ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 829, 6 October 1916, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

RANGERS THE CHAMPIONS.

The curtain was rung down on firstgrade Association football in Christchurch for the season of 1(>1(> last Saturday, when the final match for the championship was php'«d between Hangers and United, at English Park. Both teams have shown fairly consistent fort!) throughout the season, each having a total of -0 championship points out of a possible 2(i at the conclusion of the second round. Rangers lost two matches—both against Nomads—and drew two, against United and Linwood. United had also lost two —against St. Bodes and Rangers—and drawn two, against Nomads and Hangers. The meeting of the two leaders to decide the championship aroused considerable interest, and a keen contest was anticipated, as the teams had onlv met once previously on even terms, when the result was a drawn game. United Below Strength.

When the teams took the field on Saturday it was noticed that United wiis wilhout Ihe serviee of Nelson and Perry (the latter still suffering; Ihe effi'.lp of an injury). The attacking 1 diviioi! suffered in eonsennenee. With flic execution of Allen, Rangers "fielded a representative tc;un, and in this respect they held n considerable advantage over their opponents. The game itself, as is usual in such cases, hardly reached the standard of an ordinary league engagement, from a spectacular standpoint, a certain stalenes amongst the players being very evident. With the exception of the winners' left wing, which contributed some very effective play, combined work was absent and two of the three goals scored could not have had any reasonable connection with the movements which preceded them. The Rangers' forwards were given more opportunities for offensive work than their opponent's, due to the excellent service of their backs, but on several occasions fine scoring opportunities were simply thrown away by the error of juggling with the ball in front of the net, instead of banging in with a speculator. Neither goal was subjected to any particularly harsh treatment, and with the exception of McCourtney's clearing of the Ranger's line from a dangerous corner kick, neither side could claim distinction for creating excitement in this direction. With full time approaching and the score still level, extra spells of 10 minutes each way appeared to be a certainty, and considerable satisfaction was evidenced by the Rangers when Barwell just beat. Swift by the fraction of a second, almost on the tick of time. On the run of the game, possibly a. repetition of the teams' first meeting would have been a, better indication of their merits, as neither side could lay any particular claim to superiority. The match was played in an admirable spirit and on no occasion w r as the referee, Mr Brycej called upon to exercise admonition. Otago Schoolboys' Visit.

The Otago schoolboys departed last Saturday for Dunedin, with no great opinion of Canterbury weather. The rain commenced to fall on.the morning after their arrival and persistently continued throughout their entire stay. With youthful enthusiasm, however, they turned out in full force on Thursday morning for practice, and later in the day journeyed to Sumner to try conclusions with a team picked from the Deaf Mutes' Institute. The dismal conditions did not deter the boys from displaying their best form, however, and an excellently-contested game ended in even honours —each side scoring otic goal. The visitors were entertained at, the institute after the match and were loud in their praises of the boys for the hospitality they were shown. ,

A very large crowd of juvenile enthusiasts put in an appearance at English Park on the following day, to witness the inlerprovincial match. The weather conditions were extremely had and the soaking rain which continued to fall made the ground most difficult to play on. The Canterbury team was considerably heavier than that of the visitors, and in the earlier stages of the game it appeared that the home team would prove too good for its opponents. Otago possessed a sturdy defence, however, and it became evident that the visitors were more at home on the slippery ground than Canterbury- —(he only goal scored being evidence of this fact. Canterbury showed a decided weakness, as in . its previous match against Wellington, in front of goal. The forward line was given innumerable chances to pierce the defence, but it, appeared to prefer losing the. opportunity by manoeuvring for position, instead of driving for goal. The opening stages of the second half should have resulted in levelling' the scores, but, the manner in which the ball was fumbled right in goal was most exasperating. However, nobody will deny that the better team won. but. the local lads have nothing to be ashamed of in the manner in which they acquitted themselves. Given the necessary coaching as a team and comparing their style with that of the visitors, Canterbury possesses material in the schools equal to any in the Dominion, and should it be decided to lake a team on tour next season, this contention will be- amply borne out. Now that intorprovincial schools games have been so successfully introduced, it is to be hoped Unit an effort will he made to secure a. challenge cup for competition throughout the dominion an action which would prove of immense value to the spoil, in years to conic.

Stray Shots. Private Ctithbcrt Hill, of the Corinthian learn, was an interested spectator at the League final last Saturday. Private Hill went to the front with the Main Body, and went through most of the engagements on (lallipoli Peninsula without mishap, lie, was admitted to hospital early in the year, suffering from enteric fever, and was invalided home when convalescent... A letter just received from Sergt. McKinley, late lion, secretary of the Linwood Club and Schools Association, and bearing the dale of August 2~>, "at sea," gives an interesting aceouut of the doings of the loth Koiiil'orcemenf on transport No. 59. lie states that they have had an exceptionally rough trip, lie says: ''The food is really verj acceptable, and superior to what ob-

tains at the camps. Certain hours are set apart for drill—!) to 12 and 2 to 4.30 p.m. —but one finds it impossible to maintain interest. Space 'ing limited, we cannot do much, and the repetition of physical drill, semaphore signalling, lecturett.es, and occasionally musketry soon becomes monotonous. Relaxation in one's leisure moments takes the form of cards, draughts, dominoes, chess, and magazine reading. We have had several concerts on board, the most recent being given by C Company—■ which was the best yet." Sergt. McKinley concludes his interesting letter by stating that Sergt. McLaehlan and all the other "soccer" boys aboard are "in the pink," and unite in sundry remembrances to all friends.

Delegates to the Canterbury Football Association are reminded that the summoned meeting, to discuss proposed amendments to the constitution, will be held at the Y.M.C.A. buildings on Tuesday next, at 8 p.m. It is to be hoped that clubs have given this and other matters their earful consideration, and that a thorough investigation into 'ho affairs of the C.F.A. will be the outcome. The past season has furnished abundant proof that there are certain clauses in the constitution of the C.F.A. which require drastic attention,

and a close study of the rule book is absolutely necessary to enable delegates t'o form an intelligent idea as to the nature of the reforms which are so vitaily necessary.

Private F. Robin=nn, of the Rangers Club, figures in the casualty lists as wounded during the lug advance on the Somme. The final positions of the League

St. Albans .. 13 1 12 13 32 1 Hangers defeated United in the play off by 2 goals to 1. FORWARD.

reams are:— Matches. Goals. V. A Clip. \v. n. L. for. agst. pts. Rangers n 0 2 2 r.2 13 20 United .. 13 9 2 2 44 18 20 Umvoocl 13 8 2 3 12 19 IS Nomnds 13 8 — 5 17 8 10 Hoys’ G. Hall 13 7 — (i 21 29 n St. Redo’s .. 13 3 1 0 15 31 7