LOCAL GAMES

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 8, 10 July 1922, Page 11

LOCAL GAMES

WATERSIDERS AND THISTLE LEAD

SOME SPLENDID GAMES,

Playing under ideal conditions, local Soccer teams set a very l\igh standai-d |of play on Saturday. An all-round improvement was noticeable, and interest |in the championship should he well maintained. Watei'siders registered an easy victory over .Diamonds, and were superior throughout the game. Thistle just managed to defeat Hospital. Both Y.M.O.A. teams had a win. In the senior A competition, Watersiders and Thistle how lead with thirteen points each. Diamonds (nine points) and Y.M.O.A. B (six points) are next on the list. In the senior B grade, Swifts scored their second win this season, and Wellington Gas Company suffered their first defeat. Petone ran over Island Bay. Following is a summary of the results:—. SENIOR A GRADE. Thistle 2,. Hospital 1. Waterside 5, Diamonds 0. Y.M.O.A. 3, Karori 2. Y.M.O.A. B 2, Marist 1. SENIOR B. Swifts 2, Wadestown 0. South Wellington 2, Wellington Gas Company 0. Petone 5 a Island Bay 0. THISTLE v. HOSPITAL. Thiatle defeated Hospital at- Poriraa., and were fortunate in doing so, although they fully deserved their win, as they generally showed the better combination. 'Shs first half was mostly in favour of Hospital, whose efforts lacked finish. The home team kicked- off, and almost at once obtained a free kick for an infringement by one of, the Thistle halves, but' Thompson kicked well over the crossbar. A run headed by Trott and O'Shea put Hospital in difficulties, but Ferguson saved the position by giving a corner. At the other end again Hughes and Dick were prominent, until the latter waa giv«n off-side. M'Arthur and O'Shea were showing some fine combination, but had a' virile half in Thompson opposed to them, and his spoiling tactics wera very effective. Tyson, in goal for Hospital, was now called on, and g*ve a corner when hard pressed, by Houston and H. Smith. M'Kenaie and Taylor were v«ry safe Si back, but a grand run by the Hospital forwards ended in Ewing bringing off a clever save from a ground shot by Whitahouse. A long shot from Avdd followed, and just skimmed the bar, and then. Hughes and Thompson both tried, but the shote were wide. AiUd was playing a 'great game for tha home team, and was continually brsaking up the Thistle attaok. A solo effort by Trott almost succeeded, but Tyson saved well: The game was very fast, and always full of interest-and,incidents, and kept the, large crowd in a continual simmer of, exciteroeiit. In one hot attack M'Kehzie handled the bajlin the penalty area,- and Hughes was entrusted with the kick, and his shot hit the upright and bounced back into play, a corner resulting. Hospital were now doing most of the pressing, and Ewing had to punch! qu^ twioe in rapid succession. R. Smitih, Bradbury, and Henderson, the visitors* halves, were playing splendid games, particularly the latter, who saved his side, on several.. occasions., Several . exciting rallies occuiirecl' at "both goals. ■ From a melee in front of Hospital goal the ball eventually cajie to M'Axthur, who opened the scoring with a fast low snot. Thistle 1-0. A few minutes : , later good concerted play by Auld and Windley sent Dick away on * the left wingl, and centre was met by, Hughes, who scored a goal which gave Ewing ■no chance. Thistle 1, Hospital 1. ; The/ second half was mainly in favour, of the Blues, and only the real good defence of the Hospital team kept them in . check. M'Arthur and O'Shea continued their good play, and, assisted by Henderson, frequently had the home team in difficulties, but tha shooting generally, was poor. '• .A run by Wright and Paterson t>ut Thistle on th» defensive, and the former's centre was a treat, and Ewing earned applause by making a brilliant save off the toes of two ; Hospital forwards. At the other end again, Henderson*missed when right in front, and O'Shea pub over the bar. Thistle were now pressing hotly, and severe.! owners.came their way, but th* defence, especially Thompson, was solid. Ai*ld was hurt, but, soon resumed play. The persistency of the'town team was at last .rewarded. A tricky run by M'Arthur and O'Shea ended in Trott scoring a good goal. Thiatle 2-1. The gamo continued 'fast, ■ and although both teams had further opportunities, there was no further score. The referee was Ml*. E. Windley.

V.M.C.A. A 3, KARORI 2. The V.M.C.A. A team secured rather a surprise victory over Karori by threegoals to two. Y.M. had theibetter of thegame iff" the early half, and at half-time the score read V.M.C.A.' 2, Karori nil.; Y.M. had the better of the exchanges, but Kai'ori, who were pressing hard, scored first,- Baker finding the net. Karori retaliated, but Baker, securing a pass, again scored. Shortly after the commencement of the second spell MacIntyre and Ditchfield scored for Karori, but a third point was registered by Baker for Young Men, placing the latter team in the lead. The game was -willing, and the win was thoroughly deserved., Mr., W. Auld refereed. V.M.C.A. B v. MABIST. V.M.C.A. B defeated Marist by two goals to one after an interesting and keenly contested* game. In the first' spell both teams scored one point, and j early in the second half a fine shot by I Rarity, which Fitzgerald ineffectively attempted to save, turned the scales in Young Men's favour. Y.M. took the game in hand from the beginning, and' commenced hammering away at Marist's' goal, several shots narrowly missing the net. Loadsman scored first, securing a nice pass, which he had no difficulty in netting, making the score one in V.M.'s favour. Costelloe and Garruthers were' prominent in- some pretty head work, which resulted in Carruthers making an unsuccessful shot at goal. A few minutes later, M^EUigott took possession of the ball at, mid-field, and, carrying it down with him all the way, shot the first goal for Marist- With the scores'equal, both teams strived to gain an advantage, and put in some fast and open play. M'Elligott ma.de a second individual rush,,' which, however, was unsuccessful. The B team pressed, but Fitzgerald saved prettily. A combined movement amongst i.M. backs saw, Smith well down on Fitzgerald,but the-latter cleared. Loadsman aptl M'Girr were prominent throughout the game: In the latter portion of 'the second spell Young Men made repeated attempts at goal, but were unable to penetrate ' the Marist defence. Mr.F. W. Ching was referee. DIAMONDS v. WATERSIDERS. Many people took advantage to watch this match. The game started with a rush; the Diamonds making a great pace Lowe, at outside left, got away, but tfatten sent a. lovely pass to Bell, who sent _on to . Palmer,: and the latter, after •beating Bidgood, placed 'the ball over Browning s head; that player expecting Davies to run ,oui,, hesitated, ' and Ousack, nipping,in, scored amidst-'.ap-. plauae. Anton, Palmer, and Ferguson Eire aU (shooting welL Diamonds broks

away, but Rowlands was too good for Kinnear, and sent the ball into the goalmouth, and Anton ajjd eFrguson, coming up fast, had the; defence in a tangle, and before Diamonds cleared Ferguson got the ball through. 2-0, Next minute saw a pretty bit of play. Lowe got away on the left win, and Jackstone headed away, and the ball travelled three-parts of the field from head to head. Irvine sent the ball to. Ferguson, who tapped the ball through the backs, and Anton, racing at top, J reached the ball a second before Davies,' and with a first-time shot scored a love*, ly goal,-making the score 3-0. Diamonds broke away again, and just as Crundwell was about to shoot, Jackstone in-' tercepted him. From the kick-off after half-time, Diamonds raised the hopes of their supporters, but it was only a "flash in the pan." Batten was play.' ing a great game in his new position at back. Coborn had a chance, but hung on too long, and was robbed by Browning. Kinnear tried a long shot, which went wide, and next minute saw Ferguson try one; it was a fine shot and struck under the bar. Palmer and Cusack were conspicuous/ the latter sending in a nice pass to his mate, who, rounded the back, and when tackled, deceived the goalie,', and scored the j fourth goal. Cusack next delighted the spectators with some fine runs, and from a good centre Anton missed, but Coborn scored the fifth goal. Diamonds came away again, and Crundwell tried a shot, but the direction was wrong. Anton tried a header, but missed by inches! Soon after the whistle went, leaving Watersiders winners by 5 to 0. Mr. Bryce was referee. v ,