ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 62

ASSOCIATION.

Br Left \Vm». The following table shows the positions of the teams in the Senior Cup competition : — . •§ ff 1 "5 - . t « « ft n, *z 3 oso <s o o ilorningtofi A .. 11 9 2 0 52 17 18 Northern .... 11 8 1 2 38 11 18 Wakaxi 11 7 1 3 34 14 17 Southern .... 12 4 5 3 2* 29 11 Roslyn H 3 7 1 16 33 7 Maori Hill .. .. U 2 8 1 12 24 5 Morninston E .. 11 1 10 0 13 61 2 Wakari have now defeated the two leading teams, Northern and Mornington A. Can they still win ths cup? They can if Noithcrn, and Mornington A play a drawn game. If that happens, and Wakari defeat Roslyn, as- is reasonably expected, we will have the extraordinary position of three tcainf even for the cup. If tlie Northern-Mornington A fixture is not a draw, whichever wine will hold the cup,

<and~ Wakari — still, presuming .they defeat | Roslyn — will -play off for the Charity Banner. Wihether or not Wakari win "the cup, they have the distinction -of .having -beaten both the leading teams. The Mprnington A-I^Tojrthern .fixture will j still be .played on Caledonian. 'Ground on > Saturday "week, -September 5, and tfee match I between "^ukari and Roslyn. which is to be jplayteJ -on the f .. just prior to the fixture ineniL . -ould prove an additional attraction. In -preparation for the Brawn Shield competition, which, ©tag--© -is -going to -exert . every-- effort to "win, the- -selectors have chosen: -a jmmber -of players to take part in a trial match at Culling Pari on .Saturday. Prom the names published, it Trill be seen that there is -a numerous and even fairly -even back division to select from, ~ and plenty of .halves, .although not always of 'ifee -same -even .merit. The Ussher- ■ M'Caelland should -make a strong left wing, but the Tight wing px-oblem as f. more difficult one to solve. li is a compliment to J. JSlacdonald iihat after so .many years x of service -he is to-day selected as tie best ■ centre forward! in tb©>city. Tihe Blue team J as presently -arranged 1 - is, of -course, subject to alteration as <t"ne result of the trials. Serious, -consistent .training is being insisted ■upon, and' any ,playear- not regu- • larly the practices -to be arranged for Tuest days 'an'd' Thursdays may 'consider this -claim to a position in the teaancr forfeited. Trainings in-a gymnasium, ,and in th© feld in; the -early evenings, "will be provided -for. ■ •In private letter, Mr fi.- Meyer, -who ' wilL be remembered -asf manager of t!he . New Zealand ' team '-which, toured "New ' South Wales, ■ says_ihat "Wellington aan ptrt in a stuong team il all the men >can get away, but tfeat •■eeooe -of th© 4>est -players are experiencing difficulty in -obtaining leave. • > The -Gtagb team that journeyed' to -SontihTand! had a' veiy pleasant time. Although not dirawn. from Among Hie first ilig-ht of players, the members were thoroughly representative of Bunedin Senior football. The team was composed of all -colonials, in contrast with -the Southland team, which •had, seven Home players in their ranks. On "'arrival at the .southern capital ilhe team were met by" the S.F.A.. officials, and after the' usual -exchange of greetings they were escorted <to their quarters. Wednesday opened out wet, and the anticipations of S.F.A.' for a >good ;gate were smothered. The match tad been well . advertised. . 'Sir J. 6. Ward ((president N.ZJT.A.) had granted the Government . officials a ihalf iholidey in .honour of the match, and 1 tickets had sold ireely in t2ie city — but all for naught. However, some 700 braved the elements to witness th© contest. ißoth teams were conveyed by drag to .the 'Union Rugby Ground, where the. snatch was decided- The- ground was sodden with ,the -rain, which had -fallen -for two 'days, and -a sure foothold was 4 impos- | sibfe. r The -ball, too, soon a I waterlogged appearance, -and' it was with j difficulty projpelled- -along- by the playeas. j Pjinetually -at 3 o'clock lihe teams took the' "£eH l , ' and . .the game "began. It was I notable -for two features— tie consistent j play of the Otago Tjoys -compared witfc the ' individual bursts, of ihe Southland team, i However, -the ■Sotrfhlajiders displayed' -a decided improvement on the form shown by the 'learn from the «outh last year. 'General Ashton -was -in tommand of Otago, and directed the mancenvres -throughout. He • played a -dashing game, asod set bis men a splendid ©xample^f -energy. -His powers j 6how -no Abatement, -end although many , years have passed- since the' veteran first : stepped on to -c soccer "field, -his keenness • i» as -conspicuous- as^«v©r, 'and bis .resourcefulness and insight -are "not dulled with the passing- of -time. " , Knowles- played a fine game in goal, his fielding and placing beinjr delightfully accurate. , -Grant and Lambert, *h© full backs, found' j>lenfcy 4<o- -do, and ihadw^no time on their '.hands to waste. 33eeby and Martin distributed "tbe play erorfly to their for- . wards, and, with Albion, were- largely . responsible for the .combination shown, j Evans "and -Robertson, Clyde and Aspinall showed clever work in th© forward line, ■a feature being the way they lined out and took charge of the game, tihus xeHeying anr long-sustained pressure on the defence. M'Huteheon, who at the last moment filled a breach, was played in an unaccustomed position — amongst the forwards, — and did , well under difficulties. In the first half j Robertson and M'Hutoheon were played on j the rignt wing, but in the second spel! .they were shifted across to the left. Otago "won on combination, for lack of wldch v*sy muoh clever individual work by-dtbe anea was thrown away. M'Leod (^n goal), Stevenson ;(ftdl back), and Adams (half) showed Tip conspicuously, and the dashing work of 33arsag3i and GalJon' was one of th© features of -Southland's play. Hamilton was useful «s centre forward; but some of lis play had a Rugby tendency, wihieh. gave no opportunity to the' wings and supports to. display their ability. Altogether, Southland played 1 a very -good -and plucky game against their more skilled opponents. Mr E. Patrick was -referee, and the game, -which was rc-jna-r-kably ifree «from -infringements, was in the best of spirit. In the evening a smoke concert was "held. The aarangements made i>y tht SJT.A. officials weiss excellent throughout, and a ■word >f praise is due to the eearetary, Mr G. Bagrie, for "his efforts in looking after the interests of the visitors. Manager Ashton reported to iahe O.P.A. that in all hi 6 lonjj expedience ie ias never travelled with a set -of players who -more worthily upheld the honour and dignity of theiT province. Third Gbsde Competitiox. -s «• ° « ;5; 5 J | jS § $ % P< ? J R O O O Northern ..10 9 1 — 35 14 18 Mornington D 10 -6 3 1 26 12 13 Southern .... 10 S 5 — 1G 12 10 Wakari .. 9 4 4 1 22 19 9 Maori Hill .. 3 4-5 — 3Lo 27 a Momington E* 6 -— 10 — - 1 32 - * Defaulted ■ i. x JNEW ZEALAND FOdTBALL ~&.SSGGIATION. At the las€ meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Football Association a proposal for a South African team, to tour New Zealand In 1909 was introduced by a letter from Mr G. A. Vandel, now in Sydney. He stated that he had had wide experience of Association in different parts of the world. From his knowledge of New Zealand football, he thought it would be a mistake for New Zealand to invite a team from' New. South Wales.. The

f gam© there, he alleged, was poor in the extreme, >and indifferently managed. In New Zealand matters wer© different ; Soccer was improving, and th© managejnent highly satisfactory. The game in j South Africa, be explained, was superior to that in any part of th© world, excepting i the Old Country, and a tour in 1909 of New Zealand by & South African combination would improv© the standard conj siderably. Already three visits had been made to South Africa by an English eleven, one game drawning as many as 12,000 spectators. Messrs J. J. JEtoberts, F. J. Courtney, Oilier, I/. White, B. L. Salmon, I and H. N. Holmes were appointed a sub- | committee to go into the financial aspect of -the proposed tour, and recort at an , early date to the council. Mr Holmes j stated that Soccer was now progressing in Adelaide. He intended going to Melbourne in about -seven weeks' time, and would be ple-ased to bring the subject of a South African tour before the Sydney authorities when passing through there, and see what prospects ther© were of the Australasian colonies uniting in sending an invitation to the South Africans. At the.ssune meeting the Southland As- ! sociation was affiliated to the -council. | An "application by the Otago Wednesday footballers for permission to enter a team ; for rthe Brown "Shield competition was rei fused. It. was decided in' the matter of finances that th© New Zealand Football Council should, take 5 par .cent, of the gross gate at the Brown Shield matches, Otago 5 per cent, of the net gate; the balance of the profits to be divided amongst the visiting associations pro rata, according to -their travelling expenses. Th© Secretary reported that the subjects to be discussed at the conference to be held at Bunedin were — (1) The future competitions for the Brown Shield ; (2) amateur status; (3) the visit of an English team or a tour of England by a colonial team ; (4) New Zealand Referees' Association ; (5) .South African and intercolonial visits. ) OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. The weekly meeting of the Otago Football Aeociation was held on Monday eveninn-, there being a. large attendance of delegates. The Secretary of the N.Z.F.A. advised that the O.F.A.'s proposal re penalising, blocking had been ruled out of order, the contention being that the N.Z.F.A. had no power to made new rules. — Received. Th© -Secretary of the Wellington F.A. wrote stating that his association had held over the question raised by the O.F.A> Personally, he considered the resolution merited careful consideration at the forthcoming conference. — Received. Mr O. Martin advised that he and Mr Uren -had done therr best to have the resolution accepted.- Both felt that the reBbriction of- blocking was in the best -interests of the game. Mr While (who wrote -acknowled-g-mg his appointment as delegate) also _ supported the resolution. — Letters received. The Secretary of the N.Z.F.A. wrote confirming the draw for the Brown Shield competition. Tiie council had decided it would be- unwise to have two games played simultaneously on adjoining grounds, a^id had .arranged for matches on Wednesday and Thursday, to commence at 1.30 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively. Any match resulting in a draw on Wednesday or Thursday must b© continued for half an hour, according to rule 13 governing the competition. The following subdivision of profits liad been provided for: — The council to take 5 per cent, of the gross gate ;. the O.F.A. to take 5 per cent, of the net profits; balance' of net profits to be divided between visiting 1 teams pro rata to travelling expenses. Accommodation was required for about fifteen players from Taranaki and seventeen from Wellington. Other centres had not yet advised the numbers travelling. Ruie 9, re measurements of grounds (maximum 120 yds long by 80yds wid© ; minimum 100 yds long by 70yds wide) must be carefully carried out. The names of delegates and matters for discussion were required. Messrs Duncan and Grawley, with Mr Sinclair, representing the referees, wer© appointed delegates to the conference to be held in connection with the Brown Shield competition. It was decided to refer to the N.Z.F.A. the question of using two grounds or one. » The selectors announosd that the following players had been selected to take part ■ in a trial match at .Culling Park on Satur- , day next: — | Blues. — Goal, R. Jack; backs — J. Morrison, H. Aspinali ; lialves — J. Harrison, H. ! Ratley. H. Gr©nfell ; forwards — J. Clyde, D. Baiilie, J. Macdonald, F. Ussherj T. M'OleUand. Colours. — Goal, A. JLnowles ; backs — R. Shepherd, W. Dow. T. Young; halves— P. Robertson, D. O'Connor, — Berry, A. ! Milton, A. .Martin ; forwards — Elliot. Jas. Timlin, J. Sligo, — Smith, T. Ritchie, R. Ritchie, — GiafEen. It was resolved that players be instructed to go into training immediately, arrangements to be made for players to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. BROWN CHALLENGE SHIELD. WELLINGTON, August 18. The Council of the New Zealand Football Association has made the following arrangements for the Brown Shield competition at Dunedin : — j September 9. — Southland v. Taranaki, at 1.30 p.m. ; and Otago v. Canterbury, at 3 p.m. September 10 — Winners of the previous day'e matches, at 1-30 p m. ; and Auckland v. Wellington, at 3 p.m. September 12.— Final between the winners of the previous day's matches. SATURDAY'S MATCHES. FIRST GRADE. WAKAKI V. MOBKINGTOX A. Wa&aa-i ~ 5 goa!s. Mornington A 3 goals. NOETHEEX T. MOEXDTGTOX B. j Northern 2 goals. Mornington Nil Maoei Hill v. Southern. Maori Hill ~* 3 goals. Southern 2 goals. SECOND GRADE. Ravensboume defeated Southern by 9 goals to 2. For the winners goals were scored by Logic (2), Mills (2), J. Connor (2), Jim Connor (1), Larnach (1), J. Harrison (1). For Southern Fleming 1 and M'Kitterick scored one each. Wakari, 4 goals ; Mornington C, 2 goals. Northern, 7 goals; Maori Hill, 1 goal, ■

FOURTH GRADE. High School A, 3 goals; Christian Bros., 1 goal. Mornington F won by default against Wakari. Northern No. 1 won by default against High School B. SCHOOLS. Union Street, 3 goals; Hijjh School B, 3 gols to nil. Goals were scored by Brown (2) and Edwards (1). Mornington, 2 goals; Christian Bros.. 1. Christian Bros. A, 2 goals; N.E. Valley, nil. High Street A won by default against Maori Hill. OTAGO DEFEATS SOUTHLAND. (Fbom Ottk Special Corbesponuekt.) INVERCARGILL, August 19. The match Otago v. Southland was played here to-day in drizzling rain and on a sloppy ground. It was attended by about 700 people. The play throughout was ragged on both sides. Early in th© game the Otago halves worked <to the Southland goal, but faulty shooting by the forwards spoilt the chance, and Stevenson cleared for Southland. In turn the Otago backs had an anxious tim© till Grant changed the venue, and after a rapid exchange of Tiicks Robertson sent in a shot, which went over the bar. Southland conceded two corners in succession, and then Adams obtained the ball and passed to Mitchell. The latter passed to Gallan, who hesitated, and Southland's" chance was lost. The Southland full backs, again charged, but Darragh's shot went over the bar. Knowles kicked to Ashton, and lie cleared to Evans. M'Kenzie (Southland) failed to relieve, and Clyde sent in a stinging -shot, which glanced in off the post, giving M*Leod no chance. Otago . ... 1 goal. i Southland Nil. Th© «pell ©nded without further score, i When play was resumed Ashton passed to ' M'Hutchean, and the ball was taken in turn by Stevenson, when it went to Mitchell, who had a fruitless «hot at long rang©. Otago again swept down from a goal kick, and smart, nippy 'work was put in in front of the Southland goal. From the a - uck Aspinall sent in a short gxubb&r, ■which beat M'Leod by a "few inohes. Otago ... .» ~ 2 goals. Southland Nil. Southland had the best of the kick-off, Mitchell, Darragh, and Gallan doing good work. Grant relieved with a cross-kick, and play went to the Southland penalty area, where M'Kenzie saved brilliantly. Adams got the ball and passed to Sims, who kicked hard, but Otago forced the play back, and put in brilliant work in front of the Southland goal, but without avail. Play -was cleared to inside the centre, where Grant made an excellent, well-judged long 6hot, which completely bafHed M'Leod — a brilliant goal. Ota-go ... . -. ■ • ~. 3 goals. | Southland Nil. | Southland then livened up, and seemed ! to be improved by a rearrangement of the backs. M'&regor and Darragh' worked the ball to the Qtago area, where short, 6harp passing gave Walton a chance, which he j accepted. Otago ... ... 3 goals. Southland 1 goal. Southland contim*.ed to press, and Darragh had a long shot without result, except that Otago conceded two corners. Ashton cleared, and the Southland goal was in danger from Evans, but M'Leod relieved magnificently. Southland again Tallied, but the defence was too sound, and play ended in neutral territory. Mr E. B. Patrick made an efficient referee. Knowles, in goal, was safe, though he had several anxious moments. Grant was the pick of the full backs, and proved dangerous anywhere within striking distance. Ashton was a stonewall at half back. He used his head and feet brilliantly, and played exceptionally fine football. Robertson and Aepinall were most noticeable of the forwards, the former surpassing himself in his all round play. M'Leod, the Southland Cu3todian, was very safe, and etaved off good shots repeatedly. The greasy ball, and ground, and the fact that his side was up against a superior combination, accounted for th© goals scored. Stevenson, as full back, tackled well, and played -neatly to his forwards. Ada*»s -was a thorn in the side cf the opposing forwards. He tackled and fed his men well. Gallan and Darragh played brilliant forward games, though Hamilton and the others showed consistent form. The came was won by superior combination. The bad state of the ground .militated against a r©ally firsfc-class exposition, thouE-h Southland made the best interprovineiail showing yet recorded. The Otago nassinar disconcerted the Southland -backs, but their defence was nevertheless good. The Southland forwards attacked re■neatedly, but weak -shootintr and slowness to seize opportunities made their efforts for the most .part ineffective. The Otajro forwards were dangerous, though their i ahooting was at times rather wild.