JUBILEE SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1935, Page 13

JUBILEE SOCCER.

NAVY AND AUCKLAND DRAW. THRILLING AND KEEN CONTEST. STANDARD OF PLAY RISES HIGH. It may have been the jubilee spirit or it may not, but the lust rep. match 01 1110 season between the Navy eleven and Auckland s team ou liiandford Park yesterday proved one of the most thrilling and exciting contests staged 111 the city lor many seasons. The introduction to the game was very successfully carricd out, and it was a happy thought of Captain the lion. E. K. Drummond, commodore of the New Zealand Division, that, after being introduced to the respective teams, lie should address a few wellchosen remarks to the large attendance on the historic occasion ot the silver jubilee ot tiie accession to the Throne of xving Georye. His call for the singing of a vtise ot the .National Anthem met a ready and really patriotic response. It seemed as though tnis gesture of loyaltyhad established the juoileo feeling, beeuuse lor the next 90 minutes there were joyous thrills in one ot the most prolific scoring rep. niatehcs Auckland has witnessed. A goal every nine minutes was the average, and that kept the crowd 011 the tip-toe of expectancy throughout the struggle lor supremacy, which reached lis climax with honours even.

lively one of the 22 players gave of his best ami gave willingly, A draw was the only score that represented the comparative ability of the teams. The Navy eleven was well balanced and played the vigorous, open, long-passing game that characterises their Soccer, whereas Auckland attempted the contrasting shortpassing. The half-back line was where the Navy had the advantage over Auckland, and but for the brilliant play of the home backs, Gerrard and Stone, the result must have been in the Service favour. Arthur Watson was fairly safe in the Auckland goal, and had the minimum ot trouble owing to tiie staunch bulwark of the backs. W. Watson, at right-half, has played many better games and fell down most in his placing, while Wright, in the pivotal berth, wandered too far out of position, and did not recover with the speed that was necessary to cover the vacant ground. Walters played his (irst rep. game at left-half, and did well enough considering he was in strange company. •The home forwards probably over-indulged in short passing, and there were many occasions when positional advantage could have been gained by changing the scene of operations by a long pass. In the strategic field, Dunsmore was head and shoulders above his team mates, and repeatedly, by adroit moves and skilful manoeuvre, he outwitted the opposing defence. With Woods he made a strong combination. McLeay, at centre, had a sternuous task and a stalwart defence pitted against him. He distributed the play cleverly, and was always in position when nearing goal. Farnan was as clever as ever with his footwork, but did not always make the most of the openings that were presented by his elusiveness. Kay played with force and thrust, especially after his partner was injured, and was a thorn in the side of the Navy defence. I The Service eleven was a well-balanced team. Shirteliffe was safe in goal, and King and Howe were cool under pressure, and always resourceful in an emergency. The half-back line was outstanding, and of the three Buss was most conspicuous by his generalship, strong tackling and his usefulness in attack. It was npity that his display was marred by the mishap to Farnan, which seemed altogether unforgiveable. McGeary and Davies, on the Hanks, also pulled their weight. In the forwards there was dash, speed and cleverness that resulted in a highly pleasing display. Ba.ve and Longbone, on the right, worked well together, as 'also did Price and Bellamy on the left, and as a connecting link was Leonard, a host in himself, and always dangerous. The game will be long remembered for its hectic pace and .exciting incidents, and the return challenge, which it is hoped to be played on the King's Birthday, is certain to draw a record crowd.

GAMES IN WELLINGTON.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. AuUl Memorial Association football matches were played to-day and resulted : Marißt 4, v. Diamonds 2 ; Hutt 6, v. Swifts 0; Petone 1, v. Hospital 0; Institute 3, v. Waterside 3.