FOOTBALL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9919, 6 August 1910, Page 6

FOOTBALL NOTES.

ON TfeE FIELD AND OFF

(By MUDDIED OAF.)

Congratulations to the Linwood second fifteen on winning the Junior Flag. It is the first time in.the history of the club that its second fifteen lias succeeded, in winning, although ih 1890 the first fifteen won the Junior trophy. The competition was' inaugurated in 1888, and has been won by the following clubs:—Merivale, ten times; Sydenham, three times] Linwood, twice: Kaiapoi, twice; Lytteltoii, twice and Cambridge, N'tu Ahuriri, North Canterbury and Ghinstclnirch once each.

I saw the Linwood Junior team play a few of its games, and the side is a good one, although probably not up to some of the best of the teams that have won the contest in the past. The forwards More a solid lot, fast and good ■tacklers, and the backs gave valuable assistance by accurate kicking and 'sound defence. There do not appear to be many good backs in the club just at present, although in the past it has had some of the very best in the province. Orchard, Glennio, Price, Hobbs, O'Brien, D. M'Gregor and Byrno are a few that, did great service for the Green and Blacks in the back department. The Sydenham team has won the Fourth-class Championship' for the first since the competition has been started. It is. pleasing to be able to congratulate the side on its success, as although 1 have not had the pleasure of seeing it play I am told that it is composed of quite a young lot of players who are bound to be heard' of in future games of higher grades. It would be profitable to the Union if the committee toook steps to enlarge the scope of both the Fourth and Fifth-class competitions, with a view to increasing the interest amongst the younger players, and so securing them for the game. The establishment of the Fifth-class Competition must have convinced the Union that there are a. large number of lads only too anxious to play the game under proper control, for the competition was a great success. The Union would be doiug good work by endeavouring to make tho lower grades even more popular with the- lads just leaving school. I hear the Canterbury College team intends to visit Wellington towards the end of this mouth to nlay its annual game against the Victoria College team.

On reference to the fixtures I notice •that there are six more matches for the President's Cup teams to play, which will necessitate teams playing on October 1, provided tlio- usual custom is followed and all games are suspended 011 the dates on which representative games are played. This, too. does not make any allowance for postponements through wet weather. In the circumstances, it would be a good plan for the Union to order the games likely to affect the final result to be played, and so bring the competiion to a finish before the representative games commence. Most of the teams have haci enough, football in that competition, and would, I should imagine, be glad of the chance to finish the season.

I understand that the champion Alliambra team of Duuedin purposes playing a game in Christchurch later in the season. '

A game that is sure to attract a lot of attention is to be played on August 29 between Auckland and Wellington, at Auckland.

W. Grace, the Canterbury College forward, played for the Maori team against Wellington. Dunediiv papers still maintain that Hardmgham, the ex-Albion . threequarter, should have been included in tjie Ota go representative team against the Maoris and Americans. I heard that in the absence of Sandman through illness Piki would fill the vacancy in the Merivale team last week, but the small half-back went to Auckland to assist the Maori team, and veteran, W. Wood, played half-back'in the Merivale team. It is almost certain, however, that Piki will be playing to-day for Merivale against Sydenham. I am anxious to see him on the field again, as Australian and New Zealand critics assert ho is a wonderfully clever player, and much improved on his first showing with the Maori team.

1 regret to record that four players in the Albion-Merivale game last week received injuries'.that may keep them out of the game for a week or two— Mitchell, Fuller, Vincent and Turner. It is unfortunate that in a game which was characterised by an absence of any rough or foul play four players should received what must have been accidental injuries. _ There was very little interest shown in any of the Senior contests except the Merivale-Albion game, which attracted the largest crowd of the season. 'I ani told there were not twenty spectators at the Show Grounds to see the Sydenham and Canterbury College game, and it is doubtful if any more saw the other two games at Lancaster Park. The game on the east ground attracted all attention, and it was a capital contest. Each side had plenty of chances to score, hut failed at the critical moment, and the only score canio when it was least expected. Play was nearly in the, centre of the ground, but the Albion had a big gap open through the centre, and Cleary and Mitchell went through, and so won the ■game. Weston gave Meadows a fine chance to even the score against his bide, but Meadows failed to take the pass. If more games were played in the same spirit and with the same determination, the attendances of the public would increase out of all knowledge. I have been a frequent attendant at Lancaster Park for a great number of years, but rarely remember a game which caused so much excitement, irrespective of tho importance of the game as far as the two teams were concerned. It was full of exciting play all through, and I only regretted that one side had to be beaten after playing so well. Meriyale backs collectively won the game, as the forwards were very evenly matched. Cleary and Gray were opposed to each other, yet both played splendidly, but Cleary was better supported by those behind him than was the Albion champion, and therefore his work brought forth better results to his side. Cade did some fine kicking, and so did Weston, whose place-kicking, however, was inaccurate. Possibly he had expended his energy in this direction against the Amovicaji toam tho previous week.

Merivale now lead for th© championship by half a point, but have to meet two teams whom it could not beat in the first round, namely, Sydenham and Old Boys, whilst Albion has to play Marists and Canterbury College.

I was pleased to seo Mr J. F; Peako assisting in the control of the games again, although only as line umpire. It is. doubtful if either or Mr F. T. Evans will act as referee this season, although ! am pleased to know each has recovered from his long illness. • Players usually have a strong objection to using a new ball. When the Rugby ball is new the flight is difficult to judge, and on the ground it usually has a knack of going every way but the one it is wanted to. I was surprised to seo Merivale and Albion, therefore,. start with a new ball. The one provided, although apparently new, did not- wear well, as another one was called for at half-time. The new ball may have accounted for Weston's inaccurate place-kicking. Shanks and Spillan©, the wing forwards, played a particularly clean game • —as wing forwards go. There was no bustling or roughing it, but each seemed intent on the ball and not the man. This must have been appreciated by the referee, who controlled the game splendidly. Wing: forwards usually are a source of trouble to the controller of the game, but when the wingers play in. the manner that Spillane and Shanks adopted the referee's task was much easier.