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I MONOTONOUS SCRIMMAGES -0 WEAR DOWN PLAYERSI Disconcerting Rulings. HARMONY DEMANDED. j I By J. L. WILLIAMS. I (CAPTAIN OF CARDIFF FIRST XV.). I After my expression of opinion as to I the rigorous application of some of our II Rugby laws, and the great amount of latitude allowed under others, it was pleasing to read some lines in an athletic II journal this week from the pen of a well- known international player upon that i very important point. The putting of I the ball into the scrimmage Fault is not found with the manner of throwing the ¡ ball in—the referee judges whether or not that is legally executed-but attention is called to the obstruction of the passage by the forwards, which is sometimes tolerated to an excessive degree. Every- one will have noticed how frequently a half-back finds it necessary to make re- peated attempts to put the ball in before being successful, or before the referee BOOS fit to order a free-kick. The inability .to get the ball in at the first essay is occasionally due to acciden- tal circumstances, but is generally due to some infringement of the rules by the forwards. This being so, the writer referred to maintains that a free-kick should be awarded against the offending side upon the first offence, and if both sides are culpable, then the kick should be given to the defenders. At present, on the average, three attempts are per- mitted before the game is allowed to pro- ceed. Strict ruling on the lines sug- gested may at first seem rather severe, but there is no doubt it would have a, most salutary effect upon the game, and forwards themselves would be the most I ready to rejoice. Many a time have I "things" been said by sixteen hard I workers of the man holding the whistle w ho is a stickler for correct" forward play for insisting that the ball should be put in again and again until in his opinion the ideal of that part of the game had been attained. Monotonous Scrimmaging. I Monotonous scrimmaging is bound to I have a wearing-down effect, and notwith- standing the extended scope it affords for I' merry bits of bye-play so joyfully revelled in by our stalwarts, and of which the onlooker is blissfully\ignorant, it will be I readily admitted-and by no one more Readily than the revellers-that it is undesirable and of no benefit to the game or players. In a report of the Devonport Albion v. Blackheath match on the I latter's ground on Saturday last, we are informed that as a rule there were SIX attempts to put the ball in each 'scrum t —two by each half-back, and two by the referee-and even then success did not jI always follow, and a free-kick was awarded. Admittedly exaggeration is not unknown (let us hope for the for- wards' sake its aid was here invoked), but have we not in South Wales seen at times similar performances? i Some favour the idea that the passage of the ball through the scrum whether touched by a forward or not is sufficient for the purpose, provided the ball travels along the ground, and is not sent through at an unreasonably fast rate-blaming the men if possession is not secured. As a matter of fact, this idea is carried into practice in New Zealand. In our very first game there on last year's tour after Ii the ball had passed through the scrum without being touched and rolled fifteen yards away on the far side whilst we were waiting for the whistle our oppo- nents were well under weigh for a try. This served to put us on the alert for future matches. Another ruling which; disconcerted us greatly at first was that in regard to receiving the ball offside. For this offence the full penalty was in- i variably imposed, the contention to uphold the legality of this decision being that a player must know when he is off- side, and being aware of the fact is equi- valent to being intentionally offside. I am n. quite sure that this argument is sound-referees in Great Britain do not arrive at the same deduction. At any rate, the ruling certainly seemed to be very drastic in the case of a wing three- quarter over-running hfs centre-this opinion is submitted entirely without prejudice, may I be permitted to state- but had the very wholesome effect of making every man careful to keep on side; it was also very noticeable that frees" against us for this infringement became agreeably less in number as the tour progressed. Another decision of our Colonial brethren causing great surprise at first was that of awarding a Kick for a "Fair Catch" when the ball was taken in the air whilst I the catcher's feet were off the ground, I and were prevented from touching it by his tacklers. This was of frequent occur- rence. But on these two points there was never any misunderstanding after the first few games, as we found that rulings in one part of the colony were thoroughly in accord with rulings in other districts. This consistency—though perhaps the rul- ings were not strictly in harmony with our own views-at least dispelled any doubts as to what construction would be put upon the various breaches of the laws. Such agreement has been brought about by a series of conferences of referees and members of the unions held at different towns throughout the colony periodically, when the points upon which any uncertainty exists are brought for- ward and discussios are entered into and arguments exchanged until the members assembled arrive at decisions which every referee shall apply under similar circum- stances throughout the islands. These adopted rulings are duly made known to the players and public through the press, and everybody interested is aware how certain points (which are, perhaps, not made perfectly clear in the Rule Book) are to be dealt with by those put in charge of matches, and much misunder- standing.is made impossible. REFEREE SURPRISED. Sir,—One is surprised to read of a fine attacking player (and captain of a grand old historic side like Cardiff), Johnny Williams to wit, suggesting that the laws of the game should be altered to give the player who misfields the ball a further chance of playing it. It is like reverting to the "marble" period. Slips, have it over again." No I Johnny "Laws is laws, and slips is slips." Laws are to be regarded; slips are to be avoided. It is so in every branch of sport-the mis-cue at billiards; the dropped catch at cricket-oftentlmes losing the match for the side at fault and if a player cannot see a "great big thing" like a football. what price the little cricket ball?-- Then there is the miskick of + he Asso- ciation back (not the goalkeeper), who has no chance of playing the ball with his hands. Besides, if you permit the "knock-on," why not let we pass forward go when the defence is beaten, and so on. No, Johnny, if your backs cannot hold the ball, take the tip from the crowd (generally good judges) and "get them baskets."—I am, etc., TOM MALLETT (W.R.U. Referee). Cardiff, October 28.

ASSOCIATION CODE. Hurricane Football. I- 111 ?- 1 THE DOINGS OF TREHARRIS Even in. a. football column a reference to the weather ie quite allowable, although the observations which one feels are demanded by the preeemt month's speciality must remain unwritten. With exception of the month of May, it has been more rain than anything since March, for the weather for the closing month, April, of last season was about as bad as co-ald be, with the result that matches, and important ones, were not played, and oompetitions were Left undecided. The grounds were wet when this season started, and after this month's down-pour they, many of them, are getting in a. shock- ing state. it cahs to one's mind that wet snoson some six or seven Yeats a season, to fix it indefinitely but sufficiently near to be aooumte when Aberdare and JLberaman were finalists for the South Wales <5Jeaiior Cap. But while muddy grounds in themselves will not stop the playing of ga-mes, this horrible deluge is a serious matter for those clubs which have calculated upon big gates to meet the heavy financial liabilities of their programmes. If miatohes in the rain and mud have their humorous side through the unwilling antics of the players on the sticky slippery grounds, they have their serious side to the officials and committees, who have to meet the many bills coming in. What a tragic position for & club treasurer to be in, if he also happens to be a dealer in mackintoshes and orafitxreHas! But, on second tho-ghts. his position would be much the same, in opposite directions, if the weather were fine and dry. go I'll not press the brilliant supposition. Did anyone come across a worse afternoon than that of last Saturday? Many games were not started. Many were I aJbrutply abandoned before the 90 minutes had gone. It was not so much the rain, which was bad enough in all conscience, but the driving wind or gale behind it made the afternoon one of the worst I remember. Cardiff City and Llanfaea Brigade were plaving the senior cup-tie at Ely, and, tempted by the fairly decent weather of the early afternoon, I had drifted thither. And the rain came on and down. The first half was bearable, and the teams eased up with a goal each. But tbtn Llanfaes had to face the stormy gale, and their case seemed, and I was, hopeless. Whether any of the players ) of both sides were desirous of stopping the jame I don't know, but soaked, saturated g,nd drenched, they stood it out. With the ather few lookers-on I, too, shivered and srouched under the hedges, for if it were madness to be there at all, it were madness pomie Epbar-,stazim.g mad to renounce the little shelter there was, and to leave and face the ptorm in the open. Whether the match was a. ouip-tae or not is no concern otf mine as I writer of these notes, but, as was aptly said, I the players all deserved gold medals to com- memorate their experience. Monday was better than Saturday—it I couldn't have been worse—'probably the little items of the King at Norwich and Lord Tredegar at Cardiff tempted our enemy to a short truce. -Aberdare-and Mardy at the second attempt were able to bring the Welsh Cup-tie to a settlement. The result was a < E *?' -———————- ————— ELLIOTT, goaillkeeper of WiHiametown, aelted 1 as understudy to Colemam, of Ton Penitre, [PHOTO, WILrLiIAMS AND WILLIAMS' STUDIOS. teuat season, and assisted tihem in some games. narrow win by 1—0 for Aberdare. Last! season. Miardy were the surprise-makers, for, if any memory eerves me aright, they vanquished both Treharris and Aberdare in this competition, falling victims to Ckxnmah's Quay in the later stages. This year in cup matters it should -be a very narrow thing between a round half-dozen of our Southern clubs. The win of Treharris over Bristol City Eeeerves at Bristol was one of the most note- worthy performances of a South Wales club. Possibly the weather was bad across the channel as It was on this side, but the City had a strong side out, including some experienced, ftrst-raitem. I have no doubt that Trehariris consider this win as one of the best items in a long career, And small blame to them for praiseworthy self-con- gratulation. The Whites are having a very successful season from. the playing point of view, and should be able to point to a good record when May-day comes round. While Writing about, Treharris I will make an attempt to reply to a uery which reached me after my mention last week of the Senior Cup Final at Llanbradach between Aberdare and Treharris. Ma*. John ) Lewis can -answer it batter tlhan I, for I am relying on my memory (true, I was referee that day, Hfct referees do not always remem- ber the individual men). Perhaps Mr. Lewis may find five minutes to corect and to com- plete my list. What was the Treharris team in that tSnal ? So far as my memory goes theB—Under- hill kept goal; Arthur Evans and Lewis Nash were the full-backs; "Tagg" Williams and Francis were two of the three half-backs; I Charley Orinnel was centre-forward, and Yank" Powell and Hugh Williams were I two of the other four forwards. If the eight are correct it leaves three I have lot the moment forgotten, to whom I apologfle, and hope that I may be able to give their names in a future note. ,In the Senior Oup Milford easily beat Llanelly, and Cardiff "Corinthians accounted for Barry Dock Albion. The Ebbw Vale v. Uanbradach tie was postponed. The draw for the second .round was made last Satur- day, and it has already been published. Barry District also crossed the water, and brought off a well-deserved win. by 3-2 over Badetock. The District so far have had some in-and-ouit results—some bralKa&t, and some unexpected defeats. Their victory over Radatook is a refreshing recovery from their reverse of the previous Saturday- Their opponents in the next Senior Cup round will be Llan-bra-dach or Ebbw Vale. I hope that the -benefit match which is being organiood I in Barry for A. Green will be a huge success. Nothing l-esg is deserved. Off-hand I should eay that he, of any player playing to-day, has about the longest period of active servjoe. There may be others of long .service, but if there are, who can chal- lenge Glree¡n? I alElk tiliean to believe that I shall ,l;e glad to hear from them, for I would not w?Lhm?iy igmoTe them. But of Greec's claims to substantial appreciation of long service there can be no dispute. The pro- posed game is to .be sometime at Christmas, 60 there is plenty of time for the organisers to get to work. I hope to refer to it again before then. Mr; Jonkin" has kindly given me one of the handbooks of the Swansea and District League, a-nd, in acknowledgment, I must say that it is a wonderfully well-got-up book. Other leagues have good ones, but that of Swansea is easily the be&t of the lot. Some- body has been putting in a lot of work getting stuff ready for the printer, and that gentleman has weJl completed the labour. The summary of hints to players, referees, linesmen, and secretaries, with which the book closes, are well worth perusal by all concerned. Round II. of the Junior Oup is down for decision to-day, and the sixteen ties are all good ones. For the sake of the sixteen who are fated to lose I trust that we shall have better weatil-i-er than were experi- enced by the senior cup aspirants. Some of the junior cup clubs play really good foot- ball, and -the name "junior coup" is a.pt some- times to create a wrong impression of the quality of the oluibs. "Junior oup" ie simply the name to distinguish it from the senior cup. Any player who is not a professional, or who has not played in the senior ou n com- petition (Soratlh Wales or Welsh) foT tlhe two preceding seasons, is eligible. In some quarters it is called, and with some reason, the Amateur Oup, but the official title is Junior -Cup. Only in that respect is it junior, and clubs far removed from the ordinary meaning of junior compete for it-and find it hard work to win it, let me add. The storm interfered with the anxiously looked ?for friendly visit of Ton Pentre to Cwmparc, and the game came off on Monday. The cup-holders beat their local semi-final rivals of last year by 3-1. N aturally, I wasn't there, on a Monday, but I hope that Cwmparc, had a good gate, seeing that unless the hat" has some little secret for the cup-ties, they and their friends from Ton Pentre do not meet this season in competitive football. As il began so let me end. What about the weather? When is the next change of the moon? But as there are three or four days between the moment of writing and the appearance in print of this note m yhopes for to-day may be. unnecessary If it is still wet, when does the moon change?

IF JOHNNY SUMMERS MEETS ME. THE PRIZE MOST COVETED. I I BY FRED WELSil. I hope I shall be pardoned for saying IF Johnny Summers meets me instead of WHEN he meets me. I put it down when at first, but instantly my memory travelled back over two years of time, and I re-called how often he and I had seemed about to meet and—had not. You will remember that we were to have met on the 18th of this month, but J did not. So when I was asked to say ) something about my coming contest with Johnny Summers at the National Sport- ing Club in London on the 8th of Novem- ber I simply could not put down the word when." It would surely have been the triumph of hope over experience if I had done so. Be it understood that I mean no reflec- tion on Johnny Summers when I put the matter this way, only he has avoided me j a great many times, and I shall not be sure thatiihe and I are going to meet in the roped arena until we are actually there, face to face, toe to toe, our gloved hands ready for business. Ever since I have been a boxer the prize I have coveted more than any other has been the recognised light-weight cham- pionship of England. And I have tried to secure that prize by every legitimate device known to me. Whenever any! other boxer has claimed the title, and has had the smallest following of believers: in him, I have given him th. chance to meet me. I have never dodged any laimant of the title, and usually I have gone I More than Half-way to Meet Him. Jack Goldswain was the nominal light- weight champion for a long time, but as he could never be persuaded to defend the title-being too heavy to make the weight—he was not seriously considered by anybody in sporting circles as entitled to the championship; nevertheless, I was always ready to meet him on any condi- tions that involved the championship as the prize for the winner. He could never be persuaded, however, to contest for the title. This was as truly the case two years ago as to-day, and as a consequence there were a number of claimants for the title. I think I may say that Johnny Summers and I were, even at that time, the most prominent and, perhaps, the most deserv- ing of the various claimants. At any rate, Johnny and I thought so, and, as it chanced, so did others whose position in the sporting world gave weight to their opinions. They wished Summers and me to meet and settle the vexed question, and a good purse was ready for us the moment we were ready to make the con- test. I was ready, and Summers said he was; but he never could be persuaded to really make a definite statement. But the National Sporting Club and Freddie Welsh combined can do a great I deal of insisting, and it seemed as if even I Johnny Summers could not hold out much longer. He had said "yes" and meant "no" as often as he very well could,. and I was congratulating myself that at last he would have .to consent to meet me, when, behdld! he sailed for America. It was a way out of the difficulty, but not as good a way as it seemed at first sight. The steamer had been crowded, and he had been able to get only third- class passage. As he told me afterwards, he could endure a great deal, but passage across the Atlantic in the steerage was too much for him. He went as far as France, and there left the steamer and returned across the channel to England. Summers told me personally on the steamer Philadelphia that at this junc- ture a very good friend of his, who was eager to have him meet me and try conclusions with me, fancied He could accomplish this by a little strategy. B\it the end of it all was that Johnny could not be persuaded to meet me. By this time I had given up hope of any contest with Summers. I engaged passage for America and contented myself with claiming a championship no one would box me for. But notwith- standing all that happened, Summers still claimed to be light-weight champion of England, and so did several others. It happened that Summers had taken pas- sage on the same steamer with me. Naturally enough, when I found him on I board I reproached him for having run away from me. His only answer was 'I that he didn't see why two English boys should fight each other when they had I All America to Fight. I I have never publicly told this story I before, and I tell it now only that it may be understood why I am so sceptical that 1 I say IF .instead of WHEN. If our pro- jected meeting of October 18 had come ¡ off, my mouth would have been closed as to the past, but when that fell through- no matter what the excuse-I felt that perhaps the old farce was to be played over again. I must say, however, in spite of everything, that I have lively hopes, this time. There were only £ 50 forfeit up before, now the sum is JE500. Yes, I really hope to meet Johnny Summers on November 8. I have told I 'felt- that it was best to do so whether from my own point of view or that of the pub- lic that supports the sport of boxing, but I trust no one will get a wrong opinion of Johnny Summers from reading it. He did not run away from me because he was afraid. I don't imagine Johnny Summers to be afraid of me or anybody else. He has proved his courage and his bull-dog grit on too many occasions to permit anyone to doubt him. Besides, I know him well enough to be sure that when we meet-I mean IF we meet-I shall look into as clear and confident a blue eye as ever shone in a boxer's head. I am not going to try to anticipate the result of our contest. It would be silly to do so. Anybody who knows any- thing about either of us knows that it will be a real contest IF we meet. And I know if nobody else does that it wili be a hard, stubborn bout from start to J DESIGN OF FRED WELSH'S COLOURS, WHICH ARE WORKED IN SILK IN RED, WHITE, MQ BLUE. [COPYRIGHT.—SPECIALLY PHOTOGRAPHED FOR" FOOTBALL EXPRESS" BY WILLS, CARDIFF. finish. No, I'll not try to forecast the result. I'm going to win if I can, and I wish to say now that if I dc not win it will be because Johnny Summers is the better man. But if I am not willing to try my hand at prophecy, I don't mind f making a sort of estimate of my antag- onist. I am sure he has made one of me even if he has not shown more modesty than I and so far restrained his facile pen. Johnny Summers, like Freddy Welsh, has his admirers, who believe him invin- cibieT They are at one extreme. No One Is Invincible. There are others—mostly I believe in America—who think Johnny Summers a 'second rater. They are at the other extreme. The truth lies between, but much nearer the end where his admirers are than at the American end. I know Summers pretty well. I have seen him fight, and I know what he has done with men I have met. I am sure he was far from being himself when he ¡ was in America. There he certainly_vas beaten by men who were not in the first I rank of boxers. I don't know why. But I do know this—men who have not gone from America to England or from Eng- land to America to engage in strenuous physical work have no idea of the effect of climate on endurance and energy. J The difference between the almost elec- trical atmosphere of America and the soft, heavy atmosphere of England can be understood only by them who have at once experienced and studied it. Habits of eating and drinking may not with -,iig lilay not with impunity be carried intact from one coun- try to the other. It may be objected that I -have never been affected by going from one country to the other. My nswer to such an objection would be that I am not the victim of habits of eating. I don't eat roast beef and drink beer because I was lucky enough to be born m this tight little island. If I ate roast ueef at all-vvhich I do not-it would be only because it was good for me. In loter,word, I eat for efficiency and i o't h er R-or d 4 ?- s e'ntiffien t nor &,61f-indul- (neither for sentiment nor self-indul- gence. j Anyhow, I would advise anyone in mak- ing an estimate of Johnny Summers to leave out of account his American show- ing. I assure you I do. 'I am preparing myself to meet the Johnny Summers of England, the man who has beaten all the men I have beaten over here. Be si.up I do not under-rate him because of Ill., American experience. If you would know what a difference a change of climate means to an athlete, inquire of the long, long list of men who have crossed the I Atlantic one way or the other, only to finii themselves unfit for tasks that have before, at home, been easy for them. Summers is an Experienced I Ringster. He is strong, clever, courageous. He goes into the ring in the best of condition, because he is never dissipated. He is a sober, quiet family man. who runs into no excesses when he is out of traiiilnf-r. soI that when he takes up his work he has little to undo or overcome. His private life is no one's concern, I suppose, but it is pleasant to be able to say of him that he is devoted to his family, and that per- sonally he is as kindly, straightforward, and likeable a man as one would wish to meet. And this makes him the more dzn- gerous to meet in a contest that demands all one's coolness, calmness, and powers of resource. A great many boxers seem to have but one hand. This is not the case with Sum- mers. He has two useful hands, with such a punch in each of them as inspires respect in whomever he touches in a busi- ness. I have talked to men he has boxed, and they all tell the same story: Keep out of the way of Johnny's punch. If you will look over the list of his contests —barring always the American ones— you will see that he has to his credit/-a I long list of knock-outs. j I He is Strong, Too. I I am told that he is the strongest man of his weight in the ring. I shall know more about it when—IF—I meet him. A man may have a terrific punch without Lteing abnormally strong, but there is no doubt that a man who has the knack of ■ punching and great strength besides must be a very dangerous antagonist. And this would be so even if the man were not a scientific boxer. But Summers is that also. The last time I saw Summers fight was when he and Jimmy Britt met in the open air at East Ham. Of oourse. I was expecting to meet Summers myself some day. I suppose I have never recovered from the habit of expecting to meet him I which I contracted two years ago. Any- I how I watched him carefully with a view to some day settling with him the vexed question of who really is the light-weight champion of England. And I can honestly say that I believe that the one of us who wins the battle at the National Sporting Club on the night of the 8th of November will truly be the champion. More than that: I don't see how the winner of that contest can help being the c hampion of the world, for if there is one person who has avoided me oftener than Johnny Summers, it is the present holder of the world's light-weight cham- pionship. Battling Nelson. But if Johnny Summers were to win, and the two were to take to dodging each other—what then? I think on the whole I'll do everything in my power to win England's championship for myself. I'm very hungry for it; and oh! how I shall try! Sincerely yours,

I Summers Confident I 14N TRAINING AT BRIGHTON. Joton William Snuumere, who is to fight Freddy Welsh for the ohflimimcaishdj) on .)Vot'mber 8, is training at Brig-liton, trader rh* care of Harry Paiil. He has alfneady save Boxing") made three huge holes in the walls of the gymanasium at tihe Lorne Hotel with the punching- ball. Johnny. daily routine is as fqLLows: — Ten minutes' fa«t sEp-pang. few hot rounds with his sparring partner. A cold bath. A brisk walk over four miles. E-pfefrring to his cteooes agsaanst Weish. t_ v-T.me,rs said: — I fool after my music-hail work that I do not require a trreat deal of training; and, '-ofia-des, I want to m.a.ke this stay at Urigfhton as much in the nature of a rest I a? anything efee. Yes, I gaaeatly f?ncy Mv chances against IVEW ll ktipv what it m?ean? to me, and I am Pk'-Jt!iN will ca-ry the En?isb tole with m,?, M Australia, -he-.e, bv the way, I am booked by Mr. M'lntosii for three fights, my opponents to He selected by the promoter. What is your pro-,mmme for the future Johnny?" asked the representative of "Box- ing." Ah! One never can tell. If I bad not been ao mucth worried orer my music-hall P'lg'a.gemen+.s and the almost countless little incidents therewith, I do not really think I would have signed for Australia, because if I get through with the Welshman I can get PJIJ the vaudeville I want. If "here is any truth in the rumour floating a~mnd that Mr. M'lntosh is getting Battling 'elsan out to Australia- to be one of the hree to meet me. I not be quite so sorr-r, as the meeting will draw a huge gate, the purse is certain to be a big one. o, there would be no sdde stake posted, but. should there be any betting- on this side, you can ramble that I will be prepared to back chanoee." Summers is having colours pre-pared for the conteot-not for sale, but just for his Intimate friends. Summers's measurements, Ac., are as fol- I lows :— Age, 26 yesws; fceigfet, 5ft. Siim, weight.. 9st. 17jin.; ehept, 37in.; ohesst (ex- panded), 39Jm.; waist, n.: biceps, 12in.; oiceps (compressed), i51m.; forearm, 121in.; wrist, &in.; thigh, 19in.; calf, 13in.; ajifcle, 6 4-5in.; stretch from finger to finger, 5ft. 6in.. Welsh 8 easurements. Freddy Welsh's measurements, <fcc., are a& fioMiows:—■ Age. 25 years; bedgbc 6ft. 6&in.; wedg-hit, 9st. 7Mb.; neck, 16in.; chest, 34in.; ofce-pt (ex- panded), 38iin.; waist, 3C|in.; bioeps, llin.; bicepe (flexed), 13in.; forearm, 10§in.; wrist, 6in.; thigh, 2,Diiri.; calf. 13in.; ankle, 7gin etretch from finger to finger, 5ft. 9in.

SHELDON, of Talgarth, MeartShyr Town's capture, on Momday pleaded everyone. ERNiIE DA VIES still eomtdmiuee too, render yeoman service to FercwLaOe Rowers m their bon. secretary. BDWABDiS (Blairna.) played) a great game at inside right last Saturday. Hie did yeoman service for Blaina last season. REES DA VIES has the control of the Dinas meetings, holding the position of chairman, but he is prepared at any moment, to don [PHOTO, QUKFW STUINOS, CARDIFF. I the jersey, and is a capable player in the tdlroe,-quarter line. MEETHYR NORTHERN UNION CLUB are making every effort to strengthen their i ranks. Some new captures will soon be reported. E. EVANS (Newbridge) played a sound and useful game against Abertilleiry, and he proved himself quite wortihy of his place in the Western Valleys League team. MORRIS WILLIAMS, Powtypool, is to be con- gratulated upon having been one of the fifteen representatives of G-wemt at Ply- mouth on Wednesday. He h" a great future. E. MTTHAN, captain of last season's team at Llwynypia, has definitely- decided to play for Penygraig. joe is a forward possessing speed and determination. TAGG WTELiiEAMS, skipper of the IVeAiarris team, lias (returned to his old (form, and played a great game last Saturday agmast Maxdy. He easily checked Latham's pro- gress. BARRY INTERMEDIATE OLD BOYS are a team of which something should be heatrd this season. Lacking to a large extent individual "stairs." they aire a team that oambane well, and don't, fangial to tra&o. I THIS SEASON no Tess than three Barry Soooer team-s have entered the first division of the Cardiff and District, Leaene- The teams are Barry West End, Bafflry Island, and Barry Intermediate Old Boys. GEORGE EDGE is this season assisting has old club, Newbridge. last season he ren- dered yeoman seryice to the Abercarn Olu/b. George is strong in the line-out, and is also exceedingly dangerous in the open. WILLIE THOMAS, the Abenavon skipper, opened the season in great style by notch- ing two magnificent tries. With srodb. an adept am Willie Davies playing cent/re to him the Afon left wing should prove "hot stuff. If "ABBEY" THOMAS was the most prominent player on the Treherbert side against Kingston Rovers. His defence was much admired, aV he made some very clever openings, one of which should hare resulted in a try, but his pass went astray.. There in a. strong probability that FRANK THOMAS, late of the Pontymoile team, will turn out for Pontypool in the Dear future. Thome ran peoond in the recent Powderhall, and should prove a great acquisition to the PontyPool third line. T. ADM6, who oaane into prominence towards the end of last season by his clever work in the AbertiTlery third line, displayed much skill agtainst the Western Valleys i League side, and with feeding he will score II many tries fSis season, aU being well. J. WILLIAMS, Treherbert's inside half, was in fine form against Hull Kingston Rovers- Although playing behind a beaten pack he was a source of great annoyanoo to the visiting paif, and several times he was the means olhreaking up his opponent's pass- ing. JIfX WEBB, the Welsh international for- ward, played a thoroughly sound game lact Saturday, and he was quite at home in his new role of skipper of the Abertillery team. Webb should be a corta-inty for all the Welsh matches again this seescm. MR. D. T. JONES, mine host of the Bailey's Hotel, president of the Deri Juniors, is highly popular. H* has prorided oom- mibtee and dressing rooms, and the keen interest he has displayed in the club's welfare has endeared him to a host of sportsmen. JOE MITCHELL, the centre half, who is giving such splend-id displays for Cwmparc and Treorky United, has seen service with Wrexham, and has played Soocer from hie schooldays. Although not physically big, he tackles resolutely, and is clever with head and best. He ia a AiWopp* tyos of the "brainy" player. 4 V EBB. THOMAS has created much disappoint- ment at Blaina, and corresponding pleasure at AberUUery, by his decision to pfty this season for 'Tillery. Thomas is a DIan- hilleth man, and made his debut in premier football for Abertillery. Last eeawcm he played for Blaina, and rendered suci signal service as full-back that he was elected captain for thie season. That honour, however. he has decided to sacrifice in order to return to his old love," with whom he has all along been on excellent terms. CHARLIE BAKER, who is this year's captain of the Carmarthen Association team, has captured eubcrat ZOO prizes an the bicycle, and has represented Great Britain in ten nooes, England in ten races;, amd Wales in ten raoes. He has won championships of ail distamees, viz., quarter, half, one, five, and ten miles, together with several chal- lenge corps outright. In fact. he has beaten, every crack rider of note, and, having retired from tihe cycling arena, he is new developing into a luard, headstrong Soccer 'I player. A. CURTIS, wbo ù; a big fawesrite with tfce Tool Penstre crowd, came inito the team against Atoerdare vice Jones, who is on the injured list. His form showed little or no signs of deterioration, and his only fault, that of lacking speed, is one which he can easily remedy. He and Russell njiade an admirable pair of backs. EBB THOMAS, the Blaina captain, gave an admirable display at full-back last Satur- day. His kicking and generAl play wae sound, though not as brilliant as we have seen. Some Northern Union "poachers'* were at the Blaina v. Maohen match, and are reported to have made overtures to j t Sbb., who wMild not enter into negotia- I *»*. J

I Welshmen Up North. I I By OUR ff.U. CORRESPONDENT I OUIt H.U. CORRESPONDENT Sid Adams played a fine game for SaLford against Widn(>S last Saturday. His powerful bursts were too much for the Widnes three- quarters, and he had a hand in all the scoring. Adajxis should do well in Union football, where might is a very great-1 asset, and certainly Adams is ideally built for the fast, bustling game where eight pLayers are at a disadvantage. Lomas, the Salford capta,m. with Adams constitute a dangerous pair, and are likely to give would- be taoklers some worry and hard knocks. C. Rees, the old pienygraig forward, on his first (appearance in the red pack, created a. favourable impression, his plucky work being a feature of his play. By the way, the Sal- ford Club werie jujst a bit too 1a.te in securing the services of Dai Thomas, the Rovers fore- stalling them by a few hoars. Bryn Rushtoo, who played for tone of the junior clubs in Aberdare and last season went to the Hull team, was transferred to Barrow last week. He credited himself with a try in his opening match, and may prove an acquisatictn to the Barrow clu/b. His earlv promise of being a good player at Hull was not fulfiued. his play being of an impulsive nature and lacking in resource. ???' ? consequence of ?ss of form bM b?n drcrpp?d by the L?ede Club, bat  agadn against £ bbw Vale last &turda.y. Th Valia,IlIS played a go od game, Jtheir haJck pl'ay bein.g ?- and they obtained thSr ?two o P+ 66 by typical W<?h passMi?. Ch?k Jen-Im? was their best back, amd he wasalways a gouirce of danger to the I team.  ?-badbr b?t? by K?h?y last Saturday, and were cl?.rly the in?.ar ^Mf'er ?°" was in fine trim agadngt h? M old team, -id pi??c??d his. oAd com- rades many a time from crossing the Kh- ley lane. The Yorkshire team selected to meet Lan- cashire could be greatly iinpm?ved Tepon Me"D are be? full backs in Yorb?M? R Wace, the HuM?it, man, and better œntœø than Oliver, of York, and Will Davies, -Barley amd it would aot be difficult to pick better wirags than Eccles, of Halifax, who, although tricky, is far too light and liable to get crocked a.ny minute. But the clubs want their best men for their own. use, and do not push their best players for honours. Jim Davies, Juddersfleld, dad not play up to the mark far Yorkshire against Cumber- land at Iffiarylaort last Saturday. The fierce rushes of the Cumberland forwards were evidently not to his lfung. The weather was, however, very bad, and the ground was a quagmire, and passing was completely out of the question. Oldham completely outplayed the Hull Boulevard team last Saturday. Their backs were of no use against their fleet opponents. G. W. Smith, the All Bdack, played a splendid game for Oidham, and scored some fine tries. He, however, came under the ban of the referee, and was ordered off, to the con- sternation of the Oldham supporters, who aver that Smith is not capable of doing an action to be sent off for. Smith is known as a. wry iEwiQ- player. The Northern. Union is seriously consider- ing means to stop any more Colonial impor- tations by Northern Union clubs into this country. It is reported there are three or four prominent Colonial players already on the way to play for a Lancashire club. The Northern -t7uiDal Committee are of the opinion, and rightly so, that to bring the best Colonial playejs here would be to cripple the game down under, where lately it has made such great strides. Brouebton Rangers proved no match for the Warrington team at only Claude James and Harry, the Lancashire cricketer, stowing anything teke form for the Bangers. Jack Jenkins played a fair game, bat would do much .botbeir if he attempted .to vacy has r a bit metre, aanNBOMW.

I 'WELCOME, LITTLE STRANGER' ALWAYS ON THE IXKHfc OUT FOB MOBS I GOO!D HEX. I ing none did better than Shugare aDd Thomas, and in open play O'Neill and O'MaUey, the Kangaroo forward, filled the eye. Warrington played Prawley, another Colonial importation, cm the wing, but he is evidently out of condition. The Wildersfiool teaan are going to great expense in building up a team, and importation of Colonials mea420 some money. It is to be hoped they will turn out- good men for the West Lanca- shire club. Bocbdale won their first ma-tcfli by defeeut- ing Merthyr tost Saturday. It was a very clcee affair, and the Welsh team seem to pfia/y better away tihaji on their own en- closure. Reed, at full-back, did fairly well for tihe Welsh team, whose forwards, as I uøuaJ, proved to be by far the best part of the team. Swinfcon created a surprise in beating Hud- ¡ dersfield at Chorley-road laBt Saturday. It ¡ is true the visitors were not a representative 1 side, but Swinton's performance is all the same a good one. Parker, the old AbeTdare Northern Union club's centre, played a good game for the visitors, and is evidently now finding his form. Dai Davies, tihe old Swinton I half-back, wito has played for Bolton Wan- derers at Soooer, it is rumoured, will be seen I, in the Swinstotn ranks shortly. Bert Jenikins was a notable absentee from Wigan against Runcorn last Saturday. The Central Park team were badly beaten, and whatever the Wigan club think about the j mattw, new blood is badly wanted in their I back division. I' Dakin, the old Leicester player, who later played for Coventry, and was suspended by the English Rugby Union. played a fair I game for Hull Kingston Rovers last Satur- day. He is quite Dew to the Northern Union game, and showed indications of proving a find for the Rovers, The best feature of his ¡ play is breaking through in the centre of the field, not boring his wing into touch. I Dai Thomas was keenly watched by the Leigh piayeoas last Saturday, and has robust play on one occasion caused him to be cautioned by the referee. He beat the oppo- sition om several occasions, and only the sure tackling o? Bokwski. the Kangaroo full- b-k, who pl?ys fcr the Mather-lane club, prevented him from wwing three or four more trAM BcAewBM MM40 no m.ist<??, but div4d at the powerful weimbmaeo Thomas's play was greatly appreciated by t tlhe Hull Club's supporters, who gave him a great reception on the conclusion of the gasae. The Povervl forwards played in great style, and fully proved their claim to being the best forward side in Northern Union football. Sipao-kman and Saudham were ever to the front, we latter's speedy following-up Ibe:ing very noticeable. Hughes, the old. Neath pq&yer, g&ve an extremely fine display at half-back for the Rovers, and he seams to have found his position, as his scoring of the winning try was as smart a bit of play as oouid be witnessed. For Leigh, Dai Davies, the old Cardiff and Caerphilly man, played a smart game at centre, ajid. with Bolewski, was certainly the saviour oi his side on mainy occasions.

I EBBW VAJLE. I Considering they had to take the fiel. minus a couple of their best forwards (Bowen and Dick Thomas), Ebbw Vaie did remark- a-l-ply well against Leeds. The score of 25 points to 13 looks rather formidable, but the 'Valians were much closer to winning tiisun that indicates. A team has been formed in the vicinity (Swansea, and they will visit Ebbw Vale on, Monday to play their initial match. The team includes several players of note. no less than ten of them having appeared i!l the ranks of the famous all whites. Everyone will be pleased to see W. Sandere back in the Ebbw Vale forwards. He is a useful man in any team if only on aooount of hie accurate goal-kicking.

TRENERB EJTT. TreSierfbent made their see-onid trip North, to Keighley last Saturday. They returned .defeated by twenty points to three. KeigMey opened their scoring in ra-th-er a peculiar manner. Treherbert were penai- jsed, and Bovazi, standing in position, raised has hands to pat them on his head when Gunn kickedb, but failed to put the ball over the bar The moment Beran's bands were raised tine referee blew his 14 ordered another kick. This time Gunn scored Thus encouraged, Keighley put on three tries in quick succetsBion, converting two of them. During this Treherbert were plaving against tilie wind, a.nd with a cold, dreaich- ing rain in thcir faces. The second half however, was in favour of Treherbert, each eide crossing the line once. Treherbert anitia-ted some splendid mo^e- men, but they carry th so far and after- wards lose themselves. Thiere wesne several instances on Saturday. Bingley should have gone for the line instead Off trying for a drop-gjal. Cox massed a try by a knock-on. and Francos got off on his own more than once, but was not followed utp. Treherbert were sorely beaten at forward by the Yorkshiremneri, but when the Treher- bert can put EveAeigh out during the 6econd half only one try was scored Tom Edjrards, late of Mid-Ehondda, turned out for Treherbert at centre. But it was quite clear that this position does not suit him On the wing he should make a caviia.1 player, being sgjeedy P-iid strong in defence D: J. Fetton, at back, was a great succ-ee*; for his first match. He pulled the Kea#hler forwards up often in most daring maaaer He has now only to cukivaAe the art of tick- ing goals to make a really class back. For charity the Athik^tics' committee were down to play the IT-opkingtowm oommitt,e.e at Trehierbert on Monday. The Hopkinstown men, however, arrived very late, and by th it time the ex-schoolboys got a team together and played the Anklet ice. The former wor by a trv, which was cleverly got by D. Green. After the match both committees sat down to a spread at the Dunraven hotel.

§ Besides the Fixture Lifts of ail Um prominent Bug-by aad Association Clubs, the e) WESTERN MAIL" I | FOOTBALL ANNUAL | con ta.in8 a Series ei Brilliant iA_rtici«6. Mr. Percy Bush writes of "Why Footballers a!S> jg Love Football." Mr. R. T. Gate expatiates upon "My .Most x x? Memorable Gsjiie." <w Mr. George Mercer has an article on the w Association Game, h-Aed, "The Future d S Is Before Us." J *5 A further and most rexuark&ble article § <P appears by a well-known Swanseaite, in # whioh he revealf the secrets of the success d Sj achieved by the Swansea Team during- the S part tweaty years. J BUY IT I BUY ITI BUY IT I PRICE ONE PENNY. I