Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

FOOTBALL CHAT. [BY "LINESMAN."] The chief item of interest in the district on Christmas Day was the match between Dolgelley Town and Mountain Rangers. The Town were not Blow in recognising that they were a good deal superior to their antagonists and from the kick-oft there was only one team in it and that was not the Ranges They repeatedly burst through their defence, and piled on the goals to the tune of nine to two. There is no need for comment, the score speaks for itself, but heavy as the defeat undoubtedly was, the Rangers possessed some players, who individually made a gallant show, but they were unable to turn the tide. The superior play of the Town could not be prevented by a few, however, and the result was a signal defeat. Better luck next time. On Saturday, Barmouth came over to try con- clusions with the Volunteer Rovers, bat they went back disappointed. The score against them was 5 goals to nothing. A great deal was made of the the fact, that the Barmoutb team consisted chiefly of reserves, but that is not the fault of the Volun- teers, and if the Barmouth Executive decided to risk the game, with such a team, they cannot blame anybody but themselves for the result. The weather conditions were shocking, rain sweeping across the ground in torrents, and scientific plav was out of the question. The Volunteers made their presence felt from the outset, and after some sterling work, got 3 goals in the first half hour, which practically settled the game. The Visitors' forwards strove to alter matters during the com- mencement of the second half, but the half-back division very indifferently supported them, and all their attempts were futile. On the day's play, the best team won haads down. The winners met Towya Rovers yesterday in the semi-final, but it was played too late to get the report in for this week.

THE LKAGUH. Goals. P. W. L. D. F. A. p. Aston Villa. 19 10 5 4 28 13 24 Everton 19 10 5 4 36 24 24 Sunderland. 18 10 4 4 29 23 24 Wolverhampton W. 20 8 7 5 28 32 21 Derby County 16 7 3 6 19 14 20 Bury 17 7 5 5 25 19 19 Blackburn Rovers. 18 7 6 5 24 23 19 Notts Forest 18 7 6 5 24 23 19 Sheffield Wednesday 16 7 4 5 26 27 19 Newcastle United 17 6 5 6 28 13 18 Stoke 18 7 7 4 28 29 18 Sheffield United 18 7 8 3 29 25 17 Liverpool 17 5 6 6 21 20 16 Notts County 20 6 12 2 28 39 14 Small Heath 17 5 9 3 23 27 13 Bolton Wanderers. 16 4 7 5 19 25 13 Grimsby Town 17 4 11 2 14 36 10 Manchester City 15 3 10 2 13 30 8 THE COMBINATION. Goals. P. W. L. D. F. A. P. Witton Albion 17 9 6 2 31 26 20 Wellington Town 14 8 3 3 23 12 19 Nantwich 15 8 5 2 36 25 18 Wrexham 10 6 0 4 31 10 16 -Burslem Port Vale 11 6 2 3 24 14 13 Tranmere Rovers 12 5 4 3 25 18 13 Oswestry United 13 5 5 3 25 19 13 Liverpool White Star 10 5 5 0 25 22 10 Bangor 9 3 3 3 18 16 9 Rhyl 10 3 4 3 20 20 8 Chirk 13 4 9 0 21 38 8 Newton-le-Willows. 11 2 6 3 15 42 7 "Cheater .13 2 8 3 23 36 5 Birkenhead. 10 1 7 2 12 29 4 *Two points deducted for playing an ineligible man. WELLINGTON AND DISTRICT LEAGUE. P. W. L. D. F. A. P. Trench 5 5 0 0 26 4 10 Singleton & Cole's. 5 3 1 1 19 4 7 Hadley 6 2 3 1 9 13 5 Shrewsbury R. O. 4 2 2 0 12 11 4 Bridgnorth 4 2 2 0 8 12 4 Broselev 2 0 2 0 4 8 0 Welshpool. 4 0 4 0 6 32 0

I DOLGELLEY CHALLENGE CUP. I DOLGELLEY TOWN v DOLGELLY RANGERS. ■ The second match in connection with the ■ challenge competition was played on Christmas ■ day at the Showground before a large crowd. The ■ teams were:- ■ TOWN. ■ Goal, R T Meredith; backs, H Humphreys and ■ Gomer Davies; halves, R J Williams, Hugh Parry ■ and J S Fitchard; forwards, W Lewis Edwards, ■ and E Arthur Williams (centre), 0 Evans and D Meredith. H RANGERS. Goal, W Jones; backs, R Ellis and Bertie Davies; halves, W Ellig, E W Thomas and G Brith; for- wards, Bob Williams and Morris, D G Williams (centre), Pritchard and J P Jones. Referee, R LI Evans, Portmadoc. Linesmen, E Evans and J Evans. The Town opened the proceedings and lost no time in getting to work, at once beginning to press severely. The Rangers were hemmed in and E Arthur Williams drew first blood for the Town with a good shot. They were down again in a few minutes and the same player added another with a fast grounder. The Rangers failed to make any show, and before half-time was called Arthur Williams added numbers three and four, W Lewis H adding the fifth. After the change of ends the H mountaineers made good efforts to get away, and ■ after good play M R Williams scored. It was only H a flash in the pan, however, and, the Town team H racing away, Owen Evans got through with a shot H that gave the goal-keeper no chance. The left ■ wing were prominent again shortly afterwards and after some interesting play Meredith added number H seven. From this to the end there was not much ■ in it, the Rangers losing heart. E Arthur Williams scored again for the seniors which appeared to gtimalate their antagonists, for they were instrii- H mental in adding another goal by means of Evans. A long shot by Hugh Parry a few miuutes after found the net, the score standing at the close of playTown, 9 goals; Bangers, 2 goals.

DOLGELLEY VOLUNTEERS v BARMOUTH TOWN. This fixture was played on Saturday at Dolgelley in extremely unfavourable weather, the rain coming down in torrents. It was mutually agreed, under the circumstances, to play only half-au-hour each way. At 2 30 a start was made under the leader- ship of Staff-Sergt Rusher, Wrexham. Teams :— VOLUNTEERS. Goal, L-Cpl Arnfield backs, Cpl Owen and Pte R L Pugh forwards, Cpl James, Pte Edwards, L- Cpl Roberts, T J Edwards, and W L Edwards. BABMOUTH. Goal, L Edwards backs, D Williams and Robert Davies; half-backs, J Griffiths, G Pryce, and E Griffiths; forwards, H Daries, Griffiths, W R Jones, W Griffiths, and D Richards. The game opened out in brisk style, the Volun- teers making dashing attempts to get away. Bar. mouth seemed all at sea. They were unable to stand the pressure, and in less than 10 minutes the Volunteers were two goals ahead. They kept it up and after some good work on the right Cpl James added a third with a clinking shot. There was not much accurate play to be seen, the drenching rain making things very uncomfortable for the players. The soldiers, however, pegged away in ding-dong style and got another goal after some exceptionally good work. Barmout h made strong efforts to reduce the heavy adverse balance, but the Volun- teer defence was very souud and easily kept them out, Arnfield having a very soft time indeed. After the change of ends they appeared to have a better share of the game but when they got within measurable distance they invariably kicked wide or over, the shooting being very poor. A fifth goal was added by Pte Ellis, and the game was all over bar shouting. The visitors' quintette deserve a word of praise for their repeatedly plucky attempts to alter matters, but the less said ahout the defence the better. The goalkeeper too was unsafe, though the greasy ball made things very difficult for him, but the chief weakness lay in the half-back division and to them must be attributed the result, which WAS iiuuuj r Barmouth, nil.

THE WELSH CUP. THIRD ROUND. R.W.W. v CHIRK. Newtown seemed to be full of football enthusiasts on Saturday when the replayed tie between the R.W.W. and Chiik in the third round for the Welsh Cup was played off on the R.W.W. Recreation Society's ground, Pool road. Before the match betting ran at three to two on Newtown. Though the weather was not the most adapted for lovers of football the ropes were very thickly lined by a large number of spectators. Mr R T Gough, of Oswestry, was the referee, and his fairness and knowledge of the game won for him the admiration of all present. Punctually at 2.30 Mr Gough sounded his whistle and ithe teams lined up in the following order:— R.W.W. Goal, A Edwards; backs, E Rees and J Harper; halves, M Pilot, E Davies, and W Rathbourne for- wards, W Parry W Tudor, R Morris, W Nock, and J Miller. CHIRK: Goal, J Morris; backs, Morris nd J Mates; halves, G Williams, G Jones, and J Millership; forwards, E Roberts, W Jonei, W K. gus, E James, and T Harris. Linesmen, Messrs T Evansand E Davies. Newtown won the toss and ran straight away to- wards the visitors' goal, but Mates cleared. Chirk came up the field a little way but were driven back by E Rees, who put the ball nearly into goal, and the R.W.W. forced a corner which proved fruitless. Play began to be fast now, and a free-kick was given Newtown near the visitors' goal, but the home left shot wide. R.W.W. again kept Chirk on the defen- N'VO, and W Parry had hard lines in not scoring, at after a bit of nice play Tudor scored for the lomesters with a beauty. From the centre. Nock aid Miller were conspicuous for some play, but finally the ball was sent wide. From the goal-kick Chirk made a breakaway bat Harper proved a stubborn obstacle and cleared, giving to W Parry who sent over to the right and Nock securing gave to Miller who scored the second for the R.W.W. amid loud cheering from their supporters. Chirk again brought the ball to mid-field but did net seem to get along, for Dicky Morris was not long before he secured and a lovely run was made by him for over half the field and he sent in a hot shot which the Chirk' custodian saved magnificently. Harris, for Chirk, next made a breakaway down the right, but Rees again proved sound. E Roberts and W Jones were next prominent, the latter send- ing in a stinger which A Edwards cleared. A foul was given against R.W.W. and Miller soon found Chirk quarters again but shot over the bar. W Parry was next responsible for a nice performance just tipping the crossbar, and soon afterwards missing the upright by inches only. The homesters again forced a corner, the Chirk custodian having to give another to clear but the ball went behind. Mid-fteld play ensued for a while when Dicky Morris got hold and raced away giving to Tudt r, who had the goal at his mercy but shot wide, thus failing to score what seemed to be a certain goal. Chirk men now had a try and put the R.W.W. men on the defensive side for a little while, and a foul was given against M Pilot, but Harper clearing, gave to W Parry who raced away in fine style, but when near in, slipped, and the ball went outside the posts. Dicky Morris next had the ball, giving to Nock, who was ruled offside. The ball now seemed to be kept right in the visitors' goal, and the Chirk goalkeeper had two or three rather hot shots, which he dealt with marvellously. James and Harris made a very fine run up the right, but the first-named player was fouled. From the free-kick, the R.W.W. goal looked very danger- ous, the visitors giving them a very warm time, but Rathbourne, with a clean shot sent down field to Parry who looked like scoring, when he was fouled. Chirk again secured from the free-kick, and ran to the home quarters, putting the homesters again on the defensive. Rathbourne again cleared nicely, but the Chirk men seemed to press, and were successful in forcing a corner, which was played very nicely by Harris, and after exciting play, Negus sent in a nasty shot thus scoring for Chirk a splendid goal. Chirk now seemed to be encouraged and ag nn raced away, but Rees cleared splendidly. Even 1, ay was witnessed from now until half- time, Rathbourne playing a splendid game for the R.W.W., but no further scoring bad taken place when the whistle sounded for half time, the score standing—R.W.W., two goals Chirk, one goal. The re-start opened more tamely, and neither team for a while seemed to go much over the half- way line. Newtown at length got away nicely, and simply penned the Chirk men in, giving them a warm five minutes, but Mates cleared, and Rath- bourne returned to Dicky Morris who shot wide. Roberts and Jones were conspicuous for a very fine run up the left, but failed to pass Rathbourne, who was playing a splendid game. Parry again securing made tracks for the visitors' goal, and gave to Tudor who, after a fine bit of play between himself and Dicky Morris, sent in a splendid shot only just missing the upright. A free kick was next given to Chirk, but T Davies and Rathbourne kept the ball well out of the goal's mouth, and Rathbourne gave to Miller who, along with Nock, was a prominent feature on the field now and who raced awny finely. Unfortunately Miller stumbled and the ball ran behind the posts again. Chirk next made a dash for the homesters' goal, but the R.W.W. backs proved to be sound and firm. Tudor next got the ball and went down the field nicely, and gave to Dicky Morris, the latter player sending oyer the bar. Harris and James now looked dangerous, but Rees returned. The Chirk custod- ian was next seen to excellent advantage, saving a shot from W Parry in very fine style. Chirk were again put on the defensive, and had it not been for the splendid play of Mates and Morris, the goal would have fallen to the mercy of the R.W.W. men. Nock next got the ball and after a bit of very tricky play gave to Miller, who sent in a shot which Mates returned. Miller again secured, and after neat play sent in a stinger which beat Morris, thus securing the third goal for the R.W.W. amid cheers. The Warehouse kept up the pressure and Miller was again offered a splendid opening but was ruled offside. The free-kick relieved the Chirk men who ran away towards the homesters' goal, but Rathbourne again drove them back. Things looked rather awkward round the Chirk goal and Miller had splendid opportunities but was ruled offside three times in succession. Soon afterwards a free- kick was awarded the R.W.W. but Mates cleared ^louaiujy, sending over to tne outside lett wno, after a good run centred capitally in front of goal. Unfortunately, the Chirk men were very much I y behind and there was no one to meet it. Dicky Morris again found the leather and went down in fine style, sending in a warm shot which the Chirk goalkeeper again saved splendidly, his form raising the cheers of the many spectators. Nock next got hold and pretty play was witnessed between him and Dicky Morris, both of whom at this point worked well together, but were stopped by the visitors' left half, and Negus securing ran off smartly, but was fouled near goal. An exciting minute or two was the "outcome of the free-kick, but the leather finally went over. Mates being hurt in this encoubter, left the field for a short time. Dicky Morris was next responsible for an excellent run over half the field, forcing a corner which proved fruitless. W Parry again secured, and a fine bit of combination was gone through by the R.W.W. forwards, Dicky Morris giving to Tudor who sent in a hot shot which beat his opponent hollow. From the centre kick the homesters again soon got possession of the ball, and made a determined attack, Miller finally letting the ball spin finely in the net, thus scoring No S. The ball was again brought to mid-field, and scarcely a minute had elapsed before the Chirk goal was visited again, and Nock, turning round in a marvellous fashion scored the sixth goal for the R.W.W. After this the game became of a very nasty character, but no further scoring lesulted from the play of either team. When the whistle sounded the score stood R.W.W., 6 goals,; Chirk, 1 goal. The R.W.W. have to meet Wrexham on Saturday (llth), at Newtown, to decide which is to enter for the semi-final.

VOLUNTEER NOTES. [By Rxst-EMAN/J The meeting at the Corbett Arms on Friday last was a great success, but I was sorry to see such a poor attendance of townspeople. Some of the speakers made allusion to this fact, as being significant of that interest taken in the volunteers, by the town. I fail to agree with this myself, and consider that although much support is not given, there is not much opposition. This may appear a strange view to take, but, it is needless to reiterate the petty annoyances which members of the VolunteerS have to put up with in some places, mainly due, as has been before noticed, to old-fashioned -notions and crass ignorance. The class, who to my mind, were conspicuous by their absence, was that of young men, who are practically afraid to join the Volunteers, but are very willing to come and spend a pleasant evening with them, provided their own pockets are not touched in any way; which is probably the reason, why the smoking concerts in previous years, were so well attended. It must not be forgotten, however, that the prizes given at the annual shoot, ware provided by the trades- men and well-wishers of the corps, so that a good deal of support is given by a large number, whose assistance I can assure them,is very highly esteemed, and of course these remarks do not apply to them. I do not see that many more recruits can be expected in this company which is, as the instructor stated, the strongest in the battalion, and with the new regulations there will probably be no little difficulty in maintaining the corps at the present strength. The Government have evidently come to the conclusion that volunteers will have to under- go stricter discipline, which, after all is the first necessity for a soldier, and which in my opinion has been the direct cause ef the failure of the Boer army to gain any really good victories. It is gen- erally expected that there will be a reduction in the strength of the force, but that a more highly trained body will be turned out. Well, now, let me go back to the concert. The tug-of-war cup has, it was announced, been finally secured by the "F" Company, and it was decided to hold a parade on the next day, to take it up to Captain Kirkby, the C.O., and present it to him, but information was received that he was unable to see them, as he had a relapse. He was said to be leaving for the Cape on Monday, where it is expected be will pull up more rapidly, and I trust that next time he will return as sound as when be first went out. The sectional cup and prize for this year fell to Cpl Daniel with No 1 Right Sub-section, but there was not much in it this time, the results being very close indeed. The best all-round shot proved to be Col-Sergt Edwards, and he benefited a good deal thereby. The remarks made by Inspector Lichfield regarding the number attending the club shoots are too true, but of course the chief reason lies in the expense under which members are laid. The best way to obviate this difficulty is, I think, to do away with the silver spoon and have a smaller priza, or no prize at all, for rifle shooting is suffici. ently interesting in itself, without the need for a prize. RIFLEMAN was mentioned at the meeting, more especially by the bandsmen, but unfortunately they got hold of the wrong end of the stick, as he was net present. I should like to agree with the hearty vote of thanks due to them for their regular appearance at the parrades. There is no question, as was stated by the band master, that they were an example to the remainder of the company. A good deal of plain speaking was indulged in, which was necessary, and I trust that the effects of this highly satisfactory meeting will be well digested and result in lasting benefit. --+

THE OATH AND THE BOOK. WHAT HAPPENED TO LORD IDDESLEIGH. A correspondent sends the following anecdote the TMMet:—" When the late Lord Iddesleigh, as Mr Stafford Northcote, left Oxford he was appointed a magistrate for Deyon. He attended at the Castle of Exeter to be sworn in, and was handed a book which had been of what the late Mr Dickens called underdone piecrust' colour. It was tied round with what had been, many years before, red tape. Mr Northcole did not quite like the look of it, so he took out his knife and cut the tape, and on opening the book discovered that for about thirty years the magistrates had bepn sworn on a ready reckoner. I had this from the then magistrates' clerk."