Evening Express

THE WELSH LEAGUES) I CARDIFF AND DISTRICT R,U. i I Schcoi and Schoolboy Matches! By 1, SPOKES." I Cardiff and District Rugby Union I Crdiff and District Rugby I The inter-league match with the Bridgend District, abandoned through frost last Satur- day, will be re-a-rrang-od. It will take place on the earliest passible date at Bridgend. The draw for the cup competitions will take place on the first Tuesday in March. Romilly are in favour of playing all the ties on enclosed grounds, but the other clubs dissent. 1he usual custom of first out of the hat to have choice of ground, will, there- fore, be followed for all the first round matches. I, 1^ is the unanimous feeling of the aenaor clubs that the, competition for the Mallett Cup should be restricted to these clubs who have taken part in the senior league. Cardiff Northern did not attend Tuesdays meeting to explain their decision to forego all league games. However, I hear the Northern representa- tives will attend the next meeting. The apparent difficulty oi tie Northern -club is over the fact that they have insufficient open date*. fixtures already arranged should be carried out. This, it is hoped, the Northern wiil recognise, and thus make it unneces- sary for the matter to be placed before tne Welsh L'nion. vv Q!enure:! have lodged a claim of £5 for I oss of gate through one of the Rhondda, fiuba di-"d.p'¡:'vinÜu,; them on Boxing Day. Mr. W, 1:1.. Perry has resigned the secre- taryship of St. Michael's. lie will still re- tain his seat on the union committee. ¡' clubs who have neglected to forward their annual subscription will not be a-llowea to yarn treats iu tne cup arar. The tip of Mr. T. D. Schefield (W.F.U.) is that the Bridgend and District League will win the inter-league game. We shalt see. jfoizrwiitu ai tail strengtn, are a. triiie hot. Their draw with, the league leaders, laraiig'et,. ,v □, on Saturday last proves it. The sons of brm. should maKe 11 bold, bid this year br the Jiallett. After the rumpus at Llanetiy on Saturday last, the We-hoh Union might copy the rule oi the local Union and grive their referees cower to decide on the ataeas of grounds for P-iay when opposing teams disagree. Business finished early at the last meeting, and aa. fiour or so was given to a, debate 011 next season s prospects cf pTofessionaiiim in Wales. The debaters acknowledged that there is a. certainty of the number of professional clubs being increased next season. That secret arrang-aments have been made by at le.-st, three ciubs now run all amateur lines to vert to open professionalism at the end of this season! The increase of professional clubs will do mora harm than good to the professional movement, was the unanimous opinion, -vow Merthyr and Ebbw Vate have the monopoly, but with more ciubs competition for public patronage will begin. The ten pounds towards away expenses may be dropped, and the Welsh clubs will find that Northern clubs will be unable to play, all the locals. Gran get own's appeal a-gv-ihst Northern for the latter side's failure to turn out on the Roath Park on JLLnuar-y 4 has been àHdwNi, e been awarded the and the bricklayers have been awarded the points. Referee Morris reported that the ground was playable. A. Thomas, of Cardiff Fruiterers, naa lately been assisting Whitchurch. The latter club were unaware that Thomas was cue of the I banana, boys, and were thus held free from blame. The transfer of Thomas to the l villagers has been suspended for a fortnight. Players desiring to change their clubs should note th?t no transfers will be granted, after the cup draw. The only cha¡n of the week i? H. John. from Heath Adyttj to 8t, Saviour's. The Union are in possession of the birth If certificates of the to'lowing placers:—A. Lewi. H. B. John, J. Noon. F. C. Coombes, ?. Rntter. J. M'Guine?. and J. 13?arry, Appli- cation for them should be made at next Tues- day's meeting. 1 am sorry to learn that the services of Mr. C. L. Prke will not be available for a fort- night. He has badly sprained his ankle. Mr. Price has refereed oftener this seasoa than any ofTier district referee. To-day 3 match between Canton United and Grange Barbarians at the Sophia Ga-rdm3 will almost prove a decider in the champion- bliip of the third league. Both clubs are at the top, and as the fixture is for four points its importance is obvious. Undry, of Canton Crusaders, is a really fine forward, but he has a. little too much energy in tackling now and again. Erodd, of the Taff s,. is another player of the same kind. The cornnjittee, on the report of Mr. D, Evans, has suspaeided the. pair for a fortrilghf.1 Rc.a.th Adults at 8-ckrtt ran out winneirs against St. Saviour's by ten points to three. J. Hedges dropped a very fine l. and Haines kicked a penalty. Hunt obtained the Saints' try. It was a fine effort. Rhymney Valley Junior League The league, through, the withdrawal of Mae hen Seconds and tao exclusion of Mer- thrr Seecn-ti?, in addition, t-o the work of King- Frost, has been rather quiet lately. The position of Merthyr Seconds is causing a lot of controversy. For instance, Fleur-de- Lis were due at. Merthyr lac.t Saturday. Without any exception, the players wished to go—despite the exalusion—and act as eCports: The hard frost, however, made the visit impossible. It docs seem hard lines that the Merthyrites sho-uld be excluded at this late period of the season. Evidently the Merthyr Amateur CLub intend to see the matter through. They have requested the league secretary to convene another meeting to thoroughly thresh the matter out before it i3 reported to the Welsh Football Union. Notice cf motion, in favour of Merthyr s case ha3 also been given by "Spokes" to the Union of Welsh Junior Leagues. A trial match has been arranged to take place at Aberbargoea next Saturday, and a league meeting will be held afterwards to re-consider the Merthyr question. Deri played Aberbargoed Seconds at Floor- de-Lis ori Saturday. Deg<pue the hard ground ground, the two hundred spectators witnessed a capital gsume. Deri won the re- play by three points. Aherbargoed were the better team first hait. but the rushing tactics of the Dentes pre- vailed, and in the later stages they com- pletely outPlayed. their opponents. Sirhowy Valley League. Jack Frost was master on Saturday last. He prevented the Hibernians v. Georgetown match from being played on the "Rec." Georgetown appeared anxious to play, and did not mind their limbs, but the "Hibe" chaffingly stated they ha.d no ambition to overcrowd the hospital with sripples. Should the Swansea ground be frost-bound on the 1st of February, for the intamational match with Scotland, the Welsh Union should remember the Troectrhiwgwair field, as this app.pared to be the only ground fit for Hay in Waleso say the "Troedy" boya and Referee IlaTeq. Troedrhiwgwair have a. liking for hard- frozen soil. They visited Sirhowy on batur- day last, and persuaded the home men to tarn out. Sirhowy are repenting-they were beaten by six points to three, after a scram- bli-ng jame. After the' visitors scored their second try there was trouble- Parflt tackled D. Evans, the home full-back, and it is alleged whilst holding him from falling Evans introduced Marquess of Queensberry Rules. Parflt, the victim, had to be carried off the field, and Referee Hares gave P-anny ma,rohing orders. One of the home officials seemed to encourage the conduct, for he endeavoured to persuade his team not to play without Evans. After a little delay the players showed their gcod sense by resuming play. To-day is an exceptionally busy day. The Hi ha visit Argoed to play their last away league jaffle. They are likely to win the remaining four home games. Ex-Schoolboys. The C. and D.R.U. have had another appli- cation for addition to the ex-ohoolboys' league, but as the applicants failed to oro- duco birth certificates to proro all their players under the seventeen years, of age limit the application was refused. As the ages of all the players in the nine affiliated clubs have been verified, the deci- sion is right. T-aff Juniors and Canton Crusaders both decided to may last S?to.rd?y. d"pite the haj^l 7round. The game resulted in a poin.t- less draw, but TaS wpre the better 8ide, Referee D. Brans tells me that both full- backs did Snely. icbael was the pick of the threes—he seems to improve ip every ntatoh. On one occasion he had ham 4in4a m not scoring after a fine burets He ju.&t.. failed to ground the ball. Gwyn Nicholls, jtww has developed a fault. He has in recent matches made tha mistake of running his wing too. near the touch. He should rectify this blemish. Canton Crusaders' three-quarters do too much kicking. Mere passing, lads. MDougall, the Wei.? a schoolboy inter- | national, bas. the making of a, ra.re good half. To-day at Newport the ex-cboolboys of Usk- sidc and Cardiff meet. The 30 players are well within the age limit of seventeen years. The W?lsh Union at the?r meeting in Feb- ruary will receive deputations from the Union of Welth Junior Leagues and the Welsh Schools Union. relating to the forma- tion of old boys' clubs. Schoolboy Rugby -k I rp?t a, d,av Almost a, blank day throughout Wales, St. Monica> v. Crwys-rcad created a, record by being the only game played, and the (Saints ran up another record by winning. The game waa fairly even, and the score of eight points to six gives credit to St. Monica's sliglit superiority. Pinnell and Rumble played finely for Crwys, and Francis and Meyriek for St. Monica's. Newport" and District Junior i Rugby League Last Saturday's trial match at Pontymister was a big success, and the committee were able to jndga the merits of the vario-us players in no uncertain fashion. The District forwards and three-quarters were collectively better than the Town. but at full- back and half-back Newport had the advan- tage. The committee met at Dowdall's Great Western Hc.tel in the evening, and chose their team to play against the Monmouth- THE WELSH HALF-BAC«S. Co. Evening Express photograph. — — i shirs Valleys oR Saturday next at the New- port Atihictio Grounds. Kick-off, i.30 p.m. Newport and District: Eack, J. Wetter (Con- servatives); three-quarter backs, "W. E. Phillips, *G. Prothero, T. May (League of the Gross), and *W. Williams; hali-cacks, H. Phillips (Lcaffiie of the Cross) and 'J. Knig-ht; forwards. R. Carney tMaindeej, *A. Friend, *C. Morgan, G. Morgan, A. 01sen (League of the C'ross) *P. Murray, J. Walsh (Conserva- tivet-i, and J. Le-nnham (League cf t-,ne Cress). District cluDs. Personal Will the leagues, clubs, and many football friends who have iorwarded expressions of their sympathy in my recent sad bereave- j ment kmdiy accept my grateful thanks? Rhondda Valleys League Although Jack Frost .had the reins in hia hand on Saturday last, Rhomldaiws aeftea his power, Thorc were f wo league matches. Oiifynydd waty the seeno of cperatio>n3 for Llwynyp^a Reserves- to play their second leaguo encounter. On arriving at the ground it was quite apparent (judging1 by the crowd;, which was quite a large one) that none had thought of old "King Frost." The referee viewed the ground. he ca.Iled the attention of both captama (Rees and Pat;e,miln) and asked them their opinion. Without any hesi- tation they decided to riay a lea-gae match. For not patting the ball in the scrimmage fairly the hoy* from "Uwy?iy" w?re peral- Woods landed a ?oal. It was a ..Tean-i^eida showing &Jme pr,t.y ana it looked at times tha.t nothing oould prevenl the visitors from notching points. In the second half the referee had the unplca-r.iEit I-nt.37 of ordering J. Felix iLlwynypia Reserves) oft' the field for alleged us-3 of ioul language, -ille final sc-jre re^a—Ciil'ynydd 'Quins, one penalty goal; Llwynypia Reserves, nil. For the 'QuÜ;¡ "Nero" Janles was not in hw best mood, but Woods Ma.r&hm?B, and ?zpith (trd.eT?n-?in? v?l that eame their way. T --4nn -'i"lf spoiled his display in hanging t?) the ball too long, tl?a ?r?atly hampering his partner and also the throes. Of the forwards Archer, Smith, and Rees (captain) were the shiniinig lights, Trealaw Juniors entertain-ed Williamstown Juniors on the Cemetery-road ground. It waa very hard with frust. Despite the con- dition of the ground, both teams decided to play a lPJague match. In. the second half matters improved immen»jely for. Trealaw, and the spectators were treated to some fine passing by their backs. Their first seore came through Ivor John, who dropp-ed a splendid goal. Shortly afterwards Salter crossed the rubicon with a well-earned try, which was not converted. For Williamstown White was the best of a poor set of "threes, whilst Spencer Edwards at outside half played well behind a pack of leaten forwards, his fine defensive play being a featu-re of the game. Dai Jones and Bootn were the pick of the forwards. BreweT played' a great game at full back. Ca.mbda.n I BoYS have been asked to send in their list cf expenses incurred for the match when Pantypridi United failed to raise a wa,m to fulfil the league fixtures at Clydach Vale on November 23 last. The verdict will be no other than they have not been just and fair in their method of transaction of affairs. Pontypridd Y.M.C.A. was troubled with a nervous shock on Saturday last, when they realised the fact that Trebanosr had arrived in the "Coalopolis" with a full team. Buit "not for Joe" could they be persuaded to face the mrusic of g-oals and tries. With the facta submitted to the league by BLaenllechau, Llwynypia Reserves had arranged to 'P'y them on Saturday last, but on Wednesday, January 8. the latter sent a postcard to inform them that they could not play, as they had arranged to meet Oiifynydd away. Now, Mr. O'Brien, tia is hardly fair. I and the way to prove Lt is for you to oe placed in the same position. "Ware teg, bachgen, is bonny play." Ii Blaenllechan, although disappointed, were favoured by Da,me Fortune in arranging with Ferndale Rovers a.t the last, minute to play a, guarantee match at Blaenllechau. It was a splendid game, in which the homesters were top sawyers all through. D. Lewis (the burly league forward), R. Wood, and R. Thomas scored tries, of which two were converted, and rau c-Lt winners by thirteen points to nil. I Monmouthshire Valleys League The selection committee met at the Via- duct Hotel on Saturday last and picked the following team to meet Newport and District on the Athletic Grounds on Saturday next in the Welsh League championship: —Full-back, T. Humphreys (Pcntypool); three-quart era, right win?. A. N. Other, right centre, Ben Evans fP?ntypool), left wing, J. Davies (Taly- wa.in), &nd left centre, C. Morgan (Crumlin); half-backs, W. Keefe (Talywam) and A."X. Other; forwards. H. J. Trott (Newbridgei, F. Bishop (Crnialin), G. White (Crumlin), A. Russell (Pbntypool), S. Tudgay Talywain), W. Lewis (Llanhilleth), F. Evans Cewbridge), and-A. N. Other. The committee will 'meet igain thife evening to fill th-e vacancies. ) ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A. Raven-hall CH.M.S. "Ramillies", Devon- port).-Glamorgan County were not beaten by any team in Cork last season. "S.D." (Merthyr).—Ask your league to apply th? Union of Welsh Junlor Leagues to re-open the case. "D.E." (Cardiff).—Will appear later. "Brawn" (Aberavon).—F. E. Nicholls was from the Cardiff Harlequins and not Car- diff Football Club. He obtained his Welsh cap against Ireland. He did not even figure ia the reserve list when the team was chosen, but was taken over and played, owing to defections at the last moment. "Cwm".—Llanelly.

THE ENGLISH TEAM r BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES J. G. G. BIRKETT (of the London Harle- quins), England's left centre, and who cap- tained the team owing to the illness of T. S. Kelly, is really a very fine three-quarter, and a big lump of a fellow to contend with. He is dashing and fast, but not as clever as some of the great English centres of past days, such as A. E. Stoddart, F. H. R. Alder- son, and J. Marsh. However, if given much scope, Birkett is likely to prove a dangerous oq>p»n*»n<t. ARTHUR HUDSON, the well-known Glou- cester three-quarter, who. after the lapse of a season, re-appears in the English team, is 24 years of age, 5ft. lliin. in height, and turns the seale at 12st. nIb. He may be said to be in every way in his very prime. Hudson is not only a footballer, but an athlete, and has won quite a large number of prizes on the running path. Commenicing as a boy. he carried off the boys' race at Glooncc-ster athletic sports a decade or more age. He has played in most of the trial gaifles, but, strange to ,ty. never got into the South team, gaining his inter- rat ional cap against Wales two seasons a?o without figuring in the preceding big trial. He has scored iK) tries for Gloucester in 119 H. HAVELOCK (Dcrnam) matches, and the 35 obtained by him in 1904-5 and 41 in 1905-6 are Gloucester club records. He has taken part in twelve county matches and four internationals. A. E. WOOD, the English full-back, is quite a player out of the ordinary. He has played in every position behind the serum with success, gained caps for two counties (Devon and Gloucestershire!, and performed in half- a-desen promviTient English club teams, among them being Newton Abbot (his birth- place). Bristol, Swindon (where be served his apprenticeship ia the Great Western Railway Works), and Gloucester. He is the midge't Off the team, and Ft ill quite a juvenile, being but 24 years of agis. R. H. WILLIAMSON, the new English scrum half, is one of the many fine Rhodes' scholars who made their mark athletically at Oxford, where he matriculated two years ago at T-:nity Co!l~C'. I .-ike V." as all, ho secured bis Blue as a Fresher, and Oxford has always A. E. WOOD (Gloucester). admitted that he ha; mcst worthily filled "Pat" Munro's shoes. Williamson is a. South African by birth, and was educat.ed at St. Andrew's, Gra-haanstown. FRED BOYLEN, the Hartlepool Rovers' representative in the English international Fifteen, commenced his football career, about ten years a-o, as a member of the Hartle-pool Excelsior Club. He is 27 years of age, stands Sft. 9in.. and weighs just under 14st. H. HAVELOCK, of West Hartlepool, the other Durham representative on the English team, is an old clubmate of Boy leu, having also made his debut in the football world aa a me-mber of Hartlepool Excelsior, and join- ing the Old Boys about the eame time as the Rovers' new international. Harelock ia 26 years ofase, stands 5ft. Sin., and weigns list. 3ib. JAMES PETERS, the English stand-off half- back. is more than an ordinarily clever all- round athlete. He seems constructed dif- ferently from other humans-Tall joints and I springs ins-ide—resilient as india-rubber in some parts, hard as ebony in others. I A. HUDSON (Gloucester). D. LAMBERT, the right win, aloo playis wing to Birkett with the London Harlequins. Lambert's ohief asset, is his epeed. W. MILLS, of Devon County, ie a hustler, and plays with rare energy Croan beginning to end. G. D. E/OBERTS is tlhe third man in the Devon trio, and is built on opposite lines to MiEa. He stands, neady 6ft. ?in., and is a wondTTful p?ce-Mek. R. DIBBLE (Bridgwater) is a big, robust forward, who has been playing in first-class comptany fcr some seasons. He is one of u. BOYLEN (Durham). the genuine sCTimmaigiers in the English.pack. C. L. HAMMOND (London Harlequins) is a man who can be depended upon to shine in the loose, wihich kind of play he prefers to the sterner work in the sorum, although, he is by no m a shirker. L. N. ,L= K (Lancashire) first cam? into the English team last season a grins t France as ftrft, reserve. This was a great stroke of hick, for it secured him a, place in the team that played Wales &xm afterwards. He was also in the English team a-ga-inst -Scotland and Ireland. He is a sturdily-built player, ,and is regarded as one of the best forwards in the North. W. N. LAP AGE, centre three-quarter, who ca.me into the team in place of H. H. Vassall, plays for the United Services. He first gained his international cap against France last month- W. GILBERT (Devon Albion) took the plac" e of T, 8. Kelly.

I THE WELSH TEAM I FULL-BACK. I H. B. WINFTELD, the Welsh full-back, has I played fcr the Cardiff Club regularly for the past eleven years. He has taken part I C. E. L. HAMMOND i in ten inteTwlticnals, being first capped against Ireland in 1933. Win fie id is 28 years j of age, stands 5ft. Blin., a.id weighs well over XZst. THREE-QUARTER BACKS. J. L. WILLIAMS, the left wing, is a native of hitchur*'h. scflfa &ffore last he scored 35 tries for Cardiff. Williams is 25 years of age, stands 5ft. 8iin. and weighs 11-t. He got his cap against the South Africans last season through an injury to Trew, and afterwards played against the threo home countries. R. T. GABE. who I-lays at left centre, needs- no introduction to the football public. For the past s-even or eight years Gabe has been one of the greatest three-quarters in the world. Gabe is 28 years of age, stands 5ft. S-Jin. W. J. TREW (Swansea's fleet and tricky three-quarter) is mow about 29 years of age, W. MILLS (Devon). and his light build gives him wonderful trickiness when going at racing speed. He played in ail the Welsh internationals in 1900, and altogether has played in a dozen inter-country games. He captained the Welsh team against Scotland last season. R. A. GIBBS. the right wing, is a versatile player, who can play well in any position, but nowhere like he cam as "rover" or on the wing. HALF-BACKS. PERCY F. BUSH, the outside half, was, after his dazzling display against Ireland at Cardiff last season, described by a pro- minent football authority in Wales as the f^est outside half that ever breathed." Without going so far as that, it may fairly be said th, -u t Bush on his day is as dan- gerous an attacking player as ever handled a Rugby ball. Let him be well looked- after by his. inside half and he is capable of beating any opposing side on his own. On t-he other hand. he is liable to get- an off- day occasionally. Bush is 27 years of ag-i, stands 5ft. 6in., and weih" llst. Zlb; T. H. VILE, the new Welsh international. I J. PETERS (Devon). is a Newport boy bred and born. He is 24 years of age, scales 10st. 61b., and occupies 5ft. iln. of perpendicular space. Whilst at Newport Inter mediate School he played Soccer, as the boys there do, but took to Jtlhy with the Newport Third Team in 1899-90. He played with that team for one season, went to PiU IIa'rnern .for a season, and then went back to the town club, play- ing for the seconds one eraeon, and at length got, into the first team. He has always been a serum half. and has don doughty deeds. He is quite a football hem. In the British team's Australian tour he played seventeen ganies out of 21. Mostly he partnered Bush, but occasionally was associated with Hulme, of Cheshire. Fearless and strong, "Tommy" is great at stopping rushes, and is quick and clever at getting the ball away to the open. I R. H. WILLIAXSON (Oxford).

FORWARDS. A. 1". HARDING (London Welsh), upon whom to-day was conferred the honour of captaining the Welsh team. is built on useful lines, being 5ft. 8in. in height and 13st. 51b. in weight. He was born at Market-Rasen, Lincolnshire, on August 8. 1878, but was brought to Wales in his infancy. Like hia two famous comrades in past Welsh teams- Willie Llewellyn and Teddy" Morgan—- Harding is an old Brecon College boy, and there learnt his fotball. As an exponent of Rugger football Hardiag first came into pro- minence with the Llwynypia Club, and he afterwards played with \success for Cardiff. He fought in South Africa, with the Glamor- gan Yeomanry. J. WEBB (AbertilIery),-For sterling, skilful forward work it would be difficult to find a better man than Jim Webb, who gained G. D. ROBERTS (Devon). has cap as a reserve against Scotland last year. "Jim" has played all his football at Abertillery, of which he is a native, and has always given a splendid account of himself in club, league, and county matches, his work against the South Africans at Newport being of the highest class. GEORGE TRAVERS (Pill Harriers), the able representative of Monmouthshire League football in the Welsh team, celebrates to-day the sixteenth occasion on which he has been selected, and the fifteenth international fix- ture in which he has played. A Piligwemlly man by birth, Travers is 29 years of age, 6ft. in height, and weighs 12st. lolb. in fettle. C. M. PRITCHARD (Newport) soon sprang into prominence after he began to play regu- larly in the Uskside pack. He is an indomit- able worker, very strong and fast, a lump of a "strong, vigorous fellow for a tackier to handle, and a demon at tackling on his own. He played for Wales first against Ire- land in 1904, and was one of the best of the Welsh pack. Altogether he has played in twelve international games. W. XETLL (Cardiff), who first got his cap for the Scottish match in 1904, has been con- J. TULLOCH (Scoht-iifh R.U.), Referee. I spicuous for clever play in the open, coupled with hard, honest work in the scrum, and those who know him best are unanimously agreed that he well deserves national honours. He is 78 years of age, 5ft. 10il1. in height, and weighs 12at. 41b. in his ordinary attire. JOHN ALFRED BROWN is the pride of Cardiff people, and as big a forward as ever wore an international jersey. His playing weight is just under 16st., and at the begin- ning of this season he weighed 17st. 51b. in his ordinary clothes. Great in stature and great in capacity is John Alfred, and he would have got his cap years ago had he been a little less erratic. A s,trenuoua worker, and clever in the loose, big John is a man whom it is better to have on your own side. Age 26, height 6ft. lin. JAMES WATTS, Llanelly, while not very big, is a wonderfully good forward, and against Ireland at Cardiff last season played a marvellous game. He has an inexhaustible store of daeh, never knew the meaning of the word fear," and if he has not played quite so well this season as last, should easily justify his selection. W. H. DOWELL (Pontypool) got his cap while playing for Newport. He is one of those honest, strenuous scrummagers who have done so much to raise Welsh Rugger to the high pinnacle which it now occupies. In his defection from their ranks Newport lost a good man, but, luckily, he is still available for Wales.

OUR PHOTOGRAPHS I Our photographs of George Travers, W. Neill, and C. M. Pritchard are by Messrs. A. and G. Taylor, Cardiff.

EVAN WATKINS, Abertillery, NORTHERN UNION'S LATEST CAPTURE. Quite the most notable Welsh capture made by the Northern Union this season —with the exception of Dicky David was completed on Thursday by the harnng- ton Club, who secured the signature of Evan Watkins, the well-known Abertil- lery, Monmouthshire League, and Mon- mouthshire County right wing. The terms were 1181 down and IZ ly9- a match, with a good berth in an electrical engineering works. By securing Watkins the Warri.ngt.on Club has brought off a capital stroke of business, as he is undoubtedly one of the finest wings in Wales at the present time. while he can also play a rattling good game at centre three-quarter. Watkins also took part in the Welsh trial match •at Newport, but suffered from flack of chances. Throughout the whole EVAIJT WATKINS (Abertillery). Who has sign-ed on for Waaring (N.U.). of the season Northern Union officials from various clubs have endeavoured to capture Watkins. His defection will be a serious loss, as, with the exception of D. P. Jones, Pontypool, there is not an other right wing of anything like Wat- kins' class in Monmouthshire. In addi- tion to his splendid abilities as a three- quarter, Watkins was possessed of won- derful grit and determination. Cricket will also suffer a great loss, as Evan was one of the mainstays of the Aber- tillery team, of which he was the hono- rary secretary, as well as its best all. round player. Ever since he jonned the Aoortillcry Club Watkins has headed the batting averages, while for the last few eeasons he has also been a good second in the bowling, his figures in b&th departments being excellent.

I DRAUGHTS REFERENCE BOARD. I SHOWING THE U}fB'ER,S OF THE SQUARES- At the corumencement of a game the Black Men occupy the squares numbered 1 to 12; the White Men tfross numbered: 21 to 32. Black always moves fiTst. I PROBLEM NO. 3 I (BY E. TBUELtJ ITS). I Black: J, 7, 9, 13, 15, 20, 23. White: 12, 21, 22, 28v 30, 32, king 4. Black to play and win. PROBLEM NO. 4 (BY E. TRCELUFE). Black: 1, 3, 8, 10, king 13. White: 12, 16, 19, 23, king 2. Black to play and win in four moves. SOLUTION TO PROBILEM NO. 1. 27_24 19-15 22—17 23-19 20-27 3— 7 24-28 11-16B 9-13 23-18 17—14 19-15 22-31 20—24 28—32A 27-23 13—22 32-23 15-10 10- 6 drawn 16-20 31—27 7-11 A: 27—24 18— 9 27—23 15—10 drawn 14-10 24-27 18-14 7-14 23-!3 23-18 B 27-23 19—15 11-16 10- 6 drawn I SOLUTION TO PROBLEM NO. 2. 24—27 -2S—26 15-18 1- 5 1 31-2 30-23 3-14 Black wins. Brilliant games and strokes are always of Interest. They charm and impress the average player, and even the expert can appreciate the throwing of the balance at one fell swoop of a beautiful combination. The following: game was played between two American experts, and shows the possibilities of the pastime:- GAME NO. 2 (LAIRD AND LADY). It-15 1^— 6 C-15 15-18 23-13 1-17 31-26 22—26 8-11 25—22 ;;0-23 27-24 22-17 18-25 27- 2 26—30 9—13A 30—14 8-11 24-20 17-14 2- 6 2- 6 30-26 10-17 29-Zii 11-15 28-24 21-14 13—Ur, 32-27 26-31 1&-13 25-21 15—18 18-23 19-15 11-16D 6-10 8—11 4- 8 14-10 3— 8 24-19 24—19 If,—30 10-15 Wiiito wins. 6—10B 21—14 12-22 A The distinctive move of the opening, which is regarded as a strC'iitf one; beautiful aaid intricate coups especially characteristic of it. B This is the bat move. C The correct ir here is ji-16. D The play at this stage is well worth studying, a.part from the tty shot. The shot was overlooked by Mr. C. F. Be "T, one of the finest playera in the world. «<■ •

THE WELSH PACK. TOP ROW: W. Neill, George Travers, J. Watts, and, «?• Brown. BOTTOM ROW: A. F. Harding (captain), C. M. Pritchard, W. H. Do well, and J. Webb.

I ASSOCIATION CODE TREHARRIS TROUNCE THE VALIANS." On the big match at Bristol to-day centres most of the general football interest, but club matches, especially of our code, will still have their followers to a great extent and a few paragraphs may be squeezed in to keep up the sequence of our weekly doings. Despite the frost, which made the grounds harder, if anything, than they were the preceding Saturday, the Soccer matches were all fulfilled. I'll start with youngsters, and if they were lada who were playing the fixture was evi- dently popular, judging from the attendance ou the County School ground. For skill and for fine football toucnes the game, has often been surpassed. The conditions of the ground, as hard as a stone, affected those. But I cannot remember a more remarkable one, or one fuller of interest than the shield- tie between Barry and Cardiff Schools Leagues. Right up to the last minute scoring took place, and the final score of 4-4 was a fitting ending. In the first half it was clearly Barry s game, and those who left the ground then, thinking that the second half was to be another edition of the first, missed one of the treats of the game of football. The sun was the important item of con- sideration. And a bothering sun he was having taken up his residence for the match just above one of the crossbars. He gazed with irritating brilliance straight into the eyes of any players who had occasion to look higher than their nqsea. And at half- time thp Cardiif playelA were two goals behind. Barry had a couple c.f etrong, reso- lute full oac-ks, and the half-backs, too, put plenty of power into their kicking, witn the result that the Cardiff backs could not judge the ball after following its flight in the air. Under the circumstances, and judging by its results, this strong kicking was as beneficial as the low ground passing would be when his .Majesty the Snn has other business to attend to. In the second half the Barry defenders ex. perienced something of the same handicap, for their defence fell off in a. similar manner. Just for a record of this interesting game, I win p dd the scoring figures of the second half. The Barry figure is first each time: 2--0, 2-1.2¿.2. The figures-tell the tale better than words.Tin (effect 'the result was ai if the game had .ended 0-0. But with what a difference! Time after time I have said how spectators (and players) do love to see a scoring game. Here was proof, Everybody went away delighted with the atternoon's game. Would the adjectives. grand, remarkable, Ac., Ac., harve been used had the draw been 0—0? Possibly it would have been voted good, even, and so forth. Here we forgot the nippy, frosty air and the sliEfpery surface which made quick turning impossible, and pretty touches of dribbling and passing very scarce. The teams were well matched in size, though both were com- posed of smaller lads than usual. Cardiff had the advantage in combination, but as clean kickers the advantage was with Barry. From a reporter's point of view, it was most nnknid of Barry to equalise at the last mtnuta. as the reports were made up and rfMLBTks well unfler way. But there it was. A corner gave the goal, and one point in the game was the fine placing of the corner kicks by the Barry flag kickerst ine Barry League officials carried out the arrangements, especially the after-match proceedings, in their usual hospitable style. the tea was immense, and the speeches pithy and terse. For my own part, my short stay at the superb schools of Gladstone-road was one of anxiety. I had had glimpses ot tremendous machines throbbing and whir- ring somewhere in the basement below. 1 wanted to get away. But nothinghapip" ened. There was no need for alarm. The "engi- neer," like Mr. Perry during the afternoon, knew his business; and instead of rushing away halfway through the tea I might safely hme had that tiftn cup. I shall know better next time I visit up-to-date Barry, and I hope that these inter-town matches between the rivals of the Port of Cardiff will long continue. In the third round of the Welsh senior cup Ton Pentre did well to go to Pembroke- shire and beat Milford United on the latter's ground. The teams had met before this season in a friendly at Ton, and on that occasion the Rhondda Valley team were also victorious after a very fine game. This suc- cess of Ton last Saturday has put the club further in the ivelsh Cup competition than any time before, and really, for a compara- tively young Soccer club, Ton Pentre this season has a record which some of the older clubs would be proud to claim. To-day they play their old rivals, Merthyr Vale, in local senior cup, and the occasion is bound to be marked by great enthusiasm and a huge attendance. The Ton ground will soon be too small to accommodate the crowds which are following the fortunes of the club. although at this time of the year the early kick-off is not very convenient to the in- tending spectators. But the match of the day was at Treharris, and if scoring goals means anything, Tre- harris have demonstrated their superiority over their near neighbours and rivals. Tre- harris five gooa,ls. Merthyr Vale none, is a big score in a third round cup-tie—bigger than was probably expected Merthyr Vale way. The defeat will probably spur the 'Valians on to endea, our to compensate matters in the local senior cup at Ton to-day. It is early to tell, but Treharris seem to be on the same line of success which Aberaman had some years ago, when they carried all before them in local competitions, only just failing in the lielsh Senior Cup final at Wrexham, when the game was played in an Easter Monday snowstorm. But to-day's cup- tie at Mardy is no walk over in anticipation, whatever the result may turn out to be. It is pleasing to see Llanbradach emerging from their run of ill-luck by drawing with the famous Aberdare eleven, and it is to be hoped that the revival is not a flash in the pan, so to speak. I am afraid that some clubs would have gene under had they expe- rienced the poor luck of Llanbradach of late years, and this draw with Aberdare will surely put new heart into the workers of Llanbradach '!{he re-play between Cogan and Gilfach was aleo an even scoring game, but 5-4 reads a bit funny aner the previous week's score of 0—0. There was an I encouraging atten- dance, and the Cogan team now enters the semi-finals. Mr. Lewis should be as well pleased as the players, seeing that many of the players are the direct product of the time when he ran one of the most successful schoolboy teams in the district. The Old Salts have truly made a big mark in South Wale* Soccer, and, although few in numbers, should make a good show if ever the story of the growtn of the game comes to be written.. Twelve years ago the first sec- retary of the Cardiff Schools League was a "salt," and others of the tribe are the present chairman of that organisation: the present secretary of the Barry Schools League; Reade, the star of the Caldicot team; and the youngest is J. Shields, who is play- ing at half-back for Aberdare. Suggested, no doubt, by to-day's inter- national in Rugby, a correspondent wishes to know how the Soccer amateur inter- national matters are. Beyond that the date has been decided upon I know nothing of what arrangements will be made in the way of selecting the Wales team. That can safely and thoroughly be left to the council. That the amateurs of Wales can beat their friends of England is hardly to be expected. And yet, I don't know. They should give them a good game. Where are they coming from? Plenty of places, for everywhere there are more amateurs than professionals. The three or four leading Southern clubs, as Treharris, Aberdare, and Ton Pentre, are mainly pro- fessional. but amongst them and others in senior class may be found really good players, as Chillington, T. D. Jones, and Fearbv. for instance. And there are many more brilliant amateurs who are content to play in what, are chubs erf small fame. The council can be trusted to award the honour to those deserving. The whole of the Prin- cipality is now represented on the council, and even last Saturday one of its members was in Pembrokeshire refereeing at Milford. Naturally, all the players playing in Wales are not Welshmen by birth, but that ie a point which is easily settled.

AIR RIFLE SHOOTING I "BULL'S-EYE'S" GOSSIP. Cardiff Licensed Victuallers- League It seem.3 fat-ed that all the disputes and trouble of the Cardiff Licensed Victuallers' League should emanate from one club. Whether the fault of the club members them- telves or whether it is that they are being i wrongl:, advised each time, I do net know, but certain it is that never a ieag-ua meeting pass-eis but that a complaint is either made ] aigaLnst the or they themselves are, en tering pretests against this, that, and the j other. At the meeting this week they wore again t.o the fore, the Stag and Hounds, with whom they have previously fallen foul of, claiming two points for a match in which the A.O.P.'s failed to meat them. The circum- TOM WELLINGS (A.O.P. crack). stances which led to the "dispute were the changing crf the A.O.P.'s headquarters. At the league meeting on December 18 the A.O.P. s applied for permission to change their headquarters from the Blue Bell to the Ship and Castle. This was refu&ed according to rule, which sta-tes "that two clubs can- not be neld in the same house." The league, however, gramted a concession, that in the cass of the Ship and Castle (-!kub declaring defunct b2,fore tno."next meeting the A.O.P.'s might remove from their por.escnt quarters to the Ship and Castle. The Ship and Cadle declared defunct, but in the meantime the A.O.P. 's secured the use of the range at the Bristol and South Wales. Without consult- ing the leag-ue committee, they cal.mly informed the Stag and Hounds—their G'ppjnents for their next match—that the match would take place on the Bristol and South Wa-Les range. The secretary of the Stag and Hounds Club sous;lit information from the league officers, and was instructed that as the leag-ue had not been notified to other effect the headquarters of the A.O.P.'s must be considered as the Ship and Castle. and that this team (the Stag and Hounde) should attend at that range. Failing the appe.aranoe of the A.O.P.'s, the points would be awarded to the Stag and Hounds. Suffice it, tha,t the A.O,P.'s-acting on advice from some qUAhnly and in direct defiance iguo-red. the league, and waited the Stag a;nd Hounda at the Bristol and South, Wales range. At Wednesday's meeting the Stag1 and Hounds applied for the points, but, jifter a long and wordy discussion, the committee, against the advice of the chai.rm.an, decided that the match should be re-fired. Whether an "asturte ength'ser" had been at work prior to th,e meeting I do not know, but in any case the committee acted in-dire-ot opposition to their rules, and also a previous minute governing the matter. The decision was-! promptly challenged by the Stag and Hounds representative, who gave notice of appeal to the Association. The A.O.P.'s then applied for permission to change their heaidqaurters to the Bristol and South Wales, which waa granted. Other business included the draw for the semi-final of the Noel Oup. The A.O.P.'s were drawn against the Ruperras, at the Queen's range, and the Barbarians meet the West.gates on the Rovers range. These matches take place on Tuesday, Feb- ruary 4 C. Usher, of the A.O.P. s, and J. Parsons, Rupen-as, were reported for com- peting in unregistered competitions during Christmas. Both were cautioned. In view of the la,t,e start which is being made in the Chambers' competition, it was deeiaea that two matches be fired each week, so that the competition may be finished by May. First matches in the handicap leagne were fired this week, ana the result, show that the league came to a wise decisioril in adopting this mode of competition. The oat gales and A O'P.'s, with 4 and 7 points start re.-p.e- tively, ended in a draw, and the Stuarts just failed by a point to concede the Rovers -13. The Barbarians did well to beat the Moulders. who received 23, by eight points, but the surprise of the evening was the the Ruperras against the Anchors. The former were set to give the As six pointy, but they failed to pick a, single pod n t: up. and retired beaten by one. without allowing for the handicap.. The teams met again on the followingg- night in an ordinary league match, This time the venue was the Ruperras range, and both were on ievel terms. It Proved, so far as the Licensed Victuallers League is con cerned, the match of the season. First fortune favoured the ho-inester.?. then it swayed ro?d to the Anchors who at the end of the fifth man ha.d a point lead. Smith then turned the game in favour of the "R's" and so the battle waged. Fm>t one led th? the other. until with the last men to bo Preedy for the Ancho faced Keynon, to a deficit of two staring him m the face. Keynon started with a mag., ana Preedy responded with an inner, and one point was knocked off the slat,e. Both got inners with their second, but Preeay with- ft; third,ay,,d fou,rih found the MH. ?- nd f'U,t the k's" o,n?o in front. Inners by each for their regaining shots found the final in favnnr o' t t.h?. luchor.9 by a rec ,the scores re-ading 367366.Eoth sides had their fJlureB. wiLera in Fro^t. and Keynon lettmg he "R's" do.WI!, each finishing 27, The ;:hootmg otherwi¡;;e was of a bJ!;h oder, no !:ess th:;n seven 32' ,s being recorded. The iea» £ sevmw bfrd^lfnes for a .P?ibIe.Hegot ?rst nTe in. 1>ut failed with his last two. Cardiff and District League 1. .n n 1.0 The past week's sh.o?umg wni  in the annals of the Cardiff and l?t League, witne&ing.a8 it did, the defeat of two of this most powerful teams in Walefc, I the Atlas and the Loudouns. In the of the Atlas history repeated itself, they, after a gloriously contested match, having to how to the prowess of their old-time rivals the Windsors It will be remembered that the Atlas went through last season with only one ddeat to their debut, the Windsoasbein| their conquerors on that occasion. Despite the defection of K?ott. Gro?w. and  th? Windsors are again th,is year a force to bthe a rSS with, ?m? of their performances h?i?-Yery fine. Against the Atlas and Lansdowne o?rHer in the s?a?n th?y ran t?ewimiers to three and one pomt respec- tively and 011 top of th?e they defo? a str? Duke of York team a fortnight bacK by six points, gicir score in this matCh hein I 368 It will be seen, fromthfis that the champions had nothing to give away on Wednesday. In the firpt half fortune smiled on both, first the Windsors taking the lead, through fine shooting on the part of Buck- nill, Who beat Tommy Parkin by three points. This is the second time this season for the "A's" crack to be beaten. Then Morris and LusSh put their side level, although Rebori and Palmer did weiil for 30 each, following this EUiims failed badly, and, Gay piling u-P 32, the champions led by six. Things now looked bad for the homesters, but Wally Boston and Jones righted m:4trs, eacOi gain- ing four from Thorne and Bill Millar. The W'inidflors' range has always,proved Millars undoing, amd this occasion was no exception. He has all ailong been in fine form this season, and has an average of 31. His score now was 27, with two "m;ogs." With a couple litafd, the Windsors looked to have an outside ohaanee with their last half. Wilson held Jim Millar to a point, and all looked well for them Things were now looking none too bragibt for the AtlaB. but Turner came I along, and, beating Jenkins well, he put the Champions four up. This looked plain saii- img1 now, but the visitors reckoned without their hosts. M'CHH, O'Niel, Charley Hunt, and Layes take a lot of stopping, and this tho "A's" found to their coet. Slowly, but surefly, these men picked up point after point, until, with the two iaet shots of the match to go, the tea-ms were level. Willie Smith got an in/ner, and Layes found the bell, the Windseirs taking the lead. Excitement was at its 'h&gihisst, and the tension on the two men eo great that neither oouM get his shot off for a time. Smith, with a clear be-li, left Layes in the unenviable position of having to do ditto to win the match. Steadying himself, the Windsor man, amidst keen, breathless excitement, succeeded, the "A's" euSering tihe second de-feat of their league career. It w.as a match of matches, contested throughout in the best of friendly rivalry by giaiiuts at the game. On the nu'gffitVs form the winners deserved their vic- tMiy. and aill praise is due to their last four for the game d* is-play when the match looked lost. Perh.ap'? a bigger surprise than t'he Atlas- Wi.n.d->r result was the defeat of the Lans- downe by the Duke of York. With a lead of thr".3 on the first half it looked an odds on chance for the Lan&do-wne, "but there's many a slip. Ac." With nine men gone the Lans- downs, alter O'Niel had lost four to Hosikins, were two behind, but Preston and Llew. Thomas picked these uP. and gave Gronow a point start against Walter Wills. It looked all over bar shouting, but, to the dismay 01 the homesters, their crack could not get going. With his second shot Walter had put his side on level terms, a.nd thereafteT he went clean a.way. berating Gronow han-dsomeuy by three points. It was a meritorious perfor- mance on the pa-rt of the winners, their last half especially doing well. The Caledonians were lucky to beat the Almas, the credit for their win being due to George Stagg, who going on last man, had a deficit of two to make good. Young Russell, his opponent, is a nice snot, and Stagg's task waa by no means easy. Russell was not up to his usual standard, Stagg. on the other hand, being in line fettle. He beat the Alma man by four, giving his side a two-point vic- tory. The score of the winners-346-wa,s poor shooting for them, James, Weeks, Harrington, and EVans all failing. Rowles was the best of the winners with 32. The best score of their career, the York with 366 fairly took the Loyals by surprise. The latter went strong with 354 (W. Coward 34). but were let down by White (24'. Coward' was unlucky in not getting a. possible, his first toot, bcir.? a fenr' close in.' For the winners, who all .shot. wen to a man, Harold Ward and young Dav were best with ?3. Ward looked au highest possible. He put his nrst six clean in, but then the tension became so great tha,t he dropped to the three line. The Tudors never at any igtage looked like taking the honours from the Splott Conser- vatives, a.nd retired beaten by eleven points. For the winners, who averaged 30 man, four 31's, by Parfitt. M'Oormack, D. Thomas, a,n d Tipper, were best. ditfOfrd. Fie-her, Prior, and ICinsey finished with the same score for the Tudors. Still maintaining their average aggregate, the Central Liberals compiled 347 against the Alberts, but this proved ten too little. The winners were best represented by E. Edwards (33) and Tom Jones (32); Sawyer and Lew Dickens, with 31. being the Liberal tops. The Victorias failed to hold the Terminus by eight points. They looked, to have a chance when Summers, with 23, failed his side, but their last half were off, colour. "Gap-en Kettle" found the form he has been searching for this last two years, and came out beat of the evening with 32. It was as r,we,hi,ng of he deavy e, t ?%i. good as a birthday to him. After their imgd,otfioms display against Gramige Conservatives, the Na.p4ers let them- selves go, and were "all out" against the CJlivee, gaining the verrddot by 23 points. Their score of 351 waa their best lea-true efforts. Jimmy Mown and T. Whitworth returned good 33's, Laughan, with 32, being close up. The losers' beat was Lane, with 32. The feature of the Oanadia.ne-Engineers' match wai3 the shooting of the last two men, Oon, Hopkins amd Lane. The teams were level when the pair went on. "Bulls" by Lane were followed by the same from "Con;" both finishing 33, and drawing the match with the scores 346. The Canadians should have won, but Tottman, their eleventh man, dircipped them badly, giving seven points away to Waldtron. Grange Co?se?-aAives were not tested by New Park Liberal, the Liberal only nelding ten men. Jimmy Bnuford put up 34 of the best for the win- 'aeris- ill i There were no surprising results in the second of the Dewar Cup. the keenest con- tested mattch being the Lansdowne and Alma.. ,the latter running the Ca-ntonians to seven points. The Atlas were always the best against the Tudors, the finals reading 367 353 in favour of the A's." The Adelphi put on another of their big scores, their victims being the Engineers, who fell 28 points below the Adelphi's 377. For the winners Davy James covered himself with glory, getting the first possible that has been I made for his side in league or cup matches. The York and Grange Conservatives enter the third round by virtue of good wins over the Canadians and Loyals respectively. The match committee met on Friday and selected the following team, to represent the Cardiff a.nd District League against the Cardiff Licensed Victuallers' League on Tues- day, January 28:—Llew. Thomas (Lansdowne, captain), F. Preston ( Lan.dlolwme vice- captain), T. Parkin (Atlas). D. Thomas (Splott Conservatives), R. Batten (Lansdowne), A. Day (York), A. Oraffter (Terminus), H. Mathews (Caledonians), H. Bucknell (Windsors), J. Nawn (Napiers), E. Edwards (Alberts), and D. Jambs Reserves: E. Lages (Windsors), W. Ross (Lansdowne), and J. Kinsey (Tudors). Merthyr Notes This week's league matches have produced nothing exciting, with, perhaps, the rather unexpected defeat of the Ni.E.T.'s by the Robins. The Robins had previously taken two points from the "Electrics," but with the improved form shown of late by the latter, it was hardly expected that they would "go under" again. Such was the case, however, the scores being 350-345. It should be said that the M.E.T. lacked the services of one or two of tbeir best men, although that does not account for the poor form snown by a few of the team. Before this defeat the M.E.T. had a sporting chance for the "runners uP" medals, but the loss of these points seta them back considerably.. T!he Lambs were again in form, and had an easy win over the Navigation on the latter's range, the scores being 374-340. Chapman. made a welcome re-appearance in tne Lambs' team after his illness, and con- tributed his usual 33, Alf Drew making the same score. Tue top scorer was Tom Jones, with a splendid 34. M. Jones shot well for the losers, getting 33. There was a bit ot excitement at. tne Liberals-Nelsons match. At half-time the Nelson had' a comfortable lead, which they kept up to the last man on, when they led by eight points. It seemed a "million to one" on them, but Billy Isaacs actually beat his man by eight points, with scores of 30-22, and the match ended in a draw. I fancy the Nelsons "last" man won't hear the "last" of it for a time. The finals read 344 all. The Mardy made 363 in a "shoot over against the Vies., who failed to raise a team. Six men made 30, Bryant tteing top scorer with 32. It is a pity that the Vies. cannot "get going." I remember them as a. fine team last season. The Gordon Lennox also had a "shoot off" in the Rose and Castle match, the latter club failing to turn up. The Gordons, however, must have taken things easily, or, poeeioxy, they were feeling the effects of their visit to Treharris, as their score of 351 was not tneir real form. Goldsworthy (33) and Earwood (32) were the best scorers. The Macs, were in fine fettle against the Stations at Cefn, and put on the good total of 370 to the Cefn boys 353. The top scorer was Carver—who, by the way, has been shoot. ing* in grand form latoly-with 33, C. Jones and E. James getting 32 each. R- vya- ughan shot well for the losers, with 33, Harris, Dai Francis, and D. Price getting 31's. It is interesting to note that only one score of 34 has been made in this week's matches —unless it was also made in the Robins- M.E.T. match, the individual,scores of which I have not re --4eived-that being by Tom Jones (Lambs).. Week's best club BmTels: La.m.bs 374 Macks I ;)70 Barry League The meeting of the Royals and the Witcihills resulted in a fine contest, the Royals winning more easily than was generally anticipated. After being all square at half-time, we Royals set about their work in grand style, and every Witohill representative suffered, defeat with the solitary exception of J. C. who just beat his brother Charlie by the odd point. When the Hibernians visited the Don last half, the only drawn ma-tch of the league was the result. This week's return match was, therefore, looked forward to with interest by both clubs. The Hibernians started well, and got 180 at half-time, leading by eight points. After half-tiule they fell away. T. Harris being the only man to keep up his reputa- tion. The-scores were level with the last two men OiIl, and, Boulton beating F. O'Donnell, gave the Don the victory by one point. The West End, who have not lost a match since their defeat by the league leaders last November, kept no their reputation and easily accounted for the Wenvoes. This vic- tory put the West Euders only two points behind. Fenneys, and their supporters fancy their ultimate chance for the championship. Had it not been for the Ship's defeat by the Liberals last week. "they would have been strongly fancied to stop the victorious pro- gress of Fenii-eys. As it was, many of their supporters were confidenlt of their pets' ability to win. And their confidence was not misplaced, for the Ship ran out rather easy winners by twelve points. Fenneys were not quite at lull strength, but the Ship's 351 would probably have taken the points had their opponents had their full team out. Gadoxtcn Conservatives visited the Y.M.C.A. with only eleven men, and, naturally, suffered a heavy defeat. The Y.M.C.A. shot well, and topped their opponents' total by 45 points, G. Jenkins and A. Webber with 32 being the best scorers of the match. The R.A.O.B. and Workmen had a fine tussle, a close fight right through ending in a one-point victory for the Buffs. The Libera-ls visited the Barry Dock Coneer- va.tives, and another close contest took place, the visitors in this case getting there by one point. Best scores of the week:—Team: Royals, 361. Individuals: Thirty-threes: A. Harditgo (Royals1. Thirty-twos: R. Thomas (Witchills), C. L. Harley (Wenvoes), W. Lodge, J. James, and D. Williams (West End), G, Jenki. ns and A. Webber (Y.M.C.A.), and J. J. M'Cutcheon (R.A.O.B.). Newport Notes The R.G.A. visited Roger-stone and retired' beaten by five points, the scores being 348 to 343. The match was evenly contested right through, the homeeters having the better of the second half, and thus getting home. J. Sergeant was the best of both teams with 32. St. Julian's proved no match for the Steam Packet, the latter winning by 60 points, totalling 365 against 305. P. Cororidge (34), F. 'Pa1bot, and S. Newick (33), were in great form Talbot, Packets, and C. GriiRths' 32 was mudl the best of the St. Julian's. Tredegar Conservatives won from the Clyt-has by three points. A. Horton (31) headed the Tredegars, and G. Stoirey did the same for the losers. The Coronations had no difficulty in dis- posing of the Wharf-road Liberals, the latter making 320 to the former's 346. The Liberals are not doing at all well, still returning POOIr aggregates, showing that they have not made the improvement they should. The Cross Keys could not raise a full team to meet the Loyals, only seven men turning up. Consequently, the points went to the latter. It is disappointing when a team is short, and to have five m-en missing ma-kea a matcih a frost—interesting to nèither.

Miniature Hifle Notes, BY -22 The paragraph in these notes last week re the Wen Miniature Rifie Meeting has beeo much discussed, and at a gathering of rifle- men on Tuesday the idea of abandoning- the meeting was ridiculed. Nevertheless, it is a certainty that unless the debt on last year's meeting is speedily wiped off no committee will be found to undertake the management. In the discussion referred to it was suggested1 that the Welsh meeting, and also those of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, which invariably result in financial loss, are run on the wrong lines, and a scheme is to be submitted to the local association by a gen- tleman who has given, the conduct of such, meetings much consideration. The New South Wales scores in the inter- national match are not yet to hand. In each of the past international matches between England and the Colonies the result has been an easy win for England. Now, however, the parent society intends issuing a challenge to the American Society to shoot a. post match of 500 a-side, with any sights except magnifying or telescopic. As America is the home of the miniature rifle and peep eight, the Yankees is-hould be able to put out a warm team. The grea-t number that it is proposed to have in each team, however, has several cbjectom. By its latest move the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs will surely alienate the support of all dealers in miniature arms and accs- sories. The society has now gone in alto- gether for trading at prices far below what dealers have hitnerto supplied clubs. In addition, the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs also offers a bonus at the end of 1908 to clubs who buy their goods' through the society. The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce had previously protested against the society supplying Service rifles, and it will be inte- resting to watch the progress of the" rate- cutting war." The programme for the iLlanelly meeting on February 8 is now ready. In all there are seven competitions, five of which are con- fined to open sight. Entries close on Feb- ruary 1, and cluo secretaries who forward the entries of at least six individuals by that date will be presented with a silver spoon by the Welsh Miniature Rifle Association. The prizes stated in the programme are a. guaranteed minimum, but if the entries war- rant it the prize list will be increased, as was the case at the Newport meeting. Probably the competitions at Llanelly will start on February 6. It has been pointed out that by holding the meeting on a Saturday only shop assistants and others will be dp. get o ver this barred from competing. To get over tnia difficulty the Llanelly Club has kindly offered to find range officers for any members of other clubs who may desire to shoot on Thursday. Their cards, however, would be kept and counted on Saturday, and their scores would be carried forward in the Saturday list. The Newport Club are to be heartily con- gratulated on instituting post matches with Colonial clubs. Judging by Australian press notices to hand, the idea of holding these matches is being followed with great interest in Sydney Aithougi the Newport Club won ther match with Sydney, the members of the latter club shot with Service rifles, with the Morris Tube attachment, and their score, under the circumstances, was a good one. I hear that the Newport Club now intends arranging a match with the Metropolitan' Police Club of Sydney. Another of the popular handicap shoots of the Usk Club has just terminated. On this occasion the prizes were presented by Mr. Percy Radcliffe, the president of the club. The conditions were one sighter and seven shots at two ranges of 50 yards. The prize-winners were:— 1st 2nd iiandi- stage. stage, cap. Total. J. Pitt, jun. 66 63 4 133 F. P. Watkins 68 63 0 131 P. T. Clift 65 65 0 130 B. F. Stockham 65 63 2 130 E. Whitton 62 52 16 129 P. S. Stockham 59 54 16 128 A. S. Birkley 54 54 20 128 F E. Watkins 56 55 16 127 W. Rees 50 57 20 127 A. Bowyer 50 60 16 126 P.C. Holley, the founder of the Bryn Club, has found it necessary to resign the secre- taryship of that club. His successor is Mr. L. George, care of Mr. H. Griffiths, Bryn. The request made through the Western Mail for the names of lady shots belonging to Welsh clubs has been the means of enabling the Welsh Association to accept the invitation from New South Wales to organise a ladies' international post match. The teams will consist of eight a-side, and the Australian Association will present the Welsh ladies with souvenirs to mark the historic occasion. Riflo clubs in Perthshire are to be Oon- gratulated and envied. The Secretary of State for Scotland has approved ottne allo- cation by the county council of Feth of the sum of IZOO for the purpose -of akm.g grants to assist rifie clubs already established in the county, and to assist in establishing additional rifle clubs as a scp-eme of public utility. Several clubs recened grants of £ 15 and the remainder Lio each.  At last ?e' record of  793 out of a possible 800 in a m,a,t-oh has bee-n beaten. In a post match Houghton-Ie-8pring v. Caerleon the North Country team put on the wonderful score of 797 Out. Of KO. Six of the team scored possibles, two scored 99, and ")tle plA welsh club has protested against the result of a league match on the ground that one of the opposing team took 60 minutes to shoot ten shots. For Repairs to Air RtOea Go to CHAMBERS. CMt? .tr?ti cndur. AU work done on premises, at tow?t prices! SM?f?'o" eruMMteed. 0042

FOOTBALL., Will the Prince of WalesVisit Cardiff P An interesting tit-bit of information gathered at the Royal Hotel is that the Welsh Rugby Union are endeavouring to induce the Prince of Wales to visit Cardiff on Monday, March 2, when Wales play France. The Prince of Wales, it may be mentioned, is a patron of the Welsh Union. Unfortunately, both Lord Ninian Stuart and the Earl of Plymouth, whose influence they hoped to enlist, are on the Continent at the present time, and Royal engagements are made a long way ahead. Undoubtedly, if the Prince could be induced to come to Car- diff, it would lend vastly added interest to the encounter between the Gauls and the Celts, and France is likely to be a perma- nent participant in the Rugby tourney in the future. CARDIFF & DISTRICT RUGBY UNION

CARDIFF CLUB CUP COMPETITION. The Draw for the Above Cup Competition, for clubs whose players' ages must not be over 17 years oa September 1st last, will be Held on Tuesday, February 4th.-Particiilars will be supplied, and entries should be forwarded to the Hon. Sec., R. W. John, 103, Pentrobane-street, Cardiff. e4806

ASBURY RICHMOND A.F.C- (Birmingham Asso- cia.tio:n). win:ners of league two seasons in succession, ciation) Matches with strong clubs April 18, 20, and 21 lJI. Cardiff, Newport, and SiVJpsea, DigzioL.Sute terms; Sara, 23, Malvern-road, Baadsworth, Birming- liam. 1 11 j eIS22ils Printed and published by Thomas Jones for the pro- prietors at 68a, St. Mary-atreet, In the City oi Car- dill; by James Norman, Casti»-Btreet, Swansea; af R. G. Williams, Glebeland-street. Merthyr Tydfil; at the shop of Mr. Wesley wUliams, Bridgendll in the County of Glamorgan-: by R. A. Parker, 22, High, street, Newport; &t the shop ci Mr. J. P. CaS?ey. Monmouth—both t l: 8gEnt of r'Jönouret the shop of Mr. David John, LelJy, in the County of Carmarthen; and at the offices of Mr. T. A. Daviw, The Sulwarki, Brecoii, ia the Couaij r* Brecknock. SATURDAY, JANUARY 18. 1908. 1