Sports in the AIF

FOOTBALLERS SEND OFF

The members of the Imperial Football Club and many friends, gathered at the Oxford Hotel last Friday night to give a fitting farewell to Messrs Albert BUXTON and William BUXTON, George William ANDERSON and Thomas LOWREY, the four footballers who left for Narrabri Camp this morning.

The chair was taken by Mr. J. Spicer who, after the toast of the King had been duly honoured, proposed the health of the departing soldiers. While expressing regret at their departure, he was very pleased that they were prepared to fight for their country and congratulated them on the step they had taken. He was sure each would make a good soldier, and if they did as well on the battlefield as on the football field, they would be a credit, not only to the town of Inverell, but also to the Australian forces. He hoped each volunteer would safely return to play the good old game of Rugby. Messrs. W. Callinan and Neal McCarthy also spoke to the toast. Mr. Spicer then presented each soldier with a pocket wallet. Mr T. Lowry, on behalf of his comrades returned thanks for the presents and said they would value and put them to good use. He considered they were only doing their duty by doing their little bit. They were entering the ranks to become soldiers, and there would be no fear or them taking part in disgraceful scenes such as had occurred recently in Sydney. He hoped that he and his mates would once more don the green jersey in Inverell. A pleasant evening was ended by the singing of the National Anthem and Auld Lang Syne.

FOOTBALL. B.A. RULES. NEWCASTLE SOLDIERS AT PLAY.

Private Peter Coppock, writing to the secretary of the Northern Soccer Association, sends news which should be interesting to Newcastle Soccerites. Peter says he had been away for a "short" fortnight's rest, but now his rest was over, he expected to be sent back to the trenches, and so ready for the next "push." The ex-Merewether half-back refers to the roll of honour which Secretary Sneddon was (when Peter wrote), working for (Now unveiled, and an accomplished fact) Peter says the war game is very different to the Soccer game. There is no halftime, time of play is unlimited, and the game is to a finish. But he expects to be on the winning side, as he was when he wore the red and white stripes for Merewether. He refers to games of Soccer which they have played. The 34th Battalion (to which Coppock is attached) played and defeated the 35th. The 35th, in its turn, defeated the 36th. A defeat, which Peter says made the late Private Fred Alberts assert he would never play again. However, the 34th and the 36th were to meet, and the report received had better be told in Peter's own way. 

The 34th (for whom Coppock was elected skipper) went over to the chosen ground, and found a Rugby game in progress, but immediately that game was over the 34th and 36th Soccer teams took the field. Alberts won the toss from Coppock, and decided to kick down the slight slope. "Mustard" Jones kicked off for the 34th, the ball going to inside left Messenger, out to Jack Bates, whose shot was saved by Briggs, the 36th goalkeeper. Briggs sent well up to Medcalfe, on to Fred Alberts, who tricked a couple of opponents, and sent it out to Abemove, but lack of condition was the cause of the winger being unable to gather the pass. Davies throw the ball in to Bates, who beat Hamilton, and sent along to Messenger, on to "'Mustard" Jones, but Shot Jones, like a shot from a gun, was quick, and got the ball before "Mustard" could shoot. The ball went up to Coleman, but this "has been" was too slow, and "has been" Coppock secured, only for Harrison to rob him, and send up to Alberts. The State's (N.S.W.) centre tricked the defence, and put in a hot shot Goalkeeper "Buggie" White thought the shot was fatal; he partly saved, but the force behind the ball carried it over the line, and the 36th led 1 to 0. Resuming, Alberts again secured, and put over to Abemove, who crossed to Coleman, tricked Coppock, and central. Alberts secured, but Davies intercepted his pass, and sent up the field. Joss miskicked, and "Mustard" Jones was away as if for his life, sending out to Paddy Slavin, and that player, putting well into centre, Coppock, who was on the spot, put one through, a feat which surprised Peter, and everyone else. One goal each was now the score. From the centre kick, the 36th came away. Alberts sent to Medcalfe, whose quick shot beat the 34th goalkeeper, and gave the 36th the lead-2-1. The 34th now pressed, and looked like equalising. Coppock narrowly missed, and from the goal kick the 36th came away. Veitch with a lovely screw, shot, scoring the third goal for the 36th. The ball was sent towards the centre of the field, when it was found that the wind was coming out, and so with ten minutes still left for play, and no other ball handy, the referee, who was no other than Tommy Wardlough, was forced to stop the game.

The teams were:-34th Battalion: Buggie White (goal), Peter Coppock, and Taylor (backs), Achum Davies, Wymer, Alen Anderson (half-backs), Jack Bates, Paddy Slavin, Mustard Jones, D. Messenger, Ollie Smith (forwards). 36th Battalion: Briggs (goal), Veitch, Shot Jones (backs), Jones, Joss, and Harrison (half-backs), Abemove, Hamilton, Alberts, Medcalfe, Coleman (forwards). Coppock also reports that at night Sox McKinnon (34th), fought Newbury (36th) a ten round fight. According to Peter's statement, Newbury won easily. , The account of the Soccer game should be interesting reading to the Newcastle district. More than half of the players who took part in it were Newcastle men. Two of them had represented this State; five of them were members of Merewether Club; while others are well known all over the district. Peter concludes his lengthy letter by stating they were all well, but, wished the war was over. It is sad to record that the game reported must have been Alberts' last one. Fred, as reported in these columns last week, having been killed. Munition-worker Jim Hands, ex-president of the Northern Association, in a recent letter, reports all well, and mentions a recent air raid in the locality where he worked. Another Soccerite, in the person of Bob McFadyen, who, prior to enlisting, was president of Weston Soccer Club, writing to W. Tweedie, states that a colonial team played a team of "Tommies." The first half was, so Bob says, very even; but in the second half the condition of the colonials told against them, and the "Tommies" had matters all their own way. Bob does not state what the score really was, which is perhaps a good thing.

Trove

BRITISH ASSOCIATION. SECOND JUNIORS.

Minmi Rangers met Wallsend Royals on the former's ground. Minmi won the toss, and elected to play with the wind. From the kick-off Royals soon had the Rangers on the defensive, but J. Winterbottom relieved by a strong kick to midfield. When J. Knott came away with the ball at his toe, and finished with a grand shot which missed. On resuming, Royals by good combined play, soon had Rangers in trouble, and from a fast shot by B. Parkes scored number one. Rangers then settled down, and began to force, but the back division of Royals was very sound, French, at centre half, playing a good game, tackling and passing very neatly. At this period the game was very fast, the ball travelling from one end of the field to the other by some very neat passing on both sides. On changing ends Minmi started off with a rush, and began to press Royals, when J. Knott came away and scored with a very fast shot. Then Royals came away, and after some good passing play, Stewart scored for Royals. Minmi then came away, and the game was very fast on both sides. The ball was afterwards forced through by Minmi. Scores: 2 each. On resuming, French, for the Royals, put in some good work, passing and tackling with good judgment, when from a scrimmage in front of the goal the referee awarded a penalty kick to Royals for back charging a player. At this stage the spectators rushed the field, and play was stopped for a brief period. When the game was resumed Royals scored from the penalty kick. Shortly after the whistle blew time, leaving the Royals victors by three goals to two. For the winners they all played well, especially French, Parkes and Stothard. For the losers, Winterbottom was a host in himself at back. Russell at centre half, and J. Knott on right wing, J. Brown left played well, especially J. Knott, who is fit to play in any senior team. This team, al-though beaten, will be very hard to beat in the competition when they get settled down to one another's play, and a bit of condition.

Trove