KING AT FOOTBALL MATCH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1722, 12 April 1913, Page 8

KING AT FOOTBALL MATCH.

STIRRING GAME, ARMY & NAVY PLAYERS MEET. _ The presence of tho King at the Eugbv football match between the Navy and the Army at t'ueen's Club on Saturday, March 1, recalls tho difference in tim Koyal attitude to the game which obtained in tho seventeenth century. In that interesting age the first of tho Stuarts forbade his son to play football on tho ground that it was "meter for laming_ than making alio the users thereof." King George, however, is not only a patron of both codes, but tho I'rinco of Wales, now at Oxford, has frequently played for his college with some success as a goal-scorer, it is also said that tho young i'rinco will witness tho Cup Final at the Palaco next month, and it is hoped that the Iving himself will attend the great "soccer" match between Eugland and Scotland at Stamford Bridge on April 5 next. His Majesty has a preference, perhaps, for tho handling code—he lias witnessed tho Hospital and Army Cup finals ere this —and it is uaturai, therefore, that ho should patronise the annual meeting between the sister services at the Rugby game. As the Sailor King he must have been very proud rff the handy men's triumph. The Army for the sixth timo -in seven matches wero beaten, the score against them being 18 points to 8. It was a stirring game, in which little quarter was given. Fine stalwart men these players, and what a splendid picture of physical perfection they made us they lined up thirty strong and gave tho Kin>' seated oii t lie touchline, welcome with three lusty cheers. The King stayed throughout the game, and, following it with the keenest interest, was much auiused when the ball, punted by one of the Navy backs fi narrowly escaped striking him. 'i'lio Army scored first. The "thin red line" of forwards hurled itself with desperate abandon on the naval defences. Suddenly the ball went out to Gordon, the young Scotch international centre. With a raking stride he gathered ground, drew the eager defenders to him, and passed to Huggan, his wing man, who, with irresistible dash, galloped over the line. The goal kick failed, and shortly after this, when the sailors were being again hard pressed, a bulldog came from the crowd and intervened. As he worried the ball the crowd with a ready appreciation of tho symbolical cheered tho canine defender. However,, a touch judge'ginger!' took him captive, and ignominiously tucked under tho arm, the dog was carried outside the ropes. The Sailers wero not long in turning the tables. _ Playing a breezy game redolent of thedr calling they soon got ahead. AVodehouse, captain of tho English national fifteen, rallied his forwards grandly. Davies, the Naval College half, and Oakeley, tho scrum worker, outwitted the Army halves by some neat moves. "First a grand round of passing let in Hoyle on the left, and some tricky work ou tho "blind side" by Davies enabled Feet, who first played for the Navy when lie was a "middy," to get the second try. Abcrcrorabie placed two goals, and the Navy led by 10 points to 3 at half-time. In the second half the-Army made desperate efforts to turn their fortunes, but Davies ran half tho length of the field for another try, and, although Simson, another Scottish International by the way, did the same thing for the Army, Lapago rushed up and gained a fourth try for tho winners. It was a memorable match' for the 10,000 spectators. The breathless • speed of the movements, the grim tacklin<* and honest rivalry of two magnificent teams afforded the highest expression of I real amateur sport.