FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16312, 14 August 1917, Page 4

FOOTBALL

POSITIONS OF TEAMS. (Br Half-Back). J w 3 s £ 1 I 11 *si i! -2 -2 c •» o o &< S ft Ph...9 Geraldine .. S 6 2 0 56 32 6 High School ' 7 4 3 0 34 34 4 Zingari 8 3 o 0 37 52 3 Star 7 2 o 0 29 41 2

The South Canterbury Rugby Union was again favoured -with perfect weather for its competition games oil Thursday. The Star-High School match was the only senior game played in Timaru, and it drew only a fair attendance. Now that Geraldine are practically certain of winning the competition, the matches seem to be devoid of the interest which was taken in them some weeks back. The meeting of Geraldine and High School on Thursday, however, should prove a popular attraction, and the Star-Zingari game should also be worth watching. The positions of the teams now leave Geraldine with a two-point load from High School who have played one game less than Geraldine, and Zingari a point lead from Star, tho former having played one more gaine than the latter, If High School should defeat Geraldine it. wilt bring them a point behind, with a game less played. If Geraldine win the competition will be over. Both Star and High School had weaker teams in the field than, "usual, F. Cooke being an absentee from the Star ranks, and Scott and Taylor being unable to turn out for the School team. AKhouprh School won the game through a penalty goal kicked in the last ten minutes, tho e?ores, 6 —5, by no means represent tlie difference between the teams on the play. High School were attacking most of the time, their forwards being more than a match for tli,, opposing vanguard, but- the backs could not put the finishing touch to their work. The forwards are improving every game, and their loose rushes were quite a treat. Their scrum and line-out work is also good. One or two, however, are inclined to play offside, and several free-kicks were given i against them on this account.. Stewart and Cabot were always noticeable on Thursday, the former—who by the is a ton of "Dick" Stewart an old South Canterbury representative, who was a great forward in his time—beinf especially good in the loose. Of the backs J. Faliey, Williams and Aitken were the pick, the former doing some g'Jfat work both in attack and defence. Williams continues to show improved form, and he played another good game. Aitken is a good defensive player, his handling of the ball—not-' ably when it is rolling on tho ground, a very difficult thing to do —being verygood. Goodwin who replaced Scott played well considering it was his first game, and he should be of some service to the team next year. Rothwell did not have many chances, and one that canio his way did not find him wanting in dash. Shackleton was a little off colour, his handling being rather weak. M. Faliey, at full-baok, brought off some cffoctive saves, but his line kicking of tlie first spell could be improved on. It was much better in the second half. A full-back should make a certainty of finding the line. The passing of the backs was in and out, and still leaves room for improvement. , Star, although defeated by the narrow margin of one point, must consider themselves rather fortunate. On the play they were easily tho inferior team, and more points should have been registered against them. Robertson turned out at full-back aga,in and played his usual cool and safe game, his kicking being safe and sure. J. Cooke was the best of the backs, and his run, which eventually resulted in a score,' was a brilliant effort. Of tho forwards, Feely and Tuttv wero the pick. Some of the Star forwards seemed to bo trying to "point" tho whole game, especially in the tight work. For instance Robson, who was marking King in tlie lino-out, always had hold of his man before the man received the ball. This is quite contrary to any rules, and should have been penalised. Another very bad fault which has been noticeable throughout the season is tlie way must of their players throw up thenhands and call out "Offside referee! ' One would think that the players had control of the referee, instead of the referee having control of the players when one hears this continual calling out ' Offside referee!'' "Free-kick referee. '' From an onlooker's point of view this allows up very badly, and it should not be. 'lhere is no necessity for it. as the referee should be quite competent to deal with tho game, and he. can iudge for himself without any assistance, or at least he ought to be able j t °-' or e ' se should not have control , of the game. The Star team is not the only team which is at fault in this matter as some players on other sides have a grr-afc liking for hearing themselves calling out-. Tho games would be much inoro enjoyable, at any rate as far as the spot-tutors are concerned, if there was none of this unnecessary talking, 'fake the High School-Waitaki match for instance. If I remember rightly there was no calling out to the referc"Offside .Sir!'' "Free-kick Sir!'' etc

From all accounts the Zingari-Ger-aldine match was a good "go," especially in the first spell which ended without a snore for cither side. In the second half Geraldine played up better and put' on nine points against a penalty goal by Zingarf.

At the Show Grounds at Christchurch on Saturday a, great crowd assembled to watch the Linwood-MarLsts match, tho large Ktand being crammed and tho embankment- was also thickly lined. A win ior Linwood would hnve mraut iheir annexing the dia.mpiouship. Alter a. very fast and exciting game MnnsU won by 11 points to 10. ""This outs three teams in tho final yiV. : l.inwood. Marisfcs and Morivale A. 'I he. following are the games ;iud leiereps for Thursday:— SENIORS. Geraklino v. High School. Athletic No 1, 3 p.m.. Mr ClemensZingari v. Star. Athletic No. :! 3 p.m.. Mr Ft'aser. ' J I'NJORS. Tenmka v. High School. Tomuka. p.m.. J.)r. Scarmell. Celtic v. Sta.r. Athletic No. 1, i' n m Mr Smith. . '