ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3085, 30 April 1913, Page 53

ASSOCIATION.

Bi Left Wino.

This season Association football has made a distinct gain in numbers. Two extra teams have been added to the senior competition, Mornington and Northern entering two senior teams each, making 10 competing elevens. The Second Grade competition, comprising seven teams, shows no gain, but die 10 teams in the Third Grade competition represent a gain of ono team. In the Fourtli Grade there is a drop of ono team. it is unfortunate that it should be ilio case that the strongest clubs attract other players, and the weaker clubs still have to struggle it is a pity that players should gravitate towards the already strong clubs instead of distributing themselves among the weaker clubs, and to level up things. This season wo have Northern and Mornington strong enough to nlaco two senior teams each in the field, while some of the other clubs find some difficulty in, putting forward one really strong eleven each. The acceptance of an entry of two senior teams from one club is .a matter that should have careful consideration upon the part of the Otago Football Association. The ruling body should really require evidence that both teams will be of a satisfactory

•tamiard, tiler© i© danger ot lowering tlw ton© of the First Grace competition. For cxainp.e, a cuib basing a eurpluo of a few good men may conceivably add to these sonic piaycrs ndc yet entitled to senior rank and enter a second senior team ot mediocre merit rather than lose surplus seniors to other clubs. These supplementary senior teams may not make a reasonably good showing against «tber senior teams, and thus the competition wo hid sutler. It is quite possible that these remarks may have no application to iSoithern and Mornmgton. which have each put forward two senior teams. Let us hope it may be so. Time will tell. Followers of Association will have a nice choice of games on Saturday. Kaitangata, reported exceptionally strong, will meet High School Old Hoys at Culling Park at 2 p.m., to be followed at 3.30 p.m. by Northern B and Kosiyn-Wakari. In -View ot the strength of Mornmgton and Northern Clubs the match between their A teams at the Gardenr, will probably be the most powerful draw of tne day, and it seems a pity tile game was not fixed for the association’s revenue-producing ground Lulling Park. Christian Bros, meet Mornmgton B at Mornington, and Maori' Hill and Kavcnsbourne should provide an interesting display on the former s home ground—the Llear. Despite a long spell, the taste for the o-amo has not oied out in Green Island, and 10-day we welcome the Green Island Uiub rc-fornicd, with four elevens ready to provide sporting games against all-corners in the competitions. . _ , Bavensbourne’s practice on Saturday was well attended by both seniors and juniors. Some of the payers showed fane form, among them being Wilson, Cameron, MdJahum, M'Grcgor, Liddle, Maples, and French. Wilson and Camefon (a now arrival from the Old Country) play with epiendid combination. 'lho forward line is expected to bo particularly strong this year, but the halves will not oc so strong, being chiefly juniors This club has unearthed a goalkeeper who, though playing Third Grade iftsx year, is eho'vmg senior for in, and improving with practice. On the whole, the Yellow and Blacks are exported to make a pretty fair showing. Over 50 took part in Christian Bros, practices on Saturday, justifying an entry of five teams in the competitions. Most ot last season’s seniors will again be available, and, judging by the exhilarating display given on-Idaturduy, the Greens should be stronger both as regards numbers and quality tuan formerly, the Christian Bios. Club shows a commendable spirit in the matter of keeping in touch wiui boys leaving- school. As evidence ot the lact, it may be mentioned that close on a dozen boys who took part in school football last year will bo found playing in the grade competitions for the Brothels’ Club during the earning season. The proposed estab.ishiucnt of a club in connection with bt. Patrick’s School, bouth Dunedin, has been found inadvisable. However, it is understood that numbers of those who proposed playing tor St. Patrick’s have now thrown in their lot with the Christian Bros.’ Club. Of course, S:. Patrick’s School will enter a team in the schools competitions as formerly. In Reid, Hosiyn-Wakari have discovered a goalkcppcr who has nothing to say for himself, but -who has shown some brilliancy in practice. 'I ho First Grade Eleven will be as follows:—Goal, Reid; backs —Ramage, Cunningham; halves Stephenson, Currie, Cook; / forwards —Sirn, Donaldson, Bradley, Taylor, Duff. Maori Hill’s Senior Eleven, which is conspicuous for the absence ot all but one of the Beeby clan, is as follows: Goal. V. Booby ; backs—\V. Payne, S. Day; halves—,W. Vinicornbe, Gram, R. Payne; forwards —Kerrigan, Campbell, Wells, R. Vinicopihe, Rigby * An important alteration in the offside rule was to be proposed by the Scottish Association, according to recent files from London. The proposal was to reduce from three to two the number of men a player must have between him and the goal to prevent his being ruled offside whoa receiving the ball from a colleague. Such an alteration would simplify the work of a referee in deciding a question of offside, and it would make the one-back game practically unworkable, which would be an undoubted blessing. WEDNESDAY NOTES. The G.W.F.A.’s postponement of the opening of the season till May 7 will bo favourably received by the majority of players. The report ot a meeting of the O.i'.A. states that the O.W.F.A. is to bo asked to contribute 50s lor each ground they use. Wednesday players are asking: “For what benefit oo the O.W.F.A. pay an affiliation tee to the O.F.A. ?” The O.W.F.A. foster the game, and require the small amount of money received by them during the season to meet expenses. A suggestion has been made that one senior Saturday* man bo allowed to play for each Wednesday club. This I think a splendid idea, as it would introduce more science into the Wednesday matches. Mornington lias lest the services of Croft, who will probably be found with Christian Brothers’ seniors this season. Wallace (a last year Hairdresser junior), Hannah (who spelled last year), and Raffels (a last voar junior), with Fells (of Home repute), take the places of players who have dropped out. Inglis will have a very light team, for the most part consisting of last year’s juniors* the only senior players from last year being Harvey, White, and Scott. Southern have definitely lost the services of Ashton, and it is doubtful if Langley will play in goal, and Fitzgerald is not available. Patterson (ex-Tramway), J. and A. Botting, and a new arrival from Home should ably fill the vacancies. Post and Telegraph also have felt the pinch. Mackay has decided to retire. Wo regret to hear that Tramways and Hairdressers have not yet entered teams, but we foci assured it is only for the want of loaders. The same may bo applied to the Harbour Board employees, and it is with this in view that the O.W.F.A. appointed a deputation to interview these throe bodies. Be\ t .