ASSOCIATION. SATURDAY'S GAMES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 95, 24 April 1911, Page 4

ASSOCIATION. SATURDAY'S GAMES.

Swifts (5) beat V.M.C.A. (2). Ramblers (5) beat Hospital (2). Diamonds (2). beat Rovers (1). Thistle (2) beat St. John's (0). Wanderers (7) beat Corinthians (1). All things considered, Association football made, what might be describedas, an auspicious beginning on Saturday afternoon, when championship matches for the season were commenced ih all grades. Last year, on the opening day, only four teams took the field, and senior Association, generally, seemed to be at a rather low ebb — the prospects were certainly not bright. This year, however, ten teams tried conclusions, some fairly fast and exciting games v/erd witnessed, and what was more, tb.6 rain which had been threatening for some time, was considerate enough to hold off until the matches were finished. Interest was lent to the competitions on account of the appearance, of three new senior elevens. Although the teams in question were, }n each case, beaten, the margin of defeat 'was, wifch ons exception — that of the Corinthians, a new and hitherto untried clvb — not big. Mental Hospital, for instance, considering they were pitted against last year's cup winners, did. very well in going under to Ramblers by only 5 goals to 3. Lack of training was in evidence in all matches, but the deficiency in this respect was not so glaring as to rob the games of incident and some really good play. On the 1 whole the various grounds were in excellent condition. Details of play follow. SENIOR— First Division. SWIFTS (5) v. V.M.C.A. (2). The Swifts v. V.M.C.A. fixture, flayed at Duppa-street Reserve, was an interesting match to watch. Although the game ended in favour of Swifts by 5 goals to 2, it was not a "walkover." Y.M.C.Ai did not confine all their energy to merely defending their goal line, being almost as aggressive in their tactics as their opponents. Swifts opened up play briskly— too briskly, in fact, for- the condition they were in. Dave Scott was early to the fore with one or two dangerous centres from the left wing. Swifts etill pressing, V.M.C.A. conceded a corheiyand Vessey had a shot, which just went outside the I posts. Roberts let a fairly easy chance go by, and a ■ score would certainly have resulted within a few minutes of commencement were it not for a good save effected by the goalkeeper (Hollis). Swifts, however, appeared to bo in need of a " breather," and were [ consequently unable for long to maintain a continuous attack. V.M.C.A. raised the siege with a run down field, which might, perhaps, have ended in a score, had not Hall-Kenney been beaten for a shot in a good position. Further 1 incursions into Swifts' territory saw 1 V.M.C.A. draw first blood. From well on his own side of the half-way line, Smith carried the bill up-field, and, beating the full-back, sent it across to the inside right (Phillips), who piloted it through the uprights. Encouraged by this success, V.M.C.A. became still more aggressive, and shortly after a miskick by one of Swifts' "backs gave Smith — Y.M.C.A.'s most formidable attacker — another chance, which he made the meet of. This latest success of their opponents seemed to have a very healthy effect on Swifts' play. Their forwards recommenced to play with dash, and it was net long before they opened up a scoring account. Their first goal was the result of ,a centre by Scott, which /struck Forsyth — one of the defending side — and glanced through the uprights. Shortly after they equalised matters. Barry sent in a beautiful centre from the right, and just as the ball landed Vessey hcooped it into the goal. The second half had aot long been commenced before Vessey again scored, but thereafter his services were lost to Swifts, as he had to Tetire with an injured ankle. V.M.C.A. continued to organise counter attacks, but.it was now apparent that the other team was out to win, and two more scores were registered on their behalf, by- Scott, befa-e the call of time. Mr. H. L. Godber refereed. RAMBLERS (5) v. MENTAL HOSPITAL (3). A good game was played on the Mental Hospital ground at Porirua, where Ramblers met and defeated Hospital by five goals to three. From the start play was fast and Hospital were soon to the fore with a goal, for which Phillips was responsible, after beating both backs. He hurt his ankle, however, in the attempt. Ramblers livened up at this reverse and it was not long before Johnson succeeded in equalising matters, with a short sharp shot, which st/ruck the goalkeeper's hands and bounced through. Hospital once more established a lead, as tho result of a low shot by M'Ninch. A penalty against Shand, gave Ramblers an opportunity of drawing level. At halftime the scores were, Ramblers (2), Hospital (2). Ramblers had more of their own way in the second half, and puL on three additional points', whilst the score of, their opponents increased by only one. Hospital conceded a corner and Edwards headed a fine goal. From a scramble in front of the goal another score was registered for the visiting team, this time by Hart. Hospital's third and last score 'was secured by Elliott. A goal by Edwards (Ramblers) was the last score of the match, which ended in favour of Ramblers by five points to three. Mr. Windley was referee. DIAMONDS (2) v. ROVERS (1). Diamonds met and defeated Rovers by 2^ goals to 1 at Miramar on Saturday. The former team- won tho toss, and with a light northerly at their backs, man-

aged to keep the ball in their opponent's quarter, but it was not till after 10 or 15 minutes' play that Staples scored for them. Occasionally tho Rovers succeeded in bringing the ball into the blacks' quarter, but owing to the halves not backing the forwards sufficiently, they did not equalise the score. Once indeed, Lowe smartly carripd the ball up field, and with a good shot from a, rather difficult angle, would have scored, but from the promptness of the goalkeeper. Half-time came with the score unchanged. On resuming, the Rovers playing a man short, did slightly better, but nevertheless the Diamonds soon scored again, through Hathaway's agency. Shortly after Gibsop obtained the first goal for the white, and neither side, had scored again when the whist lo blew. The game was characterised by a lot of off-side play, and not too bright shooting. For the winners Taylor and Roberts played good games, the latter being conspicuous for good, strong kicking. Gibson and Lowe were of most service for the Rovers. Mr. Press referred. THISTLE (2) v. ST. JOHN'S (0). Moving up from the second to the senior division, St. John's found strong opponents in the Thistles, whom they on Kelburne Park. The ground was hard underneath, but a slight rainfall had made the surface slippeiy. St. John's played throughout with a yrgour and intensity of purpose which did them every credit, but their more experienced opponents, though lacking the combination which comes only after a few matches, 1 held them with comparative ease during the greater | portion of the game. In the first spell St. John's had the wind in their faivour. and attacked vigorously, though frequently without discrimination. The Blues, however, retaliated hotly, and in the first twenty minutes secured a penalty. JSall took the kick and sent in a beauty. M'Farlane, the goal-keeper, saved cleverly, but Hall took the ball as it came out from the full-back and scored a neat goal. Thistle 1. St. John's 0. St. John's made the play very willing after this, and Woodcock narrowly escaped scoring. In fact, there were sevoral occasions throughout the game on which the full-backs — M'Farla-he (St. John's) and M'Ardlo (Thistle) — did excellent service; both of them fully justified their existence. There was no further score during thespell. There were several good forward rushes by St. John's, and there were several good shots at goal, notably by Egley and Heaton, while Shaw put in some excellent work at centre-half, but on all occasions the Blues countered skilfully, and were never really in difficulties. In the second spell the Thistles had the advantage of a rising wind, but frequently St. John's, playing up well, assailed their goal, and on one occasion were only prevented from scoring by a neat and effective save by the Blues' goal-keeper. Then . Thistle made a determined effort, cleverly worked the ball down the field, and Ash (ineido left) •shot at goal and just missed. Again the attack was renewed, and again Ash essayed the venture. The St. John's goal-keeper was this time beaten by a really excellent shot, and the score was -^Thistle 2, St. John's 0. St. John's tried hard to the end, and more than once forced the Blues' goalk-ieper to tho limits of defence^ but the attacks were successfully resisted, and lio further score, was registered. Ash (inside left) and Clapham (outside left) were the most prominent on ithe Thiistle side, and Shaw (centre half), 'Heaton (inside left) played well for the losere. WANDERERS (7) v. CORINTHIANS (1). ' ' More than ordinary interest was attached to the meeting of these two at Newtown 'Park, because the latter is only a recently-formed club, and consequently- its initial appearance was looked .forward to. ' The Wanderers are an older-established team, but last season they dropped out 6f the 'first division competition, only to return again this year to senior ranks. The game opened very fast, each end being visited in rapid succession. Powell tested Morris with a nice shot, which was cleared, but immediately returned, Morris giving a foul by over-carrying the ball. Nothing came of the penalty. After 15 minutes' play Rodgers scored for the Wanderers. The game continued very fast and interesting, Roots, the Corinthian's centre-half, repeatedly being applauded for his fine kicking and tackling. Three more goals were secured bj' the Wanderers prior to the interval, making the score, Wanderers 4, Corinthians 0. During the second half tho red and white added three more points to their credit, and the Corinthians one point, which was obtained by Smith from a corner. The game thus ended in a win for the Wanderers by 7 goals to 1. Mr. E. C. Hayton was referee. Goals wera scored for Wanderers by Rodgers (3), Powell, Trivithick," Hunter, and Cornish one each. SECOND DIVISION. Brooklyn beat Wanderers by four goals to one. Hayward registered Wanderers' only goal. At Porirua, Wadestown defeated Toa by four goals to three. M'Leod scored three and Hay one for the winners. For Toa, Baker scored two goals and Wineraha- one goal. THIRD DIVISION. St. David's, Petone, went under to Brooklyn by three goals to two. Jowett scored both goals for the losers. Swifts Beat St. John's by ten goals to three. For the winners M'lndoe (1), H. Guise (3), C. Guise (1), Balks (1), Adams (2), and Saunders (2) were the scorers. Johnsonvillo won from Rangers by default. FOURTH DIVISION. Diamonds beat St. Anne's by 11 goals to nil. Bidmead (6); Guilford (4), and Bowdeii (1) were the scorers. In the South Wellington v. Institute match the former won by two goals to one. • For the winners, Johnston and Jones and for the losers Furness were the scorers. Swifts defeated V.M.C.A. B by seven goals to two. Cusack (1), Brown (2), Coleman. ('2), Guise (1) scored for Swifts, and Evans and Makail for the losers. Brooklyn defeated St. David's by three goals to nil. FIFTH A DIVISION. Swifts beat Wadestown by six goals to 1. Brooklyn beat V.M.C.A. by five goals to nil. Marist defeated St. David's by three to. nil. FIFTH B DIVISION. Marist B beat V.M.C.A. by three goals to 'nil. SIXTH DIVISION. Institute beat V.M.C.A. by 11 goals to nil. Swifts beat Brooklyn by one goal to nil. TAKING COLDS Is easy enough these wintry days. Keep a bottle of Baxter's Lung Preserver beside- you, and you can. dodge them by taking a doso of this splendid sure cure at the very first symptoms. Is lOd large bottle at all chemists. — Advt. Style means a lot lo a woman, consequently Warner's favourite rust-proof Corsets are recommended, every one of which is guaranteed to fit comfortably und to -near — not to rust, break, of tear. Adifc.