ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 53

ASSOCIATION.

Bi Lsrr Wind.

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

The banner of Mornington was lifted high and floated proudly at Culling Park on Saturday. We are speaking metaphorically, of course, for wo are not sure whether Mornington have a banner. Certainly, if they have one and it is imbued with anything of the spirit of the club's barrackers, it would have waved with a frantic exultation just about the time when, at the eonelusion of the notable victory of Mornington B over Northern A, the supporters besieged the pavilion and cheered and sang “I"or they are jolly good fellows ” until they were hoarse. And there was certainly room for some exuberance of expression over the double achievement —the beating of the two loading teams, Kaitangata and Northern A, by the Mornington A and B teams respectively. That Mornington A might heat Kaitangata was regarded as a possibility, although not altogether a probability. But that Mornington B could repeat its achievement and beat Northern A, with the latter at full strength and positively upon their mettle as perhaps never was more honed for than expected. Both teams achieved, and both won upon their merits. From the detached point of view the fact that both the Vailing teams were defeated makes the position in the Cup competition decided v more interesting. If one was to be beaten, it was bettor that both should share a like fate. Kaitangata and Northern still ton the list, but they have Roslyn-Wakari and Mornington B still dangerously close —only a point, away, —and the possibilities are thoroughly interesting. What of Mornington B as Cup winners? They have reached a position in which they command attention. Anil this is the team whose admission to die Senior Cun competition we questioned ! A team which can open its record l>ook ami show a dual defeat of Northern needs no further credentials. What Mornington.’s premier eleven has failed to accomplish in many years Mornington B has achieved twice in one season. A feature of note in connection with the fixtures on Culling Park on Saturday was the evidence of the increasing interest being taken* bv the public in rlie Soccer game. Despite the wintry conditions. Calling Park lie 1 d a larger crowd than lias attended any club match there this vear. If the game is to attract crowds such as that there will have to be a stricter control over the spectators. It should not be necessary for the referee to stop the game on account of the spectators encroaching upon the playing area, ae was the case on Saturday. It should be insisted at the outset that sjkctatnrs remain outside the railing. Mornington A defeated Kait.angare without the aid of Forbes, wbeen absence disorganised the team, and should have made, it easier for Kaitangata to win. In the first half .Stanley, a hid from the juniors, played ha’f hack. Frazer being in the centre. In the second spell Stanley commenc'd in goal, and upon the reappearance of Jack went up to the forward line. I). Bnillie beinc detailed to line Hay °-mnl! wonder if the junior, tossed from pillar to post, failed to do himself justice. As a forward he war, least satisfactorv. and had h« been there it; the first stiell the tale of the score might have been 'different.. Mornington were more active than the visitors, and quite earned their victory. Jack was in good form, which had an important bearing upon the final result. Another unexpected development which told emphatically upon the resn'i was the placing of Bnillie in the half hue to watch ITay when Mornington had a h ad and turned to plav with the wind. Here strategy was matched against strategy, and

weight was kept out of the contest. Bailiie did not spend himself in running at Hay, but kept in front, made Hay act, and got his foot in front of the ball at the right moment. It was an interesting duel in which the honours were with Baillic. Shadwell, on the other line, kept the Kaitangata left wing under close attention, and Young was like lightning upon anything that got past the halves. Frazer did steady work as centre half, passing with accuracy to his forwards. Campbell and Simpson wore responsible for much of the Mornington attack, following with judgment the policy of drawing the opposition and passing at the right moment. Campbell, too, was alive to the possibilities of a long shot on a greasy day. Some pretty lino work was shown by Logie, whose speed was turned to distinct advantage against backs whose movements are inclined to be ponderous. Vernon was surer of his footing than on the previous Saturday, and his neatness was therefore more in evidence. His was a pretty goal, made possible by a heady pass from Campbell. Reviewing the position, a clear win for Kaitangata by a goal stands out distinctly on the might-have-been or should-havo-bccn principle. In the first spell Richardson seemed to have the goal at his mercy, but from under the very goal mouth contrived to got the hall over the bar. The ball seemed to bo deflected by touching Jack. Tlrat was goal number one. Next, -Tap Thompson had a clear field, and what seemed to be “a certainty” failed for want of an accurate aim. Goal number two! In the second spoil Penman missed a penalty. That’s three—add them to the goal they did score, and there you have it — a win for Kaitangata by a goal; Kaitangata two points ahead of everybody else in the Cup competition; jubilations in Kaitangata. A pleasant dream if it did not involve so many “ ifs.” Kaitangata will require a little more "ginger” in their play if they are to heat the ton-notchers. On Saturday Richardson aigd Hay were the only men of dash in evidence, and, as already stated. Hay's wings were to some extent clipped by the close attention paid to him. Thompson failed to recognise that the pi icy for the day v as to snoot always, and from everywhere, depending upon the slippery ball and ground for assistance in the vicinity of the goal. Instead, he insisted upon manoeuvring for position, and lost opportunities. A strong shot like his should have boon an invaluable asset on the day. On his first day's showing in Dunedin ft. Thomson gave the impression that he knew all the tricks, and was a shroud, resourceful back. Two successive exhibitions have failed to confirm the impression, but have instead left the feeling that ho is the weakest back on his side. Middlemans and Campbell are tried hacks of an unvarying standard of reliability. Penman and Thomson, the backs, kicked powerfully, but moved rather heavily. The goalkeeper did good work. The meeting of Mornington B and Northern A provided the most exciting game we have witnessed this year. Two fast, well-trained teams went at top speed from start to finish, and roused the spectators to such a pitah that they altogether forgot the bleak, raw atmosphere. After Mornington B had gained their goal in the second spell, as Northern A strove with the intonsest effort to equalise, and Mornington not only stubbornly resisted all ’advances, hut went after more scalps fot themselves, the excitement grew apace right up to the climax, when, after scores by either side seemed a possibility of ant moment, the referee sounded the final shrill call, which announced the irrevocable defeat of the indefatigable and almost unconquerable Northern. OTAGO FOOTBALL,ASSOCIATION. The weekly meeting of the Otago Football Assoeiaiio.ii Executive Committee was held on Monday, there being present: Messrs A. Ai'iiiitcuon (chairman), Cocking, Rigby, Jas. Hag, John Haig, das. Connor, Wilson, Cameron. Rae, Martin, Body, and Sinclair. The Secretary of the Southland Association wrote suggesting September 13 as the date for the match Otago v. Southland at Invercargil l , the date named being the only one on which the best ground would bo available. —A letter from the secretary of the Mornington Club asking for the use of Culling Park on September 13 for a match Mornington v. Christchurch Nomads was considered in conjunction.—A question was submitted to the Match Committee us to how a representative match on that date would affect the Senior Cup competition.— The reply was to the effect that the Match committee’s suggestion was that the six top teams ho played against each other, bringing the competition to a close (postponements excepted) on August 23. The semi-final and final for the Charity Banner would be completed on the two following Saturdays and the representative match against Southland could thug he played on September 13.- It was resolved that the date suggested by Southland he accepted—With respect to the Mornington Club's application it was decided to defer consideration til next meeting. Mr Wilson moved, ami Mr Booby seconded, a motion to the effect that the cun competitions ho closed on August 30. —Mr Cocking moved, and Mr Rigby seconded, an amendment to the < (foot that the competitions be closed on August 23.—Messrs Cameron, Rae, Connor, and Sinclair opposed both motion and amendment, holding that games should be provided for players as king us possible.— The amendment was lost, and a further amendment, moved by Mr Sinclair and seconded by Mr Cameron, to'the effect that consideration be deferred, was carried. SATURDAY'S MATCHES. FIRST GRADE. Moknington A v. Kaitangata. A gusty wind, blowing all ways, and e. slippery park, were the conditions obtaining for the matches at Culling Park, hut these disadvantages did not prevent a large attendance. Mornington A and Kaitangata commenced at 2 p.m.. Kaitangata having the advantage of the main direction of (lie wind. Mornington A were without the services of Forbes. Stanley, from the Second Grade, completing the eleven in the position of left half. For the first 10 minutes Mornington A forced the pace, crowding upon the Kaitangata defence, but failing to show sufficient accuracy. to find the goal mouth. Kaitangata retaliated, and in turn kept the Mornington hacks liusv. Once Jap Thompson got a char field, but missed the mark. On another occasion Richardson, right, in front of goal, lifted the ball over the bar. Jack being kicked during the melee. Blue-and-Blncks again took a hand. Logie 'carried the Iwl! into Kaitangata territory. A sorry miss by S. Thomson was succeeded bv a mistake by full back, Thomson, which enabled Campbell to charge in and send through the first goal for Mornington. Tin’s

was the signal for a Mornington revival, and presently a brainy long pass by Campbell left Vernon unattended to jink C. Campbell and drive a ground shot home, giving Mornington a seeond goal. Kaitangata did not rally, and Mornington had the advantage of the remainder of the spel’, two fine shots by Logie being cleanly delivered by goalkeeper Thomson. For the first five minutes of the seeond half Jack did not appear, Stanley taking his place in goal, and Mornington playing a man short. Kaitangata attacked, and forced i useless corner kick. Tripping by Shadwell produced a resultless free kick, and Jack returned in time to save a stiff shot from Richardson. Presently ho deftly turned another strong shot over the bar, and yet another passed close outside the upright. Mornington broke away, but wore pulled ii]) for a doubtful offside. Then Vernon gave a fine chance to Stanley, who was now playing in the forwards, with Baillie as left half. Stanley missed the chance. Next Campbell and Simpson traversed the centre of the field with the prettiest combination of the day. but Campbell's shot just missed. Logie, who made some skilful runs on the left, closed in, and. when the goalkeeper ran out. slipped the ball past and it trickled through the goal. Mornington. 3 goals; Kaitangata, nil. Kaitangata replied by a raid on Mornington's goal, and while Jack and Richardson were embracing Jap Thompson drove the ball through, giving Kaitangata a score. A few minutes later Kaitangata were awarded a penalty kick for illegal tackling by Kelly. Penman lifted the ball over the bar. It was the last incident of note in an exciting match, controlled by Mr Moore. Mornington A 3 goals. Kaitangata 1 goal. Mornington B v. Northern A. Mornington B and Northern A took the fioM on the completion of the Mornington A-Kaitangata fixture. Mr Troup presiding. Donald found a place amongst Northern forwards. Mornington B 1 goal. Northern A Nil. Rosi.vnAVakahi v. High School Old Boys. The return match between the RoslyuWakari and High School Old Boys was played off at Mornington. A strong breeze blowing across the ground spoilt the play somewhat. The toss was in Old Boys’ favour, and they played towards town. Roslyn-Wakari 3 goals. High School Old Boys ... 2 goals. Christian Bros. v. Ravlnsbourne. Christian Bros, and Ravensbourno met at the Oval, which was in a very greasy condition. Christian Brothers 4 goals. Ravensbourno 1 goal. Northern B v. Maori Hill. Under the eye of Mr Jae. Timlin Northern B defeated Maori Hill at the Gardens by 4 goals to 1. Neither team was at full strength. Patterson (2) and Morrison scored for Northern B, whoso fourth goal was knocked through by the Maori Hill custodian. Kerrigan scored Maori Hill’s goal. The ground was vertsoft. Northern B 4 goals. Maori Hill 1 goal. JUNIOR GRADES. Owing to the wot state of the grounds all the junior matches were postponed. WELLINGTON v. HAWKE’S BAY. WELLINGTON, July 27. The following players have been selected to play for Wellington in the Brown Shield match against Hawke’s Bay next Saturday:—Hollis, Cross, Parsons, Shaw, Roots, Skinner, Leadsman, Gibson, Hughes, Barnett, Lowe.

competition: — "m ■0 5 d a >. s P-. P o £ 1 £ « i o ~s o U a 6 Kaitangata 11 8 2 1 35 14 17 Northern A 11 8 2 1 36 21 17 Mornington B 11 6 2 3 35 24 15 Roslyn-Wakari 11 7 3 1 35 25 15 Morning'ton A H. S. Old Boys ... 11 7 4 0 36 26 14 11 4 6 1 38 34 9 Christian Bros. 11 3 7 1 19 32 7 R.avonsbourne 11 3 7 1 18 32 7 Northern 13* 11 2 7 2 .19 36 6 Maori Hill 11 1 9 1 13 42 5