio was responsible for a great deal of clever, brainy footwork.- In the second spell he showed an aptitude for tho right vving forward' position, in' which, I understand, he was trained in the Home Country. , The placing. of Airey in the centre was rather suggestive. Ho has more dash than any other forward in tho team, and, being especially deadly beforo goal, lie ought to make a successful goal-getter as centre forward.

R. Irvine appeared quile at home as insido right to Riley, but I like him on the wing,:turning in those well-directed cross' shots. Chad wick maintained' tho standard ho ha 6 set. (luring the greater part of tlio year. Hie record oi goals for the season must be a, fairly decent one. The school team selected to represent Otago against the; Southland schools at Culling Park on Saturday next, at 1.45 p.m., prior to tho senior representative match, is not tho strongest that could have been picked, hut it is a'very 6oftnd combination. There are so many really good soccer players amongst the schoolboys now that several first-rate elevens -could ■ he selected. . In tho present caso the forward line could scarcely bo bettered, but the backs are as a whole not the strongest that could have been chosen. Tho boye, from the south will have much to be proud of if they can beat Ofogo's representatives. The representative team to play against Southland at Culling Park on Saturday is a strong one, combining exceptional defensive powers in tho backs ivit.li skill and finesse in the forwards. ;Tho Southland team is made up almost entirely of Hoiiifl 1 ' players, eight out of the eleven meii : having learned their football in the Old Country. This seems to argue a strong side (or Southland, and the match should in consequence prove very attractive. Tho original proposal to play against Southland the same team as is .expected to play against Canterbury has not bden" adhered to. _ - \ : A correspondent has kindly acceded to my request for a; critique of the 1 Southjand Association representative team: —

T. Cavanagh (goalkeeper): Fields tho hall well, past association with tho Rugby gamo standing him in p-ond stead. Very nippy oil liis legs. A colonial. ,T. Stevenson (rieht full back): Learnt-.the game in the Old Country;.aire tackier slid safe kick. R. Hamilton (left full back): Also-Home player. lias represent ed Southland sjneo inauguration ot the game in that district, is the bright particular star of the Invercargill Club. . 11., Wright (right half): Home player. Fields and tackles well, and doesn't neglect his forwards. A. Earsman: Not long out.from Scotland,. Fine, steady player; should do more fielding,' but good tackier and solid grafter; played a few games for Mornington. G. L. Walton (captain): of Eng ; land "native. Best all-round man in the team; will prove to'be a thorn in the sido of tho. opposing forwards; a great liustlcr, and as sound on attack as on defence. ■ ' tr. Uren (right wing): Colonial player of the dashing type; plays tTio in-and-ojit game, and dangerous lx>t«h with head and feet- anywhere within' striking distance of tho opposition goal. W. jf'Ciregor (insido right): Hails from the land of the thistle. Is always, on a good understanding with his .outside' man, and the pair form a keen combination. A. Maeklam (centre):. Glasgow man. Steady' player; keep 3 his forwards m\\ in hand; can always spot his opponent's weaknesses and use his opportunities. _ . J. Darragh (insido left): A colonial, and a speedy onedribbles well, and is a .fine adaptable player. . . J. Grant (left- wing): Good man'm his position; crosses well, and knows how to draw the opposing backs. Native of. this Dominion.