ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 152, 30 May 1903, Page 25

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

By Centre Forward.

The Diamond-Queen's Paak fixture, on Saturday was one of the best expositions of "the game yet given at Miramar. The first half was spoiled, to a certain extent, by a little reckless kicking but this was remedied during the second spell. Both teams tried haid to score a win but their efforts «er© unavailing. Dribbling rushes by the forwards-, and successful defence by the opposing backs of the respective teams were the features of the game. There is every likelihood of Queen's Park judging by Saturday's game, giving their opponents in future games a shaking up. Their forward rushes caused no end of trouble to the Diamond halves, and, but for the good work of Bowness and Roberts, Diamonds would have stood a very poor chance. The want of shooting abilities was again miserably apparent with the Diamond front-rankers. Early in the second spell, Cheshire was given, an excellent opportunity, but he neglected to' steady the ball before shooting, and, as a res-ult, the shot went wide. During the progress 1 of the second spell two incidents happened which seldom occur on a football field. By dashing play of the Queen's Park forward rank, characterised by wing to wing passing they forced the ball into the Diamond goal mouth. Fitzgerald saved, and got rid of the ball, but only to see it returned, and,

for a period of thiee minutes the ball was in. dangerous proximity to the goal-line. On two occasions it reached the goal-line but was forced off, and the w onder is that it nevea- crossed it. In mid-field also the game was full of spirited play, and the bumps delivered weie of no gentle character. The parlour game, which W-as noticeable of many teams' play m the past, is now apparently discarded. If all players entered into the spirit of the game, without introducing the rough element, a better class of football would eventuate. The match under review was a sample, and I only hope other teams will take a leaf from the book which these tw o teams have evidently been studying. * ♦ • Advice from Dunedin shows that cold water is hkelv to be thrown on the proposal of the Wellington Association to play a junior representative match between Otaeo and Wellington, at Dunedin. However, it is a matter for the Ota.?o Association to deal with amd in the interests of the gam© we hone they will not be a party toi raisins: objections to their junior players meeting in a. fixture as is suggested. Knowing the interest the Otago Association take* in doing everything possible to further the game, I am inclined to think that some irresponsible persons ha.ye given expressions on the practicability of a subject which they are ignorant of. Probably the financial aspect of the undertaking may puzzle the Dunedinites, as. we know they are very canny on that point, but an assurance has been given by the Wellington juniors that they are prepared to pay their own expenses — which, by the same token, are not very much. Why not Otago do likewise* ?

The schoolboys had a "night out" ]ast Meek when the* W.F.A. entertained them at a small supper, at which, the medals, woe by the Marist Bros' school team m the schools competition last year, were distributed. A matter which wants ventilating;, and which vi mentioned at the gathering, was the' Public Schools Associa-

tion's objection, to the Marist Bros, boys competing uith State schools in athletics. It 1&1 hardly necessary to mention that one is a primary and the other a secondary school, but, apart from that, the Association should show a spirit of broadmmdedness in this matter I should like to put a query to the Association, and ask if they can satisfactorily answer it If the Association objects in Wellington, why do not the Associations of Invercargill, Napier, Chnstchurch, and other places take the same stand P Marist Bros.' schoolboys are competing in all these districts. Mr R H Davenport (father of the Fourth-class Association) is to present a shield for competition to the schools. A departure of the mode of engraving is to be taken, and it is intended, instead of only mentioning the club which is successful in winning the shield 1 , to add the names of the players. Mr. Davenport is noted for his generosity towards encouraging the sport among the "small fry," and he undoubtedly deserves the warmest thanks of the Association. • * • There is no truth, in the rumour that Sty if t® have won the senior championship. Queen's Park are evidently up and doing. They have secured the use of a gymnasium for training purposes, and last Saturday's game as to the result was very apparent. Pity other clubs don't do likewise. St. John's. Club have a very large following, and the lady admirers who barrack ait. Newtown Park occasionally — perhaps not audibly — must create' a certain amount of interest, even if only by their presence. The constant appeals of "What's that for'" as the referee's whistle is sounded, only goes to prove the ignorance of the players who make such appeals. The referee has charge of the game. Whether the' player is cognisant of what the decision is for it matters not, even though the referee may make an error.