Evening Express

INDIGSTION CURED. SAFE. JESSE WILLIAMS, U R E, CHEMIST, | PEEDY. 132, Queen-street, Cardiff. Is. and 2s. 9d. Postage, 2ci. JESSE WILLIAMS' MEDICINE FOR INDIGESTION. f

THAT, IRISH TRIP. TENPENNY N A I L SAN D- THE I SEQUEL 1 I How Wales Won I BY PERCY F. BUSH. I HE first part of this ever- memorabie trip was occupied by us (the Car- j diff players in the team) in greeting the Further East contin- geiit, itaniely, those k,UIl1 Newport-Tommy Vile, Ernie Jen- Ills, and Harry Jarman, the selected j. ree, and Walter Martin, Stanley Wil- and Reggie P'lummer, the reserve ibree. Louis Dyke, the only new "Kap" theteam, by the way, was trying hard 40t to show that the beginning of the Pfeine moment of his football life had d 4ived. But none of us old stagers were Reived; we knew well enough that 119 "Longboat" was swelling with pride \0 an.d a good breakfast—and that he th°1.1ld not derive much pleasure from e outing until the gentle exercise Ranged for Saturday afternoon in Dub- III had been got through. Down the line we picked up the Astern contingent, including the "Best 11 Il-tounder" playing in Wales to-day, ?ly. and to wit, that thundering good polt, Winie Trew. 'he first really interesting episode Urred when the boat had left Fish- ard about an hour. Another player ? myself were sitting up on the top ? ? chatting, as we had been for a long hlrt¡e, when suddenly I noticed that he I W? become very quiet. I inquired the ?eulli, but was astonished to observe a 6arny, fa •-away expression in his eyes ? sort of reply I thought. Then the expi,ess.;on left him of a. su d den, .?y expression left him of a sudden, !J.d an agonised one replaced it. 4e rose hurriedly, and hastily grabbed t ?thing from somew here about his hae, and thrusting it upon me with a ?sky request to "Hold that, Percy!" ho ) ? to the side of the boat and gazed |0 £ and intently at the surging, speed- v,^ Waters while I gazed at what he had ar><>1 Of "l ?? my l fine an example M p* m my palm—as fin ne an exampile dentist's art as one could wish to X always knew that the player in (or agony, as he then wag) had ;t? tenor voice, but when I found that J ^s° }?d fine falsetto teeth, I felt that ?M? ?onid like to join him at the side (N^Uet myself. ?o lowers, by special request!) ? hIs gentleman's example was followed ty Several of the others, and nobody ed dying with disappointment when t\¡1' lare was reached, and everybody riled in at Dublin some five hours later tired and thankful to rest. c' Friday morning the team and other iaIs started out to "have a look at e it our of the players had quite jOk citing time by playing a practical for what was simply done for a I. 4t k Ivas very nearly turned into a some- tt t serious affair before the end of it. 'I)Pen ed thus. I I) 0llr of the Welsh Committee drove up iaunting car to a certain grocer's tand went inside, accompanied by h" d, river fn. I ^Uy Some Tenpenny Nails. I other Welshmen saw them go in.    _? and promptly felt a troug desire for a drive. So they "coveted" the jaunting car and started off. Out rushed the driver, but he stood no chance at all. and was speedily lost in a cloud of dust. The jokeistsdidn't drive far because there were so many lamp-posts and kerb- stones about, but turned round and drove back until they met a boy who had been sent to look for the car. He was given possession of it, and the walk was resumed. But before they had gone a thousand miles a. sudden clattering of hoofs of a ho rse was heard behind, and, turning arou nd, they beheld the outraged jarvey making tracks for them. followed by a crowd of sympathisers some forty strong. Whereupon, deeming discretion the better part, they also made tracks, but were fetched up by entering a cul de sac. It was only by getting into a house and lying low, and, later on, "bluffing" some straggling pursuers, that they were able to finally escape by boarding an electric car and getting back to the city. When I heard on Saturday that it was quite a common occurrence for eccentric, folk to "borrow" jaunting cars and sell them for sordid coin of the realm, and that such an one had been trapped in the' act about a' month ago, and had been "put in the cart" to the extent of "twelve months' hard" as a reward therefor, I was downright glad that our chaps were not nabbed on their little jaunt, for the ebullition of the boisterous spirits of a tame footballer might have been construed into something felonious. But one of the four told me afterwards that he enjoyed the fun while it lasted, and, as no harm was done, All Is Well. I On Friday evening we were entertained at the Gaiety Theatre. All the boxes! were kindly placed at our disposal and that of the Irish team, and some really i Excellent acting was much appreciated by I all of us. The Irish bhoys left about 9.30, and we were all in bed also before another six hours had passed, so that the team- breakfasted together at 9.30 on Saturday morning, all feeling very fit, and all the better for the "kick-about" we had on the Bective Rangers' ground on Friday afternoon. After breakfast we got out into the open air, and directly we got into the streets we thought we were in Wales, for there were Welshmen, Welsh- men everywhere and lots of daffs. and leeks. There is not much doubt that the daff. should be the national emblem, for I am quite sure that half of our com- patriots were daft with excitement before the game was over on Saturday. The first feeling of the players on coming to the ground was one of utter i frailty. Somehow one felt. so very insig- nificant with that huge grand stand frowning down on him. Even the magni- ficent Sydney Cricket. Ground did not affect me, at any rate, as this stand did, and the rest of us felt quite dwarfed. I knew then that we should not win by more than twenty points, although I had foretold before this a 29 to 5 verdict. It shows that I am a rotten judge of foot- ball but then, of course, nobody could possibly know that the tries were not going to be converted! The first. twenty minutes of the game was A Regular Nightmare. The Irish forwards were absolutely all over us, and when at last they scored it was less than they deserved. Yet, para- doxically, the try should have been dis- allowed, because the movement which ended in the try started with a "knock-on, and a pretty bad specimen, too. But certainly Ireland were ten points better up to the end of the first quart d'heure. The funny part of it was, though, that it didn't worry us a bit, for we knew that no men could possibly last the cracking pace, and even if Ireland scored twice or thrice we needn't give up at all. "Banky" was wonderful during this period, and so was Tommy Vile. One of "Banky's" saves was nothing short of marvellous. He took the ball right off the forwards' feet, dodged three men, pushed anot her away, and gained forty yards with his kick.' I couldn't help thinking the while I admired that this wa," far better footer than falling on the ball and lying there like a log. When at last we got a look-in the bash- ing, crashing, dashing Irish "ups" were forgotten, and the try We notched was a beauty, scored by Johnny Williams in his old-time way. In fact, Johnny's three tries were all brilliant examples of perfect wing play, and no one who couldn't swerve and dodge in first-class fashion could possibly have hoped to score either. Louis Dyke's Try was a characteristically impertinent one, and when one considers that Louis was very sick an hour before the match, his display all through—and this cheeky try particularly—compels the highest admi- ration. The trip had upset Louis, but he didn't feel it until the last moment, when it was too late to make a change. For the rest, Regeie Gibbs's general- ship st»S.ds out in bold relief, and the pass which Tommy Vile gave me when Johnny Williams scored still haunts me. Tommy was tackled by both the opposing halves, but while they were searching for the ball Tommy scooped it out between his knees, and thus cleverly made it pos- sible for one of the fairest tries ever scored to be made. The journey home was uneventful, save perhaps for the absolute tranquillity of the sea crossing. Even that hardened sailor, Tommy Schofield, refused to doff to Neptune this time, and Wales was reached without adventure after the second best trip that I, for one, can remem ber.

Association CODE I I Wnational Wh ispers.1 i FINAL PUZZLES AND OTHER THINGS. F ÐVER there was a- dis- i appoint-ed fellow, your humble servant—all ye who read these notes—was that individual last Monday afternoon. That an inter- national matc.h could be held in Cardiff and I should not be able to see it ^ery which will want a lot of for- ktimy And that the best match of the year tr til,, bargain. I am not grumbling nor t?Ma?? "?' One can state a fact without '?b'?? ? that. Besides, penonø.l inclina- ?8 0 ft"), have to take a. back seat in 't Oft{>n have to take a back seat in ?tt?? other than football. Nor was I ? ''?t? *? early kick-off for a non-Saturday kt(3 Ma?d hundreds in the &ame unfor- tq DoSitiOI2.  t'??? t JUst by way of preface. Those who f6 the match will not now expect fyu Ocm111 ems from me, and the fortunate ?h"  ? ?? won't require them. But, all 'V s'4tnf' satisfaction must be recorded at jjooi fortune the fixture received from ? !h ??rious personage, the Clerk of the ?t}) er!OUS personage: the Cl-erk of the v^lfl ?e owe him our best thanks. I 414 ? that the conditions were ideal, )h? ?o ???? that spectators whom I have ? sin ?? <? ?? treated to a. delightful exhi-     he Soccer game. TlH scoring was identical with that of the last. England v. Wales match in Cardiff four years ago, and a defeat by the narrow margin of 0-1 is no cause for mourning by Wales. The two big semi-finals for the Senior Cup were attempts which left us "as you were." Re-plays, of course, have a financial advan- tage, but it is much more satisfactory to JOE MORGAN, goalkeeper for Ystrad Lads, is becoming quite a marvel. He can, in addition, play in any position in the for- ward line. all concerned—the two clubs and the Associa- tion—that one match should suffice. When all is said and done, arawn games in cup-ties are a nuisance and a worry. To search for neutral grounds, for a. da,te convenient to all, which will not unduly interfere with the ordinary niapped-out programme, are but small items amongst the many which demand immediate attention from already hard- worked honorary officials of the clubs and the Association committee. The Aberdare and Treharria tie billed for Mountain Ash was postponed as a cup-tie, and a "friendly" game was played. In the judgment of the official in charge the ground was too bad-in fact, unfit. It must have been bad. I should have liked to be there, just for the object-lesson, because that is just one of the few points on which my foot- ball education has been neglected. From cup- ties and international matches which I have seen I cannot conceive of. the occasion when a football match of a. sort cannot be played —on account of the ground. Frost, snow, and flooding excepted. The re-play is arranged for Thursday of this week, so by the time these notes are in print we will know the finialists for 1910 from that particular pair. Mountain Ash and Merthyr are a couple of very convenient neutral plaoes for Aberdare and TreTiajTis, and the respective supporters could not be better catered for. Ton Pentre v. Merthyr Town at. Aberda.re had a better experience, but the arawn game brought the ultimate result to very much the same thing. Another match is necessary, and I see that the powers have selected the T'onypandy ground for next Monday. A mid- way neutral ground for these two clubs would be perfect could Pontypridd supply one. But, that being outside practical politics, it has to be a matter of turn and turn about in the immediate vicinity of the two clubs. That appears to be the reasoning of the committee, and very fair and practical rea- zoning it is, to my mind. They first met (last year) at Tonypandy. Then (last week) a.t Aberdare. And now (Monday) agta,in at Ton- ypandy. The selection of a ground for the "Final" will raise a.n interesting problem when the two finalists are known, although the Tonypandy ground, with its big success of last year, will have a favourable start. I understand that Monday's match in the Ehondda is dependent upon the issue of a protest which has been lodged against a player of Merthyr. Strictly speaking, a player is eligible or he is not. But as I know nothing of the terms of the protest my only course is to say nothing. Facts are the

MISKIN UNITED ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB.   < ? LAST YEAR'S RECORD: WON. 15;, ,,2.. V t  ? Y.?H'Tan W MorTan. D L'oyd, S. WHlia-ms, W. Phill!M, T. J<M<s (SriY), and S. Uoyd.  g 0\1: A. Le\ lc:eld. A. W.Miam? "captain), L. PhiUips. &nd W. B?d dû. Jj  important things in such matters, and those are not in my possession. The Junior Cup takes the stage again. At Morriston the South Wales Borderers and Mond will be on view, and the "round" records of both clubs certainly promise, if records promise anything, a moslt even and exciting encounter. Either club will be a worthy finalist, and will enter the final with a rosy chance of carrying off the cup—so 'tis said. But AbertiNery and High Cross Stars have an interest iy the same direction, and Aston Villa's exper\ence in the English Cup should make prophets cautious. Anyhow, the two Monmouthshire olubs meet to-day at Cwm. Whichever way tihe result goes, the county, as last yer/r, will be represented in the final game. I hear that the smart young Cardiff club, the Marions, is very well pleased with its--If, and the players with themselves. With good cause, too. A draw with the strong Barry West End on the neutral Island ground is very creditable to the second division club, and the Marions are fully entitled to any praise which may be knocking round. Surely, the rumour that in a match between two prominent Cardiff clubs, one of them being dissatisfied wilth something walked off the field, cannot be founded on fact? If so, it is a great pity. I thought we had done with all that childishness long ago. Suoh a > proceeding nearly tops the list of football misconduct, and is always aggravated when it is witnessed on a pubHo recreation ground. To air a grievance, either substantial or imaginary, by refusing to continue play is most decidedly the wrong attitude to. adopt. Apart from its being right or wrong in itself, it does harm to the game as such. And, if the aggrieved club had a. legitimate grievance against its opponents or an official, it. by being guilty of a greater offence itself, puts itself out of court, so to speak. Milford's semi-final experience in the Welsh Cup came last week to an abrupt end by the club's being struck out of the competition. Whatever Milford's offence may have been which led up to sucth a drastic step by the FOotball Association of Wales Council, one can sympathise with the supporters of the Pembrokeshire club in their feeling of dis- appointment. I wtss not present to hear the defence of the Miilford representative, so can pa<ss no comment on the ruling.

n. H. DAVIES. one of the Ystalyfera for- wards, has played for the Valleyites for the last five years, and has never forfeited his place in the team. This is a sufficient tribute to his sterling worth. Following-up is a feature of his play, and in this respect he uses his speed well. If he were heavier he would be worth a trial in better com- pany. R. MOORE, the Ystalyfera full-back, is one of the faithful ones. He threw in his lot with Ystalyfera at 'the beginning of the season, and has played regularly ever since. He has rendered signal service to the club, and is very popular with players and sup- porters. He is a fine kiok, amd "as safe as houses." His kicking has been the means of winning several matches for Ystalyfera this season.

DUDLEY, Brithdir's smart reserve forward, is well worthy of his inter-league selection. M'NALLY, Ynysddu, although generally figuring on a. beaten side, plays a sterling game at back. NÐWMÁ: and RIOHARDtS, New Tredegar, are undoubtedly two of the smartest three- qururters in the Rhymney Valley. GRIFF. LLOYD, who has migrated from TroedyThiw to Merthyr, scored the only goal for his new club at New Tredegar. STRONG EFFORTS are being 4mtade at New Tredegar to induce the council to lay out tftie present football field as a spo,rts ground. It is a pity OWEN, the Pontlottyn Town goalie, is not a couple of inches taller. It wouhl then require a really good shot to beat him. OHICK WILLIAMS, Blaina, is a clever out- side forward, and his inclusion has strengthened the front rank. He feeds his centre in excellonit, style, and uses splendid judgment. FOUR BROTHERS are included in Gilfach Goch Soccer Eleven. What Gilfach would do without the Brothers POOLE it is diffi- cult to imagine. G. MIDDLE, Dinas Stars, is without a doubt the. fastest forward in the league. A most determined tackier, he has lately been play- ing on the wing with credit to himself. REES THOMAS'S re-appearance in tN Ponty- seems to have developed a more "dashing game altogether. He has the happy kna-ck of bagging a goa.l in almost every match. 81 JONES, the Gilfach Gooh captain, and HARRISON, his olubmate, have been selected for the Bridgend League v. Cardiff League. Both are sure to acquit them- selves well. EDDIE MARSH, the ex-Newbridge player, who is now assisting Abertillery as outside half, is proving himself a great find. His dropped goal last Saturday against Bryn. mawr was a beauty, and throughout he combined splendidly with Joe Richardson. Being as yet in his teens, he should be of immense value to the probable league champions for seasons to come. GEORGE COLLIER, the Blaina centre for- I ward, is one of the best. Since his return from Aberdare (for whom he played centre), he has done much to raise the status of the Blaina team. JACK BOWEN, late of Deri, and now of New Tredegar, is a dangerous forward. His weight is about 12st., and with his fast turn of speed he has proved himself to be one of the best forwards in the Rhymney Valley Junior League. JOSEPH JEREMIAH, New Tredegar's holder of the half-mile Pontypridd Handicap, five- mile and ten-mile champion (amateur), winner of the Neville Cup at Abergavenny last year, when Bartlett (London) and PHOTO, ARTHUR MORGAN, NEW TREDEG-AR. Morrizeto (Italy) competed; treasurer of New Tredegar Rugby team, and a good all-round athlete, playa on the wing for New Tredegar, and has a good turn of speed. He is also a prolific scorer.

Welshmen Up North. I By OUR N.U. CORRKGPOKDUIT. I COMMITTEE sitting on the I dispute between Dai Thomas i and the Hull Kingston Rovers Club found that, the Humberaide club had com- mitted a. breach of agree- ment, with Ifce Welshman, and ordered, the club to pay over certain moneys to the Ahemman man. The Rovers' club failed to realise that dn their breaking of the agreement they (have no claim whatever 01 Thomas, and it is a moot point whether he needs permission from the Hull club to play for any other tea,m in consequence. Toft showed poor form for Hunslet against Wakefield a.t Parks ide last Saturday. He seemed unable to hold the ball. Perhaps the vigo-rou-s play of the Trinity forwards affected him, who were very determined in their tackling. Edwards, the old Neath full-back, does not seem to have "found his feet" in the N.U. game yet. Last Saturday, although the regular first team full-back was absent owing to injuries, the Huddersfleld club played a three-quarter in that position. Edwards finds N. U. football somewhat keen and vigorous, but he should stand all that, as he is strongly built. W. J. Williams played a. poor game for Halifax in the onp-tie against St. Helens at Thrum Hall last Saturday. Parker, the new Halifax capture, has a. good lot to learn to be a'ble to cope with the best teams. Dai Furnish, however, is playing a good game, and against St. Helens was easily the best of the home three-quarter line. Furnish in ,tibe earlier part of the season was a- bit off colour, and maybe a little out of form, but the,re can be no mistaking the fact that in recent matches he has played grand games, a.nd ist, without doubt, easily the finest three-quarter the Thrum Hall team possess. The Blue and Whites are badly in need of two wing three-quarters. The committee, however, have got together a grand forward side, and 11,ave shown fine judgment in their selection of young and fast forwards. Halifax are drawn to meet Hull on the Boulevard ground in the next round. It is very probaible they will be well beaten, as they are not the team of last season, when the Boulevarders were bea;ten on tlhedr own ground. Bravo, Ebbw Va,Je! The Welshmen made a magnificent performance in beating the redoubtable Huddersfleld side on their own ground last Saturday. This must be ranked o¡lS the finest performance of the season, as the Valians have succeeded where the best have failed, for it must not be forgotten that Oldham were beaten by the Fartown side. The game was vigorously fought, the Welshmen giving and asking for no quarter, and completely beat the home side. For Huddersfield Jim Davies and Grey met their I masters in Harvey and Sbisrlo Thomas Davies played a very poor game. Shiglo was I a. lot superior to him. The Valians' three-

I A DOGGED INQUIRY. I RRYNMAWR: Thought you'd lost that abject,-look ing creature -1 NEWPORT: Yes, but I found him again, and I mean to stick to biiin now. Newport, 23 points; Brynmawr, 3 points. Laat Saturday.

-t THE FOOTBALL PEEP-SHOW..

Welsh Clubs in S.L. I BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEAON By RITE. I The great crowd who watched and. were delighted with Monday's Soccer display on the Cardiff Arms Park are but a tithe of the enthusiasts who are ready to welcome and support good class Soccer in South Wales. I spent some time during the week with Mr. Harry Bradshaw. secretary of the Southern League, who expressed his unbounded pleasure at the international "gate." He was impressed with the personnel of the crowd, and believes there is a bright future for the footer code in South Wales. Treharris and Cardiff City. He met the representatives or the existing second division clubs at a private meeting, at which the future was discussed. The dele. gates were never so optimistic, and the Mer- thyr and Ton-Pentre men's faces positively beamed as they pictured the prospects of figuring in the first division of the Southern League, which they certainly will have a chance of doing. Treharris was represented; so was Newport and Cardiff City. Treharris look like being in Division II. next season. Newport are hardly ready yet, but I believe that a. supreme effort will be made to get into line with other towns. Cardiff City evidently will be entertaining crowds on their new ground next season, and the hopes of years will be a reality. I have faith in the possibility of the next iiitern-atioiyal being j played on Cardiff City's ground. The public will shortly be in possession of the club's prospects, and the programme outlined will more than justify all that has been predicted in the press. Important Change: Only One Section in Division II. It is intended that there shall be only one section in the second division, instead of two as at present. The first division now consists of 22 clubs. The bottom two will be relegated to Division II., leaving the composition of Division 1. at twenty clubs. Thus the two bottom clubs at the end of this season will be meeting Division II. clubs next season, and promotion and relegation will follow. That is where the Welsh clubs have a chance of promotion by merit to the senior division. The I n.atural result of this arrangement will be intensified interest, bigger crowds, and a certainty of a great advance in the standard of play.. Clubs that have visited Wales for exhibition purposes may have to come to fight for their existence in the different leeigrte divisions. The outlook is the brightest for years, and is no mere "paper talk." It is

"DON'T LIKE DEVON-SHIRE CREAM." It had evidently gor3 down the wrong whey." Devon Albion. 9 points; Pill, 3 points.

ENGLISH CUP.-SEMI-FINALS., By SOCCERITE. Next Saturday's match will decide who shall, meet in the final tie at the Crystal Palace on the 23rd of next month. Popular opinion is in favour of Newcastle and Everton again, fighting out the decider. If that is so. New- castle will play in their fourth final 'n six years, and may win for the first time. I am inclined to think otherwise, as I do not fancy the chances of Everton against Barnsley. who meet at Leeds next week. Everton possess everything that- is good in Soccer football; they can play a cup-tie game combining science with bustle, and are experts in tactics th.at are calculated to worry and tire most opponents. These qualifications would frighten many teams, but. EAKIvSLEY are "Yorkshire tnrougn and through," and I shall- be surprised if they do not provide the sensa- tion of the year and qualify to meet the Newcastle-Swindon winner. Who this latter will be is a ma-tier of great doubt. Swindon are P. great side at home, but on neutral -rou- -d-ev.eri with Ilareid Fleming to help thern--I do not fancy they will overcome NEWCASTLE UNITKD, who are the best "class" team in Great Britain. If the results are as indicated, the "final" will once more be exciting and uncertain.

"SOCCERITE'S" FORECASTS MATCHES PLAYED SATURDAY, MARCH. 24 ENGLISH LEAGUE—DIVISION I. •Aston Villa v. Bury. •Bolton Wanderers v. Bradford City. Chelsea v. *Ml:lndleO'tk'T United. ""Liverpool y, Tottenham Hotspur. •Middlesbrough Y. Nofp County. Notts. Forest y, Sunderland. -e ffiel d United v. Bristol City Woolwich Arsenal v. Sheffield Wednesday. DIVISION II. •Bradford v. Leeds City. Clapton Orient v. *Glœ6üp. Clapt.on i?g ? Trinity v. *Fulham. Hull City v. *Derby County. Leicester jfosse v. *Îe,t Bromv. ich Albion* •Manchester City v. Oldham Athletic. •Wolverhampton v. Burniey. •Lincoln City v. Birmingham. Y. Sî0Ck;)<)I"t Oo¡¡nty. SOUTHERN LEAGUE. •Brentford v. Levton. •Brighton v. New Brompton. Bristol Roveis v. 'Southampton. •Coventry City v. Southend United. •Portsmouth v. Croydon Common. Crystal Palace Y. Northampton. •Exeter City v. Luton Town. West Ham v. *Millwall. •Norwich City v. Plymouth Arg'yle. •Watford Y. Reading. On ground of first-named club. Asterisk denotes probable winner. Draws left open.

RHYDFELEN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB. LPhoto D. Wilkine, lihydfeien. I

quarter line were splendid, and Llewellyn's speed was utilised in the scoring of the two tries. Chick Jenkins and Dai Davied also played a grand game. The forwards played in determined etyle. and they all deserve 'praise for the manner in which they stuck to their opponents. The win was totally unexpected by the critics, who now begin to see in the Valians a much better side than they have been. given credit, for. The Fartown club can offer no excuse. They were beaten by a better side. Treherbert failed to carry out their fixture with Hull Kingston Rovers last Saturday, and it seems the Rhondda club has finished with Northern Union football altogether. The heavy travelling expenses entailed in playing Northern teams, coupled with the lack of support, has made it very difficult to carry on the club. This, along with the bad state of the Merthyr Club, must. be very dis- appointing to the Northern Union. There is plenty of scope for a Northern Union team to flourish in Merthyr if carried on in the right way, and players should be secured who would once more raise Northern Union foot- ball in Merthyr to its former standard. The great success of Ebbw Vale should a.ct as a stimulus to the club, as it shows what a team of really capable players can do. The Ebbw Vale side are to be congratulated, and as they are drawn in the next round against Salford at Ebbw Vale they may be assured of a bumping gate. The 'Valians have tried hard for the services of Dai Thomas. What a great help his services and experience would be to them, as it is possible they will win the cup! The Leeds Club are going strong for the Northern Union Cup. In their cup-tie at Headingley last Saturday against Rochdale Hornets they played surprisingly good foot- ball. The home forwards played a grand game, and no one was more noticeable than Biggs, the old Briton Ferry forward, who is proving a good man for the Headingley Club. Frank Young played a.nother grand game, and gave a faultless display. The old Cardiff player ha.s been at his best in the cup-ties, and should the club be successful in bringing1 the cup to Leeds—which is hardly probable- Young will be proud to know that he has played a great part in it. Oldham paid Barrow a visit last Saturday, and beat the Cavendish Park team. Tom Llewellyn was not included in the Oldham side, and, with all their resources, the Water- eheddiiig club can ill afford to leave a player of the old Whitchurch man's calibre out of the side. The home team re-included Rush- ton, the old Aberdare player, in their side, who did not show much promise, being much too rash in his efforts. Warrington had an easy journey in their cup-tie against Millom at Wilderepool last Saturday. Shu.gars and O'Niell did splendid work in the forwards, and on the withdrawal of the old Cardiff forward to the centre three- qua.rter position he showed that he is a very capable centre.. There is no doubt O'Nieil is pl-aying a fine game for Warrington at present, and has no superior in open play in the Northern Union. Jack Jenkins at half. back played a very moderate game, and has been off form in recent matches. Stuntz, the Colonial, was tried at centre, and proved a very fair player in that position up to his injury. The Wilderspool team should go far in tho Northern Union Cup, as they possess a most capable lot of forwards. Coventry paid Hull Kingston Rovers a visit, last Saturday at Craven-street, and gave the homesters a surprise by nearly beating- them. By the way, what has become of Reg. Jones, the Tredegar-Leeds half-back, who was trans- ferred to the Rovers a few weeks back? Jones, who is a. fine half-back, evidently does not find Craven-street to his liking, as many other of his countrymen have experienced to their sorrow. Salford turned the tables on Wigan by beating them at Wea.ste last Saturday in the Northern Union Cup round. The Central Park team have been the victors in the two preY10U5 league games, but Salford in a cup- tie are a team of a different calibre, as Wiga.n found out to their sorrow. The gate of £ 600 constitutes a record for the Weaste ground. For the home team Johns, barring one early mistake, played a m-asterly game, and was undoubtedly superior to Stoarrock, the Wigan. full-back. Sid Adams was also seen to much advantage, and Todd, the New Zealander, was hopelessly ineffective against him. But the honours of the match must go to the home forwards, who played a storming game, and completely- beat the much-vaunted Wigan for- wards. Dai Pieee and E. J. Thomas led them with great dash, and the Welshmen's tackling was very. sure and determined. For the visitors Johnny Thomas wag the pick. Bert Jenkins was moderate, whilst Leytbam was poor, and appeared very slow. He was com- pletely beaten in pace, by his opponent, Oook. who left him every time. Ned Jones was not so effective as usual—perhaps owing to the Wigo-n pack being so completely beaten. i i I One of t.he be -1 of the Ystalyfera Soccer eleven on recent form is VI\E, who plays I on the left wing. He has shown excellent speed of late, -tiid. wit.h Hughes and SmÜet is the mainstay of the team T. MAHF/R. Bargoed Old Boys rRuggert who is a great young scrimmager and very fast. G. L. HIRST, another player who made a. welcome return to the team, has been on the sick list for some time. His presence considerably strengthened the three-quarter I line, the composition of which was doubtful until the last moment. Mr. JOSEPH POWELL is the backbone of I Association football in the Pontardawe dis- trict. He is secretary of the Pontardawe C'nb. and for several ?ea&ons captained the I t,eam. I JACK GaRDINER, Rhymney Lily Old Boys, is one of the most promising forwards in1 the Old Boy.s' League. Last season he •assisted Rhymney Seconds with distinction, [PHOTO, GTIEES arid RHYMNEY. and ere long must secure promotion to the premiers. Not yet nineteen years old, he turns the scale at list., and is undoubtedly of great assistance to his side in their stiff league struggles. ALBY THOMAS, TOM SPICKETT. and T. WILLIAMS are three half-backs whom the Barry Dock Albjons defy any South Wales league team to rival. There are many who are of the same opinion, particularly those "who erntertain memories of past smash ups. PONTLOTTYN TOVIS have been fortunate in securing the services cf Struiard, the e; capfeain of the New Tredegar team, as well as those of the chairman (Mr. Joseph, Bendail). It is rumoured that Purdy and Sla,the intend joining the Pontlottyn ranks. ALBERT FISHER, the popular and clever in",jde left and r»laver manager of the Mer- I JIEBTHYS. ithyr Town team. Alfcy is an artiste with penalty kickss. ABE GRIFFITHS (Whitchurch"> is an outside half who will soon gain fame. A tendency to selfishness at present is his only failing, and with this removed he will be a good class player. A. M. TAYLOR, who has taken an active part in first-class Association football up North, ha.s recently taken up residence at Port Talbot, being engag-w-d at the steel- works. His services should prove of much benefit to the local organisation.

within distance of realisation, and next season I will establish it as a fact. Cardiff City's New Club < I appeal to all supporters of Association football in Cardiff and district to rally to the support of Cardiff City Club when the prospectus is issued. and help to make its success the greater. As some doubt seems to prevail as to who and what the coming club will be. I hope to clearly put the posi- tion before "Football Express" readers at an early date.