The Aberdare Leader

FOOTBALL NOTES. Association. (By "Spectator.") Cwmaman v. Aberdare Pupil Teachers. —The above teams met at the Fiorcn- aiaan grounds, Cwmaman, on Saturday afternoon in fine but cold weathei. Neither side was at full strength, the Teachers suffering most in this respect. Mr. Jeiikin Howells, Aberdare, had charge of the whistle. In the first half, playing up the slope, the Teachers play- ed splendidly, and but for extremely luard lines would have crossed over with- out a score being registered against-, them. In a scramble close to the Teachers' citadel the ball was kicked across to Dai Roderick, the custodian, who, in trying to clear, kicked against the up- right, the ball rebounding into the net. From this to the interval the Teachers defended superbly, and mainly through the efforts of Roderick, Mason, Gordon Richards end Dan David nothing fur- ther was added. Half-time score. Cwmaman, 1 goal; Teachers, nil. The second portion was slightly i-i favour of the home eleven, who again scored through Josh Woollacotte, Pinai score: —Cwmaman, 2 goals; Teachers, nil. The result comes as a surprise to local enthusiasts, who fully expected to see the first Leaguers emerge victors by a much larger score, but in fairness to Cwm it should be mentioned that they did not extend themselves to the full extent of their abilities. The teachers are a smart lot, but they lacked dash when near goal. Humphreys should have scored, but he shot wild when only a few yards out. Dai Roderick was again in good form, while the backs seldom failed to find relief when hard pressed. Dan David was the pick of the half-back line and robbed the home forwards on several occasions when they looked like getting through. The Aberdare and District Thursdays will have to show a great improvement if they wish to beat their strong oppo- nents.

Rugby. On Saturday the Aberdare Rugby team journeyed to Pontardawe, but as was only to be expected they met a stronger team and had to put up with defeat. Final scorePontardawe, 1 goal; Aberdare, nil. (By H Muddied Oaf.") Mountain Ash v. Ebbw Vale.—In this match, which was played at the Moun- tain Ash Athletic Grounds before a good crowd, the Aberpennarites succeeded in doing what the Dare XV. failed to do, viz.defeaitin.- the smart Valian team by the score of 11 points to love! The game was the best played on these grounds, and the splendid feeling that prevailed demonstrated the fact that the Old Firm" have now abandoned the spirit of partizanship. From the very outset it was evident that the home for- wards were in fine fettle, and the way they manipulated the scrummages show- ed that a great improvement has been effected. The first try scored by P.C.Dick Thomas was the result of a splendid bit of opportunism, and Johnny Thomas added the extra points with a good kick. Arthur Ireland's try, which followed, was the outcome of a bout of passing initiated by the home halves, and the performance was praiseworthy. In the second moiety some smart work was performed by the Valians. Young, the Ebbw Vale centre threequarter, had fielded the ball when P.C. Dick Thomas, the local International, got possession, and, like a shot from a gun, made for his opponents' line. However, he was I obstructed by Thomas, the wing, man, and Giles, the full back. But with some good headwork he doubled cleverly to the left, and raced home amidst a scene of intense enthusiasm. It was truly a meritorious try, and the Aberpennarites thus emerged the winners by 1 goal, 2 tries to nil. And now a word for the Valians. It is true that they gave a very plucky exhi- bition, but. then their tactics lacked the necessary polish that is so essential these days in the making of a try. Thomas, their captain was conspicuous for his magnificent turn of speed and defensive work, whilst Cooper, their in- side half, was also not found wanting. j Giles, the custodian, did his utmost under the conditions, yet he was not up to Johnny Thomas, the home defender, who kicked in capital style. The key- note of the success last Saturday of the Old Firm" was the steadfast resolu- tion of the forwards to play the game" to a men, and this, materially helped the halves and threeqnartera to combine effectually- The Mountain Ash Stars played their first match on Saturday last against Cil- fynydd Harlequins,under the auspices of the Pontypridd Cup Competition. The Stars, who were poorly represented, suc- ceeded in making matters even with their rivals. So the match has to be re- played. On Monday there was a dispute be- tween the Stars Committee and the pre- mier body. it appears that the Stars had arranged a match with Maesycwinmer to take place at the Mountain Ash Grounds, whilst the Cefnpennar team, who have been originally granted the use of the field on Mondays, were also to play against Aberfan on the same ground. It was eventually decided that the Stars play their match after the Cefnpennar v. Aberfan game. In this meeting the Pennarites were defeated by 2 tries to a try. The Stars subsequently took the field against Maesycwmmer,and the game was played in semi-darkness and rain.

Association. Aberaman Stars v. Aberdare Crescents. —Played at Michael's Field on Saturday last under the auspices, of the Aberdare and District. (Belle Vue) Association League, before a good attendance. Re- feree, Mr. Jack Jones. In the first half the Crescents made a temporary inva- sion of the Stars' territory, only to be repulsed by the grand defensive work of Dai Bowell and Charlie Williams. How- ever, Brown, the goalkeeper, had to ward off a few nasty shots. Directly after- wards the Stars came away in. a body, and Dai Sam Evans opened the score with a good shot. Half-time score- Aberaman Stars, 1 goal; Aberdare Cres- cents, nil. The Aberamanites played in a manner i that surprised even the mist sanguine of their supporters. They gave the Cres- cents no quarter. It is true that Phillips, the Crescents'' goalinan, was instrument- al in effecting some hair-breadth saves, and lucky indeed were the Darians in being able to keep their record un- tarnished. The Stars played a magnifi- cent game to a man, and deserved to have the- spoils. But an adverse Fate stepped in within two minutes of the close and gave the Crescents an equalis- ing goal through Dai Williams. Final score:—Aberaman Stars, 1 goal; Aber- dare Crescents, 1 goal. For the Stars, Brown was safe in goal, whilst Charlie Williams defended well at back. Dai Bowen shone as usual at half and the forwards were conspicuous %y their dash through Flooks, T. Evans, D. S. Evans, and Will Evans. Of the Crescents, Phillips did his share in goal, whilst Joe Lewis, the captain was an important factor in the defensive depart- ment. Jim Davies and D. Thomas were again prominent at half and D. Wil- liams, Eynon, and Behenna amongst the forwards. Gadlys Stars v. Aberaman Wanderers. Played on Saturday at the Park. After a fairly decent game, the Stars ran out victors by 2 goals, scored by George Thomas, to nil. On the same day the Trecynon Wind- j sors were defeated by the Aberdare Thistles by a goal. The game was stopped owing to darkness. Aberdare Schoolboys' League Higher Grade v. Industrial.—This match, which was the Waterloo" of the schools' league fixtures took place .at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday, before a good at- tendance. The interest shown in this meeting was well sustained until the end, owing to the fact that the Gradians were the winners of Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P.'s shield of last season, and that the Indus- trial boys became the runners up. Up to date both teams have not been beaten, so the result of this match would practi- cally decide as to who would be the ulti- mate holders of the shield for this sea- son. Both sides were pretty well repre- sented, but the Gradians played a re- serve or two The initial half of the game opened well, both sides getting to work in a busi- ness-like manner. However, after some even play the Industrialites became the aggressors, and their forwards were con- spicuous by some very fine passing. Wright opened the score with a shot, which Charles failed to handle, and the Industrial team thus led at the interval by a goal. In the second half the proceedings be- came more even, and the Gradians^ backs had to play their best to ward off the deadly shooting of the Industrial for- wards and backs. Tom Watkins and J.R. Williams did some fine work, yet they were overpowered. The Industrialites scored a second goal through Jack Jones after a nne opening had been made by McCarthy, the full-back, and his halves. The Industrial scarlets maintained the pressure until the end. Final score: Industrial, 2 goals; Higher Grade, nil. So the Gradians' record is gone! On the day's form the Scarlets deserved their victory, and their players, with the exception of their goalkeeper, were par- ticularly smart all over, and quite a match for the "all whites." The result has caused a great surprise in local cir- cles. o

Penrhiwceibep Sharp- shooters Air Ri-fle Club. XMAS SEALED HANDICAP. The rules of the above were as follows: —Each competitor to shoot off three boxes of pellets, each box containing eight shots, one a. sighter, and seven to count, every week for four ccaisecutive weeks. Handicappers, Ir. T. M. Bevan, Lee Hotel (captain), and Mr. E. G. Venn (secretary), who have given utmost satis- faction. The result was declared on Saturday night, when it was found that Mr. T. E. Phillips, manager, Penrhiw- ceiber Colliery, had captured the first prise. The appanded prizes, 12 in num- ber, were given to the winners by the following gentlemen •.— Dr. R. W. Jones (president), 10s. 6d. Mr. T. M. Bevan (captain), 50 box of .cigars. Mr D. J. Price (chninnan), prize value 5s. Mr. E. J. James (treasurer) prize value 5s. Mr. J. W. Bath (draper), umbrella, value 10s. 6d. Mr. W. A. Morgan, meat, value 5s. Mr. M. Isaacs (grocer), a 50-box of cigars. Mr. M. Freedman (jeweller), gold- centre medal. Mr. E. J. Ellaway, loaf of white or brown bread every day for a week. Mr. W. Andrews (fruiterer), prize value 2s. Bel. Scores:— Rec. Score Tl. 1 T. E. Phillips 20 351 374 2 J. Thomas 12 361 373 3 E. T. Watkins 12 360 372 4 W. Thomas 12 359 371 5 H. E. Morris 3 367 370 6 E. J. James 20 350 370 7 E. H. Williams 30 338 368 8 E. G. Venn scratch 366- 366 9 E. A. Venn 12 352 364 10 T. R. Wigley 12 851 363 11 E. Jones 12 351 — 363 12 E. J. Ellaway 33 329 362

PENRHIWCEIBER SHARP- SHOOTERS v. EAGLE, HOTEL, ABERDARE. Match fired at Aberdare on Thursday, Dec. 20th, 1906:- Aberdare. J. Shannon 2 4 4 4 5 5 4—28 W. Arnold 4 4 5 5 4 4 3-29 A. W. Milne 4 3 5 4 4 5 4-29 J. Jenkins 3 3 4 4 2 5 4-25 E. J. Grey 3 3 5 5 5 3 4—28 A. S. Pleace 3 4 3 5 3 5 5 -28 Tom Jones 4 5 5 3 3 5 4—29 W. Watson 3 4 4 4 3 2 4-24 Walt. Williams 3 3 4 4 5 4 2-25 D. D. Gordon 4 4 2 4 S 4 4—25 Aaii Grey 5 2 4 3 3 4 3-24 D. Thomas 4 2 3 3 2 4 4—22 Total. Sig Penrhiweeiber. E. G. Venn 5 4 4 5 5 4 4—SI H. E. Morris 5 5 4 4 3 4 4—29 W. Thomas 4 4 4 4 5 5 4—30 J. Thomas 3 4 4 5 4 5 4—29 S. T. James 4 2 5 4 3 4 3-25 G. R. Davies 4 4 4 4 4 5 4—29 E. A. Venn 3 4 5 5" S 3 3—26 E. T. Watkins 5 4 4 5 4 5 4—31 E. J. James 3 4 4 4 4 4 5-28 E. James 4 3 4 5 4 4 4-28 J. S. Thomas 3 3 4 9 4 5 4-26 M. Freedman 5 3 2 4 4 4 5-27 Total 339

o: Air' Rifle League. A meeting of the delegates from several clubs in the Aberdare valley was held at the Talbot Hotel, Aberdare, on Tuesday week. Mr. E. G. Venn-, Pen- rhiwceiber, vice-chairman of the League, presided. The following representatives were present:—Mr. H. Mosford, Prince of Wales, Aberaman; Mr. T. D. Jones, Constitutional Club, Aberdare; Mr. Hallisey and Mr. Jones, Lamb and Flag Hotel, Aberaman; Mr. Dovey, Queen's Hotel; Mr. R. P. Osborne and Mr. E. G. Venn, of the Penrhiwceiber Sharp- shooters; Mr. Provis and Mr. Bunney, Penrhiwceiber Temperance; Mr. Brit- tain, Eagle Hotel, Aberdare; Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Davies, Mount Pleasant, Aber- aman; Mr. Jones, King's Head, Aber- aman; Mr. Grovea and friend, Talbot Hotel, Aberdare. It was decided to request the Merthyr Clubs to join in with the Aberdare Valley and form an East Glamorgan I Air Rifle League. Mr. H. Mosford, secretary, and Mr. T. D. Jones, Consti- tutional Club, Aberdare, were appointed to wait upon the Merthyr Club and give the result at the next general League meeting, to be held at the Lamb and Flag, Aberaman, on January 2nd. All clubs desirous of joining the League should immediately apply to Mr. H. Mosford, hon. secretary of the League, Prince of vVales Hotel, Aberaman, and enclose an entrance fee of 7s. 6d.

0 ItArs. Hill, the Suffragist. A MOUNTAIN ASH LADY. Mrs. Keating Hill, the now famous suffragist, is a Mountain Ash lady. She is the daughter of Mr. Con Keating, an esteemed Mountain Ash man, and a sister to Mr. Joseph Keeting, the re- nowned novelist. In the course of an interview with a representative of the Press," on Satur- day, Mr. Joseph Keating, the brother of Mrs. Hill, said that many people bad axpressea their hearty sympathy with Mrs. Hill, and great indignation at the treatment that is being meted out to her. 1! There are 21 women in prison at the present moment on similar charges," added Mr. Keating, but there is a growing belief that the Government will not allow them to remain there during Christmas. They would consider it too severe a punishment for so slight an offence. My brother, Matthew, saw my sister for two hours preceding her journey to Holloway. She was quite at her ease and in good spirits, but just a little sad at the thought of being away from her children at Christmas. What arrangements forthe children ? Oh, they are to go with their father to their grandmother and others over the holidays, and they will pass the time as best they can under the circumstances. The shock is lessened because thay were quite prepared for it." In the course of further conversation, Mr. Keating said that Mrs. Hill has pre- pared for her sojourn in prison and had taken books with her. "She will study French." said he. She was to have received a first-class certificate in the intermediate stage of French at the Technical School priafc distribution last Thursday night, but, of course, she was in London. Now she will continue her studies in prison. She can speak English and Welsh fluently." O

Mr. Keir* Hardie and the Bishops. "LITTLE CHILDREN WILL SPIT ON TH1?M." Mr. Keir Hardie, writing to Mr. R. Smillie, the unsuccessful Labour candi- date for Paisley at the General Election, respecting the non-inclusion of Scotland in the Bill for enabling school authorities to provide food for destitute children, a fact which he attributed to the bishops, says:— It is not helpful to find the official representatives of the Church so callous and indifferent to the well-being of the poor as the bishops have once more proved themselves to be. They wonder why working men do not go to Church. Their own inaction on this occasion supplies the answer. They have long since lost the men; they are rapidly losing the women, and now little children will spit upon them as betrayers of the truths laid down by the Divine Master." o:

A Twice Told Tale. Good news bears repeating, and when it is confirmed after a long lapse of time by the giver of it, even if we hesitated to believe it at first hearing, we feel secure in accepting its truth now. The following marvellous experience of a Gadlys man is confirmed after three years. Mr. M.Morgan, 5, East avenue, Gadlys, Aberdare, writes :—" Dear Sirs: Doan's backache kidney pills have cured me of backache and kidney complaint, and I am quite willing that my case should be published. "For three years I suffered with acute pains in my back; they were so bad that I could not go to work for three months. After stooping I could not get up without assistance anyone who was near had to help me-it was dreadful. I was also a great sufferer with rheu- matism and gravel-both signs that my kidneys were out of order. I can sincerely recommend Doan's backache kidney pills as the best treat- ment for kidney trouble, for they have cured me, and I am now able to be at my employment every day. I attribute my recovery entirely to Doan's pills, Yours truly, (Signed) Morris Morgan." Nearly 3 years later, Mr. Morgan said Doan's pills cured me for good, and I am never tired of telling people about them. Before I used these pills my back was always aching, but I have never had any pain sinee. I can speak highly of these pills." Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are two shillings and ninepence per box (six boxes for thirteen shillings and nine- pence). Of all chemists and stores, or post free direct from Foster- McClellan Co., 8, Wells-street, Oxford-street. London, W. You are sure to get the right medicine if you ask distinctly for Doan's. :0:

Death of Mrs. Jones, Merthyr. Mrs Martha Jones, wife ei Mr William M. Jones, headmaster of the Georgetown School, Merthyr, died OP -Saturday. Mrs Jones was 43 years of ige, and was a native of Aberdare. Before her marriage she was a schoolmistress at Cwmaman. She leaves a husband and three children to mourn their Iss

SPORTS AND PASTIMES. A NEW RACING STARTEE—DUTCH HOCKEY Touit POSTPONED—A NOTED LEICESTERSHIRE CRICK- ETER COUNTY CRICKET GRAND NATIONAL CONDITIONS—AN ARMY ATHLETE'S APPOINT- MENT GLOUCESTERSHIRE CRICKET OLYM- PIC GAMES IN LONDON—YORK AND ITS RACE- COURSE COUNTY HOCKEY THE DUHALLOW HOUNDS.

The annual meeting of the Bath Recreation Ground Company was held at Bath. The chair- man said it was satisfactory that during the past summer they derived JE109 from County cricket against only J67 in the previous year. There was a profit of £ 150 on the year's working, which would be placed to the reserve. The secretary referred to the statements in newspapers that tho Somerset committee were going to ask them to take one-third of the gates at the County matches instead of one-half, and said the present arrangement must continue another year. The members complained of six days' continuous cricket not being arranged for Bath next summer, and of the Sussex fixture clashing with Bath Races. Mr. Nigel Baring's practical protest in de- clining to continue hunting the Duhallows owing to four hounds being recently poisoned has brought the residents of that famous Co. Cork district to their senses, and a. specially convened meeting was held at Mallow to consider the matter. As a result a resolution was unani- mously passed assuring Mr. Baring that it was their belief that any attempt to interfere with the hunting was never directed against himself nor against the great majority of the followers of the hounds. Those present at that meeting pledged themselves to do all in their power to effect a settloment of the dispute, and also pledged their word to Mr. Baring that in seriously undertaking this effort they would give every guarantee possible that both hounds and foxes would be protected from poison or interference. Finally they offered him a cordial invitation to resume the hunting of the pack. A strong committee, which included the name of Lord Castletown, was subsequently appointed to meet Mr. Baring and discuss the matter with him. North Devon has lost one of its foremost and best-known sportsmen by the death, at Instow, of Major George Winter, third son of the late Captain Charles Winter, of Bridge Hill, near Canterbury, Kent. The deceased officer served with the Cameronians (1st Battalion Scottish Rifles), retiring in 1883. During his seven years in India in the seventies he shewed considerable prowess in many tiger-hunting expeditions, and was a prominent polo player. On settling in North Devon he was one of the promoters and first Master of the Barnstaple and North Devon Harriers, and subsequently he was a great sup- porter of the Cheriton Otter Hounds, which have never shewn better sport than during his Mastership from 1898 to 1901. He had also acted as secretary, and was a follower of the Hunt until his illness laid him aside. Deceased was only forty-seven years of age. A-, a result of the meeting of the Advisory Board appointed by the president of the M.C.C., at Lord's, the proposal of Kent to extend the qualifying period for foreign professionals was re- jected by eight votes to seven. Yorkshire, Essex, Worcestesshire, Leicestershire, Kent, Notts, and Minor Counties (1) voted for, and Hampshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Northamp- tonshire, Lanca-hire, Sus-ex, Surrey, and Minor Counties (1) against the proposal. A School of Instruction for Auxiliary Officers is to be formed in Edinburgh in the New Year, and it has been decided to give the post of commandant to Major E. R. Bradford, of the Seaforth Highlanders, the noted Hants County and Army cricketer, who is the son of that fine old sportsman, Sir Edward Bradford, Bart., the ex-Chief of the Metropolitan Police. The York Micklegate Strays Bill, which pro- vides for the transfer of the Strays from the free- men to the Corporation, has been deposited in the Private Bills Office. One clause deals with the races, and provides for leasing portions of the land for the erection and maintenance of grand stands and other buildings, booths or tents in connection with the racecourse, together with the apportionment of a certain amount of land for the racecourse. The clause empowers the Corporation to close any portion of the Strays for the purposes of the races, and the Cor- poration, their lessees, or licensees, may make charges for admission to the part so closed. The Gloucestershire County Committee met at Bristol, and apportioned the matches for next season. The Gloucester week is to be revived. and Northamptonshire and Worcestershire will be received there in June. Kent and Hampshire will be the opponents in the Cheltenham week. So far the Nottinghamshire match has not yet been allotted. Yorkshire, Somerset, Sussex, Mid- dlesex, Essex, Surrey, and the South Africans will all be played at Bristol. The date of the annual meeting was fixed for January 31st. A special general meeting of the Southern Counties' Hockey Association was held at the Cannon-street Hotel, Mr. H. M. Tennent pre- siding. The meeting was convened for the pur- pose of discussing the proposed new rules. The proposed alterations, which for the most part were adopted with only a few verbal changes, are intended to meet the demand for decentrali- sation. For instance, under the new rules no club will be affiliated direct to the S.C.H.A., but only to their county association, which will, of course, be affiliated to the S.C.H.A. At pre- sent some clubs are affiliated to both their county and district associations, while other clubs are affiliated to only one of those bodies. The number of members comprising the selec- tion committee was increased from four to six (not more than one from any single county), and the hon. secretary of the association. It was also decided that a meeting be held, not later than May 31st, when the council shall arrange the dates of county matches for the coming season. Several important changes in the conditions of the Grand National Steeplechase are determined on, the following being the principal alterations. In the first place the value is raised to 3,000 sovs.; a winner after publication of the weights of a handicap steeplechase of 3-i miles or over to carry 41b. extra; winners originally handicapped in the race at list, or over will be exempted from penalties. Captain E. L. Challenor, the Leicestershire County cricketer, has been moved from the Leicester depot and given the command of a company at Shorncliffe Camp, Kent. He rejoins the battalion of the Tigers with which he served in the Boer War. A meeting of County cricket representatives was held in the committee-room at Lord's for the purpose of considering the question of winter wage. After a long informal discussion the mat- ter was adjourned without anything definite be- ing done, the object being that the views of the various counties might be ascertained. The idea is that something like uniformity should be secur is that something like uniformity should be se- cured. Nothing has, as yet, been decided as to the programme for any form of sport to take place at the Olympic Games in London in July, 1908, but the drafts of all programmes and regulations of the different phases of sport will be ready about Eastertide, for circulation among the gov- erning associations of other countries. The pro- gramme and regulations on each sport will be placed in the hands of the association governing tfie sport in this country, i.e., in the case of athletics the A.A.A., and in the instance of cyclin- the N.C.U. It is not the intention of the council of the British Olympic Association to ap- point committees themselves to deal with the several programmes of sport. Lieutenant Lawrence Peel has been appointed Adjutant of the 2nd Yorkshire Regiment in South Africa. He passed out of Sandhurst a little over three years ago, and was one of the officers of the Prince of Wales's guard during his Royal Highness's visit to India. Mr. Peel is a noted athlete, and has figured in Indian and South African football tournaments. He recently broke his oollar-bone when playing against the City of London Regiment in a South African J cup-tie. Owing to the fact that they were to obtain only one fixture in the London district (that with Muswell Hill) during the Christmas JioHdays, the Dutch hockey players have decided to postpone their visit to England until alter £ aster. 1: ,r', ¡. lJ. ..T" n

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