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The greatest sporting attraction of the season will take place here on Saturday, July 26th, when the crack Brantford bunch will do battle for the championship with our boys. The eyes of the lacrosse world will be on St. Kitts on that day, as the public have the confidence that the Athletics are the only team in the league that can stop Brantford's victorious career. Brantford will, of course, have something to say in that matter, and will move half their city down here on Saturday, prepared to see their pets win and will bet money that they do it.

Lacrosse sports from all over Ontario will be in the city on Saturday to witness the great contest. The Massey-Harris Company of Toronto will run an excursion here and it is expected that 1,000 people will be here from Brantford.

The only topic of conversation in sporting circles in the city and vicinity is the great championship contest here to-morrow between the St. Kitts home brews and the all-imported stars representing the Brantford lacrosse club. The Athletics have been practicing faithfully lately and after this afternoon will be in better shape from goal to inside home than at any time in its history. Every player is in perfect condition and ready to play the game of his life, as the victorious career of the Brantford aggregation has to come to a halt here to-morrow. The ball will be faced at 3:30 p.m. and a record crowd is sure to be in attendance. Large numbers are coming from Toronto, Buffalo, Niagara Falls N.Y., and of course Brantford will have a big crowd with them to swell the attendance and bet a few dollars that their team is still invinsible.

Toronto Telegram - Brantford and St. Kitts are playing a little game of euchre, but it has not developed who holds the joker.

AGILE ATHLETICS BEAT BOASTFUL BRANTFORD IN A SPLENDIDLY CONTESTED MATCH ON SATURDAY

TEAM	WON	LOST	TO PLAY
Brantford	5	2	5
St. Catharines	4	3	5
Orangeville	3	4	5
Tecumsehs	2	5	5

What the hitherto invincible Brantford lacrosse team claimed to be impossible has been shown to be quite easily possible; the fast-running, high-jumping, straight-shooting stick-handlers who form the Telephone City’s team, have met faster runners, higher jumpers, straighter shots and better players; victory – so long the guest of the first-named team – has taken up her abode on the emerald banks of the Welland, and the proudly-flaunted red and black has been humbled to the dust by the swift-footed, sure-eyed wearers of the light and dark blue. Brantford was confident of victory on Saturday. Many indications showed this. Between 500 and 600 enthusiasts accompanied the team to this city; they carried big rolls of money which they freely wagered against St. Catharines and carrier pigeons were brought to wing their swift way through the clouds and bear the news of anticipated victory to the town on the Grand. Never was there a more keenly appointed crowd than that which came to see Brantford win another victory on Saturday. One individual voiced his intention of going on to Buffalo rather than face the disappointed Brantfordites at home.

The crowd that witnessed the game was a record-breaker – fully 3,000 persons being present. Every play was keenly watched. The interest and excitement were high-pitched and hearty cheers of exultation greeted the successful shots by either team. The gentler sex was largely represented and never did more enthusiastic partisans cheer their favourites to victory. St. Catharines was the favourite with the ladies, though the Brantfords did not lack in this respect.

It was a keenly-contested, well-played exciting match, and there can be no disputing the fact that the home team out-played their antagonists and won on their merits.

As early as half-past one the crowd began to come, and at 3:30 they were still coming. “Mary McLane” may have been there, but if she was she was not noticed in the crush; if she wasn’t, she was about the only one in the city who was not. At 3 o’clock, the Athletics came up for a trial heat and retired at 3:15 to give place to Brantford. Each team was welcomed by rounds of applause from their supporters and then the spectators straightened up in their seats to witness what proved to be a splendid struggle.

Brantford		Athletics
Kelley	goal	Devlin
Dowling	point	F. Williams
Finlayson	c. point	W. Elliott
McBride	1st defense	J. Richardson
Hamburg	2nd defense	R. Williams
Neeley	3rd defense	F. Cornett
Taylor	centre	C. Downey
Doyle	1st home	T. Downey
Dade	2nd home	McIlwain
Cain	3rd home	W. Gourlay
Hendry	outside home	Lowe
Henry	inside home	Harris
Brierley	captain	Kingstone

St. Kitts won the toss and chose to defend the western goal, the whistle blew and the game was on.

St. Kitts drew the ball and carried it straight onto the Brantford flags where some pretty passing ensued and after three minutes Harris passed to Charley Lowe, who placed it in the net, scoring No. 1 for St. Catharines. The second game opened with a sharp attack on Brantford’s goal and Kelley had to stop some pretty hard onsets. Finlayson relieved and St. Kitts’ defence had a taste of it, but Elliott and Williams were always there and their work made the renowned Dade and Hendry look like the proverbial thirty cents. Hamburg tried to put Lowe out and got five minutes rest as a result. Down went the ball to the Brantford flags and after a sharp contest, McIlwain secured the rubber and made the score 2 to 0 in 14 minutes. At the start of the third game, Cornett checked Henry too hard and was sent off for 5 minutes. Kelley jumped into Charley Lowe and laid him out for a while, but nothing happened to Kelley. Charley was soon on his feet and ready for business again and at the face, Gourlay ran in, broke through Brantford’s defence and placed No. 3 in the net, and the score remained that way at the end of the first quarter. ‘Twas St. Kitts game all the way, so far, and it’s no wonder the Brantfords could not keep their feet, considering the way the rings were being played around them.

Brantford started the second quarter with a rush on the Athletic flags, but the defence was playing a superb game and Brantford’s attack failed. Elliott, Richardson and Williams were always in front of the flags and Brantford could not get near enough to attempt to score. Hamburg and Cornett were in the game again and the pace grew faster and faster. Harris fouled Hamburg, who was given a free throw. But it was no use. Back came the sphere and “Bill” Harris took his revenge by making the score 4 to 0 in 2 minutes. The next game was the longest of all and some pretty playing was seen. Down the field and back flew the rubber, both defences seeming to be impregnable, and only after 15 minutes play did McIlwain find an opening and score No. 5. Hendry tried some of his dirty tricks at the opening of the game and was advised that a rest of 5 minutes might cool his temper; he took the rest, though he did not find his temper, and during his absence Lowe scored No. 6 in 1 ½ minutes on a pretty piece of combination work by McIlwain, Harris and Gourlay. Brantford now woke up and in half a minute scored their first goal, Bert Henry doing the trick by an easy one that slipped past Devlin into the net. Half-time score 6 to 1.

In the third quarter the pace was even faster, the Brantfordites seeing visions of their pay being stopped unless they played better, and they went into the game with a vengeance with the result that Hendry pulled up another goal in 9 minutes. They tried again and again, but could do nothing against the splendid defence of St. Kitts and the quarter ended 6 to 2 in favour of the Athletics.

Some of the Brantford spectators got weary at this stage and left the grounds, but the players, with a lead of four goals staring them in the face, started to win and for a while it looked as though they might pull out a victory after all. They succeeded in drawing the home defence out, which they had been trying vainly to do all afternoon. After repeated attacks, Hendry scored in 3 ½ minutes, and five minutes later, Dade added another goal. Brantford was playing determinedly and Tod Downey was sent off for five minutes, leaving St. Kitts one man short. But they were not to be robbed of their victory and played a blocking game to perfection during Tod’s absence, passing the ball up and down the field, from one to another until he came back, when they started to show that they had a final spurt left. McIlwain, Gourlay, and Lowe did some quick passing and Charley Lowe made it 7 – 4 after 13 minutes’ play. The rooters settled back a little more comfortably then, but it was not yet over. There was only 1 ½ minutes to play, Brantford was pressing hard, but the defence had settled down and Downey added another one in 1 minute. Time was called with St. Kitts’ 8 and Brantford 4.

Then followed one of the wildest scenes ever witnessed on the field. Women hugged one another, while the men slapped each other on the back with whacks that could be heard across the field. Canes, hats and umbrellas soared into the air and cheer after cheer greeted the wearers of the dark and light blue as they left the field. And during it all the wearers of the red and black were silently and sadly filing from the field, wiser in mind and lighter in pocket.

The stands were so well filled when the Brantford excursion arrived that the only place left was the field fence. The new-comers quickly covered it and though the boards were not soft, they were not half so hard as the spectacle of the “pets” going down to ignominious defeat.

Fred Flack showed his street-car training in filling the open stand. There was always room for one more. And did you see how quickly the fair sex discovered the advantages of the stand for witnessing the game? They are rooters, too.

The Brantford crowd had all their old red socks of last year, in addition to their ribbons, but we missed the red laces in the black boots. Too bad.

A number of the excursionists walked down the field and climbed by way of the fence on to the open stand. They must have left their money at home lest they might be tempted to be naughty and bet a dime.

“Jas. D. Bailey was bidding his friends good-bye last night. He leaves to referee the match between Brantford and St. Catharines tomorrow.” – Toronto Mail. Wonder if they had a band out to meet James D. when he returned? But he wants to keep away from Brantford. They think he was too partial. Ye shades!

J. Munro of the Toronto Telegram and Fred. Westbrook of the Tecumsehs were interested spectators of the game. They seemed pleased with the Athletics victory – but you can’t tell.

The Brantford people say Hendry and Taylor were away off. Elliott had Hendry stopped a hundred yards away, while Taylor’s shots generally found a target in a St. Catharines’ stick.

Did you see the snap shot of Kitchener’s “sunny smile” in the Mail Saturday? Brantford said we needed a Kitchener in our ranks. How does Capt. Kingstone do? A picture of his smile after the game would beat Kitchener’s all hollow.

St. Kitts defence played the best game it ever played. So did the home. In fact, they all did, so what’s the use of talking. Every man played his best and when they do that – well, Saturday’s score is an indication of what happens.

ATHLETICS TOOK THE FIRST SIX GOALS - MATCH WAS PLAYED AT A TERRIFIC PACE - ATTENDANCE A RECORD BREAKER

A train of five cars brought a crowd of Brantford people with their supposedly invincible lacrosse players to the Garden City on Saturday, when the nerves of the said Telephone City people were subjected to a rude shock by the St. Catharines home brews, who put up such an exhibition of lacrosse as the Brantford visitors had never seen before.

There are some thin-skinned Brantford people who will turn sorely upon their imported team, but let it be said right here that their team never played better, but they were beaten on their merits by a dozen lacrossists from St. Catharines, which grows and rears the best players in the world. When the pace set by St. Catharines had placed them six straight goals to nothing, this pace showed how killing it was, and nature compelled them to slacken; then the visitors showed their ability and power by rattling in four consecutive goals. It was a case of when Greek meets Greek, there can be only one "best", no matter how good the other side is.

And the crowd - it was a record-breaker. There were spectators present who had traveled many miles to see the game and their delight was very pronounced, while the citizens turned out largely. Over 3,000 people must have seen the match. The constables gave better service than usual and less of the cheap people stole a view of the game than is usual. The appointment of a special officer who fearlessly performed his duty was largely responsible for this and the same care in appointment should be exercised at every match.

The visitors arrived in good time and the match was started quite sharply on the hour by Referee Bailey. An hour and half previous to this time there was a crowd on the grounds, and at 3:30 o'clock the stands were packed and the fences lined. An exceedingly large number of ladies were on hand. The covered stand was almost full of them, while a large representation of the fair sex was in the new shaded open stand and the bleachers.

BRANTFORD		ATHLETICS
Kelley	Goal	Devlin
Dowling	Point	F. Williams
Finlayson	Cover Point	Elliott
McBride	First Defense	Richardson
Hamburg	Second Defense	R. Williams
Neeley	Third Defense	Cornett
Taylor	Centre	C. Downey
Doyle	Third Home	G. Downey
Dade	Second Home	McIlwain
Cain	First Home	Gourlay
Hendry	Outside Home	Lowe
Henry	Inside Home	Harris
W. Brierley	Field Captain	A. C. Kingstone

Timekeepers - For St. Catharines, Jas. N. Walker; for Brantford, Wm. Crawford; for the referee, James Ross, Toronto.

The entry of both teams upon the field was the signal for applause. This was the last occasion Brantford had for some little time. At the face-off the ball flew to Gourlay, who passed to G. Downey. Hamburg's stick reached it first, and the Brantford home commenced one of those dangerous rushes. Taylor, Dade and Hendry brought it down by fast passes on the run, but the defense was ready. Elliott emerged with the ball and the St. Kitts rooters gave vent to their feelings by a tremendous roar. Up the field it went prettily, Harris shot, but Finlayson stopped it. "Tod" Downey headed off the swift Neeley and soon had the ball, while the Brantford people were dumb with surprise. Harris shot again, but to no use. Later McIlwain passed to Lowe, who dropped the ball neatly into the nets. Time 3 minutes.

The ice was broken, but Brantford was working hard, and in the second game they made attack after attack, but the defense kept them out. It was seen that the St. Kitts defense was playing its game and this gave the home a lot of confidence. Downey and McIlwain were all over the field; the former got a shot, but Kelly stopped it, as he did many others. The referee caught Hamburg playing his dirty work on Harris and promptly put him off for five minutes. McIlwain placed himself in front of the Brantford goal. Harris passed the ball to him, and although Finlayson was on top of him, little Mac dropped the ball over his head just when Kelly didn't expect it and the second was scored after 14 minutes of play.

"Tricky" Downey drew the ball and up it went. McBride was too busy watching McIlwain to look after the ball and it went as far as Finlayson, who helped Neeley get it down to Dade and Hendry. Cornett ran after Hendry and put his stick around "Tack's" neck after the ball. The referee objected to this and Cornett took a seat alongside Hamburg. Richardson made a little run up with the ball, threw to McIlwain who gave Harris the ball. Cross to Gourlay it went, and Willie drove it in after 2 1/4 minutes play, making the score 3 to 0. Thus ended the first quarter.

A rest benefited both teams and play resumed harder and faster than ever. Three rushes the Brantford home made, but did not get past Reub. Williams and Richardson. Gourlay made a terrific shot. The boys commenced to raise their sticks but Kelly had made a stop. He did not clear; McIlwain, Lowe and Harris closed in for a goal scrimmage, in which Harris scooped in the ball. Time 2 3/4 minutes.

But Brantford did not despair. Hendry got close enough to shoot once but the ball hit the side of the net. He figured in several rushes, which the defense blocked, and Devlin stopped one beauty, as a lady spectator termed it. Kelly, in the meantime, was kept busy stopping several from Lowe, Harris and Gourlay. Then up came McIlwain, who scored on a pass from Lowe after 15 1/2 minutes of play. Brantford was always dangerous. Hendry and Cain were trying a rush. Richardson got the ball from Cain, and while he was busy here Hendry came in like an express train upon "Shooty" and slashed him on the face. "Tack" was given five minutes rest, which he needed. Lowe scored in 1 1/2 minutes, and just one minute later Bert Henry scored Brantford's first with Hendry off. The half-time whistle blew before another face-off. Score St. Kitts 6, Brantford 1.

Another rest and the big doings were in progress again. No amateur could stand the killing clip the Athletics had been traveling, and in the third quarter the home was playing too far out. Kelly stopped every shot that was made on him in this quarter, while Hendry, who was back in the game, got one in at rather long range after the defense had saved the goal over a dozen times. Gourlay suffered from Sweet Hamburg, and Dr. Jessop patched up his cheek. Then Hamburg gave Harris one, who later was sent to the fence for retaliation.

The defense was also beginning to feel the results of the speed of the game. Score at the end of the third quarter, St. Kitts 6, Brantford 2.

In the fourth quarter there were many anxious moments for St. Catharines. The sun-trained Brantford imports were still traveling at their fastest pace. Devlin stopped several and Frank Williams saved many. Another one of those terrible rushes and Hendry had scored in 3 1/2 minutes. Dowling saved a goal for Brantford; down it came again. Bert Henry shot and the Brantford rooters, who were gaining confidence, yelled with delight, but it was no goal. Lowe shot for St. Catharines with the same result. Brantford was given another chance to cheer for Dade scored in five minutes. G. Downey was given a rest. The decision startled him and the other players, but they submitted and "Tod" had a chance to freshen. It commenced to look dangerous for St. Catharines at this late stage of the game, but the defense held the fort safely till Downey came back. He got into the work and there was a change. The Athletics had been playing a defense game. They made one of their spurts and Lowe scored after 15 minutes' play. This was the first in an hour for St. Catharines and the cheering was long and earnest. One minute later and just 1/2 minute before the close of the match G. Downey drove in another, making the final score 8 to 4.

This hot finish to such a hard match was just what was wanted to renew the St. Kitts enthusiasm. The score was doubled and Brantford's head was brought down to the low water mark.

A harder and faster game was never played on the local grounds, nor in Ontario it is quite safe to say. It was a match about which a whole volume could be written, and it will be a long time before it will cease to be talked about.

To pick out the stars on the home team in this game would be difficult, but let it be said that the defense won the game. The home only scored two more goals than when Brantford played here in June, but it can also be said that Brantford played harder on Saturday than before. Then all the more credit to the defense, for Brantford's home is their strong point and on the other hand its defense is the dirtiest. McBride did better than usual in this regard, but Kelly supplied anything that was lacking. He stopped Lowe in a not very artistic manner and incapacitated the fast junior for a while.

"Teddy" Cornett as usual showed up in good style, and Elliott's playing was noticeable to the spectators, and his excursions up the field raised tidal waves of applause. Then Richardson opened the eyes of the visitors by his cool, effective and brainy work, while the two Williams played their positions almost perfectly. "Tricky" Downey was always busy. He stuck with the fast red shirted fielders and was always in the game.

Geo. Downey played a game full of hard work that to a careless spectator did not look to be much, but he did two men's work and assisted the close home men to score. He did it well and a barrel of credit is due him. Lowe and Gourlay put together were a pair hard to beat, and their pretty work was a sight to behold. McIlwain as a rule also figured in it, besides covering the whole grounds in his maneuvers.

Harris was new in his position. He did some good work, but requires some coaching before he will play the position as well as he can. Devlin improves in goal continually and is the best specimen in goal St. Kitts has produced. Kelly's work will also be remembered for some time, as well as Hamburg's great interceptions.

The manager of the Woodstock team was a spectator. The game was an eye-opener to him. His team desires a match with the Athletics in that city on Friday.

"Yes, they'll make you like them" remarked Manager Westbrook of the Tecumsehs to Manager Morgan Harris of the Brantford team, referring to the Athletics. "Oh, I don't know," casually retorted Morgan. When the game was over the delighted manager of last year's Brantford team gleefully remarked to his successor, "Remember I told you they'd make you like them," "Well it wasn't 9 to 2," Mr. Harris remarked.