FALCON CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 234, 4 October 1927, Page 14

FALCON CUP.

STIRRING ENCOUNTERS.

DRAW HOLDS UP ROUNDS.

TRAMS AND SHORE TO REPLAY.

The first round of the Falcon Cup competition last Saturday was productive of stirring games, and some real cup-tie football was seen. Onehunga, Ponsonby and Thistle have paved their way into the next four, the competition being held up by a draw in the match with Sliore and Tramways.

Y.M.C.A., after their long succession of wins, rather disappointed their friends wtyh the mediocrity of their display against Onehunga. The team never settled down to anything like combination, and there was a sameness in their tactics which played in to the hands of their opponents. Humphreys was made the modus operandi for all attacks, and it was early apparent to all but Y.M. players, it seemed, that their centre was too closely marked to be able to do much. Yet they plied him with the ball throughout the game, and though Humphreys made valiant efforts to rise to the occasion, force of numbers re»eatedlv beat him.

The defence of the losers was not altogether impressive. Paton let his side down with the second goal, after saving smartly -on several occasions. Otter was conspicuous with reliable defensive work, and the half-backs, Dawson, Riddolls and Malcolm were hard workers but lacked care in placing and wisdom in their distribution of the play. The Y.M. attackalways converging on the centre, kept the wing men out of the picture, and Bridges and Goodman were not employed as they might with advantage have been. Humphreys played gamely all the time, and missed narrowly more than once. Onehunga pleased their spectators and captain Whowell immensely by their win. It is the fifteenth time that Whowell, in bis football career in Auckland, has played th® Y.JJ-, and only the first occasion on which he has been on the winning side against them. The team is much better in defence than in attack. McPhee is nippy and sure in his clearances, and his handling is confident and clean. Whowell was a host in himself, and Mays, his partner, is a young player who promises well. Rutherford was the best of the half-backs, though Bentley, awkward but dogged and determined, was also much in evidence. The forwards did not set the heather on fire, and failed lamentably in not making more use of the left wing. Mellor seemed most able to make ground, but he was starved in the first half, and only got a few indifferent passes in the second. The shooting of the winners must improve if they wish to have their name engraved on the Falcon Cup. NORTHCOTE FADE OUT. Northcote at the kick-off in their game against Thistle, and Northcote at the opening of the second spell were two different.teams. While in the former case they were a team of vim and vigour, in the latter they were eleven players "down and out? physically at least. They had Thistle rocky for. the first 25 minutes of the game, but 'then they shot their bolt, and the Scots at the finish had a walk-over. Superior condition and vastly superior team work prevailed. The man who took the eye most while Northcote was in its heyday, so to speak, was Campbell at centre-half. He showed football of a high order for the halfhour be could keep it up, but seemed ready for artificial respiration long ere the close. Hibbert, Lithgow and McGarry have played many a better game, although Lithgow was certainly not helped by an injury from Dunsmore Which cannot be paliated. The forwards, while they had the support of their middle line, played well and forced matters, but when they had to forage for the ball and do their own defensive work, they fell away. Tremain and Thompson were much in evidence, and Hall fed his wings well, but the extreme wingers only occasionally got into evidence.

5 Thistle had more than an anxious time at the start, but they gradually wore their opponents down, and ere the game finished showed some pretty football. The side was without Zuill, who, unfortunately for Thistle, haß now left the country, and Dickson. W. Cummings, in goal, plays at a great disadvantage, having to wear glasses, but he did all that was asked of him on Saturday. Webb, who performed at left half, showed versatility and gave a good account of himself, but Carter was the brains behind the Thistle defence and attacking movements, and all the constructional play was from his foot. Christie was a hard grafter all the way. Hislop made his appearance after a lengthy absence, and while at first he did not seem to be up to reputation, towards the close he regained his form, and with Kay formed a great wing. Cummings, too, was full of running, and sent over many rattling good centres and corners, and Dunsmore made many openings for him. D. Stewart was a plodder in centre. The game in the second spell was too one-sided almost to be interesting. TItAMS AND SHORE UNDIVIDED. The North Shore-Tramways clash on the Domaiin was keen and closely contested and came to an unfortunate end in two players having to leave the field. Extra time had to be played, and had just been commenced when the incident occurred, Tramways playing on with nine men. The game then became a farce, Trams being content to adopt purely defensive tactics, and the incident seemed to put the Shore players right off their game. The referee called the game off after the first ten minutes of extra time had been played. Razzle, who took Batty'g place in goal for Trams; gave a first class display, his long clearing kicks being particularly fine. Simpson was very sound at fullback, his defensive work being of a high order. It is a pity a player of Simpson's class should, dispute the referee's decisions. Watson, who partnered Simpson for the first half of the game, was not happy at fullback, but did good work when he went into the halfback line in the second spell. Porteus found the task of holding the Shore right wing a heavy one, Moore having too much pace. When shifted to fullback he gave a good display, his tackling being very sound. Tinkler was a very solid centre half, and was sound in all departments. Fyfie was also outstanding in defence. Spong, on the right wing, played a dashing game, and kept the opposing half busy. Spencer played well, but was too cloßely marked to get far. Harding played a real good game, and should be a good forward if he continues to improve. Simm, on the left wing, did not get many chances. He also came into conflict with the referee, and was a spectator I for the extra time played.

Lipscombe brought off" soma good saves in goal for Shore, and gave a finished display. Smith and Gerrard ..were solid fullbacks, and both were very sound in defence, Smith's tackling being exceptionally good, fienshaw, at right half, played a good'game. Jones, at centre half, was in hi; best foria, his placing Jand opening' up ol the game being a treat to watch. Colebourne held the opposing wing well. Moore (right wing) was seen to advantage in several dashing runs down the - line and centred well. Woolley and Cleal Were responsible for some clever play which had the defence in a tangle at time*. Woolley's goal was ;the best of the match. Bradshaw was not given much to do, most of the play being on the other wing, hut he was right on the job when anything came his way.

NAVY DESERVED BETTER.

Ponsonby certainly deserved to win on Saturday against the Navy Depot, but not by s—l. That score flattered them tremendously, for on the general run of play they were no more than two goals the better team. In view of the fact that for fully 75 minutes the Navy were one man short, the right back getting a nasty gash in the head, following a collision with a Ponsonby man, and that Lawrence presented the Ponies with a goal, the Navy did exceedingly well to hold almost their own territorially with their redoubtable opponents, fresh from their Chatham Cup success. True, Ponsonby were without three of their best, Bell, Morrison and Williams being absent, but then the Navy had a particularly scratch team out, so that matters were somewhat levelled in that respect. The lively ball troubled both sets-of players at first, but before,the interval both teams had got its pace and bounce, and from this to the end their ball control was almost invariably sure. Ponsonby were unquestionably" the more skilful team, their play as a unit being far in advance of the Navy's, but where the boys in blue showed to advantage was in quick dashes, which had they been finished as cleverlv as they were introduced, might easily have led to the discomfiture of - the Ponies. The clever team work of the latter delighted the spectators, who showed appreciation on many occasions. Ponsonby have been seen to much better advantage, for Pickett was not up to his proper form—due probably to, the fact that he had a strange partner in Green, a second grade player—and the Tomilty-Adshead wing was not working as smoothly as usual. Otherwise the team shaped well. Green was fairly safe and made no real mistakes, and he fell into the covering game—so cleverly worked by Pickett and Williams in previous games—with commendable promptitude. Wright was as usual a great engineer of openings in the pivotal position, and a great danger to the Navy. Bob Innes was not at his best, and in fact seemed W find troubles in Gilmour and the hard ground. tt l^ B Nav y J? 84 a good man in Hall. Up to the time of his accident he playisd a clever back game, and with his going a tremendous amount of work fell upon Lawrence and the half line. Lawrence as the only full-back, was like the parson's egg, good in parts. There were times when he was very, very' good; but again there Were other periods he was very, very bad. In his brilliant moments he. was delightful to watch, for he tackled with deadly precision and sizing up a fituation at a glance, cleverly , turned defence into attack. Mutch, in goal, was willing, but did not shape like a. custodian. He was very faulty, with his hands, and all his keennesss could not offset that. The forward line was all right in the open, but did not shoot quick and often as occasions demanded, and when they did shoot they usually recorded misses. The half-line was the Navy's best division.

F.A. TROPHY DISPUTE! i It is understood that the New Zealand Council has replied to the reasons sent by the A.F.A. why a replay of the Canterbury match should not be agreed to. While the contents of the reply have not been disclosed, it is understood that the Auckland Association has been asked to send a full statement of its case as, it is stated, Canterbury deny that their attention was drawn to the question of extra time. It is really strange to have the governing body stating that it has come to a decision on evidence, then asking one of the parties to the dispute to send along its depositions. Most assuredly someone has blundered in official circles, and it would have been more interesting to Auckland had their question as to whether Canterbury had actually protested been- answered. The matter, however, will be discussed at tonight's meeting. j A most enjoyable and successful social evening was spent by the Metropolitan Junior Club at the Ponsonby Baptist schoolroom, when there was a large attendance of players and friends, and a very pronounced spirit of good fellowship was evinced. The Rev. E. Nicholls presided, and Mr. R. M. Beswick during the evening addressed the boys on playing the game on the field and off, referring inter alia to the possibilities of a touring team being sent to Australia next year. Recitations and musical items by members of the team were interspersed in the programme, and a pleasant evening Clofied with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

Much interest is being evinced in the final of the Business Houses competition between the Farmers' Trading Company and the Power Board, down for decision to-morrow evening on Blandford Park. The former are the holders of the handsome trophy given by the Trading Company, and a keen and lively encounter is assured.

There will be a curtain-raiser to the Business Houses competition to-morrow afternoon in the shape of a challenge match between"' the Grand Hotel and Cargen, and a keen encounter is assured. Great rivalry exists between the two establishments, on the staffs of which are several talented Soccerites, and a good game is assured.

The Soccer code is making great progress, and is winning many devotees among the Oriental population of the city and district. For many week-ends back teams have been assiduously at practice, and two strong combinations are now at a high' state of efficiency. The A.F.A. has promised to give the Chinese a show on Blandford Park in the near future, and probably the Teplay Falcon Cup tie, Tramways and Shore, if it cannot be arranged for a week night, would furnish a convenient date. The Chinamen take their sport very sena jly, and turn out in large numbers to watch their favourites.