ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1788, 28 June 1913, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

(Br Centre-Half.) THE SPLENDID OTAGO MATCH. Lesson Worth Learning. Otago have come and gone and Wellington havo been given a lesson worth learning. True, tho southern men did not take the shield back with them, but no onocan say that they did not deserve to. Wellington got the fright of their lives last Saturday, nml it is to bo hoped that when next they aro called upon to defend the Brown Shield they will give a l>etter account of themselves. We See Our Weaknesses. It is to be feared .that the selectors will have to make ono or two alterations in the team before they play another match. In comparison with the game against Canterbury last Saturday's exposition of "soccer" by the local men calls for scant enthusiasm. There is no doubt that they can play tho game as it should be played against weak teams, but when it comes to playing teams of Otago's calibre xlien wo see our weaknesses. Otago's Rattling Game. ptago played a rattling game all through. They reserved themselves during tho first half, and did what they liked with Wellington in the second. On tho wholo the visitors' forwards wore o clover lot of men, and the combination between Thorn (centre) and Timlin and I'orbos, the two right-wing men, was good. Thompson, outside-left, was the weak man in the forward line. Coming to the half-backs, one is safe in saying that in Reid (centre-half) Otago S assessed the test player oh the field, ie played a rattling game all the way. Iteid had no equal as an attacking half, and completely overshadowed his vis a vis. Frazer (left-half) aud Stephens (righthalf) worked hard for their side. ' In Toylor the visitors had a powerful defending right-back. On several occasions this player was responsible for stopping some ugly rushes. We did not see much work being done by tho left-back, Young, but what he did do assisted his 6ide greatly. "Wee Man Between the Sticks." . "The wee man between the sticks," as one spectator was heard to call Baillie, the Otago goal-keeper, played a game above expectations. There is no doubt that Otago in packing their goal so closely during the first half of the game prevented the 'keeper from giving of his best. He only let two goals past him, however, and they were both excellent shots, the like of which have beaten more experienced "goalies" than Baillie. The southerners' goal-keeper came here as an untried man, so to sjieak, and he went home on Saturday with a reputation. Our Ov/n Failures. Coming now to our own failures. What is one to write about? Who would thought that such a forward lino as this —Roberts, Gibson, Hughes, Skinner, Barnett—would go to pieces and play such a game as they did last Saturday? Roberts (outside-right) mado one or two good attempts on his own, but his play was not consistant. He did not get tho support to which ha was entitled. What oh earth happened to Gibson and Skinner? Most certainly they had a "day off," or perhaps they imagined that the job against Otago was "easy." If they did they must have felt rather humble at the end of the game. Hughes (centre) wa9 "all over the place." He was a most useful man under the circumstances, however, and worked hard. Barnett's Game. Barnett (outside-left) did what he could under the circumstances. Some of the passes sent out to him were very bad, aud no one coiild be expected to have dono anything with them. Ono enthusiast was heard to remark in the press box lastSaturday that Barnett was not worth his place, and sundry other 6uch things. It will be pleasing t<j know that this particular enthusiast was promptly tackled by men who know the game. Yes, Barnett played a good game considering the exhibition given by Skinner, his partner, and it is regrettable 1 that these two did riot get going. The fleet little outsideleft did not have many chances, but those which came his way were accepted* and he made-the most of them. Half-Backs Criticised.Of the Wellington halves, Shaw (left) was the shining star'. Ho played a .good hard, and rather, scientific game, and was well worth his place. Roots was beaten, and beaten badly at times. Tho opposition was far too strong for him, and so, instead of seeing Roots at his best, we saw a very inferior'. Roots. In fact, we did not see the real Roots at all. Rickerby, the right-half, came to Wellington some time ago with a reputation as a half-back. He has not maintained it. On Saturday hi was another who was "all over the place," and he had a tendency to hang on to the ball far too much. If he likes he can play a good game, but apparently he did not'like, and so that ended, it. Parsons, Wellington's left-back, 'played an excellent game, and was responsible for stopp'ng some dangerous rushes. He was a heady player, and never made a inistake. He was ably assisted by Cross. Both these players deserve credit for the game they played: Belhamie's' Debut. Congratulations to Belhamie on his first representative gamo as goal-keeper. He played a good game, considering that ho lias only been "discoverod" this season, and the selectors did Tight l in testing his qualities. We will assuredly hear more of Belhamie in the future, for ono cannot resist the conclusion' that ho is a player with a career in front of him. Hard Match to Control. Mr. B. L. Salmon; the refetee, had a hard, fast match to control, and did well. Oiie thitijg that can be said in his favour is tlvdt he was responsible for giving the public a really good, fast game to watch. There was not top much whistle, and, when he did blow it, it was for the right thing. Otago'a third goal was undoubtedly scored by Thorn from au off-side position. It was considered that that decision was a particularly smart piece of wort by the referee.. It showed that he was well up with the play, and also that he had au eye on everything. It was certainly unfortunate for Otago, but they must have realised that the referee was right. ' Suggestion Re the Basin. From official figures Supplied by the treasurer of the W.F;A„ the sum of JE'B9 15s. Cd. was taken at the gates at the Otago-Wellinglon match. It was olso stated that 2800 people witnessed the match. More like it will see tlio "soccer" gamo firmly established here. Speakers at the last meeting of the W.F.A. did right iii bringing forward a suggestion that the pldying area for representative matches on the Basin Reserve should bo shifted eight yards further out from the stand sido than at present. If this is done, people who sit. on the front stand will be able to have a full ' view of the gams all the time. As it is now, when the crowd range themselves : alon" the fence in front of the stand, people on the seats have to stand up to see any play on the line nearest the fence. The new idea will lie welcomed by tile public, who will attend to witness tho clash between Wellington and Tarannld on the Basin 'Resorvo on July 12. The Brown Shield is tlio prize. Who will win ? Brown Shield Hunting. Says "On and Off" in the Dnncdin "Star": "My assertion that Brown Shieldhunting is in tho nature of cim-hunting has given birth to. arguments. "There is a difference, I admit, but it is only this: Cup is the object of clubs, Brown Shield that of, associations. The latter is tho more harmful. Is it not a fact that the holders of the shield can bo called upon to play four matches? I am assuming (lie holders defy defeat. Add a trial, throw in the possibility of a couple or more wet Saturdays-in Hie season; then where is your club football? Six hundred players idle for six or seven Saturdays, Ploase don't ai'gue further. Betlc-r have a short programme of rep. matches. Interest would not be greatly minimis*!, and gates would bo very little less.