Soccer Narrow Hurley Shield Win By Western

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 8

Soccer Narrow Hurley Shield Win By Western

Two goals, scored dramatically in the last minute of play, gained the Hurley Shield for Western when the final round of premier grade soccer matches was played on Saturday. Western and Shamrock finished first equal on points, with Western taking the competition on goal averages. 2.125 to 2.0. Western will now represent Christchurch in the final stages of the national Rothman’s Trophy competition. Home-and-awav matches will be played with Northern, Otago’s champion side, in Cliristchurch on July 7 and in Dunedin on July 21. The successful side will contest the national final later in the season.

Rangers took their first victory of the season in convincing style against a weakened Technical team. Rangers are one point ahead of City, with these teams still to play a postponed match. The bottom team will be relegated.

At the top of the first division the position is no less interesting. A shock win by High School Old Boys over New Brighton, which had been equal first. left Neerlandia clear in top position with 14 points. University lies second with 13. Neerlandia and New Brighton have still to meet in the final round, and University is also still well in the picture. Results were:— HURLEY SHIELD Western 3, Nomads 2. Shamrock 4. City 2. Rangers 5, Technical 1. KEYS CUP Neerlandia 4, W’anderers 0. University 5, Thistle 2. Old Boys 5, New Brighton 3. Competition points are:— Hurley Shield

Before Saturday's matches Western, Shamrock and Nomads were equal at the

head of the points table with 13 each. Shamrock duly disposed of relegationthreatened City in the early match, to give the former 15 points. It was obvious at :hat stage that, had Western and Nomads drawn in the final game, Shamrock would have been the competition winner, but a win to Western would give the side the premiership, and a win to Nomads would bring Nomads either the competition or a replay with Shamrock. Most spectators at English Park were supporting one of these three teams, end the disinterested observer was treated to the sight of each band of supporters rejoicing mightily in turn with the final four minutes of the second match. With Western and Nomads at 1-all until four minutes from time, R. Muirson goaled for Nomads from a perfect pass by C. Banham to put his side up at 2-1. This goal took his side to equality on goal averages with Shamrock, and Nomads supporters screamed their pleasure. With one minute to go T. Haydon goaled for Western, thus returning the match to a drawn state, and giving Shamrock’s supporters their moment of ecstacy. As has happened so often in the last 10 years. Western had the last say. M. Clements took the ball through the centre with only a few seconds to go, and placed it surely into the net. The Western supporters’ joy knew no bounds, and the final whistle sounded as the players were preparing to resume. Not the least affected of those at the park was the public address announcer, who told the parting crowd that Western and Shamrock were equal on goal averages and that there would probably be a replay next Saturday. The statement was hastily amended. WESTERN v. NOMADS Nomads were unfortunate in being deprived of the services of A. van Rooyen, the spearhead of their attack, during the second half. Soon after halftime van Rooyen, playing the ball, had his legs hacked from beneath him by the Western captain, P. Frost. Soon after this Frost had his name taken by the referee for another breach. Possibly Frost did not intend to injure van Rooyen. but, regrettably, Western's play in the last two seasons has been marked by too much of what is, by New Zealand standards at least, over-robust tackling. Van Rooyen was no longer a threat, and later in the spell had to retire from the match after another clash. Considering that they lacked a forward. Nomads did well to take a 2-1 lead. Then, instead of being content to contest a replay, they continued to press the attack at every opportunity. The Nomads defence, which had been very sound in this spell, fell away in the last minute of the match to let. Western in for two further goals. Western's first goal in the first spell will no doubt be the subject of unpleasant dreams for the Nomads’ goal-keeper, D. Chapman. The ball was hit to him at a slew .pace, and he let it bounce into the goal over his arms. It was the sort of error that a goal-keeper might commit once in mahy seasons The veteran former New Zealand representative wing-half. C. Banham. was a strength in the Nomads side. His anticipation, trapping and distribution were all first-class. The centrehalf. D. Simmonds, had his best match of the season, at last showing some liking for constructive play. P. Rennell did not spare himself in his efforts both on attack and defence. The goal-keeper, D. Smith, and the full-backs, W. McKenna and I. Laby. were the heroes in the Western side. T. Haydon made some dashing bursts in the second spell, but the value of many of these was lost by the inclination of the wings. A Bishop and B. Newsome, to get off-side. Goals for Western were scored by Haydon (two) and Clements.

C. P. McParland and R. Muirson goaled for Nomads. Mr R. W. Cullen was the referee. , SHAMROCK v. CITY Shamrock, fighting to retain first place, and City, trying to avoid relegation, did not provide good footbail in the early match at English Park. Finishing was poor on both sides and. although Shamrock had the lion's share of possession, the passing among its forwards was nothing short of deplorable The chances were there lor many more goals—goals which could have given a much-needed boost to the side’s goal average. The Shamrock selectors took a risk in dropping J. North to include the former City player. N. Keeman, as inside-right. The risk did not come off. as Keeman was too slow to the ball to be a real danger. Shamrock has played its best football in the last two weeks, since North came into the team. J. Killick, on the wing, gave his best display for many weeks, showing an inclination to chase the ball, which has been lacking in his most recent showings. J. Callaghan. P. Flynn and H. Verdellan were very sound in defence for Shamrock, but the halves did not dominate possession as they should have. B. O’Brien gave the City centreforward too much latitude, and H. Taylor was erratic in his passing. The return of J. Le Poidevin transformed the City team. When he takes the centre-half position, the team really looks of top-grade status. Although he has had little football this season, Le Poidevin gave ample notice that he could, if he wished, again lay undisputed claim to a position in the representative side. He is the best centre-half seen on English Park this season, including those seen in the recent international fixture. W. Shannon frittered away several chances with poor shooting. A. Nelson again showed flashes of ability, and Rumbold gratefully accepted the few chances which he received. For Shamrock Killick (three, including a penalty) and H. Scholten scored. Rumbold goaled twice for City. Mr J. Sheffield was the: referee. RANGERS V. TECHNICAL Rangers, without a victory | before Saturday. atoned for | some near misses and several j disappointing performances, by heavily defeating Technical, last! season’s Hurley shield winner., by 5-1. It lifted Rangers from' die foot of the table, one point ahead of City, and ensured an exciting finish to the season when the two teams meet in the last match of the competition to decide which will be relegated. The heavy conditions better! suited the strong and rugged] Rangers forward line which, on the day, would have troubled most defences, p. Anderson’s speed and control and M. Shardlow’s crosses, gave Rangers dangerous penetration on both wings, while in the centre the skilful K. Olley kept the line moving with deft passes and clever anticipation. The Technical defence. although strengthened by the return to centre-half of R. van Dalsum, did well individually, but was collectively disunited. Van Dalsum kept a tight hold, on P. Cole, but neither I. Graham nor T. Lynch, the fullbacks. found a way to curtail the dangerous sorties of Anderson and Shardlow. Technical was handicapped by having to field a weakened! attack because of injuries, to' the extent of placing its regu-i lar goalkeeper, K. Flintham. at' centre-forward. He scored one goal, had one disallowed and missed another from a few yards, but otherwise was out of position and wasted his talents. He would have been more usefully employed as a steadying influence behind the defence. Parts of the first half contained the brightest moments in the game, but much of the rest of plav was drab and unskilled. The best of the six goals were Ranger’s third, scored by Shardlow from the touchline, and Rangers’ fourth, a copybook header by Anderson. who had moved into the middle for a centre by Shardlow. The five forwards. Cole. Olley. Shardlow’. Anderson and J. Adam (penalty) scored for Rangers, and Flintham for Techical. Mr C. Anderson w’as the referee.

Lower Grades Premer Reserve.—Western 3. Nomads 1; Rangers 4. Technical Old Boys 2. First Division Reserve—New Brighton 3, High School Old Boys 1; Neerlandia 3 Nomads 0. Second Division.—Wigram 1. City 1; Shirley High School Old Boys 4. Watersiders 4: Western 2. Lyttelton 1. Third Division.—Rangers 5. | Shamrock 2. Fourth Division.—Wanderers 8. Lincoln College 3; Celtic 1.; Technical Old Boys 1: City 5.1 Nomads 4 Junior Grade.—Rangers 3. Boys’ High School 2; Technical Old Boys 3, Shamrock 0: Shirley Boys’ High School 2. Linwood High School 1. Fourth Grade.—Technical 1. Shamrock 1. Technical Old Bovs 1. Celtic 1: Shamrock A 5. Western R 0; Shirley Boys’ High School 3. High School Old Boys 3; Western A 3, Nomads 0 Fifth Grade —Section 1: Celtic 5. Nomads 0; City 3. Technical College B 2; Technical College A 4. Western A 2. Section IT: Shamrock B 2. Western B 0. Sixth Grade—Shirley B.H.S 3. Rangers 1: Technical College 2. Nomads 0; City 5. Technical OR 1; Shamrock B 9. Celtic 3. Seventh Grade—Section I: Celtic 1. Western A 0: Sham-; rock B 1. Brighton 1; Rangers ; A 4. Nomads 1: Shamrock A 2. City A 0; Celtic 1 Western A 1. Section II Rangers B 1. City B 0; Technical O B 2 ' Western B 1. Eighth Grade. —Section I: City A 2. Shamrock A 0; West-1 em A 6, Brighton 1; Techncal, A 1. Rangers 0; Celtic 2. Neerlandia 1. Section II: Western I E 3, City B 1; Nomads 2. West-! ern C 0; Technical C 1. Sham-, rock B 1: Technical B 1, Sham- 1 rock C 1: Wanderers 1. Sham-1 rock D 0. Ninth Grade—Section 1: Shamrock A 4, Nomads 1: Technical A 2. Celtic 0: Rangers 4. City 0 Section II: Brighton 6. Shamrock C 1; Wanderers 5. Western B 0; Technical B 0. Shamrock B 0. Tenth Grade—Section I: Wanderers A 0, Rangers A 0: Western A 1. Nomads A 0: City A 7. Celtic 0: Technical A 1.; Shamrock A 1; Neerlandia 1. Technical 0.8. 1 Section II: Neerlandia 1, Technical 0.8. 0;

Brighton A 9, Nomads B 1: Shamrock B 1. Citv B 0 Western B 0. Wanderers B o'. Section III: Rangers B 1, Shamrock C 0; Shamrock C 0. Shamrock D 0; Technical C 4. Brighton B 0. Eleventh Grade.—Neerlandia 3, Shamrock 0. Technical 0.8 2, Western I; Nomads 6, City 0.

Chile Third In World Cup (N .Z. PA.-Reuter—Copyright) SANTIAGO, June 16. Chile gained third place in the World Cup soccer championship by beating Jugoslavia 1-0 today, with a goal in the first minute of injury time. Chatham Zone Final.— Moturoa (New Plymouth! defeated Athletic (Wanganui). 1-0, I in a zone final of the Chatham Cup soccer competition at New Plymouth on Saturday. E ; Meuli scored for Moturoa.— I (PA)

P W L D Pts. Western .. 10 y 2 1 15 Shamrock 10 7 2 1 15 Nomads .. 10 6 3 1 13 Technical .. 10 2 6 2 6 Rangers 9 1 6 2 4 Citv 9 2 6 1 3* •Joints lost. registration breach. Keys Cup P W D Pts. Neerlandia 9 6 1 2 14 University 9 1 •> 13 New Bri. 9 5 2 2 12 Old Boys 9 4 2 3 11 Thistle 9 1 7 1 3 Wanderers 9 - 8 1 1