ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1132, 20 May 1911, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

[By Centee-Hau.] Positions of Senior Teams, The following is a- table showing tho positions of the first division:— £, a j -3 . Z'.S a rt e w ri £ Ga .2 Ramblers 4 4 0 17 5 8 Swifts 4 4 0 1G i 8 Thistle 4 3 1 0 3 G Diamonds 4 3 1 .10. 6 G Wanderers 4 '2 2 11 8 ' 4 Hospital 4 2 2 11 10 :4 Borers 4 13 7 12 2 Y.JI.CA 4 13 4 0 2 St. John's 4 0 4 3 13 0 Corinthians 4 0 4 1 10 0 Rare Incidents. . In tho Hospital-St. John's game, there occurred two incidents that are very rare, a goal being scored in the first minute of each half, the player who centred tho ball on both occasions being Pearson. Ho gave hi 3 best display of the season, being very quick on the ball, and dropping in .some very fine centres.

Another dual performance was that of Roots, wliom brace of goals were particularly alike, both corsing from comers, and being driven in low and hard from 12 yards otit. The finest goal of the match was the first one scored by Dick for St. John's. He received the ball about thirty yards from goal, and, dribbling clear of his immediato opponents, saw tho backs out of position. Crowding on top speed, ho went between them like an arrow, and, keaping a cool head, placed the ball out of Cockbnrn's reach. He fully deserved the round of applause which greeted his fine effort. It was, however, a sharp lesson for the Hospital backs, showing up their utter neglect of elementary tactics in failing to "cover" each other. One of the niott important arts of the game (too often neglected) is that .of Hie defence covering each other. It is a failing that, sooner or later, results in a speedy forward slipping through, and leaving tho goalkeeper helpless. Although playing a man short, St. John's are to bo complimented on tho fight which they put up, and for which they were largely indebtel to Shaw, who was always there when he was wanted, his lengthy form being a conspicuous figure throughout the game. ' Concerning Referees' Meetings. Once again the attention of players and referees is drawn to the fact that, every alt?rnate Tuesday, tho Wellington Referees' Association hold meelinss in the Y.M.C.A., at which instruction in the laws of th« game, interpretation of tho rulos, and lectures are given by edmpetent officials and numbers. Aillnniglt there is always a very fair attendance: of referees, yot there should lie mora at these meetings. W* would not then have players complaining about tho differences of opinion which seem to exist in the j.iwincis of referees. Every game-controller should be present. At present an o:;cnllent scries of lnctures is bein; given by Mr. C. E. I'ordham, and they ore well worth hearing. One hopes those referees with guilty consciences will take heed. Advice te Rovers Forwards. An ideal day, a perfect ground, but a poor game wero tho state of things at Kelburno Park.. Hovers were certainly without Bradbury, but his absenco should not account for a six to nil defeat. Excepting Lowe and Rowan, Rovers were a poor lot, the former being tho only one of the five forwards who made any headway when tho ball came his way. Rowan could not be held responsible for the big tatty against him, as his clearing at times was first class. Webster, at the other end, had an easy day of it, Cross was in his very best, form, and mado the White forwards look very simple. The half-line (a good one. too) had a lot lo do with the victory, as they fed theii forwards splindidly, while Hart shot when necessary. Smallbono's work was pretty, Hart was handy where required, Johnson was again good, and tho same can be said of Edwards. Rovers forwards, if they do not wish to see their club in an ignominious position at the end of the 'season, will have to drop "fiddling." It is a forward's business to take the shortest track for goal. Gibson, Elford, and company, in nearly every instance, took the longest and most roundabout. Game at Miramar Reviewed. Diamonds and. Wanderers met in combat on the fields of Miramar. Wanderers started off at a great pace, and gave every indication of ihaking tho Blacks up a good deal. But iho pace set proved too hot, and, after about the first quarter of an hour, ■Diamonds did what they liked with the young senior club. Nevertheless the game was a good one, and some excellent football was played. Tn his letter lo the W.E.A. Management Committee this wtek, Mr. R. S. Lithgow, the referee, says;—?

The senior game (Diamonds v. Wanderers) was Teally a surprise to me. All the players were very keen, and their conduct on the field was exemplary. I only wish that lh?y played the game in the Old Country with the same enthusiasm. Mr. Lithgtnv is a recent arrival from Home, and has had experience for years past in connection with "scecer" football in the Old Country. Ho was a prominent Scottish referee also. On one or two occasions on Saturday, howevor, he made mistakes in regard to corner and goalkicks, and he was very strict on the foulchanging play. Right on the tipk (if he had the least suspicion) he pulied men up for this, time after time, and "Centr'e■>.'lt" for one was glad to see it. Somo comment was occasioned when he ordered all the Wanderers' team (the goal-keeper excepted) behind Roberts when the latter was taking' a penalty-kick. Ther-o is nothing in the laws stating that this must be done. All that is provided is that players must stand outside the penalty area in th« field of play when a penalty-kick is being taken. It was remarked on Saturday by a bystander that the rule only applies to football in Scotland. Perhaps it does, but we interpret the laws differently out hero. How Many Know This? In a recent first-leag-ue game at Home between teams, one of which was badly in need of points to avoid relegation to the Second Division, the referee disallowed a goal which had been scored from a free kick, owing to the ball not having been moved its full circumferenco before the second player scored. How manv players realise that the ball must travel nearly two and a half feet to comply with the law, before a second player may play it? The Encounter at the Basin. The attendance at the Basin Reserve on Saturday was very encouraging to Association enthusiasts, and any good play on eithor side (Thistle or Y.M.C.A.) was duly recoguised by the spectators. Y.M.C.A. showed the better combination, and they put that vim into their work which made them a source of anxiety to Thistle on many occasions. Only Clanham, at back for Thistle, saved the position. _ Ho met almost every Y.M.C.A. attack in the second spell coolly, and, judging his charging nicely, he broke up the enemy, whether they came from the centre or flank. Without Clapham Thistle would more than likely have lost the game.