HOSPITAL LEAD IN CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 121, 25 May 1931, Page 14

HOSPITAL LEAD IN CHAMPIONSHIP

.Saturday's Sucuci- mulches have again changed the positions of the leading loams in the senior championship tabk\ Hospital no\v luad by one point from Pctono and Diamond, who aro disputing second place. The main aUrueUon on Saturday was Hit! meeting of Diamond and lMoue,' and, as was anticipated, the game was interesting from start to finish. Kach side gave of its best, and at, UaLl'-timo tlicro was little difference between Hit; teams. In the concluding stages of the match, however, Diamond piled on the goals, and though Petone made desperate efforts to score, they were unable to do so, owing mainly to the excellent work of the Diamond goal-keeper. At the Hospital ground, Hospital defeated "Waterside rather easily by a two-goal margin. Keatouu and Marist played a drawn game, and Thistle had an easy win over W.Y.M.I.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. First Division. DlamiinU t PcUmo i. i Thistle -1 ■U'.Y.M.r J Hospitnl X Wntcrsklc 1 Marist 3 Scalouu • J FIRST DIVISION DIAMOND BEAT PETO/ME. In ;i game that was full of incident, Diamond beat return! by -1 goals to 2 on No. 1 ground at Clio Basin Jiesorve. The fu-st half, Mild the greater part of the second, were evenly oonlstcil, but in the concluding stages Diamond asserted their superiority in marked manner. The teams were:— Pctone: iM'Vean; Brown, llainesj Jl'Auley, Campbell, llauliu; Baistow, Watson, Leslie, May, Craig. Diamond: Wyatt'; Wotherspoon, Guest; J. M'Leod, Bishop, Geddis; J\. M'Leod, Rigby, Dickenson, Smith,.Bryson. Petone kicked oft', but there was little incident for the first quarter. A strong Petone attack was made on the right wing, Craig, sending in a beautiful shot which Wyatt punched clear. A few minutes later Wyatt was again called on to save in a diflicult situation. K. M'Leod broke away down the wing, and centred to Smith. The latter shot quickly, but the ball was well taken by M'Vean. M'Leod repeated the performance, and Diekscnsoii attempted to deflect the leather in. The goalies was again safe. Leslie missed an opportunity, sending in a weak shot. The Diamond attack was at last successful. Rigby shot hard from close quarters, the leather hitting the crossbar. Upon the rebound, Smith made no mistake with the shot Diamond ], Petone 0. Petonc set about to equalise in a determined m.inuor. Wyatt was subjected to a series of hard shots from each wing, and ultimately Craig hit the crossbar. Leslie bustled the goalie while he was trying to save, and Baistow seized the opportunity to make a score. .1-1. Play became fast and open, and there were "many bright episodes. Leslie nearly netted twice, missing the net by a narrow margin on each occasion. The pace was maintained till hall-time, but no further goals were scored. Play had not been in progress long before Smith (Diamond) scored for each side. Following midfield play the ball went out to E. M'Leod. lie centred, and when M'Vean came well out to clear, Smith headed into Ihe net. Diamond 2, Petone 11. Within a couple of minutes Petone:were awarded a corner, and while defending, Smith accidentally headed tlie ball through his own goal. 2-2.. Following a period of even, careful play, Diamond scored. Bryson centred nicely, and Rigby came up fast to head the leather in. Diamond 3, Petone 2. Petone very' nearly got through. May struck the crossbar with a hard shot, and Leslie put the second shot over the bar. Two more chances foil to Leslie, but the excellent work of Wyatt saved the situation. hi the concluding stages, If. M'Lood vent across to the other wing, and when AE'Vcan had been drawn out of goal, netted. Diamond i, Petoue '2.. . Mr. T. Plant was the referee.