FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 520, 29 May 1909, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

' RUGBY. " (By Anisroßm.ua.) v i Autumn tints—tho russot, Sienna marknigs that herald tho dropping of tho loaves from tho tree—aro visiblo on Rugby football if ono haa tho cyo and the will to Bee them. Gently, almost unnoticed, tho poison has been pushed into the trunk of tho tree every < week these last ton jears, and now the poor, benevolent poisoners stand aghast at thoir handiwork. Only a week or two ago "Fullback," of tho "Otago Daily Times"—good player'in his daj, and fine -writer—bemoaned, in his interesting weekly column, the decadence of llugby football, and, indeed, ho is quite right. Tho army corps of hookey stioks that besiege the tramcars every Saturday is really gromng more numerous. I, But who brought it all on? Why, the Apostles of the General Compliment of whom "Frill-back" is the chief. The quality of tho poison, and the identity of the poisoners will be more roaddy understood if one sots out the nature of tho trouble with some extreme definition. It is to be found in the typioal report:— \ '"For Stragglers, Smith, Jonos, Coote, Kipps (and eleven more) plajod excellent games, as did Robinson, Waddy, Ohrtterlow (and twelve'more) for Exv itausted, who wero eventually defeated ; after a 'hard and memorable struggle, which bristled with high-grade Rugby, by 247 points to nil. The defeated team had hard luck in being beaten, i and, but for their ill-fortune in losinf; tho'toss, they might have put up a moro . / creditable struggle. As it was each of them plaved Trojan games, and, though vanquished, had nothing to bo ashamed ' cf as far as individual form wont. Mr. Hole, the keen-sighted referee, who controlled the game, was prompt, impartial, i ojhL efficient." iAU'thd foregoing seems to bo slopping about over both islands of the. Dominion, but its application is immediate and sudden It can oven bo brought home to the _ Oriental-Wellington match at Athletic Park last Saturday, which an efficient assassin of the game i described as "open, fast, and interesting." , i 1 ( Looking back at that game—it is the first Blub game which the writer has seen in Wellington—one sees no reason to go back on ;what has already becn<said about it. Compared with the average club Rugby football of the present day, it may indeeq na;e been j '"open, fast, and. interesting " Compared with the average club football of ten years t ago the match just looked like two funerals i ,wnich ( had met and stopped by the zoadside to exchange confidences. It was a drab event; neither side .were in training. On ', that stick} ground, a fast, light combination could have run either team off its' legs. . Somewhere in the line of the Wellington backß there is certainly a want of knowledge,' as well, as a want of 'The first_ try against them was, not to their credit. As most know, there is an Oriental back -by the name of Roberts, concerning 'whomit has been found by experience, both in' Britain and here, that the further this emissary of destruction is allowed to go, tho farther he will go. Concede him an inch, and he will take a furlong That Jboing so, but ordinary prudence to ' deal with him as soon as he has the ball. On Saturday he sometimes got as far t as the opposing centre before he sent on the ball jo his nexMn-iupport, The resistance offered by the. Wellington five-eighths must have been very slight In fact, they just stood, and did nothing. * Tho half-bacl: deficiency in the Wellington team ,waa asj marked in attack as it was m doienco.-.vMalrroy, for instance,? though avery fair scrum-half, as the! sexum-halvce of toiday go, oannot cover up his lptention to attack with the finesse of old-timo plajcrs 'A second or two before he is properly 'away, the spectator can always see what ho is going to do. And the opposition cani discern it also. On Saturday it was a frequent eight to' See tho quick-witted M'Lood closing on either Sollars or Bridge some, time ' before Malfroy had parted with the ball. A ton of opportunity was often thus lost for '' want of an ounce of suddenness. To say more' would be' proaching, and preaching is ~ apt to be tiresome. But ono cannot help thinking 'of tho words of tho man who found a pickpocket's hand on his' watch.! -"'My^' 1 , j friend," said he, "drop that; I have no ' timo; to spare." ■ .Practically it is something i like 'that which makes an efficient half-back —a full use of every fraotion of a second, end a subtly-disguised intention. On Saturday Sellarß will bo absent, tho ' • etatoof his shoulder making'it doubtful if he'will play for some time, and Bridge is ' ' to be moved up to first fivo-eighths. Bridge . seems to bo an adroit and alert player, a Snick starter, and generally has the cut of a vo-eighths. If he'gets any chance i to-day, this change ought to be 'worth watching. 'Last Saturday his try was tho outcome of a yery pretty, littlo run. Childs, tho Oriental "lock" man, broke his ankle in tho second spell. His intimates, who have had the opportunity of watching him in the scrum, state that ho was gradually developing'into, a veiy fino "lock." Manning,' who took his place' when he rei ' fifed, seemed, to make a. great difference i when he came on by'livening up'the play. , ' Of course, ho camo on fresh. ' Scattered horo and there through the Wellington team one notes certain elements"'of Btrength which, in a better combination, would show'to great advantage. Their scrum- • , taing is vory good, and their hookers — Syraes and Smythe—aro splendid. Symes ' believes in tho silent game, and scarcoly '•opens hie mouth when playing. Smytha " ''galloped" on Saturday from start to finish, and was perhaps tho best-trained roan on the ground. With these, and two such stalwart 'battlers as Craoroft, Wilson, and M'Kellar, the Yellows have a nucleus round which thoj , ' ought to build up a better game.' , m Upon good authority it is stated that "Bumper" Wright will return to England next year. J. F. Williams, tho Welsh, International forward, who was a membor of tho AngloiWolsh team,'has accepted a Government appointment in Nigeria. It is whispered that one or two tempting offers havo already hcen made to Clem Green, who is leaving-for Home in tho course of a few -weeks. It is stated in tho Sydney "Referee" that b 'professional Native team will probably .visit New South Wales and Queensland .1 this Beason. The personnel ' would 'differ a good deal _ from that whioh earlier arrangements foreshadowed. It was'believed, however, that . the football ■' • ftrongth would bo satisfactory. Correspondence is now passing between tho Korthern Union and Now Zealand Football League with a view to the visit to England ' next season of a Now Zealand team. It is reported that tho of the professional team whioh is to tour Australia made strenuous efforts to secure tho services of "All Black" Wallace. Rumour hath it that thby even went to tho extent of offering him a fairly large sum to make the trip. ■ According to the "Athletic Nows" the loss on tho Wallabios' trip of £1500, oven moio thaii any other argument, is convincing proof that tho colonial touring business has boon . overdone. The pecuniary statement will be most interesting, and will be keenly awaited in England. r i'he great surprise'in connection with tho representative team ii the non-inclusion of M'Lcod, the Oriental five-eighth. According to a reliable authority who has seen him play in!all tho matches to date, M'Locd is worth a,place in a New Zealand team on his pro- ' sent showing. For tho insido position, it is true that M'Lood is on the light side, but outsido Walshq. ho would havo boon tho right playor in tho right place. A Rugby match between tho seven brothers •' Williams "of •■ Haverfordwest. and tho sevon brothers Rindall of Llanolly was decided at Carmarthen recently, when the former won by ono goal nnd ono try to nothing. n ■By the intended transfer of a numbor of ' ' permanent artillerymen to Lyttelton at least two senior teams will sustain distinct losses. >mnntz tho artillerymen who havo received

orders to paok their kite are Shadbolt, of Poneke, Habson, lock for Athlotio seniors, Elliott, lock for Athletic juniors, and James, ono of tho Athletic back division It is also stated that Noilsbn, one of tho Poneko rearguard, has received a position on a vessel at present at Lyttelton Tho selectors' ohoioQ> ra regard to fullback for tho representative team has occasionod considerable comment' It is not denied that Ryan can plaj well m that position What cannot bo understood, howover, is why Thomas's olaims wore overlooked He has made a spe'oial study of the requirements of a full-back, and has played with credit throughout tho season In the of line-kicking he has <no equal m tho local teams Perhaps it was thought that he is not smart enough generally The Queensland Referees' Association dosires to have the appointment of referees for representative matches vested in it But, according to the Sydney "Referee," tho present s>stom is more satisfactory As far as the game is concerned, no Referees' Association should have administrative powers, and the appointment of referees is most certamlv an administrative function In Sydney club matches roferoos are appointed by a special board on which the Referees' Association is represented; but however admirable it is in theory, it cannot bo said that it works out so satisfactorily in praotice. Tho referee question is the most perplexing in Rugby football Far too few first-class players undertake tho work.

.■'vThe'lpresident/qf the.New South. .Wales ■Rugby league objects to the .term "professional" applied-to; to : Upon this:'subject \ the "Referee" remarks:—One •of ..the rules, of;. the; Northern. Unionreads: "Professionalism is legal.',' A,• professional is a , 'player,"who receives remuneration'over,and 'above .travelling- expenses -.■ actually-;- ; paid. V:■';": : '■'. ■ ; ■ "'/'; Would the ; new 'president, of the. Rugby League joare toisay;that, in face of this Tale,' the;te'rm- "professionalism":'ismisi'appu'ed if;used in,connection with theßugby ■League ?••• .To■ straight-out V.professionalism, by amateurs, , asiis.the;case; in the Northern. Union,- one Bees no objection;' But to professionalism as_ it exists in most sports in Australia,';there is the.'gravest , objection, .because' it:.allows, .the professional player or sport',,a controlling influence'. .Kow, the .Northern- Union !riot .only: defines■ a profes-. sional; as .above,/but -it provides, that. ."No; professional>shall jbeallowed 'to serve■ on.the .committee ; ofr.tho,.uriiohi';,or,bn..the committee 'dr'ari^'unjori'^bf'Vfepresent"his own or any ;otherfolub ; or/union;at';anymeeting of this Union':" begin to rebuild upon '■ a 'sound' j.by '.adopting'. l these .rules from ,the N.TJ. ? v '.lt .yilljmean "a struggle, but ,:it l :is.: the :onty; way \sj> ■; make';;the Rugby ; asucWs's.'here. '■■:::■ -i -The JPetoriev team-had , ', "a day) out','-last Saturday, playing Victoria College. Stamina was- not ■ required,. nor:were the.Blues .ever .put ;,toy,.the -'test..:.; Tho .'.team," slightly chanaed;in* '■ the'backs ■ a .fortnight ago,, on J-accbunt\ofcthe; loss:;of ; Ryan, showed good combination,/and their supporters have reason .'to; talk;' of '. its' possibilities':-'i.', , : .v) . ' :;.-,Sulliyan"..expounded -.the.: art!',of ', collaring on;,one/-occasion towarde. the : close , of .the ■firstjSpellW' Berendson'r and Duncan ; made an :' unexpected', sortie, and for", the moment Potone were surprised, to act. sThph took_a. step or two; put!out ; a 'hand, and : pulled', it' '.back—with Duncan. ' It cpollyr and:_,neatly.' done/ and it ■ threw .';-the touoh-linejinto fa marked■;state.; of. noisy ap;'~;SiV*;i ir .'''V; :':S-'■■'■■' '■ ■-'.' " : ' i; .Green :waa; again-, a : valuable Uittle ■.' half,' , : and : M;Kenne. , ':backed'tiini up all the-time.' : Jj.i: Ryan flayed. ;,cen'tre'i •■and -filled 1 the.:posi.tioa.'yeriy':well!;,;V'A !: .■:■-, .'■"', ", ! - : ' '.'. • J > s De;,la v ;Sfare ''ag'ain^figure'd'.among'ithe; Col-lepje'forwa^dsy/and'-hb.'.wa^/ono,df the strong rien \ of :;Sho :'papk.;';>Ramsay : . alio : did. ■ good work''.in'-the Groen. ( : yanguard.;: ■. ' .!■■',.. ;.'':At,i;fujl-b.aok, ,O'Egaßrj,,assißted;the Green defe'nce'-a'ndS.Kis -nefceiflf ound <'6ut :of place. His ldcking!. wa8 T well fiip to; s'tandard,: and he added the' only points, scored' by his side ■ with ■'.at , , (iarefully-judg'ed \peialty kick. J '■' He madp ; a • attempti.at, 'early, jn : the ; : ■' :;•'-:•.■> yj ; : , '.H'7[ ',*'., l, ", '.':.'■ ■ i-The"gate" at the AthletipPark last day .totalled '"..?',;.7 ■';'■?>.. ; .' ■.:■■■; ' . ■'.The. ; nt^d , ;fpr:.'a:'cqmfprtable apartment in which to rerider' T nret, aiJ 'to. jnjtiredl players .is sorely .felt'at'tJbo Athletic 'Pajrk;./ Last Satur|day. the .''hospital,' , whioh''forms part ofa must/old hpuse, had two patients.' A glance through the door as tho crowd were' leaving the ground,'would-have revealed ; a number of figures' groping about'a' room 'which 1 : was ,in. iSem'irdafrkhess. , -,.:1t: was under. suoh.poqr'.cori. : Editions'that. vNewman and his'assistants 'were; endeavouring ,tq 'relieve eufferersV ,:■-.;Melrbse place;:to6' : much:'reliance oh.their vanguard.'-For want of practico in the art of :attMking,vthe ; '.backs;lacki>esource.: Whkt a difference •It would make■.-• if' thoy: had a :Roberte;among:;them; j -'That ; tho Melroae backs;can handle the ball they showed in the first spell—but, alas , , 'only a few, times. . : '.The.fine Bhowing'made;by ,'the, Poneke backs, was the brightest feature of. the.contest. As a result of their.skilful play theyrelieved their ;vanguard repeatedly, and' won the. match.': JOt '.their;.»riumber,i AValshe:'was most prominent, but Mitchinson also acquitted himself creditably, his kicking being especia'ly ■g00d. ,..-'. . '■■'',■". '•' '■. ■■ .■'-■'.'•,.-'.•■ ■'. .-; -: ..•■•'■■,'

Referee Wcyboume, who controlled the Jlelrose-roneke match, cirno in for a fair amount of criticism Of course it was only to bo expected that tho Mclroso barrackers jvould be displeased when he over-ruled tho lino umpire on tho occasion of Poneko's initial score It is possible (as he nays) that ho was in just as good a position as the line-umpire to see what happened But at other times ho was not so wide awake, or, in addition to detecting several glaring irregularities of a minor kind, he would on ono occasion havo observed a couple of players who were momentarily indulging in a game other than football. During the later stages of tho gamo he apDearod to bo lacking in condition. a. partisan spectator was in some measuro responsible for the try which half-back Tilyard scored for Poneke against Melrose Close to the Melrose goal-fino and near a corner a scrum had heen ordered. Whon the Foneko backs spread out wide, the Melroso rearguard did likewiso, leaving their fullback, Ryder, to do the impossible—mark tho Poneke throe-quartcr on tho blind side and see that Tilyard did not wngclo through on tho opon side "Watch tho blind sido" came a call from tho grandstand, and as Ryder in responso moved in that direction Tiljard who had giined possession, dodged round tho open sido and scored Of course tho try might have been scored had Ryder stayed where ho was and.Tilyard passed out to tho wing on tho blind side Tho struggle for the' Dovonisli Shield— coveted trophy of ox-Collcgiato teams—took place this year in Chnstchurch, Wellington College Old Boys, Nelson College Old Bojs and ChnstdhTirch Old Boys striving for the honour last Saturday and Monday. Tho games disclosed some exhilarating football and Chnstchurch Old Boys ultimately proved viotorioiiß On the Saturday Wellington pursued their quest of the shield at Lancaster Park with Christchurch Old Boys as opponents, a very fair attendance of spectators Hatching tho progress of a gamo which was one of quick movements throughout Tho teams adopted materially d,'""wont tactics, Wolhngton trying to got within striking distance of their opponents' goil-lmo by tourh-hno kicking, while tho plajors of the Plains sought to accumulate the t points by the short, sharp dabhes of thoir speedy rearguard In tho diversity of play the southern stvle of battlo proved tho better, the final tally being— Ohnstchurch 11 points, Wellington 6 Led by Avery and Marchant. tho Wellington forwards executed some telling dribbling rushes to tho Christchuroh line, :but the Ohnstrhurch defence proved sufficiently sound, on tho bulk of these occasions of stress, to repel the invaders The first spoil ended with tho scores oven —3 pointe each. The second half, was punctuated by some very.pretty back play on tho part of Ohristchurch. : On the other hand, Wellington, although putting up a vorj good fight, did not seem ablo to throw tho ball about among the backs with any happy effect. Avory. maintained his reputation as ono of Wellington's best wingers, His work at the side of the Eorttm and daaUoe down tho line

provoked muoh admiration from the onlookers. Marohant was another conspicuous mombor of a band of hard-working forwards. Thompson played a great game for Wellington among the backs. Brilliant play charactonsed hie every movement, and his try was a splendid effort. Dawßonwas another back who did useful Bornte for Wellington. Very fast and bght, ho proved himself a disturbing element to many of tho Christchuroh passing rushes. Wellington wore handicapped with a poor full-hick This player displayed an inclination to shirk some of tho "solid stuff," and let his side down once or twice in consequence In Ginney and Bain, Christchiiroh Old Bojs have two players who sliould bo doing battle for the Canterbury representatives against Wolhngton this jear Ginnoy dis plavs a fine turn of speed at wing threequarter, and possesses other qualifications which may cause the selectors to cast a favourablo eje on him Baiif is a forward of valuable "iorurn" weight and m tho looso eoems alive to all possibilities The deciding game, Nelson v Canterbury, was plajed on the Monday, and resulted in a comparatively easy victory for Christ- . church by 18 points to 10.

ASSOCIATION.

(By Centbe-Halp.) Although: Ramblers > went under 'to St. John's, they are desorving of oveij credit for the excellence of their performance. St John's havo gamed combination which will make them a formidable team for the best in the competition ' Both teams indulged in some pretty pass-, ing bouts, and infused a 'good'deal of dash into their work, more especially in tho second half. The clearing of the "Saints" backs was decidedly good, but, the forwards hung a littlo too long at times, with the inevitable result that they wero beaten by ono of the opposing bocks M'Lean in goal for Ramblers played another fine game, and tho samo can be said of Beasley, who timed his passes cleverly, but might havo put a bit more "go " into his work. Want of condition appeared to be his only fault Anker played a' hard game,' and • worked from ; start to finish His footwork was undoubtedly clover, but he was loth to part with tho ball on several occasions Edwards also put m some good work Ferguson played with noticeable dash for St. ■ John's, • and Schofield livod up to his two previous performances Cross, Lindley, and Mooro aie all deserving of somo of the credit duo to their side for its victory. Espnt-de corps broadly translated into plain English means "a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether " No team can ever get to the hoight of success without it, for it is as essential a factor to success m football as in any other path of life Strained relations between a team and its management havo wiecked many a club. While not knowing any explanation, tho men concerned may liavo, it cannot be saifl that tho four men from the Wanderers Club—Clapham, Mays, Ash, and Jardine—nho failed to put m an appearanco last Saturday against X M C A , snowed much ospnt-do-corps That a club with tho position of tho Wanderers ehould havo to default in a Senior League game becauso'it hos-throo.'or.four, members absent is' an action which certainly cannot do tho game as a whole any good And the above reminds mo of a forcible remark" mado by a prominent official., of tho local association -that the greatest success in local football will be whon , we have raisod all onr youths to senior ranks and tho number of imported players in tho Senior Leaguo becomes a minimum.

i''lncluded in! the New iStato .team'sdto.play, against.'tho;".nien from.': West /Australia.were 8., Gpnd6ji A (half-back),and -\Vi ;Oarey, .visited'.' New:.'Zealand'wifii.the- New; ' South IWales^teamuilD^.!::';;'.,';;,-,. , ;J- : :. "■'• ■ , After seeing the : Swifts-Thistle fixture' at Petone,\.tho wnter that it is high;time that the Swifts',. team., woke up. ,TheiK r ;play' was pdor-eeiceedingly poor—to say the very least of it. Sparrow,' in the centre, was as selfish as it was possiblo to bo, and' ■Twohill, .pn : . the,, left,? never • got >a- pass' from himi This.sort of play does not win matches. Twice Sparrow j spoiled Sanders .when -the; latter had favourable" opportunities ;for scoring, .The halffback'iwastextreinely' Graves is playing!very'.enthusiastically, 'butfalso very badly,-' and; wants'ohaining down to -his place. Guise kicked far-too hard, should learn to pass.the'ball alone thb ground to his forwards.- :Kerschborg was the only back'with' any pretensions to-goodjfootball.,' Scott,.as skipper, .wants 'a Jittle- more grip' on his min to make his team-play yP-'V , ''' ?• ■'.''. •Thistle showed a lot better football-and on the day's play had'bad luck in nob making a 'drawnj'game ofv.it:.':,Phillips, in.'.tho<'.centre, ; .playsrar.yeryiipipe forward game, :andt much ;,too. solid;,fprf.Graves;y,.Ono : good shot which .he:;bad was:only just stopped in time by.Wilspn.. Hall and MtArdle, .full-backs, put in some useful work; at .times,' but ono could not understand: their kicking' into .touch.at a:time when the Swifts were a goal in. ..Surely it was bad policy:.,; . "•' ,• .•:"•• have of! late seasons'-always'met' their Waterloo • when .matched" against the ;Rdyers.- .The latter'.teaman Saturday. ■ dewin, for;; they': were out to' win, and all without exception- played a ; solid gamo." . • .. •■. ::.':...: ■■■ '■. ~■-;■".-■ ■■..-. :. Few teams have a more reliable goal custodian_than Rovers. On this season's form, ,oldnflU is one of the best' goal-keepers locally ;and his/'saves'.': on Saturday 'were brilliant.': . Duignan and; Martin are a good pair "of full-backs. Occasionally the.latter . player wanders, but Duignan is usually there to fill tho gap made by his erring partner.- - On baturday both these young 'players assisted greatly in.frustrating the efforts of the Diamonds forward division. Bethell,.Perks,.and,,Barnett,i.the ■ Rovers half-back division,'all,played good games. Bethell at times excellod'himself, and got in a lot of. perfect,, work, while ' his .partners played with more confidence thai in former games.of this seqson.: ■', .■ .-:. :■ To individualise 'in the forward" division would be invidious, for the "light" five all played well. Duncan and Barry both received minor, injuries-in the ;first°apell, but the former player wae rewarded by Ecorine the winning goal in tho second epell. Git lespie, and Miller, the two wings, wore constantly on the ball, and passed with accuracy, and Croft, Dunoan, and Barry all didtheir:shore. . ■ ■' " ..■'.■' , .••'. , Diamonds' goalkeeper, Hutchison, effected some fine "saves, the'two goals registered against him giving 'him no chance. '■•''• -"Peter" Roberts and Overend, at full, played, good 'games, but '.'skying',' the ball when pjayiilg against the wind is their principal fault—a .bad' onej certaiiily—■ but in other, moans ,of. defence and>.feeding, ;they are a duo hard to equal or.beat. Taylor,. as a centre-half back,' is. a good ■playor,:- but occasionally forgets ■ that he; has a wing-half on:either;eidd of him, nn 3; naß a tendency, to wander. -His game''on Saturday was ■ a hssfd-phiyed, one, and Diamonds' forwards would; be at sea'without him.Barnett and Hoddy. were ever on the alert and played well,, but the lighter forwards of the Rovers on many oooasions rings round' them." '*

Of the Diamonds' forwards the . : brothers Lowe (2),' Reddy; (2), and M'Callum all did their best. Erratic shooting lost them at least three goals, one from Reddy gliding gracefully over the bar. ~.,,' Out of 38 international matches played between Scotland and England to date, Scotland has won' 16, England 11, and the balance have been drawn. Scotland has 6cored 70 goals and England 69,, . In the matter of theories' as to forward play, the professional-players gf England and Scotland nave: unquestionably parted oomSany (says "Ranger" in the "Sporting and ir'amatic'News")-" People able to Witness leaguo games in the two countries cannot have failed to notice the point, which was omphasised in the international match at the Crystal Palace. Scottish forwards «x tain tho old principles. The centre is largely a distributer of the ball. It is his duty to keep the lino together; the five, players weave, in tho mind's eye, clever, pattorne, and the obvious object is to pass and repaen until tho opposing defenders are so puzzled that they; leave unmarked a man, to whom tho ball is promptl.v passed. Nowadays these methods are practically non-existent among Englishi forwards. It seems to be no part of the Work of tlio centre to ply his wings with the ball. •Hβ is purely a forcer. An ■ihsido man obtains possession, and travels as far as he can before passing to the outside. Then thoro ia a dash: tho.three in-

sides converge towards their rivals' goal; the centre must be able, above all things, to force his way unceremoniously between the backs, and if ho happens to run into the ball he endeavours to kick it into the net. There is very little skill in the system (and system it has become),;;it is purely a rushing business. as compared with the thought ifhich is reflected in the movements of Scottish forwards. . V

Speaking in Sydney at the welcome to the West Australian " soccer " team, Mr; J. J. Calvert, president of the Now Sooth Wales Rugby Union, said that he was by far the oldest "soccer* , footballer in the-room, haying played the game at Oxford University sixty years ago. In those days heading was not allowed, and the play waa not so,scientific as.it is at the present day. He confessed that if "soccer" had been the prominent game in New South Wales when he began to tako an interest, in. football 'administration, his services would have been devoted to his first love. He had, however, been a representative of the Bugby Union for forty years, and, although he thought that no • game , could possibly excel Bugby, he looked upon "soccer" as a grand and legitimate Ramo, and hoped that the.West Australian team would convince the public that British "Association football was well worth seeing." ;,":'■. Late files-to. hand from England state that Manchester United defeated Bristol City in the'final, of the English cup by one goal to nil. ■" The match, which was played'at the Cryetal Palace, was witnessed by over 100,000 spectators. .-' .■'.■.■■" ■ ■