ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2986, 7 June 1911, Page 62

ASSOCIATION.

By Left Wing.

The following table shows the positions of teams engaged in the Senior Cup competition :

It is some years since that irrepressible spirit, Mr VV. A. Scundy, ceased active connection with football in Otago. -The vitality of the zeal which characterised his work is evident from t'he fact that he sends /-from Tasmania his greetings to players and best wishes for a prosperous 191 J. season, and adds an inquiry with regard to his pet theme —Corinthian Park. Southland has five senior and seven junior teams engaged in competitions this year, and there is talk of endeavouring to organise school teams. J. Baillie is playing for Invercargill Club, in which there is quite a Mornmgton contingent—Baillie, Allen (playing outside left), Earsman, and Middlemass, Whilst A. Gardner will also be available on occasions. Invercargill players desire that Otago shall send down a strong team this year. Mt Baillie, who paid a visit to Dunedin last week, assures me that there is a marked improvement in the play in Invercargill. The comparatively large attendance at tHe match between Rcolyrt Wakari and Mornington spells increasing interest in the game. Mornington failed to win in the lace of strong inducement, a complete team of lady hockey plays from the same suburb encouraging them by their presence as well as by their enthusiastic plaudits. ■ It was a very interesting match, the play being bright and- often clever, and the action rapid. Mornington forwards' footwork was better than that of RoslynWakari, and there was more intelligent combination amongst the Mornington forwards. In spite of this, summing up the goal chances, Roslyn-Wakari would probably have won had it not' been tor the capable gcalkeeping of Jack, who made a first appearance this season with Mornington. The Mornington vanguard is a front lino 'of splendid possibilities. Four of its members are. strong in football knowledge, and the fifth is rapidly coming on. The inside left, Simpson (addressed as "Jocky," evidently in reminiscence of the famous Simpson, who was recently transferred —I had nearly written "auctioned I"—for £1800), is a strapping figure, who has a deft control of the ball, plaoss with judgment, and plays a particularly clean game. Forbes lost chances by impulsiveness and a disposition to lift the ball. The left wing,. Tabernacle, was much more effective than usual because he was willing to part with the ball earlier. The goal whioh Baillie got was the outcome of fine work by Tabernacle. Young was specially prominent for solid defence with both head and -feet. Owing to the indisposition of R. Ritchie, Roslyn-Wakari were- practically a 10-men team. Yet, whilst the larger share of attack fell to Mornington, the Whites went very close to winning because of_ tho unexpectedness of their onslaughts. Elliott, playing a shrewd, brainy game as left half, repeatedly placed the ball clear out to T. Ritchie, and that player, an inveterate worker, is a man who if neglected for a moment is apt to squeeze through a goal from the most unlikely circumstances. Young was an emphatic stumbling block for M'Dougall and Clyde (although the lastnamed occasionally broke away). Bradley's display was not creditable from any point of* view. Next to Elliott, Mayhew's work was most forceful, although' his kicking was sometimes erratic. Cook showed improvement. There was an unpleasant frequency of infringements in the match between Mornington and Roslyn-Wakari. The practice of pushing and tripping seems to be on the increase. If the awarding of free kicks fails to check these unsportsmanlike and illegal tricks, referees will be doing a service to iihe gams by adopting more stringent measures. An official caution first and next time the pavilion will act as a salutary lesson to players who persistently adopt these unworthy tactics. Tho failure of the proposed New South Wales visit for 1911 may be attributed to the unwillingness of fibe N.Z.F.A. to enter into arrangements prior to the annual meeting, because Auckland and Canterbury had been unable (8 make the necessary guarantees. The annual meeting was held on May 22, after which it was obviously too late to make satisfactory arrangements for a tour this season It is now proposed to reconsider tho matter at the close of this season, with a view to arranging for the tour in 1912.

Knights in goal and Ashton as full back were the vital joints of strength in Southern's defence on Saturday, and were largely responsible for Christian Brothers finishing with a lead of only one goal. Ashton paid very intimate attention to Laffey, and clipped that player's wings fairly closely. If the play was not of a superior order, it was' not lacking in spirit, and tihe frequent scoring helped spectators to forget the keen wind. Christian Brothers maintained a lead throughout. Smith, their speedy winger, made some fine sprinting runs, and evidenced the fact that he is dangerous near goal. Southern team shows figns of improvement. Their score of three goals was very creditable.

Maori Hill opened very promisingly against Kaitangata, whose defence at the outset was uncertain, but Kaitangata, gradually assumed the master hand, and deserved to win by a froal. There was much attractive football and plenty of incident. On the whole the standard of senior play has shown, improvement upon that of last year, especially amongst the forwards On Kaitangata's side Pryde and Neil were a trifle slow, and Ramsav behind them kicked with uncertainty. Thomson and Middlemass were the -pick of the backs, the former kicking with strength and suretv. and the latter working nicely with the forwards. Rarity was agiain 000 l and capable, engineering most "of the attack. Ho plays really a- half back frame.

H. Aspinall'a reappearance with Maori Hill was welcome to both his club and the spe.olwT.tor3. M'Creanov (the Canterbury half ba-ek) excepted, I have not see7i a back

who for attractive, massive, rush-breaking head work, and for measured, low-flying-kicking, excels 11. Aspinall. His method of lying back and timing the highdropping ball so that he meets it with his head while on the run, scattering the contesting players, might serve as a pattern. R. x\spinall has decided to risk Ins weakened limb, and was another useful factor on the Maori Hill side. 0. Beeby was missed. His brother, C. Beeby, who completed the half lino, played with abundant spirit, but kicked rashly. Payne was an effective partner to Aspinall, and it is a nity he nullified other good service by presenting Kaitangata with a penalty goal, thus giving his side a loss instead |3f a draw with one Cup point. V. Beeby, who was particularly alert and successful in goal, was deceived as to the direction of Rarity's penalty kick. Had he net moved slightly in anticipation of it going to his right it would have gone straight into his arms. Maori Hill forwards all played well, but failed js finishers. Although Northern merely snatched a victory from Ravensbourne by one goal to nil, the winners had a fairly generous share of the attack, and seemed' to hold more possibilities of a win than did their opponents. .None the less, the spectators witnessed a brisk, spirited contest. Harrison has been doing singularly good' service in goal for Ravensbourne this season. Kaitangata's failure in the first spell of their match against Ravensbourne was due not to lack of opportunity, but mostly to the excellent defence of Harrison. Again on Saturday this custodian did good work, and the backs in front of him were likewise alert and forceful. Ravensbourne 'expect to Wave .Barlow back soon. Whittaker will probably be in the team on. Saturday. The only goal of the match was scored by Cameron. Wing half is not a scoring position, and this was Cameron's first goal in senior football. But it was one worth waiting for, and with it will always be the memory that it won the match.

OTAGO FOOTBALL. ASSOCIATION. The weekly meeting of the Otago Football Association was held on Monday evening, Mr A. M'Hutcheon presiding. The Secretary of the Southland Football Association asked when an Otago team would pay a visit to Southland.—Resolved that a team be sent, the date to be arranged after the date of Otago's fixture with Canterbury had been arranged. The Secretary of the Referees' Association asked that the president of the Referees' Association (Mr Ritson) be allowed to be present on behalf of his association at the inquiry into the charges of partiality and incompetence preferred against a referee. —Considerable discussion turned upon this point, and upon the further points as to what part he might take in the proceedings if present.— It was finally resolved that; be given, the question as to the part he might take not being determined. The Secretary of the Referees' Association wrote intimating that the following motion had been carried unanimously at a meeting of the association: _ " That the Christian Brothers Club having, through Bro. Brady, made a grave charge of partiality and incompetence against a member of, this association, the club be asked to substantiate the charge, or, failing that, to apologise to the Referees' Association, otherwise this association will refuse to appoint referees for the matches in which the Christian Brothers Club is concerned. Bro. Brady questioned the right of a subordinate body iike the Referees' Associaw tion to pass such a motion. Nowhere in the by-laws was it provided that a club making an honest protest should be required to apologise if it failed to substantiate the charge. The forfeiture of the monetary deposit accompanying a protest was required if the protest were deemed frivolous, but nothing was said concerning an apology. But it was the rider announcing a refusal to appoint referees if neither alternative were fulfilled that was objectionable. He considered the Referees' Association should be censured _ for adding such a- rider. Such a Draconian method of dealing with a protest should not be entertained for a moment.

The Chairman considered the Referees' Association's resolution had been premature. It might have put a motion on the books, but he did not think it was wise in publishing it in the press before the O.F.A. had considered the matter. The Referees' Association was subordinate to the O.F.A.

Mr Duncan agreed with the chairman that tho Referees' Association's action had been somewhat premature Mr Sinclair claimed that although the Referees' Association was under the jurisdiction of the 0.F.A., it had a perfect right to carry such a resolution when a charge reflecting upon the integrity of its own appointee was made, just as the O.F.A. might do if a charge reflecting upon it were made to the N.Z.F.A. The Referees's Association's resolution emphasised the gravity of the charge, and would serve to impress upon clubs the responsibility involved in making such a serious charge. Mr Smith moved, and Mr Yorston seconded, a motion to the effect that the letter be received ind consideration deferred', and this was carried

The Chairman asked Bro. Brady whether he were making tho oharge on behalf of the Christian Brothers Club or in his personal capacity as a member of the association.

Bro. Brady said the point was a subtle one, and he would prefer to reserve it until the inquiry was opened. He proceeded to ask the chairman whether, if he made the charge as a delegate, the Christian Brothers Club would bo responsible for it

Mr Sinclair raised a point of order, claiming that it was not the daity of the chairman to answer the inquiry. Bro. Brady knew whether it was the club or himself as a member of the association who was laying the charges, and ho should be required to say so. Bro. Brady promptly accepted the challenge and announced that ho was making the oharges in his capacity as a member of the O.F.A. executive, and not on behalf of the Christian Brothers Club. He had made up his mind before the game had been concluded that ho could not allow what he had seen to pass over; hence the charges. Tho discussion was then closed.

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Juno 1. Ths council of the New. Zealand Football Association met to-night. It was decided that the matter of a visit from a New South Wales team be deferred till tho end of tho season, when the ques-

tion will bo considered with a view to \ arranging a tour next year. A communication was received from the Now Plymouth Club complaining about the manner in which the affairs of the naki Association were managed.—Referred back to the club, the meeting holding 'chad; com mu.ni cat ions from clubs should bo forwarded to the council through the governing association. The Mianawatu Association notified that it had arranged for a match with Wanganui, to be played on June 3, and asked the council's permission for the game to take place.—The application was granted. It was decided to ask the Canterbury Association to arrange a date for its match with Otago, and to notify it that a challenge for the. Brown Shield had been received from M.anawatu. It was decided that 5 per cent, of the net proceeds of the Ganterbury-Otaigo be retained by the council, and that the New Zealand Referees' Association be asked to appoint officials.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. FIRST GRADE. MORNINGTON V. ROSLYN-WAKARI.

A largo crowd, including many ladies, assembled at the Gardens Reserve to witness the match between Rcslyn-Wakari and Mornington. Roslyn-Wakari 2 goals. Mornington 2 goals. Kaitangata v. Maoki Hill.

But for an occasional soft spot, which made the western goal treacherous footing, the Asylum Ground was in* {rood order for the match Kaitangata v. Maori Hill. The Aspinall brothers and C. Beeby reappeared for Maori Hill, and Pryde was included in Kaitangata Eleven. Maori Hill kicked off, and commenced a lively attack. G. Reynolds shot weakly from an excellent vantage point, and Campbell headed past the upright. Thompsn cleverly eluded Aspinall, and brought play to Maori Hill's goal, where Stephenson lifted hard over the bar. The forward play on both sides was heady, the movements being crisp and the passing wise. Maori Hill swept back,. Smith doing good work. Thomson drove strongly back, and Cuthbertson missed with a solid shot. From a corner Rarity placed nicelv for Cuthbertson, who gave Beeby a w-.Tt one. Kaitangata's attack was improving, and Maori Hill were hemmed in, Rarity and Neil having shots which lacked direction. Central play for a period was succeeded by a quick, long shot by Campbell. Froc the ensuing goal, kick Kaitangata made an exciting onslaught on their opponents' goal, Beeby saving brilliantlr three shots in rapid succession. A sudden clearance from a corner kick, and Maori Hill were rapping at their adversaries' door, with no better result than a goal kick, from which the visitors bore down with fine spirit, Rarity obtaining from the left and striking the bar. Thompson received the rebound and made a certain goal. The next incident was at Kaitangata's end, H. Aspinall being conspicuous for a, beautiful header from a corner kick. Rapid change was the feature of the play, and Kaitangata were speedily retaliating. Payne played the ball with his hand in the penalty area, and Rarity beat Beeby with a low drive. Half time waa called with the score: Kaitangata, 2 goals; Maori Hill, nil. Play in the second spell Was energetic, but not fruitful in scores. At an early stage Ramsay's swinging arm came in contact with Reynolds's nose, necessitating a temporary retirement. Maori Hill stubbornly fought for goals, and finally notched success, G. Reynolds receiving the ball, which rebounded from Dobbie (Kaitangata's goalkeeper) and placing between the_ uprights. Arr equalising goal was then -striven for, and exciting play ensued, but Kaitangata had plenty of reserve power, not only in defence but in attack, and towards the close both Neil and Thompson narrowly- missed scoring, a capital shot by the formed being only cleared by Beeby at the expense of a corner. When Mr Preston sounded the final whistle the game stood : Kaitangata 2 goals. Maori Hill ... 1 goal. Christian Brothers v. Southern. Culling Park was in splendid order for the match between Christian Brothers and Southern. Christian Brothers 4 goals. Southern ... 3goals. NORTHERN V. RAVENSBOL'ENE. Northern and Ravensbourne met in friendly rivalry at Mornington. Fisher, Veitch, and Connor played well together, and caused Northern's defence some anxious moments. Their heading and opening play wa* better than that of Northern forwards, but Northern's backs were safe. Mr M'GilKvray controlled the game. Northern 1 goal. Ravensbourne Nil. SECOND GRADE. Mornington and Alliance played on the Oval. The game was closely contested and exciting throughout. Alliance drew first blcod, and Mornington equalised just before the close of the first spell. Play was fast and furious in the second half, but neither side could manage to score (although there were several near things) until about 10 minutes before time, when Alliance added another goal. The hill players rallied, and with three minutes to go a successful sortie was made on the Alliance goal, and the score was two goals each. No time was lost in kicking off, and with one last effort Mornington managed to get a third goal through from a melee, and thus won an exciting match just on time. Harvey, Davidson, and Gawn scored for Mornington, and D. Haig and Baker (at centre and right half) respectively played well. Alliances's goalkeeper made some wonderful saves. The left wing and inner left, in the forward line, were a good combination, while Thorn, at centre, took plenty, of watching. High School Old Boys, 6; Northern, I. Christian Brothers, 4; Roslyn-Wakari, 1. THIRD GRADE. Northern B, 6; Christian Brothers, nil. Mornington, 5; Roslyn-Wakari, 2. Alliance, 3; Maori Hill, 2. High School Old Boys, 1; Northern A,

FOURTH GRADE. Mornington, 3; 0.8.1., 2. Southern B, 4; Roslyn-Wakari, 3. Ravensbourne, 4; Southern A, nil. Christian Brothers, 3; High School, nil.

SOHOOL MATCHES Christian Brothers A, 3; High Street, nil. Gcorgo Street A, 2; Mornington, nil. North-Ea&t Vailey, 8: High School. 1. Forbury A, 5; Christian Brothers C, nil. Cavershairj A, 8; St. Patrick's, 1.

Christian Brothers B, 1; Green Island, mil. Normal won, High School B defaulting. Forbury B, 3; Moray Place, 1. Christian Brothers D, 2; George Strest Albany Street, 4; Selwyn College, nil. MANAWATU v. WANGANUI. PALMERSTON N., June 3. At the Association match, Manawatu defeated Wanganui by 3 goals to 1. NORTHERN UNION GAME. AUCKLAND, Juno 4. A representative Northern Union match will bo played between New Zealand and Auckland next Saturday.

V r ; o t)0 'o a o 3 - >-> P Q o '3 0 a O Northern 5 4 1 0 16 8 3 Kaitanpata 5 3 1 1 19 11 7 Roslyn-Wakari 5 3 1 1 23 11 7 • Jhnstian Eros. 5 3 2 0 12 16 6 Mornington ... 5 2 2 1 10 9 5 Maori Hill ... 5 2 3 0 12 14 4 Ravensbourne 5 1 4 .0 10 14 2 Southern 5 0 4 1 7 26 1