AUCKLAND'S CHANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 219, 15 September 1932, Page 16

AUCKLAND'S CHANCES.

REP. SOCCER CHALLENGE.

GAME FOR CAMPBELL TROPHY,

WELLINGTON'S STRONG SIDE

The Wellington reps, to meet Auckland on Saturday for the Campbell trophy, which will be contested for the first time, and which is for annual competition between the two associations, has never been defeated this season, and has played together in several matches. According to advices from the South the side is exceptionally strong, and having been kept together for some time possesses that quality of cohesive play which has in the past been absent from Wellington teams and has been the secret of Auckland successes. The main department of the team is the middle line, where J. McLeod, Campbell and Hanlon are the foundation of the aggressive efforts of the side, and at the same time the solid basis of defensive manoeuvre. All are veterans, in the sense that they have played in. many rep., games and are by no means strangers to . Blandford Park. Conditions that should suit studied and combined tactics appear likely, and ' this should be a change to the Wellingtonians, whose experiences on the Auckland ground have not been of the happiest. Newcomers to Auckland in the team will be Wyatt, goalkeeper, Thompson, right back, Baker, centre-forward, and ICershaw, inside left. All come with Mattering credentials, Baker having a goal-scoring record for the season; Kershaw is described as "the find of the season," and Wyatt is said to be one of the best custodians seen in Wellington. With youth, dasli and vigour, and the inherent combination in the team, it carries the confidence of the Southern association for taking the new trophy to the capital. While the Wellington reps, have this season played every other province without suffering defeat, the same can be said of Auckland, with this exception, that they have not met Canterbury. The team for Saturday, though certainly not meeting unanimous approval, should give a. solid account of itself. The defence is sound and experienced, and the forwards all clever individually. The most doubtful aspect of the team is the ability to play a really cohesive, studied game. A rousing tussle and finished football nevertheless appear assured.