ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1199, 7 August 1911, Page 7

ASSOCIATION.

SWIFTS WELL IN THE LEAD. DRAWN GAME AT FOMItUA. By defeating Thistlo at Kelburno on Saturday, Swiits havo established a big lead for championship honours, and havo practically 'wo'n .the competitioh. It is . regrettable to have to mention;.that-:tho : game was piayed in a rough manner to-" • wards its close. Often both vides in- 1 dulged in illegal practices, and Mr. Lith- 1 gow,..the -referee, "would hare been quite j ■within his rights had he exercised his 1 power in ordering players (oil both sides) I off tho field. A certain section nf tho i crowd also behaved in no very elegant i manner. . ' . 1 A surprise vras sprung at Potirua, whero Y.M.C.A. drew with the formidable Hospital team, thus putting the men of tho institution right out of the running. 'Following are tho results of Saturday's first division games:— Hospital • 0 Y.M.C.A 0 Swifts 3 Thistle 0 Ramblers 1 St. John's 0 "Diamonds 4 Corinthians 1 Wanderers 3 Rovers 2 SWIFTS-THISTLE. A good instructive exhibition of Association was anticipated from the_ contest between Swifts and Thistle at Kelburno Park on Saturday. That these two leading teams should have given such an indifferent display is regrettable, the more bo because of incidents (not provided for in the rules) which marred the greater part of the game. .The opening was slow to a degree, but, while each team seemed to be feeling its way, there were somo pretty little pieoas" of play by both sides. Each having gone tnrough its "preliminaries," p'.ay settled for a minute or two, and then the pace was considerably quickened, while Swifts set about a determined attack per Scott. Thistle, relieved by Clapham, tried their forwards, and play centred in Swifts' quarters, but Pye-Smith and Wilson wore ready, and, finally, Lindsay (Thistle), who wns in good form, was beaten, aijd matters looked.ominous for Thistle. Thus far the game was a pleasure, to watch, but Swifts were penalised threo times in succession for foul play. The game presently lost its brightness, and, for some reason, the' spirit of football seemed to 'become feeble. The referee ruled strictly, ,and breaches ware frequent till he / stopped the game and cautioned both sides. But football in its truest sense had fled, though it partially returned later on. Pye-Smith and Wilson put in several saving kicks, and Thistle had difficulty in piloting the ball to - their opponents' quarters, though their forwards had tho leather more frequently than Swifts. Ash and Hall were willing, "but a good attempt. at passing was ■brought to an end by Pye-Smith, who kicked well up-field to Barry. The latter found Scott in a favourable position, and, at close range, the last-named sent in Swifts' first score. Vessty's attempt, a little after, missed the posts. Thistle still struggled to beat the opposing backs, tint luck was.not theirs, for a determined attack from a "corner" struck tli? bar, and a shot from the rebound did likewise, leaving Swifts leaders by one to nil for the first half. Swifts at once mode for Thistle's goal in the second spell, and a good "centre" by Scott was neatly placed between the posts by Roberts. With a deficit of two goals to wipe off, Thistle bestirred themselves, and Ash &ent in a good kick, but Penlingtoa cleared his goal. The _ goal-mouth was again approached by Lindsay, but again the 'keeper "saved.". Thistle still maintained the pressure, and a hot 'shot came from M'Lellan', which, however, was once mora "saved," though Penlington fell in the attempt. The spirit of ill-feeling was still in evidence, and, far too often, was it nece-ssary to penalise players, while, on more than one occasion it was thought certain that someone would be ordered'to leave tho field. Guise at length relieved Swifts, and Thistle were driven back for some time. A penalty was given against them, and Roberts brought Swifts' score to 3 goals. Though Swifts continued to have matters their own way they did not add to their score, and were eventually placed on the defensive, nr.d kept so for several minutes, Ash, Brownlee, and Hall having shots, but failing to achieve success. Once more Swifts broke away, but Clapham was sure, and Roberts's attempt was frustrated. M'Lellan then put in a fine run for Thistle, and transferred well to Aitchoson. The goalkeeper was induced to come out. and was beaten, but PyeSmith had meantime filled the gap, and neatly deprived Aitcheson of his chance. Hall "tried n 'lone" effort next, losing an almost certain goal through not passing. Thistlo were evidently using thsir last ounce, and (except for Hickcrby, PyeSmith. and Penlington) they hod littlo difficulty in pnssing Swifts. Goal-getting, however, was another matter, and, finally, ' the flame of activity flickered out.. Roberts took play to Thistle quarters,

where a game (full of breaches of the charging rule, spoilt by a spirit of disagreeableness, and by no means a good advertisement far Association in Wellington) ended. Swifts placing themselves two points higher lor the championship. Mr, Lithgow was referee. RAMBLERS—ST. JOHN'S. This match was played at Ouppa Street, and the ground was about as heavy as a dull day in Parliament. St. John's won the toss, and last year's champions defended the northern goal. Right throughout, the game was devoid of good football, but individuals devoted iv lot of energy to that flat, stale, and unprofitable business which is commonly known as "playing to the gallery." Half an hour of give-and-take slid by, and then from a good piece of work begun by Ramblers' forwards W. Hart was enabled to score the only goal of the match. It was a good effort. Throughout the first spoil Ramblers appeared ttv have slightly the better of the play, and should have made greater use of tho opportunities which they had. During the second half Ramblers attacked vigorously from the outset, and got within shooting distance of their opponents' goal repeatedly. Gcod defence on the part of tho St. John's backs, however, saved the situation. Bad shooting by last year's winners was much in evidence also. On one or two occasions St. John's made efforts that looked like getting to grips, but Webster was equal to the demands made upon him. Taken on the whole the game up to senior football standard. Ramblers left the field winners by one goal. Mr. F. O'Coiinell was teferee. HOSPITAL—Y.M.C.A. A marked feature of the Hospital— Y.M.C.A. game at Porirua was_ the poor shooting of-tho forwards, Hospital's men especially being nmiss in this essential department. Chance after chance was thrown to the winds by a reckless drive when a little steadiness would have brought several scopes out of tho innumerable chances which they liad,_ as quite three fourths of the game was in their favour. Hollis kept goal in fine style for Y.M.C.A., but his work consisted chiefly of long-range efforts by the opposing forwards, and, with these, it was hopeless to attempt to beat a keeper of his skill and resource. The first half was one continued attack on tho Y.M.C.A. citadel, and. with the exception of an occasional breakaway by Smith, JUiillips, and Godsalve, all their energies were devoted to defence. In the second half the play brightened lip considerably, a penalty being awarded Y.M.C-i. for "hands"—an_ offence that was unobserved by most of the players, and, consequently, when Mr. Ince placed the ball for the kick the men moved down tho field in expectation of a free kick to Hospital. There was- general surprise when it was realised that Y.M.C.A. had been awarded a penalty, and, quite appropriately, Cockburn "saved" magnificently, pushing the ball round the post at full length. .This incident acted as a tonic to the teams, and they went at it hammer and tongs, Pearson and Tyrcr working down their wing for the former to centre' finely to Elliott, whose shot Hollis "saved - ' in splendid style. Godsalve worked through only to shoot wide, ahd Pearson placed a, ''corner" so accurately that Hollis had to exert himself to rlear, which he did in daring fashion. Roots, Elliott, and Tyrer all made abortive attempts at goal, while Davis worked past four opponents, only to fail in the goal area. Smith got elra.r of ths field, but Wall is made a splendid tackle, and "saved" an almost certain score. Murphy slipped through to middle nicely, Godsalve missing when in a good position. Young dribbled down the line to drive in a finn shot-, but the Y.M.C.A. defcnce held out. Coates and Gibson being very sure, while Hollis kept a very fine goal. The gamo thus ended in a pointless draw.

Mr. Ince (the referee) had a pleasant task, his duties as an awarded of penalties for infringements of the laws bcinj noticeably light, both teams playing the game in a very sportsmanlike manner.

DIAMONDS-CORINTHIANS. Corinthians and Diamonds met at. tho Basin Reserve before about 400 spectators. During the first half'tlic &amo" was fairly ■ even, but Diamonds at length asserted themselves, and left the field winners by three goals. From tho kick off Corinthians carried tho ball into their opponents' territory, but it was very soon sent back for Lowo to make an individual effort with. Be failed to shoot, only just being robbed by Barnsley as ho manoeuvred for an opening. The play now travelled from end to end of tho field, and tho pace was rather warm, both sides striving hard to notch the first point. This fell eventually to Diamonds, through the agency of Lowe, who beat Cattail (goalkeeper) with a very simple shot. Corinthians, stung by this reverse, made determined attacks upon Diamonds' citadel. Ives and Curtis led tho van, which would not bo repulsed, and, after one or two good attempts, Curtis sent in the "equaliser." Half-time was then called. Immediately after the kickoff, on resuming, Corinthians essayed to score, but the. finishing shot was a trifle weak, and Diamonds' goalkeeper easily "saved." At this stage Diamonds had practically all their owu way. From a nice pieco of combination, Lowe secured, and landod goal number two in the net. Determined to increase their lead, Diamonds forced a corner, olid somo very exciting scrambling in the goal-mouth finished with the ball once again in tho net: Diamonds, .'i; Corinthians, 1. Diamonds were unfortunate in not adding another just after the kick-off, the ball striking the under-sido of the cross-bar, only to rebound into play. Ives now tried to work his way up the field, but his colleagues laEged, and so the final effort failed. A few minutes before time Diamonds added their fourth goal—tho result of reckless play on the part of tho Corinthians' custodian, who left liis goal unguarded, and ran out with the ball, v.-hich was taken from liim. Diamonds, i; Corinthians, 1. Tho remainder of the play was Without incident.

WANDERERS-ROVERS. One of the surprises of the day was the defeat of liovers by the Wanderers' team by 3 goals to 2. The game, which was played at Miramar, proved to be a fast and exciting contest, the winning goals being scored just before the call of time. Wanderers secured their first goal from a penalty-kick, which Holt sent home in fine style. Forcing tactics by tho Hovers proved resultless for a while,, their first goal being moro or less a chance shot, a ball from Lowe rebounding from Parsons, "the goalkeeper, into the net. Playing a strong game, and forcing their opponents very determinedly, tho Rovers again scored just beforo half-time, and so established a lead. In the second half the fortunes of tho game varied considerably, each side being on the alert: against surprise attacks. Rogers, of tho Wanderers' team, assisted to equalise the score with a clever manoeuvre, passing the ball to Venning, who scored. From a smart run up the field. Hughes scored the winning goal for the Wanderers, which team continued to press right up till the final shriek of the whistle. Mr. R. Hutchison was tho referee. JUNIOR MATCHES. The results of the various matches in the junior divisions were as follow:— Second Division. Wadestown defeated Rovers by 4 goals to 0. Magee, King, Handle, and Kaywood scored for the winners. The ganio was delayed owing to the non-arrival of the referee, and the difficulty of finding a substitute. Mr.. M'Lean consented to take charge of the game, and did his work in a very able manner. The result of the game* gives Wadestown a lead of five points in the practically making them winners of the becond Division Cup. ' Brcoklyn played a drawn game with Y.M.C.A., each side scoring one goal. Third Division. Petone drew with St. David's—one all. Johnsonville B defeated Jolinsonville A by 8 goals to 2. 'Petone, 1, St. David's 1. Fifth Division. Swifts won by default, from St. David's. Marist Brothers defeated Y.M.C.A. by 8 to nil. Y.M.C.A. played three . men short. Fifth B Division. Rangers defeated Institute by 2 goals to nil. Mair and Lang scored for the winners. . . .

Sixth Division. Rangers beat Marist Brothers by 2 goals to 1. Swifts (1) beat Institute B (1),

FOOTBALL IN AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. August' ti, 5.3 p.m.) Brisbane, August I'oolbnll union: New South \\ ales defeated Queensland by twenty-four points to three. Adelaide, August 5. Twenty thousand spectators were present at tho "Australian rules" carnival. Victoria defeated Tasmania, and South Australia defeated Westralia. At a meeting of tho Australian football Council the New Zealand delegate reported that, excellent propaganda, work had been done with the money voted last .year.