DEVONPORT SHIELD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 236, 6 October 1942, Page 5

DEVONPORT SHIELD

WESLEY DEFEATS 'VARSITY

THEY MEET AGAIN FOR KENT CUP The play-off between the section winners in the Devonport Shield contest resulted in Wesley defeating 1 University (1942 championship winner) by 2 goals to nil. The game was fast because of the nature of the individual attacks, for there was a noticeable absence of combined movements. Big hitting by the backs provided the forwards with many opportunities of breaking away, but these tactics usually failed through lack of support by the halves. Features of the play were the number of chances lost through over-eagerness in the circle; the rugged defensive tactics of the Wesley full-backs; and the sound display of the 'Varsity half line, which included two forwards out of position as wing halves. The same teams meet again next Saturday to determine the winner of the Kent Cup.

W. Batter Kicks WdL—Both goalkeepers mad© some clever saves, but it was W. Butler (Wesley) who gave the more spectacular display. Repeatedly he came well out to meet the attack, and his kicking was strong and usually directed well clear of the oqcoming opposition. R. Sharpies was the better of the two full-backs. His partner. L». Hedges, although getting through a lot of hard work, was too frequently penalised near his own goal, and this gave the University forwards opportunities which might easily have proved costly. The half-line had a busy, day, and relied more on defensive tactics than initiating counter-attacks. The forwards tailed to realise the value of combined efforts. R. Nugent and K. Slaney made the most of the opportunities offering, and the goal score was the result of snappy following-up on close circle play. C. Gar lick Excels.—As 'Varsity was minus the services of S. Wood and I. Kelsey, it had to rearrange its team. C. Garllck playing centrehalf. He proved the mainstay of the defence, his work breaking up the onslaughts of the Wesley forwards, providing the factor in keeping the score so low. He was ably supported by B. Short and B. Nutsford, who were new to their positions. A. Odell, who was also out of position, was a sound partner for T. Roberts at full-back. The forward line showed some of its old tendency to dally with its shots at goal, and in its 'field work might have met with greater success had it hit the ball about when on the attack. There were too many efforts wasted in trying to beat the defence singlehanded, instead of drawing the man to pass to some unmarked player.