SOCCER CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 236, 6 October 1930, Page 13

SOCCER CODE.

SOUTH AUCKLAND WIN. y.m. take falcon cup. GLEN INNES' BIG FIGHT. The 1930 Soccer season will close on Saturday next and most devotees who ha\e not yet played their last match are quite pleased at the prospect of the impending respite. On Saturday the final of the Falcon Cup was played at Blandford Park, the clash between. \.M.C,A. and the second grade contestants, Glen Innes, being quite lively at [times, with victory ultimately resting with the more experienced senior champions. The reps, journeyed to Hamilton to play South Auckland and sustained their first defeat by any New Zealand side since 1925. It can hardly be said that the Aucklanders entered into the contest with that seriousness which characterises a trophy match, but this should not detract from the full credit due to South Auckland for. their victory. The homesters meant business from the kick off, and played with exhilarating earnestness that gained its mede. SOUTH AUCKLAND'S TRIUMPH. Though the Waikato reps, made history on Saturday by inflicting a 3 —l defeat on the premier team of New Zealand, the Auckland eleven certainly gave an exhibition of the code, such as has rarely been seen in the dairying capital. Whereas Auckland worked to their objective by circuitous, cleverly combined and spectacular methods, South Auckland wasted no time in finished manoeuvre or in making for their goal by the most direct route. It could hardly be said that the better team won though, paradoxical as it may be, no one grudged the winners the fruits of victory in view of their plucky and determined display. There were only four occasions in the second spell when Auckland were really hard pressed, and on two of these the defence was penetrated and goals scored. All the rest of the time Auckland was hammering at the Waikato citadel, doing everything but put the ball in the only place which counts. The home side was a 75 per cent improvement on the team that played on Blandford Park a few weeks ago. Roberts in goal simply refused to be beaten. The Auckland forwards, particularly McLeay, tried all sorts of unorthodox ruses to get the ball past him, but the sphere seemed refused. _ Latimer and Dodds played a very impressive game throughout, showing a fine conception of the game. If the half-backs were not the pillars of constructive tactics they most certainly were indefatigable and tireless in bustling methods. Of Gardiner, Deacon and Beaumont the pivot was the most outstanding, giving a dashing display and fully meriting the special award of a gold medal presented by the South Auckland president for the best player on the home side, Mr. A. P. Neesham acting as judge. The wing halves, while less conspicuous, worked hard throughout. The vanguard lacked nothing in energy and dash, and if they were often beaten off by strategic superiority they were a hard proposition to hold. Black aud Bate, the Pukemiro right wings, were the more prominent flank, though Ransom (Y.M.) and Gair (Glen Massey) threw any amount of vim into their game if combination were less in evidence. Phillips, the Y.M. centre, troubled the backs, and Zuill, by his whole-hearted dash. The winners played a game, which, if it was not on the same plane scientifically as that of their opponents, certainly got them the honours of the day. Auckland outplayed their opponents at every stage, save scoring. The defensive play was particularly clever, and in the rear division none played better_ than Gerrard. He seemed to be always in the thick of the exchange, driving the homesters back repeatedly by enterprising solo efforts. Zuill quite justified his inclusion, and should not be a stranger from future rep. teams. Reid was the born strategist, and along with Jones played a most "brainy" game. Christie played with judgment and finish, if less energetically than is his usual, but was a tower of strength nevertheless, and Morrison fitted into the general scheme of the play smoothly and with effort. The forwards were at times weak at close range, but mostly unlucky. As an attacking line they did not move with the same rhythm and perfect wing to wing understanding as is customary, but this was due to Anstead and Woods, of Corinthians, on the left, who, while forming a serviceable wing, did not always complete the movements started. Innes and Dunsmore had many clever pieces of combined play, and McLeay swung the ball about with great effect, but the necessary penetration was missing. Altogether it was a really pleasantly contested game, and the outing was thoroughly enjoyed, all the players and officials speaking in glowing terms of the South Auckland hospitality, which took the edge off any disappointment tho result may have caused. The curtain-raiser, between the North Harbour reps and Hamilton B, was quite a lively bout, ending in a draw of one goal each. The visitors spent an enjoyable time in Hamilton, returning yesterday afternoon. Y.M.C.A.'S FALCON CUP. Glen Innes, a sturdy team of young players, has made Soccer history in Auckland this season. By defeating Celtic and Ponsonby in the earlier rounds of hte Falcon Cup competition, the second graders deservedly won their way into the final, and on Saturday they had the distinction of being the main attraction at Blandford Park, to contest the ownership of the trophy with Y.M.C.A., champions of the senior division. It would have been a sensational climax to their career of victory had they won, but such was not to be, for the seniors triumphed by four clear goals, thus setting the seal on a season of consistently steady play. Nor can it be said that Glen Innes were in any way unlucky to lose. They set about their big task with tremendous zest, and Y.M.C.A. had a real bustling during the first half, but the seniors always gave the impression of keeping just something in hand, just that something, in fact, that brings a side triumphantly through a hard match after its opponents have shot their bolt. Until half-time it was "anybody's game," but the fierce pace Glen Innes had set proved too hot to last, and-althougli the youngsters never let up till the very end, they were a well-beaten side throughout the second spell. Possibly a different tale might have had to be told if they had not gone quite so "all out" to begin with, but that is their natural game, and any attempt to combat Y.M.C.A.'s science with similarly scientific methods would have been even more disastrous. Their only hope was to run the seniors off their feet, and they made a valiant attempt to do so, but the powder was spent long before the end came. Nevertheless Glen Innes have established a fine record in the best company, and more should be heard of them next season. It may be mentioned, incidentally, that they average 19 years in age and well over 12 stone in weight—tangible evidence ol the virility of Auckland's youth. The team is by way of being a family affair, for it comprises four members of the Stone family, and three of that of Welch. Y M C A.'s goals were shared by Kay and Humphreys, the lasf of the/quartet, scored bv the centre-forward, being one of the best seen at Blandford Park this season. Malcolm was an outstanding figure in the lialf-back line, and Chalmers and Jay did much useful work forward. McGladdery broke up many dangerous Glen Innes raids during the first half. NORTH SHORE'S DACRE CUP. The curtain-raiser was. the final of the Dacre Cup competition, \in which North Shore the holders, defeated Ponsonby A bv five goals to three. Pouring rain and a trreasy turf made conditions extremely trvinsr but under the circumstances it was nuite a creditable exhibition of the code. Goals were scored for the winners by rhubb (2), Blackie, Goldswortliy and Reid, and for Ponsonby by Morrison. The lastnamed and his wing partner, Forman, rVlived clever and enterprising football, and should be useful recruits for the senior division when their opportunity comes along Goldsworthy, Smith and Chubb were outstanding players for Shore. GRADE RESULTS. FIFTH GRADE. Metro-College A 4, beat Comrades B 0. Y M.C.A, A 5, beat Carlton 1. v'm C.A. 3, beat Metro-College 2. _ Y.M.C.A. won the fifth grade .mockout." SIXTH GRADE. Y.M.C. r A **; bea f C rltcn 2. I