ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1253, 9 October 1911, Page 3

ASSOCIATION.

SWIFTS WIN THE DOUBLE. THE CUP FINAL. The pretty Porinia ground saw tho last blow struck in Association this season, ami an iutercstiiijr Mow it was, too. Quite a number of people voyaged out by train to see it, and experienced a pleasurable afternoon. It was the final for the Charity Cup, and the gladiators were Swifts and Rovers. Swifts captured it, and, in doing so, have laid proprietary hands on what may be termed "the double," for the championship shield is also theirs, duly won and hung up in their temple of trophies—if they have one. But, oa Saturday, they were lucky, and as ono watched the game it almost seemed at times as though soino malignant gome had woven a spell round the goal, for Hovel's often hammered at it, but all sorts of ill-fortune kept them out. Occasionally the play was rather "willing," but, fortunately, Mr. Lithgow ruled it firmly, and one or two cautions had tho desired effect. The First Spell. At the outset play was of an even char, acter, and then Rovers swooped down on their, opponents' goal, but the defenders were'ready, and White, left back for Rovers, frustrated an attack by Barry. Rovers, however, came down tho field again, and Pye-Smith, right back for Swifts, miskickecl, giving the Whites a chance, two successive corners resulting. The game now livened up, and Swifts took a hand at attacking. Pve-Smith passed to Graves, and the latter shot hard, but Rowan, in goal for Rovers, blocked the shot. Rovers now pressed, and looked like scoring, but Geo. Wilson came to his side's rescue, and the ball was presently taken to,the opposite end. Hero Martin, Rovers right back, in endeavouring to defend hugoo.l, got in Rowan's way, thus leaving Swifts with an open goal, and, Graves being hahdv, registered tho first score ot the match.' Swifts, 1: Rovers, 0Swifts continued to attack strongly, but the defence of Rovers' back division was -olid. On one or two occasions Rowan was called upon to meet some "hot ones, and did so in workmanlike, style. At this stage of the game both teams were playing good football, and appeared to bo evenly matched, although there was more individual plav than combination. Eventually, from a concerted rush by the Whites, Gibson put in a beautifully long shot, which just missed the net by inches. Play oscillated for somo time, and then once more Rovers missed a difficult chance. On top of this Roberts banged one through for Swifts, only to be ruled offside, and then Gibson obtained possession, and, swinging tho leather across to Croft, on tho left-wing, the latter had a capital chance to register a score, but his attempt was a feeble one. Tho Whites continued to press, but fortune was alwavs against them, and then, shortly before'half-time, Swifts attacked, and Roberts put in a shot which hit tho cross-bar. Vessey caught the ' ball on tho rebound, and landed it between tho posts. Swifts, 2; Rovers, 0.

Second Spell. The second spell opened with Rovers attacking, but the bad fortun* which tliev had experienced during the first spell still dogged them, and chance after chance went begging to the great limbo of "might have beens." On one occasion, however, fortune did smile. In a handy position, Rye-Smith (Swifts) charged Arthur Low (outside-right for Rovers) in the back, and a penalty-kick resulted. Gibson was entrusted with it, and made no mistake. Swifts, 2; Rovers, 1. Up till now Rovers had distinctly the better of the disturbance, and they still played doggedly to catch up their rivals' total. To save the situation, Swifts conceded coiner after corner, and this went on for about ten minutes, the game being very "warm" on occasions. Tho Whites, however, could not penetrate tho Reds' defence, and a respite camo when Swifts broke aSvay, and took the ball down field, where Scott put in a shot which Rowan "saved" well. With four minutes to go, Swifts inado one last effort, but it ended in nothing, and tho game finished ttitli the scores as indicated.