SOMERVILLE'S RECOVERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 172, 23 July 1929, Page 13

SOMERVILLE'S RECOVERY.

Somerville looked like disappointing their supporters in the early stages of the o-ame with North Shore. It would have" been a catastrophe, as the result was of vital importance to them. Defeat would have extinguished their chance of meeting St. Luke's in the cup tie final. Somerville fielded a side which differed in the half line. Hunter was placed in the centre and Rogers returned to his position on the wing. ( North Shore turned out without Rvkers. Anthony played at centre forward and Penman filled the breach at inner left. North Shore started .most promisingly and scored early in the game. The incident came as a surprise, and had Shore persevered with similar tactics they may have made a better fight of it. However, they adopted entirely different methods and despite the fact that they made little progress, seldom attempted to open up the game. With two good winders and a capable centre forward it is hard to understand why North Shore did not lay the foundation of their attack on hard cross-hitting. They invariably tried to dribble past the defenders', although • the ball would not travel at a slow pace on the treacherous turf. Therefore the majority of their movements came to grief without much effort oil . the part of "the defenders, and

after looking all-over winners in the early stages, they were completely overwhelmed. After North Shore's goal came the reaction, and it was not long before the sides were all square. The speedy attack of Eric Watts may have put North Shore off their intended game, and it must be conceded that the trans-harbour team were seldom dangerous afterwards. Xot only were Somerville in a goalhunting 'humour, but their defence also tightened and was more reliable than in the two previous engagements Gardner was back into form, stopping and hitting as well as could be expected on the uncertain going. Cole gave glimpses of his best form and proved a tough proposition. Rogers was sound on the opposite flank. Amongst the forwards E. Watts stood out beyond compare. His lightning runs in following the ball astonished the Shore backs and he thoroughly deserved every one of his goals. As mentioned previously, North Shore did not adopt suitable tactics for the occasion, failing to live up to the standard set at the opening, and both back and forward they were at loss to the operations of Somerville. It is a long time since Rankin counted such a big goal crop against him. R. Frater was the steadiest of the backs. Parker stopped well at times but frequently failed to get rid of the ball satisfactorily. ■ The halves were extremely patchy and the defence suffered considerably through-an injury to Thornton. Still the game was beyond doubt when he retired. Anthony, Reid and Monteith were the best of the forwards, yet they could easily have performed better.