15 May 1912, Sydney Morning Herald

BRITISH ASSOCIATION.

CLUB FORM.

POINTS OF THE GAME.

The competition for the Rawson Cup should on present appearances prove extremely interesting. The defeated teams, with the exception of Canterbury in the match against Glebe, have scored within two goals of the winners, and In half the victories the margin has been only one goal. Glebe and Balmain are the only unbeaten teams, while the naval eleven from H.M.S. Drake have so far failed to strike successful form.

McLean's presence In the Sydney forward line against Granville evidently had the effect of concentrating the attack successfully. If the team can maintain the even balance that marked their display on Saturday, it will not be surprising to see further victories chronicled in their favour, even against the sides which are now undefeated. Glebe have started the season In the Rawson Cup with such success that their match against Balmain on Saturday next at Epping will probably be one of the most exciting of the season. Carroll is a tower of strength among the forwards. His shooting Is executed with a certainty that is all the more conspicuous by reason of the many faulty attempts made by reputedly first-class players that are witnessed time and again. Of what avail are the accurate feeding by the halves and the combination of the forwards if the final kick be misdirected? An occasional fault in this respect is, of course, only in keeping with the general imperfection of human nature, but the percentage or shots that fall to trouble the goalkeeper is, in the majority of matches, out of all proportion. Laird is in his right place as outside left for Glebe, and opposing backs will need to be continually on the alert for forward movements on that particular wing.

The defeat of the team from H.M.S. Drake will give Newtown a stimulus that should make them formidable opponents. The forwards are full of dash, Holcombe's return to the game being a pleasing item to record. He played splendidly against the navy men. Mitchell is one of our best goalkeepers, and the evergreen Dennis always puts up a keen game at full back.

By scoring two goals to one against Granville, Sydney avenged a similar defeat inflicted by the "Magpies" at the first meeting of the clubs last year on the same ground. Granville have a good, solid eleven, and should play with better success as the effect of match practice asserts itself.

The number of matches In the various "soccer" competitions has increased to such an extent that the Referees' Association finds it difficult to supply sufficient men to officiate. The hon. secretary, Mr. J. F. Black, c/o. Sports Club, would be pleased to hear from anyone desirous of taking up the duties of referee.

The police team in the Association Cup are apparently easy marks. The severe defeats already sustained may be the means of acquainting them somewhat with the science of the game, but it would appear as though they required some special tuition.

The matches between West Sydney and Balmain are again likely to provide the most attractive displays In the Association Cup fixtures. They will be awaited with eager expectancy by the regular followers of the code. Northern Suburbs, T.M.C.A., and The Navy (Garden Island) are giving commendable displays, so that interest in both first league competitions should be maintained.

INTERSTATE.

The management committee of the New South Wales Football Association will meet at the Sports Club to-morrow night to consider details in connection with the visit of the Queensland team.

The various State associations are affiliating with the recently-formed Commonwealth Football Association, Western Australia being particularly enthusiastic. The game is rapidly developing in and around Perth, where there are 12 senior teams, and the competition is run in two divisions. At the conclusion of the season the winning team in the second division is promoted to the first division, the lowest team in which falls into the second division.

The States will probably be asked to consider the proposal emanating from Mr. H. N. Holmes, now in California, in which it is suggested that Home arrangement might be made whereby the English team, which is expected to visit San Francisco during the fair of 1915, could continue their trip to Australia and New Zealand. It Is a far cry to 1915, but in matters such as international visits a grood deal of time should be allowed for preliminary inquiries, especially as the English Football Association appears to be so lethargic on the question.

THE ONE-BACK GAME.

One of the most effective methods of defence is known as the one-back game. It is played frequently by skilful backs, one of whom works up amongst the opposing forwards, leaving only two of his own side, viz., the other back and goal-keeper, behind him. The object is, of course, to render the attacking forwards more liable to off-side, for it is not possible for any of them to receive a forward pass. They must remain behind the ball If they wish to keep on-side, because there will be only two of their opponents between them and the goal-line, and the law states that there must be three. A clever forward line, by working the passes accurately and keeping on-side, should, however, soon bring both backs into their orthodox positions for defending purposes, although the move is made so suddenly at times that eager forwards are often pulled up for off-side.

The one-back game can also be worked in the case of a free kick, and it has been pointed out that many free kicks are thus rendered useless. The offending side can, if it so desires, reduce its punishment in this manner by forcing its opponents to keep behind the ball, should the kicker wish to pass to a comrade, for, if in front of the ball when it is kicked, such comrade must refrain from kicking it until it has been played by one of the defending side.

A suggestion has been made in England to overcome this method of foiling the free kick by altering law 10 with a view to making it permissible for the recipient of a pass from a free kick to play the ball irrespective of the position of his opponents. That is to say, there should be no off-side direct from a free kick, just as there is none at present from a corner kick.

NEW OFFICIAL DECISIONS.

Some of the later decisions in connection with the interpretation of the laws of the game may not he generally known. Two that should be interesting to referees and players are, therefore, given. In reference to the off-side rule; It has been noticed that some referees award a free kick when a player is simply in an off-side position. The official decision is that "this must not be done." It has been a long-standing instruction, however, that a player standing off-side must not interfere with the game or an opponent in the slightest way; and that obstructing an opponent's sight of the ball is regarded as an interference.

It is quite a common occurrence for opponents to approach within six yards of the ball in the case of a free-kick, thereby contravening law 10. It has now been laid down that players neglecting this instruction are liable to be ordered off the field. Presumably it is considered that the offence comes under the heading of "ungentlemanly behaviour" referred to in law 13.

A FINE POINT.

It is a time-honoured saying that "the looker-on sees most of the game," but there are occasions when a smart referee can place himself in a better position to give a decision than nine-tenths of the spectators. One of these is the case of a goal-keeper handling or touching the ball in close proximity to the goal-line, and the question arises whether, in clearing from between the posts, he draws his hand (with the ball in it) back over the goal line. If he does, it counts, of course, as a goal to the opposing side, but only a person standing on the goal-line or in continuation of it could judge. In another case, the decision by the referee in a match played this season was loudly hooted by the majority of the onlookers. A shot at goal sent the ball a little too wide; and as it was sailing over the line, the goal-keeper, who is rather a tall player, jumped and touched it in its flight. A corner-kick should apparently have been awarded the attacking side. The referee, who happened to be standing on the goal-line, observed, however, that the ball had just crossed the line before the goalkeeper touched it and consequently ordered a goal-kick. This was something the spectators did not see, and thus the referee was unjustly blamed.