ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1758, 24 May 1913, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

(Br Centre-Half.) THE FEUD OF TWO CLUBS. "In Committee, Gentlemen!" There is trouble in the Association football camp. it concerns two teams at present, tno members of one club accusing tho members of the oilier of "grabbing" players, Sitting in camera, the Wellington i'ootLall Association is investigating matters, and have already held two inquests. As all the discussions havo been held in committee, it has been difficult to find out what has exactly happened. it is understood, however, that the secretary oi one prominent senior club has made serious allegations against a certain public institution regarding tho methods adopted by olhcials of that institution ill securing Association lootball players. it is stated that the secretary of Club No. 1 did not forward his correspondence to the secretary of clut, JS'o. 2 through tlie iUanagement Committee. On receipt of the letter from secretary of club 1, a prominent official ot club No. 2 forwarded all the correspondence as well as a direct denial to charges contained therein to the W.F.A. The latter body thereupon, called the secretary of No. 1 club before' them for an explanation. Secretary of club No. 1 was accompanied by his president, and after a lot 'oi talk it is understood that secretary and president or club No. 1 apologised for having slighted tho W.F.A., and also apologised for having written to the high official in club No. 2.

Tho main thing, however, was the alleged charges concerning the engagement of players by club No. 2, and at present thoso charges aro being investigated.

Of Weather and "Soccer." At last! After enduring the most exasperating weather on every afternoon since the opening of the season, followers of out-door winter sports were favoured with a fine day last baturday—and a fine day in Wellington is something to tclucmber. As was' expected uuuer such favourable conditions, the Association iootball fixtures provided some fast and open games. In the resulting scores, moreover, there was not evidenced that appalling gap between the winners and tho losers that has been such a discouraging featnro of the previous week-end contests. Iu each duel, tho respective teams had a taste of the other's mettle, and the ensuing combats should afford more scientific manoeuvring in the field than tho spectators have been accustomed to so far.

The Games—A Bird's-Eye View. Hoviewing tho various seuior division, matches, one is impelled to wonder whether tho Hospitallers will have such au easy walk-over with the championship this year as they had last year. On Saturday, 1 lor instance, they beat if.M.C.A. by 3to 1, but of these three goals only one was obtained 111 the first spell, wlulo the end of the match was well in sight before the other two goals were added, although, it must be noted, those last two were netted inside of a minute. This clearly shows that a city team in fairly good form can at least hold tho giants of Porirua, and even if they can't beat them, or draw with them, they can prevent a land-slide. That Diamonds wero well beaten by Hospital on a previous Saturday proves nothing, for the Blacks sent out a weak team, and got a well-deserved licking. These presents show that the city teams needn't look at the result of a visit to l'orirua as altogether a foregone conclusion—a state ot mind that is conducive to defeat—but that there is a sporting chance of victory 111 the air. "With a weak back division, Rovers could hardly expect to hold Diamonds in their match at Kelburne Park. A team with a weak back defence 13 just tho kind of •meat that Diamonds are looking for, for their well-known system of attack is to open with a Hying rush, break through the forwards, scatter tho halves, dra«v tho backs by wing tactics. Then a smart centre and a strong drive for the posts. Rovers must look to their inner defences, or more defeats will mark their progress through the first division championship. Of tho contest between tho two Brooklyns there is'not much to bo said. Tho superior weight of Uniteds wore down the younger team, and the sports on tho hill suburb who havo been debating tho respective merits of the village teams, and who had been eagerly awaiting the results of Saturday's battle, had their argument settled by a demonstration of 2 goals to nil. Somo rough play featured tho combat between Swifts and Thistle at Miramar —an even affair, which Thistle pulled off more by good luclc than good management. Corinthians drew with Wanderers, their superior weight being met by a stiff defence.