ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 53

ASSOCIATION.

Bt Left Wimo.

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

on Saturday is that; the trio of defeats lias practically settled the cun chances of Mornington A and Ik and RosKvi-Wakari. leaving the issue between Kaitangata and Northern A, with the chances all in favour of Kailangata, who have a lead of 2 points. Even

if the contest were to be played to completion, the five remaining- matches, of which three would bo at Kaitaugata, are unlikely to displace Kaitaugata, altnougli, of course, one defeat to Kaitaugata would mean that Northern might draw even. it has boon decided, however, that the competition shall be closed after August, 30. For the Charity Banner there is still a difJiculty. If the round were completed any of the first six teams might conceivably qualify to play in the semi-final.

Morniiigton A cur a truly ludicrous figure 0-1 the Clear. The position was the more exasperating to them in the light of the fact that Maori Hill, so far from “lying"’ for Moivningion A, had in a measure passed the word to some of their best men that it was scarcely worth their while turning up for another walloping. It was in thus way Ritchie was robbed of participation in the only win his club has been blessed with since he joined it. Maori Hill took the held with several substitutes, and playing two half backs as full backs an enemy 100 insignificant to warrant bringing Morningion's full weight of metal to bear upon it ! And so Morniiigton A proceeded jauntily to the fray, leaving some of their guns out of action. But what’s-dlns ? Two shots home by this Liliputinn foe, while the bigger guns have failed to speak effectively ! Gulliver must bestir himself, ft is no longer a comfortable joke. And so the onlookers sec the cohorts of Mornington tried in every conceivable combination, Kicks becoming forwards and fighting with feverish energy, urged on by an excited goalkeeper and a.u equally zealous linesman. Honours arc noweven through the fiiicco sful “breasting ’ of a ball through by an errant fist. But the little guns speak once again, and the battle is ended with Gulliver prosiraiu Booby in goal played brilliantly. Christian Brothers had a soft problem in a nine-man Northern if team, and notched goals equal to the number of their hapless opponents. For Greens, Thorn, Tarlcton, Wakeiin, and liungorford, and for Blacka ml-Whites Hogg. Morrisc.ii, Dawes, and Patterson were prominent. I find the record for the highest number of goa's in a senior match will have to be taken back from Christian Brothers, as the honour belongs to High School Old Boys, who raised 10 goals against Maori Hill. The defeat of Mor.uington B at the hands of High School Old Boys was always a possibility. Indeed, the defeat of any of the leading teams by the clever High Schoolcombination was at any time a possibility, and the general surprise is that a team possessing such possibilities, and presenting week by week the best sample of combined work i.n the town, has not gotten for itself more cup points. The reason is mainly bound up in the fact that their centre forward (Race) overdoes the practice of healingplayers by so many inches (at which lie is so expert), and thus loots opportunities for himself or his neighbour to shoot. Another factor is Peake’s inveterate objection to steadying a ball before banging it goal wards; and yet another point is the lack ol weight in the front rank. Nevertheless, Otago football is distinctly brighter and better for the presence of this clever combine of local talent. Allan’s sound kicking at full back was a feature of the game. I doubt if he miskicked once during the day. The youthful giant, Clark, who partners him, has made wonderful development since he took to the game at the beginning of the season. Ho is anything but a polished player, and one does not always feel comfortable when lie is ihe last hope, for his heading and his kicking occasionally take the wrong direction. But taking him in the proper perspective as a first-season man, he deserves great credit. His 14 stone took the sting oui of Tabernacle in the second spell on Saturday. For quiet, heady half-baek work Kae and Nicholson were conspicuous. Finiinson was the brightest on the Morniiigton side. ]n the first spell Hey was occasionally out of position when Race placed to his wing, but Hoy’s play included some clever runs. Peake was not so much in evidence. Allen us usual showed pretty footwork, and Rostieaux made a very useful inside right. Morniiigton B were not the same eager, forceful combination which merited the win against Northern A. The honours undoubtedly lay with High School Old Boys. Booker got very little latitude from Nicholson, and Tabernacle, alriiough ho got a waydown the line fairly frequently in the first spell, was embarrassed by the attentions of Rae and Clark when it came to centreing. Hickey was more effective than Plunkett, but both played creditably against tricky opposition. Builile was coo! —too cool, his critics say,—and handled smartly. He still ventures out rather readily. He maintained, with little difficulty, his reputation as a successful defender of penalty kicks. The only penalty lie has let through ibis season was the one against Ravensiioui'ne, which lie made no effort to defend in consequence of the whistle having not been blown as the signal for the kick to lie taken. Anderson, lit the other end. kept his goal with sound judgment and instant action. The way ho held the hot close-quarters drive in the second spell was good to see.

A disagreeable. undesirable element stood out in the match between Morniugton B and High School Old Boys. Tripping was very common. Mr Dancey was too Jenient. Most of the fouls he saw and penalised with free kicks; but whim he found that free kicks did not deter, stronger measures were necessary. On one occasion, when Hey was making a brilliant run down the line, tin opponent who failed bv legitimate means to stop him. tripped turn in a most glaring manner, and left him limping for the remainder of the game. For such a trip in Rugby a player would probably be suspended for years. Of course, from the very nature of the .Soccer game, which its played almost entirely with the feet, trips often occur accidentally which in Rugby would not be justifiable; but such a. trip a,s the one referred to surely merited at least a. severe caution. The present season has provided an enviable record in the matter of clean sport, and certainly in most of kite games I have witnessed the record has been merited. But if in other matches there has been anything like the same amount of tripping as occurred in the one referred to. the clean sheet is more an indication of leniency upon the part of the referees than of exceptionally clean sport.

Kaitangata had no great difficulty in maintaining their load when facing Koslyntv akari. For that the alteration in RoslynWakari’s team is mainly to blame. A man, who hue hardly played a game during the season cannot lie expected to do himself or his club justice in an important cup fixture; lienee it was no surprise that Bradley was

on the whole a failure. From what one of the selectors told me it appears that Bradley's name inadvertently got into ibe papers instead of that of Hughes, and after

tile announcement tue paper team was not disturbed. Donaldson dia fairly well on tho left wing, but is probably more tile type of man for centre work, .vi,‘Gregor ana Vincent were tiro beet of itosiyu- vVakaiTs forwards. Currie was easily me boss of me halves, Cunningham anu Itamagc were eery sound backs, and Held m go a. made some very good saves. iviiuanguui, it must be remembered, were to ad intents and purposes without tiie services of a man Irom very near the beginning, lor Hay was severely Juirt" and even when he did return iie could do very little, iiuis, when in the second half Penman had to retire for 16 minutes, Kaitangucu were almost in the position of a nine-man team. »6o that their victory o\er Ros.yn-Wakari is i tlie more convincing. Their new men were very satisfactory. Pryde, as centre half, did the work ot two men, and did it well. Hum tho new full back, Richardson, was veiy cool, and kicked we.l, while the goalkeeper, who had to live up 10 tho very good standard set by his predecessor, liiomson, vindicated the trust reposed in him. Of the forwards James iv.in,\, who as inside right played so deep mat no was icieutilieu with the halves, was the most- brilliiini, notwithstanding .Kaiiangutti pride in Centre-forward Richardson. Rarity always was a heady player. Thompson, Richardson, and joim Karity were up 10 good average form. It is rather interesting to note that James Rarity lias paying in school loot ball for K:i mwigata a soli who ia so brilliant that, if Ins lather pad not tho good sense to object, lie might "be ‘playing amongst the seniors. He was picked to pay in tlie schools trial mutch >■ i Dunedin on .Saturday. Do is U years of age. lue game between Kavensbomne and Northern A was a keen and interesting one. Play lor the first bO miivhte.s being very even, it was not until the latter end of the second spell that Northern showed their supremacy. Ravensbourne were severely handicapped by the absence of MTvor and Maine’s, MTvor liaving to “cry ort ’ at the last moment with a strained leg, while iVlaines was working. The Northern men were in good fettle, their combination at times being really excellent. They deserve all credit for their handsome victory. Donald and Taylor, tor Northern, were a safe and reliable pair of backs, their tackling ami kicking being equally good. Of tho halves, Reid and Dryclcn were outstanding, tho latter being pernaps the better, his tackling ami placing being cm diem. Timlin and Pudge were a hard-working pair of forwards, while Keans took a tut oi looking after on tho wing. Prcnch, in goal for Ravensbourne, played a good game, and cannot wholly be biatiled for the goals lost. K. M'C-iiUtun, as usual, played a good game at full back, but, ho badly missed lus partner M'lvor. Of tho Ravensbourne halves \V. Riddle ami A. M‘Oa.llutn played good lootba.il. tic former being a terror for work. Tile Ravcnsbou! no forwards lacked combination owing to having a rearranged line. Campbell, as centre forward, played a sterling game, and if his wing forwards would centre the ball a bit oftencr instead of dancing on it, Ravensbourno wpuhl havca better goal average. Jun Connor, at inside right, proved that he lias not lost much of his dash, he and Campbell being the only ones who seemed to know where tho goals were. E. M'Caiiiun, Ravensbourno full back, leaves for Home to-day, sailing on tho Kumara from Port Chalmers. The referees who arc putting a slop to the unfair practice of some players who encroach within the six yards limit when a free kick is being taken are to be commended. At Monday's meeting of the Pootiiai I Association a letter was .eceived from the New Zealand Association notifying that no tiotith Canterbury Association now existed, and in future no matches could be played there by the Otago Root ball Association or affiliated clubs without special permission of the New Zealand Council. SATU RDAY S IATCHKS. FIRST GRADE. Kaitaxcata v. Roslyn-Wakahi Kaitangata brought to town a team idea* licai, with one exception, with that which defeated Northern A the previous week, a. now Richardson replacing Howie as fullback. Roslyn-Wakari’s forward line was tomodelled, Bradley play;,ng in tho centre and Donaldson on tin* left wing. The Just spell provided a fairly oven game, with plenty of vim. In the early stages Bradley, lacing ;iu open goal-mouth, skied. Kuitangala made better use of their opportunities. Fifteen minutes from the start James Rarity, who was playing inside right, shot a beautiful goal. A few minutes later the same player, Irom a splendidly laid corner-kick by Joim Rarity, tipjiod the bail cleanly through again. Kaitangata 2 goals, iiay received a kick near the kidneys and "as off the lickl for some time. Ros yn-Wakari attacked spiritedly. Pour corners in succession wero well placed. A header over goal by M‘Gregor gave welcome relief i,n flic shape of a goal-kick. A long pass from Jap Ihonipeon let away Hay. He crossed nicely, but Richardson was ruled off-side. Good work on Kailiingutu's loft put the ball to Pryde, who smartly snapped a Jong shot which the goalkeeper had to follow briskly across the goal-mouth. The t-pcll ended with two goals in favour of the visitors.

The- second spell opened with a long shot from Ro-sly n-Wakari. It was nursed by a. defender, and Vincent was upon tiio bail like a. flash, hut; banged hard against the goalkeeper. Jsra ih y tnid Donaldson had changed places in the Koslyn-Wakari rail. Kaitangata quickly changed the scene, and Richardson sustained an injury which suspended the game for a feu moments, immediately upon resump;io,n I’cmnan wa.» winded in a collision. and bad. to retire. A line k.H, by Cnnningham endangered Kan an a a fa's goal. Currie made the play and M‘Gregor missed the goal with a still shot. Jim visitors broke away again. Rarity d ove at goal and Reid cleared, narrow iy avoiding a charge by .Jap Thomp-.on. A moment later lie held also a sharp shot from Richardson, and with little respite lr am dully fisted a splendid cross from John Rarity. Tripping !>y Middlemans gave a freo-kiek perilously close to the penalty area, but Currie kicked over. Richardson spoiled an excellent break through by stupid handling close to goal. Penman reappeared after an absence of 15 minutes. A nice shot by .Simms produced a corner from which Garnet just missed a score. Next Slanaway saved smartly, and the play was again transferred. Hay, limping badly, made no nine, but had to content himself with centring. Jap Thompson forced through and passed hack to James Rarity, who laid a shot on the top of the crossbar. Then Whites made a move. Donaldson from the line crossed strongly and Vincent closed sharply on the ball and

high through Stanaway’s hands. Kaitangata 2 goals, Roslyn-VV akari 1 gca . Bv a hard kick-off Vincent was winded. From the re-start Richardson, assisted uy Thompson, tore right through the opposition cleverly placed past the last back, drew the mra!keeper, narrowly avoided a dog. and scored a capital goal, Kaitangata again .catling bv two goals. There was a positive epidemic of minor injuries, Donaldson being next injured. Kaitangata were attacking when, a minute later, Mr Brown sounded time Kaitangata 3 goal:-. Roslyn- Wakari 1 goal. High School Old Boys v. Mcrnixgton B. Drizzling rain made the ground more slippery for the succeeding contest between Mornington B and High School Old Boy.;. High School Old Boys ... 2 goals. Mornington 13 1 Northern A v. Ravexssourxe. The Gardens Ground was m a soft condition for the return match between Northern A and Ravens bourne. The game was M minutes lute in starting, and the Rayonsbourne team took the field one short. MTvdr being absent. Northern A 5 goals. Ravcnsbourno Ail. Ciir.istiAX Bros. v. Northern' B. Christian Bros, and Northern B Played at the Ova! under the guidance of Mr Troupe. Northern played only nine men. Thorn made his reappearance in the Oicciin forward line. Christian Bros 9 goals. Northern V> Mobxisctox A. v. Maori Hill. Mornington A and Maori Hill opposed each other in their return fixture at the Clear. The ground was in a fair condition. The Mornington team were somewhat weakened by the absence of Baillic. .Simpson, Logie, and Vernon. VV - Haig, an explavor, Catto, Stanley, and Jells, tnroc juniors, filling the vacancies. Maori Hill 3 goals. Mornington A 2 goals. SECOND GRADE. Christian Bros, defeated High School Old Boye by 2 goals to 1. E. Salmon scored both goals for the winners, and I’cake registered the goal for the losers. OTHER GRADES. Owing to the state of the weather and the grounds the I bird and hourth Grade matches were postponed. KAITANGATA v. MOSGIEL. The newly-formed Mosgiel Rangers Club, members of which have had a number of games with Second Grade teams from Dunlin, journoyd to Kaitangata on Saturday and ' played a match against Kaitangata’s second eleven. The new club was not a match for the experience of the Kaitangata stronghold of association, but yet managed in the course of a very friendly contest to score 4 goals to their opponents 6. SCHOOLS' FINAL. In the final for the schools' championship Christian Bros, and Mornington drew, scoring 1 goal each. SUSPENSION OF PLAYERS. WELLINGTON, August 11. In rep’y to a request from the Auckland Football Association for a ruling the council of the Now Zealand I cotbal! Association to-night laid it down that a player who is ordered off the field by a referee cannot be suspended until a resolution to that effect is passed by the Management Committee of the association concerned.

competition : — ■ "d JO y C o tl cz o P, B o tjr 3 9 rt 2 75 O O rt a gKaitangata 13 10 2 1 44 19 21 Northern A 13 9 3 i 45 27 19 Mornington B 13 7 3 3 38 27 17 Mornington A 13 8 5 — 39 29 16 Roslyn-Wakari 13 7 5 1 36 29 35 High School Old Boye 13 i; 6 1 46 37 13 Christian Bros. 15 5 7 1 37 34 11 Ravcnsbonrno 13 x 9 1 19 39 7 Northern B 13 2 9 2 21 51 6 Maori Hill 13 2 10 1 18 53 5 The net result of the • Sen'll Cup round