Hospital Lead: Senior Soccer Championship

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 198, 19 May 1936, Page 14

Hospital Lead: Senior Soccer Championship

(By

HOTSPUR.)

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE. First A Division.

WITH an extra game to their credit. ’’ Hospital are lea'lnig iu the first A division will: eight points. Their match against Diamonds was the only one completed on May 2. In view’ of Seatoun’s good showing in subsequent matches, Institute Old Boys will regret that their match was abandoned when they were in a winning position. Hospital Keep On Winning. The Hospital team may not contain many young players, but their combination is improving with every match. Swifts were beaten but not disgraced, and they had last year's champions thoroughly ou their mettle. Had it uot been for the perfect co-ordination of Miles aud Thompson, with Wyatt clearing everything that passed them. Swifts would undoubtedly have been closer at the finish, as their forwards broke away in several flashing movements which might easily have resulted in goals. Ilawken was crossing the ball well, and but for Jeffrey’s spoiling tactics. Heath would have been more dangerous, as the openings were certainly made to order. The defence of Dixon and Oliver stood up to a fierce battering from Woods, Sbankie and Webster, and though they made mistakes, they more than atoned for them ou occasions.

Fireworks From Seatoun. Seatoun supporters are feeling on very good terms with themselves after the promoted team’s convincing win over Waterside on Saturday. They have every reason to be jubilant, for it was one of the best exhibitions of team-work, determination and sustained brilliance seen for some time. Even the strongest Waterside team could hardly have withstood their attack, but it was a pity that Janes was missing from the forward line and Abernethy from the backs. Both Goggius and Topliss did all, or nearly all, that was asked of them, but the team, particularly in the second half, seemed to have their tails down. The defection of Janes was unfortunate, as he had shown promise this season in two previous games and could safely have been relied on for probably two goals.

Seatoun always played like a winning team, and their halves in the first spell worked like Trojans to offset Waterside's advantage of the wind. This they succeeded in doing. 11. Salt worried Longbottom every time the tall Waterside player obtained the ball, and it was not always the Seatoun player who came off second best. The most improved player in a vastly- improved team was undoubtedly D. McKenzie (inside left). Previously overshadowed by I. Gendall, McKenzie on the day outshone bis teammate. who played his usual dashing game. Hazel bore the brunt of many Seatoun attacks with equanimity, clearing with

judgment and snapping up loose passes to send his forwards away. Toplis, a solid player, was always hard to pass, bill his clearances had not the direction of his team males’. Lack of Finish. The Duiinonds-liistipi*,. mati-j, a: Kcfbitrn was very disappointing in many ways. The game was fast and keen enough, lint was lacking in those intricate moves which give football the stamp of class and make a greater appeal to the onlookers than the result of the game. It had a very raw appearance and savoured greatly of the kind of football seen in the lower grades. The game was saved from mediocrity by King’s brilliant display in goal for Institute; lie was the means of saving a point for his side, despite some great scoring efforts by the forward line of the Diamonds. King did not hesitate to concede corner after corner in doing so, lor al all times during the game he was nonplussed by the inability of his own backs to K>ve him protection and assistance. King, in this display, is approaching representative class. The other highlights were two classic goals by Baker and Tucker. Both goals were somewhat similar in fashion and they made the journey to Kelburn worth while. Baker and Tucker were the most outstanding forwards on the field. The former is getting back to his old-time form again, and displayed great dash. It would be quite safe to conjecture that if bis old partner, Cunningham, was on his left side this centre would get the goals. Perhaps this was the real reason of Baker's somewhat indifferent success on the last Australian tour. Geddes was a tower of strength in a virile half-back line, and gave a classy display. Diamonds’ defence was solid throughout, with Beatley showing fine promise for a youngster. Institute were ns a team disconcerted, and gave a ragged display. Even the tricky and dapper G. Sutherland had a luckless day for his farewell to Wellington Soccer. The departure of this player to take up a business a;>pointment in Invercargill will be a big loss both to his club and to Wellington Soccer. Marist Make Amends. P. Tarkington (Marist) was right on his game on Saturday, reproducing the form that won him bis place in the Wellington representatives. Petone, individually, played good football, but their combination needs polishing up. A few team-talks might work wonders, because with the material they have more goals should come their way. One mistake they made on Saturday was in playing consistently to their ‘ right wing, who was well marked whenever the ball came his way. More use of Craig, who has football brains considerably above the average, might have produced better results. R. Quirke displayed more dash than usual, as the Petone defence soon discovered. He combined well with Hatchard. who is rightly considered one of the most constructive inside forwards in the game ami a worthy successor to J. Kershaw. The latter and Eddie Barton are two old players who are helping the Marist. club along iu the capacity of selectors.

J’. Hospital 4 W. 4 L. D. r. A. 8 Pts s Sea to mi 3 — — io 1 t) Marist 3 1 1 — 13 8 4 Institute . 3 1 I 1 10 10 . > Waterside .... 3 1 •— 11 - I’etone 3 1 - — 4 8 Diamond 4 —. . 1 1 t j i;i 1 Swills V 0 - > — I'J 0