NAVY AT PLAY

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

NAVY AT PLAY

BRIGHT SOCCER

The Wellington representative team was extended to the utmost to beat the Australian Navy eleven by the odd goal in five last week, and for a long time during the match a. win for the visitors seemed more than likely. Though the combination of the Navy men -was only fair, due perhaps to lack of team practice, their individual work was excellent, and in this department of the game they completely overshadowed the local side. But the Wellington team, though not by any means up to the standard of others that have been fielded this season, was comparatively strong in concerted movements, and because of this was able to snatch a narrow victory. It was a great pity that the Basin Reserve was not available for the match, for had it been so both the Soccer and the gate receipts would have been infinitely better. The fair crowd at the Stadium would have been a large crowd at the Basin Reserve, and they would have seen football more scientific than was possible on the irregular surface of the Stadium. Playing with more initiative than is usually seen here, even in representative teams, the sailors .forced the pace all the way and frequently had the Wellington defence guessing. The bolo : runs made by their forwards were a delight to watch, the centre-forward, Down, shining particularly in this respect. He and the centre-half, Joseph, wero the best of the visitors. They all showed a surprising turn of speed for their size 'and weight, needing only better combination to weld them into a truly great representative side. The youthful Wellington players acquitted themselves very well. In goal was the Diamond custodian, Wyatt, who played his usual solid game. He was not originally chosen for the team, and his action in turning out at short notice was that of a true sportsman. It is difficult to understand why Wyatt is not sometimes first choice for the goalkeeper's position in Wellington representative teams; for his meritorious service to his club in many a difficult game has shown that he can well be trusted with the job. In the full-back-positions Mahoney and McLean stood up' well to their much heavier opponents, as also did the halves, Hindle, Jeffrey, and Geddes. Jeffrey's sound judgment, born of long experience, made him the best of the halves, but the other two weTe very good. Cunningham and Garrod, on the left wing, were the strength of the forwards, continually harrying the Navy defence. Dainty and Condon, on the right wing, did not play as well as they do in club games, and Baker at centrevforward was not conspicuous. A noteworthy feature of the gatae was that the two men from the first B division, Garrod of Seatoun and McLean of Institute, were among the best players on the field.