History of the A's

Clean, Fast Lacrosse Returns

MANCHESTERS  BEATEN

THE  GALT  TEAM  SWAMPED  BY  THE  VICTORIOUS  ATHLETICS

The Daily Standard

Monday July 22, 1901

Those who were fortunate enough to be present at the lacrosse grounds on Saturday afternoon were treated to somewhat of a surprise, when the Athletics administered to the Manchesters, of Galt, a defeat that would cause many players to hang up their sticks. While no person in town looked for the visitors to win, they were expected to put up a strong argument, but they failed to make the showing anticipated and while they worked hard their case was a hopeless one and when the game was over the immense score of 16 to 1 stood to the Athletics credit.

Galt up to a week ago, had not lost a game and considered that they had a fair show for the championship. They lost to Brantford but steadied their nerves with a hope that they might possibly win from Brantford in that city in the return match, but when they left the Catherine Street grounds on Saturday this thought had vanished from their minds.

The visitors, when they stepped up on the field, proved to be a husky aggregation and later showed considerable speed, but they lacked the strong combination possessed and executed so effectively by the Athletics. Several of their players are men from other teams. They brought the strongest aggregation they could produce, but went home disheartened.

The teams were as follows:

Athletics (16) - Baumann, goal; F. Williams, point; Elliott, cover point; Harris, C. Downey, defence field; Cameron, centre; McIlwain, Hagan, W. Hare, home field; Gourlay, outside home; G. Downey, inside home. A.C. Kingstone, field captain.

Galt (1) - James, goal; Sinclair, point; Seip, cover point; Clark, McDonnaugh, McIntosh, defence field; Clark, centre; Dietrich, Gibson, Rider, home field; Pennock, outside home; Campbell, inside home. Clendenning, field captain.

Fred Waghorne of Toronto, refereed the match and gave general satisfaction, he having little to do in the matter of decisions, and as the game was remarkably clean considering the hard work of both teams, his work was quite easy.

The first quarter of the game was a warm one and the spectators saw a great struggle. The yellow and purple attired Galt players made several strong attacks on the Athletics defence, but the firm of Williams Bros. and Elliott was always ready for business and the hard work of the Galt home came to naught. During these onslaughts the Athletics home succeeded in getting in three goals, McIlwain, Downey and Gourlay figuring prominently in the work, while Hare also had something to say stickitively.

Galt made more rushes and at last scored, their few followers and the Brantford delegation present cheering heartily. Several more minutes play was indulged in and the first quarter expired without further result.

When the whistle sounded for the second quarter the Athletics pulled themselves together for an effort and the result was something fine to behold. They quickened the pace, but Galt could not stand it and the quarter closed with four more goals to the Athletics credit, the score standing 7 to 1 in their favor. Gourlay scoring two and Hagan and Geo. Downey each one.

Galt while unable to score demonstrated considerable endurance, but lacked precision when their efforts were strained. They made many hard efforts, but to no avail and three additional notches were cut on the Athletics score in the third quarter, McIlwain performing the trick twice and Hare once. Score 10 to 1.

As the visitors wished to catch their train the last quarter was commenced without the usual intermission and no rest. But the St. Kitts light and dark blues were as fresh as new horses and as a fitting finish to the match commenced raising the score in a way that astounded the visitors. In vain Galt would try to make a successful rush, Elliott would soon be seen bringing the rubber out of the defence quarter of the field, Harris would get it safely to the home and then some fast work on the part of the home players would give the spectators a chance to howl. There were times when the ball would not get past centre, and the goals were run up so fast that the stop watches fairly rebelled. They were scored in the following order: Hagan, Hare, Hare, McIlwain, Gourlay, McIlwain.

For the visitors, Seip, Clark and Campbell showed up well, while for the home team every man played a fine game. Hagan, in his new position on the home, was in the right place, while Gourlay played the game of his life. Geo. Downey was well covered during the match, but did good work, but the ball was thrown to him sometimes when there were better places for it. Hare excelled himself, while McIlwain put up his usual good game. Cameron was always in the game, Harris made his presence known at all times, and Baumann was responsible for some good work about the flags, but had not many direct shots to stop, for Elliott and the Williams stockade disposed of them first.

BETWEEN THE QUARTERS

Brantford was well represented at the game. They will tell a tale when they get home that will probably cause a shiver in the Telephone City.

"The cleanest match played this year in the C.L.A. and if any claim is made to the contrary, I am prepared to deny it over my own signature" - the words of Referee Waghorne. And Mr. Waghorne comes from Toronto.

Brantford sent a thousand people from that city to Galt when their team played there. The attendance at Saturday's match here was a little over 600. Is this the way St. Catharines should support a winning team?

Ex-President Stark of Stouffville saw the match.

The goal tender for the Galt team was changed three times. Campbell, Gibson and Pennock each replacing James in his position.

The Brantford harmonica, banjo and trombone orchestra came down to hoo-doo the Athletics, but the hoo-doo took the other way.

Another rose in Captain Kingstone's chaplet.

And now to convince Brantford.

St. Catharines has had many lacrosse teams playing under the cognomen of Athletics, but never was any of them as well balanced as the winner of '01.

Charlie Downey put up a game that was not supposed to be in him. He bounced about like a ball, and was in the game from start to finish.

At Paris the home team beat Tecumsehs 15 to 1. Kelley and Soules missed the train and the Tecumsehs were only able to play 10 men. An effort was made to pick up a couple of players in Brantford, but unsuccessfully.

Standings Of The Clubs

Eastern League Standings

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