Evening Express

READY EARLY NEXT WEEK. THE "WESTERN MAIL" FOOTBALL ANNUAL, SEASON 1910-11. Rugby and Soccer Fixtures, Rules and Laws of the Game, AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION. PRICE ONE PENNY. ON RATiE AT ALL NEWSAGENTS'. ——— —

TRICKS IN TRAINING. r .————— ca Why Percy Bush Scores Tries ft FAULTS EASILY REMEDIED I By GWYN NICHOLLS I tMs period, when I Rugbyites are gathering I together their fighting apparel in preparation for the season to come, a few hints on training and practice by one who has been through the mill will not be out of place. I fear that young players, and some players of experience, too, do not give su&cieait I he is worse than if he had done none at all. Rehearsals Wise A player is often led to com mit thIs error before the most important matches, in his anxiety to be at the top of his form, with the result that his play is of the mechanical order--laobng in fire and dash. I have always advocated thait m making a special preparation it is far better to do a bit extra a week or two beforehand, and to slacken off the week preceding the gme" This allows one to regain the vitality that has been expended in doing the extra work. Avoid overdoing it. A man may be a champion sprinter, but no amount of training would make him a "miler," unless he were constitutionally fitted for doing the longer distance. I make this simile, as often' a man is at improvement. They cannot be entirely unaware of them. If blind themselves the critics do not often fa.il to recognise and notify the facts. I have a vivid recollection of passing being a weakness of my own in my early days, and. in consequence, I was inclined to neglect my wing, but I had not played for the Reserves more than a few matches when I was reminded in very forcible larngua-ge that the ball did not entirely belong to me. I took the "hiiit," and was not long in effecting an improvement in this respect. Unfortaiately, most men specialise, and do not endeavour to acquire all- round skill. One's natural abilities, of course, should not be neglected ir. practice, but they should certainly be subordinate to those that need oulti- catifng. Phantom" Tries," I How often do we hear of a man admittedly strong in attack, but of weal, defence, or deficient in some importair phase of the play. This weakness goe against him when honours are dis i tributed, and he "loses his cap" in oonse thought to this matter. I mean that ] they do not trouble to disemmmate as to wfoen they should train and when to practice. And what an important factor ik Wi wlbo are anxious to reach the top of the It of course, necessary, m the first P'aœ, to train in order to get fit-to remove any superfluous flesh, and to harden the muscles by indulging in the usual methods of running, kicking, skipping, bail punching, Ac., &c. But in doing this the old adage, 11 Wht is eauoe lor the goose is sauce for the gander, H must not be accepted. Because "A" ruDI so many times around the field end "Bu is capable of indtriiging in a certain somber of sprints, it does not foKotr that it is well that "0" Should do the same. Each man should train aoooailiiog to his constitution, and do no more than he feels able without ezflteustvosL. It is the reaction that tells the tale. If he feels enervated the amount of work dhouid be cut down to a point that afterwards leaves him tmergetac and fresh. Otherwise, he will rapidly become stale, in which oondition apt to believe that he is not in form simply because he finds himself unable to do as much as another. Once in proper fettle, I consider it a nadsbake to oon-tin ue. to grind." Light practice only Should then be indulged in. This, together with the weekly match, Should be sufficient to maintain one's form. Rehearse the different move- j merits tihat occur in a game, and, more especially, endeavour to overcome by practice the weaknesses you may have. There are numerous players who have gone right through their career with a i faåling that, with perseverance, they should have mastered. "A Decent Pass. I "What a number there are who cannot give a decent pass, or am uncertain in taking one. To these I say-if this is your pronounced weakness learn how it should, be done, and then do little else in your practice but pass and re-pass until you are adept. Some cannot. kick gccurately, (field the ball with any certaiint-y, or pick up cleanly, amd yet are oontent to continue playing, exhibiting the same old faults, without any attempt quence, when, had he displayed a little thought amd method in practice, he could have remedied the fault, and thus have been assured of his "place." A brilliant soorer is very useful in a- "r-and oooiaskmially Vims a match off hiB o bat; but if ,this ? his only qualification then sooner or later he is bound to let his side down. A footballer might, with bement, take a leaf out of the book of the boxer who adopts shadow fighting as a principal item in his training programme. Why not, when practising on the field, imagine opponents and swerve and double past phantom tacklere. I have watched "the elusive Percy" caper aboirt by himself and soore innatmeonable brilliant tries." It cer- tainly, looks rather ridiculous to an uninitiated onlooker, but I confidently recommend "Shadow playing" as the beet of pracstace.

grietol's Bombshell I NEWCASTLE UNITED SURPRISED I By SOCCER ITE. Tbe. opmadmg at the league programme8, M I usual. Jirpddoed a orop of surprises. One •forays look tor striking results in the first wtto of the season, but not many of us were prepared for Bristol City's defeat of the Novo- caabrijaie. Wedlock and his men will feel encodraged to follow this up by beating the •"Spans" to-day, and give the impetus to catfaamsxa that ie lbadly needied at Aehton- gwte. Liverpool and Sheffield United, with Reweesfe&e United, were the trio defeated by rtaiftimgohibs. mboimriiLa DEBUT. The sensation of the Seocnid Division was the victory. of Huddersfield at Bradford by 1—0. "An entirety new organisation, Hudders- field gained admission to the league at th. ftrst time of asking, and have justified tbreii inclusion in the Second Division by proving I claøs enough to (beat their neightbom's. Their initial victory will give them the crowd that I is ready to leave the sister code when they! see the newcomers in a winning vein. The defeat of Bolton by Leicester Posse (H) will have staggered the Lancastrians, who had hoped to start well on their journey a-gain to the "upper twenty." Unlike Bolton, Chelsea 1 —-who also were relegated from the First Divi- j sio-n-won handsomely art, Derby (4—1). A similar result is expected against Barneley to-day. CANARIES" START WELL. Five home teams won their matches in the Southern Lmgue, four were drawn, and only one home team suffered defeat at the hands of the visiting team. Queen's Park Rangers were out to win at Park Eoyal, and this they did to the extent of five goals to nil against Coventry Evidently the Londoners mean ibusinees this season, and have an eye on tthe premier position. Norwich City, althouglh losing Allsopp through injuries, secured two JOiIlfts at Bristol with a. team that consists f the youngest players in the Southern league First Division. 'Dhe East AngliaaM m-ay congratulate themselves on this success, wihioh will help pack the "Neet" at Nofwiah to-day, when Mill wall will prove their second victims. The. other matches were all typical of the season's opening, the players having hardly found their form yet. CARDIFF CiTY. "Football Express** readers will remember how last season I persistently pleaded the Soccer cause and the proepects of a ftret- class club for Cardiff. Events have proved that I was "in the know." and we have now the neoeleus of what will prove to be the finest club in the Principality- They have m8id<e an auspicious start, and by winning at Ton Pentre an, Monday have already turned ridicule and sarcasm into respect. "Wait till they meet Toal" was the pessimistic cry I beard in amd out of Cairdiff. 'They'll rz-et • Cardiff City." Well, thev HAVE met Ton!. Mardv. Aberdare. and Bath City will all also know that iiji Cardiff CSty thev have a. com- bination that will not be satisfied with noth- ing lees than absolute victory. TWO SPORTSMEN WANTED. The City directorate have' done excellent

V RUGBY SPORTS-ROATH PARK SCHOOL. • KVKKING EXPRESS PHOTO. j TOP BOW: A. Bdwa-rds (IMYds., 9—10, 2nd three-legged raoe), H. Williams (ltDyds, 8-10, T. Williams (3rd lOOyda^ 8—10), 0. Lewis I <2nd three-legged race), and C. Spering (100yds., 8-10). KIDDLE ROW: C. Hall (dispatch), K. Duncan (3rd looyde., 8), W. Lewie (4th 1(X)yda.8). D. Jones (2nd lOOjsds, 8), 0. Jonea (and sack race), and W. Lewis (3rd 100yds, 10-12). BOTTOM ROW t V. Duncan (lOOyda, 8-10). and. T. Martin QOQrda,

SOCCER'S STATELY START. •> » Promotion the Goa I LOCAL PARLIAMENT AND JURY I By GEOR" E MERCER. I HE newly-organised City club has had an encouraging send-off, both as regards sup- port "round the ropes'' and its score card. A start, and a good one it certainly is. But nothing more. The end for which the I promoters are aiming, and which alone can be called success, is to bring real tip- op. urst-class Soccer to Cardiff; Soccer ihich can be labelled with the same first- olass brand as that Rugby game of our friends on the Cardiff Arms Park. And if the City has, as present happen- ings seem to indicate, a team of genuine tryem, wholeheartedly keen in backing up by clean, legitimate play on the field the endeavours of the directors, the club rill not lack support Phew! What a < Let's take it as read. j The Best Goal I The good, of course, is promotion, and until that arrives it cannot be said that Ln Cardiff the two codes are rivals or ompetitore. This struggle for promo- :10R is the ohief item in the programme -f the Oirty. The first Southern League match is not due until the last Saturday I in the present month. Ton Pentre are Hhen tihe visitors, and after certain little happenings last Monday, the campaign" for promotion could hardly have a moro I enticing start. Th is "promotion" reward is ako tihe I 'dea. of some half-dozen 'South WaAes jlubs, and what with Reading, Croydon Common, Stoke, and Walsall a dee-; perately in earnest in* the game hunt the task before the South Wales clubs can õe; seen in all its difficulties. Probably the I hardest matches before Aberdare, MeT. I I.byr, Cardiff City, Ton Pentre, and Tre- harris will be those between themselves, for local rivalry will count for some- thing. Another olub which has made an encouraging start is Merthyr Town, as Treiharris, Cheaham, and Norwich can ,.ed,ify. Since LauTK-Mng out '?nto pro- fe?iona? waters, three years ago, Mer- thyr haB kept well to the front, an? looks like keeping there. The pilots at the I helm have maintained their first season's enthusiasm, and one need scarcely say more. Barry's Little Way I Barry District seem to pursue a policy all of their own. No sensations, and no wondrous advertising of the capture of tfuis or that star. And yet, the club that tlhin-ks lightly of Barry is likely to get a big shock before the match is over. They have always been included in our select List of seniors. Few clubs of present life can anywhere equal Barry's consistently high record for the last fifteen or twenty yeans. Cup or league honours have not been exactly plentiful of late years, but, for all that, Barry District are stilfl in the first flight. This year they enjoy the distinction of being the only South Wales club in the Western League. I have attended a good many annual meetings of the South Wales Football Association, but this year's was easily a record one. It masters not to me in what light it may oe judged, the 6ame con- clusion is inevitable. The attendance alone was upwards of 80. And to think I that twenty was once thought to be a magnificent attendance! The reports and finances were all of a most satis- factory nature, and what more could be I wanted ? j Splendid Sportsmen UoKmei Morgan Lindsay once again I honours the Association with his presi- dency, and so^long as he is willing to act the Aseooation will never desire to make a change. His oosistance to the code, especially in ik struggling days, ensures this. And, aiain, while Mr. H. Hart is willing to dol the secretarial work—an enormous task now,- by the way-what sense would there be in discussing the election of hon. secretary ? Ditto to Mr. Gower, w!ho acts as assistant secretary. There is no rule one way or the other, but no chairman has exceeded two years in office, and Mr. Jd. Williams (Brithdir)

A SIGHT! A FRIGHT A FLIGHT -A. JTHE WOULD-BE "HUNTER" HUNTED. i I I  I J x Cardiff Oity wao going efcruag. They got what Bristol League left bebind (goaJsV last Saturday, followed precedent by not seeking re- nomination. Mr. Tom D. Jones (Aber- dare) was the unanimous choice of the meeting as his successor-am honour doubly earned, both by seniority and knowledge of football legislation. Corn- petitm for seats on the council is now getting a very keen matter, and when the secrets of the ballot were revealed there were a few changes. The new legislators are Messrs. W. T. Jones (Merthyr), Mewton (Mardy), Waters (Barry), W. C. Jones (Aberdare), Oockcroft (Newport), and Thomas (Cwm- pare). Probably Messrs. E. Jones and Proeser (who retired), Davies, Gunter, and Shaw are only having a rest, for the work is very fascinating, even if it is a big drain on one's time. The secretary tells me that the rule books will be out immediately. As with the laws of the game, the domestic rules of tihe Association are .very much what tihey were last year. But that does not mean that tlhe book is to be put away, and only opened when some dispute happens. A big percentage of club disputes can be directly traced to ignorance of the Association rules. Rules which the clubs themselves have made. They are not the committees rules The committee is simply the small body to see into these things and to settle disputes. To be the l mouthpiece, if I may term it, of t-he 150 clubs. Certain things shall not be f done. There's no excuse. Penny Does the Trick I "An Intending Rhondda Visitor" inquires as to the whereabouts of Ninian Park, and how to get there. If I were a cabdriver I might have justifiable objections to give the information. The j ground lies between Canton and Grange- town, on the "country" side of the rail- way lines. The nearest station is Grangetown (T.V.R.). By road from the St. Mary-street district there are several i ways. From the Monument, via Pen- arth-road, by tramoar to Grangetown Station. From St. Mary-street and Castle-street by Canton tramcar to LLandaff-road. Walk the remaining little bit. On foot from the Castle, via Cowbridge-road and Wellington street. An old plodder like myself can manage this one from the Oastle to the ground in a quarter of an hour. Then there are more direct routes, via Wood-street and Tudor-road. But it all depends upon the starting-place. From St. Mary-Street and High-street "Intending visitor" may set off from either end or from Wood-street. But if in any doubt watch the tramcars. One penny does it. It hardly seems decent to be talking of cup-ties thus early, but there is no 'help for it. The number of competing clubs has to be brought d,6wm to two by Easter, and with heavy fixture lists the early start is imperative. The prelim- inary rounds of the local Junior Cup are not far off, and ties for the "English*' Cup are here, I see, already. He has to be smart nowadays who wishes to keep in touch with all the matches of his club WheoTI his season ticket is available, and when he must use an old train ticket of the right colour. Yes, old tram tickets are useful fo football matches, in a crush, so 'tis said

"WE'RE TOO JOLLY HONEST. WELSHMEN'S FAULTS! WELSHMEN'S FAULT I THE CROSS-BAR MIRACLE i And a Rich French Joke, i By PERCY BUSH. I was no end pleased to read Gwyn Nicholls's forecast of the season in last Saturday's Evening Express, principally because he said also that the season was too long. 1 had penned the same opinion, but, of course, it don't matter. When the Prince, however, asserts that the seaaan is too long, and, more- over, gives his arguments to prove it, then, I think, we cam take it that the season is too long. Now, then, Welsh Union, wake up and cut the month of September out, and the last three weeks of April, too. Thjs can be easily done, and it is not nearly so unreasona ble a demand as most that you have been called upon to perform of late times. Half a Goal! So the Referees' Examination has started ? I wonder if the Best Referee in Wales" came out with any of his Specials ? Intending candidates, ] please note. Be wary of "T. D. S. when he begine asking you questions. One of his most grey-headed friends is this: "Suppo-sing a player tried to drop a goal, and the ball feli on the bar and stayed there. What would you call that?" Don't say "A bloom in '&r otherwise—miracle!" but observe tfhat half a goal is better than none," and that you would award two points for the feat, particularly as a drop goal is worth more tham four points. And other &uch queries will the great little owner of Bridgend put to you, but don't get ruffled, for they're all good questions really. By the way, if I might make so bold as to offer the opinion, it would be quite a good idea to ask the candidates some such questions as these: "Cain you control a game without bothering about the spectators' opinions ? "Have you the ^Rspticm to send off a home player without afterwards ex- pelling a visitor, so as to sort of balance things up ? In previous refereeing, have you ever found that you 'didn"t see it because I was following the ball,' when a homester nearly kills a visitor after the latter has parted with the ball ? These are just samples which occur on the spur of the moment. It seems, I am afraid, that I am making a nasty charge against Referees as a whole. Far from it The life of a Ref. is far from being all champagne and oysters, ano. we have certainly got some excellent ones (Refs., I mean, not cysts.); but, at the same time, some of those I have met are, like the curate's egg, only good in parts." (Again referring to Refs., not oysts.) Kind-hearted Refs. And two or three really strong referees would soon put down the remainder of the rough play which exists in Wales. As "Forward with his usual aptness, remarked last Saturday, Welsh football was brought into contemptuous derision during the hearing of the recent New- port-Llanelly action. Mind, I'm not I saying that the fiasco was the fault of the referee. I don't believe it was. as regards his competency; but, from what I was told by an on-looker, I believe it would have had a salutary effect if one or more men had been ordered off early in the game. But some of our referees are too kind-hearted; that's just about the word. They don't like to send men 11' k e. to sen d men off. That's why I used the word "strong" just now. And while on this point, I wonder if I might be allowed to say what I think about Jjianelly football. I have played down at Llanelly more time- than most Cardiff players, for I used to play down at Stradey for Peny- graig before I played for Cardiff. I have always enjoyed playing down down there, with one single exception, and that was when "Rusty" Gabe was skipper of Cardiff. That game was certainly rough, but on every other occasion I have noticed nothing at all that anyone ooifid cavil at in the general play. Of oourse, you come across a man now and again who does not "play quite fair," but, there, you find him in every team. I like to speak of things as I find them, and, although my opinions may not find universal favour, I say that, with the one exception mentioned, Llanelly have, as far as 1 ],-now. always played a clean, sporting, bustling game. It is to be hoped that there will be no scenes this season like this match was alleged to have been, and like our extra- special one at Newport last season. Personally, I didn't see much wrong with this latter game. It is true that a man on each side received Marching orders," but I am quite convinced—as I was at the tim,&that the man who was sent off for chasing me didn't intend any violence, but simply couldn't stop him- self because he was going so fast. I could see the look im his eyes as he came towards me, and there was nothing in them that suggested that he was after my scalp. The Cardiff man who was "deported" was the victim of circum- stances. The game was all right. Ferocious Frenchman The fact of the matter is that we are too jolly honest in Wales. Whenever there is a bit of rough play we notice it more than other countries do. Hence our ca-ndour causes some folk to think that Welsh footer is somewhat outre, whereas experience has taught me that it compares more than a bit well with that exhibited elsewhere. Over here, in Sunny France, they DO play the game. Of course. I haven't had a long experience of it yet, but if the samples I have seem are any criterion, then the French have learned football without the shady tactics oftentimes associated with it. One funny incident oocurred in a match I played in over here. One of OUT opponents got the ball, and had a clear run in, but one of our own side was too fast for him, cut across field, and threw him into touch. Natu- rally, Number 1 was a bit upset, not to say annoyed. He deliberately hoofed up a piece of turf large piece, nearly as big as a stone, in fact-&nd hurled it at Number 2. The latter ducked, and so gave it a miss," and the referee came up and sent them both off, the one for throwing the turf about and the other for ducking. It was jolly droll, and made me laugh as much as an Archbishop in a ballet-drees would. In some places I wot of they would have thrown "clinkers," or bricks. That's the diff.

THE "MEET." WELSH CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FOX H'M! THEY'LL SOON BE AFTER ME AGAIN!

WELSHMENUPNORTH 9 MYSTERY OF DAI FURNISH WANTED SCORINC THREE-QUARTERS! By OUR N.U. CORRESPONDENT. DAJ JOHN, as he is familiarly called, will be known by Welsh football followers as the old Penyrraig half-back. Coming to the Salford club in his teens, he has rendered the Reds valuable service, and is deservedly popular with the club's supporters. Last season he played many a brilliant game at full-back, and it was only his lack of inches that prevented him joining the Colonial touring side. John's position, however, is half-back, a.nd he is in that position amongst the beet in Northern Union football. Standing 5ft. 3in in height and weighing list., John is very sturdily built, and, in consequence, needs a lot of stopping when in possession of the ball. As a defender, he cannot be beaten. His taekling is great, and he ra;rely fails to pull down heavy opponents. His relegation to the position of half-back this season has caused gTeat satisfaction in Salfard. RTHYR gave a good esftniinition in tbei-r nmltch against Sadtftad at Weastte last Saturday. The moiv 4 34 points to two doee not at all represent the run of the ttihay. as the heavy score was mainly due to Dai Thomas's great soortog power. In GrifiWhe, at fufi-^aok, the MerthyT club have a very promising pJaywr, and he surprised the SaJ. JIDIrd spectators by his splendid kicking-, while the way he tackled Dai Thomas on one occa- sion surprised even the speedy winger. who rarely fails to beat opposing fnll-baoks. Harris and Williams, a. new capture, were a most capabdo pair of half-backs, who com- bined in true Welsh fashion. The forwaa-ds played & fine gaise, their tackling and loose play being gTeat, and the display of Will Bevan stamps him as a for- ward considerably above the average. When Dai Jones, the old Welsh international, and D. B. Davies returns to the fold, the Merthyr dub will be able to botst of a forward side equal to the best. The club are to be con- gratulated on their new players, and the carrying on of the c-lu-b against tremendous odds reflects great credit to the committee and the painstaldug. eeorcitary. Anyway, their display at SaJford gave one the impres- sion that they are a very capable side, and it is to be hoped they will receive better support from the Mefthyr footbaU public. For SaLford Johns played a very tricky game at half-baok, and made a ooupJe of good open- ings for his three-qiuarters. W. Thomas, the old Swansea and A-beravon player, was in rare fettle at centre three-quarter, and his dodgy runs were ever dangerous. He is a very heady player, a.nd class can be seen in his every movement. Dai Thomas was too fast and powerful for his fellow countrymen, who fooind him very bnxd t-o tackle, and his dashing runs were too much for the Merthyr defenders. Conning to the forwards, Charlie Bees played a good game, and tackled like a Trojan. E. J. Thomas, the old Pill Harrier forward, lias not yet signed on, and as Dai Bees, the old Penygraig forward, is doubtful abomt leaving Wales, the club are none too well off as reeards serimmagers. It ie very (probable, however, that the ser- vices of D. B. Davies. the Merthyr forward, will be secured in the course of a few days. Negotiations are proceeding regarding him, the only difficulty being the amount of trans- fer fee. Wattie Davies was m champion form for Batley against Keighley at Lawkholme-lane last Saturday. He was keenly watched, but I managed to scramble over with a good try. The old Cardiff three-quarter is truly a great player. Will Davies was not included in the Batley side, and, considering the way the Batley centres played, the Blackwood man will find it hard to get his plaoe again in the team. Hull King-ston Rovers sustained a very bed I defeat by the Dewsbnry club at Crown Flatts last Saturday. Pill Thomas, for the Rovers, I wag in very poor form. and is showing unmis- takable signs of Anno Domino. Reg. Jones, at half-baok, played a fair game. Blakemore, I the Abertilley forward, who was making his I debut for the Rovers, did not please the critics, who are of opinion that he is far too slow to suit the Northern Union game. r Rhys Bees, who has been transferred to Wigan from the Merthyr dab. played a fine game for Wigan Reserves last Saturday. Bees will soon And his ptaoe into the firet team I when Johnny Thomas and Bert Jenkins returns. Dai Davies dhowed signs of his best form I for Swinton against Widnes. last Saturday. His try was very smartly got, and he wae easi ly the best back on the field. J. B Parker, the old Yetrad player, was seen in the Swinton three-quarter line, and it is evident that Parker has a lot to learn I in the Northern Union game. j Ebbw Vale did not fibow their true form in their match against Huddersfteld at Fartown last Saturday. Dai Davies, who has su-s- tained an injury to his ribs while at practice,

NEW TREDEGAR'S STALWARTS. ?TO? P  ? G. ? We? bster a?d ? ? H. ? P!M«MM. L?HOM, A. 3L M<MMAN, KCW TBSMBGAB. TOP ROW: G. Webster &Dd H. p, BOTTOM SOW: J, Thomaa. X 3wdy, amd G. CtaMmta.

work in the short limje at their dtepoeal. Con- sideline the prejudice they fcad to oantend with and the difficulty of fretting people to realise that they were out foar serious foot- ball. they have done well. and deserve the su-Doort of ercry Socoer love, in South Wales. I don't eairDose many readers of the "Foot- ball Express" would oome to the clubs help bv takinc L'5M worth of shares, but if any two gentlemen in Cardiff would do so the around would be eauipped in ap-to-date fashion and eoroaJ to many oi tboee of Ene- lish clubs. NORWIC" DifocaTons PUBASEO. The Norwich. City direewrk. present were deUsrhted with the fiaeht made by Merthyr. and thflv told me the visit had been an enjoyable one. They were handicapped by Allsopp'« absence, while Sampson, played throiwh the same with daanaeed rftte sus- tained at Bristol the previous Saturday. I hone when Norwich visits Exeter or Swindoc they may be premaiiled upon to Wait Oamtiff City. ae both teams are about on a par. and a match between them woedd be worth watohimr. A CCEVBR COMBfMATfOM. Of the many cftrbo I am associated with name appeal to me more for earnestness and detarnvroatkra to play the real came than the Sereros A.F.C. Tbev are in a pood financial pomticn, and are associated with no teagttes or in any onp-taes. They have an esoeilent ftatwne list of friendly matches, and if they maintem the form shown In their opening match against Victoria United they will have a record year. Mr. A. W. Evans "fothenr" the team Abnd the boys have in him a leader, who has their welfare at heart CAMNff AMD OfSTMCT LMOW. The vitality of this leaene is wonderful! It embraces aU that is best in junior Soccer etaofes in Cardiff and district. Its committee are a bsrd-worfchur body. who are taking a lion's share of the pkmeerirwr off the Associa- tion code in South Wales. I attended the reoeat annual meeting, and was struck by the entirasiasKi of the large xtnmber Dfreeent- The btttamce-eheet is weli on the right aide. and the season starts with a record number of 47 ohibs in the leacrae. LOUD wiwumra our. The first tonad in the Laird N&aian abowrt Oun competition, is fixed for November 26 and the second round Deoember 31. The opm- petitkm is open to all junior clubs within a 15-mile radios of Cardiff, such ofeubs to be affiliated to the South Wales and Monmouth- shire Association. Mr. S. H. Harris, 53. Habenboivstreet Solott. secretary of the Cardiff and Distriet League, must b.Pe all entries before Satordav October 29. I anti- cipate a preat Strwg for possession of this cap, and would UfIe U eftabs to ember, as it is worth holding. All olabs in the first and seoond ditieions erf the Cardiff apd District League must send in their affiliation few to Mr. Hart, 36. Mooriamd-road. ClartiB, at onoe. RBFERCCS' EXAM. I am _ed to Ma?ind my readers that the MhKMfMMtic ?wmh?hetAJnOM-<M. in two or three weeks' time Mr. Hart wilj be erlad to receive applications immediately- All secretaries in Divisions I and II. must give Mr. Hart fourteen dayS' notice to appoint referee"} for their matches. I ave had several reanests to insert the leajrue tables in the "Football Express" every week. This can only be done with the co-operation of all chili secretaries. Thev must let Mr. Hai-rii have them bv Tuesday morning, loa. teet CARDIFF WEDNESDAY LEAGUE. I shall deal with the prospects of this lea.«ue next week, but from what I leam this season promises to eclinse last year's record! Additional clubs have entered more cups are up for competition, and the mid-week Soccer promises to be more interesting than ever, more anon. WELSH CUP DRAW. Treharris fqiiv deserve their exemption from the preliminary round of the Welsh Cap. In the South Wales division Owmoa.ro have a bye. leaving four matches for deci- sion. all of which should be excitinc. Merthyr Town have to ioumev to Llanelly. where they may met a surprise. The West Wales combination are a smart lot on occasion, and they may ma-ke the visit of Merthyr one of their surprise packets. Whatever may have been the result of Mardy and Cardiff City matches un to the cuo-ties. Mardv are bound to cause the Cardiff)ans some anxiety on their hillock in the Dho-ndda. Pa-cji. but the citizens should succeed. Ton Pent Wok like having a rood time at Aberdare, and will be dangerous in subsequent rounds. I am glad Cardiff Corinthians are to go to Tredegar, as their visit is bound to attract a big eate. and will help farther the code in that district. Tredeerar zw~ an unknown quantity, but I have no fear ot the Corin- thians returning in triumph. SOCCERITE'S FORECASTS FOR MATCHES PLAYED SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17. ENGLMR LBAOUB.-DFVIsr<w I. Al"n Villa v. Woofcwioh Arsenal. Bury v. Blackburn Rovers.* Liverpool v. Notts Fbreot,* 14MV:Ile e43T Uliked T. MMict?wte* C3W. Middlesbrough v. Bristol City. 'Notts County v. Evertam. Preston North End v. Sheffield Wednesday.* •Sihefftefld United v. Bradford City. •'Sunderland v. Oldham Athletic. TTattenhaan v. Newcastle United. DIVISION IL ^Barnsley v. Clapton OrientA6 Bradford v. Weet Bronxwieh.* Burnley v. Birmingham." •Derby County v. Bl&ckpeoL "Fnllhaan v. Hratt CSfcy. Gainsborough Itondty v. Htddembdd* "Leeds CSty v. Liinooin Cster. Letfoesber Posse v. Chelsea J* Stookiport County v. GJossop." •WoJwerfttaimpton v. Baken W-aadmrem- SOUTffEEN LKAGCTB. •Queen's Park Bangere v. MiibmaU. West Haan United v. New Brompton. "Doton v. Coventry City. PortSBnouAh v. Southend. •Northampton v. Sovthaaaptoo, •Brighton v. PigmaaatSi. Exeter v. Watsford. •Sfwindoti v. Leyton. Bristol Boron v. BtpeuMbMt:* OrjcAai Palace Toovwwh Caac:* HWGHjIQH CU-P. PRELIMINARY QUALIFYING RODm). •CARDIFF OITY V. BATH CITY. To be played on the grounds of the ftrst- named olqib. Asterdek denotes prybahle vriiuMC.

wes badly mimed ? a f<?rw?i. Lt?weUyn. ??or Jt??e !Vf a?? iajM. made -*ny efforts to score' A httle more weight "odd be very u?uj? him. as he is easily taxraght down. The for- wards beat the home pack, and brought off many good 5its of play. For Buddersfieid iiidwards, at full-back, showed some improve- ment, although he wae not hard pressed Edwards must be seen in a big match against a strong side before his form this season can be criticised. Gronow. the Bridgend and Welsh international forward, made a credit. able debut for the home clnh, and showed distmot promise. Toft, the Swamms player, played a. smart half-back game for Hnnslet against York at Parkside last Saturday, and his passing to the home three-quarters was very accurate For the Minster side, Dan Lewie, the Meri Miyr forward, made his first appearance, and his form left a lot to be desired. Cow- meadow and Smith were very little in evi- dence. and were woefully weak in stopping the Hnnslet rushes. Wigan beat Broughton Bangers last Satmv day, but the form of the new Colonials wae very disconcerting to the Cherry and White supporters. The sooner the Welsh player* are back in the Central Park team the better, as there are several Northern Union sides capable of beating Saturday's team by a big margin. The Wigan forwards, with Seeling, John- son, and Williams, had decidedly the worst of the argument with the Broughton six. Howell Francis, their best forwa-rd, has not signed on yet. Francis has no equal in the Wigan pack. whatever be the club's opinion of the matter, a.nd defeat can only be looked for when the present Wigan side meet a strong Northrn Union olub. Dai Mead played in poor form for the Bangers, being offside too much. Coventry, in their first experience of league football, were beaten on their own ground by Biunoorn" Had Beynon, the old Ebbw Vale and Oldham half-back, has been selected captain of Coventry, and although his play laet Saturday was far from con- vincing, his esrperienoe should do the club a lot of good. Leigh beat Warrlncton tn their match at Mather Lane last Saturday. Dai'Davies, the Leaffh centre, played a fine game on defence. Morgan and Polsom, the Treorchy forwards, were inoJnded in the losing side. and played a fairly good game. G. Thomas, the old Pontoewydd player, undoubtedly was the pick of the visiting side. The Wilderspool ohab, after having a dose of the Colonials, are badly in need of a few scoring three- quarters. Francis, the Treiherbart half-back, made a capital debut for the Hull dub against Hali- fax. He combined a treat with his partner, and was always & thorn in the Halifax defence. Galloway, the TreheTbert forward, also made his presence felt in the Boulevard pial By the way. what is the intention of Dai Furnish this season? The Thrum Hall elub went to great expense to secure him last eeaeon. and rumour has it that he will not be seen at Thrum HaJI again. It is quite on the cards that Haley, the Pill Harrier full- back, will be. seen at Thrum Hall ia the «eBrwUal«i -ww fcs.