FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13596, 16 May 1908, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

In addition to the matches reported yesterday the following games were played : JUNIORS. Temuka—s points; Starw-5 points.—ln ithe first half of. this game, played at TePiaki., the home team had the advantage and their forwards played well- Two or three of their players took a hand in making a try. Spillanie was a. corispicuous player on this side. In the last 20 minutes of the match Star livened up considerably and gave Temuka a rough time, keeping them behind the 25 line right, up till just before the whistle sounded, when Temuka broke away, too late, for Douglas (Star) had scored a pretty try. Ellis and Douglas were the two best players on the side of the Timaru -visitors. THIRD GRADE,

Old Boys—2o points j Star—ml.—This match was played on No. 2 Athletic Ground and resulted in Star being badly defeated, and in the latter part of the game at least- they seldom got beyond -their own 25 line. For Old Boys Berry (2), J. Dalglefsh, W. Dalgleish, H. Gunness arid A. Stemdale scored tries, one of which was converted by Fraser. The Pirates IJJ grade team were unable to muster strong enough to play Temuka and though seven of them journeyed out* to Victoria Park no match was played.

THE RUGBY UNION. Mr F. C. Watson presided over a meeting last evening of the management committee o? the South Canterbury Rugby Union. ,-■■ ■ Correspondence was received from the Manawatu Rugby Union regretting its inability to offer this union any financial Resistance if a match were played in the Manawatu between representatives of each union; also from the New Zealand Rugby Union asking for nominations for the New Zealand team to meet the Britishers.

The Celtic Club wrote that the Borough Council had forbidden any farther playing on the Saltwater Creek reserve. They now had some useless goal posts and material which they offered to the Union for £2-

Mr J. Bean, referee in the GeraldinePoint match, played at Geraldine on Thursday , forwarded a complaint of bad language used by a spectator, a resident of the Point.—lt was decided that the Point Club be asked for the name of the culprit. A letter was received from the Empire Sports Gab (Temaka) asking the Union to reconsider the date fixed for the seven* a-side tournament.

The case of a Pirate senior player was then reviewed in accordance with the recommendation from the general meeting Jf the Union. The matter was fully discussed and finaHy a motion was passed as follows—That the player be suspended until the end of the playing season.

TOUCrTLESE TOPICS. (By C.E.H.I The seven-a-side tournament l» set down for Monday, May 25th. Entries are due on the preceding Wednesday. The Anglo-British team is expected to arrive at Wellington on Monday, and will open the campaign on Saturday next, at Maeterton, against a combined fifteen from the Warrarapa and Bush Unions. The first round of the senior competition was finished on Thursday. The Tern oka-Pirates game attracted meet »-- tention, these teams meeting to dispute the lead in the round. An even game was anticipated, and the result juswiiea expectations, though the score does not exactly reflect the course of the play. Pirates possibly had control of tl*e game for two thirds of the time, and were slightly better than Temuka both back and forward, bat many opportunities were not turned to account. An easterly breeze blew along the ground, and probably the town team profited the mote on this account. For the first time this season Pirates secured the ball from the scrums, Ker and O'Brien beating the opposing hooker* badly. The former was also prominent in the ruck, despite an offside failing at times. r'itzgerald "gave another good display, and Carlton worked hard, though palpably nursing a sore shoulder. F. Wall showed great improvement since last week, being near the play nearly all the while and doing good service on the line and in charging kicks. Turner was also in better form, but his offside play on one occasion cost his side three points. Kodgers is a mlan who never plays a bad game, and if not so brilliant as usual, nevertheless was always in the thick of it. Darey and Coles played the games of their lives, and it was certainly not their fault that Pirates did not run up a big total. Darcy only once faEed to get the ball away cteanly, and Cotes made fome clever openings and checked rushes finely. Two or three displays such as Thursday's wilt quite silence the critics who claim, that he' has no '' head." A forward pass now and again was his only fault. Bradley detracted from a clever game by getting 08-nid* several times in passing rushes, and probably lost a couple of tries by this. The Darcy-Colea-Bradtey trio gave the wings good chances during the first quarter of an hour, but Wall and Kir by did not make use of them. Wall's try was well deserved, however. Kane again fielded and kicked in first-rate fashion, but his defence is still uncertain. Temuka's.pack waa a good one, but were beaten in the scrum and in the loose. W. Scott was not so brilliant as is his wont, but played a good—and clean—-

game. Joe Koddiek went much better than ia his opening essay, and " William**" is fast getting into form. Sullivan's pace stood liim in good stead very often, and only lack of weight prevents him from being a top notcber. Smith played iiis usual hard game—at tiu;es tui*. hard for my liking. A. Scott did good .service in the loose, hut was not *o prominent as in the' game against Timaru. Austin was weak at half, and Grant Ikisitated too much to show up well. G. Spiitane, though showing an inclination to lb on the'ball, stopped some dangerous rushes; he kicked well, and made .uree or four smart runs, bub failed to make a decent transfer at the end of them. He is likely to be a source of strength to Temuka before the season closes. J. Spillane did very little at centre, but Mihaka w?io was given comparatively no chances, indicated that he would have been very dangerous given the opportunity. He made no errors, and after one strong run was pushed out just at the corner. Oave Scott made a couple of mistakes before he settled down, but iu the second spell was at his best, and undouoieuly saved the game for Temuka; one of his efforts was a splendid one. The TcuiuKa backs made no attempt to open up tue game, and though some good individual runs were made; the tackling of the opposing backs was generally too sound. The game was a willing one, some hard bumps being given and taken, and three men were warned by Mr Strachan, but I only noticed one case of absolute foul play. Certainly the match was a great deal quieter than previous one*, except in the last ten minutes when the Jig.a had grown bad, and provided the best game from a spectator's point of view I have witnessed tbi> season.

Trawiru. suffered defeat by Star by the narrow margin of one point, thus being beaten off into last place in the premiership list. It is a good while now since they won a match. However, it is a long lane that ha» no corner! The junior game Zingari v. Tiuiaru 11. was not very entertaining, the former team being kept in check a great part of the time by infringements. Bui. tor this the defeat of Timaru would have been more pronounced. Darcy'a goal was a really good one. and .. "second attempt was also creditable. K. Darrooh was ttie best of the Zingari backs, and should be worth a place in a senior team next winter. Mellroy's consistent following, though it carried him off-side frequently, was rewarded with a trv.

A correspondent of the "Herald" the other morning evidently intended to administer a mild rebuke to me for expressing an opinion on the VYaldie case before sentence had been passed. The writer's knowledge of Press etiquette and of comic opera is apparently unexceptionable, but he is a little astray when he suggests that in the interests of clean sport, the punishment should be made to fit the crime if, "after taking evidence," it be found that a crime has been committed, and that any comment nxide is likely to bias the .Rugby Union "in the trial of the case." In a couit of justice a person is deemed innocent till proved guilty, and the object of taking evidence is to establish his guilt or innocence. In the case of a player who is-ordered oB by a referee, the fact of his being ordered off convicts him of the offence, for the rules distinctly state that the referee m "sole judge of matters of fact." The only point on which evidence can be allowed, then, is in extenuation, or in mitigation of sentence. However, I may say at once that the note written by me last week was penned under the impression that sentence would have been passed before it appeared in print, as I did not imagine that the matter would be postponed, and I had no intention of trying to influence the committee in any direction. To my mind the offence was proved by the referee's action, and I expected that the punishment would have been made "to fit the crime" before my comment appeared. I might point out, however, thai it is a "matter of common knowledge in legal affairs" that a cautiou is usually considered sufficient in the case of a tirst offence against a bylaw which has been allowed to become a dead letter, and this was the idea which prompted my note. But the referee wa3 the only person who had power to administer the caution, and ho decided that it was not adequate, therefore the matter of cautioning was plated outbid" the power of the Union. Now that the law has been forcibly brought under the notice of senior players, I trust' that "in the interests of clean sport" referee* will do their utmost to stamp out foul play, and that any offender who merits the treatment dealt out io Waldie by Mr Shirtctiffe will receive an exemplary yentence from the controlling body. Before leaving the Waldie incident, whatever punishment is finally decided upon, it should bf born in mind that susqwnsion carries with it the forfeiture of his seat on the> Union and the Management Committee--a oevere penalty in itself. May this be the last incident of the kind tor the pre sent reason! As a last word, I want player* that, as tar as one selector ikf teas' iev roncerned. preference "ill Ik> £iven to clean players in choosing rrp. teams, in any case where two men are otherwise nearly on a par.

I ;tui indebted to a Geratdine frieitd for the following concerning Thursday's game*: — tteraldine put in u big team against- Point, and never gave the visitors a. chance, the footwork of the; home: forwards being very good. Wonter and Heir! the; be*t pair of wingers the- Ked and jttacks haw produced for some time. - Celtic iw-at Geraidine J I. vtty t-asily. Wade was the best back on the ground.— The police are swdfy needed at Geraldtne during the progress of matclH-s played th»rtC The language n>?d at Thursday's game* wafl very bad. The referee has

little chance of detecting culprits on the line, but- there is likely to be trouble for someone over this matter.

I have only noticed one attempt this season at a erosskick, one of the best scoring dodges in Rugby. Wing threequarters please note. Players would be pleased to hear that Mr Gerrie had arranged for th.it mob of sheep to feed off the Caledonian oval before the tournament takes place. It is a good many years 6incc Temuka weie beaten in kicking, but their work on this line was more than equalled by the Pirate backs on Thursdav.

Whatever the deficiencies of the «>icks may be, it is manifest that South Canterbury will be able to place a powerful forward division in the field again this season.

Though Temuka are occupying a very prominent place in the premiership competition, they are nob such a solid team as in previous years, and I am inclined to think that the brilliancy of three or four men is alone responsible for their success. The Scott Bros, and Hooper are the mainstay of the side. Two points suggested by Thursday's matches:—A player tackled with the ball must put in down "in front of him," or in the direction of his opponents' gonlline. A mark may not ba made unk .- the player is " wholly supported " by both feet—knees on the ground are not allowed.

I must congratulate the Timaru Club delegates on once more taking an active part in the administrative work of the Union. Their preeeuce on committees should be beneficial to the game, and will remove any ground for the reproach levelled at them that 'they undertook the role of chronic objectors. A result of their holding office should be an elimination' of club feeling. Some of the clubs are making little attempt to comply with Iho competition rules of the Union, Temuka being the latest offenders in thin respect. xneir third graders may consider themselves very fortunate that the Union did not follow the lead of the management committee in the Star case. As usual the Temuka delegate pleaded that, the rule was not infringed wilfully. The same excuse cannot be offered for » senior team which played an ineligible man.

If it is considered desirable to encourage attendance of ladies at football matches, a little more discretion in the choice of language musti be used; by 3ome players, particularly junior.*. If some of the epithets heard on the touchline tire audible outside the ropes, then the fair sex will soon be conspicuous by its absence.

A local man sends me a rather hoary joke at the expense of the Geraldine third-graders:—"What's the difference between Geraldine and au Irish Parliament? One's all talkers and no players, the other all talkers and no listeners." I give the chestnut for what it is worth, and hope that if the cap fits at present the players will soon convince their townsman that, they have outgrown it. Anybody who wishes to see a game of football played without any other feeling than the keenest rivalry is recommended to attend a school football match, preferably in the junior grade. I witnessed three contests of this nature last week, and nwust award the palm for keenness to the junior South-Waimataitai game. The do-or-die expression of the small fry, their penchant for marks, their little arguments in the matter of who should be entrusted with free kicks, and the sage advice tendered by one to another, ampiy repay one for a trip to the Atinetic ground. If the Rugby spirit is as strong in these boys in ten years time, we shall have some line footballers in Timaru. One lad in the Main School senior team could give any of our first-grade players several points in the art of feinting and beating his man. A point which gave rise to a luiiei discussion cropped up in a school competition game last .Saturday. After one side had scored a try, the attention of the referee was drawn to me fact that they were playing sixteen men, and the opposing team at once claimed that tne score should not count. To the surprise of a good many onlookers the oificial ruled that the try must stand; and as it is pcssiblc that a nuod many adult players may not have noticed the alteration made in the rules ljearing on such a case, the following quotation from a circular issued by the International Board last year may be of interest-:—"It is the duty of each side to see that their opponents do not play more than fifteen men." If they fail to see to this point before the game begins objection can be raised during Lie game *' but such objection will not affect the result of the game prior thereto." I may mention that in the case under notice, the over-manned team immediately offered to allow the try to go by default—an evidence of the sportsmanlike feeling exhibited bv school teams.

A good <je;il ha." been said already this season concerning talking on tlie part nf players. The greater part- of ilic adverse comment \- called forth by tinnecessarv appealing, ami any player who indulges in thi* p'act:c should remember that every tints' he p. tops to appeal lie to:**? giotind. for it i.« an iinromuioii tiling to hear anything from a nan who is running at any bjkvd. In any ca.=e it k> quite uncalled for to draw the attention of a c»m]teU-nt- rcfiive to every trivial breach, as an official who i:< acquamicd with his work knows that it is his duty to stop the gani'! on his own initiative without- suggestions fiom players. I'mctic.illy the only oc« asior.-j on which th<' referee is re<(uiied to wait for an appeal are in the <:as.< of a mark, and on tho ball bchii; carried or driven back over tlif> goal-line of a defending side. In the first instance the person who makes the catch, and in the f-cond the captain, .--hould b? capable of doing all th«: appealing

required. In any other case in which it may bu necessary to call on tlio referee, the captain should bo allowed to do so. 1 do nob know of anything which is more calculated to make a, leferee lose his balance and give wrong decision than the worry caused by an incessant cry of "offside" or "knock on." Spectators should also bear in mind that they aro more likely to get an oflicial'ii back up by their advice than to assist him in his control of play-

A movement is afoot in the colony to have a committee appointed to consider suggestions for the improvement of Rugby football, and 1 trust that something will be done in this direction. While •- is very undesirable Mat the inofessional element should be imported into our lootball, it is not necessary to wholly condemn the Northern Union game, and if anything r be culled from it to make play inore" s }»*w\'>ive l let us have it by all meant;. OTte thing which I should like to see tried would be a game thirteen aside—the pack as we have it at present. 2-3-2, a half, one five-eighth, three tnreequarters, and full back. (The Norther;forwatd formation is 4-2). The absent: of wing forwards should enable the halv< to open up more passing, and also dawav with a lot .of obstructive play Another feature of the Northern game : that there are no line outs, but 1 C not know that thr'e is a very great iin provemcnt, -as serums are held instead In the ease of the ball going out of uuielin an accidental manner or being i-aniet* out by a player, a scrum -- taken ten yards 'out, but in the case <•! a kick into touch a scrum is ordered at -■: spoi from which the kick is taken, i : latter penalty practically abolishin" <e ait of i-ne-kicking. The substitu or sarins lor line-outs does not net ,ni!y make the game faster, but if il . r.ie provided that the ball must be th in aL least k j ii yards from the Am- a good deal of me tight play indulge;' in at present by a defending side w .-•• -i be dispensed with. Another inno-. ,„n which might be tried is th" ;:.--ii<>n of charging free kick?. If :;•■••'itkiug from penalties were made nr • . | lay. is would' be more careful in ii« ;!.;■! tjr of infringements-, and I'onseijiiti: y l -, »ver stoppage would occur. NEXT v. !-../-- FIX/rLKKtf. fe.-nior —-:' • :::•:.- - '.. Pirates, at Temuka, 5.15; SN; v. .: .-i:-ru. No. 1 Athletic, 3.15. Junii- •"■ •• v. Celtic, at Temuka, 2.15: ='. Caledonian Ground, 3.15;. «• 'oint, at Point, J.O; Zingai ..ue, at Ueraldine, 2.30. Ti : niuka v. Star, at S.W. Creek. •: iiciMldine v. Pirates, No. 2 Athle: .15: CriUe v. i-.igh School, H. f>. (ii-.iunds. 3.0; Old lluvs v. Zingari, No. 2 Athletic, 2.0. Four'h (Jrade. —J'imaru v. Temuka, Calecioiiia!i Ciound, 2.0; Zingari v. Celtic, No. 1 Athletic, 2.0.