THE WORLD of SPORT

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 108, 10 May 1927, Page 15

THE WORLD of SPORT

SOCCER.

MILD SURPRISES.

TEAMS SETTLING DOW.

THISTLE AND SHORE ON TOP.

Teams in the senior Soccer competition are gradually settling down, and the indications at the moment are that North Shore and Thistle will be the main contestants for premiership honours, with Ponsonby and Tramways and probably Navy cloee up. Saturday's games went to show that even at the third time of asking some of the teams have not yet struck their reputed form. This was obviously the case with Tramways, who fielded, for the first time, their strongest side and yet had to bow the knee. Certainly their fate was sealed by a penalty kick, but then that is all in the game, and the fact remains that Tramways had the same chance to equalise but failed.

Taking the run of the play it is difficult to find any outstanding advantage in favour of the winners. This much can be said that Ponsonby played the more systematic football, but once more lacked thrust and penetration, while Tramways, though they lacked these elements, which they certainly possess but did not reproduce, played a spoiling, if at times disappointing game. Always in assessing the display of the corpora- j tion side one has to bear in mind the; conditions under which the men play.! Tinkler, at centre-half played better on Saturday than he has this season so far, but it is obvious that the exThistleite is not at home yet. This is no doubt due to the altered circumstances. On Saturday week he took the field after working till midnight on Friday, and commencing work again the following morning at 6 o'clock in order to be relieved for the game, so he could hardly be expected to give of his beet. And there are other players who weekly take the field in a similar condition, which undoubtedly constitutes a heavy handicap. In fact, the players deserve the greatest credit for the 'sacrifices they make on behalf of the game. So that while the Tramways have not yet struck a winning vein, it would be a mistake to under-estimate their powers. Gordon Dodds has been prevailed upon once more to "foot it," and he will make a difference to the team, but on Saturday the outside-wing men were weak. The backs on the whole were passable, with McElligott and Simpson at times shining, and Spencer, Davis and Dodds worked hard right throughout. The side should yet be a force in the competitions. One of the most pleasing features of the season so far, is the promise shown by Ponsonby. Undoubtedly the side is well balanced, and while Onehunga would no doubt be chagrined at the loss of young Wright when they seemed to have made a capture, Ponsonby people, on the other hand, were quite happy that better councils had prevailed in the club management and the youth was given another chance. He did well and will no doubt merit the confidence imposed in him. The forwards on Saturday were well supplied with the ball by the middle line. While Booth • was not so sue-, cessful a> on the previous Saturday i in the way of goal scoring, he was well attended to by Mooney, who because of his unostentatious style does not draw the care and attention from the defence he merits. He varies his tactics cleverly, and bids Mooney. fair to make for himself a place in the reps. Bob Innee is showing steady form these days, and on Saturday sent over many well-timed centres. But Bell, always a glutton for work, was not always in position to receive the chances. It is a pity this lad is imbued with so much of the work bug. He takes an. enormous amount of energy out of himself, and cannot but be commended for his services in defence as well as in attack, but the fact remains that he at times spoils good 1 scoring chances by being out of posi- ■ tion, especially with the front rank Ponsonby now has.

POPULAR WAVY. The popularity of the Navy is everlasting and unvarying. Though they were again defeated on Saturday they were the idole of the crowd and really deserved something better than a two goal defeat. They could not claim the honours of the day's play, but there were times when they had as much of the game as their opponents. But their play was not nearly bo finished nor half so methodical. That was where they failed. The defence was outstanding, and the play of Hall and Gilmour against the redoubtable Thistle left wing hi most praiseworthy. At times the übiquitous Murray seemed well held, and time and time again Hall robbed him of the ball and placed nicely up the field. Lawrence, too, was a power of strength in the Navy defence, and his lusty kicking and determined tackling frequently pulled the team out of a tight corner. Hancock, in centre half, has the build and power of a great player, but gave the impression on Saturday of naving been away from the game for a time. His breaking up was good, but his placing was not always accurate and he was visibly out of training. These are elements, however, which can be remedied. The Navy forwards were all tryers and showed an improvement on previous form. _ Honan and Meynell were smart and nippy in the inside positions and Miles, when he got the ball, showed he knew what to do with it. He was not fed as well, in a Soccer sense, as he appeared to be in other ways. The team nevertheless is fast gaining ground, and it is rather unfortunate perhaps that their three games have been against top notch teams. Thistle played some rather nice football on Saturday. Ferguson was indiepoKd, and the veteran Jimmy Stewart was "resurrected" for the position of left half, and he did all that was required of him quietly and efficiently. There was no fault to find with Thistle defence and the play was distributed judiciously by the half-backs. Carter, in the right-hajf berth, infuses a great deal of judgment into his play and on Saturday he also demonstrated something in the way of trapping, an art in which there is not much proficiency in senior circles in Auckland. With dimming and Dunsmore, Carter is forming a formidable means of attack for Thistle and the three-cornered game they play is firstrate football. Forward, the left wing ■oowed fine judgment of the opposition ■7 keeping the ball oa the move. Then •M § sise dejwfau* from *BJ feSS*

dualism which, in the circumstances, would have been futile. Kay was given several opportunities to shine by his elusive and clever partner and these were always made use of. Stewart, in centre, found the opposition rather hefty, hut he distributed the play consistently. The match was a good one to witness and was thoroughly enjoyed. SHORE A SMART LOT. North Shore's superiority to Onehunga was much more pronounced than their single goal victory would imply. There was really a four-goal difference on the run of play between the teams, and it was due in the main to McPhee that this distinction was not reflected in the score. More brilliant displays of goalkeeping have seldom been given on the Devonport ground, or for that matter anywhere in the province, and that is said after giving due allowance for the fact that most of the shots the Onehunga custodian had to deal with were fired directly at him. His display was the great feature of the match and his skill was repeatedly applauded. Lithe and fast, and gifted with a wonderfully safe pair of hands and good anticipation he was equally adept at high and low shots, and he played an unblemished game. On his displays this season it is doubtful if he has a peer in the League. On the previous Saturday against Y.M.C.A. he was penalised for carrying too far, but on this occasion he did not exceed the limit, though one or two spectators thought he did. In general Shore were distinctly the more polished and decidedly the better balanced team, and it is going to take a very strong team to beat them. There was no weakness shown anywhere in their team on Saturday, and in consequence their movements were carried out with rapidity and delightful cohesion. As the Onehunga • forward line was seldom aggressive, judgment must be reserved to some extent with regard to the Shore's backs and custodian, as it is only under strong opposition that any weaknesses will be disclosed. What little they had to do on Saturday they did well and as a result Onehunga seldom looked like scoring. Tribute must be paid to the Shore's halfback line. They tackled well and kept on top of the visiting quintet throughout the game, with the result that the line never got much scope. Shore's front line men were quick on. the ball, and in combination and pentrative power outshone Onehunga's forwards. It will take a good half-line to tie them up. Their .shooting was on the target and fast, but unfortunately they seemed obsessed by the personality of the custodian, and shot repeatedly at him. One away from the custodian is usually the point getter and McPhee's job was made Considerably easier by reason of this potting at him. ■ Onehunga old not show to advantage as a team in comparison with the Shore, but several of their players gave clever displays. McPhee's great work has been dealt with. Whowell was the beet back on the field, and got through a tremendous amount of work. He tackled with great judgment and kicked a nice length, whereas in previous games he had over-kicked his forwards too much. Kilner was weak and in consequence the right back had repeatedly to cover him. _». »._i— if ten made the mis* take of keeping too close to their own forwards and not keeping within striking distance of the opposition attack. Apart from this, however, Cotton and Brown played well. The former (on the left) was especially good, and was probably the best halfback on the field. He worked hard all _ .. M endidly, and supplied [. hie wing, the most dangerous of Ones hunga's with ample passes. He lay i closer to the opposition front-rankers i and consequently was able to nip in the r bud many attempts to open out an 3 attack by the home right wing.

ROSTHCOTE IMPROVE. Xorthcote rearranged their team against Y.M.C.A. on Saturday, Lithgow going to centre-half and Hart, a promoted junior, to the fullback position. Other newcomers in the team were Taylor (right half) and Darby (inside left). Northcote is working hard to field a good senior aide, and their officials deserve every credit for trying out junior players. Hart, at fullback, was very sound, and shaped well for his first senior game. With a bit of experience he will develop into a fine fullback. Hibbert, in hie present form, is one of the best fullbacks in Auckland, his work on Saturday being faultless in all departments. Lithgow, at centre half, was the best back on the ground, his defence being perfect, while his placing was a treat to watch/ Hawkins, at left half, was much better than last week, his defence being very sound and his placing also good. Taylor, at right half, was fairly good, though he does not seem to realise that he has to feed the forwards. The forward line made the most of their opportunities, Hall being particularly good at centre. He was right on his game. He was well supported by Williams and Tremain, but the left side was inclined to be weak. Lyons In goal was in his best form, some of his saves being brilliant. He could not be blamed for the three goals scored against Northcote, these being impossible shots to save.

On the YJf.CA. eide Paton in goal was very safe. Otter was the better of the full backs, Bach being weak in defence. Dick at centre half was good in the first spell bat fell away in the second. Lewis at left half was obviously out of condition and found the pace too fast, though at times he did some good work. Humphreys was off form in the first spell but improved considerably in the second. In Hoban YJH.C.A. have unearthed a tiptop centre forward, who is a deadly shot in front of goal. Wurr is also another good forward, but is inclined to hesitate too much when in possession of the ball.