The Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News

Amman Valley Sporting Gossip I [By "FREELANCE. It was doubtful up to the last moment as to whether Pontardawe would make the journey to Ammanford on Saturday last. The position was made all the more awkward on account of the fact that the appointed League referee would be unable to make the journey. Fotrunately, these difficulties were surmounted, and both team and referee put in an appearance. Amman- ford found substitutes, in place of Hughes and T. Jones, in Popple and Cudlip. The teams fielded as follow: Ammanford.Goal, Cudlip; full- backs, Shaw and Bob Thomas; half- backs, Parrot, D. Jones, and Morgan; forwards, Twist (captain), Crockford, Ike Thomas, Charlie Rees, and Popple. Pontardawe.—Goal, Idris Powell; full-backs, R. Jones and Timming; half-backs, H. Hopkins, D. Rees, and Griff. Jones; forwards, Sid Evans, H. Notman, Pearce, Jones, and Harries. Ammanford kicked off against the wind. It was obvious from the com- mencement of play that the homesters were by far the superior side. The Pontardawe men, however, soon made their presence felt, and as the result of some loose play on the part of one of the visitors' backs a free kick was awarded Ammanford. At this junc- ture of the game Tommy Twist made p fine opening, and only missed the net by a few inches. A free kick awarded to Pontardawe made matters rather awkward for the homesters. Johnny Morgan, however, relieved and sent play again to the visitors' territory. Here Crockford was caught offside, and a free kick was awarded the visitors. From here on the Pontardawe boys pressed, and got within the home territory, and Sid Evans scored a pretty goal for the visitors. On resuming, Ammanford again pressed, and Parrot passed to Tommy Twist, who again failed to take advantage. He missed by a narrow margin. Half-time score: Pontardawe, I goal; Ammanford, nil. In the second half, the homesters made attempt after attempt to score, and on each occason failed by a narrow margin. The home backs played a brilliant game, and soma excellent openings was the result. The home captain was forced to change his posi- tion, and improved immensely. The referee tfailed to notice a deliberate case of hands," and Ammanford lost a deserved penalty. Charlie Rees got the ball well in hand on two ci three occasions, but met with misfortune each time. Play throughout this half was confined to the visitors' territory, and towards the end of the game Ike Thomas netted a lovely shot. This equalised matters. There was no fur- ther score. Final score: Ammanford, I goal; Pontardawe, I. The Ammanfordians now have a fine set of backs. There is room for a change in the forward line—one or two exceptions. The goalie is not very sure. johnny Morgan played the game of his life on Saturday. He is sound in any position. Popple and Shaw have won their places. The promoters were satisfied with the result on Saturday. So they ought to. Swansea has its "eye" on Amman- ford. So said the referee. But did we play him as well as the team ? The referee must have been a sport to have cycled up; but there you are, it was Ammanford playing. A case of the long and the short of it w hen Popple faced his opponent. But he played rings around him. The gate on Saturday showed a vast improvement. Parrot did well, and is a great asset to his side. The centre-half did not make an impression. Crockford can improve on his play last Saturday. Charlie Rees is just the man for the position of outside-left. He is fast enough. It is quite possible that Remington and Uoyd will be given a trial shortly. I hear that Lloyd has played for Aberystwyth College. There was less argument last Saturday. It is not proposed to increase the width of the goalposts. It is rather fortunate that the cross- bar is of a strong quality. I hear that only four of the selected players turned out for' practice on Thursday last. Is it fair to the captain? The alternative is to drop them. There are plenty of players now available. It is rumoured that Garnant will play a friendly at Ammanford to-day (Thursday) at Soccer. The Tirydiail Club is now well a dvanced, and fixtures are being com- pleted. This band of juvenile players are now recognised as the Ammanford 2nds Rugby Club, and have during past seasons fared well. Ammanford Rugbyites suffered defeat on Saturday last. It is said that there were too many captains on the field. Why not confine the position to one particular player? The forwards played a remarkably fine game, and were by far the superior octette. That six points defeat registers an- other smack in the face to the followers. To create more enthusiasm, it is obvious that something will have to be done. The club is now weak in its selec- tion of backs. Abbot Bach was not up to his usual form on Saturday. The recent acci- dent may have something to do with it, Even the referee on Saturday com- mented strongly on the lack of co- operation. But he was a man from Hendy. That place is only a mile or two away. The Rugby Union will in the future, I dare say, use more tact in the selec- tion of referees. It is not always advisable to select the referee from the immediate district. There is bound to be dissatisfaction. As the Rugbyites neglect little of the opportunity for practices, they should under the circumstances possess superior team. Where lies the fault? Ivor Jones and Ike Fowler are part- ners up North. We hear, though, that they get little chance of the ball. The men from the North prefer the forward tactics. Idris Jones, Ammanford, beat Danny Shea, Aberavon, in a 15-round contest on Saturday Last. The win was declared on points. Brynamman entertained Cwmllynfell at Brynamman last Saturday. The result was a pointless draw. Mr. D. J. Davies officiated as referee. This is the third successive game that Brynamman have played with the same result. The two previous games were played away-at Ammanford and Cwmllynfell. Cwmtwrch are expected at Bryn- amman next Saturday. The dribbling code has evoked great interest at Brynamman, and claims many followers. It was found advisable to arrange another trial match last Saturday, when excellent form was shown by some of the aspirants. Fred John made a good debut as a local referee. He has evidently ac- quired great experience whilst at Sheffield. Questions from correspondents:— Is the Llandovery Rugby Football Club really in existence? Or are the remarks of Freelance only fiction? How many local secretaries are there who have been anxiously awaiting replies to their applications for fixtures thereat? Or has the postal service therefrom been cut off ? LLANDEBIE v. PONTYBEREM. O 1 I. II 11. wn Saturday last, LJandebie jour- neyed to Pontyberem to fulfil their first League match. They were with- out several of their best players, and substitutes had to be found for Emlyn Phillips, Geo. Evans, Rev. J. LI. Thomas, and Tom Leigh, who were unable to play. Ivor Jones, winning the toss, chose to play down the slope. Early in the game, Ikey Owens picked up near halfway and scored a beautiful try all on his own, which he converted. After the drop-out, the Llandebie forwards took play to the home 25, where Will James made a nice opening and en- abled Dai Jones to score. The kick at goal failed. Soon after the kick- out, play was again taken to the home territory, and V/ill James again passed to Dai Jones, who crossed with his second try, the kick at goal failing. Nothing further was scored during this half, the score being: Llandebie, 1 goal 2 tries; Pontyberem, nil. The second half was of a rather un- interesting character, neither set of backs being able to indulge in much passing. Pontyberem looked rather dangerous on one or two occasions, but A. Taylor was equal to the occasion. Final score: Llandebie, I goal 2 triss; Pontyberem, nil. LLANDEBIE 2nds v. TUMBLE I 2nds. This interesting game was played at Llandebie on Saturday last, the home side proving easy winners. Spencer Lewis dropped a penalty goal for Llan- debie, and Fred Lewis and Tommy Lewis crossed with tries. Tumble just managed to cross on one occasion, Jim Richards from an opening by the visit- ing backs taking matters on his own. Final score: Llandebie 2nds, I dropped goal 2 tries; Tumble 2nds, I try. LLANDEBIE 2nds v. CAERBRYN I On Monday, a fixture was arranged between Llandebie 2nds and Caer- bryn, on the latter's ground. Here, again, the Llandebieites fared remark- ably well under the circumstances, acd secured two tries. The scorers were D. L. Thomas and Fred Lewis. Caer- bryn made a fine stand and made mat- ters dangerous for the visitors on one or two occasions. J. Evans crossed for Caerbryn. Final score: Llandebie 2nds, 2 tries; Caerbryn, I try.

I' Amman United Notes. [By "OLD SPORT." 1 AMMAN UNITED v. SKEWEN. I Result: Amman United, I converted goal I drop goal I try; Skewen, nil. Scorers: Garfield Phillips and J. Styles, one try each; Billo Rees, one drop and one converted goal Before I proceed with my weekly report of the above game, I must needs tackle Freelance for some glaring inaccuracies that crept into his notes last week. He desired to jog my memory on certain happenings in con- nection with games that should have taken place last season against Tiry- dail. In the first place, I may tell him that, personally, my time was occupied last winter in ways which precluded my taking any part in foot- ball matches in the Amman Valley. was more concerned at that time as to whether I should get out from be- tween dirty blankets on a trestle bed at Reveille," or stay there and get on the peg in consequence. How- ever, I have taken the trouble to make enquiries during the week, and this is the result:—( I) Last season's time had nothing whatever to do with this season's. It was under different management entirely. (2) Last Season' s secretary received wires on two separate occasions stopping the team from going to Tirydail. (3) Good Friday's fixture was not fulfilled through lack of a conveyance. Then, fourthly, this season's secretary (not the one at present acting) arranged fixtures with Mr. W. A. Hay, the Amman secretary. I can vouch for this, as I saw the postcard myself; and lastly, Tirydail or any other team need not worry about the Amman Seconds ot fulfilling their fixtures this season. ) hope this reply will satisfy my friend t Freelance." Now, to come back to the Skewen game. I am sure that the news of Amman's splendid victory created great surprise in the Valley. It was freely predicted during the week that the Scarlets were about to register their first defeat. The committee themselves were not too optimistic, and those of us who were privileged to see the game came off the field wondering at the great display of the team. My notes during the last few weeks have been written in an optimistic strain, and I do not hesitate to say that if the team can only keep up their present form, it will need a very hot side indeed to take their colours down. Their 12-point victory at Skewen was no fluke, and I would not be exaggerating were I to say that they deserved to win by even a greater margin than this. For example, the home team did not cross the halfway line more than half-a- dozen times during the second half, and at no time throughout the whole game were they really dangerous. Now, wherein lies the secret? I will tell you, my readers, in a very few words. It was the fine display of the forwards that laid the foundation for this fine victory. The committee were very severely criticised during the week for selecting one or two old players, and more particularly one of them. By the irony of fate, this particular player contributed more towards the win than any other man on the side. I will really confess that his display was an eye-opener to myself. The player to whom I refer is that old Amman stal- wart, Major Gilbert Davies, M.C. I happened to be present when an old Skewen player approached him after the game, and paid him such a compli- ment that it made even the gallant Major blush. Still, this man hit the nail on the head. In precept and prac- tice, right throughout the game, Gilbert was the inspiration of his side. The way he shepherded the pack, particularly during the crucial stages of the game, which was in the first half, was splendid. And how those forwards responded, I need no other illustration than to point to the score. I was not the only one who momentarily expected the old hands to crack up, but they lasted out the gruel- ling game wonderfully well. I have a suspicion that one or two of the for- wards—and not the old ones either- were not always doing their whack in the tight, and I particularly noticed one of them get up from the scrum rather too soon on more than one occasion. However, the pack as a whole did so remarkably well that I cannot find my- self blaming any of them, neither can I justly mention the names of any of them for good work without mentioning all of them. So here they are:— J. Styles, W. Ward, Rees Owen, T. J. Thomas, M. Williams, Tom Evans, and D. J. Jones, together with Gilbert Davies, whom I have previously men- tioned above. Now for the backs. I have stated that the forwards laid the foundation of victory, but it needed the assistance of the backs to put on the finishing touches. The halves did exceptionally well. There was not a hitch in their combination. That one-handed touch of Morgan Rees' by which he tips the ball out to Price, was splendidly done. During the second half, Mock did not have quite so much of his own way, for i he was well watched by young Reason. This, however, did not pre- vent him giving ample opportunities to his outside man. I am pleased to be able to record' a decided improvement in the way Arthur Price parted with the ball on this occasion. This was certainly Arthur's best game yet. He neatly deceived the defence when Garfield Phillips scored his try. I must here state that the sharp slope in the, field, together with a strong cross wind, did much to spoil open play, and in this the visiting three-quarters had much to excuse any, faulty passing. Never- theless, some fine movements were wit- nessed. I should bracket Garfield Phillips and Billo Rees as being the pick of a fine three-quarter line, with Joe Griffiths and Evan Phillips doing many fine things. Joe Griffiths was excellent in defence, and on one occa- sion Owen Saunders, the old Skewen outside-half, in trying to give him the dummy," soon found he had made a mistake. Garfield's try was a fine example of dashing play. He had about 15 yards to travel, with only a yard or two from the touch-line and two or three opponents to beat. He got there, however, and registered as fine a try as one could wish to see from a single individual faced with so many difficulties. Billo Rees dropped a nice goal, even though he was lucky in that when the ball struck the cross-bar it fell over on the right side. The feature of his play was his fine screw- kicking when in difficulties. Just one little fault I discerned in the centres, and that was slow, lobbing passes—a fault easily remedied. I hardly know whether it is necessary for me to write anything about Joe Rees, as I shall only be repeating what I have written after each match this season. The Amman captain is a host in himself, and I know from experience how much easier it is for three-quarters to give of their best when they have such a superb full-back behind them as we possess in Joe. It is immaterial when or how he gets the ball, he seldom lets the side down. His one fault, as I pointed out in last week' s notes, is his uncertainty in finding touch. On Saturday last, he made some of the Skewen players look like schoolboys, so easily did he bluff them. Now for Pontardawe at home next Saturday, when another stiff obstacles will have to be negotiated. The Amman United Seconds defeated Caerbryn Stars at the Park by identically the same points as the Premiers beat Skewen. Much promise was shown by individual players. One of the features of the game was a splen- did individual effort by Arthur Roberts, I one of the home forwards, who after covering half the length of the' field, scored a fine try. The Seconds cer- tainly need a goal-kicker. Cannot one be found, boys? Idris Hughes shaped very pro- misingly at outside-hal f, and was the pick of the backs. The forwards were a bustling lot, with Willie Davies, S. Jeremiah, and Evan Davies shewing up prominently. These three men, to- gether with Arthur Roberts, will make splendid substitutes for the premier side should the need arise.

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THE STRIKE. I The strike declared by the railway- men at midnight on Friday has prac- tically brought industries to a standstill throughout the Amman Valley. From day to day, colliery after colliery is compelled to cease work, and the result is disastrous to the mining indus- try. No fewer than 22 pits are in, volved in the Amman Valley, and hundreds of men are thrown out of employment. Several goods trains have been left on the sidings at Tirydail, and the drivers and firemen left by cars for their respective depots on Saturday morning. In one instance, the railway- men had deemed fit to have shunted the full wagons of coal up against the empties in the siding. Fortunately, this little cefficulty, was overcome. On Monday, a notice was posted up at the Post Office, confinng deliveries of letters locally. But for the telephone and telegraph, we even at Ammanford are cut away from the outside world. Our milk supply is up to the present assured, and is brought in by motor lorries. Local housewives were deter- mined not to be outdone on Saturday, and journeyed to Llandilo Market by motor char-a-banc. Those that in- cluded the fortunates procured a bounteous supply of precious butter. As shown by the official report of the conference, the disputed wage terms upon which the N. U. R. rushed into strike are as follow:- UNION CLAIMS. Marge on basis of highest rate paid in a grade. This being the principle of settle- ment with drivers and ifremen. Take highest maximum and add 33s. war wage. A minimum of 60s. Review of wage standard if cost of living goes down. I GOVERNMENT RESPONSES. 40s. minimum for lowest pre-war wage of 18s. Cleaners are included in this grade, and the settlement for the whole grade is the same as for other grades. No change in present wages till 31st December. 13s. bonus added to 40s. minimum until at least three months after cost of living falls to 110 per cent. above pre-war cost. REPORTS FROM DAY TO DAY MONDAY. The country from one end to the other is gripped by the railway strike, and is being held to ransom. Reports from all quarters shew an unprece- dented paarylsis of industry. Works and collieries are stopping on all hands, the former through lack of fuel, and the latter not being able to effect clear- ances. Many of the workers in West Wales are already at a standstill. Within a matter of a few days, the disaster in terms of number of men thrown out of work in South Wales will be approximately 271,000. On Monday, enquiries at the London stations shewed that a certain number of strikers reported for duty that morn- ing on various lines. Several trains were running. I NO BEER. There will be a pronounced shortage of beer in West Wales this week, and some licensed houses are already on half rations. I THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO STRIKE. Mr. Appleton, secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions, on Monday declared if railwaymen had been ballotted there would have been no railway strike. TUESDAY. 1 here was no material change on Tuesday in the railway strike situation as affecting South Wales. All the collieries in the Pontypridd and Rhondda areas are idle. The blast furnaces at Merthyr were damped down during the week-end, and the works are at a standstill. Military has arrived in Swansea, and their presence has caused some feeling amongst the working men, who are arranging for a deputation to the Mayor with the object of pressing the Govern- ment to withdraw them. Soldiers are guarding the 0 Severn Tunnel, Newport Docks, and food depots. During the day, the Newport and Swansea Strike Committees received the following telegram from N.U.R. headquarters:—" Response beyond all expectations. Let neither jealousy nor prejudice divert you from realising the nght is such that your existence is at stake. All has been done that any man could do to prevent it. Now that it has come, we must aad will win. Keep your heads. Victory assured." In the Maesteg Valley, several of the collieries are continuing to work by stacking all the coal as it is brought up, and it is thought that those collieries which have stopped may adopt the same measures. No London mails and no Cardiff mails reached Swansea yesterday. Arrangements have been made for the dispatch of large quantities of milk from Carmarthenshire areas. Most of the Friday and Monday's supplies were held up, but a good deal was converted into butter. Some farmers who have gone in entirely for milk pro- duction had no butter-making apparatus and utensils, and in consequence much milk had to be given to calves and pigs or thrown away. WEDNESDAY. A threat by Mr. J. H. Thomas to> no longer refuse the active assistance of other Unions, and the official report of the Executive of the Transport Workers' Federation, pending confer- ence of the affiliated Unions to-day, led to the expectation of extension of the strike to organisations allied with the National Union of Railwaymen. On both sides the determination is ex- pressed to fight the issue out, and despite some measures of efforts at con- ciliation it does not appear that there has been any approach towards peace. The railways yesterday increased their partial service of trains, and the working of the Government's Food Distribution Scheme proceeds smoothly. Voluntary workers are still coming for- ward in large numbers, and railwaymen are reported to be returning in small numbers at some centres. On the whole, however, the strike is strongly maintained by the Railwaymen's Union. A mass meeting on Clapham Com- mon yesterday morning was organised by the South West London branches of the N.U.R. and the Society of Loco- motive Engineers and Firemen. The various branches marched to the Common, headed by bands and banners, and were addressed by Mr. J. H. Thomas and Mr. Bromley. Mr. Thomas said that if additional evidence was needed to refute the lying state- ments in the Press that the strike was col lapsing- (laughter ) —that meeting was the best evidence. Never mind what the Press says, said Mr. Thomas. Never mind the misrepre- sentations. No trains is the answer to give them. The Government knew that if they could beat the railwaymen it would be an easy matter to beat the rest. We are not going to be beaten, he declared, amid loud cheers. There was no radical change yester- day in the railway strike situation as affecting South Wales, but a consider- able improvement in the G. W.R. train service is promised to-day. The City Hall at Manchester was packed on Monday night at a meeting convened by the Lord Mayor, which had for its object the passing of a reso- lution in support of the Government in any steps taken regarding the strike, and pledging the gathering to do every- thing possible to continue their food transport service. The meeting was far from being unanimous. The speakers were frequently interrupted, and the Lord Mayor's announcement that the resolution had been carried was received with cries of No. At Carmarthen, yesterday, the strikers held a public meeting to ex- plain their case. Mr. Harry Evans presided. The Rev. John Jeremy, Stockport, a former Carmarthen rail- wayman, who is stranded in the town, said it was not a strike against the community, but an ordinary national- strike of a body of workers against con- ditions of service which the Govern- ment wanted to impose. It was announced that the looal Strike Committee had given permission for the removal of perishable goods from the station. No trains have arrived at or left Carmarthen since Friday, and branch lines are idle. A hopeful feeling in regard to the strike is felt by all Merthyr railway- men. The following statement has been issued by the Ministry of Labour:— Doubt having been expressed as to the position of railwaymen who remain at or resume work, the Government desire to make it clear that they under- take to afford such men every protec- tion during the present crisis, and also to safeguard their interests as railway- men against any measures of prejudice to which they might thereafter be ex- posed on account of such action." Among those whose offers have been accepted as engine-drivers is that of Captain Guest, M.P., who to-morrow will drive a train on one of the trunk main lines. Capt. Guest has a good" working knowledge of engineering, and has placed his services absolutely at the disposal of the Government. The Executive Committee of the National Transport Workers' Federa- tion met yesterday afternoon to further consider the Federation's attitude on the railway strike. After consulting to- gether for some time, members of the Executive left, stating they were going to the Ministry of Labour. An extended railway service is in operation to-day. Foodstuffs are sub- stantial, and the distribution continues to be satisfactory. The public should understand, however, that some incon- venience is inevitable in the circum- stances, and they are asked to exercise strict economy in the use of all food- stuffs, particularly of milk, that the children may not suffer. The most rigid econpmy in the use of petrol and coal should be practised in the interests of the whole community. Printed and Published by the Amman Valley Chronicle, Limited, at their Officee, Qaay Street, Amemnford, is the Cotatfy ei CM- ■urthen. October 2nd, 1919.