THE ASSOCIATION GAME

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 61

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

The following is the table showing pesi tions of First Grade teams to date: —

Notes by Left Wixg

It is impossible to publish the positions in any of the other grades, as the hon. secretary has not been informed of the result of several matches. Secretaries of clubs are requested to send in a full list of performances to date of Second, Third, and School Grade matches, and also to notify weekly, either in writing or by mepns of the daily papers.

The Rangers I v. Wakari II match eventuated at Montecillo, and proved a fast, interesting game. The play on bobh sides was of the- dashing style, and more vigorous thau is sometimes the case in First Grade, in which claja players go in more for combination. The Rangers' win was due principally to the combination in the forward division, although the backs played well. Wakari wero handicapped by not having their goalkeeper, for whom a schoolboy was playing substitute, and also one of their full backs. They made a solid defence, however, and would have made a better stand but for the above reasons.

The Morningion II v. Roslyn II matoh wa.s the hardest junior game this season. It was exceedingly vigorous from start to finish, and ended in a draw. Mornington had decidedly the best of the contest, their forwards playing a fine game, and their backs being strong in defence. Young was easily tho best in their back division For the Roslyn, Piller, at half back, played well, and J. Braithwaite, nt left full back, played a brilliant game, while the goalkeeper (Morgan) played splendidly, and sa\cd time and a.gain, his punching out being a special feature, and his saving fiom a, penalty kick being a fine effort. Patterson (Mornington) was easily tho best forward on the ground.

Tho Nightcaps F.C. are very anxious to try conclusions with the rival coal miners — Kaitangata.— and it is suggested that the latter send a toa.m to In\ercargill. The O.F.A. aro in communication with Kaitangata on the matter.

There was a good muster of players on Wednesday at the Clear, when the Northern had a practice match, about 18 players tunning out. If any players are desirious of a game, they can play at Montecillo against Southern for the Northern B. ,

The College F.C are desiriou3 of obtaining a coach on Tuesday and Thursday evenings after 4 o'clock. Any player or ex-player who has a little time to spare might very profitably put it in in this direction.

The Referee-.' Club has still a few openings for gentlemen who wish, to assist the game.

Contrary to general expectations, tho Northern -Wakari match proved to be a suiprisingly easy thing for the former. Practically from start to finish, there was only one team in the hunt. There is no gainsaying the fact that Northern outclassed Wakari at all points of the game. Wakari 'a play was feeble and scrappy, and lacked concentration of purpose. True, all of Northern's six goals were of a soft nature, but then it must be pointed out. that tho actual scoring of the goals was the simplest, if very necessary, part of the sound forward play that brought about so Put-oe=tsful an issue. Such "soft" goa'.a are merely the natural outcome of a fine and well-balanced forward line playing the- perfect passing game right to the goal lino. As a matter of fact there is a too pror.ounced tendency among 1 Boccer enthusiasts to base their opinions of forwards and forward play by th© kind of goals scored, and who scores, very often overlooking the hard, preliminary work in the out-field to bh« detriment of those players who never score, but do the hard work, unnoticed and ti'--thamked.

Referring to goal-scoring, Northern forwards were in lamentably poor shooting form on Saturday, aaid missed innumerable chances.

For Wakari, Ryan in goal was palpaMy weak, and showed a lack of judgnvent and energy.

The play of the full backs — Armit and M'Neish — never at any time got beyond mediocrity. Of the halves Adams was the best and the mainstay of th© team. He should studs 1 , however, to plaoe to his forwards accurately, aud to the best advantage.

D and J. M'Millan, at centre and right half back respectively, were only fair. The former's foot seems to have lost its cunning, and hia weakness in the direction of com-

plaining of all decisions seems to be growing. r lhe latter would do, well to dispense with some of his tactics. If both dxop these weaknesses they will find the advice profitable. All the forwards played well, bri were weak in front of goal. Morrison and Webster were the pick of anything. G. M'Millan worked hard at centre forward, but seemed ,to find v great difficulty in dealing with Kearney. For Northern, Warrington. was reliable in goal. Haynes at right back showed great improvement, and played his best game so far this season. H. Clark was a host in himself, and played a brilliant game as left full back. G. Clark, Kearney, and Kilgour, as half backs en Saturday's r>lay, were the salt of the team. Clark took and gave his full share of hard knocks, and played a great gpme. Kearney was watchful, steady, and reliable, and held M'Millan safely. Kilgour, if less brilliant, was, as usual, smart and clever. 1 Honours were fairly even among the forj wards. Each was at times clever, resourcei ful, and e\cn brilliant, and, be it said also, ! all in turn muddled and blundered very fr»- ! quently. Their shooting for goal at times I was remarkably poor, aJid in this department I of the game it was the worst display given so far this season.

OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

The usual weekly meeting of the above 1 association, held at Mr Biaithwaite's office on Monday, was attended by Messrs Wilson ' (m the chair), Chadwick, Morrison, Duncan, • J Ji'Miliau, Clark, and lir.nthwaite. Accounts amounting to £2 13s 6d were passed for payment. — A protest fiom tne Roslyn i Wednesday team in regard to the match with Southern was referred to the Referees' Club Committee for roport. — A letter was received from tho Invercargill A.F.C. in regard to a visit from a Dunedin or Kaitangata team to play against Nightcaps in Invercargill. It was decided to communicate with the Kaitangata Football Club in the matter. — The N.Z.F.A. submitted a proposal re the Brown Challenge Shield. It was decided to leave the matter over until next meeting, when a proposal will probably be brought forward.

Club. -g a S Northern .. .. 7 'KarUngata .. 7 Roslyj! .. .. 6 Mornington . . 7 Wakari .. ..7 Green Isknd .. 7 Souther^ .. .. 7 7 6 3 2 2 1 1 0 1 2 3 4 6 6 Coa's ±m t i%l P £ 4? «•§ 0 38 13 14 0 26 9 12 1 18 16 7 2 21 21 6 1 12 24 5 0 7 21 2 0 7 26 2

'The match Kaitangata-Green Island, sot down for Saturday last, counts to the former by default.