HLI Chronicle 1909 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

UIGRLAND LIGRT INFANTRY CHRONICLE.players aJl seemed to be nervous, but soon settled downto the game, and the play was fast and exciting; butgradually the H. I •. I. took command of the game andhemmed their opponents in, and only for the good andplucky display by the Shrops' goalkeeper were theyunable to open the score. The pressure which theR.L.I. was apply:irig was bound to meet with success,and it occasioned no surprise when Innes netted witha neat header after good play by the forwards, the goalbeing received with great enthusiasm by their sup·porters. HaJf.time was called with the score unaltered:H.L.!., I goal; Shrops, nil.The second half started with the H.L.I. once moremasters of the situation, and the Shrops' defencehad a busy and anxious time of it to keep their goalintact, and conceded a couple of corners, which werefruitless. The ball was now carried into the H.L.I.half of the field, and Mullen was tested with a difficultshot, which he cleared smartly; and the game changedto the Shropshire's goal by some good combination onthe right wing, and Sergeant Mackie finished the move·ment by cleverly netting the baJl with a drop shotwhich gave the goalkeeper no chance. After this thegame was more even, and play was confined to mid·field until near the end, When Sergt. Mackie, our centre.forward, found himself in possession of the ball in frontof goal, and he caused great disappointment by liftingthe ball over the bar. The final whistle blew shortlyafter, and the H.L.I. retired victors by 2 goals to 0,which score flattered the Shrops, as on the run of thegame the score ought to have been more, if all chanceshad been accepted.R.L.I. Team.-Mnllen; G:lrman, Renton; Scott,M'Menemy, O'Rourke; Kennedy, Hogg, Mackie,Innes, Stome.Both our Football Leagues, of which mention wasmade in the last Chronicle, are now concluded, and thewinning teams are worthy of 'congratulation. "F "Company topped the 1st Division, and" D" Companythe 2nd Division. "D" Company had the honour ofwinning the 2nd Division undefeated, and in the 1stDivision "E'" Company Buffered defeat in, their lastfixture 17. " B " Company, going down by 3 goals to I,to everybody's surprise.The Leagues are liS follows :­. ,1ST DIVISION COMPANY LEAGUE.Matches. Goals.Teams.Pld. Won. LoIIt. D~ ,I'Dr. Agst. Pt&"D" Coy., 6 4 0 2 9 2 10"B" Coy., 6 1 2 3 7 8 5·"F" Coy., 6 1 2 3 5 6 5·"G" Coy., a 2 4 0 11 16 4• A tie.2ND DIVISION COMPANY LEAGUE.Matches. GooJe.~ .-'--.Teams. Plyd. Won. Lost. Dm. For. Apt: Pta." F" COy., 6 5 1 0 15 9 10" B " Coy., 6 2 2 2 9 8 6" D .. Coy., 6 1 2 3 7 9 I)" G .. Coy., 6 0 3 3 5 10 3"CALLER OU."H.L.I. 17. D.L.I.This match was played soon after our amval inLuoknow, before the Durhams left us, and we did nothave an .. easy thing on."They played a fast game throughout, and we werelucky in beating them. The ball was never stationary,and yet it was not wild kicking, but judicious placing,and rough play wa./! conspicuous by its absence. Scienceseemed to be the order of the day, and a very pleasantgame ended-H.L.I., 1; D.L.L, O.H.L.I. team '\Vas as follows :-G:lal, Corpl. Phillips;backs. Tait and Renton; half· backs, L.·Corpl.Marshall, L .. Corpl. M'Menemy, and O'Rourke; for·wards, Keunedy, L .. Corpl. Rogg, Sergt. Mackie,Collins. and Corpl. Duncan.H.L.I. v. 1ST ROYAL DRAGOONS.Our next venture was the" Royals," who are rather'a formidable lot. They have plenty of knowledge otthe game, and have the height and weight as well ..and the " Jocks " were put on their mettle, and had toplay hard to "repel the charge of cavalry from alldirections." Each goal had narrow escapes, but the'custodians were in form, and each was beaten onoe by,ripping shots. The game was interest' the end"and tesulted in a draw-H.L.I., 1; Roy agoons, 1.Team.-Goal, Corpl. Phillips; backs, Gorman andRenton '; half· backs, Marshall, M'Menemy, O'Rourke:forwards, Kennedy. Hogg, M'Kay, Patterson, Duncan.1ST ROYAL DRAGOONS·V. R.L.I.Our return "friendly" with the "Royals n waS'ed on their ground, and ended in a defeat for the',nders. The game. if anything, was better thlUllthe cavalry men showing fine combination"which gave them the lead after twenty minu1les. Ourfellows seemed to have a day off, their passing" wasinaccurate, and their kicking feeble. Old" SQfety "was in good trim, which perhaps accounts for the' scorestopping at 2 goals against. "Mickey " O'Rourke·amused the spectators by standing on his head and'turning about before his feet again reached tt:n'a ./irma :but as the effort was compulsory, the result was ob·viously painfnl, and he seemed dazed for a while, anddid not repeat the performance. The game on thewhole was in favour of the horsemen", ana'ended, in, RIdefeat for the visitors. Resuli-:Royal Ilrapns. 2;;H.L.I., O.Team.-Corpl. Phillips; Tait, Renllon.r MarshaU•.}rMenemy, O'Rourke; KtIDiIledy,. GklJ:maIl,. M'Kay.,Patterson, Duncan.H.L.I. W.~!f' (Ilwar.,Mter our defeat by, the<