SOCCER CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 206, 31 August 1936, Page 13

SOCCER CODE.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. LEADING TEAMS DEFEATED. THISTLE UNLUCKY AT WELLINGTON. Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, leaders of the senior division competition, and l'ousonby, holding second place, both suffered defeat on Saturday on Blandford Park in the third round of the competition, while at Wellington Thistle failed to carij\ off the Dominion club ship, the Chatham Cup, losing by *ie odd goal in live to Western (C'hristchurch), though the Aucklanders were somewhat unfortunate in losing Williamson and Wright for lengthy periods in the vital portion of the game. At Blandford Park Comrades gained two useful points from Ponsonby and Shore mounted a rung on the ladder at the expense of Grammar.

VICTORY TO COMRADES. Throughout the game between I'onsonby and Comrades at Blandford Park on Saturday the latter were the.better team, their superiority at many stages being considerably more marked than the final score of (j—s in their favour indicated. Their forwards' had the Ponsonby defence well baffled time after time with long passes, and all of them scored save Bunting, at outside left. This does not mean, however, that Bunting "slacked." On the contrary, be was one of the most enterprising ot the front line, making many openings that resulted in goals, but, although his passing was accurate enough, he was consistently unlucky with his shots. Comrades had good halves in E. Ilooten, Bentley and A. llavward. Bentley distributed the ball shrewdly, while Hayward was the starter of several goal-earning movements. At left full-back Gihuour put the goal in danger several times by mis-kicking, and his partner, McKiunon, took a good deal ot extra work on his own shoulders, particularly in the second half, when he put up a verv good display. Ycarbury, in goal, was always sound, the shots that boat linn being such that would have beaten anyone. In I'onsonby's goal Smith had a much more strenuous time than did xearbury, and it was only liis keen sense of anticipation and lightning action that kept- Comrades' score down, especially in the second half when many of the Ponsonby side were beginning to tire under the relentless pressure. Haggett and Riggaus were also kept on their toes and an injury to thel* o ™"; late in the second half was Ponsonby s death-blow. Jones at centre-half, with Sims and Masters on either side of him, formed a good trio, who hacked up forwards well. At centre £ man worked like a Trojan scoring our of the five Ponsonby goals, but he woiked ing out of position.

SHORE SUPERIOR. The match between Mount Albert Gram- , mar and North Shore provided a close> contested game, but the o ull-rou U team work of Shore gabled them to sc.re a victorv by five goals to two. oiamm.ir were somewhat handicapped in tne sn«sl through losing J. Wood, who suffered a broken bone in his arm in the Inst 'innute or two of the first session. This upset the thrust of the attack, although the remaining four forwards strove valiantly to make" up the deficiency. Shore were definitely the superior team on the tlaj, there being method and thrust in tllt , attack, while tiie defence was thoroughly sound. Cameron had a fairly easy day in goal for Shore, but was effective when called upon. Gerrard and West were in their best form, breaking up the Grammar attacks in great stylo. C. Walters filled tlie centre half position in place of Corbett. who was indisposed, and although suffering from a bout of 'flu, gave a good allround display. F. Blackie played one of his best games to date atl*ight half, Jfetting in some clever constructive pi«J - , and defending solidly. Waters (a promoted junior) showed good form in the left half position, and should improve with a few games in tho senior ranks. The forward line showed clever combined work, Slme and Ekman being very effective on the left, while C. Blackie and Stevenson combined well on tho right. C. Blackie is a junior plavcr of great promise, and shows a good conception of the right wing position. Archer proved a capable' centre, and was the spearhead of the attacks. Warren did not seem as confident as usual in Grammar's goal, being inclined to be weak under pressure. Hi Msworth and Horrocks played solidly, but found the opposing front line hard to hold. Ward was the best of the halves. Turley and McFarlane have played much better than on Saturday. Neodham was vigorous and forceful on the right wing, Jepson being aggressive in the centre, while Fyvie played a clever game at inside left. J. Woods was also good 011 the left wing. AUCKLAND REPS. TEAM TO MEET WELLINGTON. The Auckland sole selector, Mr. J. Tinkler. lias chosen the following team to play Wellington at Wellington 011 September 12 for the Frank Campbell Rose Bowl : Smith, Ilaggett, Siieed. Blackie, Chapman, Walters, Wood, Stevenson, Jepson, Fyfie, Kay. The players named will attend at Blandford Park on Tuesday evening at seven o'clock. MID-WEEK GAMES. The annual mid-week competition played under tho auspices of the Aucklaud Football Association will commence on Wednesday next. The matches will be played at Blandford Park, and an Interesting series of games Is anticipated. Philomel, last season's winners of the Farmers' Trading Company's trophy for the championship section, is fielding a useful team, whilst Maritime, holders of the! Abels Cup, in the knock-out competition, I also aspires for championship honours. Hospital were unlucky last season, and Farmers' Trading Company and Sargoods are improved teams. Training College are newcomers in the competition, and will add interest to the contest. The draw is as follows:— First Series.—Philomel v. Sargoods, Farmers' Trading Company v. Maritime, Hospital v. Training College. Second Series.— Philomel v. Farmers' Trading Company, Sargoods v. Hospital, Maritime,v. Training College. 4 Tblrd Series.—Philomel v. Maritime, Sargoods v. Training College, Farmers' v. Hospital. . ~ , Fourth Series.—Philomel v. Hospital, Sargoods v. Maritime, Farmers' v. Training College. , , _ Fifth Series.—Philomel v. Training College, Sargoods v. Farmers', Maritime v. Hospital. , „ . Fixtures for first series are:—Hospital v. Training College. Blandford Park, 'Wednesday 3 30. p.m., Mr. Thompson ; Philomel v. Sargoods® Blandford Park, Wednesday, 4.00 n m Mr. J. Hamilton; Farmers' v. Maritime, Blandford Park, Thursday, 4.25 p.m., Mr. A. E. Church. GRADE GAMES. FIRST RESERVE. Thistle 3, beat Metro-College 2. Philomel 8, beat Onehunga 1. . Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys o, beat Shore 3. SECOND DIVISION. Onehunga 6, beat Y.M.C.A. 3. THIRD" INTERMEDIATE. 1 Shore 8, beat Training College 3. Y.M.C.A. u, beat Onehunga 2. | FIFTH GRADE. Comrades 1), beat W.Y.M.I. 1. SIXTH GRADE. Eastern Suburbs 2, beat Y.M.C.A. 1. SEVENTH GRADE. Comrades 2, beat W.Y.M.I. 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. WELLINGTON. Hospital 7. beat Petone 3. ! Waterside 7. beat Institute 6. 1 CHRISTCHURCH. Nomads 3. beat Western B 1. ; Thistle 4. beat Technical 2. ; Rangers 4. beat St. Albans 2. DUNEDIN. i Maori Hill (i. beat Technical Old Boys 2. Seacliff 5, beat Northern 2. , , High School Old Boys 2. beat Mpsgiel 0. : Roslyn Mahari 4, beat Mornington 2. ' Seacliff win the compatitior,.

CHATHAM CUP. DEFEAT OF THISTLE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. i The Chatham Cup final on the Basin Reserve drew a moderate crowd of 3000. Heavy ground and intermittent showers prohibited accurate ball control, but both Western (Canterbury) and Thistle (Auckland) produced scientific, fast-moving Soccer, play swinging from end to end in a series of raking forward and half-back movements. The match was attended by | the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, J and her Excellency and the vice-regal j party, The playing conditions rapidly became worse with heavy rain, but Western pressed hard, the right flank forcing Thistle to concede a corner. Fine distribution by Gordon kept Western on the offensive, but Woods went away on the Thistle right wing and gave Western a hectic few minutes' dogged defence. Western zoomed back, and were awarded a penalty for an illegal charge. White, . outside right, made no mistake with a grassy drive. Thistle retaliated in spirited forward moves, but Western combined beautifully with short passing raids modelled on the Australian tactics, and after half an hour of play the left wing opened a gap and White bored in from the right wing to collect a hard centre, finding the top I corner of the net. Western 2, Thistle 0. Excellent work by Stone, Thistle's right back, did much to nullify the Western's snappy forwards and halves. Frequent retaliatory offensives by Thistle were repulsed only with difficulty by Cawthnay, Roberts and J. White. Shortly before the spell Thistle were given a free kick inside the Western goal area, and Angus drove low through a forest of legs for a splendid goal. A few minutes later Thistle netted again, but were ruled offside. Half-time score: Despite losing Williamson, with a leg injury, just after the resumption, Thistle equalised with a brilliant- combined effort. Scissors passing took play upfield, and Kay lifted over a beautiful centre that was headed home by Angus. Western pressed back, taking full advantage of driving wind and rain, and peppered the Thistle goal. When the defence relaxed Ellis weaved his way towards the goalmouth by pretty dribbling and scored at point-blank range. Thistle had their full complement ot players after 30 minutes' play, and the game worked up to a terrific pace. Western, however, were too solid, and held the balance. Final score: Western 3 Thistle * The cup was presented to Western by the Governor-General. FARNAN RETURNING. LIKELY JOIN PONSONBY. T. Farnan, who two seasons ago played inside left for Ponsonby and Auckland, and who this season has been a member of Mosgiel, Dunedin, and has played for Otago and New Zealand, will be back in Auckland early this week. He will resume his former employment in the city and is expected to play for Ponsonby on Saturday next.