Trials Have Not Solved All Selector’s Problems

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30129, 13 May 1963, Page 19

Trials Have Not Solved All Selector’s Problems

Canterbury's selector (Mr V. Smith) was left with a series of unsolved and familiar problems after the first of the season’s two soccer trials were held at English Park yesterday. The two games played failed to supply him wth a centre - forward, set big queries against the wing and half-back positions, and produced an over-supply of goalkeepers and centre-halves. These he must resolve before Queen’s Birthday week-end when Canterbury’s senior team will play Auckland and Wellington in the English Trophy competition and a second eleven will meet Nelson in Christchurch. Of the five centre-forwards played in yesterday’s trials only ;he former Nelson representative, J. Bezant (Waterside), appeared likely to fill the role of spearhead that has plagued Canterbury in recent seasons. Bezant scored one of his side’s four goals and showed plenty of energy and fire, although he rarely got the best from his exchanges with the very solid and capable Nomads' centrehaff, D. Simmonds. The other four centre-for-wards tried B. Rumbold (City). D. Niven (City). D. Ennis (Nomads), and J. Price

(Shamrock)—were all playing out of their normal positions this season and were not a success. Once again Mr Smith may have to experiment with a regular inside-forward, but his field of choice is limited. P. Barrett, the Shamrock right-half, was one of the trial’s outstanding successes, and it was unfortunate for the selector that he was not able to match Barrett’s ability with that of the Western player, J. Young, who was injured on Saturday. B. Chee, of Technical, replaced Young, and also played a steady game. For the opening minutes. of the second trial game, the Rangers’ left-wing, D. Anderson, looked capable of solving one problem for Canterbury. He scored a magnificent goal, but as the match went on slowly faded out of the picture and rarely used his speed to full advantage. W. Logan (Technical) and D. Torkington (Western) lasted better, and although neither can match Anderson over 20 yards, both showed a better appreciation of a wingman’s arts and crafts. Simmonds again looked the ideal choice for centre-half—-big. strong, and unruffled—but be was run a very close second by J. le Poidevin (City) and K. Clark (Western). The Western goalkeeper. D. Smith, harmed his reputation by making two bad mistakes, and on the play in the trials D. Chapman (Nomads) was unquestionably the safer of the two. But Smith will seldom play as

badly’, and if he is selected for the second trial will not make the same mistakes. The choice of left-half will again probably rest with J. Frost (Western) and H. Taylor (Shamrock), unless Mr Smith should decide, as has been done in the past, to play Frost at left-back. T. Haydon (inside-right) and A. Westwood (right-back) were possibly the only two players who assured themselves of places in the senior teams. Haydon's principal challenger isD. Sansbury (Shamrock). but Sansbury lacks Haydon’s explosive shooting power, and would probably be the ideal foil for Haydon at inside-left or right-half. The 15-yea.r-old Xavier College boy. F. Madrussen (Technical), scored one fine goal, but Mr Smith may decide he is too young to lie pushed into representative football, in which case E. Bennett (City), who had a good trial, seems the logical in-side-left. Westwood’s partner at fullback may rest between A. Ross (University), Frost, and M. Rennell (Nomads), and the right-wing between A. Verham (Technical), R. Bruce (City), and Ennis. The second trial will be played at English Park on May 36, and the teams for this game will be announced this week. In the first game. Reds (Bruce. Bezant. Simmonds own goal, Madrussen) beat Greens (A Chee), 4-1, and in the second Reds (P. Kay) drew with Greens (Anderson). 1-1.