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FOOTBALL AND GENERAL ATHLETIC…

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FOOTBALL AND GENERAL ATHLETIC NOTES. [By" ABGUS."] SWANSEA V. WELLINGTON. Wellington did not uphold the record of its invincible namesake when its football XV. visited Swansea last Saturday. It was Wellington's first visit to the St. Helen's ground; they came, as we all thought, to give iLs a hard game they went away with an unsightly hole in their record. Wellington had to do without the services of S. M. J. Woods, the finest international forward in England. His presence in the visitor's pack would certainly have changed the character of the game but, judging from the sorry exhibition of the majority of the players he would not have saved them from defeat. Swansea, on the other hand. were well-represented, and they displayed an unusual scoring capacity, so that the people who witnessed the game, had food for delight. The attendance betokened the approaching close of the football season, »*• As the players lined out in the following order, it was seen that the Swansea men wore bands of crape on their arms as a mark of respect to the late Dick Burrows :—Swansea— Back: W. Jenkins; three-quarters: F. Gordon, W. J. Bancroft, Chegwidden, Messer; half-backs Prescott and Blackmore; forwards, A. M. Jenkin, Jackson, Bob Thomas, S. Rice, R. Smith, Grey, Oldham, and J. Williams; Wellingtoit --Back: Gamlin; three-quarters:, Lane, Smith, C. Disney, Mermagan (capt) half-backs Merry and Thorne; forwards Ebdon, Hancocks, Phillips, Stevens, Black- more, Perry, R. J. Disney, and Jenkins; referee: Mr. Gavin Henry (Llanelly). #*# Swanea kicked off and play settled down in the visitors' half. After some manoeuvring in close proximity to the goal line, Black- more dashed over the line and scored. After the kick out play improved a little and some brilliant work by the Wellington forwards resulted in a minor to their credit. Bancroft kicked out, and Swansea pressed. In the visitors 25, Blackmore paseed the ball to Bancroft, who dropped a goal with surprising p ease—surprising because of the passive way in which the visitors let him do it. Welling- ton's kick out brought little relief. A. M. Jenkin led his men down to the visitors' line and in a thrice Blackmore had scored a second try. No goal resulted. Later on, Prescott scored a third try, and the spectators became rather astonished. What was more astonishing was the fact that neither of the tries was converted. In the second half, the visitors playing with the sun at their backs, the game showed a marked improvement. Swansea pressed nearly the whole time, and only once or twice did they allow the visitors to cross their 25 line, and on one of those occasions, Phillips carried the ball over the line, but the try was disallowed. Prescott was the first to score in the second half, his try was a very smart piece of work, and Bancroft easily converted it. Gordon and Jackson also scored, but the kick at goal failed in each case. Time was called with play in the visitors' half, the final score being:—Swansea 2 goals, 5 tries, 2 minors; Wellington—1 minor. # # The score will indicate that there was only one team in the game. That the visitors were outclassed in all departments-except, perhaps, at full-back, where they were undeniably strong—there is no doubt. Swan- sea showed more than their usual combina- tion, and individual biilliancy was not lacking. The visitors were weak forward. This was especially notable in the scrimmages, where the Swansea halves got the ball out times out of number. In the open, however, Welling- ton forwards showed themselves capable of using their feet very effectively. Wellington may well feel proud of their full-back. Gamlin was almost faultless. A few flounderings at critical moments were more than atoned for by bis judicious returns and his safe tackling. He very seldom failed to relieve a hard-worked pack of forwards, and the staying-powers which they displayed must be attributed, in no small degree, to the fact that he invariably found touch well up the field. Taking his play all round, he was certainly the best man among the Wellington lot. Jenkins, the old Danygraig back, acquitted himself exceedingly well. He will doubtless develop still more. Swansea's three-quarter line was reinforced by the presence of Bancroft. As a three- quarter he evinced the extraordinary resource which characterises his play at full- back. A little more passing, however, would have been better. Messer, who played on his wing, did not seem to be up to his usual form; whilst Chegwidden and Gordon each played a good game. For some reason or other-which seems at present obscure—neither of the Crockers turned out; but their absence made little or no difference. The visitors' three-quarters played a pretty fair game, and once or twice brought off some dangerous bouts of passing. They seemed, however, to possess a remarkable propensity for throwing forward. Tim Blackmore delighted the spectators. His play at half-back was really brilliant. Prescott understood him perfectly, and together they reminded one of the Brothers James. The opposing halves, Merry and Thorne, played a good defensive game. Behind a beaten pack they could not do much on the offensive. ,)<- It would be unfair to single out any of the forwards, Victors and vanquished alike played a hard, conscientious game- There was no shirking, but admirable combination and finish ctaracterise(i tlieir play from start to The substantial score which Swansea t ? elated the supporters of the All W hites. it will appreciably affect our xaeord at the close of the season. As, doubtless, many of my readers are awate, a company has been floated for the manufacture of bamboo cycles. They cannot be said to be an improvement upon steel, and wheeling papers criticise them adversely. The stability of the machine is certainly doubtful. # II Next week the London Welsh Association team will pay a visit to South Wales. They have arranged matches with Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea, The latter match will be played on the Vetch field on Easter Monday and see- ing that the visitors XI include three inter- nationals, it is expected that there will be a fine game. SWANSEA AND DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE. As was announced a month or so ago in these columns, the cricket season in Swansea will open on May 4th with a match between the Swansea First XI. and the League XVIII. The League committee met on Monday even- ing and° selected the following to represent them.-J. A. Davies (Singleton) (captain), A. Harris (Clydach), Dr. Perkins (Sketty), George Ellis (Penllergaer), L. G. Murphy (Sunnybank), Sweet (Swansea Church), D. Lewis (Pontardulais), A. N. Other (Amman- ford), J. Williams (Pontardulais), J. Arnold (Morriston Alliance), W. J. Smith (Singleton), H. Walters (Sunnybank), Jack Prescott (St. Jude's), Tim Blackmore (Swansea Church), Gwynne (Sunnybank), B. Burns (Singleton), B. Bees (Pontardulais), and W. Fisher (Single- ton). Mr. J. Howell was appointed referee. It was decided not to admit Melyn into the League this year, it having been ascertained that their ground was under water. A deputa- tion from the Clayton team attended, and asked to be admitted into the League. A committee was appointed to inspect the Clay- ton field, and the team was admitted condi- tional to a favourable report from the com- mittee. The Morriston Alliance was admitted into the League. MORRISTON v. NEATH. The fourth match was played between these teams at Neath on Monday last. A very close game was witnessed, and, after a hard fight¡. Neath won ty the penalty goal and one try to one dropped goal. In the first half Morriston had decidedly the advantage, and played with considerable dash; but in the second half it became evident that they could not keep up the pace, and Neath, therefore, were having the best of the argument. The half-back play on both sides was a treat. Emlyn Lewis of Morriston, played a brilliant game, and so did Bill Jones for Neath. Alec Cross and Ross Thomas were in their ordinary form. Neath had a slight advantage in the three-quarter line, and the try obtained by Williams in the last few minutes of the game was a pretty piece of work. ABERAVON v. BRIDGEND. This match was played on the ground of the "I former on Monday, in beautiful weather. After a fairly good game, the homesters won by 3 goals and 4 minors to one try. It will be learned with regret in Swansea that in the match between Oldham and Swinton, on Monday, McCutcheon had to retire hurt in the first half. The injury is not believed to be serious. The game between the teams ended in a draw, nothing being scored. Oldham has never yet had the privilege of beating Swinton at Oldham. # CYCLING NOTES. We may look forward in Swansea to a good racing season. One of the chief indications of this is that a well-known establishment in the town has already sold several Raglan and Premier racers. The first-named machine is one of the finest in. the market, and its riders are making themselves famous in England and on the Continent. During the last spell of fine weather a large number of cyclists took a run down to Gower, and found the roads in a very fair condition. The recent heavy rain, however, has prevented any further Gowerland trips. A noteworthy fact in connection with cycling in Swansea, is the very large number of high-class machines ridden. Probably, in no other town of its size are there so many machines of a high grade seen. The smaller manufacturers seem to have but a poor time in the introduction of their machines into Swansea. This is certainly as it should be. The best machines are always the cheapest in the long run. BILLIARDS AT PONTARDITLAis.-On Thursday last, a billiard match took place at Pontar- dulais between the Players of Pontardulais and the Gentlemen of Gorseinon." Much interest was taken in the event, which resulted in an easy win for Pontardulais. The match was started by J. Rees and J. Evans. The scoring was as follows :—Pontardulais: J. Rees, 106; J. Lewis, 83; Christopher (captain), 82 W. Hopkins, 103 D. H. Jones, 100; D. Morris, 105—total, 579. Gorseinon J. Evans (captain) 54; Sergt. Reeves, 103; D. Evans, 101; W. Wilcox, 90; J. Javons, 94; B. Llewellyn, 73-total, 511. Pontardulais thus won by 68.

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