HURLEY SHIELD MATCHES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27961, 7 May 1956, Page 8

HURLEY SHIELD MATCHES

ASSOCIATION

FOOTBALL

MATCHES IN FIFTH ROUND

WESTERN AND SHAMROCK SHARE LEAD

Five games have now been played in the Canterbury Football Association’s Hurley Shield competition, and Western and Shamrock remain undefeated. On Saturday. Western outplayed Nomads to -win, 5-1, in the main game at English Park. The early match between Shamrock and Neerlandia produced scrappy football. Shamrock won, 3-0. Technical Old Boys won their third successive match by beating University 5-2. Christchurch City and Wigram had their'first wins by beating Thistle and Rangers. Results:—

- Western 5, Nomads 1. Technical Old Boys 5, University 2. Wigram 6, Thistle 4. Christchurch City 7, Rangers 0. Shamrock 3, Neerlandia 0.

With five games played by all teams except Thistle (four games), points are: Western 10. Shamrock 10. Nomads 6. Technical Old Boys 6, Neerlandia 4. University 4, Rangers 4, Christchurch City 2, Wigram 2, Thistle 0.

WESTERN v. NOMADS Western, playing vastly superior football in the second half, beat Nomads by 5 goals to 1. The youthful Nomads team set a fast pace from the first whistle and had Western defending desperately. Western consolidated, however, and began to match Nomads’ pace. For a time, this speed produced mistakes, but after the half-time spell, when the Western halves had won supremacy, the forward line broke through the Nomads defences repeatedly.

Nomads showed something of their old combination in the first half, but appeared to lack thrust in the second half, possibly a tribute to the excellent Western defence.

In goal for Western was D. Lilley, deputising for H. Langley. Because of the efforts of backs and halves, he had a fairly easy day, but he defended his goalmouth well. Western's backs, F. Bradley and F. Haydon, played splendidly. The three halves all played well, and were mainly responsible for the failure of the Nomads attack. The fastest man on the field was the outside left, P. Saunderson. His flashing runs down the sideline often outstripped the defence, and his centres were well placed. Back in his old position of centre forward, K. Olley contributed much to Western's more fiery attacks.

For Nomads, H. Bottennan again played well in goal. The shots he failed to stop were all difficult ones from close in with the exception of a running shot which he could not punch cleanly. F. Cullen, left back, played a good game, as did the improving flank halves, B. Simmonds and D. Stapeley. The forwards did not play as well as in previous games. A. van Rooyen, who had returned to the side after being injured, was very subdued. P. Rennell and D. Ennis, inside left and centre forward, who usually keep defending backs busy, did not show up to any extent.

Nomads began well and had Western defending. Good tackling by the Western backs broke up the Nomads attacks well clear of the goal. Western then made some good runs into Nomads territory, the forward line moving much faster than in previous games. A goal for Nomads seemed likely when the Western goalkeeper was on the ground with the ball a yard or so outside his goalmouth, but an infringement by a Nomads forward spoiled the opportunity. The first goal came after 35 minutes of play, Saunderson deshing in to score with a low drive. Stapeley delighted with an exhibition of ball control and a long shot that just cleared the bar. It was Rennell who evened the scores. His goal originated from a melee in f.ont of the Western posts.

After the spell. Western added to its score when Steel placed a corner kick in front of the goal just behind the Nomad defenders, and before Botterman could get to it. Olley dashed forward and goaled. Saunderson was next to score when he curled a corner-kick into the goalmouth. Botterman tried to punch it clear, but could not hit it cieaniy, ano the ball ran down his arm into the net Saunderson made an opening for the in side right, A. McDonald, to score. The final goal was a gift from the Nomad centre half, F. Wright, who headed th ball into his own net when trying t clear. The referee was Mr T. Mathie. SHAMROCK v. NEERLANDIA In a scrappy, rather one-sided game Shamrock beat Neerlandia bv 3 goals to 0 Shamrock played the better football, some of its movements, especially cown the left flank, being well executed. Receiving excellent service from their halves, the centre forward, T. Shearer, inside left J. Price, and the speedy wing, B. Newsome, were always potential scorers. T. Campion and S. Carey were capable fullbacks. and J. Callaghan did all that was required of him in goal.

Neerlandia had a strenuous day on defence, and F. Ceelen and J. Starink as full-backs did their best to shield their goalkeeper from the Shamrock attacks. However well they tackled and cleared. Shamrock still managed to beat them on occasions, and W. Heuvelmans, in goal, delighted an appreciative crowd with many spectacular saves. On attack, Neerlandia was not particularly successful. When the hard-playing halves did make an opening there were seldom enough forwards up in position to carry out a concerted attack, and the Shamrock defence had little trouble in coping with the individual dashes.

In the absence of R. Campfens, J. Smit was inside left, and he gave several displays of good ball control. R. Steehouwer was given a run at inside right, but without any great success.

Shamrock forced the pace from the start, and made repeated sorties to the Neerlandia goal. J. Price nearly opened the scoring when a long drive hit the cross-bar and bounced down, but Heuvelmans cleared. Shamrock scored first. Price, after receviing a pass down the middle, ran through to score with a shot from point-blank range. Just before halftime, Heuvelmans made two excellent saves from shots by PriPe, and the Shamrock right wing, E. Fields. In one of its few combined movements, Neerlandia had a chance when J. Pet. the right wing, made an opening for his centre forward, R. Ermerins, whose weak shot went wide. B. Newsome, outside left for Shamrock, figured in some good movements, and he eventually beat two defenders, drew the goalkeeper, and passed to Nicol!, who scored. Before the final whistle, Price made a dashing solo run, drew the goalkeeper, and beat him with a low drive. The referee was Mr L. J. Tointon. CHRISTCHURCH CITY V. RANGERS Rangers failed to produce the form shown in recent games and were well beaten by Christchurch City. A strong easterly wind made cohesive play difficult at Spreydon Domain, but City proved more adaptable to the conditions and won by 7. goals to 0. The run of play was much more even than the score suggests, and only firstrate goal keeping kept Rangers out during the second half. City had the advantage of the wind in the first spell and made the most of it, to be four goals up, after 35 minutes. Rangers were unable to settle down and failed to make use of the wind after the interval. Only in the final stages did they show the form expected. D. Chorlton, left half for City, played impressively, and gave the spearhead well-directed ground passes. The City forwards, although scoring seven goals, did not combine well, but the wings, J. Gordon and W. Anderson, were fine opportunists. The centre forward, F. Sparrow, was a constant menace to the Rangers defence. J. Adams and M. Wild foiled many Rangers’ thrusts, but the star of the City rearguard was the goalkeeper, K. King. King was never bustled and stopped many hard drives, including one penalty. The Rangers’ goalkeeper R. Wilson, was exposed too often to the City attack. The full-back, E. Cousins, and W. Kerrigen, were repeatedly caught out of position. The centre half, A. Calderwood. miskicked frequently early in the game, but steadier to his usual sound play in the second half. Mid-field players who worked well for Rangers were the left half, G. Gerrard, and R. Moore, the inside left. Moore played well, but tried to do too much on his own. J. Posh, normally a half-back, played at outside right, but was not a success. The left wing, W. Duddy, showed tricky

footwork, but was well below his usual standard. City attacked from the kick-off, Sparrow and Anderson scoring in quick succession after 10 minutes' play. Chorlton beat Wilson with a hard drive that deflected. from the post. Shortly before half-time Gordon shot from a melee. The touched a Rangers defender and gave Wilson no chance. At half-time City led

After the interval Rangers improved but were still lofting their passes. City was faster on the ba'l, and Sparrow scored again after five minutes’ play. Anderson broke through soon after to beat Wilson from close in. Rangers gained control, and good combination took them into City’s penalty fO f v P e ™? d - King scored brilliantly. City retaliated in the final minute, SparW 4H SCOring lth a sna P shot deflected off the cross-bar.

Mr C. Sweeney was referee. TECHNICAL V. UNIVERSITY University provided strong opposition for Technical Old Boys at St. Albans wofp’ . rn< ?s e seas °ned Technical team goals to°2 n IIS op P° nents to win by 5

The penetrating easterly wind blowing across the ground made conditions unpleasant, and both sides were unable to settle down in the early stages. Techmcai was soon on the attack, however, with E. Charlton directing the spearhead. The outside left, W. Logan, played his usual dashing game. Hard-working halves for Technical were W. Down and F. Richardson. M. Dean was sound at fullback, and A. Blackburn celebrated his return to senior football with good goalkeeping.

University fielded a fit and fast team, but lack of finish lost many scoring chances. In the forward line R. Nath and R Sumeshwar showed to advantage. K. Chauhan and A. Newman worked well in tlie half-line, with the full-back, G Coote, defending solidly. The centre forward, Charlton, collected a good pass and shot past University’s goalkeeper, M. Haff, to give Technical an early lead. Play fluctuated for a time, but University retaliated when Sumeshwar baffled the Technical backs to beat Blackburn with a hard drive. Technical returned to the attack and Charlton netted from a goal-mouth melee. Charlton scored his third goal when he burst through to give Hall no chance from right in front. At half-time Technical led 3-1.

Play brightened after the interval. The ball was swung from end to end, and University scored when Blackburn was bustled into fumbling. The Technical forwards gradually asserted themselves, and Logan clinched the match with two fine solo efforts. Mr T. Gottermeyer was referee. THISTLE V. WIGRAM In a game lacking polish but abundant in fast, rugged play, Wiiferam had a slight advantage over Thistle and won by 6 goals to 4 at Barrington Park. Neither team could establish a distinct territorial advantage for any length of time, but Thistle's defence broke down for a period during the second spell. Wigram made the most of its opportuinties. and the centre forward. R. Sercombe, had a field day, scoring five goals. Sercombe and L. O’Hare led the Wigram forwards, with good support from the right half. K. Russell. The full-back, F. Gurr, defended well. The Thistle attacks featured some good play by the inside right, J. Blundell, and the inside left, J. Brannigan. The right half, A. Burns, played well, and the fullback, J. Hooper, stopped many Wigram thrusts. Thistle scored soon after play commenced, Brannigan netting from close in. Wigram swung on to the attack, and O'Hare levelled the score with a neat shot. Sercombe put Wigram ahead with a hard drive. Play quickened considerably, but Thistle could not penetrate the Wigram defence. Shortly before half-time Sercombe gave Thistle’s goalkeeper, J. Donnelly, no chance with a snap shot. At the interval Wigram led by 3 goals to 1. Early in the second spell Thistle had many scoring opportunities. Sound defence kept it out and it was not until Thistle was awarded a penalty (taken by the full-back, A. Robertson) that R. Wardle, in goal for Wigram, was beaten. Wigram returned play to the other end, and Sercombe scored three goals in quick succession from well-placed passes. Thistle surged back to the Wigram penalty area where Blundell and the outside left, D. White, netted. The refere was Mr L. J. Holland.

PLAYERS SELECTED FOR TRIALS

The Canterbury selector (Mr Gordon Smith) has chosen the following players to take part in a trial match to be played at English Park next Suncjay: — Possibles.—H. Langley; F. Haydon, P. Flynn; D. Charlton, A. Laffey, P. Cole; C. Steel. K. Olley, E. Charlton, A. Van Rooyen. P. Saunderson. Probables.—H.. Botterman; J. Adams, J. Cullen; I. Drewitt, A. Calderwood, T. Clackson; P. Rennell, R. Campfens, R. Durant. J. Price, W. Logan. Reserves for both teams: Backs, A. Robinson, T. Campion, F. Spinks; halves, M. Wild, J. Smit, D. Stapely, B. Simmonds: forwards. D. Ennis, A. McDonald. G. McLaren, E. Fields.

LOWER GRADE MATCHES

The following are the results of lower grade matches played in the Canterbury Football Association’s competitions on Saturday:— Second Division.—Shamrock 1, Western 1; Atlantis 3. Christchurch City .1; Nomads 2, Neerlandia 0. Third Division.—Burnham 3, Rangers 1; Shamrock 3, Western 1: Thistle 3. Christchurch City 0; Technical Old Boys 2, University 1. Junior.—Atlantis 8. Technical Old Boys 1; Thistle 3. Celtic 2: Boys’ High School 10; Christchurch City 2; Nomads 2, Oriental 0; Western beat University by default. Fourth Grade. —Shamrock 10, Boys’ High School A 0; Boys’ High School B 1, Christchurch City 1; Technical College 4, West High School 0. Fifth Grade.—Bovs’ High School A 5. Technical A 2; Rangers 5. Nomads 0: Western 10, Technical C 0; Shamrock 7, West Hii?h School 0. Sixth Grade.—West High School 7, Boys' Hieh School 0: City 2, Western 2. Seventh Grade.—Shamrock St. Joseph’s 5. Shamrock B 0; Western A 4, Rangers 0; Celtic 1, Western B’2. Eighth Grade.—Nomads 2, Shamrock 3; Western A 1, Citv 0: Celtic 5, Technical 0; Western B-0, Rangers 6. Ninth Grade.—Nomads 2, Celtic 0: Shamrock A 4. Western B 0; Western A 5. Thistle 0: Shamrock B 3, Citv 1. Tenth Grade. —Western A 3, Shamrock 0: Nomads 1, Rangers 0; Western C 0, City 0; Western B 3, Technical 0.

MATCHES IN OTHER CENTRES

A”ckland.—Point Chevalier 2, Ellerslie 1; Suburbs 4. North Shore 3; Mount Albeit 1. Grey Lynn 1. Wellington.—Stop Out 4. Upper Hutt 1; Marist 4. Petone 1; Miramar Rangers 3. Western Suburbs 0; University 4, Seatoun 2. D”nedin.—Green Island 2, Mornington 0; Rosbrn-Wakari 8. High School Old Bovs 0; Caversham 4. Mosgiel 1; Northern 3, Technical Old Boys 0.