THE PLAYGROUND.
Sports and Pastimes.
At the English Public Schools Athletic championships in April, an ex-Christchurch secondary school boy, V. B. Powell, representing Clifton Cc-jege, broke the record for the long by clearing 21ft 9£iii.
As anticipated, the King’s racing yacht Britannia is to compete this season. The Britannia will race on she Clyde this month and later on in England for all the races for which she is eligitie during the season. The plenary session of the Olympic Games Committee at Rome in April allotted the Games to like place in 1928 at Amsterdam, in 1932 _t Los Angeles and in 1936 at Rome. It was also decided that America should get the games once in four.
That the Jewish race has produced some great boxers is recalled by mailed advice of the winning of the Prince of Wales Shield for the cadet boxing championship of England by the First London Cadet Battalion Jewish Lads’ Brigade. The long distance dancing record craze has evidently set alight, other equally inane endurance tests. In Paris a month or two ago, M. Rosco and Amalsi skated on roller skates for 24 hours 7 minutes without a stop. It is calculated that these indefatigable skaters must have covered upwards of 200 miles. In January 1922 the Izaah Walton League was started in Chicago with 54 members. Now it has many thousands, and recently five hundred anglers met in the Meat Works city to discuss plans fcr bringing the membership up to the two million mark. The League has its own magazine and some of the best writers in the States write for it without pay. There is not much danger of serious fire at the Imperial Stadium, Wembly, which a team of New Zealand athletes will see when they go Home for the Exhibition games next year. This mighty building differs from most other football grounds where the stands are partly of wood, as is is constructed almost entirely of concrete and steel.
The Americans take no half measures. In April the U.S. Amateur Athletic Union announced that with a view to stimulating the interest of athletes in American participation in the Olympic Games of 1924, it will refuse permission to all athletes, barring the Harvard-Yale track team ,to participate in contests abroad this year. The decision, according to latest mail advice, would affect the proposed visit of track and swimming teams to Gothenburg, Sweden, at which Australian athletes are competing, also Weismuller’s swimming tour of England and Scotland. The Har-vard-Yale team was exempted owing to the meeting having been arranged in 1921. France is quick to adopt games and sports which come to her from abroad, as the rapid popularity of basket ball as a game for girls has shown. Baseball is the latest innovation; it gained a hold in all the regions through which the American troops passed (says Reuter), and is more especially popular in the North. Teams from Tourcoing, Ronbaix, and Douai have already played matches against the Paris team. feaseball is also played at Lille, Nancy, Annecy, Bordeaux, Tours, and Le Mans, and is being popularised in schools. The Paris University Club has included it in its programme of physical culture. The little blonde sprinter, Charles Paddock, who tried a tilt with the American Zmateur Athletic Union, has retired from ihe conflict, rather hurt (says an exchange). The A.A.U. said he was not to visit Paris <o take part in a meeting, and Charlie said he would. He said this in no uncertain terms, too. And having said this little piece to about 500 newspapers, he packed his spiked shoes and grip and jauntily boarded a train at California for New York. But, alack and alas! in New York it was explained to him that by international law the French Association could not'possibly permit him to race unless he obtained the consent of the A.A.U. So Charlie dodged about 500 reporters and entrained again, back to the Golden West. A comedy in which the chief figures were a motor bus driver and his load of dancers from a village dahce is told in an English paper. After the dance about a score of the party, agreed, according to the driver, to be taken to Hull at 1/6 each. About a mile from Hull the conductor proceeded to collect the fares, when the passengers declined to pay more than the day time fare of 4d. The driver thereupon turned the bus round, returning to the village, and, pulling up at the police station, aroused the sergeant and requested him to take the names and addresses of the passengers for refusing to pay the fares. The dancers now offered to pay almost anything to be taken home, but the driver was adamant, and returning to his garage, left the dancers to go home on foot.
BADMINTON LITTLE KNOWN GAME. In this part of the world very little is known of badminton but its attracts many keen lawn tennis players in the Old Country. The game is played with shuttlecocks and a peculiar light racket. It can be made fairly strenuous, and it demands a lot of skill. The present champion is Sir G. A. Thomas, Bart., who won the All England singles in March last. He is a good lawn tennis player and a doughty opponent at chess. In the final of the women’s singles, Miss L. C. Radeglia, the lady lawn tennis professional to the North London Hard Courts Club, defeated Mrs Hersley, 11-8, 11-6. Miss Radeglia won the championship in 1913 and 1914, but it is safe to say that, but for the absence of Miss Kathleen Me Kane, who was playing lawn tennis on the Riviera, she would not have attained to the honour again this year. Miss McKane, who is one of Mlle. Lenglen’s most formidable rivals on the lawn tennis court, may be termed the “Suzanne” of badminton. Since she first won the championship in 1920, she has had an unbroken sequence of wins. Like Mlle. Lenglen, her success is largely traceable, too, to a masculine severity of stroke. There can be no mistaking the popularity of badminton in England now. The “gallery” court at the Horticultural Hall was inaccessible after play had started, and corresponding interest was displayed in “star” matches elsewhere. Viewed from above, the play, when all four courts were going at once, made quite a dazzling picture. Not the least interesting feature of the meeting was an international match in which England defeated Ireland by seven •vents to two. A GREAT BATSMAN HOBBS’S HUNDRED CENTURIES. Born on December 16, 1882, John B. Hobbs first played in first-class cricket at the end of 1904. Before that, while qualifying for Surrey, he played one season for Cambridgeshire. Young as he was, he was only 21 years, he joined the Oval staff—it is curious that the authorities of his native country should not have recognised his promise until he went elsewhere. In his only season of Cambridgeshire (n 1904) he scored 696, averaging 58, and made 195 v. Herefordshire at Cambridge. In his first match for Surrey he scored 18 and 88 against W. G. Grace’s Gentlemen of England XL, which included the fast bowler Walter Brearley and the slow bowler
C. L. Townsend, who took 11 for 124 in the match. In his second match against Essex Hobbs scored 28 and 155, and thus established himself in the eleven.
Hobbs, at one time, was so far from being the great fieldsman he is to-day, that he could only be placed in the very moderate class. He had little of the brilliancy and keen sense of anticipation which make him one of the best cover-points ever seen. It was only about 1911 that he attained his present standard of excellence. Of his 100 centuries, six have been made in tests against Australia —at Melbourne, 126, not out, 178, 122; at Adelaide, 187, 123; at Lord’s, 107. In his test matches at Sydney he has made 73 and 13, 49 and 59, 40 and 34, and 22, 32 and 45. During his first visit to Australia, in 1907-8, Hobbs was not selected for the first test match, but was a conspicuous success in the other four.
In 1911-12, in Australia, he made a century in three successive t<|t matches, and in all scored 659 for eight times out: Hobbs has been the greatest run-getter for England against Australia in Australia. He has always batted with a perfection Of style and brilliancy of stroke that make his cricket an absolute treat to spectators, English or Australian. When he first went to Australia Hobbs was inclined to take the Australian crowds a little too seriously. But after a while he was able to appreciate their humour and their knowledge of the game as much as they appreciated his own superlative batsmanship. Hobbs himself made this confession publicly in an interesting little book he wrote on the tour of Warner’s successful team.
In Melbourne, in 1911-12, in conjunction with Wilfred Rhodes, who made 179, Hobbs (178) established the first wicket record of 323 for test matches. Nine times has Hobbs made over 2000 runs in a season: —
Hobbs is by no means “done” yet, and in spite of the four years in the war he should beat W. G. Grace’s record of 126 centuries, next to which is Tom Hayward’s 104.
GOLF.
(By “Cleek.”) June 14—British open championship at Troon. June 18—Professional Tourney at Gleneagles. July I—French open championship, Dieppe. July 9 —American open championship, Inwood. Sept. 6—N.Z. Ladies’ Championships at Nelson. Sept. 10—U.S.A, amateur championship, Flossmoor. Sept. 21—N.Z. open and amateur championships, Wanganui.
The great event of the golf year will be decided at Troon (Scotland) next week. The qualifying rounds for the open championship wall be played on Monday and Tuesday. The entry numbers 222, including 34 amateurs. The four rounds of the championship proper will be played on Thursday and Friday, two on each day.
With the reinstatement of the Wednesday half-holiday next week the fields for the matches will again be divided at Otatara, and there will be matches on both Wednesday and Saturday. When practising always take out the club with which you play worst. Be very careful that you do not step either on the line of your own or your opponent’s putt. He can claim the hole if you do. In a match Manawatu against Wellington at Heretaunga Arthur Duncan and A. E. Ekstedt had a great go. Duncan was out in 38 to Ekstedt’s 41 but was only 1 up in holes. The Manawatu man came in in 35 to Duncan’s 38 and won the match 1 up. Both were round in 76. O. J. Wilson, playing fourth man for Wellington, beat W. Seifert 4 up and 3. The Junior Cup of the St. Clair Club was won last Saturday by Bryan C. Haggitt, son of Mr A. B. Haggitt. Young Bryan is a keen and improving player, with a free, vigorous style and he is evidently coming on at the game. He is pursuing his legal studies at the ’Varsity and finds his recreation on the St. Clair course.
Never give way to the temptation to force a shot. For instance, if you cannot get up easily with a mashie always play an iron.
Arthur Duncan, the N.Z. amateur champion, is in his best form at present. Following his brilliant 70 at Miramar a fortnight ago, he recorded an almost equally fine round of 72 on the same links last week.
“Go off the green to score” is a rule that should always be observed. The approach shot is the most ticklish in the round, and to be held up while the preceding players leisurely enter up their scores before leaving the green is apt to spoil many an approach. It is a good plan to play with two balls, especially in winter time, using them alternately at every other hole. Keep the ball not in use in a warm pocket. In this way the ball in play will be slightly warm, and so will possess great elasticity than it would if it were cold.
Local women golfers were astounded to see the results of the annual Coronation Medal match in Friday morning’s paper. So far as is known no correspondence was received by either local club instructing them when this interesting match was to have been played. It is worthy of note, however, that during the week one lady, playing on the Park, returned a card of 91—18 —73—three strokes under par—' which would have tied for first place with the northern players. The rough weather on Saturday afternoon interfered to some extent with the foursomes match at Otatara but a surprising number of players turned out and the list eventually extended to sixteen pairs or thereabouts. Owing to absentees the draw was upset and the players paired as they arrived. The scoring was close and the match was greatly enjoyed. There is not enough foursome playing in New Zealand, the four-ball match taking precedence, but the foursome is a real golf game, and calls out qualities that are not required in a single or a four-ball game. For pleasure a foursome has a zest all its own and more matches of the sort might well find a place in the lists of club fixtures. The best nett scores on Saturday were:—S. E. Wootton and N. E. Hubbard, 82; F. A. Barclay and A. E. Smith, 83; G. Henderson and A. S. Gilkison, A. Cramond and B. Hewat, R. J. Gilmour and I. Carr, all 86. Gene Sarazen, American open champion, proved that he has found his game in Britain by winning the northern golf championship at St. Anne’s last Saturday with the fine aggregate of 290 for four rounds. He put on a brilliant 68 in the third round
( and finished with a 73. The consistent Walter Hagen was second with 292. J. W. Gaudin (Alwoodley), with 293, was an l excellent third and kept British golf in the ! limelight. Kirkwood tied for fourth place ' with 300. If Duncan, Mitchell and Co. were I playing they failed to get into the picture. ■lf Sarazen and Hagen strike top form they will be hard to hold in the open championship at Troon next week. J. H. Kirkwood’s card for the brilliant 67 which he played in the second qualifying round of the Yorkshire News’s tournament at Leeds was as follows: Out— 45344524 4—35 In 34324544 3—32 This is amazing golf in a high wind accompanied by severe storms of hail and rain. Kirkwood’s 300 in the Northern Championship at St. Anne’s, though overshadowed by Sarazen’s 290, shows that he is playing steadily, and if he has his day out at Troon next week he must figure prominently in the open championship. There was a record entry of 85 for the South Canterbury championship on the Timaru course on Monday, King’s birthday. The weather was fine but cold and the course was in splendid order. Among the competitors were golfers from Christchurch, Ashburton, Fairlie, Waimate, Oamaru, Dunedin and Hokitika. The championship was won by E. A. Scott (Timaru) with rounds of 82 and 83, giving him an aggregate of 165. The runner up was B. A. Porritt, Dunedin, a medical student, of whom great things are expected in the golfing world. His first round was 88, but for his second he returned an 80, the lowest score made at the meeting and a remarkable effort for a ten handicap player on a course that is by no means easy. G. L. Cuthbertson was ninth with an aggregate of 175. Abe Mitchell was beaten by sensational scoring in the Roehampton tournament in England in April, his opponent being C. Johns. Johns was two down at the fifth, but he won the next holes in 22442, with a couple of 9 to 10-yard putts to boot, and had a 9-foot putt for a two at the tenth, but was not asked to hole out. Johns won 2 up and 1, though Mitchell had every chance, but threw away his advantage at several holes following. The winner did nine consecutive holes in one over 3’s.
The weekly match of the Park Ladies’ Club was played on Tuesday this week, owing to the visit of the Wyndham party on Monday. In the silver division (the scores being for the L.G.U. medals) Mrs Cowie had the best score 93—12—81, Mrs Carr 95 —11 —84, being second. Miss Haggitt 105—30—75, Mrs Collie 109—34 —75, and Miss Stout 97—j21-—76, topped the list in the bronze division. A very noteworthy feature of ladies’ golf is the excellence of the handicapping on the Ladies’ Golf Union basis.
The Park Club play a bogey match today. The draw is as follows:—A. Masters and D. McPherson, G. R. Cooper and J. Edwards, T. F. Macdonald and W. Smith, J. Macleod and W. S. Ayson, E. E. Broad and F. K. McNatty, J. D. Robertson and W. J. Brooke, A. B. Caverhill and G. R. George, H. R. Dundas and Dr Johnston, G. J. Reed and J. Hain, C. A. Masters and G. F. Ferguson, G. Tapper and L. L. Padget, G. Cruickshank and A. Y. Smith, A. W .Morgan and W. K. Scrymgeour, G. Myers and J. Cunningham, D. Cochrane and A. McDougall, J. McCurdy and R. G. J. Wilson, T. D. Pearce and R. N. Todd, W. A. Stout and R. Kidd, J. Collie and J. K. Garrett, T. W. Vickery and S. E. Wootton. The Park Club anticipate having keen competition this season for a number of trophies donated by members, to whom the thanks of the club are due. J. Cunningham donates a trophy for the player, who returns the best total nett score for five medal matches out of seven for the season. J. J. W. Pollard donates a trophy for the winner in an approaching and putting competition, to be run under the same conditions as last year’s competition. W. S. Ayson donates a challenge shield for competition between the Park Ladies’ and Men’s Clubs. The main conditions are that twenty ladies play twenty men, match play, the ladies being allowed a handicap of half a stroke a hole. Two matches will be played each year. The winners’ name will be inscribed on the shield and they will hold it until the succeeding match. W. Smith donates a trophy for the winner in the ringer competition. W. A. Stout donated a trophy last year which the committee have decided to present as a prize to be competed for by the novices of the club, that is those whose handicap is 21 or over. The committee feel that as the Park Club is practically a training club for the golfers of Invercargill, and as there are nearly half of the number on the 24 handicap mark, the above trophy will encourage these players to compete in the matches. This competition will be run in conjunction with the championship and under the same conditions. The Park Committee feel gratified at the progress of the club since taking over the links and also at the keen interest the golfers of Invercargill have shown in the club’s welfare. Mr W. S. Ayson, the treasurer, reports a membership of 88 men, and a playing membership of 67 ladies, with all fees paid. The coach, H. McDougall, is giving good satisfaction and the improvement in the play of the beginners should be very marked before the season is closed.
J. M. Laing would have been very well pleased if he could have seen the teams in competition for the Laing shield at Otatara on Monday. As President Smith said in presenting the shield to the winners, Laing was a keen lover of the game and his idea in donating the shield was to stimulate country golf in the district. It served that object admirably when it brought teams from Balclutha, Wyndham and Riverton into Invercargill on Monday to meet the holders (Invercargill) on the Otatara course, and it was by no means to be regretted that the trophy changed hands. No doubt some of the losers will now pursue the quest at Rivetron, where there is a very nice seaside course to play over, and the result must be to improve the play of the competitors. The Otatara course was wet after rain on Sunday, but the day was fine and the matches -were enjoyed by all who participated, in them. In the eliminating rounds in the morning Invercargill and Balclutha fought their battle over again, for it was at Balclutha that Invercargill captured the shield last year. The president halved his match with Lewis, number one for Balclutha. Lewis was formerly public works engineer at Invercargill and played regularly at Otatara, so that he was not a stranger to the course. J. B. Reid proved too strong for R. R. Grigor, and B. Hewat sprang a surprise by downing G. Cruickshank, who had been “lent” to the Balclutha visitors to bring their side up to six men. A. S. Gilkison just got home from Scolon and I. Carr came out on top after a closely contested match with R. Stewart. Balclutha’s sixth man notched the only win his side could claim, Campbell beating Binnie 2 up. Thus Invercargill won by four matches to one, the sixth being halved. The first three Wyndham men were probably the strongest players in the field, and it was in accordance with anticipations that they won their matches, though the Riverton players selected to oppose them made a good fight of it. “Nichol” knows all about the Otatara course and has played many good rounds on it, and the same may be said of his opponent, Banks, though I much water has run under the bridges since Banks was one of the regular week-end
ATHLETICS
habitues of the Otatara links in the making. Banks has only recently begun to play a little golf again after a long divorcement from the driver and putter, and he did well to stand only three down at the eighteenth. It should be explained that it was arranged to carry all matches to the last green, so that in the event of a tie in matches the issue might be decided by the aggregate of holes won. Henderson was three up on Stevens, and Gifford, an ex-Rivertonian, finished two up on Instone. But the Wyndham “tail” was selected from the new recruits to the game of whom there are so many in the Wyndham club. It was plucky of them to tackle the task set them and the experience will do them no end of good, but they were hardly capable of holding their more experienced opponents. Rouse was 10 up on Sheehan when the pin was put back in the eighteenth hole, and Duncan Rae, who was quite at home at Otatara, had a lead of 11 on Bogue. The sixth man of the Wyndham team was Murphy, “Hughie” of a hundred brilliant football exploits. He was ten down to Berndston, but if he ever becomes as proficient at golf as he was at rugby (and with coaching he might) heaven help the luckless wight who is drawn against him. Though each side won three matches, Riverton won on holes by the large majority of 31 to 9. The match for the shield between Invercargill and Riverton was played in the afternoon and was stoutly contested, Riverton eventually winning by one match. Banks played very steadily against Reid and was out in 43 —certainly not a junior score. Going on consistently, he won 6 up and 5 to play. The president of the Invercargill Club kept the balance level by disposing of Riverton’s number two, Stevens, 2 up and 1 to play. Instone, however, decisively defeated A. S. Gilkison 5 up and 3. The fourth match was halved, Carr finishing all square with Rouse. Rae notched the third and decisive win for Riverton, beating Hewat 6 up and 4, and though Binnie did his best for the holders by beating his man, Berndston, 2 up and 1 to go, three wins and a half gave Riverton the trophy, Invercargill score being two wins and a half. The day’s play was brought to a close with the presentation of the Shield to the winners, Mr Smith making a short happy speech, full of his characteristic verve. The appropriate acknowledgments of the visitors indicated that they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves, winners and losers alike, and that Riverton will not be left to enjoy possession of the shield very long in peace. An interchange of cheers and healths (musically honoured) closed the proceedings. By way of final note it should be mentioned that Mr and Mrs Morris had a particularly strenuous day, and the good things with which they spread the board contributed materially to the success of the first Laing Shield day at Otatara.
There was remarkable scoring in the two qualifying rounds of the Roehampton (London) Club’s fourth annujfl tournament for £2OO prize money. The pick of the professionals of the southern district of England competed for the sixteen places available, and E. Ray and Abe Mitchell tied for first position with aggregates of 140, Mitchell establishing a new record for the course with a 67 in the second round. But the remarkable thing was that the sixteenth man qualified with an aggregate of 145, so that there was a difference of only five strokes between the lowest and the highest qualifying score. There were three 142’s, five 143’s and four 144’s. In the first round of matches Abe Mitchell went out to Charles Johns (Purley Downs), W. B. Smith beat J. H. Taylor, Edward Ray beat George Duncan and the veteran “Sandy” Herd beat H. C. Jolly, who made history the other day by beating Walter Hagen. Herd fought his way through to the final and won first place by beating F. C. Jewell (North Middlesex) 3 and 2. Throughout his game Herd showed all his old verve, stamping the ground vigorously to get his stance comfortable, “waggling” his club fiercely and never allowing his concentration to waver. He is 55 years of age and has a grandson seven years of age, but he is a very spirited and athletic grandfather, as some of the younger pros, will bear witness.
The golf writer of the Evening Post, Wellington, urges the Golf Council to tackle the question of professionals. There is no doubt that the game is being kept back in New Zealand by the lack of competent coaches. Hundreds of new players are taking up golf in all parts of the Dominion and new clubs and new courses are being formed to supply the necessary accommodation, but of the whole number only a few have professionals, and therefore the great majority of players can get no coaching. They make slow headway or none at all and become discouraged. The suggestion is that the Golf Council should map out the Dominion into districts, group the clubs in each district, and endeavour to obtain from each group sufficient financial support to justify the appointment of a professional. There are, of course, difficulties in the way. For intsance at the present time a good professional could do extremely well by coaching at Wyndham, Riverton and Gore, where there are players simply clamouring for instruction. But golf at all these places is a winter pastime, and what the coach would do in summer is not easy to suggest. Still the progress of the game depends upon efficient coaching, and the question is one that the Golf Council should seriously consider. Even if discussion led only to the appointment of a travelling coach for a large area, with each of the smaller clubs in it receiving short visits, an immense amount of good would be done, and support would surely be forthcoming for such a scheme. Mrs Haggitt’s trophy for which the Otatara Ladies’ Golf Club competed on May 31, was won by Mrs Henderson with a score of 100 —21—79, the best she has yet done at Otatara. June 7 was an L.G.U. medal day. The lowest score was given in by Mrs Ferguson 104—18—86. Mrs Henderson is giving, each month, a prize for the best score round the putting green; Mrs Broad, Mrs Cowie, Mrs Jones and Mrs Pottinger tied with 20 for this prize in May. The tie is to be played off next Tuesday.
NZ.A.A.A. COUNCIL TO BE INCORPORATED. EMPIRE AND OLYMPIC GAMES. CIVIC INFLUENCE SOLICITED. (By The Times’s Wellington Correspondent.) An important step in the administration of amateur athletics in New Zealand is the decision of the Dominion Council to become incorporated. This resolution and the intention to solicit the influence of Mayors in the principal centres to the representation of New Zealand at the Empire and Olympic Games were confirmed at their latest meeting.
The Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, meeting under the presidency of Mr A. T. Davies, unanimously resolved to become an incorporated body. Among the constitutional changes rendered necessary by this decision is one requiring that all funds of the Association shall be paid into a bank to its credit, and that all accounts shall be passed and cheques signed by members of the Executive Council. Legally constituted rules are being drafted. After the position regarding the Empire Games was explained to the meeting, and the appointment of the Advisory Council confirmed, the Council discussed an invitation from France to take part in the Eighth Olympiad. The plans of the monotype boat forwarded by the French Committee were ordered to be transmitted to the N.Z. Royal Yacht Squadron, Auckland. It was resolved to approach the Mayors of the various centres, requesting that a meeting be convened, relative to the proposal to obtain funds to despatch a New Zealand team to both the Empire and Olympic Games. Members o'f the Council undertook to take up the matter with the branches of the Association they represented on the Council.
HOCKEY.
(By “Circle.”)
The chairman was deputed by the meeting to see Colonel Collins, and ascertain facts concerning the amateur status of the New Zealand Rifle Association, for presentation to the next meeting. ATHLETES’ TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALAND. Gratitude for kindness shown to them during their recent tour of New Zealand is expressed in graceful terms by the three American athletes, Messrs Kirksey, Merchant and Krogness, in a letter to the president of the N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association (Mr A. T. Davies) received by yesterday’s mail from the United States. “ This is the first opportunity we have had, since we arrived in San Francisco,” they say, “of writing and expressing to you, and through you to the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association and to each member of its Council, our appreciation and thanks for all the pleasure, entertainment and hospitality which we received at your hands during our visit of adventure to your delightful country, which was made possible for us by your kind invitation to come as your guests. We shall long remember the many little courtesies and attentions which went so far towards making us feel that we were among friends although we were strangers among you. We enjoyed immensely our visit with you, and were very sorry to leave so many good friends behind us when we departed. Our hope is that some day we may meet again.” Writing from the shelter of the Olympic Club, San Francisco, the three young collegians, who made such a favourable impression on the people of New Zealand, express their gratitude for the manner in which they were conducted through the country, for the opportunity of seeing its pleasure resorts, and for innumerable kindnesses shown them. “We hope that, in the future, if any of our New Zealand friends visit our country, we may have the pleasure of reciprocating, as well as we may, the attentions accorded us. Best wishes for continued and increasing success to amateur athletics in New Zealand.” HOLWAY, TREMBATH AND OTHERS. To the Editor. Sir, —Your writer on the above proves conclusively by his reply to my letter that he knows absolutely nothing about the best sprinters that competed in New Zealand some years ago. If he again consulted his old files, he will find that J. Currie was the scratch man, not only in Otago and Southland, but in all the important sprint events in New Zealand. I feel sorry for him in his effort to prove that Trembath was a whole half yard faster man than Currie over 150 yards; the margin is so great, even if it was so. At the same time he makes the most of the fact that the handicapper happened to give Currie one yard start from Trembath at St. Patrick’s Sports, but he evidently forgot to note that Currie finished third in that race and Trembath was unplaced. In the 150 yards race at Christchurch he mentions that Currie won by only one yard. Is that not enough? It seemed to satisfy the judge. If your athletic writer again looks up his files he will see that no matter how easily Currie won his races he always got home by about that distance, one yard, which proved good judgment on Currie’s part. Again, the photo of the finish of that particular race is in the files of the Weekly Press, so he can see, if he wishes to, that Currie won with ridiculous ease, and with his hands down, if he knows what that means. It matters nothing as to what start Currie had in the race; the main thing is to get to the tape first and Currie got there, although the so-called world’s champion also started. And here let me say that if Currie had started from scratch he would have won just the same. Your writer makes the most of the Timaru meeting, where on top of a sea trip and suffering from influenza, Currie got beaten. If he will only look back he will find my man led Holway in the 100yds New Zealand Championship until within 10 yards of the tape, and this was at Timaru, when Currie was ill, and was witnessed by thousands of people. Your writer also forgot to mention that immediately after Holway’s defeat at Christchurch, Currie issued a public challenge to race Holway on level terms.—l am, etc., J. D. MELROSE. North Invercargill.
After having been blown out in his attempt to prove that Currie was a better runner than Holway and Trembath by a delightfully innocent method of giving the results of handicap races in which these men figured without quoting the handicaps, Mr Melrose belatedly returns to the attack and endeavours to bolster up a case with such weird arguments as “my man led Holway until within ten yards of the tape,” and “it matters nothing as to what start Currie had in the race; the main thing is to get to the tape first and Currie got there,” etc. Wild and woolley statements of this sort are not arguments and the writer does not intend to waste time on them. The main point is that on the only occasion which Mr Melrose quotes as having seen the defeat of Holway during his visit to this country by Currie, Mr Melrose’s protege had 6A yards start in 150 yards, a fact which Mr Melerose omitted to mention. Currie was not in the same class as Holway as an all round sprinter, as that and similar liberal allowances indicated. As far as W. F. Trembath is concerned, when the great Southlander defeated one of the finest sprinters the world has seen in A. B. Postle at Rockhampton for the quarter mile championship of the world, he had by his brilliant record in championship wins clearly established his right to compete in the highest grade ol pedestrian athletics. Mr Melrose says that Currie was the scratch man in all important sprint events in New Zealand. No doubt he can tell us how many championships Currie won or in what other way he proved his right for admission to the class to which Trembath deservedly attained, or for instance, what happened to his protege in the Renn Thousand at Melbourne when he was handicapped away from scratch. As far as challenges are concerned, Mr Melrose may be reminded that they were part of the advertising equipment of most successful professional runners and the writer might just as well quote Holway’s challenge at Invercargill to run Currie over 50, 75 and 100 yards, conceding 1,2, and 3 yards. Any good judge of the game will tell Mr Melrose that on all round sprinting performances Holway and Trembath were much better runners than his protege, Currie and they were not the only ones.—O.M.
The positions of the teams are as follow :
The present Saturday competition will be concluded to-day when Union will meet Winton in the play-off. Although the competition points show Union as having played one game more than Winton, this is due to the fact that the country team drew the bye in the semi-final. To-day’s match should be keenly interesting, but to whichever team the victory goes, it will be well earned. In the semi-final between Union and Collegiate teams on Saturday last, Union demonstrated beyond doubt that it was the stronger team. It has worked hard for its success and constant practice and “coaching” have improved its play considerably since the competition opened. It well deserved its win and the fact that it is the first occasion during the last few seasons on which it has reached the final, will give its players added satisfaction.
One of the most noticeable differences in the play of the two teams was their method of attack. Union adopted the short passing system and relied upon proper placing of the forwards and well judged
FOOTBALL.
passing to overcome the Collegiate defence. The wing forward did not attempt to enter the circle and left the scoring to the three inside forwards, who fololwed up their attacks well and caused serious trouble to the backs opposing them. On the other hand the Collegiate forwards did not keep in line and the centre-forward, Miss Ashley, endeavoured to make up for the weakness of the half-line by doing both a half and a forward’s work. The result was that the forward line was broken and the long, passing from wing to wing had frequently to be resorted to when to make the attack effective, the inside forwards should really have had possession of the ball. Miss W. Clark, who played on the right wing for an Eastern District club, is developing into a really good inside right, and on Saturday she was very prominent in nearly all the Union team’s attacking movements. She has plenty of pace and follows up her attacks well —a qualification which, unfortunately, too many forwards lack.
It was noticeable that neither Miss Bell nor Miss Ashley, who are undoubtedly the two best centre-forwards playing in town at the present time, did net show up so prominently as usual. Miss Bell was the better of the two, although she was not placed under the same handicap as the Collegiate captain. In the circle Miss Bell is particularly valuable to her side and was chiefly responsible for all three goals. Miss Rabbidge, at centre-half, showed up prominently all through the game and she formed a strong connecting link between the full-backs and forwards. Her stopping was sound and she has lest that tendency to knock on. Her hitting was also clean and well placed in contrast to Collegiate centre-half, Miss McGill, who did not pay enough attention to placing the ball to the best advantage for her forwards to make openings.
The selectors will probably find some difficulty in choosing the full-backs, as there are several players of almost equal ability to choose from. Miss V. Rose is playing a fine game in that position and on Saturday she stopped many good Collegiate forward movements in gcod style. Miss Hawke was also very sound in her defence.
The Collegiate forward line suffers for the lack of good scorers. Miss Ashley is easily the strongest in this respect, but on Saturday she kept too far back to do much in this line. It would probably have been better for her not to have tried to support the half-back line and to have kept her position up with the other forwards. Occasionally she broke through on her own, but generaly she found that she had too much lee-way to make up. Practicaly all the goals scored for Collegiate this season have come from Miss Ashley and without her to rely upon to such an extent as usual, the weakness of the Collegiate line was apparent.
Miss Burt at full-back played a very steady game and her hard-hitting came in very useful to her side. Lately, however, she has develcped the fault of occasionally sending the ball across her own goal-line, and should rectify this as soon as she can. It is unfortunate that the onlookers at some of these games cannot forget their partiality to a sufficient extent so as not to interfere with the play. On Saturday several spectators stood alongside the goalposts and cheered every time the ball went between the posts. Their actions must have been disconcerting to the goal-keeper and it would not have been out of plaoe for the referee to have requested them to watch the game from the side line.
H. and J. Smith’s team which is to compete in the B grade competition, visited Otautau on the King’s Birthday to play a friendly game with the country team. Although defeated the town girls had a very pleasant day’s outing and were hospitably entertained by the members of the Otautau team. On the jeurney home several stops had to be made for repairs to the car by which they travelled, and the team did not arrive home until an early hour in the morning. Mr E. A. Pigeon has presented a silver cup to the Eastern District Association for the primary schools’ competition.
HOCKEY TOURS. It has been signified that the W.H.A. is net prepared at present to acquiesce to the proposal of an English tour to New Zealand (says the hockey writer in the New Zealand Times). Whilst the general opinion is that such a visit would stimulate interest in the game, it is thought that the “gates” would not be large enough to justify a tour. A guarantee of something like £250 is asked frem the local association, but this is rather large when we consider that our standard of play in New Zealand is probably the same as that in the Mother Country. Several authorities on the game who have returned from England and have watched the play there, declare that our play out here is quite as good as will be found in England. However, the visit would do no harm, and would in all probability give the game a push out here. A TRIP ABROAD. One or two enthusiasts are, however, anxious for a trip to either England or Australia. At the general meeting held this week one member emphatically declaring he would like a trip Home intimated that he was quite prepared to pay half his fare. Again he loudly declared that a half fare to Australia would be nothing and he wculd be quite wiling to pay it in order to get away. Nothing definite as to the proposals of the N.Z.H.A. in regard to a tour either from England or from Australia, or to the latter country is yet known. The Australian papers seem to think we are to send a team over, but as yet nothing is known for certain. Something, however, appears to be “in the wind,” so that in some little time from now we may hear what is to be done in a matter which is being watched with no little amount of interest. The Wesley Club in Wellington has adopted an insurance scheme, which, while not making a heavy demand upon its players affords them a fair amount of protection in case of injury. Members over 18 pay 3/- and members under that age pay 2/a season. The sum of £BO has been placed in an insurance fund which subscriptions will keep going. Dental and medical fees to the value of £2 are to be allowed in special cases. The New South Wales Association has forwarded an invitation to a New Zealand team and it is understood that an effort will be made to accept it. Hockey has made a start in Queensland, where there are six teams entered for competition. The Canterbury Ladies’ Hockey Association held a seven-a-side tournament last week, but owing to the weather conditions a number of the teams entered did not compete.
(By “Onlooker.”) Star (9) v. Invercargill (3). Pirates (6) v. Waikiwi (6). (COUNTRY DAY.) Town (28) v. Eastern (3). Town (29) v. Western (8). Town (30) v. Northern (nil). Central (21) v. Town (3). Star wins again. Central’s win popular. Final first round to-day. Eastern backs collapsed. Divided competition next week. Coakley consistently brilliant. Country Day teams again shorthanded. Invercargill beaten by good generalship. Blick is rapidly getting back to best form. Star’s fullback, Lilley, played a safe game. Invercargill’s backs were lonehanders throughout. Brawn showed remarkable improvement on Country Day. The short kick and follow by Star in the second spell won.
D. Murray’s short kick to R. Oughton was well judged and the wing secured it in his stride.
Johnstone, behind the Blue pack, failed to give his backs many chances and when the ball did come out it seldom reached the wings. The game was the best club exhibition so far this season, and the manner in which the forwards played was fine. The backs were a little patchy at times.
Soon after the commencement of the second spell the Star pack was altered and Strang shifted to the back row. When the ball came through the scrum it was held by the back row and the scrum screwed. This worked well on several occasions and the Blue backs had a busy time stopping forward rushes.
The Blue forwards played a hard game, but they lacked a capable leader in the second spell and this accounted for the superiority of the Star forwards. J. W. Stead, who took the field on the second half, ably directed the Star attack and his presence had the Blue forwards thinking hard tjie whole time. It was an example of tactics, and the advantage was with the ex-All Black.
Ever since the season opened football fns have been deploring the departure of Diack, McDonald and Morgan, and have been wondering where the wing threequarters for the rep. team were coming from. Holz has shown the most promise so far, and yet the selectors on Country Day .changed him from the wing to fiveeighths. We will have Richardson tried out as centre threequarter next.
In Christchurch, ’Varsity, Marist and Christchurch are equal in the competition each having 5 points to their credit. Merivale is next with 4$ points, so that the competition should provide some interest during the next few games.
Brown, the junior, who made his appearance with the Blues against Star, played a good game and showed plenty of dash. He was unlucky in his short kick as he slipped as he tried to swerve past Lilley after safely beating the fullback with the ball.
The same old fiasco of the selectors running round with bcots and jerseys, gathering all and sundry, who were willing to take the field, was witnessed on Country Day. Every one available was fitted out and sent to play against the Central team in the morning, while in the afternoon some of the players who turned out in the morning were called upon to play a second game. Sometime the Management Committee will give the Country teams a fair try out and the present ridiculous methods dropped.
The two Frasers were always in the van in the Blue forward attacks, while Cameron was dangerous in the open. The rest of the pack worked well, but Kerse at wing-forward was rather bamboozled when opposed to J. W. Stead in the second spell. Kerse could not move from the side of the scrum without encountering opposition he had never met before, and he was very bewildered. The manner in which Stead got the ball away to the backs was a lesson to many of the younger footballers. The Star pack played well in the second spell under the guidance of Stead. There were bo loafers and they went willingly until the closing stages when they tired as did their opponents. The hard forward game took it out of both sides and they were both tired when the final whistle was sounded.
The Star backs accepted their openings with greater alacrity than the Blues, and this accounts for the success of the team. Brown made a good opening for the first try and was assisted in his run by the fact that the Blue backs did not attempt to take him low. The short passing movements which lead up to the second and third tries were good, but the credit of the second must go to Brown, who fielded Vial’s speculator cleanly and went across in good style. The Star backs adopted the tactics which defeated the Springboks in Christchurch, short low kicks and ground kicks which were followed closely. (By “On-side Mac.”) WAIKIWI AND PIRATES DRAW. Contrary to expectations Waikiwi proved unequal to the task of disposing of the much battered Pirate first fifteen on Saturday. The suburbanites were certainly without a solid trio in Richardscn, Clark and Boraman, but Pirates’ troubles from a heavy casualty and removal list were increased by the inability of Gilmour and Johnston to take the field. With a couple of third-graders from the St. George Old Boys Club to complete a very scratch fifteen, Pirates sailed into the opposition from the kick-off, the surprise attack catching the heavy forward division on the other side napping. The ’Kiwi forwards were slow to pack round the man with the ball, and their nippier opponents took full advantage of this weakness, scoring twice from break-aways in front. With matters taking on a serious aspect for them, the suburbanites rallied, and bunching better on the line-out, they started solid ground rushes along the eastern edge of the paddock. Two of these yielded tries, the first being obtained through the Black fullback speculating at the critical moment. Before half-time Waikiwi secured two penalty kicks in handy positions, the ball going a yard or two outside the posts on each occasion. The pace, however, had slackened after lemcn time and little of note occurred in the second half. White led the Waikiwi pack in good style, but still showed a tendency to hard kicking on the break-away. His tackling, hard and low, was a treat to watch. Hazlett and Robinson backed him up well in the loose, both following up well. The less said about the backs the better—their efforts at combined play were poor, only a few solo efforts by S. Wills and Cross meriting attention. The Pirate front rankers, Smith and Thomas, tigered away in great style, while Watson is developing into a valuable man on the line-out and in loose play. Archer and Mathieeon, the two crack cash runners, played useful games. In the backs, Prain and McEwan worked well together, and if any combined work was going, one could be sure of finding them taking a prominent part in it. Behind the scrum, Kilby shot the ball out in grand style, and made judicious use of his short kick to the hole in the field. Preston was game enough for anything but lacked quickness and snap in his work. His rather laboured style, in which he looks as if he was continually trying to save himself from falling forward, often prevents him from being up in position to receive a swift scrum pass, while he is very much given to going too far before letting out the ball and giving the men outside him a chance. Solid and determined on defence. COUNTRY DAY RESULTS. The unexpectedly big wins by Town sides in Monday’s matches were a great triumph for the passing game, of which there has been such a lack in club matches. Failing the establishment of a more satisfactory system in respect to Country Day, the selectors did the best possible with the Town forces, and their scheme of retaining the nucleus of a particular club back or front division and combining it with a complementary section from another club to form the strongest possible teams worked out very well. The visiting sides, it must be admitted, were below the standard of the past few years—for instance there was little sign of those great dribbling runs that Eastern used to be so proficient in, and the Westerners used to have some quite good backs in seasons gone by. Shepherd and Acton paved the way for the Town success against Eastern by securing a splendid supply of ball (although it often got held up in the back row of the scrum), enabling the Star backs to operate with disastrous results to the opposing back division. This was where the visitors collapsed, for although their forwards gave a good account of themselves on the whole, their back division was very weak, a fact
which Eastern district followers of the game were pretty well aware of before the team left home.
James Oughton’s ability to pass out directly from the scrum has not been better illustrated this season than in this match, and the brilliant work of the three-quarter line, following on vastly improved handling by the five-eighths, came as a very pleasant surprise to those who were aware of the serious weakness in this department of play in local club football. It is to be hoped that every effort will be made to continue on these lines, even if it has to be remembered that the back division referred to was in receipt of a better supply of ball and more adequate protection than usual, while Eastern’s failure to mark and tackle opponents gave them greater freedom than would otherwise be enjoyed. Brown came right out of his shell and played like a champion. He anticipated well, made good openings for his wings, and timed his passes beautifully. This has been his weakness for a long time, but on Saturday he surprised everybody. He i» ateo beginning to use his pace and weight, in addition to a good cut in, and promises to develop into a valuable scoring man. Jack Oughton gave a splendid display—almost the best he has ever played. The try he gave his brother on the opposite wing by nipping over to the open side to get the extra man in recalls a somewhat similar anticipatory movement that he wae responsible for last year. A departure from the conventional way of doing things accounted for a great deal of the success of men like W. J. Stead and J. Hunter in the old days and here to-day only occasionally is a man like Gilmour found who can be depended upon to “think on his feet,” as it might be termed. R. Oughton, on the other wing, is one of the few players locally who have realised that under the amended kicking-into-touch rule, the wing threequarter who can use the reverse pass has an enormous advantage over an opponent not so armed. He worked it splendidly on Monday, and generally was right up to hii best form. Shand and Murray recorded a very pleasing improvement in their transferring work—they had previously been seriously handicapping their side through failure in this direction—and the result* should encourage them to go on with the task of passing on the ball accurately and quickly. Behind the scrum James Oughton sent the ball away in his usual prompt and accurate fashion, and worked the short side with splendid results. One would like to see him getting back into the play again after sending the bail away on the long side, while some starting practict would help him in his work —he is pretty fast when he gets going, but it is the initial effort that finds him out.
In the forwards White battled away in great style, but his ruinous habit of hard kicking on the break-away and a wild rush in pursuit is not only spoiling his own play, but is exercising a bad effect on his side—■ it prevents fast followers like Hazlett and good dribblers of the type of Acton, Shepherd and Ryan from taking advantage of the openings he punches on the line-out in the loose. It is high time an All Black footballer knew how to control the ball better in ground rushes. And talking of All Black footballers, there is another fine player of the same select fraternity to whom these remarks apply as well. Front rankers Shepherd and Acton, in addition to high-class hooking, put up splendid all-round performances, being always on hand for dribbling runs in the loose, and bunching quickly and well in line-out work. Hazlett was in his usual good form, C. Ryan and Watson also working solidly throughout. Rua played better than at any rime this season. The Easterners bunched well, but the heavy ground probably accounted to a considerable extent for their inability to break out into loose rushes. Brett was the best man on the side, working solidly and effectively throughout. Duncan, Scott and Pryde also showed up well, although the latter appeared to be a good deal over-
weight. The backs were not a strong combination. During the first spell Kinsett punted powerfully, but was unable to come on after half-time, and it was difficult in the circumstances to say what he was like. He, however, appeared to have a tendency to wait for the bounce—a fault, which, if it exists, should be got rid of. In the morning the Invercargill Club forwards and Marist backs—a very effective combination—overwhelmed an understrength Western rep. side. The exhibition of back play was brilliantly successful, and most of the time the forwards enjoyed themselves watching the attacks develop into scores. Comparisons are not to be recommended where two back divisions [Jay so splendidly, but after considering all the circumstances the conclusion is that ths morning back side were a shade superior to the combination against the Easterners. The verdiet must go to them for greater variety in attack, cross-kicking, reverse passing and backing up being of the highest class, while the transferring was more uniformly accurate. On the same grounds Coakley must secure the decision in the two wonderfully fine exhibitions of centre threequarter play, and the Marist back, who has been playing in great form all the season, needs no greater praise. Holz also played a grand game, and towards the finish was making better use of his weight, and fending well, his last try being a beauty in this respect. Holz’s biggest asset is that he keeps on plugging away under all circumstances and gains ground, even if it is only a foot or two at a time, every time he secures possession. He was not so good when shifted in to second five-eighth, but once back on the wing with more room to work on, soon got back into his best form. Kelly gave a brainy display on the other wing, and the cross-kick from which Johnston scored was a beautifully timed effort. Kelly has got “a football head” which, with the coaching he has received, makes him a valuable player in almost any position in the backs. Cosgrove has improved out of sight since last season, and Walsh has come on at a rapid rate. O’Halloran appears to be improving, and should remember always that the faster a half-back gets the ball away from the scrum the better chance his side has of attacking successfully. L. Dalgleish, now in Melbourne, learnt that lesson at school, with the result that he developed into the fastest scrum passer that Southland has seen in late years, and to this was almost entirely due his success, and an appearance in rep. football when little more than a boy. He was not built for the half-back position, and beyond a sound tackle, had few of the common football attributes, but the terrific speed with which he initiated a back attack made him invaluable. Of one of the greatest half-backs this country has seen, All Black A. Cook, it is said that he could do nothing on a football field save to pass the ball out like lightning. The Town forwards had a day out. Staunton and V. Fraser worked in their usual solid fashion, while Cameron and Johnston distinguished themselves in the i loose. It is reported that the latter is giving the game up, but it is very much to be hoped that he can be prevailed on to see the season out, as he is the only man in sight to fill the blank created by the absence for a part of the representative season of the Star rover, Bell. Johnston handles a ball well, and anticipates movements, while his natural tendency to get out into the open, together with height and reach for long line-out work, would fit him well for a position in w’hich there is not one capable exponent in Town football at present. Western, who had great difficulty in getting a team on to the field, were overwhelmed most of the time by the combination of the opposing backs, although they made a great effort after half time and scored two tries which everyone was glad to see them get. The veteran Duggan was the best forward, while Ferguson battled away in great style for his size. The two Browns and Prendeville worked solidly, but Clark, who came with a reputation, failed to live up to it. In the backs Grieve did his best to keep the side together, but although he played well himself, there was no hope of saving the situation. The Queenstown player, Farrant, who was asked to play for Northern on Country Day, was unable to secure the necessary leave.
Five thousand people were present at Petone Oval on Saturday to see the old rivals, Poneke and Petone, fight their battles over again. A mark by Gibson in the first spell for Poneke enabled that player to lift a kick on to the bar where after landing lazily the leather tumbled over and gave Poneke the lead. Petone made tremendous efforts to equalise, and a few minutes before the finish “Doc.” Nicholls scored a great try, which brother Mark just failed to convert from a difficult position. The result, a draw, still sees Petone at the head of the competition with a one-point lead on Berhampore, and Poneke one point further back. Varsity, Marist and Christchurch are at the top in Christchurch, with 5 points each, Merivale next with 4s, and Linwood 3. One point for a win, and A a point for a draw. The young Waitakian, W. Hazlett, returned north during the week. He is one of the few secondary schoolboy players who have withstood the exacting ordeal of a successful participation in first grade football, the splendid physique of the Southlandbred descendant of two well-known Dunedin sporting families of another generation bringing him through with flying colours. Hazlett is one of the best forwards seen in South Island secondary school football in recent years, and provided he does not Over-tax himself in the meantime, has every chance of emulating his elder brother’s successful record in club and representative football
It would be interesthing to know where the Auckland Herald got its information from when it says that the “Southland and Otago representative teams to visit Auckland this season will be particularly strong aides, and the Southland team will be at full srength.” This is merely wild guessing on somebody’s part, as it is far too soon yet to say what kind of a team Southland will be able to send away. Queenstown defeated Country Pirates on Saturday by 25 to nil. A. Farrant scored two tries and drop-kicked a goal. Hard-slogging forward play in wet weather, with 5000 people present in each case, were the chief features of the two North Island rep. matches, Wanganui v. Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay v. Wairarapa, last Monday. Wanganui had practically last year’s rep. team, but the cow country representatives were an experimental side. Those three powerful forwards who were in Invercargill last season, viz., Fogarty, Malone and Masters, are no longer available to Taranaki, the first two being in Auckland and the All Black having retired from the game. Beilis was much below his last season’s form. Roberts, the Maori wing three-quarter from up-country, showed promise, but had little chance to do anything under the conditions ruling. Of Coutts, the Taranaki full-back, the Wanganui Chronicle says he appeared to be the best full-back Taranaki have unearthed since the days of Kingston. Up at Napier the powerful Bay forward division gradually wore their opponents down, enabling Nepia to kick a penalty and the backs to score near the finish.
The big attraction at Auckland to-day is ;he Grammar Old Boys-Varsity game, which will be under vice-regal patronage, Lord Jellicoe having promised to witness the contest.
The Town Council has decided to instal a convenience at the Biggar street ground, a much-needed accession.
An organised movement is at present apparent in the football columns of certain journals controlled by a small coterie to have Gilmour relegated to the wing position of the three-quarter line. A few years ago the Pirate Club five-eighth played in that position and no good judge of the game would need to think twice to express an opinion as to his ability in that capacity as compared with his form of the past season or two—it is sufficient to say that the player referred to has been marked down in high football circles in Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin as a man up to the standard required for All Black football The present movement is no surprise in view of the studied opposition last season to one of the most brilliant players Southland has produced since the days of Stead and Ward. The people referred to here may be asked how they propose to get the ball out to Uilmour if they had their way and secured his removal from a position in which he has already been signally successful In the following, the Christchurch Sun refers to a matter that might well have attention in this part of the world:— There are some good Rugby football referees in Christchurch, but they do not officiate regularly in first grade football It s a pity. Special qualifications are needed to control efficiently the fast type of game that has been seen on the oval of Lancaster Park this season, and the Canterbury Referees’ Association should make a point of ensuring (and taking a pride in the fact) that its very best men control such games. It is repeating a truism to say that a referee can make or mar a game, and something further than a full knowledge of the rules, and the capacity for quick decision, is required from a good referee. Referees such as Mr J. F. Peake, who unfortunately has not been seen with the whistle at Lancaster Park this season, have the complete confidence of players and the public, and they assist to keep the play bright. Unfortunately, the trend of a discussion at the last annual meeting of the association confirms the existence of a certain amount of feeling amongst a section of referees if one official gets more than what is considered his share of first-grade games. Such a feeling is hard to justify. Surely, if a man, by assiduous cultivation, attains an ability above the average in controlling the game, he should be entitled to the full reward of his application and fifta.”
The end of the first round in the Tapanui District still sees Henot and Tapanui racing neck and neck away out in front of the rest of the field. They have 9 points each, the other four teams being all on the same mark with 2 points.
The Wanganui Chronicle’s football writer, in a recent batch of notes, comments interestingly on an aspect of the game in his district and refers also to recent events in this part of the world. He says: “Interest attached to the initial showing of Rat ana for the reason that the natives were an unknown quantity, and there were hopes that they would be mercurial in their methods like the Rata native players. But the games so far indicate that the Ratana itandard is not the Rata standard, and the iruth is forced home that there are native and native teams. Unless Ratana improve, and improve muchly, there is scarcely more hope for them than to provide trying-out games against the town teams. Yet in the Ratana side there is good material of the crude kind that could easily be moulded into something much better, and one is hopeful that they will receive the tuition that they so badly need. A good coach at Ratana for a few’ weeks could work wonders. In these days of lily-white amateurism a paid coach—however small the amount of remuneration—is taboo, but possibly some arrangement in an honorary capacity could be made. Southland overcame a similar obstacle a couple of seasons ago, when they enlisted the services of “Generd” Booth in a purely honorary capacity of course for Southland cling lovingly to all that is brightest and best in amateur traditions. The Old World Rugby International season closed in the middle of April, the last match being at Paris between France and Ireland. Of the five countries taking part in international encounters, France was the only one up till then to be denied a victory, but after the match referred to France joined Wales and Ireland in having won one and lost three games in the tournament. France secured the verdict by 14 points to 8, French back play beating Irish footwork. The finish of the international season sees England on top, having won all her matches. The stiffest tussle was against the Scotch representatives at Inverluth, England, scoring two tries from intercepted passes and converting one, as against Scotland’s two unconverted scores. The detailed record of the season is as follows:
A correspondent forwards the following interesting details in connection with the Railway Workshops Apprentices’ Shield:— Two years ago the Invercargill Workshops men presented a silver plated shield for competition among the South Island workshops apprentices. Last year the shield was won by the Hillside boys, who defeated both Addington and Invercargill. On Saturday night the Hillside team were met at the railway station and billeted out by the Invercargill boys. On Sunday they were taken to the Bluff, where an enjoyable afternoon was spent, one small member of the party causing quite a stir among the Bluff lassies. The match was played or. Monday morning, commencing at 9.30, and after a strenuous tussle the Hillside boys won by 11 points to 3, Stewart, Murray and Hazelwood (who converted his own try) scored for Hillside, while Ford scored for Invercargill. Hennessey took a brilliant mark when a score seemed certain. After the match the Hillside boys were the guests of the Invercargill workshops men at a splendid dinner, where Mr W. Young, one of Hillside’s keenest supporters, excelled with his fine solo. The visitors returned to Dunedin by Monday afternoon’s express. ORDERED OFF. REFEREES’ LIABILITY. (By the Times’s Wellington Correspondent). Recent deliberations by the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union throw into bold relief the liability of referees in connection with the ordering off of players for breaches of the code. In not a few instances, referees, after forwarding a written report of the occurrence, have hesitated to corroborate it, or hold to the facts, when confronted by the player in the presence of the committee. In one case, the charge was simply “illegal tackling,” without any amplification of the charge to indicate its seriousness. Unaccompanied by any circumstances of brutality, a charge of “illegal tackle, charge or obstruction” comes specially under Law 11. of the international code, the only penalty for which is a free kick to the opposing side. Point is given to this reasoning from the subsequent facts concerning the case re-' ported. The referee attended the meeting, accompanied by the player, and withdrew the charge, saying he was not sure he had got the right man. While every sportsman will welcome such a chivalrous attitude, it is a matter for regret that the referee did not make sure of the identity of the culprit before ordering anyone off the field. Again, supposing the referee has made a mistake in the present case, what of the guilty man, who calmly allows a comrade to go before the Union, with the likelihood that, if the weight of the referee’s evidence outbalances his demurrer, he will be suspended? Punishment at the hands of the Union does not rest there. It follows the offender to his club, who are likely to adjudge him unworthy to continue in membership. In the workshop or on his job, he is likely to be pointed out as a man who did an act on the football field that would stamp him an unworthy workmate. In the eye of his employer, he is apt to sink to the level of those whose promotion is not made easy.
It is refreshing to recall the candour and directness of the referee (Mr Hastings), who, on hearing that the offender denied the truth of the charge, wrote to the Union, giving a graphic account of his having aimed a kick in the direction of a prostrate opponent, which, had it connected, would, he said, have ended his playing days.
The natural source to which the Union looks for recruits for the whistle, the ranks of old players, is not a prolific source, and the Referees’ Association is often hard put to keep its ranks closed up. These gentlemen, who give their time gratuitously to the somewhat unattractive task of refereeing, deserve every consideration, but it is in the interest of themselves as well as the player, that once they give a decision, they should hold to it. If there be any doubt at all, they should give the player the benefit of it. Moreover, a skilled referee will always sense the indications of rough play, and warn a player or group of players, even assemble both teams. Australia produced a referee who had the moral courage to blow his whistle and call a player apart for a lecture, delivered in sight of the spectators and in the hearing of the players. His presence on the field had a very sobering effect on both teams. There are one or two referees in the metropolis who, if they invested their administration with a little more force and dignity, would achieve the same much-desired end. But guilt must be beyond doubt before the accusing finger indicates an offender. It- is his common right before the law of rugby. EASTERN DISTRICT NOTES (By “Scrummer.”) THE DEBACLE. A bad break, Eastern. Good practice for the town backs, that’s all. Take them low, Eastern, not by the ears. J. Shepherd played a great game against his old friends. From such another exhibition of back play—Good Lord deliver us! Scott to the fore as ever. Brett a good partner. Thomson had an off day. Hayes did a lot of useful work. Pryde was good, but it is a great pity he is not properly fit. Kinzett played a sound game until he had to go off. His fielding and kicking were good, but, as with the rest of the team, his tackling was weak. Davidson is wasted at full-back. It is a great pity that his club doesn’t give him a chance to make good in one particular position, and not keep him as handy man for backs and forwards in any old position. The backs generally were painful. Matheson was probably the least so. When the Black backs learn the rudiments of tackling, they may be worth something. Town backs passed well, kicked with judgment, combined well, and used their heads. Tactics is a strange word in Eastern ears. It is said that Mr L. Foster made a capable referee. Ever been given the dummy, Eastern ? Curtin and Park were both very weak. Sutton was a great disappointment—he was looked upon as very sound and reliable. It appears to be essential that the next Eastern rep. team be assembled for training before taking the field. The policy of gathering up players from four different teams on the morning of the match results in fatal weakness, particularly in the rearguard. It may be expensive, it may be difficult to arrange, but it should be well worth while to knock some ideas of tactics and combination into the fifteen. There should be no lack of competent coaches for either backs or forwards, and even one day s work should make a difference. How about one or two trial matches before the 1 rep. season starts? WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS. Senior—Pioneer 6 v. Albion 6. Mataura 17 v. Edendale 6. Seconds—Albion 6, v. Pukerau 3. Seaward Downs 25, v. Pioneer 0. Albion v. Pioneer—the poorest exhibition to date. L. Thomson very safe at full-back; tackles well. Pearce doing good work in the Albion scrum. Robertson played a good game at fullback for Pioneer. F. O'Kane stiffened up the Pioneer backs. McArthur always off-side. Telfer and Graham doing well. Pukerau is having a bad season in the second-grade. Wyndham are stronger this year. High School should have no trouble in the third-grade. Two Edendale men are worthy of the attention of the selectors, Marshall (winger; and Howie (five-eighth).
Dust from volcanic eruptions has been known to travel 500 miles through the air.
SOCCER.
(By “Shoot.”) Rangers play Invercargill at Tweed Street to-day. The Corinthian v. Nightcaps game has been cancelled. Cold weather prevailed at Culling Park last Monday when Southland met, and were defeated, by Otago by two goals to nil The conditions were further blighted by fitful showers of hail and rain which fell at intervals throughout the match. The playing area was naturally in rather a sodden condition, and pools of water wore in evidence; but the ground might very well have been in a worse state, when the recent heavy floods are taken into account, as then the park was submerged beneath the flood waters. A fair crowd braved the elements, and were treated to a display of football which amply repaid the inconveniences under which they watched the game. There is no doubt that Southland met a better team, and they would undoubtedly have been beaten by a larger margin if it had not been for the splendid performance put up by Gwillum in goal. All the Southland men played well, but the goalie excelled, and was a treat to watch, as he saved time after tme, almost certain shots. The Southland goal was continually being pressed but he was always on the alert. Cook, at centre, was kept well watched, and although he got away several times, and sent in some beautiful shots, none took effect. The greasy state of the ball caused many shots to go wide. Otago had a sound rear division in the brothers Anderson, who were ever cool and collected, and their long low kicks right up the field brought many of their opponents’ rushes to nought. Southland were handicapped by the fact that three of their men were unable to make the trip, and reserves had to be played. Southland lost the toss and were forced to face a squally, southerly wind. Otago were pressing from the start, but long kicking by Cathcart did much to relieve the position for Southland. But Otago were not to be denied, and from a fine cross kick, their centre-forward secured, and sent a hot shot which gave Gwillum no chance. Play was then up and down field with Hobbs at centre-half figuring prominently for Southland. The visitors’ goal was often in danger but when half-time was called no further goal had been registered. In the second spell Southland had the advantage of the wind, and immediately set up an attacking movement, but their halves were kicking too hard, and the opposing backs were able to get the ball, tmd return it up the field. The Otago forwards were continually sending in hot shots, but it was hard to judge distance with the greasy ball, and many went behind. Hobbs and Moore were tackling well in the half-back line, but were kicking too far ahead, and this considerably hampered Maxwell and Cook, who were unable to reach the ball in time. A feature in the second spell was the splendid run by E. Cook, who secured the ball, and sprinted down the field, and succeeded in tricking the Otago backs. The effort was nullified however by one of the forwards getting offside. Bulner and Cathcart were playing well, and succeeded in clearing many times. Play surged up and down field, and both goalies received some hot shots. Maxwell got away and sent the ball to E. Cook, who sent in a clever hook shot, but the Otago goalie managed to clear. An exchange of kicks between the rival backs followed, and play once more hovered round mid-field. Race, the Otago centre half, secured a return from goal, and set out on his own for the Southland goal. He succeeded in eluding Moore, Hobbs, and Cathcart, and banged in the leather from fairly close in, thus registering Otago’s second goal. From the kick off Southland pressed hard, but play ruled mostly in midfield until the whistle blew with the scores unaltered.
A large number of people held the view that Soccer is played almost entirely by professionals; but to them it is necessary to point out that for every professional club in Europe there are thousands of amateur combinations. Schools, leagues, associations, and other bodies play the game as pure amateurs and amateur teams leave England every season to play through the Continental countries.
You can pick him! He is in almost every team, unfortunately, so there is no need to mention names, remarks Vanguard in the Wellington Post. He wants a string on the ball, or, better still, a ball of his own to play with. He is usually a winger, but not always so. Perhaps the one you know plays in the centre, or even full back? You sometimes hear him on the field crying about the ball being on the other wing, but you are sure to hear him in the dressing room at half time or after the match is over. He will tell you that he has been deliberately starved, has only had a dozen kicks, and might just as well have been on the bank. And for the good of the team he certainly would be much better on the bank, as he is frequently the cause of discord, and without harmony no team can be a success. But, unfortunately, he is usually a good footballer, in the sense that he can play the game if he likes, but he is suffering from that awful complaint “swelled head.” His knowledge of team spirit is nil, and he really plays the game for his own selfish self, and frets like a spoilt child when not in the limelight. Yes, I think we all know him!
Commenting on the visit to Australia by the New Zealand Soccer team a Sydney paper remarks:—“The Dominion players are clever demonstrators. They won two of the test matches against the Kangaroos in New Zealand last season. The New Zealand style of play is more vigorous that that of the Australians, due to the latitude given by referees. The decision of Dominion players that a player not in actual contact with the ball may be charged, proved disconcerting to Australians, and is somewhat amazing in view of the generally adopted practice in the British Isles and Australia. Besides it is contrary to the rules. It also operates detrimentally against spectacular play. Australian referees are very strict in this regard, and it will be interesting to see how the New Zealanders adopt their tactics to meet the new conditions. In the second test match the Australians played their opponents at their own style, and were successful in dividing honours—l—l. The cost of the tour will be about £2OOO, and includes the following matches (in addition to those already played).—June 2 v Ipswich, at Ipswich; June 4 v Brisbane, at Brisbane; June 6 v North Coast, at Nambour (Q) ; June 9 first test at Brisbane; Junel3 v Maitland, at Maitland; June IG, second test, at New Castle; June 20 v Maitland, at Mail land; June 23 v Iliawarra District, at Wollongong; June 25 v Metropolis, or New South Wales, at Wentworth Park; June 27 v Western Districts, at Bathurst; June 30, third test, at Sydney. (Victorian games to be arranged.)” It is eighteen years since a Soccer team last went to Australia. MANCHESTER UNITED. I recently received the following comments on Manchester United from a Manchester correspondent:—ln more senses than one it has been a disappointing season for the directors, who, when the campaign opened, were pretty sure that great services would be rendered by M’Bain, Henderson, Wood and Lyner, whereas the contrary has proved the case. M’Bain was the only one on the quartette to be a successful player and he had to be parted with owing to circumstances over which the directors had no control. The Irish International, Lyner, did not prove the outside forward required, and was transferred to Kilmarnock. He only played in three matches for the United, viz., against Coventry City (twice) and Port Vale. Snape was another outside man who did not prove a success, though much had been expected of him. But the biggest disappointment of all has, of course, been the small part played in the season by Wood and Henderson, both of whom came with good reputations. Henderson, who has had leg trouble for a good portion of the winter, has only played in two matches —against Coventry City and Port Vale.
Wood has never been able to find the form hoped for, although he has been so persevered with as to appear in sixteen matches.
It has been a thorough disappointment for Mr Chapman, manager of the Club, for there is no doubt at all that these players were playing successfully in Scotland when he secured their signatures, and League officials generally believed the United manager had done his club sound service in obtaining them. And, by the way, the transfers were not easily obtained, for other clubs were just as anxious to get M’Bain, Wood, and Henderson as were Manchester United. Another player who has not come up to expectations is Williams, the ex-Chester-field inside forward. He has played in four matches, viz., against The Wednesday (twice), Crystal Palace, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The team started the season with a forward line consisting of Wood, Lochhead, Spence, Partridge and Thomas, and the members of that line who have kept regular places in the side are Lochhead, Spence and Partridge. Joe Spence has been a willing, whole-hearted general utility forward, playing eleven times at centre-forward, eight at inside right, and ten at outside right. The following right wings have been played during the season:—Wood and Lochhead, Lyner and Sarvis, Lyner and Lochhead, Wood and David Bain, Wood and Myersclough, Wood and Spence, Cartman and ' Spence, Wood and Barber, Spence and Barber, Lievesley and Myersclough, Thomas and Myersclough, and Spence and Mann — making a grand total of fourteen different right wings combinations. A season works many changes sometimes. Since September there have arrived at Old Trafford Barson, from Aston Villa; Goldthorpe, from Leeds United; M’Donald, from Cardiff City; and J. Bain, from Glencairn ——two centre half-backs and two centre forwards. Two young locals in Barber and Lievesley, have also been signed, along with Morris from Prescot. “FANNY” WALDEN. One of the most prominent association football players of recent years is “Fanny” Walden, who in spite of his diminutive stature—being only five feet two and a half inches in height—has proved himself an able exponent of the game, and a true sportsman. He began his football career at school, and after leaving played for Wellingborough White Cross as outside right, the place he fills at the present for ’Spurs. Later he passed on to Wellingborough All Saints. At the age of eighteen he became a “pro,” and received five shilling a match for his services. When he afterwards joined Northampton Town he was paid ten shillings a week, and that, he says, was only fourteen years ago. He remained with the latter team for four seasons. Tottenham Hotspur made an offer of fifteen hundred pounds for his transfer into the famous London team, which was accepted, and he has since amply justified his inclusion.
In 1914 he realised his most cherished ambition, when he was chosen to represent England in the annual match against Scotland. The game, after a hard fought battle, resulted in a victory for the Scots of three goals to one. “Fanny” has been very lucky as far as accidents are concerned, during his long association with football, having escaped any very serious injuries. This is no doubt due to his midget proportion. “But,” he says, “I had one bit of bad luck, for I was unable to take my place in the Tottenham Hotspur team when they won the Cup. Of all the disappointments of my career, this was unquestionably the biggest, for to the average footballer there is no possession so prized as an English Cup medal.”
He tells a rather amusing story of an experience which he had when he was a member of the Northampton team playing away from home. He became detached from the rest of the players, and when he turned up at the ground where he was due to play, he found a burly gentleman who simply could not be persuaded that he was a real footballer.
“What,” he said as he eyed him over. “You a footballer? Run away round to the boys’ entrance, there’s a good chap, and you’ll get in half price.” Fanny argued, but the gateman would not be convinced. However, one of the team was worried over his non-appearance and came to look for him, and so he got into the ground just in time for the match.
BOOKING
(By “Punch.”) * The sympathy of all local followers of boxing will be extended to the relatives and the friends of the late Cyril Whitaker, one of the few Scuthlanders who have won fame in the roped circle. In the welter-weight final, Stevenson v. Prenderville, the action of the former, when, after going down on the boards he carefully wiped his gloves, is to be commended. It shows careful instruction and a sporting spirit. Few of the other boxers appeared to think of the harm that might be caused by a dirty glove. Although the tournament is now over, Southlanders can still see “reel” boxing at the Civic Pictures, where a new series of the “Leather Pushers” began some time ago. The fight in the first of the series was well done—with the necessary “crookedness” to make a story. Local boxers, however, are not recommended to train on the methods of Kid Roberts. It would be courting disaster. The same programme showed a glimpse of two old-timers, Corbett and Jefferies, but it was a glimpse only. With annoying suddenness we shifted to President Harding or some other eminent nonentity. The production of this series is a sign that the Picture Companies are recognising their patrons’ liking for screen boxing, and the result is something original to picturegoers. With the exception of the annoying delays between the bouts, the arrangements for the tournament gave general satisfaction. The refereeing, in the hands of Mr Rogerson, was the best we have had for some time past and the judging was also well done. The wins of C. W. Taylor and D. Stevenson over “R. Sycamore,” and Prenderville respectively, must, however have been narrow enough to justify another round being fought. An early reference to boxing as a sport appears in the Public Advertiser of June 9, 1768, amongst the now-called “Locals.” Thursday morning early two noted bruisers with their seconds and about 40 other persons who had lodged betts, assembled in Stepney Fields to decide a battle for 20 guineas; but before they could engage, a body of “Coalheavers” assembled, on which the athletic gentry with their attendants thought nt to scamper off in a great hurry. A noticeable fault among boxers in this Tournament was the display of peculiar and cramped styles; very dangerous in appearance, but of little value when in use. An experienced boxer adopts a style to suit his methods; an amateur usually imitates. The use of an unsuitable style results in misdirected attacks, more often, in a feeble defence. In most cases the style of a local competitor could be defined as the use of unnecessary flourishes. With D. Cree of Oamaru, and J. Leckie and L. Spencer of Southland, however, there was little of this, and they were the most promising boxers in the tournament. Few of the styles stood the test. At the sound of the gong, the stylists would leap out of their , corners, advance eagerly to the attack, and begin with a vigorous passage of arms with an entirely imaginary, opponent. The object of this, it may be presumed, was to frighten the other competitor, who on his side used similar tactics. This would continue until, encouraged by gallery comments, a few blows would be exchanged. Then another long wait. When a blow took effect, however, style would be forgotten, and they would “mix it” until the bout terminated in a wild scramble. But
in the case of the three boxers before mentioned they kept fighting easily and naturally throughout to win in the end. D. Cree, our only northern visitor, showed himself the possessor of a splendid style. In his bout with “G. Read” of Invercargill, he used his superior reach to keep off his stocky opponent, who determinedly carried the fight to the other side. There was a noticeable contrast in the two; “Read,” eager and aggressive—a fighter; Cree, cool and scientific—a boxer. And Science won. All through it was a good bout, vrell fought and it pleased the spectators. He next met and defeated F. Massey of Bluff. In the first and second rounds, Massey did most of the leading, but his punches did not always connect, while in the third round Cree led all through. Towards the end of this bout it was apparent that Massey was tiring and the result could no longer be in doubt. In the featherweight final, Mr Doig again indicated Cree as the winner, and he showed his superiority as convincingly as in the previous bouts. The manner in which these bouts were won stamps Cree as a promising youngster and one who has evidently been well taught. All three bouts in which he appeared were deservedly applauded. The double honour of Flyweight and Bantamweight Champion of Southland are now held by L. Spencer of Makarewa. Nobody will grudge his victory in the bantamweights, but it must be admitted he was lucky to have only one opponent against him in that class. In his battle for the heavier of the titles, Spencer fought “B. Foster,” an opponent almost a stone heavier. Spencer had much the cooler temperament and successfully countered the attacks of his ring rival. “Foster” attacked in a determined manner but was out-generalled. Spencer used his clever footwork to some purpose, his heavier opponent finding it difficult to reach the elusive youngster. “Foster” has the common fault of drawing back to punch and this undoubtedly contributed to his downfall. This was a most satisfactory bout and thoroughly deserved the enthusiastic applause it evoked. His victory over F. G. Sycamore of Clifton was another popular win. Sycamore was the taller but he carried less weight than Spencer. Sycamore persistently rushed his alert antagonist, who kept up a splendid defence —good footwork and coolness in emergencies being the main factors. Despite the failure of his punches to connect, the loser attacking all through. This is the way a Northern paper makes Criqui defeat Kilbane. In bold letters the paper proclaims:— How Criqui Knocked Out Kilbane. Won by a neck. Time, 3min. 12sec.
The professional contest for a purse of £2OO between Brian McCleary, of Christchurch, and Jack Heeney, of Gisborne, drew a big crowd to the King Edward Barracks last week, over 1700 paying for admission, but the fight was a very disappointing affair, comments the Christchurch Frees. McCleary led right from the start, and each round only added to his points, but once again he proved that he is still only a boxer, and not a fighter. A very clever boxer he certainly is, yet, though he has developed a better punch with his right than he used to have, he still lacks a knock-out “wallop.” Had he possessed one, about three rounds would have ended Saturfight. As usual, his footwork was a treat to watch, and his speed was fine, but his defence was not what it should have been, and he left many openings that might have been disastrous had his opponent not been so busy looking after himself as he had to be. Heeney was game right through, and took a tremendous amount of punishment, but he was obviously outclassed, and never looked like troubling the Christchurch man. The fact that he was being hit right from the first gong and was never seriously incommoded, showed that McCleary’s blows lacked sting, well placed and well timed as they were. McCleary has the science and the speed, but he badly wants a punch. *
§ 1907 .. . cj Innings. w ss o 6 11 Sr/) 166 1 2135 §> 3L45 1909 .. . . .. 54 2 205 2114 40.65 1911 .. . . .. 60 3 154 2376 41.68 1912 .. . . .. 60 6 111 2042 37.81 Iyi3 .. .. ... 57 5 184 2605 50.09 1914 .. . . .. 48 2 226 2699 58.63 1919 .. . . .. 49 6 205 2594 60.32 1920 .. . 2 215 2827 58.89 1922 .. . . .. 46 5 168 2552 62.24
Union Played. 5 Won. Lost. Drawn. Pts. 4 1 . 8 Winton 4 3 1 0 Collegiate 5 3 2 6 High School 4 1 3 2 Rosedale ..... 4 0 4 0
P. W. L. for. agst. Pte. England .. . 4 4 0 50 17 8 Scotland .. , 4 3 1 46 22 6 W ales . 4 1 3 31 31 2 Ireland .. 4 1 3 21 40 2 France .. . 4 1 3 28 52 2
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 18963, 9 June 1923, Page 12 (Supplement)
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16,560THE PLAYGROUND. Southland Times, Issue 18963, 9 June 1923, Page 12 (Supplement)
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