History of the A's

A's Are Champions Of District No. 2!

THE ATHLETICS ARE CHAMPIONS

DEFEATED THE BRANTS IN THE FASTEST GAME OF LACROSSE TORONTO HAS SEEN THIS YEAR

THE EVENING STAR

Monday August 26 ,1901 

All St. Catharines was happy Saturday evening when the news came that the Athletics had defeated Brantford and won the championship of District No. 2. There was no other topic talked of on the streets and the crowds anxiously awaited The Star special, which gave a detailed account of the whole game. It is unnecessary to state that the citizens were pleased with the result; they simply idolized the boys, and when the report was read to the effect that the Athletics had played the cleanest and fastest game seen in Toronto this year, their joy knew no bounds.

There was considerable disappointment in the city because the band did not turn out to greet the boys on their return. Mr. James Sullivan, one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the team, tried to get the band at his own expense, but was only able to secure Messrs. F. Wise and Zimmerman. The crowd, however, were supplied with ten horns and brooms and they met the boys on the Square. The victors were escorted by the shouting crowd with blazing brooms to the Grand Central.

When the victorious team arrived home, they were greeted by hundreds with applause and enthusiastic congratulations. Host Morton put up a supper for them at the Grand Central and hundreds crowded into the house to shake hands and cheer the boys of the light and dark blue. When the crowds who accompanied the boys to Toronto arrived home, it was the signal for another demonstration, which continued until midnight.

A resume of the game, as the opinion of impartial lacrosse men, proves that it was a great game in every sense of the word, and as Captain A. C. Kingstone predicted, the better team won. Man for man, the Athletics are superior to the Brantford team and while they may not be so evenly balanced as the team from the Telephone City, the St. Catharines’ team work was better, and that is just where the “wise ones” who made Brantford the favourites in the betting fell down. They expected Brantford to win in the first half by their speed and team work, but instead the score was 3 – 1 for St. Catharines at the end of the second quarter. The Athletics home showed a lot of improvement since the match two weeks ago, and their circular movements puzzled their opponents and resulted in scores. The Athletics’ defence is the strongest that ever went on the field, and it was mere chance work and luck that let any ball through them. Dixon, in goal, was pointed as a weak spot, but it proved to be the reverse and the Toronto crowd claims he is superior to Kelly in the flags. The Brantford team was weakened a little by the absence of “Mickey” Connors, but Wilson played a good game and the score would have been no different if Connors had been on.

One result of the game should be the exploding of the reputation the Athletics have for roughness. They have played clean lacrosse all year and Saturday’s game, which was the hardest, could not have been bettered from the Athletics’ side. On the other hand when Brantford players saw they were beaten, they proceeded to play dirt, and the manner in which the Athletics controlled their temper and failed to retaliate was admirable.

Commenting on the game, the Mail says: “Fully 8,000 people, among whom were enthusiasts from nearly every lacrosse town in Ontario, witnessed one of the fastest and most scientific lacrosse matches ever played in Toronto. St. Catharines won a well-earned victory. Their defence work was superb and their home played most effectively, having learned the lesson taught them in the early part of the season that brilliant combination in midfield did not always win games. Brantford, too, played magnificent lacrosse and proved worthy of the trust that has been placed in them. The way they rushed on the goal of the Athletics was wonderful and it took all the efforts of the latter’s defence to keep them from scoring. At times, especially during the second and last quarters, nearly every man of the St. Catharines team was defending his goal and it was only timely blockading that they gained the victory. For St. Catharines, the whole team played brilliantly, from little Dixon in goal, to “Tod” Downey at inside home. Elliott was star of them all. His relieving evoked the applause of the big crowd time and time again. He was ably supported by “Sleepy” Harris, Cameron and the two Williams. Charley Downey and Hare did splendid work in the field and aided materially in the victory.”

The Globe says: “St. Catharines’ victory was well earned, Brantford being out played and out generaled from the start. The defence of the winners was absolutely impregnable and the fast Brantford home players could not begin to handle their stalwart checks, who refused to be drawn out. On the other hand the Brantford guardians of the flags were at times easily enticed from their positions and Kelly, in goal, made the mistake of rushing out from between the sticks whenever the ball was anywhere in his neighbourhood, and two of the games were scored when he was not on guard. Considering the importance of the match, it was fairly clean, although, the checking was hard and close. The Williams brothers and Elliott put up a superb article of ball for St. Kitts, while Dixon, the junior, between the flags, got away with a number of almost impossible stops. Harris was always on the ball and along with C. Downey and Cameron, kept the home well fed. McIlwain was the star of the home-field, he was here, there and everywhere, and he was a factor in all the scoring combination. Hare and Hagan played a steady, sure game, and Gourlay and Tod Downey engineered some plays that were brilliant in the extreme. There was no a weak spot on the team, which was handled admirably by Courtenay Kingstone.

KIND WORDS FROM OLD RIVAL

In a spirit to be commended, the Dufferins of Orangeville, who will next contest with the Athletics for the C. L. A. senior championship, have forwarded the following telegram: 

The reply was sent as follows:

CATCHES FROM THE GAME.

Orangeville, and then the shield.

Elliott was the favourite with the ladies and everyone picked him as the best of the 24.

The N. S. & T. R. furnished a good service by boat and trolley. The 5 o’clock boat waited till after the game.

The bleachers all knew “Uncle” Hagan. Eddie won a “five” for not being ruled off and he was in the game all the time, too.

Many of the sports got their money back, and a few are ahead. Most of the betting, however, was among Toronto sports.

The receipts are about $2,000, but the club thinks they ought to have been nearer $3,000. Hundreds got in without paying.

The Gas Company illuminated their office Saturday after the victory with one of the big new arc gas lamps. It made a brilliant light.

All the old boys in the bleachers told of the days when they played with the Williams boys, and they think Rube and Frank are playing better than they ever did before.

The members of the champion Dufferins of Orangeville were down in full force to see Saturday’s game and they claim that St. Kitts will have to play all the way to beat them.

Kelly had spite against Dixon, who was taking all the honors, and he went from the flags out on the home to give the St. Catharines colt punishment, but Dixon was “too soon” for him.

There has been no date fixed yet for the Orangeville game. The play-off is usually on the majority of goals at home and home games, but the C. L. A. Executive may have one deciding game if they deem it advisable.

Captain Courtenay Kingstone cannot be given too much credit for Saturday’s victory. His was the guiding hand and head that outgeneraled the opponents and kept the boys playing fast and clean. Captain Kingstone has the confidence of the players, he knows the game thoroughly and the responsibility is well placed.

It was a cruel blow to Brantford and the cock-sure representatives who went to Toronto. They had fireworks at the Palmer House which were not burned; they had preparations for a demonstration at home; they had the photos and outs for newspapers, but the articles are all frost to-day. Even the smiling ladies were ready for a jubilation and had boxes of flowers to shower on the boys in red and black as they left the arena, but the smiles faded, and so did the flowers, and the Telephone City has not crepe enough  to go round.

From Saturday’s Extra Edition

TORONTO ISLAND, AUG 21 – At 3:38 the great lacrosse match which is to decide the championship of District No. 2 of the C. L. A. commenced with both St. Catharines and Brantford teams in good form. Thousands of spectators crowded the grand stand, the bleachers and the fence around the oval. They all seem to have their favourites, and the rooters seemed about evenly divided, although Brantford possibly has a trifle the best end.

St. Catharines supporters came over 1,000 strong, the crowd being brought over by the Garden City and Lakeside. Brantford sent three train loads and a larger crowd than came from the Garden City. At 2 o’clock, the crowds began to arrive and at 3, every seat and position of vantage was taken. The Athletics went out at 2:30 for a half hour’s warm up. At 3:05 the Brantford team ran out on the field amidst great cheering. Both teams then retired to the dressing room. At 3:23, the Athletics again appeared, while their friends applauded, and two minutes later the Brantford boys received an ovation as they came out.

Both the Brantfords and Athletics appeared in the pink of condition when Referee Roberts lined them up in the following order for the first game: 

Referee - Dr. Roberts

Hagan made a long throw to C. Downey. He had a chance but missed. The ball went up and Downey got another shot, but threw high. The game is fast and clean, and St. Catharines has the best of it. Hamburg went off for cross-checking Hare. On the face off, Hare got the rubber and from a mix-up, it passed to Gourlay and he scored in six minutes.

A minute from the face off, Hare almost carried the ball into the goal with four on top of him. St. Catharines is pressing the Brantford goal hard and only hard luck prevented them from scoring two or three times.

The Athletic’s defence is superb, Dixon stopped the only shot Brantford has made. Score – St. Catharines 1; Brantford 0.

Second Quarter – Play was general for a few minutes and by good combination, Durkin got a good shot and scored Brantford’s first.

R. Williams got a couple of minutes for checking McLaren on the head. Play is close round the Athletics’ goal for several minutes and Brantford is putting up an aggressive game. Dixon stopped another good one.

Play was slow for a couple of minutes but the Athletics braced up and McIlwain shot for a score in ten minutes. The Brantford goal umpire refused to put up his hand and Downey had to score again and the umpire was changed.

Williams is struck by McLaren and is hurt, but will play on. St. Catharines went into the game with a vim after the face off. The ball went from stick to stick on the home, and in two minutes more, Gourlay scored another and the St. Catharines crowd went wild with joy. Hare had his knee hurt, but came out again in a few minutes. The quarter ended after a couple of more minutes of fast play. Score – Athletics 3; Brantford 1.

Third Quarter – The excitement is growing more intense every minute and even the disinterested spectators are getting in with their enthusiasm. Brantford is still hopeful and bets are freely made. Both teams were greeted with applause. The ball went to Brantford on the face off and went up and down without danger to either goal. Hare’s knee is giving him some trouble. The Brantford home made a fierce attack, but Dixon saved the game twice. Dixon saves a chance again and the defence is now playing splendidly.

The Athletics score another. McIlwain got it at centre, passed over to “Tod” Downey, who circled and passed to Hare, he to Gourlay. Kelly ran out to check him and left the flags open while Gourlay scored. The St. Catharines rooters take great advantage of the chance to yell.

A minute later, Allan was knocked down by an accidental check from Tod Downey and the latter went off for five minutes. The Athletics are playing defensive. McGibney went to the fence for knocking F. Williams out, and the Brantford crowd got angry.

The Athletics are pressing the Brantford goal with good combination although they are one short. Kelly is criticized for running out of the flags. He let two shots pass that almost scored.

McLaren scored Brantford’s second goal from a rush and short passes just in a few minutes before the quarter ended. A kick was made because McGibney ran on before his time was up and got into the combination which scored. In spite of the kick, the goal counted. McGibney was sent back.

St. Catharines had hard luck in this quarter and ought to have had two more. The quarter ended with the score – Athletics 4; Brantford 2.

Final Quarter – St. Catharines rooters feel good and confident of winning. When the teams came out again, Hugh Jack went to the Brantford goal and Kelly went on the home. St. Catharines is playing defence but has the ball on the Brantford goal most of the time. Hare was tripped by Hugh Jack and had his knee hurt again.

On the reopening of play, the ball went on the St. Catharines goal and Kelly struck Dixon, but the referee did not see it. The crowd hissed him for it. A moment later, Harris was struck in the eye and laid down a couple of minutes. Neely fell with cramps, delaying the game a few minutes.

Both teams are playing right around the St. Catharines goal and the crowd is extremely excited. There are fights among the spectators and the police are called in to clear the field. St. Catharines is playing rag but the Athletics’ home keep the ball most of the time.

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