ASSOCIATION CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 134, 9 June 1925, Page 8

ASSOCIATION CODE.

SATURDAY'S GAMES REVIEWED. SOME CLOSE FINISHES. After the strain nnd stress of cup tie football it was a welcome return to competition names which was made in the Association code last Saturday. And there was an undoubted betterment in the standard of play. As is sen-rally the experience in pot-hunting expeditions, the liner points of the came are sacriliced in the nnxlety for victory ; players take a serious view of the game, sinking saner tactics for rush and bustle, while, feverish excitement lakes the place of the pleasurable enjoyment from the scientilic exposition of the code. On Saturday last it was different. The Ramos were hard strenuous nnd willing, but that element of dire desperation was happily missing. It is a lon B time since Ponsnaliv hrte Riven such a tine display as they served up on the Domain against Tramways. The hall they played 'did '"hem The much-needed points. This was no fnnlt of The method, however, and if ever n came was lost and won through Indifferent finishing it was thnt referred to. There was not n weak link In the Ponies' side In outfield play, nnd there wns a great denl that delighted the spectators. The team worked ns one cohesive unit and the understanding between the forwards and the middte line was a delight >o witness. While it would be. invidious to particularise where all performed so creditably, the play of Christie must be mentioned as outstanding, and the basis of the effectiveness of the combination. His style of play characterise!) the ideal Inside fnothall, aiid in this he Is the double of Dodrls, "f Thistle. Manoeuvring for position is hi* primary objective, not for his own benefit, but for that of the cluhmate stationed in the best position. Possessed of an elusive, deceptive style of running, his movements footwork and his uncanny hill control all go to set the opposition thinking, while his accuracy in passing is nn object lesson. During the whole of the game last Saturday he seldom passed the ball out of reach of a elubmate ; generally lie sent the leather along the carpet .iust a yard or so ahead so thnt It could be taken on the run, and thus the forward movement was maintained.

A pleasing feature wns tho pronounced return to form of Ahenrn on the right wine, nnd on Snturday he wns the most aggressive winger In tho game. Innoa formod ft useful adjunct In combining tho flanks, but la apt to get rather eager in his work, to tho sacrifice of accuracy. Kennedy nnd Arlshoad are working up n nice understanding, and it was noteworthy how seldom tho forwards huncr on to tho hnll or double backed to disadvantage. Noesham wns his old solf; <>vor in his place, tackling with scrupulous fairness nnd placing to good effect at "very turn. His goal wns a groat shot -which had Batty thinking. Mitchell and OT.rion cave an excellent account of themselves, while riokett and Wlllinms at bnek w-ro solid nnd successful defenderß. Hall, from the lower grade, deputised for Craxtnn to such cood purpose that his work co'ild not hrve been improved upon. But in spite of their clever football the Ponies parted with the points. One cood shot in the attack would liqto mn(ic nil the rllfTprenrt , .

Traniwnys had nothing to be ashamed of In their team work, which, though it did not come up to the standard of that of their opponents, was nevertheless of that kind which tells Its tale and produces results. The whole eleven were triers all the way, hut as a side they have not perfected an understanding that will meet nny emergency. The attack comprised five bustling players, willing nnd full of vlcour. but lacking only in finish nnd cohesion. Their methods were of the orthodox character, and their movements were gonornlly easily anticipated and conscquentlv counteracted. Simm. has not the experience or the initiative for a centre forward. He possesses a handy turn of speed, coordinates the wing play unselfishly, nnd Is second to no player for energy nnd willingness, but these qualities in themselves do not make a centre forward. He has not cultivated ball control, has not the knack of drawing a defence and leaving his wings uncovered, nor has he the height, strength or fearlessness to carry him through a : stubborn opposition. Very often he gets on the mark nil the same and has to be closely watched.

Spong and Copcland on the right wore being the opportunist of the vanguard, while Davis and Lewis were far from passengers. McElligott was the mainstay of the defence, and at centre half played a strenuous game. He is a touch customer in tackling, punts hard ami clean when occasion arises, and he is usually very carefnl when parting with the leather. His supports, Porteous nnd Simpson, were kept very busy by the trickery of the opposing forwards. while Shrievo nnd Hopkins at back kept a lot of trouble from Hatty. The goalie was not in his usual form, and could have kept down the scoring. The victory to the corporation side was a popular one, and helps to wipe off the cup tic defeat at the bauds of Something went wrong with the works at the Devonport Domain, where tne two marine borough sides met in opposition. In these days when light is a fast-fleeting commodity after 4 p.m., it is a bad policy to defer the commencement of a first grade match till about half past three. In cases where preceding minor games nre not started punctually the time should be curtailed so as not to clash with the more important fixture. It would bo to the advantage of all concerned If the governing body gave some definite ruling on the matter, 'so that in future there may be no misgivings. When the game did get set a-going it was seen that the conditions w?re all against decent football, the cross wind making ball control difficult. The match was close and exciting all the way however, and the home side hal to work and work very bard for the points. Combination was at a discount, an-1 some attempt was made at close-up tactics which in the conditions were the more adaptable. Shore got both their goals from Palmer, who is probably the liveliest opportunist in the senior grade. The meeting of the Royal Navy and Watcrsiders at Blandford Park was hardly calculated to attract a record crowd, nor was it expected that the sailors would have much difficulty in gaining the verdict And so it proved. Though the lirst spell (was evenly contested, the 2—o lead with which the Navy crossed over was comfortably got In tbe second portion, however, the superiority of the men who go down to the sea in ships was more pronounced and their four coals during the spoil were no more than their due. The team rlayed with confidence and refreshing vim throughout, and took to the prevailing conditions naturally. The ground was difficult from; a Dlavlng point of view, and several of rtcpaveW showed a partiality for what dry patches could be found. Though the I Watersiders were called upon to face a seemingly crushlnsr dofent, th»y gave a] plucky display, and but for the defence of Watts (goal), and Davies and Scott (backs) the Navy tally would have been even grenter. In the attnrk Lemming deserve a word for his valiant efforts to retrieve the position, but the defence of Baxter and Co. was giving nothing away, and frustrated all attempts to break through. deUcntpd tn( , ir supporters and chagrined their opponents by taking n. brace of points from the strons-going 1 elHby 3. But in so doing they were rewarded with their Just deserts. The butchors were ■without Brittaln and one or two of their „„!„„ which no doubt tola on >ne ~fer"l displiv "? the side, bu-: the Y.M. SH f £ nlaee in the first half, and had nut Peter Kane missed a penalty for the lirst time n°n U e D< save A - ftThe "SSPhSf jg S™ resolved itself Into a sustained attack by the butchers, relieved by an occasional, though generally dangerous-looking, breakaway by the colours. This was due mostly to the "adoption of the one-back same by Kane and Whowell in order to endnavnur to get the necessary goals, nnd into tne trap the unsuspecting and iwjxperlonwd V M forwards fell head over heels. It was perhaps the most successful application of the one-back game in Auckland since the visit of the Special Servicj Squadron, and showed the necessity for players making themselves familiar with mc possibilities of off-side play and the best means to counteract it. The Y.M. packed their coal most of the second spell and hold their opponents at boy till the final whistle brought a sigh of relief The competitions in the lower iradc- of the code continue to make satisfactory and steady progress. The standard of play in the minor divisions Is gratifvingly high,

and It Is a pity thnt no effort is possible which would give the lower (trade tennis an opportunity to perform on somo ot tn principal grounds ns curtain raisers. More attention is required in this direction, and more encouragement, too. There a just nn inclination to focus on the s( " nl ° rs . l " the disadvantage of the lessor grades, nut it would be a good thing for the game if there wns in the leading combination I the same sporting spirit that is found on t ho field lower down, even to the school grades Amongst the boys one meets with much encouragement for the future of the e ""TThe youngsters appreciate beyond worii. the slightest interest shown them b> t I eir elders, nnd the fact that there are now COO lads engaged every Saturday^"J^™ flareinß oVhusiasm 'of 'YheTnithf uMTew. A groat deal of sympathy would rot nc lavished on the Shore team last »™""- ---rtav in its defeat, which was contributed to'in the compulsory retirement from the came of one of their prominent forwards . nient Committee has. on several occasions, because of defective footwear. The Mnnngedrawn attention to this matter, and players would be ns well to take warning "nil see thnt their studs and bars compb with regulations. There is no excuse for tne nlaver who takes the field improperly and dangerously shod, nnd apart from the risk which his opponents are subjected 10. mc own club stands to meet with a sei ions handicap In his having to be ordered otr for the rest of the game. If there isi no consideration for ones opponents, the clut) spirit should not be so dormant as to be forgetful of the general good of the team.