Evening Express

AT PALMER'S SALE I SUITS To Measure, Every Order receives the same care and attention as if you were paying full pÚoo. ??t?j? ? ?'?? ???? F ?/ 64, 66. QUEEN-STREET, CARDIFF.

I -=- TO PROMOTE EFFICSERGY. I How Clubs Should Treati Players. I ) By J. L. WILLIAMS I (CAPTAIX CAliDlIf fiRST XV.). I T is remarkable how few' clubs, old established and of high standing in the Rughv world, have up to the present time provided themselves with the pre- mises essential to the Proper accommodation of their own and visiting players and the administration j of the club's affairs. In judging clubs by the high standard set up at Leicester, and described in the Football Express" —which, after all, is only a reasonable one in connec- tion with our national winter game—I  afraid more than 90 per cent. would be found wanting in many respects. I The comparison, also, would be with a: club which for a long period has had to i intend against the powerful in&uences Of a strong Ass?ation club, viz., Lei- Cter Fcsse (pron?ted to the First Divi- j s?n League last season), so that its state of efficleiiev.,has not been reached without strenuous efforts; but the present condition fully justifies those ex("rtions, and should act as a great Stimulus to clubs which have embarked on the policy of providing their own head- quarters. W, ith the exception of Newport, Swan- sea, Cardiff, and, possibly, Pontypool, I know of no clubs in Wales able to boast of dressing and training rooms in connec- tion with their grounds. Of these only! Newport and Cardiff have large pavilions at the players' disposal. In looking around at the other clubs, we find at Neath, as at Llanelly, the sheltered accommodation on the ground is practi- cally nil. At the former a considerable distance has to be got over from the hotel headquarters to the ground, whilst; the distance from the Stepney Arms at Llanelly to the ''classic slope" seems! greater still. Aberavon and Pe north are not more favoured, and the "hill" clubs are in a similar position. In regard to some of the English clubs, I Bristol, Gloucester, and Blaokheatli, in addition to Leicester, are well equipped, the former being fortunate in having the use of the County Cricket Club's build- ings. Gloucester's accommodation is of recent date, but, in addition to dressing and committee rooms, they have pro- vided a good-sized hall for ball practice. Plymouth's accommodation, unless re- cently improved, is rather crude; whilst at the Devonport ground no provision for changing is made, and the drive from the Duke of Cornwall Hotel is quite long enough on a wet day. Moseley ranks with Devonport. I For International Matches I at Dublin and Edinburgh the Welsh team j arrange their toilet at the hotel, and I have a drive of a couple or more miles to the field of play. At Twickenham the Rugby Union are reputed to have been rather thoughtful in their arrangements for players, but not for reporters. The desire to possess rooms for chang- ing and committee meetings adjacent to the ground is one of the most laudable that can stimulate any club with an ambition to improve its standing in the football world. It is surprising that so many clubs are still without them, seeing how beneficial they must be to home players and com- mittee as well as. to .visitors. This remark applies especially to Wales, where it has always been recognised that a team's combination is the chief factor in its success. It is admitted tha.t the financial difficulty may be hard to nego- tiate; but many instances of the provi- sion of cricket club pavilions can be instanced where by collective effort the self-same obstacle has been brushed aside. Again, it is recognised that junior clubs in towns would find it next to impossible to each provide the necessary rooms on or adjacent to the grounds on which, they usually play, but possibly by co-opera- tion much could be accomplished to their general benefit. There is, however, nothing to prevent village clubs keeping the object well before them and working with the desire of realising it in the near future and securing a lasting benefit.

I ASSOCIATION CODE.) I Stimulating-Recognition I A DISAPPOINTING CUP TIE AT MERTHYR. I COULD hardly .believe my I own eyes last week. when I j looked over my copy of the "Athletic News." Was I I dreaming, cr did I really see- there in plain print, a very complimentary refer- ence to the status of the code in South Wales? It was I almost too good to be true— its appearance, I mean, tor years L aiRd many others too, have anxiously looked for this recognition of out existence in that widely-read paper's "Notes from South Wales." True, the last year or so we have been treated to an odd line or two giving the bare result of two or three batches, which, however well meant, only Served to give a wrong impression, by com- r parisou. of how thing's actually are. Ten years ago the Editor of the Evening ^Xitress" saw how matters were shaping "with the Soccer code, when he set apart a j, column in his Football Edition for the use of such a comparatively nonentity as myself. His choice of a contributor is not my point, but his earmarking of a special column for I Soccer notes, as sued, was at the time a dar- in innovation. That it was justified is  shown by his continuing it. 'u. ,¡. I We don't want to brag, bat it has been hard to feel that we have not had OUT proper due, that we have been ignored, as it were. in the athletic world outside South Wales, Matters are now looking up. During the last ten years, I have said the same thing times out of number with, I am afraid, little I effect, but now that saoh a distinguished Mayer and critic as Mr. R. T. Gabe Puts his name to a similar reference to the state of things footbally in this distriot, there is a very good chance that *Mer notice may be taken of it. And. after 0111, I am pretty sure that Mr. Gabe is even l more emphatic than I have ever been. I have had to be fairly modest owing to my I known bias on the subject. As a Rugby enthusiast, Mr. Gabe has no such limitations, and we ought to feel grateful to him for his Beuerous notice of the Association code in his "Notes from South Wales." J'robably by the time these notes shine ^Pon an admiring world the Treharris—Mer- thytr Welsh Cup-tie will have been definitely settled, lai the case of a drawn game, the following Thursday is mentioned in the rulc-s for the re-play. However, the printer Imlild not permit me- to wait for the re-play. That much, then, in explanation of my fr'sition. I saw the maftch on .Saturday, but, to be perfectly candid, I cannot persuade irfyself to get very enthusiastic about it. It wa3 a dull, uninteresting, disappointing- sort f-f exhibition. By no means worthy of two such clubs. I am sorry for tha.t. Because, in a district ¡ ??hioh. after 8.a. is comparatively new to the Mme. the matches, eE:,ially when so widely and extensively advertised as this one I wa?, should -how the poseibiliti?s of the ?ame. Its &!everne?s. and so forth. This one did not. There were several bright oases in j a desert of dulness, and third-rate play. The Previous game I saw, Barry Dock Albion v. Mdlford. was infinitely preferable in all respects. Up to half-time, perhaps, Merthyr had a shade the better of the a-rgumeint,* but taking the game as a whole there could be fio doubt that Treharris ought to have won- so fur as attack up to a certain point was concerned. But that they did not they have on ly themselves to blame. In front of goal! they were very so-so, and W rightman and 00. did the rest. Bailiff was not seriously! troubled i.n the second half. Whit taker had given him two or three gra.nd shots in the! first period, but after the interval the out- side left was quite out of the picture. The iferthyr backs were good, but their forwards could make no headway against the Tre-1 harris defence, where Smart and Timmins I were in grand form. On both sides the defence was the better part of the teams, though with all their chances it is a mystery how the Treharris forwards could not get the winning point. I a.m pretty certain that I didn't see Treharris in the sea-son'- form which has brought them their I Unbeaten Western League record. There Were evidences that it was there. That's all. A part from its dulness and general

THE GLOUCESTER INTERTERNATIONAL TRIO. I a D. R. GEINT. W, JOHNS. I H. BERRY. TPTIOTO, H. EL JOUE.S, GLOUCESTER. D. R. GENT, the famous little Gloucester half-back, fa almost as well known in the Principality as in England. As most enthusiasts know, he is a native of Swansea and a schoolmaster by profession. He was educated at Swansea Grammar School and at St. Paul's College, Cheltenham. While at the latter institution he was discovered by the Gloucester Flootha.Il Club, in whose ranks he has since played regularly, cap- taining the city's premier team in the season uL played, -fria. Hwt internationals in 1905- £ t figuring at outside hal-f-i-n.s,t,e,a,d of his- usual pliace at inside— against New Zealand, Wales, and Ireland, He is captain of this season's Gloucester- shire fifteen. He was born in 1883, is 5ft. 3in. in heig'lit, and weighs 9st. 71b. He first: played for Gloucester in 1904-5. H. BERRY (Gloucester), the grand forward who at last has gadned his international cap, is a Gloucester man born and bred. He celebrated his 27th birthday on the 8th of this month, on the day on wlhich, curiously enough, he was selected to play for his country. Berry is 5ft. llin. in height, and at present weighs 12st. 91b. As a soldier in the Gloucestershire Regi- ment, "H. B." served his country during the South African war, and also in India, where he played in the regimental Rugby, Association, and hookey teams, captaining [ the first-named. The only English C'lutb he has played for is Gloucester; the present is his third season -with the oitizens, and he has made ten appearances for Gloucester- shire, figuring in every match last aeason and this season. W. JOHNS is a Gloucester main bom and I 'bred. He has lived all his 27 years in Gloucester, and playd football .no- where ebe His &rst lo?e was the I dribbling code, which he foHowed -r,vhile %t I Sir Thomas Bach's -school at Gloucester. When he left there he forsook the old for the new, and played Rugiby for St. Cathe- I rine's, a local club. Afterwards he got a trial with the citizens' second string, and soon afterwards worked his way up, until in 1902-3 he became a regular playing member of the Gloucester First Fifteen, which he captained a. year or two ago. He I has played in nineteen Gloucestershire I matches, while last year he gained his international cap, figuring in aU four matches. Curiously enough., he decided to retire from the game at the close of last season, but was Epgain pressed into service. Johns is 5ft. 9Jin. iu height, and weighs 12at. 41b.

THE RIVAL EXPLORERS-WHO WILL BE FIRSTP .1P':a{ ¡ Our tame Artist has likened the Race to the Weteh Championship to a Race to the Pole. Neath is at present the nearest in a patent motont-car. Newport comes next in a steady, plodiding ship (this party is vi-Y Proud of its record). Then comes the Swansea dog-sledge. The Cardiff aeroplane, depicted just behind the Newport thiip, hae come on very rapwlly of late, and bas. improved its L. position greatly. The Uanelly balloon is 5th. (Thaut is how things stand at tiho time of dmatwing. But, after all, it ahvay^do to judge by a-Peairy-anoes. Pardrnt thie ancient pan.) I i

NEW WELSH CAPS. HARRY JARMAN, the latest Welsh cap, is yet another Pontypoolian to have gained the honour, and all local sport.smen will unite in heartily congratulating him. His foot- ball career has been a brilliant, but, unfor- tunately, somewhat chequered one, owing to the fact that during the season 1906-7, when playing such a great game that he was bound to secure international recogni- tion, he hoo the misfortune whilst playing for Pontyipool against Newport on Easter Monday to very badly damage one of his knees, and it was feared at the time that the injury was of so serious a nature aAi to permanently disable him. However, cuoh was not the case, and after being carefully nursed by the Pontypool CliUb for some considerable time he was onee agad$seen sporting the Pontypool oojours. But he had not returned long to his old love before he transferred his affections to Newport, iand in 1908-9 he donned the Mack and am-ber jersey, and since doing so has thoroughly justified his Welsh selection by sound and consistent play. By trade he is a, blacksmith, and resides at Abersychan. He is about 28 years of age, 6ft. dn height, and weighs 13st. 41b., so that he possesses every qualification necessary to worthily uphold the honour conferred upon him. JOSEPH PUGSLEY, the Cardiff forward, who so deservedly gets his cap. should retain his place in the Welsh team for a, number of seasons if he can sustain his present form, because he has been playing aston- ishingly well for Cardiff this season. His comrades in the Cardiff pack speak of him as a wonderfully skilful "hooker," whilst as for cleverness in general open play Ivor Morgan, of Swansea, Is his only superior in Wales. Bugsley is an exceptionally modest sort of chap. No matter how many hard knocks he may receive during a game, ■never a word of complaint does he utter. For that you are impelled to like him. [PHOTO. A. AND G. TAYLOR, CARDIFF. Pugsley is a boilermaker by trade, and is a (product of Cardiff junior football. He is 24 years of age, 5ft. lOin, high, and weighs list. 121b. in his football kit. W. L. MORGAN, the Cardiff inside half, who for the first time is honoured'lWith< a position in the Welsh international reserve list, has eajrned that honour by hie brilliant form during the last six weeks, and Cardiff's remarkable scoring power recently has been largely due to the form shown by the half- backs, Morgan and Bush. Willie Morgan is immensely populair with his colleagues in the Cardiff team by reason of his good nature, good temper, and pillUok on the field. He combines admirably with Percy Bush, often cleverly dribbles the ball away from his opponents' side of the field, and tackles fearlessly. like his famous brother. Dr. B. Morgan, he learnt his footer at Bireoon Col. [PROW, A. AND G. TAYLOR. CARDIFF. aege. Subsequently he played with Cardiff I Reserves, London Welsh, Kent County, and the Barbarians. He took part in the last Anglo-WeMi tour to the Antipodes, and gained a big reputation down under." W. L. Morgan is 25 years of age, stands 5ft. 6in., and weighs ICtet. lolb. Mentfhyr Northern Unionists will be pleased to know, that the little misunderstanding with TOM THOMAS has been settled, and he will mow play regularly for Mertihyr. This wiill mean a lot to the badk division, as Tom is a ho-st in himself. FEDDIE MARSH played a brilliant g.ame at Oruan lin last Monday. Throughout the whole of the game be was one of the most dangerous men on the side. He is very fast, and ha-s a fond tendency for dropping goals. THE YORKSHIRE PRESS spSpk in glowing, terms of the form shown by Smith and Cowmeadow, late of the Merthyr Northern I Urtion team, but now playing for York. Aga.,inet- Oastleford last Saturday Oow- meadow was in great form, and scored three tries. AN IRISHMAN, IWLmed O'OuHagham, is snow- ing wonderful form at three-quarter for the Old Merchant Taylors, just now. He soared all the ToWbouW six tries last Satur- day, end ia said to be a oonfcainty for his LrI8h eav. Beam people 97 ha is at now gtamc tbaor BmU JTSJMW. JACK WARR. Blaina, is a new forward, whose services are much appreciated.. He I has played previously for some junior teams in the district, and occasionally for the first fifteen. IVOR EVANS and EDGAR- FANNER, the two Blaina boys who played: in the back divi- sion for Brynmawr, did splendidly. They I would make a splendid pa,ir of half-backs, and are worth looking after. DEFINITE ARRANGEMR=S have now been made with the Welsh Union to open the new Eliymney Athletic Ground on Monday, February 14, and W. Trew, the Swansea skipper, ds bringing an international fifteen to the town of song. 0. COOK, the ox-Gloucester full baok, turned out at outside half for Abertiliery on Satur- day againwt Pill Harriers, and won the I; game himself, kicking- two goals from nearly half-way. THE PONTYPOOL MASCOT was suspended from the cross-bar at Coventry by Ciis Oarr. and proved effective, a-s the home team were unable to pilot the ball between the poets. P. OORiNICK, tihe Bjaina oaptain and goal- keeper, is making a, splendid reputation for himself. His play this season has been I admirable. In fact, he is the mainstay of the team.

I "ONCE BIT." I CARDIFF VISITOR: Father in? nfTKS MOSEltEY: Well—er—are you the gen- tleman from Cardiff? CARDIFF VI&ITOR: Yet. MISS MOSELEY: Oh! Then he isn't in. Nevertheless, Moseley received another hidtung at Cardiff's hands last Saturday— 9-5 points.

Welshmen Up North. I By OUR N.U. CORRESPONDENT. BBW VALE played a deter- mined game at Warring- ton last Saturday, the Welsh team's play being greatly admired by the crowd present, and their efforts applauded. The homesters had all their work out out to win, and the luck certainly favoured them, as CMalLey'e three tries had a flavour oif luck about them. Where the 'Valians were beaten was in the forward line, where the superior weight and skill of the Wilderspool men told its tale. G. Thomas played a fine forwaird game for the homesters. For the visitors, Jenkins and Dai Davies were the pick. The best try of the match was got by Llewellyn, who fairly raced through the home backs to score a magnificent try. Ebbw Vale could do with another good class centre three- quarter. Osborne, the old Mountain Ash and -Welsh international forward, played a good game for the Huiil team against Kunslet last Satur- day. Hiis keen tackling and bustling play was the cynosure of all eye- The defeat of Huddersfleld by York at Fair- town last Saturday was the surfpriee of the day. The Fartown men are gone completely off form. Smith, York's capture from Mer- thyr, scored a try, and played a good game. For the homesters Tommy Grey came in for Rosentfeit at oentre, but did not show any- thing like form. Grey is far too slow and Hgihft for the position. But the weak spot in the Fart own team, undoubtedly, was Jim Davies, who has completely lost his form and cannot do anything right. Dewsbury gained a victory over Mertihyr I last Saturday, but it can be said that it was not deserved, as rank bad

I I THE SWANSEA ELEPHANT AND I I HIS WOULD-BE TRAINER. I (ANOTHER I>RAW.> I I mean to make you do my will," The trainer from Llanelly said. "Indeed!" the Elephant replied, "I'll make YOU do MY will instead." And so each tried tihaft afternoon To make the other "bend. the knee"; At first tihe trainer had his way, And ttang-s looked black for poor "Elphy." Bat. then that tamer lost his hold. And the amrased spectators saw I. tato him in hand (or trunk), And the reemb-A.X;OTHM nBIiêml

RECOLLECTIONS. WALES' LEAN YEARS AND THE BREAKING OF THE SEQUENCE I I By PERCY F. BUSH. Bearing in mind England's almost pathetic eagerness to win this afternoon's match with Wales, carrying with it, of ) course, the admission of Wales's present- j day superiority, it is somewhat difficult to imagine Wales indulging in a similar longing. But for many, many years the; matches which she played with England I were by way of being nothing less than 1 disgraces time after time. The games I appeared to be arranged merely as.prac- i tice games for England, and things had really got to such a pass that Engla-nd found it impossible to grant us ifxtures because we were "not good enough!" Imagine, then, the 'hysterical delight of the players who made up the Welsh team of 1889-90. These iheroes travelled to Dewsbury strong in intent, but, withal, without much hope, and it seemed for the first half-hour or so that the same old state of affairs was going to obtain, But England could not score, try as they would, and the Welshmen began to claire I to hope that there might be just a bare chance of gett-ing let down lightly. And I then, all of a sudden, I "Butter" Stadden, whose name will never die, did the dapping-out-ct-touch" act, and before England had grasped the situation Stadden had grounded tihe ball over their line. Wales was so bucked-up by this piece of colossal audacity that she actually pressed hotly on several other occasions during the game, and defended so game-ly that at the end of the game "Buller's" try was worth 100 points, as far as Wales's position was concerned, for she had won her first victory over the vigorous Saxon. What jubilation reigned Tlh-at night! Besides Staddedi, there were three other Cardiff players in the Welsh team, and all three forwards, namely and to wit, A. F. Bland, D. W. Evans, and W. E. O. Williams, just about as useful a trio as any team ever had, or could wish to have. Poor old Stadden! His was a sad end. But 'his name will never be forgotten. There was not a 'heap of him, but, still, he was very strong, and extra good both in attack and defence. The bigger the game the better Stadden used to play, and another of 'his greatest games was for Wales against Scotland at Newport in 1887-8. We had five men In the side that day, the other four being A. F. Bland, A. F. Hill, 0. J. Evans, &nd Q. D. Kedzlie. Pryce Jenkins was the real hero on this special occa- sion, though, for he got a wonderful try when there seemed not to be a. cat s chance of "getting there/* And that try won an historic victory for Wales, just as Stadden's did at Dewsbury, for Pryse's wonderful dash, got the score that won our first match against Scotland. The 1892-3 match with England on the Park will never be forgotten by those who saw it, either, for many reasons, but ohiefly, perhaps, because of the dramatic I manner inwhic.h the game was pulled out of the fire. Fife had a good deal to do with this game, by the way, for the game would never have been played but for Mr. W. M. Shepherd's buckets of fire being used for thawing the ground. The fires certainly thawed the ground, as W. M. S. thawed they would, 'but the ground was left ankle-deep in mud. England led until nearly the end of the game, and when everything seemed lost England were penaliscd. The immortal "Billy" Bancroft was there to take the kick. It was a difficult one, and Arthur Gould wanted William to have it placed. I should irather drop it, if I may," said the latter, and because Arthur was wise in his generation,- and thus a great oaptain, he allowed "Banky" to have his way, with the result that that Miraculous Kicker piloted the spheroid clean over the bar! and the match was won for Wales. The people were silent at first, through sheer astonishment, but when at last they realised what had happened, such a shout was wafted down the banks of the Taff I as made that old river raise itself from its bed and lift up its mouth as well! A good tale was told a-bout A. F. Hill, who, with the gallant Norman Biggs, represented Cardiff in that day's Welsh team. "A. F." was decidedly well built, and during the course of the game he was tackled by one of t'he English backs, who was stunned by the concussion. When he had been attended to he opened his eyes slowly, and remarked "What was that that struck me?" "Oh, that was A. Hill, of Cardiff," answered one of the players. "A. Hill," said the squashed one"; great guns, I thougiht it was the Pen- nine Range!" (Anyone who disputes this yarn can I pick out any other match for it that he I chooses. The yarn is the chief thing.) The English match of 1806-7, played at Newport, was also iio,tewort,fly. princi- pally by reason of its being the only international match in which the Prin-. cipality participated, because Scotland and Ireland refused to play us for -,iviiigi II The Mighty Arthur Gould I I I I ) the testimonial he so richly deserved. ) Wales won this match by 2 goals and a try to nil. Selwyn Biggs, Gwyn I Ni<?hoUs, and F. H. Cornish were Car- diff's representatives. Next year half of the Welsh fifteen i against England were Cardiffians, Selwyn the Calm, Jack Elliott. E. Gwyn N., Vivian Hussey, Pussy Jones (than whom no slipperier player ever donned a jersey), j F. Cornish, and Tommy Dobson all playing. The last-named was probably the hardest forward who ever turned out for his country, both in his play a?d physic- J &ny. Only once was 'he ever knocked out, and then he did it himself. Tommy's methods of training also were unique, I and calculated not to upset him, and I I I shall never forget the look on the face I of a Knight of the Pen, who was inter- viewing him a day or two before he played against England. Tommy was leaning gracefully up against his yacht, in which he had been taking a business trip, and I arrived just in time to hear this question "And now, Mr. Dobson, will you be good enough to tell me what you train on for a big mwtcli P "Oh, yes." says Tommy,, "certainly. I Beer is what I train on—and chips," as an after-thought. Well, anyhow, that diet seemed to suit Thomas quite well, for I never saw him play a poor game, and you would have had to go a long way before you found i a better pair of international brothers Hian I I Thomas and George Dobson I Another rather funny incident hap-1 pened at the time when Rhondda. for- wards used often to get into the team. Dick Hellings and W. H. Alexander were selected for this particular English match. Both of these stalwarts were from Lhv.ynvpia, which team Cardiff .played-!I)'i: afternoon, and both of them were--well. stalwarts. Before the game had gone very far one of the Englishmen, who was playing his first international game, and was not very set-tied as a consequence, got the ball, and was just making off with it, when Hellings and Alexander collared him. How dare you have that ball?" said one severely. "Yes, how dare you? Hand it over at once," added the other, and the opposing player was so astonished that he gave the ball up at once and Hellinga and his chum were nearly over for a try before they were stopped. That same day, or evening rather, at the dinner following the match another player distinguished himself somewhat. When the soup came on this worthy was rather taken up with it. The usual amount satisfied him not; in fact, he seemed to think the helping hopelessly inadequate, so he called for a second lot, and this was so much to his liking that, # being a temperate man, and not wishful of mixing things, he refused to switch off to any other course, but continued* stolidly eating soup for the rest of the dinner, to the astonished amusement of the other players. And that's about all there's room for ■ this week, else I should have liked very much to touch upon the tries Jehoida ap Hodges scored against England at Swan- sea, after Thomas Pea)rsoti-iiad got his ribs broken by Gamlin and Jehoida. had taken his place on the wing. Also about the four tries that Willie Llewelyn got. with the help of Gwyn, on the same ground. Also about several. other episodes, which, however, mu. keep for the present.

I THE ONLY WAY. I Newport. 21pts; Devomport, 6pts. Last week. (ABJECT APOLOGIES.

Northern Union. I MERTHYR. I A good crowd witnessed Merthyr's home engagement with Dewsbury, and no one can deny the fact that Merthyr were unlucky to lose two points. Ervery man in the Merthyr team did his duty well, but other factors robbed Mertihyr of. a deserved victory. No one regrets the outbreak at the end of the match more than the Merthyr com- mittee, who were powerless in the matter. However, the sooner the Northern Union Committee take up the question of referees the better for everyone concerned, otherwise l the game in South Wales will suffer, and griewasiy, too.

CARDIFF CORINTHIANS A.F.C. Who's Who, I [By SOCCIERITIE."I CARDIFF CORINTHIANS' A.F.C. is one of the oldest Soccer combinations in Cardiff. An amateur organisation, they were formd in 1895. They have a good record, having -1 HARRY FEAB, (Oaptain Cardiff Cormthians). (PHOTO, DURA. defeated Barry (Dock Albions and Barry ,District this season, as well as several other j prominent local Socoer clubs. CARDIFF CAME'RONS were their latest victims, losing by 3-6 at Llandaff Fields just Saturday. RECORD TO DATE, including ground record, isPlayed 16, won 10. drawn 2, lost, 4; goals—for -59, against 30. OiFIFTCIALS: ALD. A. D. DAWNAY, A.M\I.C,E. (Presi- den.t).Proud of present team's display. A stickler for amateurism. Takes keen interest I in club's doings. Has been president since dub's %inception-. I R. SLEEP, Esq. (Ilic,-Ptesident).-In spite of his years, is interested in all outdoor sport Can be seen encouraging the Corinthians ai their home matches. SERGEANT MAJOR BOSWELL. JACB GIBSON, and R. E. NASH are active coon* mitteemen. Sergeant-major Boswel'l attendi all the matches, and his face is a study when the Corinthians score. Jack Gibeon is a pioneer of the club. GOAL: C. J. GREEN. Late of Cathedral United. Promising youthful player. Rapidly improv- ing, and can save difficult shots. BAOKS: A. R. BEATT (right back). Captain of Car.d,iff City last season. Fulfils secretarial duties very creditably. Can play at right half. W. T. DAWES. Plays a ding-dong game 0 as left back. The midget of the team. but prefers big opponents. He can better dedige them. His' motto is, "Let 'em all come, big or little." HALF-BACKS: HARRY FEAR (capotai-n):-Very popular with team and sup-porter,, alike. Has played in Welsh trial match. He "fears" not:hing nor anybody. A "fearless" tackier. Ask him if he ever gets downhearted in a match and he wil-I quickly reply, No Fear." T. W. ROBERTS.—One of the old brigade. Has had a. good South Wa,les Soccer expe- rience. C. CHIRiGWIN.—Late of Camerons. Plays a, good game. Note the Chirgwin of white- eye'd Kaffir tame. Courts black eyes by his energetic play. G. R. RAGGETT .—Plays a plodding "Get. there-every-time" game. Hard worker. Formerly played with Penarth Parish Church. FORWARDS: A. G. TRAVIS.—Besides playing efficiently at outside right, acts as assistant secretary. ALAN BOSWELL (vice-ca,ptalin).-AIo acted in same capacity with Cardiff City last eea.son. Good inside right. Inherits his father's sporting instincts. His caps include Welsh Hockey and College Rugby. LEO. NEWTON (cent).-Well known for his scientific and dashing ,g\a,zne. Is captain of Cardiff Post-office Soccer Club. Only emarri-ed man in the team. The others are taking heart now they see the effects, J. R. TAIT.—Can get goals. As inside left is hard to beat. Refused professional offers. 'Goalkeepers are afraid of him. jiis play is worth going a long way to watch. in local Soccer. R. G. SYMON-DS.-Verv fast outside left. Capable player. Wields the willow foil Glamorgan County in summer. C. J. R. TOMBS.—The handy man of the team. Always ready for anywhere. T. M. RE,E8.-HoJds the flag. Consistently sticks to the club, and is a useful supporter.

DINAS RANGERS R.F.C., Season 1909. RUNNERS-UP RHONDDA VALLEY LEAGUE, SECOND DIVISION. [PHOTO, H. J. B. WILLS, CARDIFF. Top R(>W: E. J. ReieF TOP BOW: E. J. Rees, T. Iewis, H. B. Williams (treasurer), and J. Davies. SECOND ROW: R. Lewis, J. Hawkins, J. Fee hen, W. Davies, E. Brooks, J. Jones W. Tucker. T. John, J. O'Brien. D. U. John, C. Delay, T. Weaver, and P.C. Edmund THIRD ROW J. Lloyd (trainer), C. Young, W. Rees (vace-presadeiDit), W. Lewie (chair- man), L. Maim (captain), P. J. Davies (ihon. secretary), T. J. Daviets, and R Da.vies BOTTOM BOW: E. Wrenitmore, T. SummenHil, and E. Horeilils.

ineffectiveness, I have little other complaint a.t the fare provided. There was a suspicion of leisure in the taking of goal-kicks and trurow-bus, Possibly,' I am getting too exacting, amd, after all, players in the noble and aristocratic game of cricket do not hurry themselves in the matter of changing over." As on the prec.ediing Saturday, my timekeeping went astray. I did not notice the clock from any idea of checking any- body, but because I had a train to catch at 4.30. And as the retferee must allow for time lost through accident," and the second heM lasted exiaotly 45 minutes, the allowance for the two stoppages must have been in that time. Personally, I am glad that I was able to stop to the end, far the last five minutes were some of the best of the match for brightness of play. Having had some experi- ence in past years oL the task of referee, I must record that Mr. Neale managed a hard cup-tie to general satisfaction, and his deci- sions were received by players and spectators in a thorough sporting manner. Barry West End will look upon their Junior cup experience of 1909-10 with very mixed feelings. They journey to. Pembrokeshire to piay the Royal Garrison Artillery cost the club or players, or both, a lot of money, but they came back, if with emfpty pockets, with a substantial victory to their credit. At the Association meeting last Saturday the Royal Garrison Artillery, without formally protesting, expressed a doubt as to the eligibility of a couple of the West Enders. The West End admitted that a cou/ple of their team, -whilst being members of the their club this year, had played for a neighbouring club in last year's Senior Cup. If there two had not played, they would have had to "field" nine men, owing to a couple of their chosen team not making the journey. But "why" ineligible players are played is beyond the province of the committee to dis- cuss cr entertain. No possible reason can be accepted. The ruile is about the most absolutely clear and definite in the book. In most rules the committee can exercise dis- cretion, but not in this instance. There was nothing else to do but to disqualify West End. Whether A-bertillery will get a walk-over into the semi-final now rests with the Royal Garri- son Artillery. They now have the option of taking West End's place in the draw, but as they didn't "protest" pgainst West End, there is no compulsion on them to play Abertiliery. The choice and opportunity is theirs. The only certain thing is that Barry West End are debarred. How the matter came about is J a pretty rumour. I To-day's Rugby International will want all the space the editor can find. Although I have many rood topics on my list, as Pem- broke Dock's successful visit to Cardiff City, the losing of High. Cross Stars' record to Lysaghts, and so oll, I will not forget that a little item Twickenham way will be deman:ding much attention, to-day. All Soccer men as well as Rugby men hone that, Wales's play will result in the Principality winning the first big internationtl on Eng- land's new ground. The prophets all seem to think that Wales will win. But if luck, or anything else, should be against the wearers of the scarlet jersey, please, ye ma.ny spectators whom we cha-Ir meet next week, please don't treat us to any more screechings against the referee, whoever he may be. Although, I must admit, by such seilf-demal, you will be depriving South Wales Soccerrtes of one of their choicest and oldest jokes. But, good luck to Wales in the in ternational tourney. Our games will be with us in February and March, and Rugger men will be very welcome.

decisions by Mr. Tonge, the referee, gave dee,tsio,ns by Mr.  yr could do with a them the victory. 'Merthyr could do with a good scoring three-quarter in their team, and great efforts are being made to get the services of Dad Thomas, as the Aberaman man's presence in the team would work wonders. Paddigon at full-bax;k is a bit slow, and should get his Kick in earlier, as he is liable to get it charged down. This is his only fault, and he should try to remedy it. Toan Thomas at centre was a weak spot, missing chances to score by sheer inability. Wyatt Read a.t wing three-quarter should learn to cultivate a little coolness, as his wildness missed three easy chanoes of scoring. Read is a fairly good man, and with a little more coolness should develop into a good player. Dai Thomas, the old Car- diff forward, played a fine bustling game for Merthyr, and, with D. B. Davies. was the beet forward on the field. A "gate" of 30,000 witnessed the Wigan v. Oldham encounter at Central Park last Saturday. The game proved to be a very keen one, and there can be no doubt that CiLdiham was the better team and deserved their victory. The Wigan pack were slightly superior, but it was at three-quarter where the Wiganers were let down. Todd, the Now Zealander, played a very poor game, and has completely lost hds form. His inclusion in the team alter his recent displays is a pounle. Bert Jen-ki-ne played a safe game, and did has best to retrieve the fortunes of his side. Jolitiiny Thomas played a modrate game, and found a handful in his oiptponent. Ned Jones wa", the best of the Wiigan backs, pday- ng a fine ail-<roMnd game, and he kept down the oldiham, score by his clever defence. Hie try was very smartly got. Oldham are a fine side, and are evidently trying to strengthen their team, as two Oldham gentlemen were present at the Newport v. Devonport match last Saturday, their object being a centre three-quarter in the Welsh club. How far thedr efforts met with success remains to, be seen. Hull Kingston met with another defeat, this ti-me by Halifax at. Thrum Hall, laet Satur- day. The Kovers were woefulily weak behind, the backs being utterly incaipa-ble of doing anything. Dakin, the ex-Coventry centre, is proving a failure for the Bowers, and was not included in the side last Saturday. For Halifax Dai played a good game, and was the best of tibe blue and whites' backs. Broughton Bangers gave further evidence of being a greatly imp-roved side by beating Runoorn with ease. Since they brought Wime and Claude James back at half-back they have done fairly well. Against Runcorn Laat SaUrrdjay Claude James played a great pme. and had i lot to do with the five tries coodizad to the wme team. Hie dodgy twi- ning was too much for the lannets. Ruddick played a dashing game, and in scoring his try he showed speed which surprised even his admirers. The old Brecon man's leading of the pack was also admirable. Bocthdale gave another good display tin beating Leigh at Mathen Lane last Saturday. Bochdale, after a slump, are playing in great form. By the way, what has become of Dai Davies. the clever Leigh centre three-quarter ? He is, surely, a better man than Isherwood for the position. Batley gained a narrow victory over Wake- field Trinity last Saturday at Mount Pleasant. only two penalty goals from the foot of Wattie Davies ga-ining the victory. The home wards played in great style, fairly rushing the cupholders' forwards off their feet, which is no mean achievement, and behind the Batley players did not second their for- wards' efforts with the success deserved, Will Davies being the chief offender, who is much too prone to kick instead of trusting to his superior pace and strength to carry him through. He is big enough to be one of the best. Sal ford are gtOing great guns at present, and it looks as if the Reds and Oldham are going to hold a commanding position in the league table. Both teams are notorious for flattering only to deceive, and they genera.Lly fail in the final stages. It is a regular fact that neither of the teams have won any hcnours befitting the com.position and status of the team. In their match against St. Helens last Saturday at Weaste they proved greatly superior to the visitors. The foundation of their win lay in the for- wards, who played a sterling game, and gained possee-zion nearly all the game. E. J. Thomas played a fine game, and his judgment when he put Hyam over with a try deserved praise. Johns at full-back played another grand game. and was ooolness personified. The little man is one of the beat full-backs in the Union, and his play throughout the season has been most consistent, and there can be no doubt that he has had a lot to do with Salford's success this season. Sid Adams played a fine game at oentre, and this strong rune always spelt danger to the visitors. The old Newport man's feeding of Oook, his wing, was perfect, and: his defence was also good. What a good man he is proving to the Weaste team! His weight and Strength make him an ideal Northern Union player. The wonder is that he was not capped before this season. W. Thomas al-so played a good game at half-back, his try being a fine effort. The old Aberavon player opened out the game in true Welsh, faanpon, Dewsbury has this week tried hard to get the services of Dai Thomas, and had agreed with Hull Kingston Bovers re paying the big transtfer fees requ-ir-ed by the Hnmberside ciuib. Too negotiations with the Welsh sprinter, however, failed, as he shows a dds- inclination to leave his native Wales, and firmly refused to go to the Yorkshire olub. It is thought he would much prefer playing for a Welsh team, and there can be no ) dOubt his inolu-sion in one of the Welsh clubs would greatly benefit the side. Many prominent Northern Union players have offered their services for the proposed Colonial tour, but they must get t'heir club's sanction before they can be taken serioualy, and a few clubs will surely oppose the sailing of their best players. It is rumoured in the case of a few players that they intend stay- ing in the Colonies, and have no intention of ¡ returning.