Football Notes.

Southland Times, Issue 19032, 28 April 1903, Page 3

Football Notes.

By " Punter."

Thf short days have again como rouiiil. lilveui.se tho old ru»:by painu. With seven teams in the field for the senior premiership this season, instead of the usual quartette, much more interest will no doubt be taken in some of the minor contests, and I must congratulate the Excelsior (Gore), Athletic and Cambridge Clubs for their pluck irt entering the first grade.

With the exception of the Star and Pirates, I have not heard much re-

garding the other clubs, but I am inclined to think that tho rivals mentioned will again furnish the most interesting matches, and that one or other will be found on top when all the fixtures are fulfilled.

At this juncture I would respectfully direct the attention of the Rugby Union officials to the bad blood that was engendered between the Pirates aiid Star at the close of last season,. consequent upon the betting element finding its way, not only amongst outsiders, but also, 1 regret to say, amongst the players too.

In one match last year it was scandalous to hear of the amount of money that changed hands, and it seems to me that if this kind of conduct is not firmly coped with, deterioration of the pastime must be the inevitable result. If there is one sport more than another that Southlanders have attained proficiency in, that sport is undoubtedly football, and it is the sincere desire of all true lovers of the manly pastime to continue to witness contests fought and won purely and simply on their merits.

In order to ensure publication of the names of teams, secretaries are requested to forward same not later than 9 o'clock every Monday evening, and to make efforts to ascertain that the names of both sides in a match h are-been furnished simxiltaneously. Following are the referees, grounds and times for to-morrow's matches : Mr E. B. McKay : Waikiwi v. Athletic ; Waikiwi, 2 p.m. Mi* K. Cameron : Cambridge A v. Pirates A : Eastern Reserve. 2 p.m.

Mr H. Hawthorn : Cambridge v. Brits ; Union Grounds, 2.30 p.m. Mr L.. Murphy : Athletic v. Invercargill ; Union Grounds. 3.30 p.m. Mr A. Geddes : Waikiwi v. Pirates B : Western Reserve. 3.30 p.m.

M r J. Galbraitb : Athletic B v. Cambridge B ; Eastern Reserve. 3.30 p.m.