Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 112, 23 August 1902, Page 23

Association Football.

By Centre Forward.

Favouied by fine football weather, the senior championship was decided on Saturday. St. John's only needed to defeat Diamonds to become the winners ot the championship, and they succeeded. The chances on the game weie very even, but before it had progressed far it was evident St. John's Mere intent on making Diamonds play 'all they knew" to deprive them of the honour which they coveted The win of thiee goals, to nil is cleaily indicative ot the superiority of St. John's ovei Diamonds. The exposition was the best >,et given on Miramax, although Diamonds in the second spell were lamentably weak, and tailed to lespond during many critical periods in the game. The spectators were treated to a good game, and the St. John's barrackers were very much in evidence The dashing play of their forwards was a feature of the game, as also was the fine kicking of Amies m his position at full-back. St. John's aie to be congratulated on their victory. They thoroughly deserve the win and, foi a new team to come out victoriously speaks well for the industry of its promoteis and the excellence of the team's play. * -r * The results in the Rovers-Mai ist Brothers and Petone-Queen's Park heats were the subject of much comment and material v upset the calculations of the interested peisons in the coupon competition . In the majonty of cases Marist Brothers were tipped to beat Rovers, and in the suburban fixtuie nearly all favoured Queen's Park, which only seems natural, but the vagaries of football again stepped in, arc! tw o piognosticated wmners weie defeated bv a substantial margin in each case The day's wins were all, moie or less, of a singular nature. It was expected that the game betw een Diamond and St. John's would be a close one, but the result shows how often anticipations are not realised. For the fourth occasion tins season, Old Boys have had to face the music with seven playeis. Ro\eis had a like number, and the game, at times, drifted into buffoonery. There appeared to be no effort on the part of Old Boys to stop Rovers notching their goals. Petone rings m a surprise, and scores its first win this season over Queen's Park. For the first time in the history of the suburbs' they showed dash and combination. The forwards worked well, as also did the backs, and for their win they certainly deserve a round of applause.

Selector .Roberts announced the representative team at the "Smoker" on Saturday evening, and it is as follow s — M. Fitzgerald (Maiist Old Boys). L. White (Swifts), A. Amies (St. John's), R. Nagle (St. John's), J. Taylor (Diamond), E. L. Renai (Petone), G. Biodie (St. John's) A. Smellie (St. John's) A. Wells (Diamonds), W. Morrison (St. John's), — Hathaway (Diamonds). Reserves Full-back, H. Renai (Petone) halves, J. Reynolds (Swifts) and H. McKeowen (Marist Old Boys) , forward. Hale (Swifts). From the above it Mill be seen theie are five representatives from the St

John's Club, tlnee each from the Diamonds and Swifts Clubs, one each from Petone and Marist Old Boys Clubs. Rovers and Queen's Park have no representatives at all. The selector, no doubt, did not enteitain for one moment club representation when selecting the representative team, and at his action no one can cavil. On the whole, the team is a very faar selection, and may be expected to do credit to the city and the selector. My last week's selection of the piobable representatives was correct excepting in the ca.se of the half and full backs. I chose Reynolds and Renai foi the respective positions. The selector diners, and piefers Amies and Taylor. The back division of the team is strong enough to withstand the most determined attacks of our Southern opponents and this year there seems to be a plethora of good playeis in that most important division. The halves should pye a good account of themselves. Fitzgerald, in goal, will be called upon to do a great deal, and from his cup peiformances and his representative experience of last year coupled with that redeeming feature — coolness — which should be found m ever*- goalkeeper, his defence' of the uprights will be worth watching. White (nght full-back) had no opponent of ary merit in this position His play dining recent cup fixtures entitled him to considei ation in the selection. He clears -well and neatly, and is a fairly strong kick. In mv selection I prefened Renai to Amirs at left full-back, but, after Satin da\ 's exposition, in which Amies was concerned mv opinion was changed. Renaa (ricrht half) is one of the best and most piomising half-backs m Wellington His style of play is pretty and effective and he Ls a fairly good shot. Ho is persistent on the attack, and is a snag" on the defence. Nagle (centre-half) uses great tact and judgment in his play, and is hard to elude bv a dribbling opponent He passes the ball >\ell to his foiwaids and is a fairly strong kick. Ta-vlor (left-half).— For this -osition I ga\e Reynolds preference, and still adhere to my opinion. Taylor did not come anywhere near his previous form on Saturday, and may, now he is selected, get off-colour m Dunedin, and upset the calculations we aie reckoning on our halves to do. Brodie (centre forward). — For this veiy important position the candidates weie few. Asbury, who may have been reckoned on to work well with a good set of forwards, is at present, I am led to believe, m Auckland. Philips, it may be said, is the only opponent Brodie had, and, owing to the very indifferent style of play of Philips, the' lot fell to Brodie, who certainly deseived recognition after last Saturday's exposition. Wells (outside right) — The filling of his position could not be bettered. Fraser, the other applicant, is fast losing lus old foim, though still playing some very good games. Wells's play is very consistent He gave a good account of himself at Auckland last year. A repetition of his last year's form is expected from him. Smelhe (inside right). — A pretty player when in going order, and uses his head with great advantage. He is also consistent, and works well when the game is at its height. Hatha •ay (outside right) — One of the best forwaids we have in Welling-

ton at the present time. Centres well, and is a stiff shot. Morrison (inside left). — Although made for an outside man, he must give way to Hathaway as the outside man if not, he must be excluded from the team, but their wing should give any amount of trouble to the Dunedin ria;ht half.