SOCCER CHALLENGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 229, 27 September 1935, Page 12

SOCCER CHALLENGE.

NAVY TO PLAY AUCKLAND. AX BLAKDFOKD TO-MORROW. EXCITING CONTEST ASSURED. For the third time this season, the Soccer reps, from the New Zealand Navy will meet Auckland reps, in a challenge match to-morrow afternoon at Blandford Park. In the two games already played, Auckland secured one victory and the other match was drawn, and the Service players are confident that they can even the honours in the game to-morrow. With the entire Squadron in port the strongest possible team has been chosen, and the sailors have been indulging in very useful practice and training for a week or two, the three matches against North Shore in past weeks giving them ample scope to work lip combination and develop understanding between the different departments of the team. Apart from the fact that meetings of the teams from Auckland and the Navy never fail to.be productive of bright and spectacular football, added interest attaches to the game in the fact that the Auckland sole-selector, Mr. W. Zuill, has made sweeping changes in his team with u view to building up a young side for next season. In adopting this bold principle Mr. Zuill is to be congratulated, for the experience gained by young players in rep. football is most valuable, and calculated to raise the standard of club play in the highest grade. * Though many may differ from some of the selections made, all will join in wishing Mr. Zuill and his young team every success to-morrow, and it will be interesting to see how the players perform and what possibilities there are to weld into a strong combination the material available. The forward line is entirely new as a combination, and only Jepson and Robinson have played in senior rep. games before. Gavan is being tried in goal, but Gerrard and Speed have played during the season in rep. games. Chapman, of Y.M., is introduced into the pivotal berth in place of Wright. The players chosen have all shown considerable promise this season, and individually have a marked conception of the finer points of the game, but whether they will be able to knit themselves into a strong, progressive team against the strong, bustling tactics of the Navy players will be one of the most interesting features of the game.

The curtain-raiser will be between Thistle and Ponsonby, second grade teams in the final of the Dacre Cup, the knockout championship, and a thrilling struggle for the trophy should be seen. Following are the teams :— AUCKLAND. Gavan, Gerrard. Speed, Watson. Chapman, Walters, Robinson, Francis, Jcpsou, Fyfic, Mullane. Ueserve : Hooten. NAVY. Farnhlll, Walls, Howe, Scott, Buss, Rhirrns, Klwell, Longbono, I,eonard, I'rice, Bellamy, Reserves: Gatehouse, Little, Peoples. THISTLE. Second Grade A.—-Haycock, McKendrick, Polwyn, Nicholson, Kennedy, Rogers, Clark, Blslcy, Nlcol, Kean. McDlarmld. I'ONSONBW Second Grade A.—Cooke, Fraser, Bouglitwood (2), Watson, Barry, Aheru, Swales, Wilson, Alulhollaud, Forman, Gray.

BUSINESS HOUSES. MID-WEEK COMPETITION. Two very fine exhibitions of the code were witnessed this week at Blandford Park in the business houses' competition. There was a fair attendance of spectators, and the weather was tine. Sargood, Son and Ewen defeated Hospital, last year's winners of the championship trophy, by 4—o, and Maritime accounted for Onehunsra Woollen Mills by two clear goals. H.M.S. Philomel have still to meet Telephone Exchange. The game between Sargoods and Hospital opened with a forward rush by Hospital, Gavan almost scoring, but Simmonds cleared cleverly under great pressure. For Sargoods Cleal opened the scoring with a fine goal. There was no further score before the interval, but the second spell opened sensationally with a crop of goals for Sargoods. Brown broke away oil the wing, centring nicely for Birtwhistle to score the second goal for Sargoods. From a good corner kick by the 6amc player, Emery netted a third goal, and five minutes afterwards Cloal sent in a hot, swerving shot which Talbot deflected into his own goal. Sargoods fully deserved their 4—o win. Brown, Cleai Colebourne and Masters played well for the winners, Ross, Talbot, Gavan and Hayson excelling for the losers. Mr. Hamilton was referee. The Maritime eleven against Onehunga Woollen Mills appeared to be better balanced than in previous matches. The sound defensive play of Watt, Wade Wollesley and Cochrane contributed as much as anything towards their victory over Onehunga, which is by no means tile weakest team in the competition. o goals scored by Hamilton and Mailer ' were very fine efforts, and due chiefly to the excellent tactics of lioss, Patterson and Owens. Gill, Wilson and Webster distributed the ball well for Onehunga, and Blockley, Wolfendon and Forrester had much hard luck when near the Maritime goal. McDermott was safe in goal for the Woollen Mills, and could not be blamed for the points scored against him. Onehunga were pressing in the last few minutes of the final spell, but could not stave off defeat. Maritime S" ° ut ™ in , nGl- e b >' 2 goals to nil. Mr. xi. G. Crocker was referee.