SURPRISING FORM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 12

SURPRISING FORM.

TALL SCORING THE ORDER.

SOCCER ON HEAVY GROUNDS.

SOXTOX fIOES XAP. STEWART HAT-TRICK. The standard of play last Saturday, 11 view of the conditions prevailing, can only be described as surprising. The sudden deluges before the start of the first game at Blandford Park and during the opening match produced several watery patches 011 the ground, which allowed the ground committee to see where the defects lay, and, though the players experienced very treacherous footing, there was pretty football at times, and much amusement intermittently.

Thistle had no difficulty in defeating Y.IVI. in a game which was not altogether devoid of interest, though there were half-a-dozen goals difference in the scores at the finish. One feature of the game was the marksmanship of Thistle's half-backs. Three of the six goals scored came from the feet or heads of the middle line. Dickson leads the scoring list for half-backs this season so far and his lovely drive from 25 yards out tiade his total three. Carter showed Sine judgment in getting up amongst- the forwards when G'ummings placed an accurate corner and added the finishing touches with his head, while Christie added the last goal with a great drive. Thistle's middle line have combination and effectiveness, which are not surpassed in the competition, and their tactics' 1 are cleverly planned.

While Zoull had not much to do, he was prompt and businesslike with what came his way. A feature of the defence of Thistle was the play of Ferguson, who excelled on the wet ground, which has not been his strong point. But his tackling and his clearances were always characterised by fine judgment. K«id. was steady as usual, in the attack Stewart further enhanced his goalscoring reputation, by performing the hat-trick. His goals were not of the description, in fact one of them was splendidly worked for and he co-ordinated the play of the wings with telling effect. Cumming and Dunsmore were ever on the' alert, and Kay and Hislop wove several artistic patterns around the opposing defence at times, though they did not get in amongst the goals. Y.M.C.A. on any other day would not have been so easily beaten probably, but in the conditions existing they were not a match for the strong going Thistle. Y.M. rear division played hard and energetically and the half-backs were no laggards, but they failed to get a grip on the game. The forwards, mainly through Gale, Humphreys and Hoban, put in a deal of running, but had to bow the knee to greater experience and ability. Bustling Shore. North Shore made their first appearance for the season at Blandford Park and maintained their unbroken run of victory. Opinion is divided as to the title of the Devonport men to the full points, but in the conditions which prevailed they adopted the game which was most likely to pay, and for that reason cannot be denied their win. The game was really a test of youth and vigour against longer experience and the orthodox in Soccer. Shore gave no attention to the finesse of the game. Their youthful and vigorous players got the ball and they slashed it ahead, and dashingly followed up. It was not a case of blind kicking altogether. There was not an absence of method, but they did not attempt niceties, which, on the day, were not likely to come off. There is no gainsaying the fact that Baxter and Jones are the backbone of the team. Their generalship and their fieldcraft are what make the openings for the rest of their clubmates. Baxter was more prominent than Dan Jones on Saturday, but this was because the Tramways made their attack per medium of the centre rather than the wings. The popular sailor centre half controlled the ball surprisingly well, considering its greasy nature, and his placing always dodged the pools, and got to someone handy. Jones, too, adapted himself to the conditions, and made openings wherever possible. Colebourne will have a more streuous test next Saturday against the HislopKay combine than he had on Saturday, but Gtprrard showed welcome signs of his former form. Mowat has a good deal to leai'n yet, though Saturday was not a very favourable day to judge any plaver. Cleal, Woolley, Whitley, Jay and Bradshaw will take some holding, as they are full of running, and their bustling tactics tiro calculated to upset the systematic, studious player, because they do not observe any of the well-defined axioms of forward play. Jay may strike unwanted trouble unless he is prepared to tone down his energy somewhat, but the lad undoubtedly means well, thou«h his style is certainly robust. Woolley started as though he was out to merit his place in the representatives, but towards the close he was hardly so effective as at the outset. Nevertheless, he will no doubt put up a strong claim for Dacre's place in the reps.

Tramways Improving. Though the corporation side lost the points, the team gave a more impressive aisplay than they have done this season ***> The rearrangement which brought MeElligott into the centre-half berth, with Tinkler on the right, worked well most of the game, though in the circumstances the pace set by the Shore youths proved rather more than some of the Tram men had bargained for. Batty was •n absentee, though his deputy, Tucker, wag not blameworthy for the defeat.' He: saved many dangerous shots. Simpson was a^tower of strength, but marred his usefuless on one or two occasions by paying attention to the man when it would have been more profitable to have kept an eye on the ball. Tinkler was ikte his reputation, but did not revel in Ul9 conditions, while Porteous was on SjLSr Watson defended well throughout. Forward, Spencer had a day UK wis very (.-lowly watched, and of i his "J '™ 8 did not to some D,!'' • "offered Soectr in Ai»>iru_ • ol ' ters in senior

obviously not at home, a remark which can be applied equally fittingly. to the rest of the line. The indications, however, are that Tramways have reached the bend of the road, and after a succession of the hardest matches may now strike a winning vein.

Navy On the Target. Dospite the deplorable conditions that ruled on Saturday the Xavy gave a pleasing display of football against Xorthcote and were well worth their eight goals' victory to two. The fact that Xortlicote were one man short throughout the whole of the game undoubtedly prevented the visitors ogiving of their best, but with a full team the result would in all probability have been the same as far as the points are concerned, though the difference in goals would not have been so pronounced. With the Xavy playing in their element, water, water everywhere, their exhilarating display was only what poor landlubbers might have expected. One may expect the bluejackets praying for rain and more rain in future, in the hope of repeating'their Saturday's triumph. Jesting aside, the Xavymen were undoubtedly much more at home on the sodden ground and in the deep water pools, which were here, there and almost everywhere. Their greater weight was doubtless responsible for this. At any rate, Xorthcote, the lighter team by far, suffered the move through the state of the ground, and their lack of a man added much to their discomfort. On the defensive the greater part of the time, they nevertheless put up a plucky struggle and pegged away to the end with great spirit. When Meynell was injured half-way through the second half and the Xavy were left with the same number of players as themselves, Xorthcote showed that under happier conditions they would have tried the boys in blue much more strongly.

On the day's play, however, the Xavy caught the eye. They undoubtedly adapted themselves better to the treacherous conditions and gave so bright a display in point of combination and alertness in attack that one would like to see the same team in action on a good firm ground. The' defence was seldom seriously tried, but Lawrence was undoubtedly in form. As a line the halves were good, Pitcher playing perhaps the most attractive game of the three. The forwards were incisive in attack and well balanced, the left wing and the centre working particularly well Honton was deadly with head , and either foot. All his five goals were beauties, two of them coming from right-wing passes and three from the left. Two of hia goals were got with the I minimum ,of effort on hi# part. Just a slight screw of the foot and they were turned deftly out of Lyon's reach.

Though beaten eight times, the Northcote goalkeeper gave a really good display under very trying conditions. The ball was heavy, greasy and the ground a quagmire in front of the goal. Seven of the shots that beat "him gave him no possible chance. Hibbert played his usual hard game for Northcote, but, like his colleagues, was upset in more than one way by the conditions. In view of the circumstances it would be unjust to criticise adversely any of the players.' All did their best in a sea of mud, and did it more effectively than might well have been expected. The feature of the game as a whole was indeed the splendid spirit with which it was played, the pluck and the good humour.

Onehunga's Misfortunes. Taking the field minus five of their senior players, laid aside through injuries and sickness, and 'fielding jnnioi' substitutes for three of them, while playing two men short, Onehunga put up a great fight against Ponsonby, and until the pace told on their depleted team, held their own. It was a sporting action on Onehunga's part, turning out under the circumstances, and they deserve credit for fulfilling their engagement as they did. McPhee, in goal for Onehunga, had plenty to do, and came out with flying colours, despite an

injury received early in- the game. Whowell, at fullback, played one of his best games, and on his present form is among the best defensive backs in Auckland to-day. He broke Ponsonby's attack time and time again, but had no support, and the pace told in the finish. Bentley, who usually play 3 inside right, had to take the centre-half position, and proved his ability by playing a first-class game in this position. Cotton also played a sound game, but lacks judgment in placing. The shortage in the front rank may have had something to do with this, as there were only three forwards. Ritchie and Cox got through a tremendous amount of work, but it had to be of an individual character, as combination was impossible. Scantle also played well, but was impeded by the lack of support.

On the Ponsoniy side Jack, in goal, did not have much to do, but what little came his way was done well. Pickett was the best of the fullbacks, though Williams was playing a sound game until his retirement. Morrison, Wright and O'Brien did not have much difficulty in holding Onehunga's weakened forward line, and gave their own forwards every assistance. The forwards combined nicely, and will be hard to beat before the season is finished. Innes

played outside left and seemed as nrach at home as ia bis usual position, playing a fin© game. Ahem, on the right wing, was also good, his goal being a beauty. Hunter, Bell and Mooney are a great combination, though Bell is rather in-

clined to the rush-and-kick method when a judicious pass to the right or left would bring better results.