Evening Express

Rugby. CARDIFF V, BRISTOL ruv "WELSH ATHLETE, "j The Cardiff team that journeyed to Bristol was by no means a strong one, for both Nicholls .nti Jones were away from the three-quarter line, their places being taken by the two second teamers, Ivor Jones and Wayne Morgan. There was also a change in the forward3, Blake being an absentee. On the Bristol side the team turned out as advertised. The enthusiasts that travelled over from Cardiff formed a gwod pro- tion of the crowd, which, by the way, was by no means a large one, less than a couple of thousand being present when the teams fielded as followCardiff Back, T. J. Thomas; three-quarter backs, Wavne Morgan, Ricketts, Huzzey. and Ivor Jones; half-backs. S. Biggs and Cecil .Sweet-Escott; forwards, Cornish, T. Dobson, MTntyre, G. Dobson. C. Spackman, Falcon, James, and Box. Bristol: Back. J. Oates; three-quarter backs, C. M. Cunning- burnc, R. G. Parsons, R. S. Hussey, and H. Hignell; half-bucks, W Needs and S. H. Foster; forwards, J. W. Jannan (captain), 21. G. Court- ney, A. Eu-sell. and A. Harris. -fust as the teams fielded a heavy shower of Tain commenced to fall, and, although the Bristol executive had done everything in their power to make the field playable, the turf was still in a very bad condition. Mr. Phelps started the game punctual to time, and, George Dob- bon's kick-off being wall returned by Hussey, scrimmaging was started at the centre. From the first set scrum the Bristol forwards gained a few yards, and then, when they tried again, the Cardiff passing went wrong, and Bristol rushed up to clo-o on the Cardiff goal-line, » r- Where Thomas checked them. There were one or two scrums, and then Ricketts cleared to his 25. where Biggs was penalised for off-side play. The penalty did not gain Bristol any ground, for, immediately they settled down. Biggs stopped some of their passing, and, assisted by Huzzey and one of the forwards, they dribbled up to Close on the centre. Here Bristol tried a couple of rounds of passing, but on neither occasion were they dangerous. The home forwards gained some ground imme- diately after this by a useful wheel, following ■which the Bristol three-quarters had a chance, diately after this by a useful wheel, following "which the Bristol three-quarters had a chance, but their passing was very bad. Then play went down to just inside the Cardiff 25, where the Cardiff forwards followed up a kick, bur, the referee immediately gave them off-side, and awarded a penalty right in front of the Cardiff posts. It was missed, and Cardiff conceded a minor. From the drop-out, play came to close on the centre, where Biggs got clean through, and gave Huzzey and Wayne Morgan a chance on the right. Morgan on the wing was not fast enough, however, and, with no one to support him, he was pulled down. Then play went to the other wing, where Ricketts and Ivor Jones were responsible for a good run. Ricketts, when just outside the Bristol line, passed back to the centre, and Escott, who had been fol- lowing up, scored a pretty try, which Huzzey. against the strong wind, failed to convert. On the re-start Bristol had a bit the best of the play, and immediately rushed down to the Cardiff line and forced a second minor. There was a few minutes' play just inside the Cardiff 25, and then the visiting forwards took a turn in the gams. Ivor Jones and George Dobson each tried to break through, but could not get clear. Then there was a regular scramble between the forwards at the centre, neither side gaining a yard. Biggs made one effort to get through, but was pulled down before he gc>t quite ciear. A penalty to Bristol after this did not gain them any ground, and then the Cardiff three-quarters had a chance. Biggs got clear, and, missing Morgan, who was closely watched, threw out to Ivor Jones, who went up the left wing with Ricketts. At the finish, how- ever, the pass to the wing man went astray, and a fine opportunity was missed. Another attack from the same wing saw Ivor Jones slip through very cleverly, but again, at the critical moment, the pass went wrong. Huzzey just managed to save a rush of the visiting for- wards after the hall had been dribbled past Thomas. Then play settled down again just inside the Bristol 25. Two or three times the Cardiff three-quarters tried to attack, but on neither occasion were they able to get quite clear. Following this there was a bout of kick- ing between the backs, and Bristol, getting the best of matters, came into the Cardiff half. Just outside the Cardiff 25 line play settled down again, and the Cardiff backs tried a round of passing. They were on top of one another from the start, and the attack was stopped before it got really dangerous. Then from the centre Cardiff started a nice dribble. Cornish headed it all the way, and, after he had gone past Oates, he raced on, and, kicking over the line. either he or Tom Dobson scored ?. try, which Huzzey. with a strong wind handi- e capping him, failed to convert. On the re- start the Bristol forwards were again in evi- dence. and Biggs, failing to take the ball from the drop, a couple of Bristol scrimmagers got it and pushed past him. They started a bit of passing, which was stopped just inside the Cardiff 25, and then they settled down again to scrimmaging, and Escott saved immediate danger by a kick to touch. After this the Car- diff forwards brought off another pretty wheel, and. dribbling half the length of the field, looked all over scorers, but a couple of Bristol three-quarters got back in time and stopped the attack just on the Bristol goal-line. Half- time was then called, the score reading: — Half-time score:- G. T. M. Cardiff 0 2 0 Bristol 0 0 2 Jarman re-smarted play for Bristol, and a. return by Wayne Morgan saw play settle jU3t outside the Cardiff 25 line. Here the visit- ing forwards again took it up. and started some I g, dribbling, which took them to right on the Cardiff goal line, where Thomas stopped them JUst in time. Some passing here was tried by the Bristol three-quarters, but the Cardiff defence was very keen, and then the home backs lost ground by their efforts. Gradually Cardiff worked out to their 25, but here again "qle Bristol forwards were prominent, and with some capital footwork they worked back to right on the Cardiff goal line in the extreme corner. Cardiff worked out about half a dozen corner. Cardiff worked out about half a dozen yards, and then they settled down to scrim- maging again. Biggs got off-side, and was Penalised, but from the penalty kick Huzaey got possession, and, with a fine punt, found touch at the centre. Another useful touch Kiek by Cardiff brought them over the halt- Way line, and from the line-out here Cornish came out and sent the ball over to Bweet- Lscott, who looked like running clear, but was stopped by passing forward to Ivor Jones. Just inside the Bristol halt Sweet-Escott was penalised for going round the scrimmage, although there was not a suspicion of his being off-side. Still the referee evidently held the \on i that whatever happened the half-backs must stay behind their own forwards. For the next two or three mniuies the ball was kept very close. not half a dozen yards being gained one way or the other. The play was scramblv, too. and far from interesting. For taking up •a, dribble off-side the Cardiff forwards were penalised, and the next scrum was fought out on the half-day line. From here Escott started the Cardiff left wing. Ivor. Jones and Ricketts coming round the left wing in fine style. Needs, however, got round and stopped Ricketts just as he got to the Bristol 25 flag. A cross-kick by Ricketts gave Cardiff their next ohance, but none of the forwards had followed *uD. indiligilcll, on the Bristol left, had no diffi- culty in saving. A long kick by Huzzey put Play just inside the Bristol 25. and here for the next few minutes play was of a very scramb.y nature, and confined to the forwards. Cardiff were pressing severely at this Point. Once or twice the forwards Were nearly over. Thomas got, in a ^lck, and, the forwards following up, matters Voiced dangerous, but a mark by Hussey stopped them at a critical moment. After this Bristol worked out a few yards, but when the game sealed down at their 25 Biggs got ?Way nicely, and transferred to Huzzey. who Hignell, and. running up to Oates. gave ""e ball to Morgan, who scored an tr-v' ^'I'i'-h Huzzey failed to convert. :;°m the drop-out Bigg. made his mark and stopped a rush of the Bristol forwards. His PUi.t was mulled by Cunningham, and this let ^ardiff to the Bristol 25. From here Needs Kicked away to touch well outside his 25, and a minute later the same player brought off a etnarkably smart bit of defency by ginning across and stopping Ivor Jones "ftd Huzzey when they were in full jWing. Then, on the other wing, George ~°bson got clear and stopped Huzzey iiu ayne Morgan going. When, however. JiU7.zey had got ov-er the line it was decided that he had lost the ball, and scrimmaging was tarted hist outside, where some bad passing tile Cardiff halves let nlay up to tile centre, there .was a long kick to Thomas, who i .s held when the ball was a long way from j,'1". and by thc-o tactics play was taken to » ,.e Cardiff 25, where the Bristol three-quarters kt! i a round of passing that was stopped by a nock-on. From their 25 Cardiff came down d»f centre, but here a weak bit of ence by Ivor Jones let the Bristol forwards itw u,) the dribble, and it was only stopped hili 011 l^ie Cardiff goal-line by Escott, who *fjju raced back. An injury to a Bristol man tu'ed play a few minutes, and then, when started scrimmaging again, Cornish came with a fine dribble that took play to the centre. A line-out here and then Huzzey made a strong run for Bristol, and was only pulled down right on the Cardiff line. There was one scrimmage here, and then time was called, with the score standing: — scrimmage here, and then time was called, with the score sta.ndinE: — Final score:- G. T. M. Cardiff 0 3 0 I Bristol 0 0 0 I BriStol. 0 0 0 I I REMARKS. It was not a, great game by anv means, neither was it particularly interesting. Where Cardiff lacked was at centre three-quarter, the absence of Gwyn Nicholls and Jones making a big difference to them. Had they been pre&ent there is no doubt that Cardiff would have put on a big score, for the forwards were playing in a winning vein, and the halves, although han- dicapped by the peculiar notions of the referee, were sending the ball out smartly and often. Ivor Jones, who was at left centre, was a bit weak in defence now and again, and was hardly fast enough even when he had got a fair start.. Huzzey at right centre did fairly I well, but, although speedy and good in his kick- ing, he was not. of course, able to utilise opportunities like Nicholls would have done. Ricketts was the best of the wing men, Morgan being particularly poor in his kicking. Escott and Bigg-; p.ayed a good game, although Biggs's c.elence was hardly so good as it might have been. Thomas nlayed a sound game at full back, whilst the forwards, of whom Cor- nish and the two Dobsons were the most con- spicuous, played a winning game all through. Ine Bristol forwards were very smart in the open, but had just a bit the worst of matters in the tight scrums. They followed up very smartly, however, and seldom made a mistake in their tackling. Xeeds was particu- larly smart at half back, and did a lot of won- uertully good defensive work for his side. As a quartette the Bristol three-quarters were dis- tinctly poor, their passing being slow and erra- tic. Cunningham and Hussev both ran strongly, and took some holding, but neither ol them could give or take a pass in decent fashion. Cunningham, an ex-London-Scottish man. was very safe in his defence. Oates tackled well once or twice, but, on the whole compared badly with Thomas. The absence of Nicholls and Jones, as I say above, made a big difference to the Cardiff side, but still, although they missed several opportunities, and the three-quarters seemed to get on top of one another, Cardiff were quite as much superior to Bristol as the score would suggest. NEATH Y. ABERAVON. The third of this season's matches between Neatii and Aberavon was played at Neath in (arty weather. The previous matches have resulted in a win for each club. Sam Davies was absent from the Neath team because of his selection for international honours. Aber- avon were without several prominent players, including Danny Jones and "Bobby" Brice. Teams:—Neath: Back, Joe Davies; three-quar- ter backs, W. Jones. H. Jones, H. Hanford, and Owen Harris; half-backs, C. Powell and 0. Morris; forwards, M. Reynolds, J. Thomas, D. Evans, Griffith Lewis, D. H. Davies, Moxley, Evan Arnold, and Jack Lennard. Aberavon: Back, J. E. Lewis; three-quarter backs, W. Rees, Evan Thomas, W. Thomas, and J. Davies; half-backs, W. Davies and Foster; forwards, T Hodden, J. Luke, II. Jones, Val Jones. D. Thomas, Tapton. D. Lewis, and Kenefick. Referee, Mr. Gil Evans, Swansea. Rain fell in torrents and prevented a scien- tific exposition of the game. Luke started for Aberavon against the wind, a scrum being ordered at half-way. Charlie Powell got away to the 25 flag from the first scrum. From a penalty in a good position Joe Davies essayed for goal, a minor resulting. By good forward play and a pretty dribble by Will Davies and Foster, Aberavon rushed over the centre line, and honours remained easy for some minutes. A good kick by Joe Davies found touch near- the visitors' 25. but Will Rees, smartly inter- cepting. carried well up the field. From the succeeding scrum AVill Davies rushed to the half-way and got his pants torn off with the eilort. Some scrppy play followed slightly in favour of Neath, Owen Harris all but getting through, and the homesters pressed right on the line, and a too high pass from Powell to Harris only lost a try. Dan Thomas dribbled away, but Hanford returned to the former position. W. Davies and B. Thomas, by a couple of good kicks, brought, short, but substantial, relief. Neath again returned to the attack close on the line, and Charlie Powell, nipping u" smartly, grounded. Joe Davies converted. Luke re-started, and Joe Davies returned finely to touch near the 25 flag, from where Foster raced Ull to the centre, and bad field- ing by Jack Davies lost a good opening to Aberavon. Following this Powell set his right wing in operation, the ball going to Morris, Harrv Jones, Handford, and Bill Jones. The latter passing back to Hanford that player carried over, 'but knocked the corner flag over. and a minor only resulted. On the re-start, Neath were granted a penalty, Joe Davies unsuccessfully attempting for goal. and play settled down close on the visitors' line. Here Powell sent out to Morris, and the latter to Hanford, who easily scored. Joe Davies failed at goal. Ledby, Upton, and Forty dribbled splendidly awa,y on the kick out, carrying well into the Neath ground, where several penalty and free-kicks ended with Neath rushing down, and W. Thomas kicking over the line. A scrum was ordered right on the Aberavon line. Half-time was then called, the score ooing:- G. T. M. I Neath 112 Aberavon 0 0 0 In the second half Neath played against the wind. Jim Thomas kicked off, and Neath had- the advantage of the exchange. From the first scrimmage C. Powell got away, and soon 'Afon were again on the defensive. Good passing almost saw Owen Harris get over, but for some reason a serum was ordered out- side. Gradually the visiting forwards worked back to the Z5 line. Here Nenth were penalised, but Joe Davies's return was equally strong, and Aboravon failed to relieve, lhe. Neath forwards came away with a grand rush, but Billie Thomas saved grandly, and kicked into touch. From the next serum Kene- fick came away, the venue being changed to the centre. The home forwards retaliated, and ,t subsequent penalty resulted in Joe Davies almost dropping a goal. A minor resulted. Will Rees restarted, and for the first time dur- ing the second half the visitors got inside the Neath half. Aberavon started passing, but the backs made a sorry mess of it, and Neath gained rather than lost by the attempt. Neath wheeled the next scrum, and rushed into Aber- avon ground. A penalty kick brought Aber- avon a little relief, but Joe Davies's returns were always useful, and tiring to the other side. From some loose play C. MorrLs kicked down towards the Afon goal, and, several of the visitors failing to field, Morgan Reynolds rushed over with a try, which Joe Davies just failed to convert. For really the first time during the game the visitors now attacked, their invasion being due to good dribbling by the Aberavon forwards. Several times the forwards gave the ball out, but, with the exception of Foster, the visiting backs were weak in attack. W. Rees, had he a little more dash, would certainly have scored on one occasion. A moment later Neath were penalised, but W. Rees's kick failed, and -Toe Davies would not even concede a. minor, but returned into touch. Some clever saving work by Hanford spoiled several dribbles by the Aberavon forwards, who were now playing better tlv n at. any period of the gam. Aberavcn had the best of the play during the lust live minutes, but they failed to score. Final sc or*: — V G> T" M" ^ea'li 1 2 -1 Aberavon 0 0 0 REMARKS. The result of the game was not unexpected, but none anticipated that XeUli's victory would hire been so sivat. Truly, Aberavon su/feieri by the aosctioe of Danny Jores and Brice, but, Neath were also without k-ui Davies. It va'j the eld, old tale— A oeraven were good in front, but their threes quarters were weak in the extreme—in fact, they had no idea of concerted attack. The home forwards played with great dash up to the la,,t quarter of an hour. when they per- ceptibly flagged, and the Aberavon eight had then the better of the argument. W. Davies, the inside Aberavon half. of whom so much ill-it I been heard, wa.s L failure, but Foster was a worthy substitute for Danny Jones. Con- siderinc the climatic conditions, the game was interesting, and the result proves beyond cavil that Neath are an exceptionally strong com- bination. NEWPORT V. GLOUCESTER. The first fixture of the city men with the Usksiders came off at Newport in a periect bog of muci and in a continuous and drench- ing rain, which, by the way, had scarcely stopped since the preceding Sunday. Naturally, there was a small field. Teams: — Gloucester: Back, G. Romans; three-quarter backs. W. H. Taylor (captain), P. W. Stout, F. M. Luce, and C. Smith; half-backs, il. Goddard andB. Parham; forwards, F. M. Stout, C. Hill, 1'. Goulding, G. H. Smith, A. H. Click, P. Oswell, .dey, and J. Lewis. Newport: Back, C. D. 1 hillios; three-quarter backs, A. W. Boucher (captain), R. T. Skrimshire, H. G. Alexander and T. Jones; half-backs, G. Wade and L. A. Ph").ps- forwards. J. Hodges, H. S. Williams,' J. Jones, 1 J- E. C. Partridge, A. Innj W. Parfitt, M. Price, and G. Morgan Referee,'Mr! D. H. Bowen, Llanelly. Percy Stout kicked off, and play settled in the centre, slightly to the advantage of the visi- tors. Gloucester was penalised for an infringe- ment by Parham, and Newport gained twenty yards off the kicking. LI. A. Phillips followed /P i!i .ntage with a smart dribble, but Goddard made up all the lost ground with a kick- Boucher got a mark at mid- nem, ana a smart invasion of the Gloucester 25 f A \°ns pa8s oufc was B'ven to Skrim- i~ m-a ^ut was tackled as soon as rn ,1?.CuelVeU'i Operations were still kept in the Gloucester half, and Skrimshire looked like fifp'wVi,10??*?!' when he Punted high for the nfi wfnt }n touch- Taylor dribbled and followed up to the open, where hard for- V ensue,' T1*ings were of a sloppy ch..i acter generally in consequence of the awful state of the ground and ball. A smart pass out to LI. A. Phillips saw that player gain forty vards by a long well-directed punt. PJav bi ought back to the centre, where Gloucester was penalised. From the line out after the kick to tonch, Newport got away well into the Gloucester 25, but the city forwards again cleared their lines with a strong scrimmage. only, however, to see play sent hack by a clever back punt on the part of Skrimshire. scrimmaging ensued right at the mouth of the Gloucester goal. but the visiting halves as before, dribbled the ball away to the open and only a minor resulted from loose play! which subsequently sent the ball back over the line. All the play was still kept weil in I the Gloucester ground. The Newport forwards used their feet with advantage. Skrimshire dropped for goal. and the ball went wide, but therj wa-j a keen race for possession, as an easy try seemed to be available. The luck fell to Luce, who torched down just before Alexander could ground the ball. From the drop out Gloucester made their first incursion ( into the Newport 25, where play remained, when half-time was whistled, the teams crossing over with two minors to Newport only. Half-time score: — .0. T. M. Newport 0 0 U Gloucester 0 0 0 Jones re-started for Newport, and play | settled in mid-field. visitors, however, I 1. I forced their way to the Newport 25. but were penalised, and the free kick sent play back to the centre. From here the visiting forwards got away with a dribbling rush to the New- port 25, byt Boucher, smartly turning a, dribble, changed the venue by toeing the ball well into the Gloucester half. It was just as quickly removed again by sharp footwork on the part of Hall and Stout. A lot of rough- Mid-tumble work ensued, and at length a couple of nice passes were given out to the Newjjort three- quarters, and Alexander looked like getting in. but Percy Stout rushed across, and brought him down six yards from the Gloucester bne. The ball was worked from a line out to I the left, and Boucher. receiving in a favourable position, dropped a goal. Following this Gloucester got away close to the Newport 25. when in some loose play Taylcr made a ma--k, off Phillips, the home custodian. The ball was placad for Percy Stout a.t the centre. He sent up a well-directed shot, which, however, landed the ball a yard or two short. Play after this remained in the Newport half. Price picked up in the loose, and kicked to touch in the centre, and by open footwork piay was taken down to the Gloucester 25. The rain was now coming down with vigciu and persistency, worthy of a much better cause. The game was of an uncertain nature, but fust, all considered. Newport got down to witain a dozen yards of the citizens' line, but from the line out the ball was sent backwards over the 25 line. A pass by Ll. A. Phillips gave Boucher a chanco to drop, but his attempt was finely charged down, and a lot of scrimm tging took place on the citizens' 25 line The visitors' forwards relieved, but in the open play at the centre Newport front men picked up and transferred with advantage, gaining the Gloucester 25 before they were pulled up. There I was no further scoring, and the final was whistled, thus;- G. T. M. Final score G. T. M. Newport. o 2 Gloucester 0 0 0 "Droit wed. REMARKS. It was no day for accurate football, though a faster game than was expected came off. The men were slipping and sliding all over the ground, and the rival captains did quite the right thing in limiting play to a very short spell each way, especially as drenching showers fell almost all the tinre. Newport just about held the advantage which the score indicates. their back combination being much more effective than that of the Gloucester side. For- ward there was not much to choose between the side.?, the Gloucester pack being, if any- thing, rather the more powerful. Their halves, instead of feeding the three-quarters, however, went in for dribbling, whereas the Newport pair played the consistent Welsh game (so far as it was possible undsr the conditions) and sent the ball out well to their third line. SWANSEA V. DETONPORT ALBIONS. The Aibions brought a strong team to Swan- sea for the return match. The Albion, after meeting Swansea, have to go on to Llanelly on Monday. They sadly desired to smudge Swansea's record, if possible, and the fact that last year at Devonport they beat the all whites by eight points to nil ga.ve them some hopes. Earlier this season Swansea beat them at Devonport, and there was nothing but con- fidence on the Swansea, side. The ground was much more sodden than at the international match, the rains of the past few days having been exception:)1, whilst rain descended all through the match. It was the worst weather of the Swansea season so far. The teams turned out with Foster, the Albion captain, re-placed by Blackler. Swan- sea: Back, W. J. Bancroft; three-quarterbacks, Trew, George Davies, Dan Rees, and Gordon; half-backs. Sam James and David James; for- wards, Bob Thomas. Jackson, Parker, Scrines, Hopkin Davies, Livingstone Davies, D. Harris, and Fuller. Devonport Albion: Back, Knight; three-quarter backs, L. J. L. Hammond, Cliff Bowen, E. J. Vyvian, and M. Sturt; half-backs, W. Bilding and W. Dulfln; forwards. Blackler, W. Spiers, E. Knight, F. W. C. Coles, G. Sowden, G. Brough. W. Johns, and A. Ferris. Spiers kicked off from the Mumbies end for the Albion, and Bancroft leL the ball roll over the line, conceding a dead ball. Bancroft dropped out in touch in the centre, and directly afterwards the Albion forwards rushed up, a" I Rees, missing the ball, they dribbled over. and Swansea conceded a second minor in less than a minute. Swansea were awarded a penalty for the off-side play of the Albion halves, and Bancroft kicked down in touch in their 25. Hammond. Vyvian. Cliff Bowen, and Spiers brought off some passing, and took play over the half-way line. Directly afterwards the three-quarters rushed up, and. all the Swansea three-quarters dealing in a duffing way with the ball. Cliff Bowen forced Bancroft across his line. The ball was brought outside, and after some clever play Sturt scored a try for the Aibions. This was not converted. Play weut on in the centre after the re-start, and the Albion were again penalised, Bancroft gaining very little ground by a kick into touch. Swan- sea rushed a serum, but Spiers led two or three forwards through, and took the ball with him Swansea seeming to be quite at sea in the mud. Bildings. Hammond, and Duffln gut off splendidly, and looked like scoring, when the whistle went. A free was given against the Albion, The return went wide to Trew, who put in a beautiful run and put the Swansea quartette in motion for the first time. The Albions, by good collaring stemmed the tide, and shortly afterwards Cliff Bowen gjt away, and had a splendid chance, but his pass to Sturt went wide. Then Swansea, made a great iiush, and S. James, getting through, put in a long kick past the Albion's back. The Swansea, three-quarters got up, and some pretty passing took place a'ong the Albion's line, the ball passing through a dozen hands, bt the citadel proved impregnable. Play now con- tinued in the Albion's 25, but some more pass- ing by Rees and Trew lost ground, and at last Bildings put in a useful kick, which took the ball in touch at ihe Swansea 25 flag. Vyvian, getting the ball from a line-out. sent it further up into touch, and from here Vivyan put in a fine dribble, and nearly got over. The Aibions now scrummed along the Swansea line, and the record looked a g'one thing. A pass to Ban- croft enabled that player to kick onlv a very small distance with the wet ball, bat "Swansea worked out a. few yards, and, after some very hard play, S. Jam, got away and passed to David, and, on the latter being grassed, the ball was kicked down well into the Albion's 25. Jackson, from a pass by James, got over the line, but the referee called the ball back, to the great disappointment of the crowd. Swansea, however, were now doing better. Trew got a mark, but this did not do much good, and the next scrum was by the Albion's 25 flag{ Bild- inge sent to Bancroft, who replied by a run round and a kick into touch. Bancroft put in a good penalty kick. Half-time was called, with the score;- G. T. M. Devonport Albion 0-10 Swansea 0 0 0 Bancroft re-started the second half, and the result of the preliminary play was that Rees and S. James took play up to the Albion's line, but they were stopped in time. A long kick by Gordon enabled Jackson to follow up and nearly score, but the ball rolled out of bounds most unluckily. Then, on the other wing, Swansea, again vigorously assaulted, but George Davies failed to take a graa.;y pass, and another, fine chance was lost- The Aibions, by good forward play, got away, and George Davies cleverly sent back a long screw kick into touch. Then the Swansea forwards rushed rushed play over, but once more the Aibions were lucky, and Hammond beautifully saved by a kick out of bounds. Swansea, however, got to work immediately, and some clever passing baffled the Albion, and George Davies dropped over the line, saving the record. Ban- croft's kick, from an angle, was grand, but ineffectual. The Albion again got penalised for half-back play, and Bancroft kicked over the line, exacting a minor. Swansea still pressed, but the slnsh prevented any accurate play. Bancroft played up against the three- quarters, and tried hard for a chance. The ball was sent over the Albion line once more, and they kicked out of bounds, tfie defeuce being splendid. A long kick bv Swansea sent the ball in touch right at the Albion's goal-line flag, and hard scrimmaging took place on the Albion line. Attack followed attack, but the Albion men were everywhere, and Swansea's utmost efforts were repelled. The Albion broke away to the centre. Bancroft got a pass, and sent it over the Albion line. Knight again kick- ing out of bounds. In a loose rush the Swan- sea, forwards passed up to the line, and then dribbled over and scored. It was impossible to identify the players owing to the mud. Ban- croft converted. Play was a little more even up to the call of time. Final score:— G. ¥. M. Swansea 110 Devonport Albion 0 1 0 REMARKS. Swansea. bv no means played up to their reputation. In the first half they seemed quite unable to manage the ball. The St. Helen's Ground was in a far worse state than it has ever been this season, and, possibly, this accounted for their helpless state. The score of a try to nil at half-time represents fairly the merits of the game. The Albions were in splendid form, and never seemed at a loss on the mud heap into which the ground was con- verted. They had had the benefit of a wind certainly, but that was not sufficient to account for the superiority. In the second half the game was quite the other way. Swansea played desperately. Chance after chance was lost, owing to the slush and the wet ball, but there was only one team attacking all through this half. The Albions defended grandly, but it was impossible to combat all the offensive tactics, and two tries were scored towards the end. It was impossible to recognise the men. owing to the all-embracing mud. Swansea, did well to pull the record out of the fire, but they have been scarcely up to their proper mark either this Saturday or last. CARDIFF RESERVES V. BRISTOL A. The heavy rain which had fallen in Cardiff throughout the morning ceased, fortunately. shortly before the time fixed for the start of this match at the park. TeamsCardiff Reserves Back, Winfleld three-quarter backs. Bush, J. Williams (captain). Hunt. and W. Williams; half-backs, C. Kestell and G. Hughes; forwards, W. Neil!, T. Davies. A. Owen, Rogers, Kine. G. O. Common, A. Gulliver, and W. Robertson. Bristol: Back, Bartlett; three- quarter backs. Eastman, Marsh, Frost, and Smith; half-backs, Rice and Allen.; forwards, Blizzard, Dodds, Matiiias. Thomas, Kibbley, banders. Toogood. and Wilcox. Cardiff started, and took the ball down to the Bristol 25. but a false pass into the hands of a visitor helped them back to the half line. From here Hunt camo away, but was pushed into touch in the 25. Bristol gradually worked back to the half line. where Hunt again got in motion. lie cleared his men well, and then threw out a long pass to Williams. The latter failed to take it. and thus missed a good chance. Cardiff continued to press until a free kick given to Bristol, and taken by Sanders, brought some relief. Marsh, one of the visiting three- quarters, came away from a scrum with the ball at his feet, and, putting on any amount of pace, all but crossed the Cardiff line, a faulty kick just spoiling his opportunity. Tt v is now Bristol's turn to press. I, rost got the all in the home 25, and passed out to hia wing, but Smith did not get far before he was sent into touch. Bartlett got a free kick, sitting down as he took the ball, and exacte'i the first minor for Bristol. From the kick-at Cardiff went off with a rush, and, the halves making a fine opening, Bush went away, and ended a splendid run by putting Hunt over in the corner. The kick for goal failed. Desultory play about the Bristol 25 followed. 'Ihen Allen put his three-quarters in motion, and Marsh, Frost, and Smith handling, the latter kicked into touch, when a try seemed assured. Cardiff gradually worked back to Bristol 25. where Hughes picked up from a scrum and went clean through his opponents, scoring in a good posi- tion. Again the kick for goal failed. Half-time was called, with the score reading:- Cardiff Reserves (I 2 0 Bristol A 0 0 1 Bristol made a poor re-start, and, after play had hovered about the half line for a few minutes, Cardiff went down to the Bristol 25. They failed to do much, however, and Kibbly and Sanders headed a good rush by the Bristol men back into the Cardiff 25. They were not allowed to remain here long, for, the ball coming out to the Cardiff backs, every one of them handled it in a race which ended close to the Bristol goal-line. Frost and Smith relieved to the -25, where shortly after the home three- quarters got into swing, and carried the game to right by the Bristol goal-posts. They failed to cross, however. Play continued close to the Bristol line, and Kestall went over. Williams made an abortive shot for goal. Two minutes' later Rogers was all but over, and Bush next had a narrow squeak for a try. Cardiff were now pressing hotly, and some very fa;t. play was seen. Williams took a shot for goal. but juat. failed, notching another minor. Time and again the Cardiff backs got the ball, but each of their efforts was spoiled by the slipperiness of the ground. Bristol were coming away. and had got to the half line, when the whistle sounded tiine:- G. T. M. Cardiff Reserves 0 3 1 Bristol A 0 1 (I REMARKS. Considering the slimy state of the ground, play was by no means poor, and a fast pacc was kept up from start to end Several changes were made in the home team. Of these W. J. Wiiifieid, who substituted his brother at back, was the most satisfactory, Bush, who took the place of Wayne Morgan, marring his work by a seeming tendency to selfishness. Hunt, of Penygraig, was put in the three-quarter line for Ivor Jones, and played a clinking game, showing any amount of dash. W illiams, the skipper, was in good form, and did a lot of useful work. On the Bristol side Marsh saved no end of times, his collaring being- particularly keen. The halves in the first half were quite the match of the Cardiff pair, but fell off lamentably afterwards. The forwards were inclined to go in for a bashing game, but stayed well all through, and were certainly de-erving of a score on more than one occa- sion. LLANELLY V. PEXARTH. Llanelly played the return match against Penarth on the ground of the latter club. In the first encounter oil Stradey Park the tin-platers obtained an easy victory against a somewhat scratch team. Since that occasion Penarth have been doing better, and they had some confidence in being able to turn the tables upon their opponents on their wn ground. The Penarth field. although on oiie of the highest points in the vicinity, was in a very greasy state after the heavy rains. J. Duncan having gone back to Rugby, his place in the left centre was taken by Chick. Ben Davies was absent, from Llanelly, Samuel taking his place at half. The teams fielded as follows :-Llanelly: Back. Alf Roberts; three- quarter backs, Morgan Williams, Evan Lloyd, R T. Gabe. and J. Ay res; half-backs. Samuel and D. Davies; forward?, W. Morris J. Jones, W. J. Thomas, D. Thomas, D. Walters, P. Keenan, J. Watts, and Dan Davies. Penarth: Back, W. Knight: three-quarter backs. F. Nash, W. Smith, G. Chick, .and J. Rees; half-backs, C. Tjiornley a.nd W. Jackson; forwards, W. Gibbs, li. Hutchings, T. Cochrane, T. Pearce, T. Triggs, C. Warburton. J. Beer, and C. Strana- ghan. Referee. Mr. J. E. Elliott. Cardiff. Gibbs started for Penarth, with the wind at his back, but slipped and failed to send the leather over the five yards line, with the result that a scrum was formed at the centre. Llanelly went away with a rush, and Thornley just saved by falling on the ball a few yards from his Own line. After a couple of scrums, Thornley put in a good kick, apd sent the visitors back to their own quarters. Their forwards came back to the centre, and Chick, kicking too hard, sent the leather over, Roberts touching down. After the kick out the leather went to the Llanelly lwt wing, where Lloyd and Gabe gained some advan- tage, but :t free kick conceded to Penarth for on-side play again sent them back. The Llanelly halves got the ball away well. but it was only carried across the field. TheTcarlet forwards however, went away with a dribble. and Smith, nicking up. ran into touch near his own line, Llanelly continued to get the best of the game, and some passing between Ayres and Morgan Williams enabled the latter to score behind the posts. The place-kick failed. On re-starting. Penarth got to midfiekl. when the Llanelly backs started passing. Considering the state of the ground and ball, they did well, and Gabe put in a good run. After some few seconds' play in the home quarters. Jackson put in a good kick, and Gibbs collared Roberts before he could return. Penarth now got to the Llanelly 25, but file visiting forwards up to this point had very much the best of the scrums, and brought off s'ic capital wheels. The home backs, and Kni;lt especially, stopped very awkward rushes, and. putting in some useful kicks when opportunity offered, got close to the scarlets' line. Morgan Williams put in a good kick to near half-way. bnt Knight, not allowing for the strong wind, returned with a puilt over the line. registering another minor. Imme- diately after the kick-out. Smith dribbled up the field, and passed across to Chick, who got clc?3 to the Llanelly line. Rees nearly got in on one occasion, but from a line-out the scarlets got away. Nash stopped a dribble by turning it into touch. Knight and Smith then added two minors bv injudicious kicking, but the Penarth play, on the whole, improved, and the game was contested chiefly in the visitors' 25. At length the Llanelly forwards, bv wheeling and dfib- bling, got to the other side of the half-way line, where Smith saved pluckily. Another dribble by the visitors was stopped by Chick, and Hatchings, sneaking a pass, kicked to the centre. Roberts mulled, owing In the state of the ground, and the home team then rushed to the other end of the field. Nash had hard lines in not scoring in the corner. The same player again got within a few inches of the line, but only a minor was obtained. For some minutes after the kick'out Penarth had the best of the play, but at length the visitors got near the centre, whel:e Penarth had a free kick, but no advantage was obtained. Smith then dribbled right over the line, but the ball was kicked dead. JInIf- time was then whistled, with the score as fol- lows :— G. T. M. Llanellv T.V. 0 10 Penarth 0. 0 7 Llaivally re-started with the wind now «n their favour, but Penarth got the best of tlPs, opening, Smith putting in a good dribble. The result of some scrambling nlay was that Llanelly got well into th-4 home quarters where the leather got into touch. After several line-outs and scrums, in which the tin-platers gained some advantage, the contest was carried right up to the home line. The defending for- wards worked back to the 25 flag, but were again pressed. Gabe, getting a pass out. had, a. favourable opportunity of abetting over on the left wing. but Knight and Nash held him close on the line. Several scrums were fought out with great determination near the corner flag. and the visiting forwards tried hard to wheel. but they apparently, did not possess the same advantages as at the start. The Penarth backs also offered a sterling defence. Beer, at last, got away with a very pretty dribble to the centre, thus raising the siege, which had continued for about ten minutes without result. Llanelly again assumed the upper hand, but a well-judged kick sent them back. Another visit to the home quar- ters was repelled by Nash with a dribble. but try as they would Penarth were not able to make much progress. Rees, well within his own 25, kickcd, out to Roberts, who ^?sayed a dropped goal. The ball, however, fell short,. and a minor was conceded. Some even play followed in the centre, and then, the home forwards, wheeling a scrum, Warburton brought off a fine dribble, which was taken up by Smith, and a score was only saved by one of the Llanelly men sending the leather over his own line. Llanelly got the best of the ensuing scrum five yards out, but Penarth made another attack of brief duration, Knight being even- tually called upon to kick into touch at half- way. Hitch ing's came through a serum in fine style, and the dribble was taken on by Strana- ghan. Nash, picking up, started a run, but was well collared by Ayres and Mor- gan Williams. After some serums near midfield Thornley went away with a fine dribble down the left touch-line, and was only stopped at the Quarter flag. The scarlets then got away, and Knight saved just on the linn. Chick getting possession, kicked out to Roberts, who made mark in a dangerous posifiori Taking the state of the ground, 'le iid not, attempt to kick a goal, but directly afterwards the Penarth forward", assisted bv a run on the nart of Nash, got right to the other end of the field. Thev penned Llanelly in their own 23 until the close of the game, when the score was: Final score:- G. T. M. Llanelly 0 1 2 Penarth 0 0 8 REMARKS. Llanelly certainly had the best of the game, and, looking at it from that standpoint, they deserved to win, but it is only fair to state also that Penarth had very hard lines on two or three occasions in not equalising the score. It will readily be conceived that on a ground covered with miniature pools of water, and as slippery almost as ice, pla.y was chiefly between the forwards, and in this department the western team held a distinct advantage throughout, although in the second half it was not so decided as in the initial stage of the game. The scarlet forwards got control of the ball repeatedly, and, as a rule, relied upon wheeling to maintain the advantage they held. In the open, however, they were scarcely as clever as Penarth, but on both sides the game frequently resolved itself into a scramble in the mud. The surest way of securing the ball was to slide at it. and in this way several dribbles were brought to an abrupt, end. Early in the second half Llanelly made it very warm for the seasiders, but the defence hv the home backs was superb, Thornley, Nash, and Knight repeatedly preventing what were almost certain tries. Towards the end, however, the tactics were reversd. Penarth making: two or three hot attacks upon the visitors' line, and they were in the thick of one of these determiner1 bursts when the game ended. Unquestionably the superiority forward gave the tin-platers their victory. because the few attempts at passing which they made. as a rule, lost ground. The result, was that the backs on both sides rarely shone, except in dribbles or in dofence. Nash was certainly the most useful man be- hind the scrum on the Penarth gide, although Thornley. Jackson, and Smith played a plucky came throughout. The chief fault on the feorne bide in the first half was tbj\t they did not allow for the strength of cue wind, and this sccured a lot of useless minors. Dai Davies w very smart behind the visiting forwards. and Morgan Williams was the must resourceful of the three-qua.rters. The trv which he obtained was the result gf some short passing between him and Ayres. Roberts, who has taken the place of Strand Jones at back, is a promising youth, of seventeen. He was very sound in defence, and kicked with judgment. BARIRY V. TREIIERBEIIT. This match was played at the Jubilee Field. Barry, the teams fielding as follow :-Ba.rry: Back. G. Giggs; three-quarter backs, Gameson (captain), Dowdeswell, Dyer, and O. Thomas; half-backs, Williams and Slocombe; forwards, W. Yeo, J. Lewis, F. Lewis, D. Thomas. B. Bartle, W. Tame, G. Jones, and J. Jones. Treherbort: Back, D. Rees; three-quarter backs, Rhys Davies, Davies, J. Ham bury, and Williams: half- backs, Emlyn and John Lewis; forwards, J. Jenkins, J. Evans, W. Morgan, B. Evans, Argust, J. Gibbv. Thomas, and Jenkins. Treherbert kicked off. and Gamescn returaed to touch at the centre. Some fumbling play ensued, in neutral ground. The Barry forwards dribbled neatly up field, but Rees saved with a flying kick to touch. Hambury, getting posses- sion. put in a fine run, and got nicely away, but was pulled to earth at the centre. Barry continued to press, and Thomas, with a flying kick drove close to the visitors' line. but Rees again sent to touch. Williams, getting posses- sion from touch, scored. Re-starting, Treherbert took the leather over the half-way line, where they were penalised. The visitors' backs endea- voured to bring off a bout of passing, which proved futile, and Gameson sent to near the visitors' 25. Treherbert, by a series of dribbles, took the ball dangerously near the iTarry line, but Gameson, with a magnificent dribble, changed the scene of operations to the other end of the field. Rees secured a mark., and sent the leather to the home 25. where several scrim- mages were formed. The oval was dribbled down the field by Treherbert, but their sojourn here was not for long. The Barry forwards, headed by Tame, came to within a yard of the line Half-time score: — G. T. Si- Barry 0 1 0 Treherbert 0 0 0 After the interval Barry re-started, and Tre- herbert, aided by the wiivi, took the leather to the Barry 25, where tight play ensued. The Barry forwards £ pQk play with a rush dawn to the visitors' three-quarter line, but the visitors, getting the upper hand, took play up the field to within a few yards of the line, where some tight scrums were witnessed. Darkness now set in, and time was called, leaving Barry vic- torious. Final score: G. T. M. Barry 0 1 0 Treherbert 0 0 0 REMARKS. Owing to the visitors arriving late a start was not made till an hour and a ha i after the advertised time. In the tight and in the scrums Barry had the advantage, but in the loose Tre- herbert was the best of the two teams. OLD MONKTONIANS V, CANTON. A rather poor exhibition of football was played between the above teams on the Jubilee Park on a very soft ground, decorated with larEre poofs of water here and there. The Can- tonians had most of the play in the first halt being favoured with a strong wind. but were unable to gain a point. Things were quite re- versed in the second portion, the Monktonians getting the best of matters. Just before the call of time Lundie intercepted a pass. and, taking a grand sprint, scored beautifully in the extreme corner. A good attempt to majo- rise was made by Thomas, but without success. Final score:- G. T. M. Old Monktonians 0 10 Canton 0 0 0 MERTHYR VALE V. COWBRIDGE. Played on the ground of the former in miserable weather. Warren kicked off for the homesters, Cowbridge returning well. From a scrum the home forwards dribbled down to the field, but the visitors were not lacking defence. The Valians were pressing again, and farced another minor. From the kick-out the visitors worked up the field, but here the home forwards dribbled down, and, with some cross-kicking, Ben Herbert scored a try, which was not converted. Resuming, after lemons, Cowbridge pressed, and, dribbling across one of their forwards fell on the bail. Again the placed-kick failed. After the drop-out Merthyr Vale worked up the field, and, kicking rather too hard, forced the seventh minor, After the drop-out Merthyr Vale continued to press, when the whistle sounded. Final score:- G. T. M. Merthyr Vale 0 1 8 Cowbridge 0 1 2 NEWPORT A V. GLOUCESTER A. Played at Gloucester, in wretched weather and on a rain-sodden ground. Neither side was fully represented, and Gloucester, for whom B Hough kicked off. amid a blinding storm of rain, at once attacked. A Cumraings in the first minute or two dropped at goal, but a minor only resulted. Gloucester almost at once resumed the attack, but Newport then took a turn, and compelled their opponents to save. Hough re-started for Gloucester, who again dii all the attacking- work. A free to Gloucester wa3 taken by Cook, but nothifrg resulted, and the locals still kept up their offen- sive tactics. At last Cook got over with a try, which was duly converted. Oswell two minutes later registered a second one in the corner, Pugh failing at goal. Nothing further was scored up to half-time, when the game stood: G. T. M. Gloucester A 110 Newport A 0 0 0 Maddej re-started for Newport after the usual interval, the Usksiders at once attacking. Gloucester twice ha.d to save. ^ewport still confirmed to keep up a warm at C k, but their efforts lacked finish, and nothing efiiiite came of them. The remainder of the game was chiefly in i&e visitors' favoilr, but neither they nor Gloucester could get over again. Final score: — G. T. M. Gloucester A 110 Newport A 0 0 0 WHITCHURCH V. PENYLAN. At Whitchurch. The visitors commenced, and the homesters pressed, exacting three minors in succession. Evans started a bout of passing from a scrum. and eventually scored, but Rowlands failed at goal. Penylan pressed, but Chislett relieved, and a loose rush by Whit- church enabled them to again press. Salman passed to Chislett, who scored after a brilliant run. but he failed at goal. Half-time:—Whit- church, two tries and four minors; Penylan, nil. The home captain re-started, and the village boys returned to the attack, but the visitors soon cleared the lines. The home eight tacked back to the Cardiff men's lines. The home backs repeatedly had hard lines, Rowlands nearly putting Llewellyn in. Stephens relieved by a short snrint, but the Cardiff men were soon again playing in the defensive, Chillett nearly getting over. Whitchurch continued to ores, but the Penylan defence was sound, :nd nothing further was scored. Final score:— WLytchurch 0 2 4 Penylan 0 0 1