Evening Express

Telephone: National, 5«2. Post-ofkce, 95, Telegrams: "Express, Cardiff.

FOOTBALL GOSSIP^ ♦ i RUGBY. The opinion expressed by oar Swansea cor- respondent after the Llanelly v. Swansea match that the Swansea pack require a leader with a head is being now re-echoed on all hands. Swansea people are now coming round to the opinion that the pack are young and vigorous, but that they haven't a queen- bee (if such an expression is permissable) to cluster round. The Swansea club committee is, in fact, about to institute some changes in the front rank. This is the slackest period ol the football season on the Swansea, ground. There are 1 three or four weeks consecutively without a match. Arnold made his debut in the Llanelly team on Saturday, and signalised it by scoring a brilliant try. He is a very attractive player to watch, and everyone was charmed with his display against Cardiff. Mr. D. H. Bowen's article of Saturday last should prove of great benefit to a certain club in the upper part of the Rhondda. as regartis his emphatic expression to the fostering of clubs in low water. Another conclusion can be deduced from this, viz.. premiers should render all possible aid to their reserves; but this is sadly neglected by one team in the top part of the valley. At the beginning of the season the second contingent declared them- selves independent; and took upon their shoulders all responsibility. Of this, the mem- bers of the premiers are taking advantage, and demand entrance to matches played by the reserves free. This bad feeling should not prevail. It wai chiefly owing to this that the reserves met with a severe defeat last Saturday; the members having thought the club disbanded. Great things are expected of W. Jones, the Mackintosh centre, no-.v playing for Cnrdiif Seconds. "Ha Is going to be it little marvel," says an admirer. In Albert Mellorsiiip, the Pontnewydd club have an excellent forward. He is faat and

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FOOfBALL, To-Days latches, RUGBY. Trial Match. WELSH CHAMPIONS AT TREHERBERT. Weather Against the Game. [By FORWARD."] There was only one thing to be regretted in connection with the trial match at 'lreherbert to-day, and that was a turn for the worse in the weather. A small drizzling rain fell steadily throughout the day, and made the outlook gloomy and miserable. Even on a bright sunny day the Rhondda. Valley is not the most attractive of places, and even the most enthusiastic followers of the game required a good deal of persuading that it was at Treherbert they could best enjoy them- selves during the afternoon. Still, the excur- sion trains from various districts were fairly well patronised, and some thousands of miners made th3 journey from Pontypridd, Porth, Dinas. Hafod, Tonypandy, Llwynypia, Ystrad, and Treorky to see 30 of tlis best men in Welsh football to-day struggle for the coveted honour of a place in the national team. With so many vacancies in the team this year, the match was unanimously voted to be the most really interesting trial game ever played under the auspices of the Welsh Union. There were only three out of the selected playera who we re prevented by accident from turning out— Bryce, Percy Bush, and Dan Rees. There was a large muster of Welsh Union members, who had come to avail themselves of the chance of seeing what first-class talent is at their dis- posal this season. The Probables, being the stronger and more experienced iot, were con- sidered to have the best chance of winning, all the old internationals, with the exception of W. Jones, the Cardiff centre, being on their Side. Notwithstanding all the rain of the morning, the turf was in fairly good condi- tion, and every circumstance was favour- able to a fast open game. The following were the teams:- Probables: Back, H. B. Winfield; three- quarter backs, Q.tyn Nicholls, George Davies, H. T. Gabe, and W. Llewellyn; halfbacks, T. Samuel and R. Jones; forwards, H. Jones (Penygraig). Hodges and Boots (New- port), A. F. Harding (Cardiff), Osborne (Moun- tain Ash), D. Jones (Treherbert), E. Thomas (Newport), and W. Joseph (Swansea). Possibles: Back, Strand Jone3; three-quar- ter backs, W. Jones, Arthur Williams, E. Mor- gan, and C. Pritchard; half-backs, J. Lewis and J. Hillman; forwards, D. Walters and Isaac Lewis (Llanelly). D. Thomas (Cardiff), G. Travers (Pill Harriers), Brown (Newport), D. Davies (Mumbles), and G. Thomas and D. Thomas (Newport, When Gwyn-Nlcholla entered the field as the first man there were about 2,000 people on the ground. As it was already twenty minutes after the advertised time, Afr. T. D. Schofteld, the referee, lost no time in getting the men into their respective positions. The probables played in white jerseys, and the Posejibles in white and red. It was arranged that Tom Samuels and Dick Jones should play in the Possibles together, and that D. Lewis, the Tre- herbert half, should partner Hillman behind the Probables' pack. The Probables started with a strong wind in their faces, and no return being made the first scrum was formed on the Probables' 25 line. The ball came out to Samuel. who RAN DOWN THE FIELD and gave to Jones, who failed to hold. The ball was kicked up to Strand Jones, who failed bJtdly in trying to field, and the Possibles' I forwards went off with an ugly rush. Playing in-the Probables' 25 a free kick was taken by Winfield, the ball being placed for him. His kick, however, fell short. The first pretty round of play was initiated by Tom Samuels passing smartly out to Jones, and Nicholls, receiving the ball from him, gave it to Willie Llewellyn ten yards from the line. Before he could get over lie was tackled by Strand Jones. The Probablos were attacking strongly, and Gwyn Nicholls, getting the ball from Samuels, tried a drop .goal, but the ball was charged down, and Nicholls again essayed the same thing, 'but- a scrimmage was ordered on the spot where he had kicked the second time. Strand Jones being called upon to defend on his line had his kick charged down, and it LOOKED A CERTAINTY on the Probables scoring in the scramble which took place on the line. They missed their chance, and a free kick given the Pos- sibles enabled them to clear their lines for a while. Then Gwyn Nicholls, in an attempt to tind touch close on the Probables' line, sent the ball out of bounds, and the first minor was conceded in favour of the Probables. The Poseibles made their first. attempt at passing, and it was well executed up to the point of the ball reaching E. Morgan, who held on too long, and was tackled in possession. Then the Probables further asserted themselves by some rather clever work in the open, Arthur Williams and Pritchard being conspicuous by their com- bined efforts. They took play into the Pro- bables' 25, where Hillman and Lewis put in a showy bt of work after receiving the ball at the heels of their forwards without allow- ing the Possibles to get dangerous at all. The Probables, headed by A. F. Harding, cleared their 25 line. and came away to the centre. From here they rattled along to the Possibles 25, where Hillman was caught off-side, and a penalty given against his side. As a con- went very wide, and Teddy Morgan sent it into touch well inside his own 25. Playing in the Possibles' 25 Pritchard got the ball and, tunning well, punted across the field. Teddy Morgan followed up well, and got the ball and showed A CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS to his opponents, and scored atter a clinking run from half-way.The kick at goal failed. Gabe, who followed Morgan up, was exhausted by the effort, and retired for a. while. Hodges was placed on the lfet wing while Gabe stood out, and almost imme- diately after the kick-out the Probables reached the Possibles' line, where a free was given the striped men. Gabe now returned flay for the nsxt few minutes was very tame tnd the only surprising feature was the way u Which the Possible forwards beta the Pro- bables, not, only in the loose, but aiso in XTtrolling the scrimmages. Going off from xidfie.ld with a smart bout of apssing. they ooked like adding another try, but the chance .vas spoiled by W. Joues passing forward when t fairly good opening had been made for the fiing. Joseph and Hodges were next con- spicuous for. a fine dribble from their own !5 down to the centre line. Teddy Morgan r.ade a determined effort to get away again, jut he was nailed this time by Gabe. Tom Samuel next started a round of passing among :he Probables' backs, but George Davies liugged the ball when he ought to have given to his eo-centre, and was tackled. It was now the turn of the Probables to be on .he aggressive, their forwards showing better 'orm than they had hitherto done. They were jiving out the ball frequently to their haive3, fcnd, Tom Samuel tricking Hillman, thraw to leo. Davies. who made a good but Unsuccessful shot for goal. The Probables were WORKING HARD FOR A TRY, and Arthur Williams. misfielding on the left; wing. almost gave his aide away. Strand Jones came to the rescue, and, playing round the next scrum, Hillman was again jff-aide, and VVinfield bad his third attempt at goal, which' missed. Just before half-time Dick Jones, after receiving from Samuel, got away beautifully, and when within ten yards of the line gave to D. Jones, but' the latter was finely tackled by Strand Jones within a few yards of home. -ilf Half-time score. G. T. M. I Possibles 0 10 Probable* 0 0 0 George Boots re-started, and an exchange of kicking followed between George Davies and Strand Jones, the latter ultimately find- ing touch on the half-way line. The ball, getting loose, was sent up by Boots to Strand Jones, and a further series of exchanges came--off, in which George Davies finished up with a kick into touch on his own 25 flag. So far there hatl not been the least semblance of combination on the part of either team, but the Possibles somewhat atoned for this by a pretty piece of back play, in which Pritchard, in a powerful run. and after beat- ing the opposing centres, threw wide. There was no one on the spot to take the ball, and a CAPITAL CHANCE,WENT ASTRAY. The Probables were finding that in the other side they had men who, as a combination, were quite their equals, and the play gene- rally pointed to the fact that this year's merit is so evenly distributed among the players that it will be difficult for the com- mittee to select absolutely the best. men. The young Possible forwards were untiring, and time and again: proved the advantage of having youth on thei rside. Strand Jones, called upon to stop a very powerful rush by the Probable forwards, rose to the occasion splendidly, and was loudly applauded by the spectators all round the field for his pluck. The probables, instead of improving as the game went on, were gradually deteriorating, and had very much the WORST OF THE ARGUMENT in every phase of the play. Dick Jones and Tom Samuel tried hard on several occasions to put their backs in motion, but somehow, or other the passing went wrong, and there was not a man in .the line who was playing up to his reputation. Whereas Strand Jones was repeatedly called upon to defend, Win- field was kept comparatively idle at the other end. It loolted once as if the Probables would equalise, when their backs were given the hall by the halves. Play having been taken back from the Pos- sibles 26 to the centre line, A. F. Harding made himself conspicuous with a really bril- liant piece of dribbling. George Davies did not distinguish himself when he next received the ball, holding it too long, instead of passing it to Gabe, when that player had a lovely chance of getting slick over. The Probables now woke up a little, and scrimmaging in the Possibles' 25 Willie Llewellyn got smartly away after receiving the ball from Dick Jones on the touch-line, and SCORED A PRETTY TRY. Winfield converted with a lovely kick, and thus placed hie side two points ahead. The next interesting bit of play after the kick out was a brilliant round of passing among the Probables' backs. Willie Llewelyn was the last to receive the ball from Nicholls, and was going for the line at his beat pace when he was brought down on the touch-line five yards from In the closing stages of the play the Probables had all the attacking work on their side, the three quarteds being kept continuously on the move by Jones and Samuel, who were now being better treated by their forwards than at any period of the game. Three or four times in rapid succession Nicholls and Geo. Davies made herculean efforts to break through, but they found the tackling of Pritchard and Strand Jones in particular as deadly as it could be. Their efforts to pierce the defence all failed, and there was no further alteration in the score. Final score. G. T. il. Probables 10 0 Possibles 0 10^ COMMENTS ON THE PLAY. Judging the character of the play generally it will be ditticult for the Welsh Union Matcl Committee to amend any opinions which tha> previously held in regard to any of the playerf who took part in to-day's match. When the sides were selected it was little thougnt that they would prove so evenly balanced as they were, and in one department Qf play especially—that is, at forwardjit was something of a revelation to find that we have eight forwards who, in the lump, are not many degrees inferior to the eight Probables. Indeed, tor the greater part of the game, the Possibles' forwards held a distinct upper hand, both in the skill and robustness of their out- side work as well as in their manipulation of the ball when placed in the scrum. The diffi- culty it to single one more than another out of such a unitormly excellent pack, and there is a danger of doing an injustice to a hard. honest scrimmager in taking notice of the. showy outside work of some of his confreres. Boots, Hodges, and A. F. Harding clearly established their title to favourable considera- tion at the hands of the committee, and, witn the addition of Bryce, although a non-starter to-day, and also D. Jones (Trenerbert),, there is room for three more men of the riglft stamp in the Welsh pack. Time and again Dent Wai- ters, Harry Jones, and Brown were prominent. As far as I could detect the best points in the play generally, one, of not two or three, ought, to stand a chance of winning the coveted honour. Osborne, of Mountain Aoi!Ih, was also conspicuous at times, but he dor., not seem to possess that dash and energy which are abso- lute essentials in an international forward. With Llewellyn Ltoyd out of the team. the lialf-back problem is as far from solution aa ever, and the committee if they are favour- able to Dick Jones being the Newport cap- tain's partner will have to face the risk which has pioved fatal on other occasions of playing two outside halves who are totally unaccus- tomed to hard gruelling donkey work on the rfinges of the serum. On the day's form, there was very little to choose between Hill.man and Tom Samuels, and the only thing that will count in tho former's favour is his sturdiness and the smartness with which he gets the ball away from the heels of the forwards. As I have already hinted in my report or the game, not one of the three-quarters on the Probables' side played up to his reputation. The centres in particular failed lamentably in the opening stages of the game. but as play progressed they gradually got into their stride, and in the last quarter of an hour they severely tested the defensive qualities of the other side. Nicholls was a closely marked man by Pritchard, whose tackling was quite a. feature. George Davies showed a fatal dis- position to cling to the ball too long at the expense of neglecting so dangerous a wing man as R. T. Gabe. With the centres far from being on their best behaviour, the two wing men, Gabe and Willie Llewellyn, had really no substantial opportunities of show- ing their mettle. On the other side the better of the two centi-ea was pritchard, W. Jones, the Cardiff centre, falling considerably short of the form he has shown in some of this season's club matches. Teddy Morgan was the better of the two wings, and showed a tremendous lot of activity as well as judgment, in his play. The try he scored was a beauty, his speed alone letting him over after a sprint from the half-way line. Now comes the vita\ question of deciding which w-as the better of tne full backs on the day's form. In the first ten minutes of the first half Strand Jones disappointed his sup- porters by a couple of rather bad failures both in fielding and in kicking, and it will be a questionk for the committee to decide whether these errors shall influence them in making their selection of Bancroft's suc- cessor In the secor-d half the Oxonian was kept exceptionally busy. and was given oppor- tunities galore of proving his coundness in defence. This he succeeded in doing in admi- rable style, and, judged on his play in the second half, there is absolutely no fault to be found with him. Winfield. ou the other hand, had comparatively little to do, but in that little he made no mistake, and it was not his fault that the ohanccs of showing his skill and judgment to the fullest extent did not come his way. Taking the play of the two men on the whole, i don't see that there was anything in to-day's match to justify any change of opinion previously held in reference to the relative merits of Winfield and Strand Jones. I am asked to give approximately the final constitution of the Welsh team. but after such a game as that of to-day I feel hardly justi- fied in committing myself to fifteen men. It will not be surprising to find the committee goin- outside the trial match for the Welsh team, and. as far as individual judgment can be relied upon, I would nwae the following:- Back, Winfield; three-quarter backs, Gwyn Nicholls and Pritchard (centres), R. T. Gabe and Willie Llewellyn (wings); half backs, Hill- man and Lloyd; forwards, Bryce, Hodges, Boots, D. Jonea. A. F. Harding, Harry Jones, W. Joseph, and Brown (Newport). I might add that in reviewing the forward play the good; work put on by W. Joseph, of Swansea, escape,, my memory f.)r the moment. and all that I need add concerning him is that he worked hard in the scrimmages and is just the type of man that is wanted. Cardiff Reserves v. Cwmcarn. Played at the Cardiff Arms Park before small crowd of spectators. Cwmbran suffered through the absence of Cullis, their captain The teams were as follow:- Cardiff Reserves: Back, Young; three-quar- ter backs, Wax Williams, Guv Treharne, W. A. Jones, and King: half-backs, N. Thomas and C. Biggs; forwards, Hart. Spackman, Neil. Evans, Grey, Northmore, Jenkins, and Auck- land. Cwmbran: Back, W. Dennis; three-quarter backs, H. Sylies, L. Boudler, T. Bacon, and W. J. Male; half-backs, W. Beardon and T. Doyle; forwards, T. Perkins, A. Bacon, O. Hyde, T. Rogers, W. Rogers, H. Griffin, and W. Hicks. Referee: Mr. W. H. Mills. In the first two minutes Biggs got the ball away to Williams, who, after a smart run. transferred beautifully to Treharne, on the right wing, the latter running round the post's, Neville Thomas converting. Within the next minute Williams and Treharne again got away at a swinging pace to the right, the latter grounding half-way between the posts and the corner. Thomas this time failed to improve the position. Cwmcarn then had rather the bp Iter of the game forward, and invaded the home quarters, but did not remain there long. The Cardiff Reserves, still operating on the right wing, exacted a minor. The Cardiff forwards governed the ball in the scrum, and Biggs made several openings. Wil- liams at length got through after feintipg to pass, and Treharne made a good attempt at goal from an awkward angle. A pretty bit of back play between Gibbs, Jones, and Treharne enabled the last named to get round the posts with his third try. Grey on this occasion putting the oval over the bar. A free kick obtained by Cwmcarn, in which a. strong wind assisted the visitors, enabled them to get down to the Cardiff line, where Griffin got overv. and scored a try, which was not con- verted. The Monmouthshire men now' put. some snirit into their play, and Cardiff had to exert themselves, to keep their opponents out. Half-time score: G. T. M. Cardiff 2 2 1 Cwmcarn 0 1 1 In the opening of the second half the Cwm- carn forwards carried two or three scrums. The play was very even near the centre of the ground. Following up a long kick Williams tackled the Cwmcarn full back near the line, and as the latter refused to play the ball a penalty kick was very properly enforced. The ball was placed for Treharne. who kicked a goal. For the next few minutes there was little to choose between the teams. The home forwards were unable to control the ball so well as they did in the first half, with the result that the backs were not able to take such a, prominent part. When they did get an opening near midfleld the passing was erratic, and Bondler and Bacon on the left wing nearly got over, the leather going into touch near the Cardiff line. By some good kicking and smart following up the home team got to the other end. of the field. Cwmcarn for- wards were now playing a terrific game. wheel- infi the scrums and tackling viih the greatest determination. They returned to half-way but a good kick by one of the Cardiff three- quarters drove them back, and a scrum was formed close on the visitors' line. King had a pass and got over in the corner. The place kick failed. Treharne then fielded the ball beautifully, and almost got in. Final score. G. T. M. Cardiff *3 3 2 Cwmcarn 0 1 1 One penalty goal. REMARKS. This fixture resulted in a rather interesting game. In the first half the Cardiff forwards controlled the ball, and, heeling out well, enabled the backs to give a perfect exhibition of passing. Cwmcarn were palpably puzzled by the smart transfers, and only woke up when eight points had been scored against them in three minutes. In the second half of the game the visiting forwards did much better, but wisely, perhaps, relied upon wheel- ing the scrums rather than heeling out to the halves. The visitors' backs having got accus- tomed to the tactics of their opponents, tackled very much better, but the display of their custodian was of the very weakest des- cription it is possible to imagine. The right wing on the Cardiff side* had most of the opportunities, with the result that "Wax" Williams and Treharne, well fed by Biggs and Thomas, were the most prominent. Jones and King, however, did very well when the ball happened to travel in their direction. The Cwmcarn team, although a sturdy lot of fellows and capable of any amount of hard. slogging work, wanted that finesse which the more experienced Cardiffians pride themselves upon possessing, and their chances of success were for this reason hopeless from the start. Maesteg v. Penarth. A few weeks ago Penarth, on their own ground, played Maesteg to a draw, and con- siderable interest, as a consequence, was centred in the return game at Maesteg. It was raining at the time of the kick-off, and this had a palpable effect on the "gate." Maesteg were without Harris, Beynon, Red- man. and Sam Hopkins, whilst Penarth played the same team that drew with the Mid- Glamorgan men at Penarth. The players lined out in this order: — M,aesLe8': Hack, C. Brewer; three-quarter backs, T. HinPin, "Cash" Llewellyn, D. Hughes and A. N. Other; half backs, W. Hopkin and Ned Jones; forwards. J. Luke. D. J Thomas. H. Jones, T. James. W. Gibby, D. Ackerman, Cr. J. Reea. and J. Jones. Penarth: Back, F. C. Tillett; three-quarter backs, Pheuas, J. Jtuaei, 0* Heywoodi mad

f clever witn nis reet, ana uses hI8 neaa to per- I fection. J. Williams is another fine forward, I especially in the open. A great pity with re- gard to this player is that his knee will not stand Vf:ry great strain, otherwise he would, no doubt. be in ci.iss company in a few years. The man who does not scrimmage hard and honestly at Treherbert to-day ought not to be considered for international honours. "Piano players" will be only in the way at Black- heath, where we have been previously given objoct lessons of the utter naelessness of the beat three-quarters behind a beaten paok. And it must be remembered that England will have a grajid lot of forwards in the field this year. Hie greatest concern of t,e Pentre Thurs- days is to place the team on a sound financial basis Bjuphy kicks and tackles well, but he is the laziest fielder I know. Thus speaks onr Neath man of the Castle Nedd fall back. The Mountain Ash Seconds are playing in good form at present. They intend making a bold bid for the championship of their league. In Arihur Tatchell .Bryncethin have a ster- ling forward. He is always to be seen, tackles and follows up with great dash, and was, undoubtedly, the best forward on the field last Saturday. The Bryncethin Seconds are a smart all- round lot. Evan Howells at half is wonder- iully smart for a youngster, and Jack Lewis, playing in the centre, is very" fast. He kick* well and has ^ood judgment. well and has ?ood judgment. There is every likelihood of J. H. Pugh turn- ing oat tor kubw Vale. His weight and ex- perience be an important factor in any of lite li>ajue imures. he has been one ol the Va-iiaus most succesarul forwards. 'lite combination between the. Biaina backs v as ceiter last tfcuarciay tiiun nas been 8Mn ifl« season. Williams and Meyward played wen together, and .t1'c'yw:l.rù,'s try was the nl- sttit oi their cooinesa and faultless judgment. One of the finest sames seen on the Bryn- ceitiu {fiuunci was that with ixie MaeVieg '(^uiua laii baturday. The homestars won. In tiiia aiuLcn the lir^ncethinitea tried several pia^cts. Dick Bayiiss and Tom Tatchell, the Bryn- cetiiin naiveti, i>iayed a champion same nui oauirday, the espcciany, IJWYiug ln ilia Lest lie is tnt: lastesc man in the tep.m. ■ There are playing for. the Bi-yncethin team four Brothers Taicheii/ three Brothers jfuss- ieya, turte and tmee BioLa-jfa vvilc-jjk.Now, tureiy tuis is a recora. H. Law won a great amount, of praise from the piayeis and supporters 1J1 me Biama ttiivei- stars in tneir match at iAjntnewydd. T. Roberts and W. Price were seen again in tiio Tzoiit i-ctiti for Hiaiuu againot Cmmun. The i./ruier has been absent for some time thiough an injured Knee and the latter trom a broken wriii. However, their cleverness on Saturday slruck the spectators' eyes with plt-.i-suiv. Robens fCl:ls in better form than L Vei". Roberts and Vaughan were the only two of the Biaina hacks that did not score last week. Nevertheless they deserved a try each. Bolh made ear-it atter burst in magnilicent form, but yet they were not regarded. yivsu cf the Newport players are picked from teams of the Jlon nouihahire League (aays a correspondent,) yet. whilst Newport give fix- turas to teams which are in the Glamorgan- shire League, they perfectly ignore the Mon- naouthshire Leagus teams. This is -a gieat aharnc. and it is to be hoped that the Newport committee wil! not overlook the teams which br;ng out men such aoi Boots.- Hodges, C. Prilciiard, Hiiini.in. and Bears. There arc team,, in the Monmouthshire League that could make it warm for Pontypridd, Mountain Ash, etc. Although the Loudouns were beaten rather cheaply ut Penysrug last Saturday, the game was a lot closer than the score would lead one to »u$geat. Another fact worth recording 16 that although four short tbe Loudouns did not fail to make the jonrtitiy, which eonst tutail an objeot lesson to soine of .-he Cardiff senior trains. Of coarso, the Loudouns could only exp-jct del'uat at the hands of such for. mirtarle opjsonents as Pcnygraig, and of the Loudouns 1 ac-ks—■who -vere continually on the (icIen^ivo-Warfield came out with flying co^ctm'. Football unde:- the "Rugger" code is prac- tically a. dead letter at Dowlais this season. Htnce D. J. Thoni:i« ard Arthur Evans, to mention only a conpie cf the .'pac'irg players, have transferred their allegiance to Treorky and Ebhw Vale rsepectively, and many of the (••■her players may he found in the ranke of neighbouring organisations. Just a word of praise t» due to the Peny- grraig backs, who worked together last Satur- day as though they were one. The bail would travel along the line in each a way as to make it impossible for thv Lonrlouna to stop it. the passing being simply g:and. and. although the passes from the ccntres to the wings were not of the best, they were taken no matter how thrown. The match between tho Loudouns Reserves and St. Davids at the Dcilcs was a very close affair, and. considering i. >c youngsters in the reserves, they did very «^11, indeed. For the reserves Albert Miles and W, Brooks played a jplendid game, the forr-.er ^excelling in the tackling lino. One of the best junior teams in the Ehondda is Dinas United, whose record readsMatches played, 13, won. 9, lost., 1, drawn 3. By tile way. the United has eniercd for the Welsh Football Union Junior Cr.!1 Competition. Iror Morgan, Mountain Ash's left wing, lo3t "e two chances of scoring against Treliorbert. This was owing to his trying to receive the ball from his centre with one hand. Emlyn Lewis was not seen to great advan- tage against Mountain Ash last Saturday, not having quite recovered irom injuries re- ceived at the trial match played at Cardiff. Great doubt prevailed up to the last moment a3 to his turning out. The taking over of the gardens adjoining the Troeherbcrt FootbaJl Grounds by the com- mittee not only supplies room for erecting a grand stand, but heaps of space still remain for an enclosure, which should prove very useful In to-day's match. J. White, the fpsedy Cardiff St. Alban's wing, is in rare form just at present, and. should earn a name for himseif very quickly. J. Harry, at centre, looks like developing into a flrst-clas* player, judging hy the way he scored that try against ;jt. David's. The record of supplying players to Newport Firsts is held by the Pontnewydd club. They having consigned to Newport no less than six, namely. Brown, W. Isaacs, A. W. Walker. J. Williams, E. Thomas, and "Stitch" Thomas. The fimt-namocl has long retired from the game. Isaacs and Walker :tre playing for their old team. and the last three mentioned are still playing for Newport.. A FIXTURE DISPUTE. The secretary of the Pontnewydd Football Club (Mr. W. W. Jones) writes us as follows;- "I noticed in your Football Gossip last Satur- day evening a paragraph which apparently came, from the Stror-.d FootbaU Club's secretary or from someone who knew nothing about the negct.aticns which have taken place between the form-jr and myself. A few wesVs ago I wrote tu the Stroud club asking if they were prepared to give 0"" club a gnarantee to play at Stroud, and tley replied asking me to let them know the ame ant I should reouire. I infoi-msd them that we ould not do it under1 £6 5s. Cd. A postcard came, saying that December 7 would be their next open date, and I accepted, but told them that I should require a guarantee of C7 to come on that date. I waited for a few days; no. renly oam^, and I then sent them a postcard asmug for a reply, as I wishedr to make the necessary arrangements. The following is the secretary's reply:- Dear Sir,-Cornmittee has decided not to have a. match on December 7, but may give you a gaiiie laler on. I am prepare-l, continues Mr. Jones, to pro- 1 duce this postcard to rour correspondent. A!*4"r the secretary's postcard, however, I should hardly think he and your correspon- dent arj one and the same person. There are still numerous complaints made to the committeo of the Cardiff and District Union about the use of bad language and un- necessarily rough play among the teams en- gaged in the junior competition. One team wan warned at the meeting this weak, and it was decided to give it out that the union would deal very strongly with further offenders. W. Jones and King form a very strong wing for the Cardiff Reserves. The other wing is not nearly so strong by comparison. The Brothers Dobson have been wishful to play for Gabalva, but the Cardiff and District Union has declined permission, thinking it unfair to allow these well-knowu players to compete against the rising piayers in the league tenms. Of course, the Dobsons are eligible to play in all the friendly matches i arranged by Gabalva. Owin* to the fact that the arranged by tho Welik Union for their junior cup tiea clash with those of the cup competition of the Cardiff and District Union, the Cardiff junior clubs have decided not to compete for the Welsh Union cup. This ouslit to be good news for some of the clubs who would have been their opponents. R. Gibbs, the Pe-narth half, of whom there were such great expectations at the beginning of the season. Mema to be falling off in his j play each week. He was very poor against I Roath last Saturday, and his opponent out- manoeuvred him almost every time. Unless Gibbs qaiekly shows improvement he should be finally dropped. There are a couple of shirkers in the Cardiff Reserves pack who want weeding out. What is the meaning of the attitude of the Canton CInb'a players towards the Cardiff Reserves? It is not the correct thing to promise to turn cut for the R-eaertes, and then not do so. In view of the protests of the Rhondda and Monmouthshire clubs against the refusal of the leading teams to give them fixtures, here is a suggestion which is appropriate. Why does not the Rhondda or Monmouthshire League arrange a fixture with ths Cardiff and District League, say on Christmas Day? The game would be sure to attract a bumper gate. The Roath Windsors committee have over. come the difficulty of getting two good centres, and with a pair of really good halves the Windsors should be a smart combination I behind the scrimmage. The forwards, too. are an excellent lot, and if the team maintains its present form local juniors may look for- ward to some tight games in the future. The Ebbw Vale Athletic Club hope to be able to secure a suitable site for a recreation ground, and, should they be successful, arrangements will be made to make it an efficient enclosure, suitable for all kinds of sport. Most followers of Rugby in Monmouthshire are looking forward to the meeting of Ebbw Vale and Pill Harriers at Ebbw Yale on the 28th of December. It is now generally con- sidered that the fight lor the gold medals of the Monmouthshire League rests between Ebbw Yale and Pill, so that it wiil be a battle of thegiants. Alf Roclway, the captain of the Ebbw Foot- ball Club—for his match with Bill Griffiths-is in strict training at Northampton. Rodway i. quite happy and full of confidence. Eddie Thomas, the clever centre playing for Tredegar, is becoming an expert drop-goal kicksr. He has already performed the feat in three matches this season, viz.. against St. David's, liachen, and Maesteg. The members of the Tredegar Fifteen (writes a Tredegar correspondent) seemed to greatly impress the Macsteg spectators by their fine physique. This is surprising, for the Tredegar pack is om of the lightest playing in the Monmouthshire League, and there is a great outcry for bigger and heavier forwards in order to cope with the weighty packs they have to meet in the competition. They, how- ever. kept the Maesteg sxrimmagers well in hand and did not come out second best by any rneaii3. The Tredejar team had to travel 70 miles to fulfil their fixture with Maesteg on Saturday last. The team left Tredegar at 7.30. ".m., and were travelling for five hours. This long and tedious jouraey placc- lliem at considerable disadvantage when they entered the field; but, in spite of this, they made Maestcg go all the way to retain iheir unbeaten record and re- tirud with only a majority of one point against them. Crocwceilog are iacky in having such a fine full back S3 H. Davie*. He stands 5ft. lOin. in height, and weighs ll^st. He is a grand kick with either foot and a fine tackier. with either foot and a fine tackier. Evan Edwards, one of the Croesyceilog halves, is a fine tackier, and an excellent dribbler, lie is exceedingly marp in noticing an open- ing. and takes full advantage of it. Last Saturday against Abergavenuy he played a sterling game, and scored a grand try. He has a happy knack of dodging- his opponents, and is very cool. Arrangements have been made hy Ebbw Yale to play Brynmawr on the ground of the latter on Christmas Eve for half-gate. On the fame evening, Alf Rouv/ay, Ebbw Vale, will msst Will Griffiths, New Tredegar, in a twenty- round contest for £100. D. J. Williams, half-back, and captain of the Tredegar fifteen, and W. Hopkim. half- back, Maesteg. have played against each other before Saturday last. Hopkins, who is considered to be one of the best inside half-backs playing in Wales to-day, is an old Tredegar boy, and played in the junior com- bination of the town before he went to Mace. teg, and Williams and he were frequent oppo- nents before they got into more classy com- pany. The best forward in the Careau pack is Owen Evans, who stands 5ft. lOin. and weighs 12st. 4lb. A good !!crimmager. he is also clever in the loose. The Maesteg committee must keep their eye on him. George Wayne. who plays on the wing for the Abertillery A team, is a most capable player, especially in attack. Possessing good speed, with plenty of determination and dash. Georgie is very difficult to stop. His try at Argoed was really splendid. Councillor T. P. Buckley, Ahsrtillery. at whose commGdiou8 temperance hotel the Aber tiilery Athletic Club's headquarters are' situated, has decided to give fifteen medals. with gold centres, for competition among junior and second teams. It is hoped that Mr. Buckley's generosity will be the means of giving junior football in the surrounding dis- tricts a decided fillip, and also bring to light some new talent. The Tirphil Grasshoppers have played eight matches up-to-date, cut of which they have won sever and drawn one. scoring 71 points to their opponents fourteen. On Monday they piay a. charity match against a team com- posed of such men as T. J. Thomas, of Cardiff fame, and J. Evans, of Ebbw Vale, when it will be a stiff fight to keep a clean sheet. It is not improbable that the Welsh Union Match Committee will go outside the Probables and Possibles for a few of the new inter- nationals. A man who can play the game that Stacey played for Llanelly against Cardiff last Saturday, and who has his fine physique, cannot bs missed. He tipa the beam at 6ft. and weighs 14st., and as he iø only about twenty years of age, he is bound to "come on." When playing in the preliminary trial match at Cardiff he was suffering from a serious injury, which prevented him showing his tras form. Gabe played a brilliant game for Middlesex on Wednesday last against Kent. The crowd applauded him continually, and several said that Middlesex would not have v.on were it not for him. The London Welsh Reserves play the London Devonians to-day. Both teams are unbeaten this season. So one record is likely to go on Saturday. We are all keen on knowing (writes a Lon- don Welshman) which of tho London Walsh three-quarters, and how many, will represent Wale*. Llewellyn and Gabe are looked upon fiS certainties, and. candidly, it is extremely difficult to find their equal, I should think. But what about E. Morgan? Arthur Gould was one of the greatest of players, but he is one of the weakest referees. In the match at Llanelly last Saturday he allowed the ball to be passed forward on in- nu nerable occasions, ar d he seemed to have forgotten the existence of rules relating to off-aide play. He was not partial to one side more than another, but to both. It will take Percy Bush all his time to get well enough to play against Blackheath next Saturday. With Nicholls out of the team he will be badly wanted, and he must persuade his brother Fred to keep him company and justify the journey by playing aiso. Bancroft's eight year-old son played in his first football match this wesk. It is not re- corded that he dropp-ed a goal from half-way. "Forward" desires us to state (and we have the greatest pleasure in doing so) that he was not tho author of the erroneous gossip par referring to Gwyn Nicholls and Newport which appeared in thi'3 column last Saturday. "Forward" says he knew nothng of the para- graph until after it appeared, and this also is correct. There remains just one more week for the existence of the Swansea record, and then it will be buried deep on the Danks of the Usk. Gwyn Nicholls has already stated that he will bs unable to go with the Cardiff team to Blackheath, and it is whispered that he will turn out for. the first time next Saturday against Swansea for Newport. After ali, it will be well for Abertawe to be rid of that record now. for they cannot hope to keep it intact till the end of the season. The match varsus Streatham was dis- appointing to the London Welsh supporters. The forwards were slack, and did not seem to have much "go" in them. Injuries were too frequent on the Welsh aide, and at one period of the game they were playing twelve men. There seems to be some ifatality when Streat- ham is met. Cabe could not turn out at the last moment, consequently the wing from the Reserves was called upon—and he did not excel —perhaps too much was expected of him. Wayne Morgan and Llewellyn were too well marked and too much starved by the halves to do anything very great, although Llewellyn's try was par excellence the try of the match. Picking the ball up in his own 25, he went through all his opponents and scored between the posts in his beat style. It seems strange that circumstances have so shaped themselves as to make an Opening for W. Jones, the Cardiff centre, in to-day's trial match. Alcwyn Jones, who' was first reserve to Dan Rees, is sitting for an examination, and must feel keenly the disappointment of not being able to turn out. There are not a few who consider that W. Jones is playing in his best form this season, and that he would make the best partner to Nicholls out of the centres who are really worth considering. The poor gate at Newport last Saturday for the Newport, and Pontypridd game has a bear- inlr on one of the subjects which are agitating Welsh Union Committee men. At three o'clock, the time advertised for the start, there were not 500 people present. Harry Shattock' played a fine game for Dinas Powis last Saturday. He showed great determination and took full advantage of the splendid speed which won him so many prizes on the path last ceason. The game between Dinas Powis and Newport Extras was not a very interesting one from a spectator's point of view. The Usksiders were beaten forward, but the advantage Dinas Powis gained in the tight was neutralised by the splendid defence of the visiting three- quarters. Dinas Powis have only had throe trie., scored against them on their own ground this season. Wyatt Gould has been obliged to discontinue football, at least for this season, under pro- fessional advice. It was clear from some of the latter games in which Newport played that he was not yet strong enough for rough tack- ling, and I am told he was not anxious to play, but filled up an otherwise empty gap. Newport only got really away from Ponty- pridd in the last quarter of an hour last Saturday. Of the two new wings tried for Newport last Saturday Carpenter, of Newbridge, on the right, was looked upon as a very smart youngster. A correspondent writes:—A supporter of the Penylan Club stated in your gossip last Satur- day that he would like to sec a team chosen from Penylan and the Old Monktonians meet the Cardiff and District Union team. I should like to bet a supper that any of the teams in the senior league of the Cardiff and District Union would beat a combined Penylan and Old Monktonian team, let alone a team chosen from all th-t clute. It is with no disrespect to Gwyn Nicholia, or with the slightest desire to depreciate his superlative skill as the greatest centre of the day, thai we venture to think his defection from the Cardiff team will not be so disastrous for the blue and blacks a3 some people imagine. Assuming for a. moment that W. Jones decides to retire at the end of the pre- sent season, there would then be available fc the two centre positions Percy Bash, whose qualities we all know. and W. A. Jones, of the Reserves. The latter is "coming on" tremen- dously, and by next season bids fair to be quite up to the standard of the splendid three- quarters whom kind fate has always bequeathed to the Cardiff club. The Merihyr Alexandras Football Club in- land holcl'ng a football competition on Box- ing DRy f.u- young junior teams, to encourage the youngsters in the district. The Mert-hyr Alexandras forwards need a lot of improvement-. There were a good many passengers in the pack last Saturday. It was a pity to see the Merihyr Alexandras backs waiting in vain for the pass that never came last Saturday. The Wiliiam-itown team came off with flying colours in the match with the Gelli Juniors last Saturday, being victors by nine points to nil. The Gelli boys up to this were undefeated on their own ground, and strove hard to keep their home record, but the "Willie boys" proved too much for them. Willlarnstown are to be congratulated on their play, their baciM bringing off some nice bouts 01 passing, which gave their opponents a great deal of trouble. Williamsto-vn* have played ten matches, vron nine, and lost one. Points for 160, against 6. A very good record, Williamstown. On Saturday last- Taff's Well were without a owing to the Belle Vue team cancelling the fixture, and stating that they were playing a league match. I am not aware (says a cor- respondent) that Pontypridd Reserves were members of the Glamorgan Times" League this' year. If Lewis Jenkins will only part with the ball at the right moment to-dav we shall he able to see where there is really any good in the Neath three-quarters. Th<% home for. wards will be strong enough t<f feed the halves. Let i- see how the halves and three- quarters will shape. With the departure of Jowett from Neath, ha-s gone all hope of the Swansea reserve man playing for C-aatcllnedd. Now that Devon County have, thrown out the Albion players the English champions will have a good chance of putting a fairly repre- sentative team on the field. Charlie Powell is fit now. Why does not the Neath committee approach him? Mr. Walter Rees thinks that Dan Thomas and Mnmhles Davis are the two finest for. wards in the Swansea pack. Not a. bad judge, eh ? With such talent in the Monmouthshire Valleys, it is incredible how difficult it is for league clubs to get fixtures with the New- port Seconds. No wonder there are so many Cardiff and Swansea supporters in Monmouth- shire as the leaguers feel the Newport com- mittee are totally indifferent to their interests. R. L. Evans, the Brynmawr centre, is very weak in picking up and fielding the ball, and this fault was more pr.monneed against Pill Harriers on Saturday than ever. Evans will need to improve to retain his position. D. Morton, of Troedyrhiw, "skipper" of the Rugby team, is playing better than ever he did in his life just now. He is one of the best forwards playing in the "Glamorgan Times" League, and for his keen interest in the club and his inclusion in the international quoit team played at Merthyr last year, his ad- mirers will present him with a gold watch on Monday next at the hea-dquarters, Fox and Hounds Hotel. ,The president of the club, Mr. j W. W. Green, will preside. The Neath forwards did well against Penarth last' Saturday. The backs were at fault. 1 1 I am glad to see that the claims of Johnson have at- length been rscognised by the Neath committee. He is a clever forward and fit for the beat of company. The Mlaesteg crowd are reported to have cheered when Bryce left the field of play suffering from an injured hand a. couple of weeks ago. A member of the Aberavon com- mittee is my (our Neath correspondent's) authority. Maesteg had better take warning before it be too late. 1 I should think that the Neath Committee could find a better forward than Jim Thomas. The player named has done excellent service j for the Neath team. and me feels sorry that for his own reputation he stiould again enter the arena. I know a good deal about the flight of Arnold to Llanelly (says our Neath corres- pondent). and I hardly think that he has treated the Neath committee as fairly as he might have. Personally, I^stiould be the last to blame a player of Arncnd'g stamp for try- ing to get into better clubs, but there are two ways uf doing it, Willie. There is a probability of R. Goddard, the Gloucester City and county half-back, going to Bristol to work. Dicky" is a plumber by trade, and has been out of a job for some time. It seems strange that in such a foot- ball town as Gloucester some effort is not made to keep a real good player like Goddard I at home. Cardiff will probably visit Gloucester on the la3t Saturday in the season, April 19, while Penarth, who were to have been at home to Gloucester on that date, will now, probably, appear at the Kingsholin on Easter Monday, which date is otherwise vacant on the citi- zens' card. On December 21, the date on which the Gloucester fifteeil visit Swansea, the last of the English international trial matches will be played, and as the citizens will, probably, have two or three places in the Rest of Eng- land team, their chances of success against the all whites does not look particularly bright. Jim Foley, the well-known Brynmawr for- ward, returned home from the front on Thurs. day last after doing two years of active service. He looks in fine trim. If the Brynmawr committee can keep the same team together as beat Pill Harriers on Saturday last they will yet make a good show in the league table. In J. Thomas and Herbie Jenkins Brynmawr have two fine wings. OXFORD WELSH TOUR. For the tour of the Oxford Welsh, who piay Christ College, Brecon, on Monday, and Llan- dovery College on Tuesday next, the following team has been chosen:—Back. W. E. Jones; three-quarter backs, S. H. Lpckyer, H. B. Wat- kins, H. S. Barber-Jones, and P. J. Newton; half-backs. M. E. Davies and A. H. Alf; for- wards, E. Edwards, K. O. Carter. A. S. B. Jones. E. Fearenside, D. E. Hughes, D. E. Davies, H. T Edwards, and A. E. C. Morgan; touch judge, W. O. Carter. Brynmawr have at last got over the full- back difficulty. In D. Thomas they have one of the best backs in the Monmouthshire League. Correspondents are urgently desired to send forward their gossip as early in the week as possible. Club secretaries are notified that "fixture" advertisements are accepted for the "Evening Express" at the following rate:—Sixpence for the first twelve words and id. every additional word per insertion. Send stamps or P.O. It is alleged that the Welsh Union have been guilty of a curious error. F. Kirby, who was reported by the referee who officiated in the match between Penarth and Bath at Bath on October 26, was on Wednesday evening sus- pended for three weeks. It is now asserted that Kirby waa not the man who was warned by the refere;. Tuckett, who last season played on the wing for Whitchurch, assisted Llandaff Yard in their match with Tongwynlais last Saturday. The visitoig were decidedly lucky in scoring their winning try in the last minute of the game. The Tongwyniais forwards showed a vast improvement, and presented a brave front to their heavier opponents. Jease Lewis, who turned out at half for the first time this season, played an exceedingly clever game. I The Penarth Old Boys played up Tery pluckily against Penylan last Saturday, when their defence was severely taxed. It was very pleasing to them to have been able to make a draw of the game after a moat severe tussle. "Bulldog" Jones played a grand game for the Penarth Old Boy3 against Penylan, and was the mainstay of the forwards, especially in the scrums, where his weight of more than twelve stone proved a tower of strength for his opponents to handle. Followers of the Penarth Rugby team think it very strange that at least three or four of the Old Boys are not included. Is it because they are not asked to play? Penarth were elated over their win against Neath. This should encourage them to "buck up" and improve their record, which up to date is not of the best. The Cardiff Villa, seem to ba very unfortu- nate with their players. Their captain has only joat re-taken the field. A forward who played his first match last week since having ilia collar bone broken was badly kicked on the leg, and hag to stand down this week, another having to gotoff the fieid besides in last Satur- day's game. The Cardiff Villa were minus five of the usual players last week, when they played St. Peter's. Willie Hopkins, Afae4.gteg's hRIf-bsck, it rather small in stature, out lie makes up for this with his resourcefulness. I This is the most successful season for the Maesieg Football Club from a financial and playing point of view. The committee of the Maesteg Football Club are making strenuous efforts to bring the Maesteg team to the fcrernost ranks of Rugby football. The Maesteg forwards, although light, are making their opponents sit up so far this season. With Barrett back in the team, after a long absence, the lJcdwas pack will now take a lot of beating. Though only eighteen years of age, Barrett stands 5ft. ICin. high. and weighs over 12sI. The conmtittei: should keep their eyes on him, of he will be "poached." The C'wmcarn j forwards were expected to mako the Cardiff Reserves eight go ali the wry to-day. One of the visiting pack, Rogers, played for the Cardirtians last season. Tom Cullis, the Cwmcarn captain, plays a ,I'ry pretty game at centre three-quarter. Hicks, one of the Cv- mcani forwards, is making one of the best forwards in the valley. He is. very young yet, and if he maintains his form, higher honours may be in store for him. On an average there are three "has beene" in each of the Rhondda- and Pontypridd clitb3 who should be dropped for younger and better men. Think it over for a while. "In a nutshell the policy of the league teams in the event of the first-class teams refusing to adopt Ifr. Adt Llewelyn's motion should be independence, with no suzerainty. John the Monmouth League. and with one solid vote throw over some of the old fogies who still remain as relics of the past on the Welsh Foot- ball Union. This is more practicable than the suggested new union." Such is the opinion of one of my scribes, who evidently knows more than is conveyed here. There is a grod deal of talk nowadays of the action of thw first-clrss teams in not granting fixtures to the Glamorgan League teams, but, silppose you consider for a moment the atti- tude of the Glamorgan League teams towards ths teams in The "Glamorgan Times" and other junior leagues. It is only Llwynypia and Treorky who have granted fixtures even to Tstrad, who are champions of the "Times" (League. Tipyn bach o gysondeb, 'nawr! It is generally admitted that Joe Hellings on last Saturday's form was far and away better than the international Dick has ever been. So was Tom Dobson. What is responsible for the small gates at Llwynypia? The day was when a match at home brought all the "Scotch" colliers to the field of battle. A few contests like last Satur- day's will soon remedy matters. The juniors in the Llwynypia Firata who were given a trial last Saturday fully justified their selection. It remains to be seen whether the committee will take the lesson to heart. It is eaid that a neighbouring team are trying to capture Bob Jenkifls from Belle Vue. Balls Vue has trained some fine players for Penygraig since last senson in Dai Ingram, F. Marehant, D. Rees, J. I. Jones, G. Mat-thews, and Mog Bowen. while Llwynypia- has secured a few good forwards in W. Issitt, J. Davies, F. Ulflton. and D. J. Morgans. All the above players played for Belle Vue last season. Bob Jones, the Llwynypia. captain, who applied for his transfer last week to Treorky team, has received it. and Tom Dobson will take in hand the leading of the young blood which was tried with great success last Satur- day in the league match against Treorky. Dai Davies was, without doubt, the best wing on the field, and, perhapa, the fastest, at Llwynypia last Saturday. His running resembles Willie Llewellyn's, and it is to be hoped he will find hie way into the interna- tional engagements in a few years' time. Williamstown are congratulating them- selves on only losing one match this season. No wonder (says a correspondent), when they play youngsters of fourteen years, and not seventeen to nineteen, as advertised. Llwyny- pia Juniors beat them by two tries to one goal. J. Edwards again played a good game last Saturday for Gilfach. The four three-quarters played a clinking game. Evans and Allen ployed well in the centre. E. Thomas kept his reputation again in beating the Bridgend halves on one occasion and only slipped a few f(et from the line. Poaching on Sundays is said to be the latest pastime at Penygraig. The Cardiff St. David's are now at the top of the junior league. C. Roche, and D. Mur-t phy. are considered the best halves in the junior league; whilst J. Ahearne is showing such promising form in the forwards, that the supporters of the club hope he will soon be found a place in the bine and black eight. Frank Stockden, the Llwynypia centre three- quarter, will in future assist the Gabalfa Harlequins, a team he played for, previous to his joining the hill team. The District Union seems to have taken very drastic measures in preventing players who have been dropped from first-class clubs from assisting any of the local teams. This from Gabalfa. The Yniehir and Wattstown United Club were perfectly satisfied with the justice meted out to them at the hands of the "Times" League at their recent meeting. W. Evang, the genial secretary of the Ynishir and AVattstown United, has not been able to follow his employment for the past five weeks, as the result -of an injury received whilst playing against the Ystrad Stars. That sterling forward, Bolton, who has played for the Penj^graig" and Treorky clubs, will shortly be made the recipient of a testi- monial as a tribute of respect from his many admirers at Port,h and Trebanog. The St. Fagan'e team were at home to Llan- twit Vardre on Saturday last. The visitors came down with their ranks strengthened by the inclusion of Bryant and Harrison, of Pont- ypridd. Both packs of forwards were pretty evenly matched, but behind the homesters showed vast superiority. St. Fagan's team sadly miss the service. of that sterling forward, < C. Roper, who has not yet recovered from the injuries he received at Miskia. Poachers have been very busy down Whit- church way this last week. They seem to have taken quite a fancy to one of the centres. Dai Tuckett. has decided to turn out on the wing once more. Whitchurch spectators will now see some passing, as tho bucks have only to get a little help from the pack in letting them have the ball from the scrum. Maesteg were greatly handicapped in their match against Tredegar through the absence of Harris and Beynon in the three-quarter line. Also several forwards were missing. Ned Jones, the Maesteg outside half, has quite justified his selection, as he and Willie Hopkins make a capital pair. In D. J. Thomas and Sam Hopkins Maesteg have two of the finest forwards in the Gla- morgan League. I hear that the Maesteg Football Committee are about to expend a large sum of money to erect a grand stand on the new field shortly. Advance, Maesteg! Dai Hughes, of the Nantyfyllon All Whites, who played at centre in the Maesteg three- quarter line against Tredegar in place of Harris, played a very good game, his open- ings at times being exceptionally brilliant. Excuses are not much good, but Resolven were heavily handicapped last Saturday, owing to several players not being able to turn ovt, viz., W. Davies at back, on the injured list, Jack Stephens at three-quarter, owing to a domestic ailiiction, and Sam Evans at forward, who could not make the journey. Blaina United were drawn to play Rhayader in the Leominster Mayor's Charity Cup at Blaina to-day, but Rhyader have decided not to come, so the home team pass into the second round. In T. Taylor, late of Rogerstone, Blaina pos- sess a good centre forward. The Elaina forward line are rather strong, and contain. such men as Pritchard, Law- rence. Taylor, Nicholls, and Prosser. "L. L."—Your paragraph re challenge is an advertisement. Treherbert Thursdays, with the assistance of Mawer and the Brothers Lewis, failed to keep their home ground record intact, falling to Treoiky to the tune of one goal, two tries. Police-ecnstabie Bob Jones and Trooper D. C. Davies were towers of strength to the Treorky Thursday side on Thursday, Policc- coiistab-le Jones scoring two tries. Treorky Thursday forwards are now in good form, being well led by Abel Davies (captain), D. L. Davies, and T. B. Davies. Tom Roberts, the Blaina vice-captain, turned out on Saturday against Crumlin, and was in good form. Roberts was hurt nearly two months ago at Ebbw Vale. Blaina poesess a good forward in Ivor Baviefl. Although quite youug to football, his play i3 quite equal to any of the pack. J. Roberts, the Blaina centre, should develop into a gcod man. Although this is his first season in a senior team he shapes well. Mead, one of their old players, assisted Gil- fach against Bridgend last Saturday, and played a very good game. The present Gilfach pack require a leader, and Mead would be just the man to do it. It is hoped he will return to the fold. Blackwood think they have the finest pair of centre tiiree-q.uari.era in the Valley in the Brothers Coleman (writes a Llanbradacli cor- respondent), but they will have to play to maintain their reputation when they meet Linnbradach to-day, who also have a pair of clever brotasrs representing them at centre in the two Bassetts. The motion for a new bye-law relating to the "Compulsory Fixtures Act" is being well received in Monmouthshire, and some of the clubs hope to share in the good fortune of having at least one match which will give them a big lift financially. BJaina and Cwmcarn have yet to play a match to decide the championship of ths Monmouthshire League, and a big fight it promises to be. both teams are going strong, If Cwmcarn win, the first place is theirs, if not Pill have it, but if a draw takes place Cwmcarn and Pill have to meet on neutral ground to decide the question. Brynmawr are nothing if not surprising; last year they got the better of Pill Harriers by a dropped goal from Jack Davics's little 'tootsie." This match was ordered to be re t'ayed. and at the hilltown on Saturday Master Jack again registered the four points, and this was the only score of the game, the leaders, who have not previously lost a match this season, being beaten by a team which had not won a match. The Swansea committee are going to watch the seconds play Tredegar to-day. They want a couple of good forwards. The Swansea eight are considered a bit shaky just now, and they have to play Newport next Saturday. Never a team had such luck as was vouch- safed Cardiff last Saturday. Up to five minutes before the end they were a thoroughly beaten combination. Then Cecil Biggs was allowed to run up the field by the Llanelly full back, and Cardiff stored a try which put them ahead. In the demoralisation which fo1 iowed (says a Llanelly correspondent) a third try was scored. This is a short history of one of the finest games ever played at Stradey. The Llanelly pack have already beaten both the Swansea and Cardiff eights, and one won- ders ho v they wo ild fare against, the Newport forwards. Unfortunately, the two teams do not meet this season. Alcwyn Joies kept a close watch on Gwyn Nicholls last Saturday. The Cardiff centre did excellent defensive work, but he was looked after too carefully to do anything brilliant in the aggressive line. Llanelly folk have great hopes of seeing Tom Samuel get his cap this year. He is cer- tainly one of the most brilliant halves turned cut of the tinplatc town. Ssveral members of the Welsh Union saw his fine display against Cardiff last Saturday. By common consent Stacey was voted to be the finest forward on the field between Llanelly and Cardiff. He is a strapping police-constable, a life-long teetotaler, and a prince of good fellows both on and off the field. Swansea is about the only leading Welsh team which encourages Welsh football. Ack Llewellyn's action is certainly not directed against them. for they have always more than complied with the desire expressed in his resolution. Swansea this year have fixtures with— besides the cream of the Welsh organisations —Treherbert, Treorky, Mountain Ash, Neath, Pontypridd, Aberavon, and London Welsh. With Cardiff, Newport, and Llanelly added they havi ten Welsh fixtures. They believe in it. Indeed, they find these teams pay better than poor English teams who can't stand up against them. Swansea people with dim paat recollections of Arthur Gould being trotted out so often against Swansea when he had, to all appear- ances, disf^jeared from the Newport fifteen, are considering whether Gwyn Nicholls is pre- paring for inclusion to-day. The veterans in the Swansea pack are being sadly missed. Bob Thomas and Hopkin Davies were not as good directors of the pack as some other past forwards, but they were a good deal better than nothing, and their experience was always of value. If Abercyron are able to keep their present team together, and strictly observe their train- ing. they ought not to lose any more matches this season. Carpenter's inclusion in the Newport team proves beyond a doubt who is the beat wing three-quarter in the "Glamorgan Times" League. The Llanbradach team intended striving their utmost to break Blackwood's record to- day. I noticed in the football gossip last Saturday (writes a Llanbradach correspondent) that if Cardiff Villa had played their full team, they would have beaten Llanbradach. Isn't that rather far-fetched when th-^p played such sub- stitutes as Martin and Hutttley, of Canton, at centre three-quarter, and, several forwards from the senior league clubs. Football correspondents are asked to remem- ber that matter for the press should be written on one side of the paper only. The committee of the Cardiff and District Union intend adopting strict measures with regard to those players in local teams who decline to assist the Cardiff Reserves. They made a start this week with Huntley, of Can- ton, who has been suspended until December 24. We hear upon reliable authority that there are no hopes of the Ebbw Vale Club going back to the Bridge End Field—for the very substantial reason that the ground is not 1 available.