Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Wednesday 17 July 1929, page 8


SOCCER.

SEMI-FINALS FALL

THROUGH.

?

IPSWICH TEAMS WITHDRAW.

By 'WANDERER."

The three Ipswich clubs which were to appear in the semi-finals for the grand premiership dropped a bombshell in the Soccer camp by forfeiting yesterday morning. This is because they were not allowed to share the profits of the matches which were to have been played at the Cricket Ground. The decision has caused unfeigned disgust among the non-partisan supporters of the game in this State.

The action of Bundamba Rangers, Dinmore Bush Rats, and St. Helens is all the more reprehensible because they were parties to the original arrangement which was embodied in the constitution. The four Brisbane clubs alone are responsible for the rent of the Cricket Ground, and these semi-finals were to help liquidate the liability. There was no murmur oi discontent until It was found that only Latrobe was left In of the metropolitan clubs; and then the agitation started which ended in what is tantamount to an open revolt.

Things have been going along swimmingly this season, but this de-velopment constitutes a serious set-back, and for which the West More-ton clubs have something to answer. A bargain once made should be a bargain kept, even if it finally turns out differently to what was originally anticipated, and even if aspects arise which were not thought of at the -ime of sealing the contract. Further comment on this scrry subject it re-served owing to pressure of space, until next week.

A full statement setting out the posi-tion appears in our ordinary sporting columns this morning.

The victory of Latrobe over Pine-apple Rovers caused deep lamenta-tions, and as the crowd filed out after i most strenuous encounter the gnash-ing of teeth could plainly be heard. Pineapples' supporters had rolled up in force, supremely confident, and it is no secret that they backed their fancy with solid cash. Not only was there the objective, as they then thought, of getting into the semi-finals, but the Rovers were bent cn proving that the Latrobe eleven were not such giant-killers after all and it was possible for them to be beaten.

But Latrobe stood not on sentiment, and had no thought of the treasurer's bank account. They were just as con-fident of winning as ever they were since the season started, and whoever contended that they did not deservedly carry off the spoils would be guilty of gross partisanship. If the Rovers were robbed of a penalty-a moot point-and if the penalty given to Latrobe was not justified-another doubtful matter-there could be no questioning the genuineness ' of the three other goals which came from the feet of Carton, Alexander, and Vince Bell. Those goals proved Pineapples' undoing, and they were scored because the fast, clever, and methodical van-guard from Paddington made a breach in the none-too-convinclng Rovers' de-fence, and crashed through to victory. Only goals count in Soccer.

REASON OF THE RESULT.

Pineapple Rovers' forwards sparkled like diamonds on occasions, and if they had met a defence of equal ability to the one opposed by the Latrobe forwards they would probably have done just as much damage. But that Is where the difference in the sides came in. Nixon, although only a boy, could show points to Pellatt in Judgment, coolness, and clean/ and convincing clearances-Nixon Is going to make a name for himself. Rigby and Viertel were much more reliable i.nan Tayior ana Jonnson. Tne Latrooe pair have never done better, although on one or two occasions they raised a fear that they might concede a penalty for one offence or another.

J. Bell, although a full back, was a better half back on the day than his vis-a-vis "Jock" May, because he was more industrious and speedy. Korotcoff enjoyed one of the solidest tussles of his career against his foi mer clubmate, Billy Mitchell, and was beaten of tener than usual, especially in the first half; but Combey, who occupied the :ame post on the other side, could not hold a candle to this faithful and popu-lar veteran. But at contre half Mar-shall just shaded Bert Murray on the afternoon, although Murray put up a fine performance against Les. Clark and Gibb. Marshall saved his side from a far greater defeat, and deserved the thanks of his club for his great effort to snatch the chestnuts from the fire.

Analyse the game as you will, it must be conceded that the better all-round team prevailed. A special word of praise is due to Billy Gibb, of the Rov-ers, and Hector Gorring, of Latrobe. Both played heroic parts in a memor-able struggle.

ABOUT THE REFEREES.

It was a great pity that such a splen-did game as that between Latrobe and Pineapple Rovers should be marred by an unseemly demonstration against the referee. Tis true that Mr Harper made mistakes. I am Inclined to think he failed to award the Rovers a penalty when It was due in the second half, and the penalty given against Taylor, from which Carton scored, seemed from 'the Press table to be too drastic an affair; but that is no reason for causing such a scene. If Mr. Harper did not Impress with his ability he certainly convinced the average onlooker that he was honest.

The incident raises the whole ques-tion of the selection of referees. There is no doubt that the fixture referred to was one of the most important of the season. That being so, was the most capable man chosen? The answer is in an emphatic negative. Then, why was not a better man picked? The writer does not move behind the scenes of the Referees' Association, and, furthermore, has no desire to do so. But others who

do, or pretend to do, contend that fav-ouritism Is the dominating factor gov-erning Vr- conduct of referee affairs; ability is a minor consideration. Un-doubtedly one or two good men have, rightly or wrongly, grievances that they are kent away from officiating at head-quarters.

It Is an Important matter which calk for investigation. For the life of me I cannot see why the BD.F.A. should *>ave any person foisted on them whom 'he Referees' Association likes to pick. The B.D.F.A. should have a rjaramounl say on the subject, and that would cut out anv suggestion of cllquism or hankyoankylnir.

And the R°ferees' Association must answer why Ref<"-ee Donnegan wa' ?.aken off the Bundamba-BTackstonp match last- Saturday. The Information 'UDolied to the wr!t°r cleirlv indicite' that he was the origlml choice, and an »xnlanatlon of the alteration was tha* bundamba refused to olav under him Tf the latter allegation is true, then the Referees' Association surrendered a vital princioal, which stamps them as unfit for their job.

SCOTLAND'S GREAT FORWARD.

When tùe last mail left England j

negotiations were being completed for the transfer of Alec James, the inter

Alec James.

national forward, to Arsenal. James Is the greatest Inside forward of the day, and sev-eral clubs have boen willing to pay a record fee to Preston North End. The amount paid (or likely to be paid) is in the neighbourhood of £8750. Liverpool were agreeable to pay £9500, and Manchester City £9000. James,- it

is said, stuck out for a London club. The player is only entitled to £400 odd as his snare of the transfer, but no one, of course, believes that this amount is sufficient inducement to take James south. James has, however, been oflered a position in a big London store as a demonstrator of football-literally "teaching the young Idea how to shoot." He has another offer from a publishing firm for a series of Soccer articles. Through these channels James would find the shift to London quite remun-erative. Several clubs, including Aston Villa, Huddersfield Town, and Mlllwall have recently been in the market for

James.