KINGSTON-ON-THAMES QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL.
KINGSTON-ON-THAMES V. OLD - LONDONIANS.-
This re-played tie in the semi-final round of the Surrey Junior cup competition was played on the Kingston Rugby ground, Richmond-road, which was lent to the Surrey Association for the occasion. The match on the previous Saturday at Streatham-hill resulted in a draw of one goal each, so that the greatest interest was evinced in Saturday's encounter, and about 500 spectators were present. Lanham lost the toss and Kingston had to defend the Richmond-road goal.

The Mayor of Kingston (Mr. A. W. Homersham) kicked the ball off just after 4 o'clock, sending the ball well up the ground, Nott returning. Kemp took the ball back, but kicked out. From the throw in Kingston pressed, but from a free kick in front of goal the Londoners broke away, Short repelling. Foster got nicely away but passed out to Kemp too hard and the ball went into touch.

The Old Boys got down again, but Fagan neatly robbed and got the ball away, only to see it returned again, and after Hurliman had missed, Tully secured and Ocock got away, Vincent forcing a corner, which was well placed. Vincent secured and passed to Kemp, who shot a good goal amidst loud cheering.

Restarting, the "King's" went away with a dash, but a free relieved. Foster made a good run but was robbed by Knibbs, and the Londonians got away again, but Fagan robbed and sent up the field, Nott returning, and Short in clearing hurt Lockett, play being stopped for a short time.

Resuming, Foster was conspicuous with a neat run. Hands against the Old Boys let Kingston in, but Burgess cleared and the Old Boys got down, Hurliman saving. Tully was prominent, and Kingston got away again, but the ball went out. Kemp forced Nott to kick-out and from the throw-in the Whites got over the line again, Lockett saving what appeared to be a certain goal.

Immediately after Lanham made a good save and Fagan kicked out. Londonians pressed and gave the Kingston defence an anxious time of it, and after sending in some good shots, Nott put past Lanham, thus making the scores level.

Kingston then went away with a rush, and obtained a corner, which Short eventually shot past. The Old Boys were now having the best of the game and were forcing matters. Lanham displayed great coolness and resource, and a foul against the Whites let Kingston get away, only to be repulsed again and the Old Boys secured a corner, which was well placed by Knibbs, Lanham saving three hot shots in succession in brilliant style. Short eventually sent the ball away; but the Old Boys' defence was here playing a good game and repulsed the attack, and Lockett was forced to give a corner, which Kingston cleared.

Kemp passed to Vincent and that player secured the lead for Kingston with a splendid screw shot. Re-starting, the Old Boys rushed down, but Lockett saved and Ocock travelled to the other end, where Baker shot past, and the goal-kick went out. From the throw-in Kemp shot wide, and immediately after Foster struck the post.

Kemp and Foster forced a corner, which was well-placed by Lockett, and Short sent in a good shot. A bully ensued in the mouth of goal, and a goal seemed certain, but Palmer saved. When the whistle sounded for half-time the Old Boys were pressing, and the score was Kingston-on-Thames 2 goals, Old Londonians 1 goal.

On re-Starting the Old Boys went off with a dash and Fagan stopped an ugly rush. From a throw-in, the Londonians shot, but Lanham made a brilliant save. Play was stopped for a few minutes owing to Knibbs, the Old Boys' captain, having twisted his knee. He was taken off the field, but after being seen to by the Kingston trainer - Grant - he was able to return after an interval of about ten minutes.

Kingston then pressed and Baker had a chance but shot wide. Old Londonians returned the pressure, Fagan relieving, and Foster got away, but off-side was given against Ocock. Kingston returned to the attack again, but hands against Kemp relieved, and play was transferred to the other end, where a foul was given against Burrage for charging Lanham after he had cleared the ball.

A corner off Tully was followed by another off Short. These were cleared and Kingston pressed, but Ocock was again given off-side. The Old `Uns broke away, but off-side spoiled their chance. Ocock and Vincent now put in some good work, but failed to score. The Londonians left wing broke away, but off-side again relieved, and Kingston transferred again only to be repulsed.

A good combined run was here put in by the Whites' forwards, and looked dangerous, but Hurliman nipped in and saved. Immediately after Lanham saved what looked to be a certain goal by lying full length and robbing the centre forward when about to rush the leather through.

Kingston now forced the game, and Baker had hard lines, his shot striking the upright. Shortly after Vincent secured and centred well, Baker scoring No. 3 in good fashion.

Kingston now strengthened their defence, Baker going to half-back. Restarting, Kingston pressed, but were repulsed by Cochrane, and the Whites broke away, but Fagan stopped the rush, and Ocock and Foster got away to the other end, where Foster shot a beautiful goal, thus scoring the fourth and last goal for Kingston.

The Londonians rushed down, but Short pulled them up, and Fagan, Foster, Ocock, and Vincent each sent in good shots, which were well kept up by Palmer, Foster eventually sending behind. Keeping up the pressure Palmer saved a good shot from Foster.

Hands against Londonians let Kingston in, Foster scoring, but the referee ruled him off-side. Give and take play ensued for the remaining three minutes, the ball being in the Londonians' half when the whistle sounded time, Kingston winning a good game, the final score being:-
Kingston-on-Thames . . . 4 goals
Old Londonians 1 goal.

Sides:-
Old Londonians: Palmer, goal; J. Nott and Cochrane, backs; A. Stanfield, Knibbs (captain), and W. Burgess, half-backs; Smith, Royce, Burrage, Dodds and Stanfield, forwards.
Kingston-on-Thames: F. C. Lanham, (capt.), goal; A. R. Short and W. Hurliman, backs; R. F. Lockett, J. Fagan, and G. J. Tully, half-backs; J. Kemp, E. Foster, J. Baker, S. Vincent and W. Ocock, forwards. Referee, Mr. J. P. Asher, (hon. sec. Surrey County F.A.).

Report from Surrey Comet dated 20 March 1897- see report in original format.


SURREY JUNIOR CUP.
KINGSTON v. OLD LONDONIANS.
About 500 spectators assembled round the ropes at the Kingston Rugby Ground on Saturday, to witness the replayed semi-final tie between these two teams. The first match resulted in a draw of two goals each, the Londonians snatching the game out of the fire in the last minute, but on Saturday Kingston secured the victory by four goals to one.

The conditions were in every way favourable for a good game, the ground being in splendid order, and there was little or no wind. The start was timed for 3.30, but the visitors did not put in an appearance until just upon four o'clock.

The teams were lined up as follows:-
Kingston.- F. C. Lanham, goal; W. Hurliman and A. R. Short, backs; G. J. Tully, J. Fagan, and R. F. Lockett. half-backs; W. Ocock, S. Vincent, J. Baker, E. Foster, and J Kemp, forwards.
Old Londonians.- Palmer, goal; J. Mott and Cochrane, backs; Cochrane, Knibbs, and A. Stanfield, half-backs; Royce, Smith, H. Stanfieldd, Dodds, and Burrage, forwards.
Referee -Mr J P Asher, S.C.F.A. Linesmen- Sergeant Lewis and Mr W. G. Carn.

The Mayor (Councillor A. W. Homersham), amidst the applause of the spectators, started the ball with a huge kick. Pretty passing by the home forwards was the first feature, but relief came to the visitors from a fine clear by Palmer. Kemp collared, and sped finely along the left wing, and a mighty shout went up, as Kingston were credited with the first goal through his efforts.

The Old'uns showed they were anything but dismayed and for the next quarter of an hour, they had decidedly the better of the play. The forwards were a tricky lot, and the combination displayed by the inside men and the centre was a treat to witness, whilst the outside left excelled in speedy runs. The visitors were not deficient in their shooting abilities, and at times Lanham had all his work cut out to keep his score sheet clean. This he was able to do to for a time, but eventually Burrage, the visiting centre, clipped in a clear, sharp shot, which easily scored.

The Kingstonians, aroused by the shouts of their spectators seemed to put new life into the game, and went away with a rush, but their forwards' play was not nearly so pretty as that of their opponents had been, and it must he admitted that the Kingston men, in this half at least, played the kick and rush, more than the passing game. For the time this was very successful, and Palmer had many times to handle the ball.

Kemp distinguished himself by a pretty run, and passing to Vincent, that player amid the applause of the many spectators again gave Kingston the lead. This put still more heart into the home team, and Foster missed the mark by inches only, and directly after had another try, but the ball went behind. Following this, Lanham secured well merited applause by stopping a nice dropping shot. At half time the score was two goals to one in favour of Kingston.

Both custodians were early called upon when operations were resumed, and the visitors were putting in a vast amount of work when one of their players (Knibbs) was injured, and had to retire for a time. This seemed to take all the life out of them, and from now Kingston showed much improved form, the backs kicking clean and strong, and combination among the forwards seemed to come easier.

Ocock travelled down the wing, and was looking extremely dangerous, but passing to Baker, he was ruled offside. Kingston now had a close shave, but, their goalkeeper being fouled, pressure was thus relieved. Several corners in favour of Kingston were well put up, causing Palmer to punch out and throw away.

Baker shortly after again scored for Kingston, and from now to the conclusion the home team ran their opponents off their legs, clearly showing they were better trained. Foster put on another goal, and had their been but a few more minutes there is no doubt that the Homesters would have further increased the margin between their score and that of the visitors. as it was they entered the final round, the score being:-

Kingston .. .. .. .. .. 4
Old Londonians. 1

The homesters well deserved their win, as the second half showed that they were of much better stamina than their opponents. In the first half, the Londonians' forward play was pretty, but later on they went all to pieces.

Coming to individuals, Lanham did all that was required of him, and Short in the second half proved himself to be a capable back, but before that he made several mis-kicks, and skied the ball too much. Tully and Lockett were the best of the halves, while Kemp and Vincent did some sterling work in the forward line. Palmer, Mott, Burrage, and Stanfield did best for the visitors.

Report from Surrey Advertiser dated 17 March 1897- see report in original format.


SURREY ASSOCIATION JUNIOR CUP. SEMI-FINAL TIE
KINGSTON-ON-THAMES v. OLD LONDONIANS.
This replayed tie in the semi-final round for the Surrey Association Junior Cup was decided
last Saturday on the ground of the Kingston Rugby Football Club in Richmond-road. On February 27th, when the tie was ordered to be played at Streatham Hill a very even game
resulted in a draw, both teams scoring a goal, but it was thought that the Kingston team was greatly handicapped by the rough state of the ground, and that they would prove superior to their opponents under more favourable conditions.

This forecast was correct, as Kingston beat the Old Londoninians by four goals to one, and thus passed into the final stage, having now to defeat Chertsey, at Weybridge to-day, to become holders of the cup. The weather was very dull, but the rain held off and the ground was in good condition.

Some 600 spectators witnessed the match, and a late start was made owing to the visitors not coming to time. Kingston won the toss and defended the Richmond-road goal, but no advantage attached to this, and at four o'clock the Mayor of Kingston (Councillor A. W. Homersham) kicked off amidst loud cheering.

His kick was a good one and the ball went into touch in the visitors' territory. For a foul throw-in Kingston were awarded a free kick, and Short put in a fine shot which the opposing goalkeeper did well to clear. Hands against Kingston relieved the attack they had initiated, but Short's kick for a second foul throw, although taken nearer to the Old Londonians goal than the previous one, went behind.

Kemp broke up a subsequent rush by the visiting forwards, and Ocock and Vincent then were prominent by a rush on the right wing, and a corner was conceded. This was well placed, and from loose play in front of goal the ball was scrambled through amidst great cheering.

From the re-start the London left wing ran down and getting through the defence Lanham had to save a fine shot. Shortly afterwards the game was stopped for a few moments through Lockett receiving a blow in the face from the ball. Play became fast and Tully who repeatedly cheered for his keeping in check the Old Londonians left wing, who were playing a splendid game.

Foster, securing the ball, dashed up the field with it and passed to Kemp, but the leather went behind and the visiting forwards by accurate passing and good footwork got down again and Lanham had to use his hands. The ball was kept near the Kingston goal and a stinging shot by Burrage, the visiting centre forward, gave Lanham no chance.

With the score equal a determined onslaught was made on the home goal by the London forwards and Short, in clearing, gave a corner. This proved of no effect, as did two others conceded just after. Then Kemp got away and passed to Foster, who transferred the ball to Vincent and that player scored with a low fast shot, thus putting Kingston ahead.

Great cheering signalised the event and from the restart Foster initiated an attack which narrowly missed scoring. Play alternated from end to end with great rapidity and although several corners fell to Kingston half-time came with no further additions to the score and the teams crossed over with Kingston leading by two goals to one.

Soon after the re-start one of the visitors was injured and had to leave the field for some time, but their forwards were undaunted and Lanham had to save very smartly. Ocock got off-side when at close quarters, and the Old Londonians twice cleared their lines by free kicks for hands. Kingston persevered, but were eventually beaten back, and Lanham was knocked over after throwing the ball away, a free kick being given for this.

The visitors at this stage were prominent by fast dribbling, and it seemed certain they would score, but Lanham kept his charge well, although Tully and Short had to concede corners. Ocock and Vincent got the ball away, but the visitors kept pegging away and brought Lanham to his knees in saving a shot. He ought to have been bundled through his own goal, but the nearest Londonian ran around him.

This was a fortunate escape for Kingston, but it proved to be the last dangerous attack. Play was transferred to the other end, and Baker scored with a swift low shot. The light was now waning, and the visitors were becoming disheartened, and Foster easily scored a fourth goal with a ground shot.

A last rush was made by both sides, and then tremendous cheering hailed the completion of the game, Kingston winning a splendidly fought tie by four goals to one.

Teams:-
Kingston-on-Thames: F. C. Lanham (capt), goal; W. Hurliman and A. R. Short, backs;
G. J. Tully, J. Fagan, and R. F. Lockett, half-backs; W. Ocock, S. Vincent, J. Baker, E. Foster, and J. Kemp, forwards.
Old Londonians: Palmer, goal; J. Nott and Cochrane, backs; Niffs, A. Stanfield, and A.Cochrane, half-backs; H. Stanfield, Dodds, Burrage, Royce, and Smith, forwards.
Referee: Mr. J. P. Asher, S.C.F.A. Linesmen: Mr. W. Carn, R. A., and Sergt. -Instr. Lewis, R. A.

Report from Kingston & Surbiton News dated 20 March 1897- see report in original format.