ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1166, 17 June 1911, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

[Br Centbe-Half.] A Visiting Referee. Mr. G. Classen, secretary of the Auckland Referees' Association, was in town last week, and made it his business to see to his association's interests in tho capital city. Speaking to "Centre-Half," Mr. Classen said that Auckland's . great trouble was in getting icferees to tako charge of matches, and, in some cases, tho men who do come forward,.and offer their services are unsuitable.- Ho was much impressed with tho methods employed by the Wellington Referees' Association in regard to tho coaching of ,playcrs and referees aliko at tho fortnightly meetings held for the purpose. On Friday evening of last week tho nowly-appointcd Examination " Board of the New Zealand Referees' Association held a special sitting for the purpose of examining Mr. Classen, and his friends will bo pleased to hear that' he passed with Hying colours. Mr. Classen is tho first referee in New Zealand to receive tho New Zealand Football Asociation's reforco's badge in this connection. Trim it-is, however, that Mr. W. Holmes, of Auckland) who went Home some time ago, received the first badge jsi'tred, but that ivas only presented as a compliment. Mr. Classen took the senior match on tho Basin Reserve on Saturday last. A Wednesday Man's Impressions. I A correspondent writes as follows:— Tho opportunity does not often present i itself to tho Wednesday mair;tu witness i Saturday football. The King's. Birthday ■ having conveniently arrived this year on l that day, I embraced the opportunity i presented of witnessing the Swifts-Thistle i match at the Basin Reserve.. I arrived there some timo in advance -of the kick--1 off, and was glad I did so, for I became • a spectator of a most interesting boys' i game—Marist _ Boys v.-Swifts. When a person takes into consideration that these • boys-arc new to tho game, and that they > have a great deal 'to learn, one has a I right to sum up that, they were ahead of , the seniors who followed. The Marist I i Boys' left-half was a litle gem, His over-

head kicks were perfection, landing the ball as ho did at his forwards' feet every time. Their centre also was unselfish in bis distribution. Swifts' left-wings wero good lads. In fact, both teams camo out of their game with great credit. Tho position on the league table of Swifts ami Thistle was sufficient reason for the spectator to expect a good game, and I think expectation was confirmed as the match progressed. Determination was plainly writ on the faces of the "Scots," and energy in abundance was put into the game. A draw was tho just result of the first half. The spectators were wound up for a "towsy' second half, and a victory for Thistle was in the minds of all—so consistently did they press. However, on the occasion of the "break away" by Swifts, goals wero scored which left them winners by 3 goals to 1. Players Criticised. Rickarsby, the much lauded recruit, played a respectable game, but seemed out of training. No doubt, with a better acquaintance with his colleagues, he should prove an acquisition. I thought that he showed bad form when he tried some sanddancing, just as much as to say: "You can't do that." Young Smith is a good lad, and passes a good ball. Vessey paidIns way with the goals he scored, but seem to have a super-abundance of bad temper, or was he slightly perturbed at Clapham beating him so often? Clapham is a top-notcher. If there is a better right back in Wellington I should like to see him. As I write I have in my mind a last year's representative, but he is too slow. Tho left half for Thistle on Satururdav seemed to think that the lacrosse goal'posts were the Swifts, for, on each occasion that ho took a pot shot, he misjudged. Otherwise he is promising. I might- point out one great drawback to Thistle's non-success, and that was the three inside men were continual y getting in each other's way, especially in Swifts' goalmouth. That was where Thistle lost the match. When next these men enter tho field they should get it into their minds that they are going to play tho long swinging passing game, and then. I" am sure, success will attend their efforts, but, for any favour, they should not try to give an open-air performance of the "Merry Widow 'Waltz.' How Y.M.C.A. Won. The Y.M.C.A. bovs wero too "nippy" for Ramblers. Edgar Phillips was very prominent, and played a dashing game throughout, but Cross and Darcy, on the other"hand, were not happy all day. M'Kav was very useful to his side. In fact, "the whole forward line was very good. Smith had few opportunities in the first half, and was too wcl watched by Kirschber? in the second spell to do much damage. The half line put in solid work, Forsyth was really good at left back, and his long drives with a heavy ball show that lie 'can time his kicking. Coatc was also very safe, while Holhs did better than he has done this year. Webster could not be blamed for the two goals scored against him. His backs bunched in front of him, and on several occasions, completely obscured his vision. Davey indulged in some heavy kicking, while 'Cross seemed awkward, and only rarely showed his true form. Inqhalfbacks were all good. Undoubtedly Ramblers aro lucky in theit half line, and Jackson is away, too! Smallbones work was neat and finished. Johnston plajed stupidly. It is a pity .tha such a good plaver should carry trie waltzing to such' a length. Edwards was a crippe but his centring (even from the right) was first-class. Under a Cloud. Diamonds' powers were very feeblo in the match against Thistle on the Basin Reserve last Saturday, and it was not till the last twenty minutes that the fairly largo attendance had much to keep their attention. Thistle were up to their usual standard, and worked with careful combination that kept back their opponents, till one wondered if Diamonds were really a first division team. Short, sharp passing was tho order among Thistle's forwards, while Diamonds tried long kicks,- which wero too often intercepted and nullified by Thistles halves and backs. Had it not been for solid kicking by Roberts and Barnett, Diamonds would probably have had something like a double-figure total put up by Thistle. These two stood out .from tlie rest; till Barnett sustained an injured leg, and was unable to get about easily. Lowe brothers were tho only others prominent throughout.