ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 188, 11 August 1925, Page 14

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

BROWN SHIELD PASSAi.

AUCKLAND COMPLETELY OUTPLAYED

tßy OLD. PLAYER.)

After a stay of close on five seasons In Auckland, the Bro-wn Shield returned to Its former home, on Sunday night in the custody of the Wellington reps. The much discussed and long-looked-forwju'd-to challenge from the capital city provided a bitter pill for Aucklanders to gwallOW, but the Wellingtoniaas were a Ion;; way superior to the local side. In reviewing the game, of course, due allowance has to be made for the misfortunes which befell the Auckland side —misfortunes which at times proved overwhelmingly heavy. It must also be remembered that the home side underwent two changes, one Just before the teams lined up. To have to face a full side and a two goal deficit with only Dine men is a very severe disablement, but it will be remembered that Wellington did not augment their total while Auckland had nine men. After making full allowance, however, for the very heavy odds against which the home side had to battle, no Aucklander could allow his patriotism to outweigh his sense of judgment to the extent of contending that the losers were anywhere near the winners in point of ability. The victory was too pronounced to have any of the elements of luck about it. Nothing out of the ordinary was expected from the Auckland forwards, and those who took this attitude were certainly not disappointed. A more uneven, unassertive, incohesive front rank has not carried the blue and white of Auckland for many seasons. But in this regard the writer has already had his say and declines to cry over spilt milk. What, however, demands readjustment is the system of selection which is tolerated by the A.F.A, If it is impossible to get a small number of men to suit their personal desires nnd fancies to the opinions of the majority, then let those in office scour the district for a sole selector who can be relied upon to select a team without fear or favour, untrammelled by the thought of reputation. .No one in the forward rank could be classed as a success. There was only a giimmer of combination at any point of the same, and that was towards I lie end when Wellington ■were practically toying with their opponents, waiting the final whistle. Innes and I , aimer did what combined passing there was and they made ground to a point, though their orthodox methods soon perished against the Wellington defence. The other forwards were mediocrities. The home defence was easily the better part of the team, and AlcEUißott. who stepped into a nasty breacli created by Kane, who, it was stated, refused to turn out under the prevailing conditions, must be accorded the warmest praise for his plucky and talented display. He lost his partner early, but he faced the heavy numerical odds fearlessly. Time and time again he saved his side. If the circumstances of Kane's withdrawal are as they were stated, namely, that he refused to take his place because of the unpleasant weather and ground conditions, not many followers will commend a decision which left a team in a difficulty at the last mm HJ-f.- S-O.S. messages were sent out for Uillinms, of Ponsonby, but he was not on tne horizon, and, fortunately, McElHirott was found. It is a pity that Kane, when « w , as chosen f or the team, did not officially notify the selectors that he would play only if the conditions suited him Plckett, -who took his place on account of ■an accident to Brittain during the week was very unfortunate in sustaining an" Injury early in the game which enforced his absence for the remainder of the contest Only on the strongest medical advice did Piekett r*naln in the dressing room Chesney had a most disappointing afternoon, which was made the more unpleasant by a nasty kick near the close. It would mi^S** 1, !,* 0 a " ach an r b,aln e to him. The middle line, Bell, Xeesham and loneV cr°«St OUt B f P lf he ° rdea ! WUh a * OOd d ™" °f eieuit. Bell was the most determiner] payer on the field, but he allow"? the disasters of the day to ruffle his com posure whea he conceded an inexcusable penalty Of course, human endurance his its limits, and Bell, at the time, wns do inwork of three men. The absence ,3 Pickett directed most of the We lington forward play to the left wing where Ondhv the one time. He, too, was amongst the casualties, but,- though suffering a painful injury, he refused to withdraw the %lstantial support he was giving by retiring dome 6 been amp * JustlfiedTn aoing. lie played a great game Veeshnm was conspicuous most of the game "but w" ™ « to c °P e , *"U the opposition , is tackling was always plucky and he BtnvVd off numerous attacks by determined lm-,1? Ing up, but towards the latter part of-fit the??* 3 SP f, the T Editions"seemed to ' their own tale. Jones held the men opposed Wellington's Sparkling Display appreciated by h"b"cot hlghly were eleven of them ° <&2 ments. Very llfn. ,„, J studied movebut what few times hi £J? ? f H« Veaa ample to indicate hisabmtv ° Were the better back and Li ? ibb , was wards shown any thin-α-e for - and ability the& t ™ lik hn C v f b b natlon Auckland TechS S 00l r' gt n °? Stt seisfc ¥B'B *%* honours. They werp nnt «, i CUVidfi the the heavy downpour ££?£* - by and from the brl-'ht einjfv «- -i p - m - ---confron ted thM • v ' a Z\\?T wWch Here and There «ri-Ki-I I|i»'3 Pos>ibilities. He "rate "thTtn UStIC , ° f the to kenp the!,' colours flying i"}™* ,, , hi J r d nflennl l.y leading professional organisi tevSi- S = U '"=3 of uyrhliw iv the !r«!,ier £raU e W? ,1 ® with a gnat tun. of fauUltJ' 0 ,"/ ! l-untl-ol aiul line .ihvHluHp , , c S , l " U1 In question is corishleml by aj "'"'' vvho have stjen him to bonat cv . i ? *

Interest this week will centre on the ~.'.-«i< •:•! PoDsonby to Suntly on Saturday v.iipre they play Fiafeemlro in the district final of :te CLatham Cud. The minerg , te-ntt. «">nEnjc-i several of ripe esper'snen in the code and the game pVaj-°a is of the real cup tie order. Ponsonbj cannot afford to take any risks with thY fixture, and a close game Is likely to be Hie outcome. The Auckland team and sun. porters will travel per char-a-banc, and » large company" is expected to make thi journey. More than one member of the reps, oa Saturday last commented on the arrange, ments made for their convenience and comfort. Manager A. Fraser saw that nothius was missed, and each player found all his requirements neatly arranged la the dressing room on his arrival there The entertainment mapped out for the visiting players made their trip very enjoyable, liiid the smoke concert hi the British Jsles Club after tie same was of a very homely and pleasant character. The southerners spoke In higalj eulogistic terms of the hospitality extended to them.