ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 1, 23 September 1918, Page 8

ASSOCIATION

WELLINGTON V. CANTERBURY

At Association Park, in disagreeable weather, representatives of tho thirdgrade divisions of Wellington and Canterbury tried conclusions on Saturday afternoon. Considering the strong wind that was blowing the lads gave a good exhibition, the-game boing very evenly contested right up to the call of no-side. Playing with the wind in tho first' spell, the visitors made the mistake of not playing their left-wing enough, otherwise the result of the game- may have, been different. Canterbury' kicked off with a strong north-west wind behind them, and their forwards quickly invaded "Wellington's area. Jones (Wellington's loft full-back) relieved with a good kick well up field, and Houston, Knowles-Smith, and M'Elligott were seen in a combined rush that took play well into Canterbury's goal area, but Mahon (Canterbury's right full-back) relieved with a neat kick to touch. From, the throw-in, Houston secured and passed quickly to Rarity, who kicked well to J. Smith, and the speedy right-winger, getting well in his stride, tested Palmer (Canterbury's goal-keoper), who received aud kicked well up field. Johnston (Canterbury's right half-back) secured, ■ and sent on to Petrie, then to Watson, to Lawrence, who sent in a high, dropping shot, hut Tarrant brought off. a good save, which won applause, and found touch well down field. Perry (Canterbury) was hersrproniinent in some neat footwork, and sent on to Shaw, who tipped the ball back to his captain (Flood), and the. latter drove in smartly, but Tan-ant again brought off a good save, kicking well to the leftwing. Lewis further improved the position by sending on to KnowlesSmith, then to Houston, whose kick resulted in Wellington being awarded a "corner." From the corner kick Canterbury came right away with a combined movement, in which their right wing was prominent, but when in a likely position over-eagerness on the part of Lawrence enabled Fitzgerald (Wellington) to; intervene, and play was removed to the line, where it remained for a short period. Canterbury at this stage of the game wer.e getting decidedly- the better of the deal, and a pretty piece of combined play on their part ensued. Kirk secured,"and, eluding Porter, sent on to Lawrence, then, to Shaw, to M'C'ree, who centred splendidly to Weston, and the lastnamed sent in a shot which just scraped over the _ horizontal bar. Back came the visitors, and in quick succession they were awarded two corners, but-Wellington cleared on each occasion. With a strong kick Jones (Wellington) relieved, and JPElligott was seen in a fine solo effort down the centre of the field, winding up by sending in a clinking shot which missed by the narrowest of margins. From the goal-kick the visitors' leftwing came away with a spirited dash, but when in a decidedly good position M'-Cree got off-side, and so the opportunity was lost. Shortly afterwards, with , the ball in Wellington's goal urea, the whistle sounded for half-time, neither side having scored. On resuming Wellington attacked, and from close quarters M'Elligott sent in a fast low shot which Palmer saved splendidly, returning well to the left wing. Shaw secured and took the play well into. Wellington's .area, and ,theii cross-kicked to Weston, then to Lawrence, back to Shaw, but. here Fitzgerald broke up the movement, rnd sent on to Rarity, whose kick went behind. From the kink-out Weston headed another Canterbury rush, and some clever footwork was observed. Rarity broke up the attack, and, dribbling well down the field, sent on to Porter, and the latter, from a good distance out, beat Pilmer with. rathpr a. simple shot. Wellington, 1; Canterbury, 0. From the kick from the circle the visitors took the ball right down to Wellington's goal-mouth, and Lawrence made a good effort, the ball missing its objective by inches only. From the resultant goal-kick Wellington went right through, and Rarity sent in a particularly hot shot, but Palmer saved well. Play now veered towards the centre, • where Flood (Canterbury)' secured and passed smartly to Shaw, who took the ball right down to the corner flag. From the throw-in J. Smith (Wellington) gained, possession, and made a dash down the line, then passing to Rarity, to Porter, who drove into goal, where Palmer misjudged the ball badly, enabling Wellington to register another lucky goal. Wellington, 2; Canterbury, 0. Thoroughly rous?d by this reverse, the visitors attacked determinedly, but Wellington's backs were playing a sterling game, and eventually wore the attack down, and play was removed to Canterbury's goal area. Here Wellington's forwards gave the visitors' backs a hot time, but the latter stood up to their ordeal manfully. At length (!anterbury broke away, and a particularly pretty piece of combine'd work was observed. Receiving from Ma lion, Petrie dashed away, the'n passed to Weston, to Lawrence, back to Weston, then to Petrie, who drove smartly into Wellington's goal-mouth, but Tarrant brought off a good save, and play was once more in mid-field. From now on Wellington were. the masters of the situation, Canterbury tiring badly, but though Wellington pressed strongly they'were unable to do any more scoring. With tho sounding of the whistle for timo Wellington ran out winners cf a hard-fought game by 2 goals to nil. Mr. C. Ward gave every satisfaction as referee. Tho teams were entertained at dinner after the match. Mr. A. l'l. Well:; presided, and proposed (lie toast of the visitors. Mr. Flood. «:ptiiin of the visiting team, responded, and thanked the -Wellington Football 'Association for 'their kindness to ini.'ml>er.s of his team. Mr. B. L. .Salmon, hrm. secretary N.Z.F.A., proposed ahsens friends, the toast being responded to Ly Mr H. M'Keowen. Songs wore rendered'by Messrs. Lawrence. (Canterbury) and Moore (Wellington). Mr. M'Crce. one of the visitors, acted as accompanist.

FOUKTH- B FINAL. Tho final of the Fourth B Cup was played at Association Park between Y.M.C.A. and Marist, the gamo resulting in a'draw, two goals each. Twenty minutes extra was played, and as neither side scored the match .will be replayed next- Saturday. Mr. J. Ferguson was referee.

FIFTH A CUP. In. the Fi'/th A'Cup, Institute beat Karori by two goals to one. Mr. I'. Hendry was referee.

FIFTH B SEMI-FINALS. Tho semi-finals of tho Fifth B Cup were played on Saturday, when Marist (3) beat Thorndon (2). Institute B met Johnsouville, and defeated the suburban team by two goals to nil. This is the first time tho latter team has been defeated this season. Mr. A. Couch was referee.

SIXTH B SEMI-FINAL. 'The Sixth R Cup semi-final, Marist (T,), one goal, defeated Marist (N.) H, nil. llr. V). Hell was referee. Y.M.C.A. (A.) meet Mari.st (T.) in the final. SIXTH C FINAL. The Sixth 0 Cup was won by JhWst (N.)»B, who defeated Scatoun by one goal to nil. Mr. W. Anld was referee. Y.M.C.A. met the Mnrtinborough School nt Martiiiborough on Saturday. The game ended in a draw—no score.