FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 61

FOOTBALL.

FOOTBALLERS AND THE WAR. When the history of the war comes to bo written it may be claimed with every sense of justification that the victories were won on the playing fields of the British Isles, and certainly if the Australians and the New Zealanders get their due, it should bo recorded for future generations to read that the Dardanelles was won on the football fields and athletic tracks of Australasia. Evidence of this is forthcoming in fhe reports of the magnificent 'charges at the Dardanelles of tho Australians and New Zealanders, to whom is attributed such wonderful dash and elan as is gained m the rudimentary training and tho dare-devil rushes on the football field. If this wero not enough, there is tho tragic evidence of tho numbers of footballers and athletes who have fallen in storming the Dardanelles heights. The football fields of New Zealand have been an ideal recruiting ground for the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, hundreds of the best players of tho Dominion having gone into the firing line with their Rugby training as a grounding for the more strenuous miiitary course. In advocating the playing of football, the authorities evidently recognise that the trained player is tho more readily converted into the trained soldier, and of such the great proportion of the New Zealanders now at the Dardanelles and at Trentham are made.

in all the -realities of the war footballers were never more faced with its tragedies than at the present time, when the daily lists of casualties contain the names of so many well-known players who have been killed in action, wounded, or are numbered among the missing. Reference has already been made to some of New Zealand’s honoured dead. The latest list is a formidable one so far as Otago is concerned,. and one regretfully recognises the names of several prominent Rugby men who have fallen in the fight. One of the best backs in the ZinganRichmond First Fifteen of last season is among the wounded. I refer to Corporal J. A. Russell, popularly known as ‘ Jack to all his club members, who left with the Main Force. Ho started playing in the Zingari-Richmond three-quarter line, but was subsequently brought up to five-eighths, in which position ho played many fine games for the Colours. As a member of the Otago team which toured the Goldfields he w T as particularly useful —indeed, the Zingan team could hardly produce a better all-round player. Strong and sturdily built, lie was just the type to stand a lot of knocking about; but fearless rush-stopper though he was, a Turkish bullet is another matter. Unfortunately, numbered among the missing is that good wing forward of othei days, Ambrose Falconer, who was a member of the Pirates Club, and played in the All Blacks’ Senior team. Falconer gained representative honours in 1908, playing for Otago against Canterbury and Southland, and subsequently being transferred to Oaniaru. was a prominent player in the North Otago team, which he captained in a match against Otago University last season. Sincere regrets have been expressed on all sides at the death (killed in action) of Private W. Eoreham, who was well known on the Flat as a footballer and an expert boxer. Ho played in the Wednesday Locomotive team, and was a keen, hard-working forward. Private Borcham is a brother of the well-known Southern forward, Denis Boreham. A well-known Junior member of the Southern Club of last season has lost his life in the fighting at the Dardanelles. I refer to Private Ambrose Ward, who was a forward in the Black-and-White Fourth Grade team last season. The Juniors, no less than the Seniors, are in the forefront of the firing line, and bearing the brunt of the fighting. . One of the best-known names in Rugby circles in Southland is that of Darragh. It seems to mo that a Darragh has represented Southland in Rugby ever since there was a Southland or a Darragh. It was only in the nature of things that a Darragh should bo represented at the front; but, I regret to say, amid the honours there is much sorrow for Private Darragh, the well-known Waikiwi footballer, is numbered among the missing. The dark blue colours of the Dunedin Football Club have been carried well into the front in the charges on the Gallipoli Peninsula; but, alas ! the wearers have not escaped. ’Another of the Dark Blues who has been wounded is Bugler J. Ferguson, who xjlayed for the Dunedin Second Fifteen last season. Little he reckoned that when .he was standing up to the defence in the engagements on the football field last year that this reason ho would be in the most glorious forward rush of the greatest battle in history. Several of the finest Rugby players in New Zealand, including some of those who have won international honours, and who have carried the All Black colours far on the football field, left Wellington on Saturday for an “ unknown port ” with the Dandy Fifth. The Otago Rugby Union is out with a proposal that a Rugby team from Trentharu should visit Dunedin and play an Otago team in aid of the Wounded Soldiers’ I Liixu. The idea is a good one, and n mo Prime Minister will only give his consent to allow- the soldier-footballers to travel free on tho railways to Dunedin, as he did in the case of tho Trentham team’s visit to Auckland, there is no reason why a strongteam should not be got together to play Otago. One or two of the etar New Zealanders sailed with the Fifth Reinforcements on Saturday ; but as tho pick of the Dominion’s footballers are at Trentham, there is a wide choice for a sound team. Worked up properly, much interest would be taken in a match between tho soldierfootballers and the local team. A good game would be witnessed, and m any event the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund would benefit materially. „ , . . , Following tho excellent example set by tho Now South Wales Rugby Union, only on a more modified scale, the Canterbury Rugby Union has formed a Rugby unit of tho Citizens' Defence Corps. It was tho 0 ,.;„; n oi Intention c?f the promoters to form a footballers’ battalion, and to devote alternate Saturdays to military training. Tins 5s the scheme adopted by the Isew South Wales Rugby Union, and la working well. Apparently there was a fear that if such a proposal was carried out in _ Canterbury, there would bo neither a battalion nor football—in a word, that the _ scheme would fall between the two units it was intended to link together. Major Murphy, speak-

ing at the meeting at which the Rugby unit was formed on the value of sport as an aid to efficiency, said that neither he nor anyone connected with the Defence Department wished to see football dropped. It was a fact that trained footballers had often led the charges at the Dardanelles. One of the most prominent footballers killed in action is Roy Darabert, the exWellington three-quarter and Auckland representative. He played for Wellington against Otago, and subsequently being removed to Auckland joined the University Club of that city. The last occasion on which I saw Lambert was in the play-off for the championship between University and City at Auckland last year. A tall, clean-limbed youth and good player, ne was decidedly popular with the football fraternity of the Queen City; but the day I saw him ho was somewhat off his best game. Still ho w r as a sound player withal. Mr W, W. Hill, the well-known Rugby authority and secretary of the New Sleuth Wales Rugby Union, is compiling a complete list of Rugby Union players who are at the front or are in training for the firing line. He estimates that to date there are 1000 players, with more to follow as the Reinforcements go out. Mr Hill is also compiling a list of those Union players killed in action, wounded, and missing for the Roll of Honour. Many Rugby players in New South Wales have been killed, and it has been decided to erect a tablet in tbe Rugby Union rooms bearing the names of the members who have given their lives for the Empire. The Otago Rugby Union might well emulate the New South Wales Union not alone in keeping the roll of honour up to date, but in the proposal to erect a tablet to the memory of Otago’s honoured dead. All who know E. G. Pilling, the ’Varsity front-ranker and place kick of the Royal Blues last season, will to hear that he is ‘Tale and whole.” This is the way the ’Varsity footballer puts it in a cable to his father, who in a note _to mo says it is very gratifying to get this after such severe fighting as they have been through. Apropos of Sergeant Pilling, it is interesting to know how he became associated with the Main Force. He was not long in Egypt when he found out that the Main Body was moving early, and, desirous of getting to the front as soon as possible, he looked round for ways and means, and succeeded. In a recent letter to his father the old Royal Blue says:—“On the morning of embarkation I rushed round and found a platoon with two holes in it. Frank and I offered. We were told it would cost us our stripes'. That mattered not; we go as privates. Now we’re in. Tho three ’Varsity boys who have retired from the sergeants’ mess will now be supported by J. M‘Queen, the hooker in the ’Varsity team of last year, and we will go into the charge together this time. C- has been unfortunate enough to bo placed with the First Reinforcements. Ho will leave with us, but may have to wait at an intermediate base. We have our old Lieutenant Boyes, who was in command of our platoon at Matarae_ last year, and he knows us.”—l“C— —” is identical with a well-known Varsity and Otago half back.— Full Back.] RUGBY GOSSIP. It is good news that the first message to the effect that R. A. Lloyd, the Irish International half back, had been killed in the war is not correct. The Irishman is a great player; but great players are falling thickly in this terrible campaign. " Billy ” Stead, tho well-known All Black has not played for .several years, turned out last week at Invercargill to assist his club —the Stars. The veteran is stated to have brilliantly. Captain Kenneth MacLeod, the famous Scottish International Rugby footballer, who was wounded, appears to have been in the thick of the fray. The company of Gordon Highlanders to -which he was attached went into action 130 strong; it returned with 59 members. The colonel was killed instantly. Captain MacLeod was hit in the left arm by pieces of shrapnel. Some bits have been taken out, and Captain MacLeod was in hospital, but doingwell, early in April. The strength of the Port Chalmers team has been materially increased by the addition to its forward ranks of M‘Pherson, an ex-Port player, who has been m Wellington for some time, where ho was regarded as one of the best forwards in the Oriental Senior team.

Among recently-wounded New Zealanders at the Dardanelles is Major W. Hard ham. the well-known Wellington representative forward, and the first New Zealander to win the V.C. in the Boer war.

The English Rugby Union announces that in the existing state of affairs owing to the war no nominations have been sent in for the now committee. The governing body recommend that the present office-bearers and committee continue in office for next season. In the circumstances it is not proposed to hold an annual general meeting. Th's on the subject of the late A. E. Stoddart as footballer will be read with nleasuro by thousands in Australia and New Zealand who cherish +ho memory of the daring three-quarter back, whose exnlo'ts with the English team out here in 1888 set all ton.cruea in Ids praise: “An cx-Black-heathen. ’to whom he was a hero and an idol, writes: ‘As one of the numerous admirers of the late A. E. Stoddart I should like to express nm deep regret at his extremely sad and tragic ending. ... I have never seen anything like his wonderful. bewildering swerve when travelling of full speed,, or the way in winch he would fling himself into the very thick of the opposition and literally “crash”—there is no other word that describes it —Ids wav through. He seemed not to know the meaning of the word fear. I remember a. most remarkable run of bis through nearly the whole of the onnosing team in a Middlesex match at Blaekbeatb in about 1890. Bib wbnt impressed me even more was his delightful unselfishness, for. after passing everyone, the full back included, be. instead of ,go : ng on and gaining the try himself, passed +be ball to one of the three-nuarters. who hadn’t had mudi chance of sldidng during the game, thus giving him the final honours. Then, again. T have seen him drop and place goals from what seemed almost Impossible angles. Ho stood ont bend and shoulders from bis comrades in the three-on aider l‘ne. which wns all the more remarkable when one remembers that ’n the line were such fl ne players ns B Gbr'sturdier son, G. C. Hubbard, and, R. ‘D. Aston.’ ”

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. AUCKLAND, June 12. All Rugby matches were postponed in consequence of the Rugby League’s tournament at Victoria Parle in aid of the hospital ship and Wounded Soldiers’ Fund.

WELLINGTON, June 12.

AH cup fixtures were postponed to-day owing to the queen carnival arrangements. CHRISTCHURCH, June 12.

The following are the results of the matches played to-day:—Albion (6 points) beat Christchurch (nil), Merivale (5 points) beat Linwood (3 points), Sydenham (6points) beat Marist Brothers (3 points).

ASSOCIATION.

Bx Left Wing.

It was touch and go whether matches would or would not be proceeded with last .Saturday. At noon the decision was ”No postponement,” and ordinarily the noon decision is irrevocable by reason of the fact that after that hour members of the Postponement Committee have got out of touch with each other for the day. On this occasion, however, one of the Postponement Committee {Mr J. C. Cameron) was on his way to Trentham with the good wishes of his fellow-Soccerites still ringing in his ears. When the weather came up so bad half an hour after noon it so happened that the remnants of the committee were still able to reach each other by ’phono, and a postponement was decided upon. It was a wise decision. The round of matches arranged for Saturday last stands for this week, lor the Seniors it is the closing match of the first round. Northern havo the bye. This gives to High School Old Boys, who meet Green Island, and who at present lip one point behind Northern, an opportunity to appear at the top of the table. Whether or not Old Boys can do it depends upon their ability on the one hand to get round the burly Green Island backs and past Harkness, and, on the other hand, to keep in check their opponents’ active, tireless vanguard. These teams meet at the Caledonian Ground, At Culling Park Mornington and Ravensbournc should provide a game worth seeing, while north-endors, who may prefer to see a game near home, have Christian Bros, and Southern at the Gardens. Of the three Brown Shield matches in Christchurch last year only one was financially profitable. That was the match against Hawke’s Bay, which produced a gate of £lOl lls fid, Half tho gross proceeds was divided between the Lancaster Park (Ltd.) and the Rugby Union, and out of the remainder the profit amounted to just over £4O, which was distributed thus: — Canterbury Association £ll 12s 9d ; Hawke’s Bay Association, £23 5s fid; New Zealand Association, £5 10s Bd. The match with Westland resulted in a loss of £7 Is 9d, and that with Wanganui in a deficit of £3 19s fid.

Tho Second Graders (six teams in all) have completed their first round. Mornington have come through unbeaten. To open the second round they meet one of the next best elevens, Northern, who have been beaten only once, Mornington having inflicted the defeat. The table of results to date is as follows:

The following appeal, issued by the supremo governing body, the Football Association, has been passed by the Now Zealand Football Association not only to players, but also to supporters:—‘ r Thc Football Association earnestly appeals to tho patriotism of all who are interested in the game to help in all possible ways in support of tho nation in the present serious crisis, and particularly to those who are able to render personal services in the army and navy, which are so gallantly upholding our national honour. To those who arc unable to render personal service, the association would appeal for their generous support of tho funds for the relief and assistance of the dependents of those who are engaged in serving their country.” G. M‘Allan, a Green Island Third Grader, is tho latest local recruit answering the appeal. Who’ll be the next? In tho roll of honour being prepared by the Otago Football Association Mornington and High School Old Boys’ Clubs are worthily represented. Tho names are as follow: — Mohnington Association Football Clitb. O. H. Duncan (wounded), J. M'Nish (wounded), J. Crawford (wounded), B. Wade, D. Haig, W. Haig, F. Haig, E. Woode. G. Catto, A. Campbell, H. Dickinson, M. Napier, E. Napier. A. Cameron, H. Thomson, D. Baillie, J. Simpson, E. Jeffs. K. Cameron, R. B. Smith, T. Fraser, W. Finlinson, H. Simon, L. Lockhead. C. Carg'll, J. Laing, V. Holderness, H. Hall, T. Harvey, D. Cook, W. Davis, A. IT. Murray, W. Brown, A. Davidson, J. Hope, J. Smith, IT. M'PuiTanc. Total, 37 men. Old Boys’ Association Football Club. E. Burnard (killed in action). S. Dawson, D. S. MTnnes, R. J. Maunsoll, IT. Prain, Tj. Lockhead. A. Ford, E.' Tapper, T. Sneddon, W. Watkins. W. S. Rae. T. Y. Turner. J. Turner, N. Gunn. T. Park, N. M'Konzie, E. Jeffs. A. Wilkinson. L. G. Wilson, J. Caldcr, W. Rallinshaw, R. Newman. Total, 22 men. The lists of members of other clubs will bo published when available. Judging bv the time that has elapsed since lists wore asked for by the association, some secretaries are finding the preparation of lists fairly arduous.

Tb P . to o >. C3 S Won. ■*3 Q £ c3 fi Goals for. a.^ x 9 C cfiO Ps Morningtou 5 5 — — 18 2 ■ 10 Northern ... ... 5 4 1 — 13 7 8 Mosgiel Rangers... 5 2 3 — 10 14 4 Christian Brothers 5 1 3 1 4 16 3 High School Old Boys 5 1 3 1 6 14 3 Post & Telegraph 5 1 4 — 4 2 2