SOCCER REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 171, 22 July 1935, Page 13

SOCCER REVIEW.

SATURDAY'S CONTESTS. J SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES i ] PONSONBY DROP POINT TO Y.M. 1 The series of matches in the senior ! championship competition on Saturdaywas productive of four very closely contested games. Ponsonby just managed to , retain their unbeaten record by dividing : the points with Y.M., who showed vastly improved form in the main match at Blandford Park. Neither team scored, the , defence on the day having the upper hand, i Thistle visited Mount Albert Grammar school, where they opposed the Old Boys ; in a game that was stubbornly fought out, ■ and in the end victory went to the Scots. St. Helier's Eastern Suburbs came near • scoring their initial victory, but Metro drew level at four goals all just on time, : while Comrades registered an odd-goal victory against Shore at Blandford Park. The positions of the teams now are as ' follows:— Pes. Ch. ; P. W. It D. F. Ag. Pts. Ponsonby 9 7 — 2 29 13 16 i Mt. Albert 0.8.. 11 6 4 1 29 29 13 Thistle 8 5 1 2 29 17 12 Comrades 10 5 3 2 31 31 12 , North Shore ... 11 4 4 3 2G 22 11 I Metro-College .. 11 2 6 3 23 40 7 ; Y.M.C.A. 10 1 6 3 19 22 5 Eastern Suburbs 10 — 6 4 28 40 4 PONSONBY HARD PRESSED. Y.M.C.A. and Ponsonby staged a hard and stubborn contest at Blandford Park. The solid defence of both sides prevented the game from being a spectacular one, as most of the attacks of both sides were broken up almost as soon as they started. In spite of the close attention of the opposing halves, both forward lines got off some clever play at times with Ponsonby showing the most thrust and method. The quickness of Y.M. on the ball more than counter-balanced this advantage, however, and made honours about even in the respective front lines. Smith was in rare form in Y.M.'s goal, and brought off some brilliant saves when goals looked certain. Mowat and Dobson proved a solid line of defence, and their speed on the ball, as well as their lengthy clearing kicks, broke up the Ponsonby attacks time after time, to set their own forwards on the attack. The half-backs all maintained their recent improved form. Ross and Sims were outstanding, the latter holding the InnesMcCallum right wing combination in good style, while Koss stood out for solid defensive work, also supporting his forwards well. Chapman was a power to be reckoned with in the centre, and showed some clever constructive play as well as sound defence. The forward line were very snappy in its play, and the opposing defence found tnem quite a handful. Pearson, who was unfortunate in breaking bis leg in the previous week's game against Metro-College was missed from the front line, although his substitute, Churchill, a promoted junior, gave a most promising display in his first senior game. He showed good ball control and also had a good conception of the inside left position. Humphreys distributed the play well in the centre, and got in some clever constructive touches. Murane and McFarlane were an effective right wing, and some of their combined work made the defence work hard. Donaldson was good on the left wing, but drd not get much latitude from the opposing half, , _ : Watson was as good as ever in Ponsonby goal, and was responsible for some , smart saves under heavy pressure. Haggett and Stewart were in good form, their clearing being right up to standard, while their defensive work was of the same high order. The half-back line worked solidly throughout, Jones getting ■ through much hard work in the centre in good style, while Masters and Wiseman broke up the attacks well, and placed nicely for their own front line. The "Ponies" front line played with method and thrust, but the opposing defence proved hard to overcome. McCallum, who mode his first appearance at inside right, is a player of class, and worked well with Innes on the right wing, this combination giving a clever exhibition. Riggans played a hard game in the centre, but found the defence a bit too much for him at times. Farnan and Mullane showed clever play on the left wing, but with the opposing halves in such goou form their opportunities were limited. It was a solidly contested game throughout, and on the run of play right through Y.M. had a slight advantage. The game though very hard, was played in a splendid sporting spirit. . EVEN TUSSLE AT ST. HELIER'S. Metro. College travelled to St. Helier's Bay where they met the home team Eastern Suburbs, in what proved to be a very even tussle. Though the game was patchy and unproductive of first-class football, the closing stages were very fast, as Metro. College strove desperately to make up a leeway of two goals and were rewarded In their efforts by two excellent scores Irom A. Flyger and MeDougaU. The whole game was marred by indiscriminate kicking, especially by the Suburbs' halves, Diamond being the principal offender. The home team produced better form than usual, and if only they had been a little more studied In their tactics and given thought to where the ball was going when parting with it, the result would have proved altogether different. Though Metro, were also responsible for much aimless kicking, they threw away many opportunities by dilly-dallying with the sphere right in f-out of their opponents' goal, when a shot would have probably found the net. Gavan. tor Metro College, had a busy day In goal, especially in the early part of the second spell, when Metro, were hemmed in for practically minutes, the whites bombarding the keeper time and time again, but he acquitted himself remarkably well. Speed and Holman also showed to advantage, the former saving his side frequently by speedy anticipation. The half-line lacked positional play, giving both tie wing men of Eastern Suburbs more- room to work in than they usually find. A junior grade player, Cronan is finding' his feet in the higher division and should develop into a first-class wing-half. Normallv a„ inside right, Burton combined well with McDougall on the left in initiating many strong attacks. The latter scored two perfect goals from well out A decided weakness in Metro, vanguard was Williams, who, though presented with some excellent opportunities, turned very few to any account. The resultant effect was that H. Dallimore was starved on the right for most of the game. Hoyte, the last line of defence for Eastern Suburbs, proved sound, though "round shots were his weakness. Gay showed more enterprise than his partner Stone in breaking up attacks, his covering un being particularly good. Much sound material In the middle line was more than offset bv indulgence m useless, wild kicking Diamond, as the pivot, was all over the nlace • his main object seemed to be concentration on booting the, balll as far as human energv would allow, which ieit no connecting link with the forwards. Though a solfd toiler, his robust methods need to be harnessed, to produce any beneficial results. Flushman was uhe pick of the halves and would have been better m the central position. Eastern Suburbs'! forward line found difficulty in penetrating Metro 's defence. A sound, constructive vanguard capably led by R. Welsh, comb , ed well ami with a little more support would have probably given victory to their suonorters. Gilbert, on the left, was tlif danger spot of attack, his centres being ver# accurate. The central trio acquitted themselves well, R. Welsh making no mistake with two beautiful drives. Except for a bad habit of unnecessary appealing, Cummings played a fair game, his high, lobbing centres in the goal mouth being particularly pleasing. VICTORY FOR COMRADES. Neither Comrades nor North Shore gave as ROOd a display as hud been expected of them when they met at Blandford Park on Saturday? Comrades gaining the victory by 2 goals to 1. All hough the heaviness of the ground contributed to the making of a Slow game this was not the only cause, as star performers on both side? were definitely off form. The shooting was weak oh both sides. Amongst Shore's forwards E Eknian was the only player who showed any dash and enterprise, though he slowed I down a lot before the game ended. Mc--1 Cluskey. who usually leads the Shore van 1 with plenty of confidence, was ineffectual ' While thev occasionally showed a flash Of brilliance, Gerrard and Ekman, Shore s fullbacks, were more often completely flustered under pressure. Of the halves, Archer was the most vigorous tackier, but, like the rest he generally passed wildly. Both of Comrades' goals were scored by Francis, who was the best forward on the field. Although they were not very much better than the Shore side, Comrades forwards had just enough superiority to dominate the play throughout the game, occasionally working effectively in a loose combination. They were well supported by - the half-back line, Twinn, Hooton anil e D«'an who were, in fact, responsible for s their victory. They tackled Rigorously and passed judiciously.

THISTLE JUST TOO GOOD. Thistle's odd-goal victory at Mount Albert was another triumph for experience over vonth, but the Grammar Old Hoys put Tip a gallant light against their more seasoned opponents. Wth a shadng of luck in their direction they could easily hare shared the points, but the inability to apply the final touch to some lively offensives lost them several chances and their team work was frequently upset by Thistles prompt interceptions. Gerrard, in goal, saved the Scots on several occasions, and Heid's coolness in stemming strong attacks by Mount Albert's thrustful right wing frequently spoilt a dangerous situation. Rogers also had a lively time and came well through the task, but Wright was the main strength of the middle linn. With Kay out of the Thistle van for major dental treatment, the attack was not so effective or spectacular as usual, but Hislop was back to his old form and Angus did quite well in the outer berth in the first half. Williamson got the worst of a collision with Ward just as the second spell opened, and returned some time later to limp around at outside left. Dunsmore and Wood were not at their best, the wing man's shooting being very erratic, and the inside man was constantly in trouble. A peremptory warning by Mr. Shand early in the game put a welcome silencer on the players, and he kept a firm grip on a match which might easily have got out of hand. Warren was again a safe custodian who cleared with length and judgment, and both full-backs were staunch defenders, most of their clearances being prompt and effective. Ward made a solid pivot at centre half and frequently broke up the Thistle short passing tactics, but the wing halves showed hesitancy at times in going to the man with the ball. Xoble, at outside right, was the spearhead of the Grammar attack, and had better use been made of his centres the result might have been reversed. Spencer was patchy, and dwelt too long with the ball at times. .Tepson showed a tendency to play too far hack, and was not up in time for some scoring openings. Pyvie worked hard and was clever in his tackling and passing, but lacked support from his wing man, who had an off day and was rarely effective. GRADE GAMES.

SECOND GRADE. Onehunga A 3, beat Eastern Suburbs 0. Ponsonby A 4, beat Y.M.C.A. 2. Abels A 11, beat Onehunga 0. Thistle A 4, beat New Lynn 0. FOURTH GRADE. Mount Albert 0.8. 2, beat Abels 0. FIFTH GRADE. Y.M.C.A. A 4. beat Y.M.C.A. B 0. North Shore 7, beat Abels 0. Comrades A 3, beat New Lynn Q, SIXTH GRADE. Abels 4, beat Thistle 0. Metro-College 10, beat North Shore A 0. Comrades B 3, drew with Ponsonby A 3. SEVENTH GRADE, Y.M.C.A. A 1, beat North Shore A 0. Y.M.C.A. B 1, beat Abels 0. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. SENIOR GRADE. Takapuna 2, beat Auckland Grammar 1. Mount Albert 3, beat Auckland 1. Mount Albert Grammar B 2, beat Takapuna 2. INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Technical College 2, beat Auckland Grammar 1. JUNIOR GRADE. Auckland Grammar 1, beat Mount Albert Kowhai B 2, beat Otahuhu A 1. Mount Albert Grammar won by default from Northcote. Auckland Grammar 1, beat Mount Albert Grammar B 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. HAMILTON. Ansell Cup.—Hamilton Wanderers 6, beat Rotowaro 1. Intermediate. —Hamilton Wanderers C, beat Claudelands Rovers B 1. * GAMES IN THE SOUTH. WELLINGTON. Chatham Cup.—Local final: Hospital 2, beat Waterside 0. First A Division.—Petone 4, beat Institute Old Boys 0 ; Swifts 8, beat Lower Hutt 0; Diamond 3, beat Marist 0. First B Division.—Technical Old Boys 2, beat Scottish Wanderers 1. CHRISTCHURCH. Thistle S. beat Technical 0. Rangers 5, beat Western B 2. Nomads 3, drew with Linwood 3. Western A 1, beat St. Albans 0. DUNEDIN. Mosgiel 5, beat High School Old Boys 2. Roslyn-Wakarl 2, beat Northern 0. Mornington 5, beat Technical Old Boys 2 Maori Hill 4, beat Seacliff 3. PALMERSTON NORTH. Athletic 3, beat Te Awe Awe 2. St. Paul's 5, beat Rovers 3. TEAM SELECTED. CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The Canterbury Soccer team to play Wellington next Saturday has been selected as followe:—M. Mitchell, S. Cawtheray, J. Teichart, M. Gordon, A. Sutherland, A. McMillan, F. Craggs, G. Ellis, G. Smith, G. Roberta, J. Pattineon. Reserves: J. Paton, H. Johnston, D. Douglas, W. White.