ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1860, 20 September 1913, Page 16

ASSOCIATION.

(Br Centee-Half.)

ON THINCS IN CENERAL'. Cup Final To-day. To-day sees the finish in senior matches. Hospital and Y.M.C.A. are to fight out the final match for the Charity Cup on Kelburne Park this afternoon. Mr. R. S. Lithgow has been appointed refereo. Tho Management Committee came to a wise decision when they appointed two neutral linesmen for the match. With Messrs. H. Yeoman and P. Pye-Smith acting this part of the control will be in good hands. It is a hard matter to foresee the winners. Y.M.C.A. have improved wonderfully, but whether they are strong enough to defeat the tried _ contingent from Porirua is still in nubibus. Supporters of the town club imagine that they can win. If thoy do it will be a popular victory. Impending Auckland Visit. Auckland willj play Wellington on Newtown Park on October 1. This welcome announcement was made at this week's meeting of tho local Management Committee. The game will bo a good draw, even though it has to be played on a Wednesday. Auckland are about to pay a visit to Canterbury for the purpose of trying to wrest the shield from the southern Association, and the match is billed for Saturday, September 27. The gamo will doubtless be a good one. Local enthusiasts anticipate a win for Auckland. If this does happen the northern men will be champions of New Zealand for 1913 that is, provided Wellington do not boat them on October 1.

Tussle for Supremaoy. Homerio efforts marked the Y.M.C.A. and St. John's fixture last Saturday. A place in the final for the Charity Cup was at stake; an all-but-last opportunity of Securing proof of their prowess for the, 1913 season was being presented to both teams —and each strived mightily to grasp tho chance. Wind or sun favoured neither side, the ground was never bettor, and both teams were keen. What more could a body of footballers desire? Y.M.C.A. made the pace from the start, but, though rush upon rush was let loose, not till well in the first half did they get tho ball past tho 'keeper. Another goal camo their way shortly after, and this was the last scored throughout tho remainder of the game. The first spell ended decidedly in Y.M.C.A.'s favour, and it was more than good fortune that their score was what it was. St. John's distinctly improved .after the spell, and, at times, played brilliantly. As much as the first spell was Y.M.C.A.'s, the second was St. John's.

St. John's to the Front, Walls, between the posts, was evidently the best that could be procured.' Ho was a poor best. Ho has not got the advantage of- height, nor has he the knack of handling the hall cleanly. To seo him fumbling with the Y.M.C.A. forwards almost on him was occasionally painful. Parsons was unfortunate that this game —practically the last of the season—should see him injured, and that rather seriously. He was a Hercules to his side, and tho loss of him during tho second spoil was hut a continuation of tho ill-luck that has this season dogged tho fortunes of St. John's. Ho collided with Carruthers in the first spell, but remained on the field until half-time, when it was discovered that his shoulder had been badlj' injured. It speaks well for his pluck that ho should continue playing, though hurt. Shaw was off colour in tho first half but tho second spell saw him back to old form. There is no doubt that when ho likos Shaw can be a player of the first water. It is regrettable he does not "like" a little oftener.. Dick played as lie has played throughout the season, full or energy but—? lb is somewhat lato now to make a suggestion, but Dick is wasted in the backs. His place is in the forwards. - Bruce and Egley were tho shining lights among the forwards, and were noticeable for the sound, capable game which they played.

Y.M.C.A. Too tho Marti. Hollis saved the game for the Y.M.O.A. On no fowar than three occasions in the second spell Hollis -saved what looked like almost certain scores. One especially is worthy of note. A corner had been secured by St. John's, and Dick centred. Tho ball landed in front of the goal-posts, and a rushy sort of effort ensued to force it through. Suddenly the ball shot up above the excited players, and a goal seemed inevitable. But Hollis simply leaned forward and pushed tho ball from him. It looks easy enough on papor, but it was a save worthy of the representative player. Carruthers was good, but somewhat wanting in dash. Probably this is owing to the fact that his leg wa? injured a few Saturdays ago. Yet it did not effect his running, and a fine spectacle was once provided by a race between him and Shaw from tho half-way line. Roberts used his head to advantage, and showed up in this game far more than usual. If ho wore a little fleeter he would make a sound centre-forward, but in speed ho is lacking. l Baker does not'appear to realise tho responsibility of his place in the toam._ He takes the game too casually. Ho is quick, but uncertain. An older player in his placo would be a distinct improvement.

A Change of Colours. The colours of these _ two teams are very similar, and at their last encounter on tho Basin Reservo this was the cause of trouble. St. John's evidently took this to heart, and, as a consequence, came on the field at Kelburne arrayed in white. It was a change for the better in more ways than one, and St. John's are to bo congratulated on their solf-sacrifice in changing their colours in consideration of an opponent. The inevitable joke, of course, soon came— for "Saints" whito was the proper colour.

Hospital and Swifts. It was anticipated tliat the meeting between Swifts and Hospital on the Basin Reservo last Saturday would be productive of good football. As it happened, tlio game turned out to be a very tamo affair. Prior to the match it was everywhere mentioned that Swifts wore going to give tlio men from Forirua a "good go for it." As it was, the game was practically won in tho .first spell, although when the whistle blow for half-time there was 110 score. Hospital deserved their win account of tho bettor combination which was shown on their sido. On tho other'hand it could plainly be seen that Swifts wore not the Swifts of old. Lack of condition appeared to bo their complaint. Hospital set a paco which proved much too hot for them.