Football. (By Scrum.)

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 19, 11 July 1899, Page 3

Football. (By Scrum.)

There was a very poor muster of players at practice last Thursday, and the game was practically seven a side, consequently it is little use criticising the play. Among those who turned out were Finn and Collins. Finn shaped surprisingly considering it was his first attempt this season, but last year's " sturdy little half-back " was not up to his old form by any means. There are quite -a number of "''new football enthusiasts in tha district 'this season, some of whom are active members of the club, whils others are nonplayers. I heard one of the latter, who has been a spectator at some of the matches -remark " that the Wai- ' mate footballers are the mast unsportsmanlike lot he has ever come across," and I am afraid he !b not very far wrong. What he referred to most was the one-sided barracking when there is a foreign match being played. Then f;he team ar,e never ready at the appointed tima, and thirdly, the appearance of the team on the field with perhaps half of the men in different colbred jerseys. W» had thought that the Waimate barrackers had improved in the matter of applauding their own side only. Certainly they are not as bad as they were some years ago, but the amout of boohooing indulged in at the "€olonial "' match vras enough to spoil the reputation of any club. It is a practice that should j be stopped altogether, as it never does finv. good, and as we remarked on a former occasion, gives the club a bad name among outside players. There is some excuse, perhaps, ffoyi v some of the players occasionally being behind time, as several of the team live so far out of town, but there is no reason why every man who plays football should not provide himself with a jersey. It seems 10 be the custom ~ here fora few to invest in that indispensable article, and for the rest- to borrow off them. I suppose it is want of enthusiasm that is the cause of it. The match "with the Colonials', if it ever comes off, will be played govqq

time next month. The Tinaara team > have arranged all their other matches, leaving the toughest morsel for the last- — a compliment to "Waimate I should say. Every Thursday there is a number of youths who make their way to Victoria Park. Before the practice starts ' they rush round most energetically after the ball, and indulge in the mo3t indiscriminate kicking which always precedes a game ; bat when play commences, instead of taking part, they retire to the touch line, and spend the Test of the afternoon passing what they consider witty remarks on the play. They laugh at their own jokes and seem to enjoy thomselves. "When a, foreign match is on they are generally the chief offenders m'tfre barracking line, and consequently help te -bring disrepute on the club. It would be a • good thing for all concerned if these would act as men and play, or else stay away altogether. On Thursday the first fifteen and probably the second journey to Oamaru to try conclusions with the Oamaru. Club. The Oamaru First have not been beaten thi« season, so Waimate will want to get its strongest team. We expect a very good game, and our buys are sure of a royal welcome from - their opponents across the Waitaki. We would much like to see our juniors make the trip. Oamaru will most likely return the visit on^the following Thursday. The English players are evidently striking form, as they beat a Queensteam by 34 to 4. Lmwood are champions of Canterbury for the fifth time in succession, as they beat the Christchurch club last Saturday by three points to nil. The second fifteen to play against Oamaru second at Oamaru on Thursday, will be picked from the -following : Hobbs, Ellen, Rattiar (2). Joyce, Williams. &. Park. C Manchester, Carpenter, Kilgour, Goldstone (2), J.ickson, ■, , Bennett, Valk, Pope, Land, GK Wilson, . Cooper. . Any of the above who can- • not travel are requested to* let the captain know at once.