FROM THE SIDE LINE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 35, 10 August 1936, Page 16

FROM THE SIDE LINE

PLAYERS AND THE GAMES

Those who emerged with credit from the Waterside-Diamond draw were the -defenders on either side. Their work was made the' more difficult by the tricky wind and slippery ground, but they stood up to it well, and played a steady though not brilliant game, as compared- with the erratic and disjointed play of the forwards.

Both goalkeepers, Ward for Waterside and Ewing for Diamond, gave good accounts of themselves, the latter particularly pleasing the crowd by his confident' punching clearances. '

Waterside were unfortunate in being without the services of Abernethy at right full-back. He was replaced by O'Donnell, who with Topllss was inclined at first to be shaky, but later the pair settled down to a fairly sound defence.

Hazel was conspicuous at centre half for Waterside, though Cocks and Reid also played well.

Lack of combination as a line was the fault of the Waterside vanguard. There was a certain amount of combination between each wing pair, but not nearly enough wing to wing passing or using the centre as a pivot. Moreover, the left wing was fed far too much. Individually the five were about equal. __

Diamond's forwards suffered also from lack of complete combination, and like Waterside frequently failed in their shooting. Upchurch and the twp Johnstons were the best.

Tucker and Cockburn played heroically at full-back for Diamond, as also did .the half line, O'Leary, Geddes, and Nicol.

Leslie, Petone's veteran centre-for-ward, played another fine game on oaturday against Marist. Despite the wind and bad playing conditions, he made few mistakes in leading his forwards, and two at least of the three goals scored* by Petone resulted from his generalship.

Turkingtoli showed that he was still on form on Saturday by pulling off several very nicely-timed saves. Against the wind, his clearing kicks travelled a phenomenal distance, and generally landed where they would do the most good. He had no real chance to stop any of the three goals scored against Marist.

Another promising Petone forward is Cullen, who combined splendidly with Leslie in several neat and wellexecuted movements. He was usually on- the spot when required, and seems to be able to take a shot at goal from any angle, as witness the backward screw kick which brought Petone's third goal. .

Anywhere within range of Petone's goal, M. Quirke was a source of danger to his opponents. He is quick to take advantage of' an opportunity, and is seldom beaten for possession.

Connell continues.to play a fast and tricky game as Petohe full-back. He is a hard man to pass; and has a habit of turning defence into attack.

Although Bishop, goalkeeper for Swifts, was beaten three times, he showed that lie has lost none of the skill acquired by experience in another centre. He is .hard° to bustle, shows nice anticipation, and can throw the length of a long punt when he is hard pressed.

H. Salt, right-half for Seatoun, is one of the most consistent examples of the value of scientific tackling. He never hesitates to get in close, and once he has the ball he knows where1 to place it" ■ \ ■ . •;...

C. Yeoman, outside-right for Sea-'----toun, did more than any man on the field towards combining neatness with efficiency. He was able to work in the closest of spaces,.and co-operated cleverly with his half-back and inside men. ■■ • • .

McKenzie, Seatoun's inside-left, was always ready for the har' work; and ■wras a useful unit in the tight goalmouth play. Gendall, outside him,.was sound, but comparatively starved. •; ■ .-. • : •• . " •■

P. MacGregor was instrumental in gaining much ground for Swifts on the right wing, even when Seatoun were holding the balance of play He uses the short kick through to advantage, and shows a nippy pair of heels.

White, Swifts' centre-half, was their most valuable man both on attack and defence. He played an excellent roving game, and. scored one of- the best goals seen 'in Wellington '.this season. ■ • '