THE SOCCER CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 18

THE SOCCER CODE.

WELLINGTON CHALLENGE F.A. TROPHY FIXTURE. VISITOR'S VIEW OF CODE. The return visit of Wellington representatives to contest possession of the F.A. Trophy is being looked forward to very keenly by the Auckland sporting public. The "classic" display given on the last meeting of the teams will long be remembered, and with the prospect of fast going on hard, dry turf a brilliant exposition of the code is confidently expected. Wellington's team will show few changes from the side that played such a . fine game on the previous occasion. Campbell, at centre-half, is regarded as the king pin of the side and is admittedly the soundest defender in the capital.. Barton, who will take up the outside-right position, has been showing exceptional form this season, and Condon, at centre-forward, is also a "discovery." The team is substantially the same as that which defeated Canterbury the other week, and of that eleven a Christchurch scribe Btates: "Wellington were nippy, neat and cool. Ihe team was apparently the best the province could produce."

There is a chance that Auckland may show a change or two in its team. The time has come when some of the players must make room for youth, and the representative match against Navy on Saturday may prove for some of the few young players included a golden opportunity. Mr. Neesham has chosen a strong side, obviously with an eye to the Wellington match, and the Navy are not likely to have their desire for revenge gratified. So far as Wellington •is concerned, the verdict will be a very open one, but fancy still clings to the solid, sound team work of the blue and whites.

It lias frequently been stated in these columns that little enterprise has been shown by the Referees' Association in educating players, officials and the budding whistlers in the main features and difficulties of the code. The management committee of the A.F.A.R.A. has arranged for a lecture on the laws of the game for next Tuesday evening in the Y.M.C.A. at 8.15, and it is hoped there will be a large attendance. The speaker will be Mr. R. H. Parfitt,

Regarding refereeing a correspondent, S. J. Doig, a visitor to New Zealand, who states that lie is an old professional player with an English club, gives as a cause for the tardy progress of the game in the Dominion that "each referee has different rulings." He refers to a game on Saturday which he saw and states that "one team tried to play football until they soured, and the other team pushed and bullo;ked their way to victory. I would urge officials here," he states, "to stop such wilful pushing and absurd tactics*" There is a good deal in what our correspondent states, and he concludes by adding that "only capable referees, with the cooperation of players, can bring about an improvement and help the game along."

JUNIOR JOTTINGS.

Technical Old Boys put up a great fight against I'onsonby A in their Daerc Cup match, being defeated by three goals to two, after au evenly contested game. The Ponsonby front line was superior to their opponents, playing with more cohosion, and showing better ball control, this being tbe main factor in their one goal win. The backs were also sound on defence, but could have placed better. The Tech. forwards played a vigorous game, but were lacking in combination, although there were several bright Hashes of individual play. The backs were slightly superior in defence than their opponents, breaking up the opposing forward attacks in good style. For Tech., Sefont (in goal), Noble, Kodwell, and O'Leary were prominent, while Dean, Wilson, and Porter played well for Ponsonby. The third intermediate game between Burnley and Mount Albert was a greai tussle, Burnley running out winners by the odd goal in three. The pace set was :: cracker from the outset, and was maintain* . to the final whistle. There have been better exhibitions of the code by these teams, bur what was lacking in combined play was more than compensated for by the vigorous tackling and the dash of both sides, some clever individual play being shown by both teams. On the run of the play, Burnley deserved their win, doing more attacking work than their opponents. For Burnley, Ward, Spry, and Bowater were outstanding (although' the former got a nasty knock which kept him oIE the field for some time). For Mount Albert, O. Iloldsworth, McLeod, and Blair were outstanding in a hard working side.

The North Shore fourths, with a rearranged team, avenged their previous defeat by Comrades, running out winners by 3 goals to 1 after a keenly-contested game, Comrades played wiih tt strong wind in tlio first spell, and play was at Shore's end most of the time. But for deal's splendid display in goal, Comrades would probably have led by more than one goal at the interval. The forwards did not make as much use of the wind as they might have done, generally waiting to get close in

before shooting. The backs gave the forI wards plenty of support in this spell, their placing being particularly good. On the change over, Shore made good use of the wind advantage, the forwards shooting hard and often, and the backs dropping the ball in front of the goal at every opportunity. Comrades put up a strenuous defence for some time, but it gradually weakened under j the pressure, and then Shore took full advantage. It was a good display of the code, both sides bringing off some clever play, but Comrades' front line did not come up to their display of the previous Saturday. For Shore, Cleal (in goal), Ormlston, Cowie and King were the best, while Skinner, Turner, Page and Crockett showed up well for Comrades.

| The North Shore v. Tamaki fifth grade knock-out game was a strenuous affair, two lots of extra time being required to settle the issue. Tamaki eventually won by one goal. It was a most ragged display by both sides, kick and rush being the order of tbe day. What little combined play that was attempted generally broke down before it got properly into swing. Tamaki have to meet College United in the final, and will need to give a much better display if the* want to win the trophy. They have not got back the team work and positional plip which .took them to the championship final, their two last games being wretched displays, one of which cost them the premiership, They seem to have gone stale. McKentry, McKenzie. and Smith worked hard for Shore, while Barry, Austin, and 1 did likewise for Tamaki.

College United were# altogether too fast and clever for tbe lighter Belmont B team in their fifth grade knock-out match, winning easily by seven goals to nil. The weight and pace of the College forwards, aided by

their clever ball control and combination, kept Belmont on the defence most of the game The backs were also very sound, and hell the opposition easily. Belmont put up a sturdy defence for three parts of the game but tired considerably towards the end. Dixon, Atkins, Angus, and McGregor were the most prominent of a good side for College, while Yarnton, Clist, Dixon, and West pjayod plucky games for Belmont against heavy odds. College now have to meet Tamaki in the final, and, if Tarnaki can produce their best form, an interesting game should result.

The sixth grade knock-out match between Tamaki and Y.M.C.A. A provided a bright and Interesting game, and extra time was needed before Y.M.C.A. scored the only goal that decided the issue. Both teams gave a first class all-round display, bright forward play and sturdy defence being features of the game. Tamaki were slightly stronger on defence, but their forwards were inclined to be weak in front of goal, especially when tackled solidly. The Y.M. forwards, on the other hand, were always dangerous in front of goal, and it was only the sound defence of the Tamaki backs that prevented scoring,. Y.M. now have to -meet Belmont in the final, when a bright and Interesting game should be witnessed. Both teams play clever football. For Tamaki, Austin, Turner, and Neodbam were outstanding, while RigganSi Horrocks. Sims, and Berryman played cleverly for Y.M.

Belmont proved too good for Carlton in their sixth grade knock-out match, winning by two Igoals to nil. The winners gave a well-balanced display of team work and positional play, and this was tbe main factor in their victory. Carlton did not come up to their previous displays, their team work being poor and positional play

very weak. The forwards lacked their usual combination, and could not get £°uig. The backs allowed themselves to be trequently played out of position by the opposing forwards, with the consequence that strenuous defence by one or two was necessary to clear their lines. For Belmont, Francis and Wheeler were to the fore, and Fielding, McDougall, and Selby played well for Carlton, the former being outstanding. In the secondary school senior division. Mount Albert Grammar A and Technical College. A. have been bracketed winners of the championship. It has been found impossible.to play a deciding game.

BUSINESS HOUSES.

RESULTS OF YESTERDAY'S GAMES. The surprise of the Business Houses games yesterday afternoon was the defeat of Hellabys by Abels, Ltd., by 3 goals to 1. Hellabys, last season's cup winners, were considered well in tlie running for the trophy this year, but yesterday's reverse will be difficult to recover. The race now seems to be mostly between Farmers' Trading Co. and the Auckland Milk Co. The latter defeated the Takapuna Dairy Co. yesterday by 2 goals, and since the team was got together last season, has not suffered a reverse. Farmers and the Milk Co. are due to meet next Wednesday, and a spirited game is certain to bo the outcome. The results yesterday W °Milk Co. 2, beat Takapuna Dairy 0. Shell Oil 1, drew with Training College 1 ' Power Board 7, beat Kents, Ltd. 0. Abels, Ltd. 3, he-' Hellabys l. :