ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27665, 23 May 1955, Page 9

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

SHIELD AND CHATHAM CUP GAMES TECHNICAL BEATEN BY SHAMROCK Although Chatham Cup games began in Christchurch on Saturday these concerned only second division sides, and the main interest centred on shield games, which were entering their, second and final round. The principal match was between Shamrock and Technical, at English Park. Technical, which beat Western decisively the previous week, was beaten by the young and fast -Shamrock eleven. In the other shield games Nomads beat Thistle comfortably at Barrington Park, and Western outclassed University at Spreydon. Four second division sides met in the first round of the Chatham Cup competition. In the early game at English Park Zealandia beat Rangers by corners after extra time when the score was 1-all. At Elmwood Wigram had an easy win over Atlantis. Results:— Championship Shamrock 3, Technical 1. Western 8, University 2. Nomads 5, Thistle 1. Chatham Cup Zealandia 1, Rangers 1. Wigram 6, Atlantis 0. , Championship points are:—■ Western 10, Technical 9, Shamrock 9, Nomads 4, Univarelty 2, Thistle 2. SHAMROCK V. TECHNICAL After its decisive win over Western the previous Saturday, Technical began full of confidence against Shamrock, but though it had a territorial advantage in both spells, it was always a goal behind. Previously this season the two teams had drawn, 3-all. Technical under-estimated the speed, penetration, and finish of the Shamrock forwards. Technical's territorial advantage gave the Shamrock forwards additional room in which to work, and shortened the lines of defence of the backs. Shamrock in the last three seasons has presented a consistently formidable defence to some of the best scoring combinations in the province, yet the Technical forwards had their opportunities in well-executed movements. Slowness in shooting, poor marksmanship, and offside play all contributed to keep the Shamrock goal safe. The speed and accuracy with which Shamrock made counter-moves often caught the Technical full-backs without the support of the flank halves. Seldom have such polished displays of goalkeeping been given in club football in Christchurch Both McKenzie and Callaghan were exceHent under pressure. Cavanagh, Flynn, and to a lesser extent Campion tackled more effectively than the Technical players. In this department the work of Cavanagh and Dean was particularly good and fully up to the form that gained them representative honours. The flank halves and inside forwards were evenly matched and got through a tremendous amount of midfield work effectively.. The spearheads showed enterprise in possession, with little between them except in the ability to finish off a thrust satisfactorily. Shamrock’s new recruit, M. Malcolm, the former Nomads player, proved his worth with some beautifully placed centres. This player is not fast and requires room in which to work, conditions he found for most of the game against Technical.

J. Mills (2) and B. Newsome scored for Shamrock, and V. Smith for Technical. Referee: Mr M. Cassin.

NEERLANDIA v. RANGERS In the early game at English Park, Neerlandia beat Rangers by corners in the first round of the Chatham Cup competition. Both teams are second division sides, as the standard of play suggested. Rangers showed the better cohesion fo? most of the match, and may be considered unlucky to have lost the game in the last tew minutes. The side has had few changes since its last appearance in the senior competition, and although its players are keen, the side does not appear ready for promotion yet. Wilson, in goal, was in good form, and Cdusins was the pick of the backs. M. Friedburg, at centre-half, also worked work, as did K. Pash and M. Sheridan in the forwards.

Neerlandia, too, would do little to raise the standard of the senior grade. Sonius and Lely were the pick of the defence, with Campfens, at inside left, the best forward on the field. A. Steehower, a former Thistle player, and J. Brand were other forwards to show up. M. Campfens scored for Neerlandia and M. Sheridan for Rangers. Referee: Mr L. Holland.

WESTERN V. UNIVERSITY University showed up well in the opening exchanges, but Western soon settled down and quickly put the issue beyond doubt. Western’s flank halves and inside forwards combined well to give the forwards every opportunity to show their strength. F. Haydon, substituting for S? Ralph at right half, was excellent. University failed to maintain, its early dash, and for the most part played defensively. Langley, in goal, Cole, Coote, and Smith all worked hard. Feenstra and Mohammed provided the thrust for the occasional counter-attacks.

J. White (3), D. Lilley (3) and J. Longmuir scored for Western, and S. Mohammed and P. Feenstra for University. Referee: Mr P. MacfaYlane.

NOMADS v. THISTLE Nomads scored its second consecutive win of the season by a fine effort after the interval against Thistle at Barrington Park. During the first half there was little between the teams, with attack and counter the order of the day. After the interval, however. Nomads, by superior combined football, wore down the Thistle defence. The Nomads forwards were again impressive and attacked with accurate passing and good positional play. Here the value of two first-class inside forwards, A. van Rooyen and B. Shaw, was apparent. When the spearhead was halted the attack was carried on by these two players with excellent results. Even with G. McAnulty back, Thistle was not impressive. The defence lacked solidity, and the mid-field players lacked understanding in turning defence to attack. A. McAnulty, T. Kay, J. McGrath, and A. Burns played well for Thistle. A. van Rooyen (3), D. Stapley.'and J. Cullen scored for Nomads, and J. Hooper for Thistle. Referee: Mr A. Leach. WIGRAM v. ATLANTIS At Elmwood Park Wigram proved too good for Atlantis and won convincingly by 6 goals to 0. This was a Chatham Cup game, both the teams coming from the second division. Wigram owed its win to better fitness and cohesion. There was perfect understanding among the three departments. Atlantis, with an unresponsive forward line. Was forced on the defensive, where H. Sfcuttleworth and Thomas were outstanHog. Wardell, Sercombe, Calderwood, and Flynn played well for Wigram. H. Sercombe (3), J. Wardell (2), and J. Calderwoqd scored for Wigram. LOWER GRADES Senior Reserve I.—Shamrock 4, Thistle 2; Technical 8, Ashburton 2. Senior Reserve lA.—Neerlandia 7, BUrnham 3 ‘ n m X Y t. 4 Senior Reserve ll.—Technical beat Shamrock by default. Junior Grade I.—University 4, Neerlandia 0; City 9, Western 0. Junior Grade ll.—St. Joseph’s 2, Boys High School 1; City 12, Technical 2. Fifth Grade I.—Nomads 1, Boys’ High School 0; Technical A 10, Western 0. Fifth Grade n.—Celtic 5, Boys’ High School 0. Sixth Grade.—Technical B 3, Western 2; Rangers 7, Shamrock 0. Seventh Grade.—Shamrock 1, Nomads 1; City B 1, Rangers 0; City A beat Western B by default. Eighth Grade.—Nomads 3, City 0; Shamrock 1, Celtic 1: Western A 7, Rangers 0; Western B 1, Shamrock B 1. Ninth G*de. —Nomads 2, Celtic. 0; City 0, Shamrock 0; Western 2, Rangers 0. Tenth Grade.—Nomads 1, Western B 1; Shamrock 6, Technical 1; Western A 2. Celtic 1. MATCHES IN OTHER CENTRES Auckland. —Mount Albert 6, Onehunga 2; Eastern Suburbs 8, North Shore 0. Wellington.—Stop Out 9, Hospital 6; Marist 6, Seatoun 6; Petone 4, Railways 3; University 3, Miramar Rangers 1.

Hotel Accommodation Charges The Price Tribunal would conduct a hearing on June 27 dealing with all matters related to hotel accommodation, said the Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts (Mr E. H. Halstead). “I am very hopeful that some measure of relief from the restrictions orf charges for hotel accommodation will come out of it,” he said. Mr Halstead was answering a question after addressing the council of the New Zealand Travel and Holidays Association. Questioned on the subject of intensive drinking between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., which was said to nauseate overseas tourists accommodated, in licensed hotels, Mr Halstead said the Government was watching the results of the 10 p.m. closing experiment introduced in New South Wales.—(P.A.)