History of the A's

Brantford Exacts Revenge

SCORE MANY GOALS

BRANTFORD  TAKES  REVENGE  TO  THE  EXTENT  OF  17  TO  1

The Daily Standard

Tuesday September 2, 1902

The senior lacrosse team's visit to Brantford on Saturday gave great pleasure to the Telephone City people, when Brantford imports scored their greatest victory of the year in rolling up a score of 17 goals to 1 against their most dangerous opponents, the St. Kitts home-brews.

It was looked upon that St. Catharines had about one chance in one hundred to win, but they did a little better than that. They were not in their best shape while the Brantford's on the other hand were in the very pink of condition and put up a game that was lacrosse all through and such a game that no team in the world can beat. They started in at a pace that was terrific, the passing was beautifully correct and the game very clean.

The Athletics were changed about as an experiment, but it was as unsuccessful one. In the second quarter the men were replaced in their old form, Brantford being held to one goal while the Athletics made their only score at the opening of the next quarter. After this it was all Brantford. They carried out their system perfectly and although several errors were made in the last quarter, our team was so played out they could not take proper advantage of the mistakes and the Brantford goal tender had few to stop.

At 3:30 o'clock the teams lined up as follows:

Referee - F. C. Waghorne, Toronto

Timekeepers - For St. Catharines, John Conway, Toronto; for Brantford, Wm. Crawford; for the referee, C. Querrie, Toronto.

McIlwain drew the ball at the face-off and it went into "Tod" Downey's stick. To Dixon it was thrown, but "Tony" ran under the ball and Neeley made a run up the field. Dade shot but Devlin stopped. Hendry fielded the ball and threw to Henry who whisked it in. Time 1 minute.

The ball was being taken into Brantford territory by McIlwain when he was heavily checked by Kelly, who ran out of the goal for that purpose. This was as near the Brantford goal the ball approached this quarter, while Devlin had numerous ones to stop. Elliott and Williams saved a few, while five more got into the net, of which Henry scored two, Dade one and Cain the other. Score at the end of the first quarter, 6 to 0.

In the second quarter the Athletics had a fair share of the ball. Cornett was placed at his old position at third defence, while all the others moved up one, G. Downey playing centre, while "Tricky" remained at inside home. The boys then showed up quite creditably alongside their imported opponents. Kelly had his first ball to stop and the defence men in front of him were given some work to do. Brantford made an attack and lost the ball to Reub. Williams, who dropped the ball off his stick in front of the goal and Cain batted it in. This was the only goal scored in this quarter. Hendry went off for five minutes, but this did not help the visitors very materially. When Hendry came on the field he threw his stick about Cornett's neck and resumed his seat on the fence again, Cornett going with him.

Just 2 1/2 minutes after the opening of the third quarter, Lowe made a rush on Kelly and put the ball past him, giving St. Kitts supporters their only chance to cheer. But this was all. Elliott was given a rest. Brantford notched up their score two points. When Elliott resumed the ball was in the possession of the Athletics home. He rushed there to give assistance when Hamburg tripped him, and the sweet tempered defence man went off for five minutes, much against his will. Cain and Henry each shot successfully, leaving the score 11 to 1 at the end of the third quarter.

In the last quarter the visitors tried hard and succeeded in giving Kelly a couple to stop, but the play was generally about the St. Kitts goal. Six more goals were added, making the final score 17 to 1.

Brantford was beside itself with joy. Their players were given individual cheers as they marched to and from the field, past the stands and at the finish some of them were almost hugged to death.

By far the best team won. Every man was in the best condition. The work of the home and field was great to behold; they helped their defence whenever the ball was in that quarter of the field; the ball was then brought down and Hendry held it until every man was in his place. It required condition to do this. The Brantford team had it in large proportions, also the playing ability and physique that is required with it. Their team as it played Saturday is invincible on the Brantford, but it is doubtful if they can retain themselves on, say, the Shamrocks grounds, should they go to Montreal. If they can play Saturday's game over again in Montreal, the Minto Cup will go to Brantford. But should they go up in the air as they did in St. Catharines, then only deserved defeat is theirs, and this temporary flush of victory will turn to mourning and deep chagrin.

Grand River Echoed

In the absence of Harris, Lowe was easily the star of the home. The feat he performed in scoring that one solitary goal, was great. He darted through the Brantford defence like a meteor.

About 150 St. Catharines people accompanied the team on a G. T. R. special. It was a good fast ride. The game was similar, but had the train been as one-sided, the excursionists would be in Brantford yet.

Never mind boys; we stand second in the race. We have the only home-brew team, and we have beaten every club in the league, and the leaders of N. 2 district as well - a record to be proud of.

Reub. Williams and Cornett were the workers for the Athletics.

Gourlay played a pretty game and danced about just the same as if things were going his way.

"Tricky" Downey played inside home for the first time in many years. The ball reached him in that position just four times during the match.

Referee Waghorne did better than was expected of him. His fairness and impartiality earned him groans and unpolished epithets from Brantford's bleacher-warmers.

Lowe scored the only goal on a high ball.

It is said a handsome prize awaited Kelly had there been a shut out.

Sentinel Devlin was worked over time. He could do no better without a wire net fence. He met every ball bravely and bears the marks in a score of places.

Fred Westbrook, the "Kitchener of lacrosse," was a spectator. The present Tecumseh manager in the Garden City is one possibility of next year.

You can't make Richardson believe that he can play the game, but more than that you will never hear him acknowledge that his check shined either; and by the way, there are a few others that will make the latter statement.

Elliott made a couple of excursions up the field and gave the St. Kitts rooters a chance to use their voices.

The Club Standings

Senior District No. 1

 * Tie game, which as it cannot now affect the championship, will not be played off.

City League

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