Desboro Cup 24

Back row: J. J. Lee, manager, J. Pettifer, executive, W. Lounsbury, executive, J. Cheevers, executive, B. Cornelius, J. Wagstaffe, I. Lounsbury, C. Stuart, J. Phelan, president, E. Burgess, executive.

Front row: R. Doucette, F. Luby, W. Barnett, J. Williamson, M. Rymer, W. Thom, W. Hope, coach.

The challenge issued by St. Catharines juniors to the winner of the Desborough Cup game in Toronto last Saturday between the Irish Canadians and Weston, which was won by the Westonites, has been accepted, and the local juniors will play in Weston next Saturday for the historic trophy.

Weston won from the Irish last Saturday by a score of 3 to 1, but the score hardly indicates the play as the Irish fell down close in on the attack, though standing up well in the field and on the defence. Weston will have a harder game next Saturday.

Just when everything looked rosy for a few championships for St. Kitts this summer, things went wrong and thus far, all teams have failed to land at the top of the heap. Earlier in the summer, the locals challenged for the Desborough Cup but as the teams were engaged in the O. A. L. A. series, nothing was arranged, and in fairness to the St. Catharines team the cup Trustees felt that the winners of Saturday’s game should be asked to meet the juniors from this city.

The only team to beat St. Simon’s junior aggregation was the junior outfit hailing from this city and it looks like Weston is going to get one grand little battle next Saturday.

Weston is holding a “Lacrosse night” on Thursday, when senior and juvenile champs will be banqueted by the council.

Playing the brand of lacrosse, which brings honor and glory to the City of St. Catharines, the Juniors of this city on Saturday brought back the Desborough Cup and brought it out of Weston in the face of terrific opposition and turmoil.

All praise be to the lads who played lacrosse, who kept their tempers under trying circumstances, and who achieved the victory.

Far be it from us to write an editorial in this report. Rather let us write a moral.

Games and sports are designed to teach prowess, to teach self-control, and to engender initiative and quick thinking. So be it.

On Saturday, St. Kitts lads won by self-control. They were aggravated, teased and importuned twenty and twice twenty times to sacrifice the game for their own personal feelings. They did not. They just went out there and played lacrosse.

Here is the case in point. In the last quarter when things got tense and they do get tense away from home when the visiting team has piled up a score, Andy Sheehan and Stokes, Weston goalkeeper, had engaged in a hugging match. We don’t say that they were loving each other because they were not, but neither had damaged the physiognomy of the other, and when both were ruled off, they came to the bench smiling and happy, glad for the respite. Sheehan was calmly sitting on the sward near the bench when he was hailed by a civilian, the latter having trouble writ large all over his barbershop suit. Sheehan stood up and the minute he did so, he received a vicious crack over the eye, said crack entailing some stitches at the local medico’s office before Mr. Sheehan could sit down and enjoy his supper.

The minute he was hit there were two Weston spare players on his back. Mr. Sheehan, or call him Mr. Gallagher if you will, didn’t have a chance in the world to defend himself. Referee Len Smith and the Reeve of the Township said they would have at once arrested the man who struck Sheehan. He is still roaming at large. The civilian in question turned out to be the brother of the goalkeeper. He had probably secured an hour off from the barbershop where he is alleged to work and just couldn’t help getting in a wicked punch; and while Len Smith said he would arrest the ambitious Jack Dempsey who struck Andy Sheehan, he at the same time ruled off our Mr. Copeland, who officiated at the goal posts. A particularly brilliant piece of work by Wagstaffe and Lounsbury resulted in a St. Kitts goal, and Mr. Copeland could not resist saying when the score was made and he put up his hand, “Attaboy.” Thereupon, Mr. Copeland was off the field at the behest of the referee who thought he found a vulnerable point in his impartiality. In the meantime, they were making a Roman holiday of Andy Sheehan’s nose.

The writer was fortunately, or unfortunately placed in front of one of Weston’s most loyal woman rooters. We like to be gallant, but it was a tough go on Saturday. This lady should have belonged to the Death’s Head Hussars of the Old Kaiser, or the band of women who fought for Russia, the Battalion of Death. We have never heard anything just like the brand of rooting that she poured into our ears. If a Weston player was tapped on the elbow, what a riot, my boys. If a St. Kitts player went down for the count, what a glorious victory for Dempsey.

Again, we rise to say, that self-control on the part of St. Kitts won Saturday’s game. And that is what lacrosse is supposed to teach. And it does.

To get down to the game. It would be hard to say who contributed the most to the victory. We would like to mention in letters of gold the name of every young player on that noble team Saturday. One must, however, say that Wagstaffe and Lounsbury and their deadly combination proved the undoing of the Weston outfit. This pair, ably aided and abetted by their conferees at times made the Weston defence look like a sieve. That is an old timeworn expression for a rotten baseball infield, and it hardly serves the purpose. Weston was inclined at all times to apply the hickory. Nobody ever went through without taking the chance of a cranium crack. The story of the game is told in detail below, so why enlarge.

Let it be said that while Weston thought they were beaten before play started, they never showed it on the field. They have a good bunch of juniors and it is remarkable that such a small town can produce such superb talent, wherewith they have captured The Globe Shield three years in succession, but the spirit of the Weston crowd is not admirable. They resented the challenge sent in by St. Catharines, just a much as they would resent appropriation of any part or parcel of the family estate. They thought that St. Kitts juniors were interlopers. They did not believe every youngster on the St. Kitts team was under 20 years of age, but they were, and the fact went down hard.

Following the game, President J. D. Wright of the O. A. L. A. and others were entertained at the home of Mayor R. J. Flynn, Weston. While the crowd threatened mob proceedings to the players, it was only during the heat of the game that said threats were made. We can’t forget the Sheehan incident, however, it would be worthwhile in the interest of good sports to have this assaulter punished or reprimanded. The writer would give the same advice to Chief Greene in this city, if such an incident happened here. Players at all times must be protected from civilian wrath. However, one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one rowdy make Weston a community of such.

The Desborough Cup, which comes to St. Catharines, will rest here for the year. The Toronto Board of Trade are the trustees of the cup and Saturday’s was the last game this year. The next challenge must be a junior challenge, we understand, and it would not be surprising if this old tinware would gather a lot of rust before it is ever removed from these police precincts.

After the game, President J. D. Wright entertained the St. Catharines boys to supper and it was a merry, happy and jovial party that returned home in the early hours of Sunday morning. St. Kitts this year has kept up its lacrosse reputation. They fear nobody like St. Catharines in Weston or Toronto, and next year when the stadium will be built, watch St. Catharines smoke.

The story of the game by rounds is as follows, written by a Standard representative on the grounds.

St. Kitts forced the play in the first couple of minutes and a hot attack on the Weston goal was successfully cleared. St. Kitts scored a minute later, Irwin Lounsbury making a beautiful shot. Weston made a determined attack on St. Kitts defence, but Williamson was right there and saved. A fine combination secured Weston’s first goal, Maynard scoring with the defence wide open. Weston was again fierce on the attack and made another plunge, which was only turned back by superb defence work. Lounsbury drew the second shot and made good. It was a nervy piece of work. The third goal was scored by Wagstaffe, who secured a fine opening and made good. Quarter time: St. Kitts 3, Weston 1.

Wagstaffe brought the ball in after a beautiful run in, and Lounsbury did the scoring trick. It was a fine piece of work after one minute of play that made the score 4 to 1 in favour of St. Catharines. Wagstaffe scored again when Lounsbury passed to him 50 feet out from the goal. It was smart work again and Weston seemed disorganized. St Kitts bored right in on every opportunity and Weston came right back, Pete Ella shooting on Williamson who saved magnificently. The St. Kitts defence went out and George Christie notched one for Weston on a hot shot. Jack Chard of Weston and Lounsbury were ruled off for sparring. Sheehan was also ruled off for a minor offence. The Athletics pressed on the opposition goal a man shy. Score: St. Kitts 5, Weston 2.

Pete Ella was knocked out and play was halted. Chard went off for ten minutes for a severe cross check. Luby scored and got a wallop on the nose from goalkeeper Stokes as he made the shot. Fifteen seconds later Luby checked another one in for St. Kitts, the Weston defence being wide open. Stokes saved a goal, but Lounsbury scored again in three minutes. Wagstaffe passing to him on a deadly combination. This pair proved the undoing of Weston. Pete Ella made a fine run on goal but just missed. St. Kitts 8, Weston 2.

A free fight opened the last quarter, Sheehan and Stokes were ruled off after a wrestling match. Then Stokes’ brother came to the bench and hit Sheehan a vicious blow. The crowd surged on the field and was dispersed finally. Thomas was ruled off for five minutes for a cross check. Weston notched their third goal, Maynard getting it. Stokes took care of a hot shot by Lounsbury. Thoms and Chard were ruled off for a loving match. Lounsbury got the ninth goal for St. Kitts when the Weston defence was pulled out. The St. Kitts goal official was relieved at this stage when he remarked on the last goal being scored “Fine work kid.” Len Smith pulled him out at once. Weston scored the fourth, Barrons getting it. Final – St. Kitts 9, Weston 4.

St. Kitts		Weston
Williamson	goal	Stokes
Doucette	point	Chard
Martin	cover	Spence
Thom	defence	A. Johnson
Rymer	defence	Gandy
Wagstaffe	centre	Ella
Stuart	home	Coulter
Lounsbury	home	Maynard
McPherson	outside	Bull
Sheehan	inside	Barrons
Luby	spare	W. Johnson
O'Malley	spare	Christie
Diggins	spare	-

The bitter contention of the lacrosse field is oft times wiped out by the display of a little bit of hospitality. This was in evidence at Weston on Saturday when Mayor and Mrs. R. J. Flynn of that town brought President Wright and others to their home after the game and set aside good things for the visitors. It was a nice little gesture that helped to make the sporting event of the day memorable.

Incidentally Mayor Flynn of Weston had medals struck off for the juvenile Champions of that town. Inasmuch as St. Catharines has built up a very strong “over age” case against the Weston Champs, one wonders what will be done with the medals. Perhaps they will be put in the archives. But it shows how championships are appreciated in other centres. The St. Kitts juveniles will doubtless be proved the rightful winners, but we have not heard thus far of any medals being struck off for them, although Ald. J. D. Wright, chairman of the finance committee of the City Council is in favour of the move. The boys should receive some recognition.

There was no one more pleased Saturday than President William Lounsbury of the Junior Lacrosse Club. He saw the boys grow up and develop, and he helped to train them to their present state of lacrosse efficiency. Incidentally, the President’s son, Irwin, played a grand game of lacrosse, but he could not be singled out above several of the others. All the boys played for what was in them.

If St. Catharines has one star young lacrosse player it is Williamson in goal. He is recognized as the best in the business, a better man than Cory Hesse in the days before yesterday. On Saturday Williamson put up his usual fine game.

If St. Catharines ever provides a Stadium for the boys who play lacrosse and bring honor to the city, there will be no holding back the national game. Every time the lads go away, private individuals have to come across with transportation, and it would be serious otherwise. There is no reason why the game should not be self-supporting at every angle.

Due to the perseverance of Mr. Hugh Swindley, some very damnatory birth certificates are being brought home against Weston. If there is one thing about junior and juvenile lacrosse, it should be the teaching of honesty with the lads. Regrettable as it is, they no doubt at times are encouraged to cheat. One asks: What will these boys be like when they grow up?

At a meeting of lacrosse enthusiasts of St. Catharines, it was decided to hold a “Lacrosse Night” next Wednesday evening at the Armories, when there will be plenty to interest fans of the national game.

One of the features of the programme will be the presentation of the Desborough Cup which was won by the locals juniors, defeating Weston for the historic trophy.

St. Catharines produced one of the fastest junior teams in Ontario this summer and might have won the junior O. A. L. A. title had they not bit off a little too much to chew, by trying to cop the intermediate title. The result was that they ran a close race in each event and were just nosed out in both of them. But this does not detract credit from them and they will go down in history as one of the greatest junior machines ever seen in St. Catharines. And that goes for something when the Alerts of a few years ago are taken into consideration.

But junior lacrosse was not the only thing in which St. Kitts shone – the juveniles won the O. A. L. A. title for their class and only unwarranted delay by the executive of the Ontario association is keeping the trophy from making a quick trip across the lake to its rightful home.

Then there is the showing that the Senior Athletics made and were leading their group when a regrettable occurrence made it necessary for them to drop out. But that has all been discussed before and there is no need to repeat the story now.

But taking the season all round, St. Catharines has a great deal to celebrate over and it is likely that there will be large numbers of fans and enthusiasts of the national game at the armories next Wednesday evening to help in the celebration.

The programme has not been fully arranged as yet, but it is certain that there will not be a moment lagging, and to use the honoured expression – there will be something doing every minute.

Every effort is being made to make “Lacrosse Night” at the Armories tomorrow a big success in every way. A parade will precede the evening and will leave the market square at about 7:30 o’clock. It will proceed up King Street to Court, to St. Paul, to the Gore, back to James Street and thence to the Armories.

The entertainment at the Armories will include the presentation of the Desborough Cup to the St. Catharines Junior lacrosse team, community singing, a softball game between the Beavers and Victorias, and dancing.

The order of the parade will be: Naval Brigade Fife and Drum Band, Desborough Cup winners, City Council, Juvenile champions, Jacobi’s Band, Officers of Senior Lacrosse Club, Park Commission, Glover’s Band, Officers St. Catharines Lacrosse League, Softball teams, Pettifer’s Band, Cadet Corps and Ashworth’s Band.

The members of Pettifer’s Band are asked to meet at Alexandra School as early as possible. The Fife and Drum Band are requested to meet at the market square at 7:30 o’clock.

“An old-time celebration” – That is what the committee has aimed at for the Lacrosse Night which is being held at the Armories tonight, and judging from reports, the handlers of the affair have things in good shape to do just that.

The “night” will start with a bang, in the shape of a parade which will leave the market square about 7:30 o’clock, following the route to end at the Armories, where the first feature on the menu will be the presentation of the Desborough Cup to the St. Catharines junior lacrosse team. This is the first reason for the celebration – the second cause is the Ontario title held by the St. Kitts juveniles.

The first of the season looked very good for St. Kitts, and then towards the end it didn’t look so good – but when the dust had cleared away, it was found that two trophies will rest in this city during the winter. Hence the celebration tonight.

All enthusiasts of the national game are urged to attend the doings at the Armories this evening, and it is a certainty that they will have plenty of entertainment.