Evening Express

m I P-ANOPTIC ON 1I. I THE PEOPLE'S PICTURE PLAYHOUSE 1 EXCELLENT FARE ALWAYS.

DISREGARDED LAWS. REFEREE'S BURDEN. Relics of Bye-gone Days I CRYING NEED FOR REFORMS. By J. L. WILLIAMS. TAPTAIN OF C'AIUHFF FIRST XV-) Last Saturday evening, before the "Football Express," in which appeared some lines of mine respecting the anpli- cation of Rugby laws to the game, was on sale in the streets, two prominent gentlemen of the Rugby world-one a well-known Wekh Union member, and the other a Welsh Union referee who frequently controls our biggest matches— were engaged in a discussion of one of the points I.ventured to treat upon, viz., the "knocon" rule. Each evinced a strong desire to see only one ruling possible (and that not strictly according to the law'? letter) under certain circum-I stances, whilst both thought the law especially harsh in regard to a full-back misfielding. Coming from such excellent sources still further convinced me that everyone actively connected with the game appreciated the desirability for a consistently wider interpretation of this rule in particular. What is rather difficult to understand is the fact that many referees in apply- ing the same law conform to the letter in some instances, and in others during the same game more reasonably allow the spirit of the rule to govern their decisions. As opposed to the very strict ruling regarding a "knock-on" in mis- fielding, take the same rule as applied to the "line-out." How often is the "line- out played in a strictly legal manner? You will agree, I have no doubt, that a "line-out minus an infringement of the "knock-on' or one or a few other rules is quite a rarity in our matches. From a "line-out a forward often at-t&pts to commence a dribble by putting the ball down in front of him happily, in such cases most referees are reasona ble, otherwise the dribble would but seldom survive its birth. It is the next thing to an impossibility for a man on the run to drop the ball in front of him without by so doing "propelling it forward." Well, here I A Sensible Licence I is taken by the referee, and men, being aware of it, go unscathed merrily along, repeatedly breaking that law to their heart's content. But let a man in attempting to nick up a ball push it along the ground a few inches towards his opponents' goal-line, and he will almost invariably discover the law is enforced in all its literal severity. Thus are many misdemeanours often ignored, whilst the innocent offender brings down heavy penalties upon his side. Probably in no phase of Rugby are so many irregularities committed as in the "line-out." For example: (1) The ball rarely alights at right angles to the touch-line. (2) The ball is as often knocked on as fairly taken. (3) After taking it the player fre- quently "throws forward" in putting it on the ground. (4) A player often prevents an oppo- nent playing the ball after being tackic-d. (5) Obstruction in baulking an oppo- I nent by pushing is a general thing, I &c., &c. All these are liable' to penalties, and I were all laws enforced with such exacti- i tude in this portion of the game as they' are in other instances, it is not too much I to say that from every ten lines nine scrums would necessarily result. It is I ntirelyat I I The Discretion of a Referee I to put into force any of the laws which I I fortunately generally under these cir- cumstances lie dormant, and thereby I (except in cases where the ball is actually passed back) constitute the "line-out" a preliminary step to a "scrum" and nothing more, which occasionally happens. Surely, here is ample room, it not real necessity for rulings to be brought into agreement, or amendments made to laws which, as far as many referees are con- cerned, are (in the line-out) practically non-existent. Another law which is much disregarded by players and referees is that forbidding a side to advance beyond the mark made by an opponent who has been awarded a "fair catch but in this case. (unlike the others alluded to) the sportsman- ship of the individual player is a pro- minent factor. How seldom does a referee order no charge," yet how often is he given the opportunity of so doing by the encroachment of players against tvhom the kick is a warded, and allowed an excellent chance of wiping out of the game on many occasions the unreason- able "charge." Relic of B)e-gone Days. I I have yet to meet a true lover of the game who can defend this relic of bye- gone days—one that should have been abolished at the same time as the "maul." Why a side awarded a "free" kick should be prevented from utilising that "freedom" has always been a puzzle to the writer. I The remarks of Mr. Smith, secretary of the Scottish Rugby Union, at then- recent annual meeting, in dealing with proposed alterations of bye-laws govern- ing play, are very welcome. He said that as tar as the Scottish Union were concerned in framing any new laws or altering the old ones, the players must receive first consideration. The idea of legislation in order to make the game faster or more attractive as a spectacle, I was to be bought against. The present game was considered to be quite fast enough for the amateur player. These sentiments will meet with full approval from every player throughout t Great Britain. All I have written refard- ing rules and their application has been from a player's standpoint but at the I same time, it is quite patent that in what- | ever respect the game can be improved under the existing rules to the benefit of the participants, that improvement will incidentally add to its attractiveness as a I spectacle.

ASSOCIATION CODE. Cwmparc's Form Down West AND OTHER DOMESTIC ITEMS. I Perhaps th? pick of t?e basket of last weex's Bxturea w?s the one wh?ch had to &e abandoned, or rather, postpon? owing to th famoW! floods in the Rbondda. A lovely mid-day in Cardiff tempted me to go to Ton I Pentre to have a. look at the Western League match with Treharrfa. After reading the morning's papers I was naturally prepared ¡ to put up with any disappointment, but with such a nice day I took the risk. The rain which was waiting for us at Pontypridd was a. bit depressing, but there were still hopes that the ground would have escaped the experience of the streets in TrehaJod. No amount of mud, of pure, clean, ditty mud, will of itself etoj a football match. but water is a different matter when it mono- polises to a fair depth a considerable area of a playiing pitch. And that was the case at Ton Pentre. A glance from the train ,window as she pulled up in Ystrad Station was enough. Instead of the hoped-for thick cluster of enthusiastic spectators round the touch-lines, the field was'as empty as were my pockets of bank-notes. And the sight of the goal-posts rearing themselves out of a foot or so of water, which also covered the goal area, told its tale plain enough. There ■would be no match. If only George Williams had been with me we might have done a bit of fishing, but I didn't care to attempt the Simple Simon job all by myself. At the same time I cannot agree with the London paper which calmly stated that the "Ton Pentre and Treharris fixture had to be postponed owing to the former's ground being for the most part under water." But. still, the degree of floodiness did not really matter. The fact was evident there was too much of it. and Ton Pentre are to be sympathised with that one of the best fixtures had to be postponed. There is one consolation, that the conditions for the game. when it. does come off, cannot be much worse than they were la.st Saturday. By every mathematical "probability they will be better. Another good fixture which was upset was Kerry's league match with Aberdare. Not through floods. Dear me, no. For to think ) of Barry's ground being under water requires an imagination far superior to the bumble elica which I possess. But Aberdare being engaged in a Welsh Cup match could not play their old rivals, the Barry District. Ba,rry had an interesting a.nd good match met an unexpected reverse. Aberdare in the Welsh Cup match (With XJanbradach had, as things turned out, a fairly easy task, and enter the first-round proper. But, the result of the game apart. I am glad to see that Llanbradach is again figuring in our list of clubs, and that the season s break b.as not altered the promoters ambitions to run a good eleven. For some seasons Llanbradach held a prominent place, had some excellent plains, and the old ground between the road and the railway was the "neutral" ground on which many wry important semi-finals and finals have been played. Perhaps oim of the best wa,s that. final for the South Wales Senior Cup when by 1-0 Treharris somewhat unexpectedly, except to Treharris supporters, beat Aberdare. I trust that the Rhymney Valley club in its fresh term of life will have a season equal to those of the past. Except for the call to Ton Pentre. I had intended to run across country to Caerau, where two new members in the South Walea League (First Division) were meeting for the l first. time. Miserable conditions were in I evidence, as in most of the elevated districts, but Pembroke Dock had a reward for the long journey by being able to take back the two league points. The margin, 2-1, was a narrow one, but it. was sufficient. j Cwmparc and Treorohy United appear to have been in fine form and trim at Milford, and four goals to none practically adjnits of only one explanation—that Cwmparc were the better side. From tto excellent starti during these two months Cwmparc should surely be there or thereabouts when South Wales League honours come to be made up next April. The league matches with Mardy will be probably the big matches of the pro- gramme, and friendlies with Ton Pentre will be of more than usual interest. With four good senior teams it will be strange if the Iihonddas are not again represented in the senior cup semi-finals. But they are a long way off yet, for to-day is only the fixed date for the first round. Morrieton v. Mumbles Albion will be one of the evenest tussles of the bunch with the added interest that the winners may be pitted against a club which, in the ordinary course of a season's fixtures, would not other- wise be met. Morriston's ground is a good one, and is favoura-ble for a fine match. Another good tie is the meeting of Cardiff City and LlanJaes Brigade. Neither club has yet made history in the senior oup, but their turn is sure to cctne. Ten years ago nobody I would have prophesied the present position of the Bhondda dubs, notably Ton Pentre. and wh" jxu been done there C" be J. C. BIDDLE. (dia-irmain Cardiff Wednesday Association League). imitated in other districts. I look for a tip- top, well-matched cup match between Cardiff City and Llanfaee. The travelling is the awkward point. The newly-formed Tredegar club had a stiff task in the match with Ebbw Vale, and an adverse score of 5—1 is by no means dis- heartening when the status and experience of the Valians are remembered. With clubs like Ebbw Vale, Cwm, and Tredegar, just to mention three, it is not a far-fetched notion to surmise that before long that district, and in fact the Valleys of Monmouthshire, will be as prominent as is the Rhondda to-day. It is. not so long ago that in Ebbw Vale and Rogerstone Monmouthshire had two clubs not inferior to any other two which might be named. I am pleased to see Tredegar making a good show, and I wish them, as I have said with Llanbradach, a satisfactory meed of success during the season. Bristol City: Reserves and Merthyr played an even-scorjng game, which was witnessed by a good attendance, at Penydarren Park. Short time was play-ed. and at the moment., of stopping the City led by 2-1. The question of the uncompleted time will be a matter for the Western League, but apart from all that, with which. of course. I have no concern, Merthyr Town accomplished good work by running their powerful opponents so close. Next Saturday sixteen ties of the Junior Oup Competition are down for settlement. this bei.ng the first-round proper for the I season. The draw has already been published, and there is no need for me to refer to it in detail. The clubs, however, are well distributed over the big area, of the South Wales Association, and amongst 32 so well- matched clubs it would be too daring and cheeky to attempt even to hint at probable semi-finalists. Practically any four of them would be as good as any other four, but the ties have to be fought out with all their charm of uncertainty, ground advantage, and suitable or unsuitable weather conditions. Before starting the week's parable, I had intended to give half a column or so on the topic of illegal or rough play and its con- nection with the referee question. In past seasons I have outlined my views thereon, but will do so again. This week, however, calmer thoughts prevailed. For a. couple of weeks I find that I have been harping upon missionary games, and perhaps i might be getting wearisome if I tackled another "abstract" matter without a rest between. Henoe, this week I have purposely confined myself to simple little domestic items of a. few of the actual games, without any undue prominence to the cranky opinions wliieb seem to hold. But I shall nevertheless "have a go" at this shady taotios and referee subject before very long. MERTHYR JUNIORS tried some new men at I Mountain Ash to-day. I J. TEMPLBMAN and B. MORGAN (Merthyr t Juniors) are safe full backs. I W. H. PARRY, Fhymney's right winger, improves every match. His try against Caerphilly will long be remembered. THEO, secretary of Cathays Harriers, is showing exceptionally fine form this season around the Birchgrove course. VALLIS, New Tredegar, besides being a craok fuill-back in Soccer, gives promise of making a na.me for himself in the sister code. JACK DA VIES, New Tredegar, the well-known j Welsh Union referee, is making .strenuous efforts to form a.n old boy fifteen at New Tredegar. < STANLEY BEVAN, who has now played regularly for Treherbert, came from the I *Mid-Rhondda club, and has developed i-nto one of Treherbert'a best forwards. What has beoom.c of HERB. WHITE, the powerful forward of the Deri team? Herb. received nasty injuries to one of his legs I last season, but he is quite fit to play at present. COLLIER, the clever Blaina centre forward. has gone to Glamorgan. He scored a record number of goals last season. DAI GRIFFITHS. Ys-talyfera, the Swansea forward, will probably return, to his place in the all whites' pack in a. couple of weeks time Dai turned out for Swansea first against Ca-rdiff two years ago, playing a grand game.

A PAGEANT ASIDE ? I Swansea, (sadly): We really ought to have got in with this battering nam. (The Oardifflams i,-n the Castle chuckle.) Swansea. 0, Cardiff 0, at. Cardiff last Saturday.

JACK MORGAN, captain of the Blaina Club, last Saturday led the team in fine style. He ic a brilliant, forward. RALPH THOMAS, it is rumoured, will be found playing for Penarth lin the course of a week or Sú. HEXRI PIET. the Trench boxer who made enoh a plucky stand against Fred Welsh, is due to join his regiment in October. E HOWELLS. tbe captain of Dinas team, is without doubt the finest inside half in the junior league. He is a glutton for work, I [WILLIAMS AND WILLIAMS' STUDIOS. I although a midget. If he was a trifle heavier he could easily get his place with Penygraig". ALBERT JENKINS is one of the best for- wards in the R,isca team. Great things are expected of Albde. ROGER MORGAN CBIaina) at inside half scored the only try of last Saturday's Blaina match. He is young and nippy. REV. S. JONES. the inside half, *will no doubt prove a decided acquisition to the PenygTaig team. ELLIS JONES (Blaina), half-back, neutralises much useful work through sticking too long to the ball. If he remedies this he ha's the ability to play a substantial game. ARTHUR WILLIAMS, who last season per- formed so brilliantly on the wing for Neath, is n.ot unlikely to play for Peneygnaig this winter. He lives at Clydach Court, Clydach Vale. TED HILLIER, the young Blaina. centre, started well last Saturday. He was quite the b?i?t three-quarter last season and scored the greatest number of points. He has a good future. GEORGE PRICE, who has been unanimously elected captain of the Llanhilleth Associa- tion team, is exceedingly popular in the district. He ha-s the full confidence of the players, and he hopes to see the team do well in the First Division of the League. He has selected as his vioe-oaptain, TOM MAHONEY well deserves the captaincy of Whitchurch, perhaps the oldest seoond- olass team in Wales. Standing nearly 6ft. in his socks, arnd approaching 13st. in weight, I he is an ideal forward. A solid errimmager, clever on the dribble and the I line-out., he is deservedly popular. I C. L. MORSE (Bream Harlequins). I TOM BARTLETT, Penarth, who could not travel to Devonport last Saturday, turned out for the Reserves against the Newport Reserves, and was about the best man in the pack. • E. SMITH, the Penarth Reserve right wing, scored a sensational try against Newport Reserves. The penarth line was in danger when Smith, fathering the ball nicely, travelled the length of the field, rounding all opposition, to ecore the beet, try of the game. HUTCHINGS. Penarth Reserves, made a request last Saturday to be placed full- back against Newport Reserves. This was granted, and the position was well filled. HEWITT and GRIFFITHS, Penarth, playeft well in the Peniant.h-Newport. Reserves game last Saturday, and will, without I doubts hold their respective positions again. W. H. GUNSTONE. the Penarth captain, was ¡ the best mam on the enclosure at Devon- port. Vide local press. I

I THREE DlNAS MAINSTAYS. I I W. RilES. Vice-caotain. Hard-working and honest in scrum. Writ requwe some wtoem under way. W R ? ?V?SEA T. ROWLANDSand SNUGGY BROOKS.—Two fine forwards in the open, and both capable of taking positions in the backs. I W. BEES. l [PHOTOj QtrBBN STUDIOS. CABDUT7. T. ROWLANDS. urhcio, a, a jlcge, anssvox* SNUGGY BROOKS. I [PHOTO, W. BMGGH5, BBISXQL, I

IN YOUR WAKING HOURS LOOK FOR RAFFLES. 1

A MAUL AND A ROUGE. Chats with a One-Time Cardiff Player.-ii. By PERCY F. BUSH. I When I limped into the Queen's after the Swansea match to have the promised return "eat" with 'Mr. Soanso, I found him waiting for me, comfortably en- sconced in a big easy-chair, with thp "Only Football Edition" ministering to his mental welfare. 'I With a particularly senseless chuckle he kicked-off with, "Come here, Jack and let me have a look at you!" He touched me on one or two sore spots, and then insisted on seeing what was making me limp. The ankle 'being ex-1 hibited, the ancient wag remarked that it was a "very proud one," and it was a ver- promptly decided that extra jam and eggs were to be had for the asking. He explained that the ankle was a "proud ] one" because it was 80 li puff ed-up," and then he chuckled again, and, of course, I had to cackle a bit too, because he was my host you see, and you always pretend an interest in the jokes of hosts and judges, however rotten they may be. Mr. Soanso made the first attack with. By the way. my weary Bushlet, I thought you said this afternoon that Cardiff were going to whack Swansea. I see here in this paper that you did remark like that, so as you got me to the match under false pretences, perhaps you i -will be good enough to let me have back the eighteenpence I paid to witness the match, or, rather, game, for ;twas no match." I gave him a os. postal order, which was about three years out of date, and got three and sixpence change, and although he looked somewhat surprised at my readiness in "parting." he was quite pleased-—much more so, I am sure, than he will be when he goes to cash that order. I also remarked that he had asked me to dinner that evening, and not 10 a debating society,- and upon his acting upon this delicate hint. the repast was brought in, and for a time nothing could be heard but the grinding of tect-h and sundry gurgles now and again, also a chuckle from the old sport about every three minutes, as he thought of what an old-timer would have done on certain occasions during the afternoon's game. I But All Good Things must have an end, as the small boy in the tuck-shop said when he had com to his last penny, and so when our citars were lighted, and the dinner-things cleared away, Mr. Soanso heaved a sigh of content, and began to talk once more. Well, young fellow," he started, "Cardiff were jolly slow about adminis- tering that whacking this afternoon, I must say. I consider they were jolly lucky to escape with a draw, and when you chaps go down to Swansea for the return I'm coming down to see the "Whites play again. You'll get eaten- up!" Oh, no, we won't, my cheerful Methuselah," I replied, "for Swansea will never play so well as that again against Cardiff. But I didn't come up here to talk to you about this match; you were going to answer a few questions of mine, if I remember rightly. Now, in the first place, which games used you to enjoy most of all, and why?" He immediately became lost in reverie, though, as a matter of fact, he never did referee. Then his eyes glistened, and you could almost imagine his ears pricking-up. I'll tpll you, my child," says he, those Cheltenham College boys were the players in The days, and the matches with them were the ones worth playing in. You see, they used to stay in school then till they were nineteen or twenty ¡ years old. They used to play two or three times a week, and were always in the very pink of condition, because they were looked after so well as regards diet and every other thing. We used to go up to Cheltenham to I play them, and they used to give us a divil of a time, and no mistake. They were like a I Pack of Ravening Wolves I after blood, they were. Oh. yes, they were good players, good and keen; yes, and clean, too" (as a sort of after- thought). We had to play in accordance with their own rules then, you know. There i was no Welsh Union, and the Chelten-I ham rules were the recognised ones in vogue. That may have helped them a bit; but they were real good players though I knew he was going to say, Yes. very good players, &c., <fee., so I cut in with an inquiry as to how their rules differed from present ones. 1, Well, for one thing, there was the maul,' he answered. "Many present- day spectators may not know what a msul is—or was—so I'll explain. Supposing a player got over his opponents' line, but was tackled just going over, or when over the whistle wouldn't go, but the tackier and the tackled would struggle on the ground for possession of the cowhide—or, perhaps, I'd better say ball. It was then a rase of the survival of I the fittest, for whoever won the -wrestle and touched the ball down first was The Saviour of His Side. I "How I wished that mauls were allowed now, once this afternoon," he added, with a malicious chuckle I mean that time when you took the ball just outside your line, and Phil Hopkins tackled you, and threw you over the line. In my days he would have been on you like a tiger, and you would have been savaged half to death before Philip got the ball and scored "Well, I'm profoundly thankful that mauls are gone out of fashion in that case," he said, and, in any case. I should disdain to have a maul with Port Ten- nant Davies, or our own Jack Brown. But didn't these mauls take a lot of l interest out of the game, because, youl see, if two sprightly youths like Bobby i Brice and Mike Rvan. of Ireland, were to start a maul, the rest of the players could go home and come back during the next week to see the finish of it." "Well, it tvas a bit like that," the Ancient One agreed, "so after a bit the i time for a maul was limited to two minutes, and if it was no contest the 1 defender was given the verdict. I thought this was a rotten decision, and told him so. but lie wouldn't agree with this. It had palpably told upon him, having to agree just before, that his treasured maul was rotten, so he left this, and merely replied. "Then thete was the 'reuge.' The rouge wasn't much of it, really, because anybody could get a rouge pretty well. I believe even you could have got a rouge, my Bush. I was immediately interested, and wished that rouges were still allowed, for I'm sure I should like them. I inquired. what sort of an Insect a Rouge Was, but didn't feel flattered when Mr. Soanso explained that when the ball was kicked over your opponents' line without going over the bar that constituted a rouge, and counted one point. Get a good strong wind behind you," he added, and one could kick rouges all day. I have often seen matches won by them." All things considered, I think I'm rather glad that rouges have gone out, after all," I said, but in the Australian game, played in certain parts of the Commonwealth. the rouge still obtains, but they call it a behind.' You often see a final score read like this: North Sydney, 5 goals. 33 behinds. Balmain, 3 goals, 27 behinds. So you can see what rubbish your old rouge was. And now what do you consider is best left out from the old style?" jiis reply was, for once, short and un- profitable. Mr buck. he said. "I've talked enough for one evening, and now I'm going to let others talk for me. I've booked seats at the Theatre for Her and you and me, so just go and fetch her, and we'll go. "If you want to know any more, and also what I think about the best players, I'll talk to you next Saturday after the Gloucester match, for I'm coming up with you to see the conquerors of Swan- I sea wrap it around you." And with that I was forced to be content.

I Welshmen Up North. I By OUR N.U. CORRESPONDENT Tihe mflitch between Baitley end Merthyr last Monday was very one-eidied. The Mer- 1 thyr rtea.m played a. very loose giame, and were completely outpda-yed by Batley. The backs woere very poor, and the club must, IDa-ke some changes before they can make even a light with the poorest of the Northern I Union teams. They want a new set of baclæ and one or two forwards to make the club a. success. After keen ^omipeti^.kwi Hull Kingston has reoemved the transfer of Daii Thfonnae from HaMtfax. The price is not yet given, bint | i! must be a very hi,-L-b figure, as Thomas is considered one of the very best wingers up North, and it-he most ootnsi stent t ry-get t ar laying. He stooukl do the Rovers a. tot ct good, .and behind sudh a forward line as tfce Rovers posaese shoutld aoore as many tries as ever. OWhfflMr teiirly outclass-ed Rocfoda-Je 1 0. 9-1 Saturday sin the first ro-und. of 4be Lanca- s'hd re Cup. G. W. Smith, t;bL- All Black, was in fine scoping form, amd the Old'ham forwairds fairly swamped the lighter Roch- i dale forwards. The display of Wood, the c'd Gloucester and Engi'.iah intemaitional fu'll-tbaok was great, his cafe fielding and coolness being much admired. The inclusion of Bclowiski, the Kangaroos' fulil-back, has inspired the Leigh team into i drying great thingp. Fcr instance, their recent great victory over was never dreamit ctf by the neigbboNirtTm Central Park team, end judging by their display against Barrow last Saturday, they will be a. hi^hd nut to craok in tihe Lancashire Oup. Bat- tersby, who was transferred to them from Wtiigan, looks like making one of the finest ,b.alf-,b.aolps in the Northern Union. The diisptey of Bradford against Hunstet was disasp.poQ ntirbg, and after the first ten ) manutree rtalJey were dearly beaten. The Pa.rk- eid«Tg' forwards, always a great force in cu.p4ies, played a big bustling game. and rtfbei- terrific rushes reminded one of tSiedr record eeaaon form. Ba-tten showed up well foT the Parksdders, and Jenkinaon, a Hali- fax product, played in fine style. Halifax made a grmt mistake in letting him sliip ifctoouigih tlheir fingers. Great excitement prevailed at Central Park during tie match between the Wigaxiers and Warrington. The gate of 20,000 was provided witrn a hard, fast game. The Warrington forwards had the better of the argnmemit, and none did finer for the Wrrepuileirs tha/n G. Thomas amd O'Neill. Their fine open play was groat-ly oommeQlt-ed upon, and for hard eorin ma-ging F. Shugars caught the eye. The Warrington baklis were beaten in speed and tactics by t1:M homesters. Jack Jenkins, at half, did not play his uena! game for War- ring-torn, and found his cjrponents in fine form. -For Wigan Bert. Jen bins played a good game, and was easily the beet centre three- quarter on the field. Bert has not been play- ing well of late, but showed signs of coding into last season's form. Lebhym, at wing, had a, day out, and did nearly aJI the Wigan scoring, and it may be said he never player better. At half Ned Jones, the old Maeateg player, played in fine style, and his coanfoi- nation with Johnaiy Thomas was a feature of the game. Johnny played a, clever, heady game, and his movements were classy all through. His try in the latter portion off tbe gome vu the roault of (some clever, juggling with the ball. Of a pack thart came I OUlt second beet Howell Francis seemed the I pi-ctk. One of the eurprises of Northern Union focttball ? the much amproved form of St. Helens. Since the introduction of Durtill, the All Black, they have ma-de immense strides, and have copied the Oolonial style of throwing the ball about. Their dispjay against Widnes last Saturday showed them to be much superior to the Chemical team. Fifteen thousand spectators saw a fine dis- play of football by the Hudderefield team .against Hull Kingston Rovers at Fartown last. Saturday. The ex-Kangaroo, Boeenfeit, ] was in fine -form, but the pivot of the team wa.s Jim Davies, the old Swansea player, who had a hand in all the 'home team's tries, j The Rovers had a greatly depleted side, Barry and Phil Thomas being among the absentees. Sandham was tried on the "wing, but proved a failure, being oom-pletely out. paced and at sea against his opponent. Sandham is a forward, and why the Rovers persist in playing him at three-quarter passes all ccmprehengsi'&ri. The Rovers need a. good class three-quanter; perhaps their latest, capture. Dakin. tihe old Leicester and Coventry player, may supply that want- The Rovers' forwards, with Spackman in the van. played their iisuaj, good game. After a Teal cup-tie display, Leeds were put out of the Yorkshire Cup by Wtaieftekd Trinity. Frank Young, the Leede full-back, was sent off, along with a Trinity forward, for striking early in the game. Really. Young should know that to retaliate, as he did, meant sending off, and it is not saying too much that his eending off cost the Heading- ley team the game. Reg Jones and Saunders diid not. fili the picture; perhaps the worry- ing tactice of the Trinity forwards were too much for Ulcm. York surprised the critics by beating the Hull team on the Clarence-street grou'nd. The Hull cast-offs, Magar and BurchelI, played a great part in their defeat. Bar-cheII. the old Neath half, continually beat the Hull half bMks. and opened out the came for his three- quarters in fine style. The Hull directors have frequently own their bad judgment, in the merit of players, and have allowed great players to slip through their hands. Chick Jenkins, the Ebbw Vale player, was little thought of by the Hull directorate. and he. on his present form, is an improvement on their costly Colonial players, Deverax and ^Morton. The latter is but a very moderate player. Bramley played H&Mfax a good game last SatsaTtteuy rn the Yorkshire Cup tie, and gave the blue and whites a fright. To be beaten | Twy the Barley Mow team would be a. great b-mmU, ia-tion to them. The Thrum Hall team I played a bad game, and the absence of Dai "Thomas will be severely felt before they go ifa-r in this tournament. Last season Thomas I wu a great factor in their winning of the Yorkshire Cup, pulling a couple of games out of the are for the blue and whites. W. J. ( Williams was a. notable aibseotee, having sue- taiuod am injury to his knee. ( Claude James played a sterling game for Bnougihton against Swinton last Saturday. Has dodgy ruinning was of great service to his side, and he and Hogg, in the centre, proved a fine pair. Ruddick did not play his usual (bnstlicg game, aod eowtetly was not in the best of form. The sending off of players is of such oom- mon occurrence nowadays in Northern Union focxbbaJl Lhat sotmetiung should be done to

 8TUD!ES !N EXPRESSION.

Northern Union. EBSW VALE. The victory gained by Eibbw Vale over Baitley was oae of the finest achievements of their oarew. It was no fluke either. In ail of the game the 'Valians were masters of the situation, and the visitors were exceedingly lucky that the score was not doubled or trebled against them. The BaAAey forwards seemed powerless to eoipe with the united rushes of the Welsh- men. The latter broke up the serums quickly, and followed the ball with sreat speed and dash, while their tach-litio was swift a.nd deadly. The selection committee have recognised j the importance of having more weight in the scrum, and have built up a powerful lot of scrimmagars, who wiU take a lot of I beating. Up to now this has been the weak spot. Northern, teams make a creat feature of having big men in the front rani. j Cbristison was not at home in the oentre, and would prefer being in the scrum. The decision of the committee to play Harvey and gi,-blo Thomas at haJtf-<back meerts with general approval, and it will enable them to play Higgins in the carare a position in which he has always done weJl. The position that causes most anxiety is that of full-back.

TREHERBERT. ( Owi? to la*t week's heavy rain Treherbert had to .bandon ibair matoh with SaAfanL The field on Friday was flooded owing to the rwe- breaking its banks. Treherbert are strengthening their teaaa. Fedton who has played some fine games for LJ'wynypia United, both at full-back and. three-quarter), T. Edwards (of Mid-BbonrfSa. who played some great frames for them last eeasonj, a.nd Williams (of Barry, a fiue, etrapiwng forward) have all signed.

GLAMORGAN SOCCER LEAGUE Despite the continued attentions bestowed by Jupiter Pluvins recently, three second division encounters were fought to a definite conclusion last Saturday. Trehafod failed to maintain recent good form, Tre- harris Reserves securing the verdict by the only goal of the match. Nelson's victory of f, goals to 2 at hoine over Aberdare Reserves must be set down as dist±notly encouraging. By defeating Trelewis (2—0) Pontlotty* aaoend to the place of honour in the table. In the Third Division seven engagements were down for decision, tyu: owing to the New Tredegar field being flooded only six were brought to a definite conclusion. Troedrhiwfnwch visited Trelewis, &nd over- came the Reserves by 3 toals to 2. Gilfach Reserves preserved their un- defeated certificate by registering another 3 goals victory over Pontlottyn Soirth End. Brithdir Reserves completely ove-n hehnoo. a weak Pentrebaeh side at home, the latter going under by 6 goals to nil. Pesigam eiepnreri their first league victory at the expense of Troedyrhiw Reserves br. the odd goal in three ifcewman Windsors routed Treharris Rovers at home by the substantial score-of 6 1goals to 1. Aberaroan Wanderers strengthened their position at the head by visiting Ystrad Mynarb and defeating the locals by 5 goals to 2.

I MONMOUTHSHIRE LEAGUE. The folJowuig- team nas (seen selected to represent the League against Owm at the latter piaoe an NovemJ>er 3. for the benefit of D. Brown, Tredegar, who met with a. serious aocideml in the Champions v. Rest of i the League match at Owm —Ooal, J. Gorman (Bbbw Vale): backs. Prioe iLlanhilleth) and Stone CBlaina); half-backs, Burgess (Aber- J tillery), T. E. Jone« (Lla.nhiitothj, and A. Bokwer CEbbw Vales; forwards, S Wadding. ton and T. Whitoombe (Ebbw Vale), E. CL 1 Jonas (Tredegar). Mote and Newman /TJsn*. hilletshV. Referee, Mr. T. J. Kenvyn (Ebbw vaae). Last Saturday's most surprising result ww the victory of Blaina over Caerleon on the l&tter's own sward, tlie visitors securing the full quota of points by 2 clear goals. Ebbw Vale added another good victory to their credit by overcoming T-redegar Town by 3 goals to 1. I The meeting of Cwm, last season's league champions, and Llanhilleth, second divisiort champions, was one of giants. Owm. proved far superior in attack, but failed to pene- trate the Aefenoe of Smith, Price, and Wood. land. the encounter ending in a pointless draw. I In the second division Cwm ReserweB got the better of Llanhilleth Reserves by 1 goai j to nil. I Gilwern anticipated entertaining EOMnr ¡ Vale United, but weather conditions com. j pelled the homesters to wire the match off.

I "THE FUTURE IS BEFORE US." | All Association FtxrtbaH en lIboatd ? ? read tfaa reaueWwUle Article bg lit. Genret 9 # llemt ti as A U WESTERN MAIL" | FOOTBALL ANNUAL d uad«r lb* above «ot«rtaiatoc title. 9 Be mitafc ta hie moat tariMcy style of the 9 0 d«i«*opeent at tb« Soccer Oode 1b South M Wales, itod mafcws the ooofidest pMdtotkMi, a N The F'.t- Is Before Us." The Fixture Usee of all the prominent T^ <?p Aasooiation ud RUCiPf Olate ale eoatuned <• « in the Haad-beok. M 1 BUY IT I PRICE ONE PENNY.

E. REES, who is vice-captain of the Dinas Powis Rugby Team, is a young player of great. capability. Last yAr he was captain of the old f:t. Andrew's team, and the villagers predict a splendid football future for him. GENT, the famous little Gloucester half, ren- dered his side invaluable service at Aber- tillery. His forwards were badly beaten, and that served to show what a great little man he is in defence. His kicking alone was a treat to wit. GEORGE WATSON has been appointed cap- r-ain of the Newbridge Rugby team, but, owing to his occupation he feels he will have to forego the honour. It is a great pity that some arrangement cannot be made, as George is a clever player and a good captain. E. HUGHES, captain of the Blaina. Associa- tion Club, has during a comparatively short stay in the neighbourhood beccme one of the most popular sports. Hughes is one of our best cricketers, and held a leading place in the Blaina averages last season. As a footballer he can play in almost any position. SID GILLARD, Cardiff, who looked like mak- ing a. ripping forward a couple of seasons ago, but retired from t.he game on going to sea as an engineer, is once more located ashore. If he fulfil his earlier promise- he is still quite young—then he is going to make one of the. best of the Blue and Black pack this season. THE WOODCOCK CUP, which for the past six or sevein seasons has been, such an inspiration and stimulus to tea-ms in the Newport a.n.d Distract Soccer League, is aigain up for competition this season through the kindness of Mr. A. J. Wood- cock, of the Gloibe Hotel, Maindee, who is such a stalwart friend to Soccer locally. PILL HARRIERS will probably be repre- sented in football "down under" in the near future. C. Emerson, one of their promising forwards, has sailed for New Zealand. There is no doubt when his abilities become known he will be snapped up by some combination out there. A big crowd of friends wish htm the best of luck. RROOKFIELD, one of the best players in the Ebbw Vale United, will probably be found a place in the senior team. He is a young player of 'great speed and resource, and will be a decided acquisition. There are several promising youngsters to be Found in the district junioMeaWls, if the selection committee keep their eyes open. EIAYMON, late of Bath City, is the new centre forward of the Barry District Association team, while Wall, an old Bristol man, and W. Bur bid go, a Oadox- ton lad, who has hitherto assisted Cardiff Ojty, also come into the team this season. By the way, the District are 'not going to run a reserve team this year. STAN WINMILL, who. is a brother to last year's 'Tillery skipper (Joe Winmill), is developing into a fine forward, and is a great acquisition to the Blaenau Gwent pack. He is quick to take a chance, and notched two tries for Gwent against Nanty- glo on Monday- He also, did very well in the AbertilWry trial match. LI WILLIAMS, Blaenau Gwent Lily whites, is a splendid forward, and should have a bright future. Lionel has just turned seventeen years of age. He stands 5ft. Sin. in height, and tips the scales at ifut. 61b. He is a hard worker in the scrum and fast in the open. Playing for Blaenau Gwent premiers at Blaenavon last Saturday Lionel was never found wanting. Some question has been raised as to the continued playing of Dr. SMYTH for New- port. The docto-r is one of the house sturgeons at Newport, and County Hospital. and it is thought he may not stay all through the winter, it is fully expected, however, that he will be able to play for Newiport up to the end of the year. MR. W. iL. HOPKIN, London and Provincial Bank, has been elected chairman of the Ebbw Vale Town Soccer club, and also hoLds the position of treasurer Mr. Hopkin was formerly proniinent in Rugby football, having played on the wing for London Welsh, and also took part in several matches for the old Ebbw Vale Rugby team. C. HART, who was given a trial at outside right, for Ebbw Vale against Caerleon, is likely to 'he heard of again should he decide to stay in the district. He formerly played for Waltha-mstow, and caught the eye of a first division league tea,m. He was given a trial, and created a very favour- able impression. He is only 22 years of age, and has weight, speed, and strengifc. BLAINA R.F.C. have been very unfort.4ma,te in losing g-ood players. Ebb Thomas, their captain, has flown to AWtillery, which has a lso claimed Reg. Jenkins, T. Simmonds, and Joe Howells, Blaina forwards, the IIMft.. na,med to reside there. Stuart Proseer has gone to Pontypool It ia difficult to under- stand why players should flitter about in this way. Are they unpens by & sporting instinct? L. V, DYKE, Cardiff, 111 such & elipking good player that it will be a real pity if he is crowded out of the Metropolitan t," this season. But still, what is to be done with two other fine centres like R. T. "be a-nd W. Spiller available. Besides, it is always doubtful Whether the oentre ia Dyke's beat position, He would probably do better at half or on the wung. However, Dyke is almost sure to ptay in moøt. of the first team matches, as he is p rayetio^lly certain to be the first man called upon for the three-quarter or half-back lines in the case -of absenteeism.

prevent- rough and feral pla,.r. One of the best. way to prevent, it would be to punish the club along with the player, as them it would behove the clubs to tell theiT players to play a sportsmcwnlike paxae.