SOCCER TRIAL

Evening Star, Issue 22365, 15 June 1936, Page 4

SOCCER TRIAL

o OTAGO'S TWEKTY-TWO “BEST'” MEDIOCRE TALENT EXHIBITED Otago's best ‘22 Soccer players were on view in the trial match at Logan Park, and even the most devoted adherent oi the round ball code must have been unimpressed with the form revealed within a week of the match with Canterbury. The trial provided clear evidence that talent is not profuse in Otago this season. The Blues were, on paper, a team that might easily have boon selected to represent the province, but they were not onlydefeated, but showed not the slightest cohesion. On the display, Otago will have difficulty in fielding an eleven likely to develop into a team. Blues.—W. Smith; G. Taylor, G. Anderson; W. Chapman, Alec. Sutherland, A. Sutherland; S. Duncan, L. Groves, W. Hooper, T. Daman, .1. Skinner. Stripes.—L. Holden; A. Ramagc, G. Pickerill; G. Groves, C. Skinner, A. M'Quarrie; L. Smith, W. Rogers, A. Davidson, J. Dalziel, J. Little. On paper, the Blues were by far the stronger team, but the Stripes were all over them throughout the first spell. The outstanding player afield was the Stripes’ centre forward, Davidson, who showed a lot of football in his first three attempts at goal—a clever header and two foot shoots—any of which merited a score. Davidson worked one of the attempts on his own. Smith saved one shot finely and then made a heady rush out to fist,over the heads of the attackers, but he was very poor in his next two saves, in which luck held with him. Taylor was playing a mixture of sound and poor football. The football generally was poor, and although the Stripes were making most of the attack, the shooting, apart from Davidson’s, was not decisive. The first goal went to the Stripes, Little crossing. Smith was fouled while reaching for possession, but he was then beaten,- the ball going into the net. Stripes 1., Blues 0. Chapman was the best wing half, and Skinner was working much more efficiently than his vis-a-vis. Poor form was being shown by the Northern left half (Sutherland). J. Skinner was so far the star of the Blue forward line, which failed to combine after 20 minutes’ plav. Groves and Duncan were getting little of the ball, and Hooper bad not been given an opportunity tp shoot until half an hour had passed, by which time Farman and J. Skinner were working well together. L. Smith was conspicuous for the Stripes, and his good cross was accepted by Davidson, who shot a goal from 10yds out. Stripes 2, Blues 0, As an eleven that many would select to represent Otago, the Blues were giving a pitiful exhibition. The two full-backs were good. Chapman was the only half showing form, and.Farnan and Skinner were the pick of a very erratic and ill-combined-for-ward line. For the Stripes M'Quarrie, at left half, was definitely superior to Andy Sutherland, and C. Skinner’s passes and general control were better than the Blues’ centre half. The outside left, Little, was no more than fair, his main weakness being lack of force in shooting. Both Damage and Pickerill were playing steadily, without any of the touches of brilliance in anticipation by the opposition full-backs. It was a most disappointing spell, the adjournment being taken with the scores: Stripes 2, Blues 0. The Blues opened the second spell with an excellent goal. Swiftly Farnan centred. The ball went past the inside men, and Duncan dashed up to shoot with terrific force. Stripes 2, Blues 1. While Duncan was not getting many chances to show his real worth, Groves being- a poor mate, the right wing for the Stripes, Smith, was producing some excellent runs, and was shooting well, while his man, Rogers, was very neat. Hooper was not revealing any of his old-time dash, and he even missed a sitting shot presented to him by Farnan, But the worst miss by a forward was recorded by Dalziel. He had a clear and direct run to goal, and_ when syds out he was robbed of possession by Smith. The finest save of the match,

however, was made by Holden, whos* agility stopped a certain goal from Farnan. Holden had just saved, and was on the ground when Farnan shot yet ho managed to reach the ball._ Farnan was still playing the most delightful foots ball, and at the same time was energetic. He evened the scores by beating three men on his own by sheer aggressiveness, but lie could have mad? his shot more decisive. Stripes 2, Blues ,2. L. Smith worked vigorously to position for a centre, which he made very neatly, and M'Quarrie moved up with fine anticipation to connect with cer-r taintv to shoot a good goal. Stripes 3, Blues 2. Shades of Hooper! He missed another gift shot. On this trial depended his again representing the province, but be was showing nothing to warr.ant his being reconsidered, although Davidson* too, was far from prominent this spelL The football was of a low standard.There were flashes of good individual play by L. Smith, J. Skinner, Farnan* M'Quarrie, W. Chapman, and Holden* but neither side succeeded in develop-’ ing- cohesion throughout the game. M'Quarrie definitely played himself into the Otago team, not only by his clever constructive play, but ‘ by his shooting. The final score was:— .Stripes ft Blues -2 Mr F. Stanley was the referee. TO FLAY AUSTRALIANS WELLINGTON SOCCER SIDE [Pee Unites Press Association.! WELLINGTON, June 13. The representative Soccer team to play the Australians on the King'* Birthday is:—Goal, Parton (Seatoun);| Backs—Miles (Hospital), Haines- (Pietone) ; halves—Todd, Jeffery, arid Simon (all Hospital); forwards—Heath (Swifts), Webster (Hospital), Leslie (Petone), Hutchard (Marist), Gendall (Seatoun). Reserve: Longbottoin (Waterside), SECOND GRADE. Northern 5, Morningtoa 2. • Maori Hill 1, T.C.0.8. 1. High School 6, Y.M.C.A. 1. THIRD GRADE. Caversham 2, Fairfield 2.’ T.C.0.8. 4, Maori Hill 3. High School 2, Caversham 0. ’ FIFTH GRADE. High School .5, Port Clxalmers t. IN OTHER CENTRES CHRISTCHURH. Thistle 2, St. Albans 0. Western A 3, Western B 2. Technical 2, Nomads 1. Rangers 5, Linwood 1. WELLINGTON. —Trial' Match',— , Possibles 5, Prbbables c '3.’ | —B Division..— . Technical Old Boys TO, Miramar Rangers 1. Scottish Wanderers 3, Rovers 1. Island Bay 5. Nada 2. / Lower Hutt 6, Onslow 1. ■ AUCKLAND. Mount Albert Grammar 3, Thistle 0, Ponsonby 4, North Shore 2. PETER DAWSON CUP; At Westport the Peter Dawson Cup was retained by the Buffer team against a challenge from Nelson, the holders winning a very even game by 3 goals to 1. AUSTRALIAN TEAM SAILS. SYDNEY, June'l4. . The Australian team, which left for . New Zealand by the Wanganella, played a trial match against Sydney, the latter winning by 6 goals- to 4. CYCLING CALDER MACKAY CUf WON BY G. HIMER The final race of the Galder Mackay ’ Cup series was rim off by the Dunedin Amateur Cycling Club, and resulted in a win for R. Bullock, G. Homer gaining fastest time and most' - points for the series, and therefore ’drill hold the cup until next road season. The course was from the corner of Richardson and Plunkeb streets, along the former, around Forhury Park t<» ; Victoria road, and to Glencairn Hall, Tomahawk, and back twice. Twenty riders faced the starter (MrJ. Fletcher), M‘Conned and ShaPd, ’ the limit men being sent away at 2.50, and the others in hunches until Homer ’ and Henry left six minutes later. There' was a slight head wind on the way out, the riders taking the first turn in their order of starting. At the second turn Garden and Coburn (3min losec) had caught the limit man, several of the riders having dropped out. Bullock and Sinclair, off Imin 30sec, turned shortly after haying gained 2min on the front-markers. The scratch men had gained 3min at this turn. Shortly after several more riders dropped out, finding the pace too strong for them. Bullock and Homer were making thepace a cracker. At the third turn, at Tomahawk Garden and Coburn .were leading, followed closely by Bullock and R ; Sivertsen, Homer not'being far behind, Brown was also riding well* staying with the faster riders. Bullock drew away towards the finish and beat Garden across the line by 20sec, Coburn being 10yds back third. Sivertsen came in a little ahead of Homer and gained second fastest time. The final points for the cup are;—G, Homer 16, P, Garden 14, R, Brown 12, K. Bullock 10. At the conclusion of the race Mr H. W. Laws, the president, presented the Colder Mackay Cup to the winner, Gordon Homer. The placings were:— R. Bullock (Imin 30sec) ... I P. Garden (3min 15aec) 2 G. Coburn (3min losec) 3. , R. Sivertsen (45sec) 4G. Homer (scr) 5 . A. Umbers (Imin) 6 The time placings were:—G. Homer f 34min 19sec, R. Sivertsen 34min 45see, - K. Bullock 3omin 2sec, A. Umbers 35min 29sec.