ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1222, 2 September 1911, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

[Bx Centiie-Half.]

END-OT-SEASON NOTIONS.

Fine Fourth Division Boys. Is ew Zealand As.socio.Hon footballers havo reason to bo proud of tho young men who represented tUe fourth di\ isious of Auckland and Wellington 011 Basin Reserve on Saturday last. Tho first thing that caught the eyo was the 'Vpiek and span" appearance of both 'teams.''JiTlicn there'was also the wellproportioned physique which makes first impressions so lasting. This was noticeable in both' elevens. Our Rugby friends have at times scoffed out something to the effect that our players consist mostly of these who are not robust enough for the more stremi; oils game, but when wo see such samples of young manhood, now playing in our low-er grades, wo can affcrd to laugh, quite gently and pleasantly, at our brethren ot the "hand-ball" game. Wo can, in fact, invite them without a blu?h to blow along and look at our young stalwarts. They would do credit to auy football field. The goal-kicking of tho backs on both sides wa.3 splendid, tho ball invariably reaching halfway. Newcomb, left fullback for Auckland, was specially good in this department; Bennett, centre-half, filled the position admirably, while tho visitors' forwards'.wero all good, the three inside men (Charteris, Stewart, a'nd Jl'Pherson) being very conspicuous. The two outside men (Fowler and Parker) kept their places beautifully. On tho homo side tho goal-keeper. Bidmead, seemed a little shaky, and Bell and Wilkins, the two backs, were hardly asgood as tho Auckland pair, the latter being tho better of the two. Wellington's halves were a fine trio,' Bosher, if anything, being the best. Of a smart forward line, no on 9 could begrudge a word of praise to Parkin, the bustling inside left. Praise ihat is Warranted. The teams played splendid .football, wasted no time, and provided a most interesting match all the way. Mr. Godber, the referee, in his roport to tho W.P.A., states: "My renort would be incomplete without a reference to the excellent conduct on the field of both teams. It was indeed a pleasure to control this game." Such exhibitions of Arsociatioii football will do more for our game than many of our Brown Shield matches. To., use a phrase that is now growing hoary, and a little bald about the crown—"Last Saturday's contest will bo long remembered." Indeed it will. Official Linesmen, Continuing .the remarks in last week's column in regard to tho moro efficient administration of the laws of tho game oil the field of play, the suggested ollicial list of linesmen could be composed of gentlemen who perhaps do not care to undertake tho solo control of a game, but. would bo glad to render assistance by officiating.,on .tho line. Clubs should b'a invited to forward to tho Referees' Association names of gentlemen willing to act, and there is no doubt but what that body would (irav/ up an examination paper, or standard of which tha candidates for ' the "Ollicial List" must pass.. Tho examination would bo very simple, ■ and on the lines of tho "Instructions to Linesmen". embodied in tho Laws of tho Game. This may appear lo' bo a radical change from the usual order of things, but when looked into it is but a step, long needed, towards that perfect administration of the game for which we are always striving. The referee, whoso very name denotes impartiality, is appointed to govern tho game without fear or favour, but when the linesmen are usually club members, an element of bias, generally unconscious, is introduced, which militates against perfect justica as between the teams. By i tho adoption of "ollicial linesmen" per-' feet nutrality is ensured, which is very essential when Longuo points or cup con- , tests are in question. And an added advantage to be looked for would bo the great assistance they would lie able to render tho referee in points of play requiring his adjudication. There is no iieed to go outside the covers of the Referees' Chart to find that qualified linesmen aro as much a necessity as are qualified referees. The latter are searcliingl.v oxamined by their Association, but 'tho former aro just picked up haphazard on the field, regardless of their capabilities for (ho position. llow can tho game bo expected to go ahead if the administration is neglected in this important particular? It cannot bo gainsaid that the instructions to referees as to linesmen, ana vico versa, are practically .ignored. AVhy should this be so? T'lie Ollicial List could be utilised as a source from which suitable men could bo called up to act as referees on passing tho higher examination. Loss would be heard of tho overworked referee, and lurid remarks as to his fortunate or timely blindness, and also as to tho need for two referees, were ' an elficicnt body of linesmen established, ; and collaboration between them and the i referees on the field carried out to the 11 letter and in the spirit as laid down in.

tho Referees' Chart. Tho list hero advocated might well bo established so as to bo in working order by next season, when the crowds due to roll up at "Fordham Park" will doubtless criticise anything and everything that savours of bad management of tho sport. Poor Fare at the Basin. Tho Wanderers-Corinthians Charily Cup tie served up poor faro and compared badly with tho play of the IS-year-old boys who represented Auckland aud Wellington. Hughes, at centre-forward, and Hunter, at right-back, for Wanderers, also Rultor at right-back, aiul Ives at centreforward for Corinthians, were the prominent men for their respective sides. The ex-Manawahi representative was always on the ball, and passed nici»'.y to his '•wings," but all his good work was of no avail. However, he generally gets a goal to his credit. llutter, who lias not long been amonsst. us, plays nice, clean football of tho 'Varsity" style. Ho is a decided acquisition' to Wellington football. We can do with more of his stamp. Ives got tinea goals, but the.v were undoubtcdly soft ones. Tho "fair-haired centre" is an outstanding figure 011 tho field, is very fast, and his play should have improved his chance for representative honours. Hunter was tho best of the four backs. 'Wanderers do not realise what a good one they havo in this young fellow. Good Sports, but Poor Football. St. John's were 110 match for Rovers last Saturday, and seemed quite unable to check their opponents' onslaughts, which were very numerous. Shaw aud Dick did their best to stem the tide of defeat, but their efforts were unsupported by the others except Egley and Hayton, who worked nobly though, perhaps, carelessly. Walls, in goal, was very much off colour, and tho simplest of shots beat him. It was almost as weak a display as one could imagine by a senior team, especially at this stage of the season, aud even making duo allowance for the new players in St. John's ranks. ' Rovers were not such a wonderful team as might bo" thought, for, though they won by 7 goals to nil, they met very poor opposition. The forwards did not show very good combination, but they woro always there when anything in the nature of a score seemed likely, and Millar and O'Shea owe most of their scores to smart following-up. But the strength of the team was the half-line (Bradbury, Crcsswell, and Duignan), who broke up all St. John's efforts at combination. Tho backs and goal-keeper were not often troubled, and' had little part in the play. The game throughout was notable for lack ot whistle, tho referee having a very easy task, as both teams showed a good sporting spirit—but poor football. ' A Rattling Good Suggestion, With the Brown Shield contest down to be played at Christchurch 011 the date of tho Charity Cup final, tho latter will of necessity take place on tho following Saturday, when unfortunately tho city reserves will no longer be available. At present Miramar seems tho only alternative, with a rough, uneven ground quito unsuitable for such an important fixture. AVouUl it not he a graceful act 011 the part of the W.F.A.,. seeing the important part played in senior football by the Hospital Club, to honour the latter by playing tho final 011 tho splendidly-ap-pointed ground of the country team. Doubtless the hospital officials, 'if approached early, would complete their preparations for enlarging tho playing area by tho due date, and no better ground could be wished for. Should the hospital team be one of tho finalists, tho ground advantage would be purely nominal, as the level stretch of turf is quite fair to a visiting team. In fact, most teams play better football there than they do in town, and the records show that hospital can lose games to better teams on tho day's play. There is also another reason why tho hospital ground should be the sceno of the conflict. The W.F.A. want money, and if this suggestion is taken up thero is every probability of a "big gato" at the Cup final played at Torirua.