ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 125, 31 May 1927, Page 12

ASSOCIATION

WELLINGTON TEAM CHOSEN

The selectors (Messrs. A. Williams, W. L. Wilson, and W. B. Hicks) have chosen the following team to represent Wellington against the Canadians at Athletic Park on Friday next:—

Goal: W. Bentley (V.M.C.A.). Full-backs: A. ,Gibb (Hospital) and L. M'Girr (V.M.C.A.). Halves: D. M'Kee (Waterside), Haines (Waterside), and J. Burke (Marist). Forwards: E. Barton (Marist), J. Lothian (Thistle), captain, Rigby (V.M.C.A.), Marshmen (Marist), and W. Cudby (Marist).

Reserves: J. Guest (Diamonds), W. Thomas (Marist), and C. Ballard (Y.M.C.A.).

(By "Vanguard.")

Admittedly, the selectors have had an unenviable task in selecting the team to meet the Canadians, and probably the eleven chosen will give a good account of itself against the visitors. The fact re-mains,-however, that the best team available has not been selected, and disappointment will be felt in many directions at the omission of certain players who have been showing excellent form this season. It is surprising, for instance, that no place has been found for Ballard, the V.M.C.A. left wing. On form this season he is tlte best forward in Wel-

lington, and Y.M.C.A.'s success in the championship matches has been largely due to his work. He is a tireless player, with a great knowledge of the game, and it should not have been a difficult matter for the selectors to find a place for him. Cudby, who has been given the leftwing position, is admittedly a player o£ class, but he lacks Ba'lard's experience, and experience will count for a lot in Friday's game. Lothian may be considered lucky. He has been playing in the half-line this season, and the selectors, have seen fit to place him in the forwards. Marshment, who will play outside left, has earned his place, and his appearance in representative football is overdue. Two Waterside players (M'Kee and Haines) have been included.in the halves. Haines has been playing great football this season, and on his form he has earned his place. The selectors have made a big experiment, however, in playing M'Kee as right half. M'Kee is essentially a centre. Apart from that, he has had few games this season, and it is questionable whether he is at his best. No fault can he found with the full-backs or the goalkeeper.