HURLEY SHIELD GAMES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 14

HURLEY SHIELD GAMES

Technical Lead Reduced

Technical Old Boys still lead in the Hurley Shield competition, but by a reduced margin as a result of their match with Neerlandia on Saturday. Playing at Burwood Park on a ground that lent itself to good football, Neeflandia surprised by drawing with the local Chatham Cup winner and leader of the Hurley Shield competition. Also at Burwood Park, Western met Shamrock and had an easy win, after holding the initiative throughout the game. In a game of varying fortunes, Christcurch City bedt University, and Nomads were too good for Atlantis. Results:—

Technical Old Boys 4, Neerlandia 4, Western 5, Shamrock 0. Christchurch City 10, University 6. Nomads 6, Atlantis 0.

Points in the Hurley Shield competition are:—Technical Old Boys 21, Western 20, Nomads 17, Shamrock 15, Christchurch City 12, Neerlandia 11, University 6, Atlantis 5.

TECHNICAL v. NEERLANDIA Neerlandia caused a surprise at Burwood Park when it held the local Chatham Cup finalist, Technical, to a 4-all 1 draw. The standard of play was very poor, with Technical showing only brief patches of good form.

The Technical goalkeeper, K. Sanders, played <his usual solid game, as did right full-back, C. Spinks. The centre-half, J. Hunter, was outstanding on defence and received good support from his wing halves, A. McNatty and I. Drewitt. The pick of the Technical forwards was E. Charlton, who scored three goals. The other forwards did not combine well, and many opportunties were lost through erratic passing at crucial stages.

Neerlandia’s goalkeeper, W. Heuvalmans, made some fine saves, but his handling was not as safe as usual. P. Feringa and F. Ceelen were both solid on defence. The half line showed considerable improvement, arid halted many Technical attacks. The Neerlandia forwards showed good understanding, and a feature was the speed and accurate passing of the wings, A. Hilhoust apd R. Campfens. The referee was Mr J. Davidson. NOMADS V. ATLANTIS Playing constructively, Nomads had a clear-cut' victory over Atlantis at Spreydon Park by 6 goals to 0. Nomads, playing with a gusty wind behind them in the first half, were inclined to spoil their approach worts with poor finishing, and did not score until halfway through the spell, when P. Rennell scored with a well-controlled low drive. Rennell scored the only oWier goal of the first spell when J. Bouwhuis broke through, and passed inside. Other goals were scored by Bouwhuis, D. Simmons and A. Van Rooyen (2).

For Nomads, R. Harris was safe in goal, arid was ably covered by the two full-backs, R. Roscam and B. Shaw, who came through with the ball on every warranted occasion, linking up with the halves. These tactics often caught the Atlantis defence out of position, and D. Simmonds and D. Stapley, the Nomads flank halves, were able, to play an attacking game, giving the winners a big. territorial advantage; I. Graham, the Nomads pivot, was everywhere on defence, and covered his backs well.

The Nomads forwards played well, with Van Rooyen, Rennell and Bouwhuis the best on the day.

For Atlantis, J. Donnelly made same good saves without obtaining the covering of his backs. A. Condie was the pick of the half-backs, although inclined to wander out of position. J. Hegarty was a great stumbling block to the Nomads forwards until he tired in the second half.

The Atlantis forward line, although disjointed, showed promise. H. Nelson, a young newcomer, was a great trier, and with more confidence shorild prove an acquisition. D. Ballisat played well at centre forward. He was later moved to full-back. D. Soder compared favourably with the Nomads inside forwards, and L. Taylor showed a good turn of speed at outside left. The referee was Mr J. Sheffield. WIN FOR CITY At Spreydon Domain, where the ground was in perfect condition. City beat University by 10 goals to 8. University was the first to settle down. Playing with the wind and moving the ball to suit, the team had the City defence in trouble almost from the whistle. With Wild absent. City rearranged its half line. This caused some confusion during the first 15 minutes, and Feenstra and Adams tore big gaps in the defence. With some good movement?, these two soon had University two goals in front. Because Millward held on too long, University was given an indirect free kick, which resulted in Lynch putting the ball through his own goal. Three goals up, University applied the pressure, but B. Montgomery and R. Nath lost chances. City fought back and started several good movements. J. Gordon, A. Wilson, and D. Worthington were prominent, and Wilson finally scored City’s first goal with a powerful drive from close in. City then dictated play, and scored four more goals irt< quick succession. The forwards baffled the University defence in some really good moves. City led by 5 goals to 3 at halftime.

The second half was dominated by City. Playing with the wind behind it. University defended desperately, but three goals in as many minutes put City in the lead by 8 goals to 3. T. Clackson handled right on the City goal line, to give University a chance to score, and Feenstra made no riiistake from the penalty kick to increase University’s score to four. B. Griffiths (University) shot from well out, and Millward, in City’s goal, let the ball run through his legs for a simple goal. City fought back again to score two more goals in quick succession. With the score at 10 goals to 5, City had the game in safe keeping, but the City defence became lax and University scored again with a fine shot by Feenstra.

S. Mohammed, P. Feenstra, and D. Adams were the best of the University team.

Scorers for University were Feenstra (3), Adams, and Griffiths; Lynch (City) put one through his own goal. For City, A. Wilson, J. Gordon, D. Worthington, and the 16-year-old, D. Coventry, played well. The scorers for City were Worthington (5), A. McDonald (3), and Wilson (2). Mr I. Semple was the referee.