Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 168, 19 September 1903, Page 23

Association Football.

The trials of stiength between the various prov nces m the colony have, from tamo to time, given the game a stimulus, the public being afforded an opportunity of witnessing; the pick of the provinces giving an exposition of the "soccer" game. There is every probability that in future seasons the New Zealand Association will take entire control of the gates, and materially assist the stru'"--hng local Associations — a condition of things urgently desired. For the tournament just concluded in Wellington, the four centres of the colony were ell represented Canterbury being the weakest, due to the fact of its recent reorganisation. The games were manfully and scientifically contested, and can honestly be voted the most successful series of interprovmcial matches yet held. The honour of winning the shield is Wellingtons, and so it holds the coveted Brown Shield for the 1903 season. The shield is valued at £50. The Wellington v. Auckland match nas played at Miramax, under the most favourable auspices, m the presence of about five hundred spectators. General regret was expressed at the absence of White from the Wellington team ; he v.as laid aside with scarlet fever. His place was taken by H. Renai, and he ably acquitted himself as he always does in a representative game. Auckland was without the .services of Dugmore, in goal, but Edmonds who acted in that capacity, gave a good exhibition, and saved repeatedly. well earning the applause he received as he brought off some stiff saves. The Wellington team, which won by four goals to one, thoroughly deserved its win, and the difference in the score is a fair indication of the merits of the two teams. Auckland was overwhelmed in every department of the game. The Wellington forwards simply waltzed round their opponents' half-backs. Much w r as expected of several individual members of the Auckland team, but their exhibitions were disappointing. Clark, at full-back did yeoman service, as did Meldrum at half, for the Aucklanders. The forwards wereverfeeble, and missed several opportunities to score. Mr. Alf. Williams made a very efficient referee. It was anticipated that Canterbury would fall an easy victim to Otago, but the score and the game itself go to show that in the City of the Plains there is the makings of a good team. The Otago team is one of the best -*et despatched from the far Soutn, and contains a number of oldtime players. Playing within a few hours after their arrival here was a decided drawback. Had it not been a hurried match, it is quite possible Otago would have suffered defeat. Canterbury was fatigued, and this helped to defeat them. Wilson, late of the Rover Club, was among the visitors, and played a good, dashing game. The game itself was very even, and Otago won on its merits, although George MacMillan should have scored numerous other goals, butindulged in wild kicking in front of the goal. Mr. A. Williams was referee. The climatic conditions for the final contest, between Otago and Wellington, for the Brown Shield, were the most favourable of the season. Perfect summer weather prevailed, relieved with just a puff of wind. The turf was in first-class order at Athletic Park, where this game was played and the match well contested. There was an attendance of about one thousand people, amongst whom were His Excellency the Governor. Sir Joseph Ward, and the Hon Hill-Trevor. Although the prospects of the Wellington team were very rosy, iudgmg from previous performances in the tournament, their position was bv no means safe. From the outset it was

apparent that Otago meant to be up and doing. The game as a w hole was one of thei best expositions yet seen in Wellington. The play wa.s of a very high standard, and will go a lone way to elevate Association footbaJl in Wellington. H. Renai, through illness, had to vacate his position m the Wellington team. He was replaced by P. Roberts. The defence of Otago broke up all the attempts of Wellington to scoie. Sparrow, m Darticular, shone times without number. He is very tricky, and clever with his head, and, strange to say for a full-back, he used it frequently. Smallbone gave one of the soundest displays of goal-keeping seen for a long time. On the day's play his vis-a-vis, Fitzgerald, was simply outclassed. The game on Saturday differed from that of Wednesday, inasmuch as the game on the former day w r as confined to Wellington's forwards, but on Saturday the defence of Otago broke up Wellington's attempts in the vanguard hue. Amies played a sterling game at fullback. Renai was penalised no less than six times for rough play. The cries of the spectators to "play the game Renai '" were perfectly justifiable. An extra half-an-hour had to be played, as ax. call of time each team had scored a goal. The shield must be won outright, hence extra time. Near the end of the half-hour, A. Mow^at scored a beauty, and thus won the shield for Wellington for 1903. Mr. Alf. Williams refereed. * * * Thte Auckland team contained no less than eight of the V.M.C.A. Club. "Jimmy" Knott, the veteian linesman for Auckland, accompanied the team and acted in that capacity in the Wellington-Auckland match. The three MacMillan brothers remesented Otago once again. The visit of the Canterbury repiesentatives to Wellington was somewhat short and sweet. They arrived here on Thursday morning, played the same afternoon, suffered a defeat from Otago, and returned home* the same evening. Why did not Otaq;o play Canterbury at Chnstchurch on the way up to Wellington p Their win was a 'dead ceitaintv " Mr. Alf. Williams had the honour of refeieeing in the three garner in the tournament. His decisions all round were never questioned — a suie sign of satisfaction Where was the Wellington banner on the day of the final?