SHIELD GAME

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1933, Page 24

SHIELD GAME

CONTRAST IN STYLES

The final challenge shield match of the season last Saturday, __ in which I Auckland defeated Manawatu by 5 goals to 4, provided an exciting sequenco of scoring. Although the final margin was small, Auckland undoubtedly held the upper hand throughout the game, and only the wonderful display of goalkeeping given by Hart kept the score against Manawatu at a minimum, states the "New Zealand Herald." ,} As anticipated, the game provided a contrast in styles. The Auckland forwards, with the close support of the halves, maintained short-passing tactics throughout; while, on the other hand, the Manawatu halves played in a deep position in the field. This position was partly caused by the pressure of the Auckland forwards. It necessitated, however, hard-hitting on «tho halves' part in order to feed their forward line, and, as a Tesult, the attacks' of the Manawatu forwards were frequently short-lived. When the forwards had lost control of the ball the halves were seldom up close enough to enable them to put the van back on the attack. ' . The game was remarkable in that, out of a total goal crop of nine goals, Manawatu's first score was the only orthodox goal secured as a result of combined work in the field. It is safe to say that C. Watts has made shield match history by his performance in gaining all of Auckland's five goals from corner hits. Considering the fact that Auckland held a territorial advantage through most of the game, however, it is evident, with the numerous shots the team had at the goal, it missed many scoring opportunities by failure to follow in and take advantage of Tcbounds.