MEMORABLE SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 215, 11 September 1928, Page 13

MEMORABLE SOCCER.

TROPHY RETAIiED.

SCIENTIFIC EXPOSITION OFCODE.

AUCFXATO AND WELLINGTON FLAY EPJC MATCH.

CLEAN, SPOftTSMANUKE CONTEST.

The challenge of Wellington agsinrt Auckland for the English trophy, won tlie previous week by the local reps, will long bo regarded by those who saw it as the finest expoakion of the Soccer code seen, so far, on BJandford Park. In every respect the fixture produced aB that ia best In the game and all that is beat in sport, for during the whole 90 minutes of the contest there was no incident that could bo singled out as of a doubtful nature. Both teams entered the game ia the aneat awirit «f sportsmanship and played the game for the game'e sake. On a surface wauck, wflnle in remarkalirry good condition after the recent heavy rains, made ball control difficult, the standard of footwork attained was exaepUomilly high, while the team work and Hie skilful tactical play were of a standard far above the ordinary run in New Zealand. The result, a draw; was no doubt a' most satisfaetory epachasion to a great game. Comparing the teams and their tactics, however, and on tine match terxi! torially, Auckland were entitled advantage and a one-goal lead 1 would not have exaggerated their superiority. While not in any mauaer! detracting from the sterling display of the challengers it has to he conceded— and was readily admitted by the viaitow— that Auckland, in .the closing stages, when they literally hammered at tue citadel of their opponents, marked their superiority in general play, though the necessary goal was denied them. • ■ , • v i

The visitors showed great determination and their demonstration of the long passing game and the use they made of 'their ex£renw;,Wißger3 gahssdnsairy admirers. TheirAsfriace badnbt themtme akill aa wan shown by Anckland'aind thehr placing was not always .tlcma -with tka same degreo af; they kapt the avenao to territory always open and free and when in defence packed their goal tightly and repulsed attack after attack. The inside forw/aais ffaww no and of intotkeh* fittiahing nKtvemeuts and against leaa "haady» #n»sitian might lave piled aa goals. Auckland, on hoe other hand, resorted to the more artistic system of class passing, which they carried out with signal skill and spectacular charm. Tke «a«» throughout was a contrast af ihasa .stylask each in. its ewa way efficacious.

For the Thutors Lucas earned hearty applause leom a strikiagiy isafaatsalcrowd Itaeanied at «n» tuna. aa though. ;hae eratwkile Ameklander;was:*o nai.tia.•barrier'; ; . : ie- ■ twaen Auckland and dietary and the! two goals that were registered against him could not be laid at his door. McGirf in tha first epell had a comparatively <ea«y;sjourney, 'due to-mistaken inotioa on the pjirt of Auckland in playing, to the right wing, a portion of the ground which was in the worst condition for attack. But Chalmers and Davis were playing back from, their opponents in the first spell, whereas in the second they adopted different tactics and haraaead the defence. It was then that the afiectators were treated to many exdtfng bouta between the home) left-wing and tha watetna All Mack: defender, ia which ths etosrrs Chalmers ] gained mora flshn half fha kail purife■'■ HoJ was much toa;*lslippery'*'fdr "Snowy," and invariably deadly centres resulted. Haines was not so prominent as McGirr, bat he waa tireless in his efforts to atave off raids, though Innes and Humphreys repeatedly broke through.

Once again Campbell was the outstanding man on the Wellington side. His defensive work was clean,; ieter- ; mined and finished, and be showed the ability of the born Soeearite in turning | defence into attaek. ■.-■ larqubar and MaOarasack, o% Joe lahka, while fre- ' quetrtlj'' uuiaaaaiawivrad, Were not failurea, bat Were Jar front being the fin' ished artkie. I* the forwards McLeod mid Sterhy iae «tremi"; wingers, were niifnl undies;'ThrfrTime irrrn thrilling in and their trowing into goal alw»;ys naused aaxieiy'to Auckland. Longbattom, *whe; a-tacted ia the centre berth, wae not ao fcone|rieuon-o as Leslie wae when he took the position, but the former .was always prominent when it came to forcing through an attack. Smith,at inside-left, got through no end of bustling, but the outstanding defect in the play of Wellington, as compared with that of their opponents, was the lack rf; team work. Theirs, nevertheless, waa a capable side and since English trophy matches were inaugurated Auckland has never been so sorely tried with any interprovincial aide. : ■'■: Keaaing fine* iiaa'teen Been probaa> in Now Zealand than of football shewn bj the home the first 15 mliwifcoß of the game^^D|tf-, lag that tiinovihoir display -hna,•, *hnaua**ajr ( from < the 'aide wod^.WF&M?<^ : <o&*' '< fieU with almaai aaechaaiomi aroaWkai, | taa aniddle linai'«sWb«ti^^ia> :; ''lMm«tb: the very toes of the men in front and the latter transferring and rd*»anferring it in a manner that quite fvafuaatlj left the 86 ■mtij&g.o Wb% a local aUaek Toputted th« home half line ;»!feJ M yJtljf y fasliioa and never arsnwfl <»n viaHan to break innough. 'algeaaaajala,, aa throaa> the whela game, Jonas n»d Christie wan> pxndiimin— f, not by inall forward movement. Their crosspasaina and eoStnl jpf, the ball were uneurpnasnl 'sM' :: wna Jtteiii A faulty kick. Ia t&» .•« as ineKned «■» tvo much acopn, ■naraaa .ADhAavnanaK; * •rind in «> i*fV Wfi*3k'tf % 1-

$»s*?&&***®t ikaamufcjnished iT*? ° rUm eareer m Auckland. J «*• to the occasion one© more g l l 8 - d ■«* ,**■>■* fcetelligenee S? "P o * when tie ball came frJtrT 8 * . tme ' bnt onJ y B *<*y "JBSP # 6 leaßt successful Pal* K«f the teas*. €errard and simple wS* "*" **". «** «*•£ S^f£ nCT «-failing covering up 2L** * a £ bßcfc f gently *aved them Tankler, though eonmwhat ob?e^!! d aB « a » <* «■ colleagues t m the half-back Hue, got through much useful workvand was, always airier. in the forwards, as hi the defence, tnere was not an outstanding individualist. The entire line worked i-i strikuuf «fltes7on and there were many beautiful passing bouts. Spencer distributed the halloo the,wings with rare judgment «»d when opportunity presented itself he had a ohot for goal on his own. Innes and Humphreys worked well together, while Davis, though finding the going not to his liking and with-

out being nevertheless got wtojugh much 'nsefad, ' afcadaad play. Chalmers was. most promment in the second apell and his eorner kicking was a treat to witness, being characterised %$* more capable side in combination, footwork and the finer points *f the game, but Wellington are due all credit for a <Aaahing thoaaja less naisfaed di^lay.