FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 9, 1 March 1911, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

French Rugby Victory. 'An international Rugby match was played at Colombo*, Paris, on January 2. In spite of unfavourable weather conditions, the match attracted a gathering estimated at 10,000. For the first time in the history of these international contests, the match resulted in a victory for the French team over a British team. No finer match has ever been seen in France. The French team was composed of the most expert players in the country, and their victory, which was hailed with wild enthusiasm, proves the remarkable progress which is being made* in the game on that side of the Channel. The Scotsmen, preceded by a piper in. Highland costume, appeared on the ground amid great cheering punctually at half-past two, and the Frenchmen came out a few minutes later. Scotland kicked oft’ at 2.48. France started one man short, one of the players arriving late, McCallum gained the first try, which was not converted. The (French at first remained on the defensive, but soon carried the attack into the enemy’s camp, and a successful movement ended in a try being obtained by Daterrade, which Decamps converted. The French continued to attack with renewed vigour, and frequently menaced the Scottish goal. Failliot scored another try, which wae not converted, and almost immediately afterwards Peyroutou gained a third , try, which CommuSleau also failed to convert. Scotland then resumed the offensive, and despite the stout resistance of the home team,

<u»ro gained a' try; which Turner concerted. This was the final addition before half-time, and the score then stood at 11 points to 8 in favour of France. Frantic cheers were given by the British as well as by the French spectators. During the ipterval the piper again paraded the ground, and was accorded a great reception. In the second half the Scots again began With a vigorous attack, but the cleverness of the defence, especially that of Glahe . and Combes, prevented scoring on several occasions when the visitors looked dangerous. Ultimately Pearson scored a dropped goal. The French retaliated quickly with a try, scored by Failliot, which Decamps converted. The concluding part of the match was very fast, though perhaps less brilliant than the earlier stages. Abercrombie gained a try, which was protested against, but which was awarded by the referee. It was not converted. A splendid contest came to an end with the score: —France, 2 goals and 2 tries (1C points) ; Scotland, 1 goal, 1 dropped goal, and 2 tries (15 points). The victors and vanquished were both tremendously cheered as they left the field. Tire Toll of Football In a review of the football season of 1910, prepared for a New York medical society, Dr. M. J. Clurman of New York, declares that the “familiar tree of college athletics would be greatly benefited by the lopping off of one distorted and unhealthy branch, football.” He finds that despite the much vaunted new rule, there were 19 deaths and 400 injuries during the last year, while “almost every man who played is physically weaKer for the severe stress of the game.” Dr. Clurman advocates the adoption of sports which have less of violent exercise in them for a few picked men, but abundant exercise for all students of a college or university. He continues: since 1905 there have -been 113 deaths from football and 900 serious injuries. What possible argument could ■be advanced in favour of football to offset these grewsome figures? After all, the affection for football is exactly the same as that which the ancients had for the gladiatorial contests and which the Spaniards have for the bull fight. A football game is mostly a prize fight multiplied by 11. There is tremendous fatigue connected with the playing of the game and severe physical stress develops various forms of heart disease. After the season is over the hearts of the players, I find, having no longer such a severe stress upon them, undergo changes accompanied by fatty degeneration. While this criticism might be advanced against several other sports, it preeminently applies to football.”