HLI Chronicle 1914 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

58 HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICLE.------------~~~------,--------------------------game ended with the H.L.!. as cup winners for 1914.Result :-H.L.I.. 1; Seaforths, O.H.L.I. team :-Paterson; Welfare and Godsman;Gallacher. Brooks, and Storrie; Lawrie, Hogg, Haft'ey.Marshall, and Bolton.PUNJAB.BENGAL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT.A great deal of interest centred round our appearanoe in the above tourney, as we oame as holders of the trophy, and the draw gave our team a splendid chance of reversing the result at Lahore recently, as we were drawn v. the West Ridings in the second ronnd. On Wednesday, 4th lbrch, the second tie saw UII and our opponents line up to decide supremacy. A large crowd saw the tie start, and by the way the Ridings started it looked as if they were going to register another victory. For the first ten minutes they did all the pressing and were very dangerous, but did not score. Our team gradually found their form.. and gave a good exhibition of football, which was well reooived. After fifteen minutes a free kick was granted the H.L.I. about twenty.five yards from the Ridings' goal, and Welfare scored a magnificent goal on similar lines to that well·remembered one in Lucknow when the Royal Scots were ousted out of the Murray Cup. From now to half· time the Highlanders were superior, but just on the interval the outside left of our opponentscrossed a high ball, which Paterson fielded, when thereferee, to our consternation and amazement, granteda penalty for an infringement by one of our defence,and the game finished at half· time one goal each.In the conoluding portion the H.L.I. soon reassertedthemselves. and all the forwards played a good game,Brooks giving the backs no rest. A pretty movementby the left wing resulted in a swift shot being sentacross, which one of the Ridings put into his ownnet in trying to clear, the point being received withtremendous applause. From now onwards the York.shirem.en had to play second fiddle, and their fate wasassured when Brooks scored VI ith his head from a.well·taken corner by Lawrle. The Ridings tried hard,but our halves were too good for them, and Welfare atback was in grand form. The game resulted :-H.L.I.,3; West Ridings, 1.Team :-Paterson; Welfare and Godsman; Gal·lagher. Scevity, and Stome; Lawrie, Hogg, Brooks.Paterson, and Marshall.The following night we were called upon to meetthe 4th King's Royal Rifles. An alteration was madein the team, M'Menemy coming in at centre· half andScevity playing wing·half vice Sterrie. This wasexpected to be a good fast game, only a troublesemewind spoilt matters a great deaL From the kick·offthe H.L.I. at once made tracks for the Rifles' goal,but were repelled by a good defence. The gameremained in mid.field for a. bit, until the Rifles' leftwing took the ball cleverly up and sent a shot justpast the post. From this the 60th continued to press.and their inside left received the ball about eight yardsfrom goal, which he drove straight for the goalkeeper,who had the misfortune to let it force its way throughhis legs into the net and gave the Rifles a lead whichwas well received. This reverse spurred the Scotsmenon. and they redoubled their efforts to equalise theloss of such a soft point, but they met a defence whoplayed a steady game. A free kiek was awardedagainst the Rifles about twenty yards out, andM'Menemy Bent in a swift shot, which one of the backsluckily back·heeled clear of danger. Up to half-timea fast game was witnessed, but no further scoring tookplace. Result :-Rifles, ); H.L.!., O.In the second half our team were expected to score,having an advantage· in wind. They played a goodopen game, but at close quarters failed to troublethe goalkeeper. Brooks in centre found a difficulty iahis eagerness to keep outside, and retarded likelychances. Gallagher. after a bad first period, playeda strong game and dropped some dangerous balls intothe penalty area, but the forw~rds always seemed afraction too late. WeHare kept well up the field readyto pounce upon a stray ball, but had to get back towatch the outside left, who was very tricky. Wilcoxon the right for the Rifles had a fine turn of speed,and played a most unselfish game, placing our goal. indanger often with his accurate passes. Although havmgmost of the play, our team lacked finish, and nevergave one the impression they would save the game.On one occasion Marshall got away on the left, butsent past when in good position. Time arrived Boonafterwards with the defeat of the holders by one goal .to nil.Team :-Paterson; Welfare and Godsman; Gal· lagher. M'Menemy, and Scevity; Lawrle, Hogg, Brooks, Paterson, and Marshall. In the final of the Punjab.Bengal Tournament ourvictors met the Connaught Rangers, and after threegames with extra. time the Connaughts gained the cupby one goal to nil.HOCKEY.WE made our first sporting appearance in Ambala.as a Garrison Battalion by taking part in the Ambala.Trades Hockey Cup Tournament in January.In the first round we were granted a bye, and werecal!ed upon to play the King's Dragoon Guards' " A"team in the second round. The tie took place on Mon·day, 5th January, and after a very hard game a drawof one goal each resulted. Willis scoring our goal !Lndthe K.D.G:s equalising about five minutes from tlme.In the replay we won handsomely by three goals tonil the scorers being O'Rourke (2) and Willis (1).O,{r team played a very good game, especially thehalves-Sergt. Scevity, Lieut. Cowan, and Pte. Marshal!.In the semi·final our opponents were the R.H.A.Brigade, who had a good reputation. After a hardand fast game we retired defeated by two goals to o~e,after having the worst of luck, our goalkeeper qUlteby mistake gifting thc Artillery their second point,thinking that the ball had been last struck outsid~ ~ecircle, and allowing it to pass into the net by liftinghis foot. Sergt. Scevity, who had played a fine ga.~e,got our goal with a splendid shot. It may be interestmgto know that our victors won the cup by winning inthe Jina,l by four goals to two, and we hope that nextyear we shall make a strong bid to take their place.We have an excellent centre·half in Lieut. Cowan, whohas recently joined us.The following players assisted in the ties :-L..Corpl.Crossan, Sergts. M'Menemy, Dunean, and .S