ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3099, 6 August 1913, Page 53

ASSOCIATION.

Bx Lift Wiho.

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

Kaitangata people had the beet of things on Saturday. A match between the two leading elevens and no fewer than 10 goals scored ! This was sport indeed. And when the spin of the wheel of fortune gave to Kaitangata six out of the ter goals, the Kaitangata cnp of joy must have been brimming over. Richardson's live goals must have caused vain regrets that he was not available against Mornington A on the previous Saturday. / No one will grudge Kaitangata people their feast of good things on Saturday, lor they pay dearly and in sporting spirit for their connection with Dunedin football. Nevertheless, there will be club men who will envy them their proud position at the head of one of the keenest competitions wo have so far iiad for the cup. Mornington A wore lucky to creep a point ahead of Roslyn-NA akar;. It was a creep, because they barely got there, by the accident of a miskick by a RoslynAVakari player. The interesting feature of the table is" the position of Mornington B, who now lie even with Northern A for second place, and only 2 points (a win) away from Kaitangata. The meeting of Kaitangata and Mornington B in Dunedin should attract a large attendance. These teams have not yet tried conclusions, the former fixture going by default to Kaitangata. In the matter of defeats it will be noticed that Mornington B has a bettor record than any other team, they having been only once beaten in actual play. High School Old Boys had no difficulty in disposing of Northern B, and if they have not managed to head the list of cup competitors, they may lay claim to bo the best goal-getters, for they havo to date scored 44 goals, the next nearest being Kaitangata with 41, followed by Northern A with 40, Mornington B and Mornington A with 37 each, and Roslyn-Wakari with 35. As defenders, the goal record places Kaitangata first with only 18 against, the next in order of merit being Mornington B with 25. It is to be remembered, however, that Kaitangata occasionally win by default. The record number of goals scored in any Senior match tins season is the nine put up by Christian Brothers against the struggling Maori Hill team; and with this goes the record for the most goals scored by an individual in any Senior match, Tarlcton with his six goals holding the honour. For the winners Tarlcton and M’Caughan in the forwards and Wakelin and La fie y in the backs were conspicuous: and for the losers Rigby, Reynolds, and Ritchie wore noticeable. „ , , Mornington B had a hard fight to gather in two cup points against Ravcnsbourne, the match ending 2 —l in Mornington s favour, and the score including a penalty goal to each side. Mornington B were slightly superior. It is a pity that the willing element should have crept into the match. The present has been a phenomenally “clean” season, not a single player having appeared before the executive for malpractices. Any tendency to spoil this desirable record should be nipped in the hud. As already indicated, the gods smiDd upon

Mornington A on Saturday. Otherwise Roslyn-\Vakari would surely have won. Stephenson, who happened to be the special agent of the gods in this case, otherwise played a faithful game. In the second spell in particular Roslyn-Wakari held the whip-hand. Time and again they piled up in the neighbourhood of Jack, but always the defence proved too good tor the shots that did not go wide or high. The match was by no means conspicuous as an exhibition of interesting football. It was good enough in patches, but the finishing work of both sides was lamentable. The general shooting foot seemed to have lost its measure, a surprising number of shots going ■wildly over the bar or oxasperatingly wide of the goal. Searching for a reason, the suggestion oilers itself that the weather may have been the original cause. This is not a joke. The reasoning is this: In those wet parts a dry, light, ball is a rarity, and players are so accustomed to the weight of a wet ball that they do not readily get the weight of a light, dry sphere, and erratic shooting is the consequence. However it be, the fact remains that the goal efforts were very sad. It remains to be added that the excellence of the defence disconcerted the ehootists. Mornington forwards in particular were harassed by the sterling opposition of Cunningham and Kamage, who hardly made a mistake. Currie and the other halves were likewise indefatigable on defence. On the other side Young and Shadwell were persistently on the ball when it got near to their goal, and in the first half Baillie at. half hold the right wing comfortably, and was easily one of the beet halves on the field. He and Simpson together made excellent openings for Logie, who was not on his game as on the previous Saturday. Jack was very active, and handled securely anything that came his way. Reid, at the opposite end, although slower, was also reliable. Campbell was the Morning ton man who looked most likely to score, but he received close attention from RoslynWakari backs. Forbes lacked accuracy, but deserved credit for the clover way in which he crossed the ball which brought the score. Mornington very nearly had another goal from one of Baillie's pretty volleys near the close of the game. In the first spell Roslyn-Wakari had both wings clipped, for Baillie held Simms, and Elliott frankly refused to join issue with Kelly, and was in consequence of little service, despite the friendly admonitions of his club supporters. In the second spoil Elliott nursed himself less carefully, and was frequently useful in placing the Kill goalwards. Simms, too, managed better against Vernon than against Baillie. M’Gregor made nice openings for himself on occasions, but seemed to have lost the address of the goal-mouth when he came to shoot. Botli Vincent and Donaldson showed a tendency to j)lay on the solo stops. Roslyn-Wakari had easily the advantage in shooting opportunities, and with the forwards lies the blame —Stephenson’s blunder notwithstanding—that Roslyn-Wakari occupy a position a point below Mornington A. The Roslyn-Wakari senior who appeared on Culling Park on Saturday in a disreputable mud-stained uniform surely did not imagine he was doing honour to his club by appearing thus. Kaitangata people all agree that the match against Northern was tile best that has boon played in Kaitangata for many a day. The best men for Kaitangata were Richardson, Howie, Pryde, Campbell, and Hay, but all played well. The best for Northern were Taylor, Shepherd, Evans, and Bailee. They missed Reid to steady up the half backs. Millar, being injured, was unable to play. Cameron and Donald, two most reliable friends to Northern, were again ready when the call came. Northern A admit their team was defeated on its merits, and they wore well satisfied with the treatment meted out by. players, spectators, and referee (Mr T.Middfcmass). Mr MacGUlivray was originally appointed referee, but. it is understood that he made the trip for the purpose of seeing Mr Middlemans through a test match. Mornington B suffered unwarrantably by tlie action of Mr Brown, the referee, who made a signal instead of blowing his whist’o when a penalty kick was to be taken, the upshot being that the Mornington goalkeeper, who did not see the signal, did not attempt, to stop the ball going through goal. The referee may prove that 'he has a perfect right to signal instead of using a whistle, hist as In' many claim with authority that ho may use a bassoon or a trombone instead of a whistle. But a referee who knows, or ought to know, that players here have never been allowed to take a penalty kick until the referee has sounded, shows a lack of that consideration and that desire to make a game run smoothly when he unnecessarily adopts a mannerism calculated to take the players by surprise. The injustice is obvious when it is noted that Ravensliournc had learned of this referee’s foible by experience, and Mornington bad not had a like opportunity. A sample of the little points of law which mav never crop up once in n referee’s experience, hut which may confront him at any moment and call for immediate decision, occurred in a junior match at Culling Park on Saturday. The referee blew for a corner, and. before the corner kick was taken, found that time was un. How many BDectators and players, whose is the privilege to pass judgment upon referees from week to week, could have decided with confidence what’to do? And, supposing it jiad been a penalty kick instead of a corner kick that hung in the balance, would the same decision have applied? The referee at Culling Park promptly sounded time, and cut out the corner kick. He was right Had it been a penalty kick he would no doubt have allowed extra tune for the taking of the kick, and he would have been right again. With a healthy, live organisation, it is surprising that the Referees’ Association has not hit upon some uniformity in the matter of drc‘:u which would add dignity to their calling. At present it is a case of go-ns-vou-please, and (ho result is that one referee will appear in civilian garb which leaves the impression that he lias been borrowed from amongst the spectators in an emergency. Another gives the idea that lie has been called away from working in his garden with his coat off. while an occasional man will appear in a smart knieker and sweater uniform. At Colling Park on Saturday one whistler wore leggings! Presumably the same referee on the Asylum Ground would con« : der gum boots a practicable possibility. By a narrow win in n brilliant contest Canterbury have .again brought the Brown Shield south. Wellington had still two challenges in hand, one being from Auckland, but these challenge® arc not transferred to r’lnt'whnrv unless the challengers w'sh it. The Wellington selection did not please *he c>-!( ics. Here h one writ it's opinion—*‘Wi’l the unexpected happen to-day? That is,

will Wellington be successful in. defeating Canterbury? The writer will be somewhat surprised if the unexpected does happen ; so will a number of others. Comparing the two team., on paper, Canterbury ought to win, provided that the}’ place their original team in the field.” SATURDAY’S MATCHES. FIRST GRADE. Morning tox A v. Roslyn-Wakari. Mornington A kicked off at Culling Park against Roslyn-Wakari under pleasant conditions of turf and weather. Later the sun streamed out, and dazzled first the Whites and in the second spell the Colours. Mornington A 1 goal. Roslyn-Wakari Nil. Mornington B v. Ravensbourne. Mornington ground was in good order for the return match between Mornington B and Ravensbourne. The spin of tho ooin favoured Ravensbourne. who played downhill. Booker was absent from the Mornington team, his place being filled by a younger Bail lie. Mornington B 2 goals. Ravensbourne 1 goal. KAITANGATA V. NORTHERN A. The match between the two leading teams took place at Kaitangata before a large crowd. The ground was very soft, and cut up badly. Kaitangata wore without three Thomsons, but tho new men appeared to strengthen tho team. The new men were St an a way (in goal), Howie (rightVback), and i’ryde (centre-half). Northern were without Reid. Millar, and W. Evans, Donald playing lull back, Cameron half, and i.)untie forward. Kaitangata kicked off, and Northern made tracks for the Kaitangata goal, gaining a corner in the first minute. Cameron placed behind. Northern kept press tig. and gave the Kaitangata defence plenty of work. Fudge was brought up tor offside, but Dry len picked up and shot well into goal, 'i ho ball was chared, but Evans gathered in a pass from tho right and scored lor Northern with a good shut Kaitangata had been defending up to this time, but fiom the kick-off they put on the screw. Confined to their defence, Northern withstood thrre corner kicks, but finally Richardson broke through and scored. Tho shout that went up could have been heard at Stirling. From this on there was only cue team in tne game Richardson who was playing a gnat game, gave .lap Thompson an opening, hut he was offside. Pry do fouled Bailcs badly, but the free kick was cleared. Hay forced another corner (ho was giving Taylor and Dryden a lot of run-’ ning about'. At length Richardson gave Kaitangata. the load with a good shot. Kaitangata 2 goals, Northern 1 goal. Kaitangata pressed once more, and a good pass by Rarity to Kay resulted in a fine centre, from which Richardson again scored, mailing the score: Kaitangata 3, Northern 1. Kaitangata were playing a groat game Northern being on the defensive * all the time. ‘Just before half-time Hay beat Taylor on tho run, and put over a capital centre, from which Jap Thompson scored with a strong shot. Kaitangata, 4, Northern 1. Changing over, Northern faced a strong sun. The game became very fast. Evans struck the outside of the net with a good shot. Black saved well from Rarity. After that Northern came more into tho game. They discarded the close game for the long, swinging game, which paid better on a ground that was 'getting like a ploughed paddock. Northern forced a result loss corner, and then Evans, who was playing a splendid game, had a great shot, which the goalkeeper was lucky to save, but a few seconds after Evans scored with a. lovely shot. Northern now kept pressing, but Com cron-put over the bar. Kaitangata were? not done yet. Richardson found an opening and placed through his fourth goal, and Kaitangata were now leading by 5 goals to 2. Northern started well from the kick-off, and forced a corner and a goal kick and two more corner kicks, but the Kaitangata defence was adequate. Some of the Kaitangata players seemed to be tiring. Evans had by tills time gone into tho centre where, playing a good fame, he got another goal, making the score Kaitangata 5. Northern 3. Northern were not long before they made good again. Fudge scoring from close in. End to end play ensued, but Northern were full of running, and were always dangerous. Shepherd put behind, then Hay had a great run, but was well stopped by Donald. At this time the spectators were crying to the referee that time was up. Richardson next failed with a penalty kick, but presently Kaitangata were awarded a free kick close to goal for carrying by Black, and although Northern lined the goal mouth, they could not prevent the elusive Richardson from scoring a sixth goal for Kaitangata. Mr Middlomass was referee in place of Mr MacGillivrny, who went from Dunedin. Kaitanga»i 6 goals. Northern A 4 goals. High School Old Boys v. Northern- B. The match High School Old Boys v. Northern B was played on the Gardens Ground, which was in good condition excepting for those muddy patches along the centre and in the goals. High School Old Boys ... 8 goals. Northern B 2 goals. Christian Brothers v. Maori Hill. Christian Brothers and Maori Hill met at the Clear, which was very soft in places, especially at the goals. ’1 he Green were again without the services of Thorn. Christian Brothers 9 go ale. Maori Hill ... ••• 2 goals. SECOND GRADE. Roslyn-Wakari beat Northern by 6 goals to 2. Green Island beat High School Old Boys by 5 goals to 1. THIRD GRADE. Roslyn-Wakari beat Mornington by 1 goal to nil. Southern and Northern played a drawn game, without score. Green Is'and beat Christian Brothers. B by 13 goals to 1. Christian Brothers A defeated High School A by 2 goals to 1. FOURTH GRADE. Green Island B 6 goals, Green Island A nil. Northern 4 goals, Christian Brothers 1. Southern 10 goals, High School Old Hoys nil. BROWN CHALLENGE SHIELD. CANTERBURY BEATS WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, August 3. About 2000 people witnessed the Association football match yesterday, when Canterbury wrested the Brown Shield from Wei-ling-ton. Tho game was keenly fought out. and but for a misunderstanding just before

tho conclusion Wellington might have kept the shield. Tho teams -were: Wellington.—Hollis, Cross, Parsons, Shaw, Roots, Skinner, Leadsman, Gibson, Hughes, Barnett, and Lowe. Canterbury.—Tupe, Cornish, MTarlane, Baxter, Fullarton, Hcrivin, Ward, Bissett, Norman, Taylor, and Tanner. Canterbury played with the wind behind them. Wellington were early in difficulties. Fullarton beating Gibson for the ball, Canterbury penetrated Wellington’s circle, but the Blacks cleared. Canterbury swept down again. Ward sending in a hot pass from tlie right wing. Parsons, however, saved with a fine effort. Wellington displayed considerable dash, though lacking their opponents’ beautiful combined work. Shaw, on -the right half, repeatedly carried the leather up the field, and Wellington’s hopes rose when Gibson was seen with the ball at his toe in a good position, but bis shot went wide. Play was up and down until Norman, with a fine lone-hand effort, nonplussed Cross, and next moment it was: Canterbury \ goal. Wellington NIL The local men set up a series of shortlived attacks. Gibson twice scored “Rugby” goals. Once Lowe sent in a well-placed pass to Hughes, who was quick to shoot, but failed. The crowd worked itself up to a wild pitch of enthusiasm over a couple of magnificent saves by Hollis. Each time it was Norman who was the marksman. Roots sent in a swift, low shot, which just failed to boat the goalkeeper. In a twinkling Canterbury transferred to W ellington quarters. Norman was in the act of shooting when Parsons cleverly tricked him. Fullarton stepped into tho breach for Canterbury, but shot wide. A penalty and a corner to tho visitors were the closing incidents of the first half, 1 p to this time Canterbury iiad had somewhat the better of the game. Upon resumption Wellington turned the wind to good account, and play was keener. Canterbury set a merry pace for a time, and went near to scoring. Shaw set the local men going beautifully. The long and snappy passing was a treat to watch. A score seemed a certainty, and excitement was at fever heat when Gibson put ,in a good shot, but Tupe (Canterbury’s keeper) saved beaut’’fully. Wellington persisted. Roots sending a long shot over the bar. A pass bv Skinner to Hughes saw (he latter cleverly head the ball, but in goal it was snatched out by Tupe. The Blacks maintained tho pressure, and Roots was responsible for another groat shot. It was left to Low. however, to consummate Wellingtons efforts, for. with the prettiest bit of play of the whole afternoon, he beat Canterbury’s last unit of defence with a beautifully placed shot. * Wellington 1 goal. Canterbury 1 goal. After this score Wellington made things warm, and Tupe was given plenty of work. There was an exciting moment hereabouts. Lowe got to close quarters, and at the right time headed the ball to the goal inoiUh. Tupe was knocked over, and the ball bounced out to Gibson, who placed between tho posts—an easy goal. But a disappointment was in store, for the whistle had sounded rightly for offside. Then ensued a stern struggle for supremacy. . Tanner, on Canterbury's right wing, time and again got all over Leadsman, and it was only Hollis’s exceptionally fine performance in goal (hat saved Wellington. Skinner and Lowe each had unsuccessful shots at the Canterbury goal, and once Ilolliss effected a wonderful save for Wellington from a very hot shot bv Norman. With 15 minutes to go Wellington had the upper hand. Shot after shot was sent in, but the luck was on the side of tho visitors. Gibson went closest to scoring with a shot that missed by inches, ami once he netted, only to be recalled for offside play. Hughes missed a certain score right in front of tho goal' through over-excitement, and then Taylor shot Canterbury’s much debated goal, and the game ended; Canterbury 2 goals. Wellington 1 goal Mr Dawson (of Auckland: was referee. SCHOOL MATCH. WELLINGTON. August 3. In a schno'.s’ match Wellington beat Canterbury by 3 goals to 1,

competition : — -S c. T} a O CD p p. s -s £ & d n fl Goah d o O D. 6 Kaitangata 12 9 2 1 41 18 19 Mornington B 12 7 2 3 37 25 17 Northern A 12 8 3 1 40 27 17 Mornington A 12 8 4 0 37 26 16 Roslyn-Wakari 12 7 4 1 35 26 15 II.S. Old Boys 12 5 6 1 44 36 11 Christian Bros. 12 4 7 1 23 34 9 Ravensbourne 12 3 8 1 19 34 7 Northern B 12 2 8 2 21 42 6 Maori Hill 12 1 10 1 15 51 3