FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10753, 26 April 1913, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

JUNIOR NOTES

Splendid weather prevailed on Saturday for tho continuation of the Canterbury Rugby Union's Junior competitions. Pain had put the grounds in better order, but several are still rough, and it will be some, time before they are sufficiently worn down to permit of anything like good fcotbali. Linwood played their first gams of the season against Christehurch, and after a eplendid tussle their forwards won against the opposing backs by sixteen points to eight. Richmond kept up their previous week's form, and after a good game proved too much for Canterbury College by fourteen points to eleven! Sydenham and Marists had a tough struggle at Sydenham Park, but it was not football, and a draw ended a wretched exhibition. Old Boys were

defeated by Albion. The following table shows the positions of the various teams in tho Junior Flag competition

Linwood played their iirst game of tho sea&on, and on the form shown against Christehurch they will be a hard team to beat. As is usual with Linwood, they put their trust in their forwards. They were the belter of the two packs, particularly in tho loose and also in tho line-out work. Christehurch, "however, possessed tho best hookers. The Christehurch backs were better than those of the winners. Their passing was good, and they handled the ball at all times with more confidence. Tho defence, however, was too much for them. M'Cormick and Benson in the forwards for Linwood playod well right through, while Agassiz showed out well in the loose. Hobson played a good allround game, and he scored a line try. In tho backs, Coulter at half was sound, deal of solid work. Yates at five-eighths was their best back. Stirling, a young player from tho President's grade, played a good game on the wing, but in tho /early part he fumbled rather badly. .' 1 After ho had settled down he performed woli. G. Dixon, who has again come up to Juniors, playod a good safe game at full-back. Of the Christehurch forwards, Burns was the pick, while Robinson and Do Maus also played well, and were well supported all round. Phillips at half-back went down the rushes in fine rstyl", and got through a hard game very well. He also got the ball away cleanly every timo. _ Barrell at centre wa-.s noticeable for his splendid kicking, but would have scored more than once if he had made a more determined effort. Boon on tho wing also played well. Watkins played a disappointing game on the opposite wing, and lost several good chances. Murray at full-back played a game " out of the box," and could do nothing wrong. A noticeable feature of the game was that Christehurch scored their eight points in the first twenty minutes, and tlisn seemed to lose all their clash.

Tli Old Boys-Albion game was not what 011 a would have expected from these two reputable teams. Neither side could do the right thing: and it was a game of lost opportunities. The bad state of the ground, which is really unfit lor fooiball, was against good football, while fast play was quite" out of the question, as no plaver could muster up any pare at all, 'tile grass being too thick and long. If half the attempts ac goal-kicking had beeu successful Old Boys would have won by a good margin of points, as it was-they had all the worst of the luck. The Albion forwards, who worked with mors determination than Old Bovs. were led by Sincock and Walters, and these two put in some really good work, while Maddren played well. Watson at full-back was a treat to watch. His splendid long liue kicks were a feature of the game and I venture to say that had an _ inferior player been in his place, Albion would have been badly beaten. Watson saved them time alter time. Meharry at half-back was good, but his passing was badly timed.- Culverhouse at" five-eighth's played well and put iu some good defence. Old Boys' forwards lacked combination and there was far too much of the "solo" habit. At times tliey looked decidedly dangerous but overeagerness lost them their chances. Pet re was the best forward on the ground. He was always on the ball and he put in some really good dribbling, to say nothing of his sound tackling 'and splendid following up. Vi allnce was also good. Ballin. who is more often than not having a rest, woke up and he put in seme good hard work. T".'e_is a useful player when he likes and it is a pity he docs not always care to get into it more than lie doss. The Clayton brothers shone out in the loose, as did Park, who also played a good game. A. Brooke Mas the best back and had he not been injured and sent to full-back, Oi l Boys niiii'ht have v/on, for wliilo at half Brooke did much towards opening up the game. X. Down put in a good deal of solid defence, but he wns lost when he had to play at half-back. Wniht. who gave promise of bent?, a good player, was very disappointing on Saturday. - The Sydenham-^nrisis game at | Syd'-nliPi!) Park was very rough from j start to finish. in fact at times it j lor.ked mnr.> a fight, than a friendly ! gmno of fooiVdi. Ti must- he harder j on the players, a.nd T am sure less i inrcresting to the spectators to wit- | ness a rough ga m<\ Sydenham had a j slight advantage in the first spell and I loosed as if they would v.-in, but owing to the fine tackling of the Mnrist backs J th.ev were kept at bay. For Ma rises J A. WDonnW. Evans, Sloan and M'Quillan were tl.f besi forwards, while j Do-no lrue. Muljins. Mills and Jlalmiey

did a lot of good work in the back division. Malonoy made several attempts to start a passing rush, but iv as unsuccessful in gaining much ground as .someone usually mulled the hall at a critical moment. In the • second spell Murist Brothers pressed very hard and were unlucky in 110 L scoring in the last fifteen minutes, as thrv wero within ten yards of the lino most of that time, hut owing to somfl fine work being done by Clements and Guy they could not get over the line. Sydenham wero better at hooking the ball. Of the Sydenham team Great--1 batch, Jones and Johustono wero the pick of tho forwards. Clements at wing-forward played an exceptionally good gamo, whilo Guy, Frame and King were safe backs. Guy showed up very prominently on several occasions with •sonto line line-kicking. | PRESIDENT'S CEP. | A large crowd assembled at the i North Park to witness tho game between Boys' High School and Evtt-et-ton, and as anticipated a fast and interesting game resulted, Lyttolton winning by eleven points to six. The Lylt-elton team mo solid all-round, and to this they practically owe their win. Tho lirst spell was noticeable for fast oi)cn football, in which Milliken and Gray were prominent, although they wero matched against players equal to Junior standard. The School forwards had a lot of unnecessary running about through Nixon's inability to take the ball, particularly in tho first spell, although in the latter hair ho retrieved himself a little, but liis kicking was decidedly weak. Play in the second spell was very uninteresting, being a long series of line-kicking, thus giving the Port forwards little opportunity to use their weight to advantage. What few chances they did have, assisted by their weight, they carried everything before them. Lack of condition, howover, would not allow them to go far. The backs proved themselves to be very strong on defence, but their passing and taking tho ball could still be improved. A. M'Gerty, Kane and Galletly formed a strong trio' and considerably worried their opponents. H. M'Gerty tackled well, but more practice in taking the ball would effect a, great improvement. Coffe at half is quite lost in that position. His passing from the scrum was not clean, and he was also slow* in getting his kick in. Boyd at full-back tackled really well, while his kicking and handling tho ball left little room for improvement. Wyatt and Thomas bore the brunt of the forward play. Taylor, the diminutive School half, was in the thick of it from start to finish, and through his fast following up he often put his side in a good scoring position. Guinev, who had his hands full, was always safe, and his linekicking was a treat to witness. He had very few chances, however, to show his attacking capabilities. Shepherd was always reliable, and altogether put in a good afternoon's work. Khouri is the School's most dashing back, but he has a bad fault of running in his own twenty-five, instead of finding the line. The three-quarter line had very little to do. and llussell wero the pick of the forwards, although the former spoilt a number of good opportunities through inaccuracy in fielding the ball. Johnston, one of School's best forwards, was an absentee on Saturday. Merivale A, playing on their own grpund, easily defeated Cliristohurch A, by thirty-four points to nil. The winners were strengthened by the inclusion of several of the Junior team, jvlh> had a bye. They outplayed Chrisfcchurch in every department, the backs displaying fine combination. Donaldson and Brosnan went very well, although the former is inclined to nang on. The forwards all plavod good games and gave the backs every assistance. The opposition team's play was very poor and below President's form.

Playing at Sydenham Park, Sydenham easily defeated Christchurcli. The Sydenham team made the- game very open and outclassed their opponents, the Christchurcli team being very weak in tackling. Of the Sydenham team Gray, James and Collins were very useful forwards, with Thornton, J. Greatbatch and Kennedy safe backs. Kennedy was particularly good at fullback. Maddren, Au'ld and Hicks were the best Christcliurch forwards, while Hopkins and Holderness were tile pick of the backs, Hopkins especially being a tough member to deal with. The game between Old Boys and Linwood B was anything but a good exhibition of football. The forwards were fairly well matched. Linwcod saw defeat in front of them at halftime and wanted to finish the game, but aftei a consultation decided to play on. FOURTH CLASS. The Meriva le-Marists game was very uninteresting. The Merivale backs were superior both in defence and attack, and their combination in the last spell, together with the weak tackling of their opponents, gave thsm an easy victory. Their backs handled the bail really weli, made few mistakles, and altogether showed that they have the makings of a team that will be hard to beat as the season advances. For Merivale Aslnvorth and Evans gave a fine exhibition, Bro.snan at half played a good game. He is very tricky and fast in making openings, getting the ball well away from the scrum. Rolls, Sandman and Soanes were the best of the pack, each player putting in good work, while Price at wing-for-ward played a fine game, being always at the head of the forwards. For Marists' Murray played a good gam© j n the rear division, as did Murfitt. George was the best of a very poor pack of forwards. LEAGUE GAME. Tho opening fixtures decided at the Show Grounds last Saturday gave every promise of a successful season, and with ! a few games of a similar type it is safe to state that from a spectacular point of view the code is going to make good. Though both matches provided a surprise to local enthusiasts, the succesful thirteons fully deserved success, especially in the Linwood-Sydenham game, as the supporters of the Sydenham tean; fully a win. Each game was full of interest, and throughout there was hardly a dull moment. To quote an apt term 1 have previously heard, there was "something doing" the whole time. Hie conditions were all that could be desiml. the only fault to be found being that in patches the eastern ground was _ uneven, caused, perhaps, by the Tentorial gaJlops on the previous day. Though there was only a fair gathering of spectators, thoso m attendance were well rewarded for their support, and in each fixture witnessed tino expositions of tho passing game. It waft the opinion of local followers that Addington would defeat St .Mbans in their engagement, and it came as a surprise to find that the northern team not only held their own, but in the concluding stages ran their opponents to a standstill. The opening quarter gave Addingt on every chance of success, and they quickly obtained two scores from fine individual efforts by Hardingham. and as Watts was displaying iirstelass" form behind the scrum a substantial scoro se?mcd certain. After ihe second Addington score the Saints adopted different- tac-tic*. and threw the ball about with a_ ivcklessness thatwould have spelt disaster to the average team. The change came off, and eveni ua'dy provided a fine spectacular display. The successful thirteen will, no doubt, improve as tho season progresses. and in having the services of 1). M'Gregor as coach, will benefit, by his tuition. The following-up and combined plnv of tho St Albans forwards were the main factors in the team's success. Read, Sliadbolt, White, Brierley and Ralton giving a satisfactory !

display. Tucker was quite overshadowed at half by the lino display given by the opposing half, .Watts, but tho St Albans lad player a lino defensii'o game. J. Knise and jMitclioll wore tho outside halves, the latter at times being very prominent, though in some of his efforts want of hard training was noticeable. His efforts in keeping Pool busy were a. distinct feature. Kruse ployed a nice game and is going to develop into a good half. Pool was the best of the three-quarters, displaying a lot of clash and is a dangerous scoring man, v,ho should be given plenty of work. Gibson, in tho centre, has pace and when more proficient in fielding will be a valuable acquisition to tho team. Manuhera was on the left wing and got through a lot of work creditably, he would do better if be "had a go " when given a pass and did not rely so much on support. Aston ably seconded Mitchell on defence and as full-back played a fine game, his kicking and tackling being good.

Tho Addington forwards were of a more solid order than their opponents and in this were beaten by tho Northern team showing to advantage in the loose. Flatman, Pearce, Ashworth, Hurray and Lagan were chiefly conspicuous, the former being prominent throughout the game. Watts is the scrum half and judging by his play oil Saturday is going to be very successful. Nippy and crisp in his work, he has the happy knack of knowing when and how to pass, or close up to the advantage of his side. Mutton ably assisted him and with a game or two both players are going to be a good combination. Hardingham was the outside half and was chiefly conspicuous in obtaining three tries by good efforts. Wise, Sanders and M'Gcltruk formed the three-quarter line, Sanders being chiefly prominent though he had limited chances of giving the wings the ball. The Addington players indulged in far too much kicking, thereby giving their oponents control of play. Stevens as full-back lias not yet struck his best form, but gave a fair display. Tho efforts made to convert the tries obtained were very moderate, no less than three attempts right in front missing and of nine tries scored only one was converted.

The game between Lin wood. and Sydenham was certainly fast and interesting,* and even the strongest opponent of the League game could not but admit that it was a fine open spectulnr contest, varied' with plenty of kicking, running and passing. It only behoves the other two Senior teams in the League to develop the same style of play and the public will soon give it added support. Of course the game did not go along without its mistake, such as an occasional slow lob pass and a weak tackle, but taking the same all through the football was decidedly good. There were no dull moments, a. strong pace being maintained throughout. There was powerful kicking on both sides and plenty of risks wore taken, the ball being thrown about freely. Limvood's win was due to better combination, especially in the backs, tlieir players fitting in better with the play as against the individual efforts of their opponents. If the League game ever suited a player it , certainly does Stokes, the Linwood ' hack. ' The style of play is to his liking. His short nippy run is nonplussing and he is here, there and everywhere. Some of his dashes were i worth watching and he is.certainly a tower of strength to kis side, Koskella, the ex-Lyttelton pi aver, shows plenty of dash and kicks well. At half Cross performed fairly well and although his passing at times was faulty he opened up the game at' every opportunity. J. Morris on the wing had little to do. Ho gives promise of better work, but seems to lack confidence. Next to I Stokes's performance must be recorded 'that, of J. La very, full-back. He fumbled the ball at times, but, taken all round, his exhibition was a masterly one. Time and time again he took the ball from the toes of his opponents, dodging and kicking in fine style. Linwood were without the services of H. Shanks in the pack, but nevertheless all the forwards played well, A. Morris, Carroll and R. Shanks revelling in the fast loose work. The Sydenham backs were not so impressive as their opponents, as they lacked the desired combination. Sinclair showed rare speed on the wing and kicked well, Vis did Matthews and Smith, but their efforts were mostly individual ones. The forwards are at present the mainstay of the side, and in J. Auld, W. Campbell, T. Kirton and AY. Lyes have hard workers. The scrum work during the game was fairly good, neither side claiming any particular advantage, but T think the referees in charge of a League match should be more strict with regard to putting the ball in the scrum, as on some occasions it comes oxit at the side, and is consequently not a fair_ test of which side's hookers are getting the ball. A pleasing feature of the game was the spirit in which it was played and the arrangements made to suit patrons. The programme supplied by the Centre for last week's games reflects credit on the compiler, Mr T. Cox, and patrons will appreciate the points set down for guidance.

There was one prominent feature lacking last week, viz., a scoring board. I understand that this has received attention, and a board will be brought into use shortly.

The officials ara to be commended for the punctuality displayed in the opening fixtures.

The respective captains are: —Addington. O. Pearce; fHcbnham, D. M'Phail; St Albans, A. Giadbolt; Linwood, A. Morris. The car service is a matter that will require attention in the near future. I am given to understand that the Tramway Board was approached, and a satisfactory reply received. At the meeting held by the Canterbury Centre on Saturday evening Mr Hestings's notice of motion to rescind the affiliation to the Sports Protection Association was, after a long discussion, carried. Mr A. H. Barratt was elected assistant secretary to the Centre.

A meeting of referees is to bo called towards the formation of an association and the adoption of a uniformity of rulings. It wag decided that the attention of the Addington Club should be drawn to the presence of an active player acting as a delegate from the club. A vote of thanks was accorded Messrs W. Mitchell and L. Simpson for donations. ASSOCIATION GAME. Saturday saw the commencement of the Canterbury Football Association's League competition. Only Senior games were played, as tho grounds in the South Park had too much grass to allow of any football being played there, but it is hoped to get the louver grades going on Saturday next. At St Albans Park, Y.M.C.A. easily accounted for Linvvood, and at Sunnyside, Burnham defeated tlie home team b. T three goals to nil. On the same ground Xomads defeated Sydenham in a great game by five goals to three. At liyttelton the new International Correspondence School were defeated by eight goals to nil. At, St Albans Park Y.M.C.A. trok the field with many new players in thoir ranks. Although they won. and that by a large margin, they were indeed fortunate in meeting a comparatively weak opposition. Tho Y.M.C.A. had numerous chances in front of goal, but simply could not score, and thirtyfive minutes had passed before Howie beat Nicholls. The Y.M. '"or.vards were repeatedly off-sido, Bruerton and "Williams being the chief offenders in this respect. aY;i Brunt was absent through an injury to his log. and his 1 placo was taken by a player who when he got possession of the ball, wandered aimlessly about till someone relieved him of his burden. Of th-o back civip.ion M'Donald and Scriven were sate. did really good work. The custodian had a holiday and scarcely handled the ball during the match. Ijinwood were in a hopeless way, and 3iily Harris, McMillan, Smith and Leadbeater seemed to understand what; ivas required of them. Smith was very good at insido-left* but was without, issistance. and some really fmo work vas nullified. On the right-wing Harris did some good work, but ho voo

was unaided. Nicholls was brilliant J in goal, although only a youngster, and was unfortunate, in having weak de-' ' • fence in front of him. Mr Munt mad 9 hi: initial effort as referee, In Canterbury, and made a good impression. At Lyttelton the Port boys romped all over the 1.0.5. (which some nasty humorist interpreted as fie " I-Cannot-Score-Team) to the tune of eight goals to nil. Williamson got his scoring boots to work early, and notched four goals. Warsdale was the cleverest forward, and scored three. Hutchings was very reliable in defence,. ako ■ Er.sor, and this brilliant half-back add- - ed a goal. The 1.0.5. team are all fryers, but would have been well advised to have had a season in the Junior grade At Sunnyside, Burnham scored * sound win against the ipcal team. Aleo Bissett was soon on the seeni of g-OBJS#, and in ten minutes tad two, the second being from a penalty ki&P given against Sunnyside for foul bv Cullothy. Thiß ground is notorious for penalty kicks, and I can scarcely remember a game at Sunnyside where there _ has not been at least one. . M'Neill played a fine dashing game on the wing, and centred well. The FuU larton brothers were, as usual, the ~ mainstay of the team, and .Dave, abr centre-half, was brilliant. Bissett for-, once fprgot himself, ?nd started tc*v argue with the referee. This is a pta«-. tice that must be put down. For Sunnyside, Norman was perhaps .. the best player, although he was not sue- - cessful when within shooting rangerPorter played his customary bustling"'"' game, and was indeed, unfortunate .in.;;, not scoring, on one occasion the posts and going behind. Curtis was" , patchy. He stopped some really good: -; shots, and then undid good work byff letting two , very mediocre through. * .' The best display of the afternoon wu provided by Nomads and Sydenham. It //' was indeed a spectacular game, andt r . very fast, and in the first 6pell referee<v r Ramsay was run to a standstill' Nomads have a fins team, and though" it is early to prophesy, I cannot *6cib', - 1 what is to stop them being right;" ° amongst the honours at the end of the season. Grant was the best player for ' Nomads, and scored two goals with lightning shots. Taylor also got two, and one of these from one of those re* markable Sunnvside penalty kicks.' Noakes was good at left full-back, andf Webster played well in goal, Syden-v* ham were playing grandly, and werei giving Nomads all the work they could do, with the score two all, when ] Nomads were awarded a penalty, and. "i Taylor safely negotiated the ball through the posts. Sydenham appeared to lose a lot of energy till the last quarter, when they came strongly, but; . could only register three goals. . The-"! 1 Wain6cott brothers (new arrivals from 1 England) and Beasly were the best forwards, and combined well. Baxter, at J centre-half, was the best man on theground, while Conquest wa« sound at full-baok. Perry was good in goal, and, saved brilliantly till he got "put out" /I for a time. .i* 1 I would like to-impress on teams the necessity of being- punctual on the. grounds. The St Albans fixture was- » not got going till after 3.20, and thpn. ! without corner-flags, and the marking 5 * of the ground was conspicuous by its absence.

■i g 1 ■I CSnb. >■> at ti 00 > a ■ s £ 0 H _0_ ■3 0) ■*> CM — 0 !*i PH Richmond . . 2 2 oT 0 3d 14 2 Marists 0 1 0 1 G 3 14 J.Ierivalo . 1 1 0 0 15 7 l Linwood . 1 1 0 0 16 8 l Christchurch . 2 1 1 0 17 1G l Albion 2 1 1 0 6 9 l Sydenham 1 2 0 0 1 3 22 h OJfl Boys . . 2 0 0 0 21 7 0 Cant. College 2 0 2 0 14 20 0