FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 793, 16 April 1910, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

RUO.BY. ; ■'..: :A: GLANCE AT, THE • TEAMS. (By Aehtobtoot.) v Football; begins, to-day, .....the ; senior championship icommencing with the following matches.:—Athletic v. Oriental, at ;Athletic'Park; St. Jamee v. Southern, at, Athletitt;Park; Petone y. Wellington, at Hutt : Recreation Ground;. Hutt v. Old Boys,' it Hutt Recreation Ground; Poneke r.'Victoria College, at Miramar; Jlelroee, »;l>ye;y."' : - : y \' : ; . ■■■-..■"' , : ; : V . ■ v; , '. • VUntU" : the. teams take the field it is difficult to say, with any certainty, what kind of. football the season, is.likely to bring; forth. ..The .general opinion. - of those, directly .associated ~ with the, clubs is.;that there is no good ground for..expecting a'bright, competition. ' lit Vis said, that W. Hardham, Fred. Roberts, and Frank "Mitohinson will not be. playing—regrettable circumstance for .Wellington football. The unwelcome tidings are not confirmed.regarding two of the'above-named "stars," and it is believed by .many, that,'when Roberts and ilitchinson Eee the competition in full, swing, hot more • than two ■ or. three matches will pass before they desert their seats."on the bank," and. appear in.. their old: positions on the field. ; Hardham intimated the other day that he is not coining out.. No doubt he has made the resolution more than once during the, last few years, but, as every veteran knows, it is hard to give.up the game. .Hardham, however, • apparently made a final resolution on the;matter,, and he has a record' to be proud,of: For fourteen years i>r more,'he-has watched the interests of tho Petone Club, and has played the game vigorously during tho whole of that time, both in .representative and club matches: Even Petone, one of' the strongholds of, Rugby, will find it difficult to procure another player of; the calibre of Hardham, and tho club will sorely miss their captain and his bold,' encouragi.ng -style'of generalship. . ! There is consolation, in the fact that Hardham will still bein the distriot, and, so . long,' .us ho remains, in Petone,; he may be relied upon to exer-cise-'a fostering care over the players of the club to which ho-has been a valuable support and always an anleiit champion. It. is good to notice also,' that..Hardham retains his seat on' the liianageiuent committee of' the Rugby Uiiioni and is still taking a keen interest in everything connected with 'the' game locally. . ■-;

Players of the briliinnt'6tamp,iion' apparently (lying out, 'bl'como "public men,' and -their every movement is- iagerly ■watched by, followers of. the game'. -Roberts and.'Mitchinspn have; earned distinction, and their-many friends of the touch-line, hearing of their threatened retirement,., ask - ■'■'. Why■?!?; •'..-"AIU Black" /Pred Roberta: is .wavering,, people say. In the challenge- match of April 4,''. between Oriental and Poiieko, he refcreed, and, onco or twice; during the. match, when \ the ball came .flying towards him, there .wae a 'look,- in his eye that told of a great temptation: to pick up and gallop throngii, as he often did when Oriental badly needed 1 such an effort; .•.*'.; ■, Begafding Frank: Mitchinson, who was euch"; an "acquisition, -to. Eoneko in. the : fast .and : exhausting games towards the closo of last season, the same hope is expressed that he will; reconsider, his: decision: and; not -forsake football this year. Mitchinson hae the Sympathy of. all footballers; a'nd many other: friends in the loss.of TiisVyounger brother/Charles, who ■was also a Poneke player. It will bo remembered, with regret, that Charles Mitohmson, white diving -into'shallow water atParemata in December'last, sustained . injuries., to which he succumbed,-vafter lingorinjjfor some weeksin: the hospital. ■■ . Alreadyi before • the" championship has commenced; - : there is speculation/as to the prospecte.of the teams entering.' One enthusiast'vDlunteers" the information that the team that beate. Pfltone will win." Ihis. would appear to be somewhere'.iiear the.mark. Petone has a good assortment of players, who- can'keep at the' double right up to tho blowing of the whistle, ■fnd'whose effortsare, in the main, well tireqted. Strickland; , is> a. promising player,, who was in- a lower grade last year.', His speed;• should, do- much, .for .Petone during the-season'."'"---"' ■■•• '- V . Poneke apparently has', not such .. a fltrong team as was put in the field by the.cjub last year. ■■ If Mitchinson re- , tires it will b» worse than a loss—it will be a disaster.- Oriental and Athletic are on' a fairly even mark,,and their match to-day should be an exciting contest. St. James possesses a set of good forwards, provided, of course, that they are in ■• training. The new Hutt Club, founded Dn *aterial supplied by the'old Kia Ora and Epnni Clubs, ought to win some of rheir matches, although so far as is yet . known they do not include in their membership any players. of exceptional ability.-: •■" :■ -~"-.'•■".; : ■ y '...•' Wellington beniors aro reported to bo of about the same strength as the first fifteen last season. One notable loss is

"Am" Wilson, tho ldck,;whose place will be taken.by M'Kellar, or perhaps Ly Johnson, a new player from Cnristchurch. Both of last year's front-iowmeh, Symes and Smyth, will also bo missing. . It is understood that Turner: End Munro will fill the gaps.. Among the backs this season .will be Walker, a wing three-quarter froni Auckland.' X; " ■

The Management '• Committee of tho iW.R.F.U. has arranged tho following fixtures for next Saturday:—Petouev. iSt. James, at No. I,' Athletic Park; Melrose v. Wellington, -at No. 2, Athletic Park; Old Boys v.■: Victoria Col-, lege, at No. 3,- Karori Recreation Ground; Athletic v. Hutt, at Hutt-Re-creation Ground; Oriental v. Southern, at Miramar; Poneke, a bye. Arrangements have been completed for the use of grounds for the season, the union having acquired the following playing fields :-Two at Athletic Park, fifteen . at. Miramar, two at . Ilutt : Recreation Ground, ono at Petone Recreation Ground, three at Karori, two at Wellington College, six at Sharp's Ground (old showground), Petone, two at Johnsonville, one at Porirna, two at. Anderson Park (probable),. Newtown-Park,' and Duppa Street Reserve. . - . ...

When confirming thoir arrangement for tlio renting of iKarori grounds, the Management Committee of tho W.R.U. this week expressed satisfaction at the straightforward manner in which they liad been treated- by the Karori Borough Council. They also considered that it would be expedient to play n senior match at.Karori as often as possible. The first senior match will bo played at Karori next Saturday,, between. Old Boys and Victoria College; A member of the Management' Committee expressed the opinion that tho. Karori grounds would probably be the., best football grounds : about' Wellington. in a couplo of years' time. ... ■.'■ ... ■ -.-i--'

: Tho difference which arose between the 'Petono Borough Council and the Rugby Ufiion, at the end of. last season, has , not yet. been settled, the.-'council still holding that a breach of the.agreement was committed by the union in playing, on the Athletic Park tho match Ponoko v. Petono, which turned out , to bo a semifinal.'The council consider that tho match should, have , been:played 'at Petone, and, when the union applied for grounds this season, they found the council loath to do business, until their alleged wrong should have been , redressed. The union did not stop'-to argue, but looked elsewhere. Now, tho Petone Council has granted the local Rugby club the use of one ground. No. 1 ground on the Petone Recreation Reserve, which was used for senior matches last season, has been ploughed, and will not be available for football this season.

Tho grounds at the Hutfc havo been allotted to tlio union, and senior matches should, bo played thero frequently. .The local council has generously agreed to increase to seven tho number of days on which thn union may chargo for admission. The Ilutt Council takes 3H 1-3 per cent, of tho gross gate takings. Eighty-two teams are playing this feaeon unoV the jurisdiction, of the Vfel-

lington Rujby Football Union (exclusive of school teams);'last year the number Mis 76. , Following is a list of teams competing in tho grade competitions:—

Senior (11 teams): Athletic, Hutt, Melrose, Old Boys, Oriental, Petone, Poneke, St. James, Southern, .Victoria College, and Wellington. ' - : ---■..•. - ■■•.■'.

Junior (13 teams)": 'Athletic," Eutt, Melrose, Old Boys, Oriental, Petone, Poneke, St. James, St. John's, Selwyn, Southern, Victoria College, and Wellington.

Third A (10 teams): Athletic,. Exchange, Johnsohville, Melrose, Oriental, Poneke, Porirua, St. John's, Southern, and Victoria College. .

Third B (9 teams): Hutt, Karori, Petone, St. James, ■ St. Patrick's, Solwyn, Star Boating, Wellington, and Wellington ■College. . . :■;.'.":.':■■•. ■'■/'■'■"'. '

Fourth (H teams): Athletic, Hutt, Johnsonville, Melrose, Old Boys, Oriental A, Oriental B, Petone, Poneke, St. James, St. John's, Selwyn, Southern, and Victoria College.: '■-~.

Fifth 1 (13 teams): Athletic, Hutt, Melrose, Petone, ■ Poneke, St. James, St. Patrick's A, St. Patrick's B, Selwyn A, Selwyn B, Southern,. Wellington College A, and Wellington College B.

Arch. T. .Waddell, tho Auckland forward, has just left on a trip to the Old Country. Waddell, who has represented Auckland and, Hawke's .Bay provinces, played in the North v. South Island match-last, season. If sufficient inducement offers, .he intends to. play the Northern .Union game.in England. -.- , ■ The annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby : Union will be held on May 12. .''"■;.''.: ' ' " ' . ■ :

The;seasqn opens with a grievance, the weaker senior teams complaining that all is not fair in regard to the arrangement of the fixtures for the first round. A requisition reached the Management Committee of the W.RJ.U. thjs.week, praying that a special meeting of delegates should'be convened to discuss, the matten- The complairrf' is. that' the young and struggling teams are pitted, against superior fifteens at the outset, and are disheartened by very pronounced defeats. Those who ask for'an inquiry apparently offer 7io objection to any arrangement of the matches.fixed by ballot, but they have.a strong protest to .enter, as, they allege, the Management Committee, in the: light .of 'possible influence on : the "gates," vary the order of the.matches as drawn.' V■.'■.' ..' '■:.■'.■■ ': "'"■'■ ;:.

There,' seems, to be a good, deal in the argument for the weaker clubs, and the matter will be discussed by. delegates at a special meeting, called for Friday evening.:- .-;..'... ..-... ■■..■'.■' •■ ' l '-

.. Southern,: one ; .of,the. aggrieved olubs, may be quoted as an example. The club entered a senior team for the first-time tw.o years, ago. ~The .team's first match was against Petone, the next against Melrose'(the previous season's championholders), and the third against Oriental. 1 Last.year Southern,,at the", outset, met Poneie,' Athletic; and Oriental, ■ in. , that order.. The club looked npon this as "hard luck," having no. complaint to make, as-these fixtures "just happened." This year, they say, the position is different, tho Management Committee having altered tho order of the matches after they had been drawn. As originally set out, Southern were to meet Old Boys to-day, and they were thankful that their "luck".' had, changed, sudA that probably, ihey .would not be, thrashed. However, on the list ' for to-day, there was also the match, Petone v. Poneke. Because of financial considerations, the committee decided that this match (amd the others drawn with it) should be put off until • the fifth Saturday, : playing this afternoon the matches drawn for that day. The result is that- Southern now meets a much stronger team—St; James:

It is anticipated that the Management Committee will defend their action on the ground that .what was done was for fhe financial'benefit of the The opposing argument is that' players, who. are. in the game for the. sake of the sport, or ought- to be,, are deserving' of consideration. Southern; 'it is. interesting.'.to note, played,only tjfo games on th© : Athletic Park lost season. .; ■

■The seven-a-side, tournament last Saturday did not give a. very, clear indication, .of the strength of .the various teams taking,part in the championship. The tournament was useful in the direction of affording 'an. afternoon of stern training for, players' who are seeking "condition."', : A, regrettable accident occurred to M.Ryan, of the Petons team. . Ho knocked hie nose rather. forcibly against one of his- own side; and was disabled. The .Petone Club has not been' without a,Ryan for years, _and it seems to be fated .to have always an injured Ryan. It will be remembered- that in the PetonePoneke match, at ,tho beginning of last season, ,M. Ryan had his ' -knee badly damaged, and was not on the active list throughout the remainder of the season. '

N.U. COLONIAL TOUE. "I do not envy the .committee their task of selecting the 26 players who will comprise the first Northern Union sido to leave the United Kingdom," says 'Torward" in the , "Athletic News." Ho proceeds as follows:-"Already the nominations are being received, and every club in. the' Northern League appear to possess pardonable pride, ana the belief that the side cannot be representative unless their bright and particular star \i> consideicd. Indeed, some clubs havo nominated ten players, others will bo satisfied with one or two, but striking the average of four from-each-of the 23 clubs brings the nominations over the, century.', . . . .• "If I were asked to select the players my first thirteen would be Sharrocks (Wigap), Leytham (Wigan), Jenkins (Wigah), Lonias (Salford), Tyson (Oldhamj, Davies (Huddersfield), Newbould (Wakefield), Ferguson (Oldham), Clanipitt (J. L.) (Broughton Rangers), Webster (Leeds), Crossland (Wakefield), Avery (Oldham), and, Boylon (Hull), whilst my second ; thirteen (two. thirteens, oi course, are to be taken) would be: Barton (St. Helens), Farrar (Hunslot), Chic Jenkins (Ebbw ' Vale), Oliver (York),- Batten (Hunslet), Thomas (Wigan), Smith (Hunslet), Jukes (Hunslet), Humsdalo (Wigan), Winstanley (Leigh), Padbury" (Euncorn), Sandham (Hull Kingston Rovers),. and Francis (Wigan). "Wβ have a surfeit of forwards, bat only twelve will be taken, although with littlo difficulty. I could select another dozen of merit, nearly equal to the twelve I have given. Also the scrummage half-backs could be duplicated, but for outside men John Thomas, of Wigan, and Janies Davies, of Huddersfield, are our best representatives at, the present time, for the fact must not be ovorlooked that the Australian grounds will be firm, and that fast, open play, with attack as its object, will bo the fare palatable to the colonial spectators." A . correspondent in Australia writes: "The Now South Wales Rugby League have secured tho pick of the grounds for next season, several of which have hitherto been held by the Rugby Union. The fact that: the trustees of those grounds preferred the tenancy of the league to tho union ehoivs clearly which is to be tho leading game of the future. Some owners aro prepared to not only tie up thoir property, but to spend large sums of money purely in anticipating good 'gates' from the Northern Union Club games'. . Surely that should convince the Northern Union (JnuiuiUee ■ th&t money awaits them in a tour of Australia and New: Zealand. I am accosted a dozen times a day by people of all classes, whose stereotyped question is, 'When will the English footballers be here?' Folks are clamouring to see tho nien who.-bcat the 'AH Golds' and tho 'Kangaroos.' .'.'■' "I might add that a delegation is jus', duo from New Zealand to confer with the Rugby Union officials .here regarding this alteration of rules with a view to ranking th 6 game ■ more 'attractive, to spectators. If the alterations us suggoi*ed nre carried out, it will be practically Northern Union rules fifteen aside. If this alteration takes place, and appearances ccrtuiJ) poii.t il> this direction, and we do not get a Northern Union learn here this coming winter, wo shall have ii much harder fight against the Rugby Union." ■ N.S.W. lIUOfBY UNION. Among tho speakers at tho nnnual mooting of the New South Wales Rugby Union was Mr. J. J. Culvert, wlw gi\

pressed satisfaction that the union at Home, usually a conservative body, had modified its views, and much good might be expected from their future concessions in regard to the rules. Hβ remembered having an interview with Mr. Rowland Hill when ho was last in England, and soon discovered how impossible it was at that period to have any change made. They were 'so conservative that it was useless to make any suggestion. Now, however, that they had met the New South Wales Union, they would have the pleasure of observing how much the changes would do for the game Mr. Calvert made reference to the secession of M members of tho team that went to England. He had no hesitation in Baying that in ordinary' circumstances there was no reason why these men should not have done what they actually did. But in the circumstances in which they went over to another body they showed an ingratitude which should be condemned by every member of the union, When the players referred to went Home, and after they returned, they, had an opportunity of standing by the union, which had lost •£I4OO by their trip. Mr. J. F. Macmanamcy said it was absolutely essential that those concerned in the game should devote themselves to tho great changes made in tho laws, as the result of tho concessions of the English Union. For many years the various colonial unions had made representations to the Homo' Union, without effect, but now that they had lent a willing ear, thoso interested in the game should acquaint themselves of the real meaning of them. Tho trouble was that the New South' Wales Union had no proper representation in the parent body, otherwise more reasonable changes would have been made before to-day.. Two alterations—the advantage rule and that with reference to carrying the ball into touch —were great concessions. "A LIBEL ON THE EEAL BUGBY." "When in - Wales'during the Christmas' holidays," writes Mr. Hamish Stuart, the well-known Rugby critici "I saw enough of Welsh club football, as played in Wales, to justify, the statement that the game had degenerated into as gross a libel on the real Bugby as the purist ever visioned'in a nightmare. Unfair and fonl. play that would have staggered Eugby humanity out of Wales seemed to be regarded as incidental to the game, and was tolerated by the referees either on principle or of. necessity. At the time I wrote pointing out that Wales was drifting on the danger of isolation, and that the Welsh Union would have to take drastic action to end tho abuses and a state of affairs that was a disgrace to the 'fair name of Eugby. football. Theso observations were prompted by the travesty of Eugby football which the match between Newport and Cardiff produced. Unfair methods,. foul play, deliberately rough play, 'playing to win'— these wore the only features of a match in which Welsh football knew its culminating disgrace of the season. After such a ! display there was, one reads, 'a scone .of great enthusiasm.' Why? Simply-because Cardiff had beaten the unbeaten Newport side by a point!" . ASSOCIATION NOTES. To-day will see Hie commencement of all; League matches under what,is probably the most favourable conditions that Association footballers have ever had. Never before in the existence'of the game have so. many town grounds and so many good grounds been available. The Man-, asement. Committee in general, aid tie Ground Committee, in particular, have, done some very hard work during the recess,' with the result that all the grounds this season will bo much ahead of last year's, and really worth playing on. As before mentioned, a big effort is to be made towaids inducing the Reserves Committee ,to be more elastic in allowing the city reserves to be used during the winter, and if' this becomes possible there should be very little occaeion.to play senior games out of town. . . It may be necessary .to remind all players .that there ; \vill be no ferry boalt running ; to Miramar this season, owing to the alterations to the Mitramar Wharf. Players 'are therefore advised to catch early oars, ;-.<•!; ]■• ■-~ ■ > ■' •'■■■•■ Diamonds have; withdrawn their Fifth Division team, but the Baniblora have entered a team each for the fourth and fifth grades. This will make five more boys' teams Qian last season, and there 1 will probably bo ono or two more ehtriee yet; ■ ..... ■••:■•■■.

.A new instruction to referees, issued per medium of the "Referees' Chart," is to the effect that "charging must not be penalised unless it is violent or. dangerous." It is also mentioned that "tho duty of a refereo to' order a player oil for violent conduct, or after' a caution for ungentlemanly behaviour, is emphasised by the,alteration made in the law by the International Board in 1909."

. A 'further instruction to rofereea is:— Avoid pointing out, or placing a hand on a player when cautioning,him. Some referees will havo to specially note this. . : According to a cable message received this week tho German Emperor has ordered football for the German army. What sort of football I hear some saying? But-there is very little doubt that the game that will Dβ played is the Association game, which is. now played largely in Germany, and, in fact, all over the Continent, with tha possible exception of Russia and the Spanish Peninsula, which countries tho "soccer" , codo or, in fact, any football, has not 60 far invaded. The progress of this codo of football was so marked that in Paris in llay, .1901, it was found. necessary to institute a federation, called La Federation Internationale Do Football Association," consisting of all the football associations controlling Association football in their respective countries, and formed for the purpose of developing and controlling Association international ■ football. The present , secretary of this body is C. A. W. Hirschman, of the Netherlands. . :

Up to date, the following amateur athletic games have been played between Germany and England:— 1908, at Berlin—England won 9—l. 1909, at Oxford—England won, 9—o. Says the "Otago Daily Times" :-It is gratifying to bo able to' etate that schools football is to be stronger than ever this season. The secretary informs me that no fewer than 25 school teams, possibly 30, will take the field this season, as against 18 last season. On every hand the secretary is getting the support and confidence bf tho masters. It is expected that all schools in the city and suburbs will dh represeited this season in the Association game. An endeavour will be inado this season to run schools football from the 0.F.A., dispensing with the schools' committee. The time is ripe for the O.V.A. to take into consideration the forming of a iifth grade for boys beyond tho age limit for school football, and yet not old enough for the fourtli grade. If this 's nut done somo of these boys will be lost to the game, and thus the work of tho schools' committee irill be in a measure undone. Tho number. of. school teams this year will easily constitute a record. While .on the question of boys' football, it is to be sincerely hoped that the Wellington Football Association irill leave no stone unturned this season bo return the visit of the Otago boys. Mr. H'Keowen mentioned tho matter at Wednesday night's meeting of the Management Committee, but the chairman (Mr. B. L. Salmon), who is also executive .'officer of the Boys' Sub-committee, explained that all tho sub-committees-havo been so busy with the commencement of matches that it.had been impossible to turn to any other question. But tho matter had not been forgotten, and would receive attention next week.

'Mr. .C. J. Hughes, one of the vicepresidents of the Football .Association, has consented (o take chargo of tho English team during its visit to Soutli Africa. Tho team will leavo England on May 7, and voturn on August 2G. The Colonial Association have guaranteed nil tho expenses of the party, and will allow each man .£2O for pocket money and incidental disbursements. The annual meeting of tho Wellington Referees' Association took placo two weeks ago, when Mr. C. E. Fonlhani was ,«1ccIp(I president, Messrs. B. I. Salmon and W. Aiilil vice-presidents, und J[r. A. Newbold lion, secretary. Tho Hoferees' Ass-ociation is now carrying out its work under an entirely new constitution, and it is to bo sincerely hoped that wo hnvo finished with those troubles, which permeated tho meetings last season, though al the first fortnightly meeting rhis suason hero was slight friction, and ono refereo declared himself to bo a firebrand. But it.is said. lhn.t firebrands are very often suddenly put out, so this particulur one bad bqtter' look to hjmesli,

A oatoh to "eoccer" this season is the secession of Tom Jones, ono of the front rangers in Eugby refereeing, from Eugb; to Association. If I mistake not, he will make a capable exponent of the soccer code, and will be in good hands with his friend, B. 1. Salmon, who, it should bo safe to guess, has persuaded him to follow tho round ball.

Mr. W. Auld, one of the real workers on behalf of "socceT," wished to resign his seat on tho management committee this week because his work will prevent him attending the next few meetings of tho committee, and Mr. Salmon moved that Mr.' Auld should be given leave of absence, and bo prevent the necessity for his resigning. Mr. Auld had, and was still doing an immense amount of work for tho game, said Mr Salmon, and he could not bo spared. It was decided to grant the leavo of absence, and so retain Mr. Auld on the committee.

Mr. C. Aitken has been elected secretary of the Wanganni Association, vice Mr. G. T. Benefield, who is laid up with an injured epine.

The Wellington Association hae had to abandon the idea of constructing a ground on tho town belt at Gon Street. The committee went thoroughly into the matter, but as the estimate supplied waa .£I6OO, it has been decided that there is no prospect of- carrying on the scheme. The association was offered a fine piece of ground at Haitaitai recently, but unfortunately they could, not get the necessary width.