THE ASSOCIATION GAME

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 8 July 1903, Page 62

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

Notes bt Left Wing. The couiicil of the New Zealand Associatifin ha 1 : forwarded a communication to tho New South Wales authorities stating its ■\villingnes6 to guarantee £300 towards ex-

penses of a New South Wales team to New Zealand in 1904. "The New South Wales Council will appoint a committee to arrange for the tour.

Green Island are to be congratulated on the manner in which they defeated last year's champions. This is, I thmk, the first time that they have been victorious over the Roslyn. md on Saturday's play they thoroughly deserved their win.

The Roslyn team, with five goals to score, did not seem to realise that it would require a great effort on their part, and had their backs indulged in long ehooung they would probably have scored goals, as the high wind would nave assisted greatly.

The forwards did not seem to get going properly, and missed several easy chances, Brown alone of the quintet being brilliant throughout.

A. Dobson, at centre half, put in an immense amount of work, but missed two penalties. Calder, at full back, was safe and powerful. J. Braithwaite, the left full back, is a young player who has had a meteoric career. Commencing to play Association football this season, he earned a place in tho Roslyn 111, and soon worked his way into the junior team. A vacancy occurring in the First Grade team, tins young player was given a trial, and, judging by his display on Saturday, is certainly a player of much promise. Smallbone made some brilliant saves, and only one mistake. For Green Island Morland was the best of the forwards. T. Irvine, at full back, was brilliant. M'Lean's play was also above the ordinary.

The Northern-Sawyers' Bay match was a very evenly-contested one, as the eeore would indicate. A good deal of speculation was rife amongst juniors as to how it would end, Northern not having been beaten (during the season. The JsoTthe-rn forwards play well together, and when they get a chance they shoot hard and fast. Their backs are also very safe.

The Bay did not seem to be able to get their usual combination to woik. the heavy ground no doubt accounting for it. It took them a good while, to get used to the fact that the ball would not bounce. The whole team played well, and if they can only keep together should make the next round very interesting.

The third goal which the Bay scored was a most remarkable one. A free kick being given to the Bay almost on the Northern line, the Northern team lined up right across the goal, and the ball placed within a yard of them. Sawyers' Bay formed up in scrum formation, and when the whistle sounded forced the ball and Northern through the posts. It took some time before they got disentangled. One incident to be regretted was the presence of a pickpocket, who went through the pockets of one member of the Bay team, Tcbcving him of a valuable silver watch. It is to be hoped the miscreant will be caught and made an examnle of.

A number of spectators witnessed the, struggle between Wakari and Kaitangata. It was f2Bt from start to finish, and a really good game to watch.

Kaitangata aie a strong combination, particularly tho backs. Russell, iv goal, is o, very capable player, and saved his side on many occasions. G. Middlemass worked hard, but had a 6trong forward line opposed to him, which he found diffioult to check. A nasty scrape on the knee affected "his play towards the finish.

The Wakari half back line, Adams and D. and J. M'Millan, are undoubtedly the strongest trio in Dnnedin at the present time. The former played with conspicuous Hash from start to finish. D. M'Millan played one of his finest frames, his placing being perfection, while his heading was an object le?son to younger phyt?r=. J. M'Millan was ;'.leo in fine form, liolfitng the opposing whig as effectually as he held Chadwick and Morrison the previous Saturday. This player is improving every week, and is now one of our best halves.

Paterson was the best full back on the ground — cool and resourceful, also a mighty kicker. Brown was also a tower of strength for the visitors, but seemed a trifle distressed the last 20 minutes.

Morrison was played for the first time at centre forward, and acquitted himself creditably in his new position.

Webster worked likf a Trojan throughout, and has now a very good idea of the game ; his footwork is very clever.

Fergusson and Findlay were the pick of the Kaitangata forwards. The former, however, showed a tendency to stick to the ball, thus epoihng what on more than ono occasion appeared promising chances.

Find'ay is a clever centre, feed« his wings well, but, being palpably out of form, could not play his u^ual game.

G. Armit r.nd J M'Neiph played with rare judtrment : the former, beinp; very fast, did not allow Fergusson and Co. much time for scooting

Sinclair had very few shots to =top, but slowed a good knowledge of goa]-keepir>g in the. little work he had to do.

Oilroy improved as the game progressed, ■and in the eecon'd spell put in some fast ru = l>e; up the. wing, his goal being the result of dashing- play.

J. Armit had a hard nut to crack in Ramsnv, the heavy weight of tho country team lie. however, played in a determined fa'lu'on.

G M'Millan took Mon icon's place at inside loft, which was a decided improvement, as he p^yeel his best earne this season. His dribbling, passing, and shooting weie a treat to witness. His neat pace harassed the opposing backs considerably. As a captain M'Mdlan is undoubtedly the best in Dunedin. and accents all decisions of the referee without demur.

Mr J Wilson controlled the game in his usual imnartial manner.

Though Northern gained a mo=t decisive trm over Morning-ton on Saturday, it was not hv any moans a Gre-MdetLjrame For the firM 59 minutes of the geme in point of pUv With t-f-anr: wore equal, while in the. matter of goals Morniwrton were ono better. Un'il Mornington (-Pcui-fd the lead North em's di-plav was pa jc ive in the extreme, and particularly to an.ong the forward' The proepeet of a probable 'defeat seemed to qn.ckrp them mo spirited action. For the laM half hour thov simply took all before them, and every reasonable opportunity ■wYS turned to pood account. Despite the «iulden rever<-e, it must be said that Moraine ton played tratnelv to the end.

For Mornington Litolff, in goal, was fair, and could only have saved the first of the scvop goals ecor«d against him.

Sparrow, at left back, played Tub usual <?ound game : while Alexander, his partner, wa* slichtH' behind hi? usual kicking form.

J. Clarke was the be-st half back, and played a splendid game from start to "finish-.

Farquharson, at left half, also showed to much advantage, and especially so in tackhng. Of the Mornington forwards' play there was little to pick and choose. Their shooting could ba improved. For Northern Warnngton, Haynes, and H. Clark were reliable, although the lastnamed two have done much better in previous matches. G. Clark. Kearney, and Kilgour are always a formidable half-back line, and on Saturday played up to their reputation. ~ Northern forwards seem to require an incentive to come up to that standard of play which they are capable of showing when they like. Until Mornington gained the lead the Northern combination was soun ', but lacked energy and determination. Afber that period they swept all opposition aside. Irvine wap. as usual, tricky, clever, and centred beautifully. Siebeberg played hard, afld kept bis opponents in lively action all through ■Reilly gave a splendid display at centre forward, and supported his wings ■admirably. Chadwick played a most consistent game throughout. Morrison in the first spell was in unusually indifferent form, aud failed to take advantage of the numerous splendid chances .given him by Reilly and Chadwick. His play in the second half, however, was equal fo his best form, and that is saying a grea* deal. mo Southern Wednesday team played a nractioe match at Montecillo on Wednesday. Contrary to expectations, a large number of "'All-comers" put in an appearance, and, after selecting 15 players, they put up a really good game against tho Southern's Eleven. Considering the amount of raw material among thcin, there wc-re some really good players, who should prove an acquisition to the Wednesday team. The Southern won by 4 goals to nil. Of the Southern players, Stoddart, Hughes, and J. Botting played well, and of the Vagrants, as the All-comers styled themselves, Fleming, Grainger, and Goodman showed up. The Southern office-hearers are : Captain, R. Hughes; deputy-captain, J. Botting; secretary and treasurer, E. Smith. ASSOCIATION FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. First Grade. Mornington v. Kaiteuigata, &t Kaitangata. Wakari v. Rc9lyn, at Asylum. Northern v. Southern, at Morniugton. Green Island, a bye. Second Grade. Ros'lyn v. Green Island, at Green Island. Southern v. Unity, ai Musssilburgh. Wakari v. Northern, at Wakan. Mornington v. Rangers, at Momtecillo. Sawyers Bay, a bye. Third Grade. JCo-rOhern v. Rangers, at The Clear. Koalyn v. Horaingtou, at Unity. Siwysrs Bay v. Colkge, &t Sawyers Eay. "Wakari, a bye. SCHOOL FIXTURES. Kensington v. Green Island, at Mornington. Mormngtoji v. Forb:rry, at Mnsselburgh. College v. George Street B, at Asylum. "Wakari v. High Street, at Waka.ri. N. E. Valjey v. Caversliam, aX "Unity. Kaikorai A v. Koikorari B, at Montecillo. "Union Street v. George Street A, at .Tbe Clear.