SOCCER NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1929, Page 6

SOCCER NOTES

(By “Olympian”) The official opening of the Westland 1 p.A. competitions season eventuated on Saturday last and considering the games were the first of the season’s campaign, seveal hard and fast encounters were witnessed. The “Babes” of the competition, Cobden, forced a draw at Dobson with the Brunner team although the latter team were minus their stalwart “Jjmmy” Berry from the cente half back position. Not having, as yet segn either of these above teams in action, it is thus early to citicise, or, on the other’ hand, sing their Praises. What I do know is, that the Cobden team are a likely lot* of young players and youth will be served in all branches of sport-

The northern .club, Blackball, sustained a home defeat at the hands of the Runanga team (or should I say feet) by 3 clear goals. The “Magpies” monopolised, the play during the early stages of the game and whatever chances came their way they took advantage of the opportunities presented, and were leading by two clear goals at the interval. The home team rearranged their forces at the interval, Rarity taking up the centre half berth and this player was seen at his best during the second period of the game. The home team were for a time continually attacking the Runanga goal, but the forward line were very erratic in their shooting for goal, and what few efforts did find the mark, Rnnor was always in the way, although the custodian to all appearances would have been well beaten with a shot from Rarity from the 18 yds. mark, had not Nelson got in the way of the former’s drive for goal. Pattinson at outside left for Runanga, performed creditably and the “Magpies” would be well advised to persevere with this player in that berth, as Pattinson in his junior team days was one of Westland’s most promising left-wingers. The ever-green Hewison is always a dangerous customer when on the ball and causes opposing defences no end of trouble. He knows how and when to swing the ball across the goalmouth. The screw shot by Pickering, while going at top speed which registered the third goal for his side, was a gem of the first water and gave the custodian little chapce of saving. The schoolboys’ encounter Blackball V. Runanga state in the semi-final round of the Kent (Knock-out) ' Cup, was a ( great go from beginning to end. The home team after being the most aggressive team throughout the game succumbed to a somewhat lucky goal two minutes from the call of time. Speakman the burly custodian of the State boys’ team was the saviour of his side on numerous occasions. Misunderstanding by the local boys, who got into each other’s way in the goalmouth, allowed H. Boote to scramble the ball through for State. This game was clearly a case where the better team lost. However, it is goals that always count and the goal secured by the Runanga boys was quite a legitimate one. Caldwell, the captain of the Blackball boys was a host in himself at full-back whije Bailey also performed well. McNaughton (last season’s custodian) is ably filling the centre half berth for the local boys’ team and rendered yeoman service to his side on Saturday. Vaughan, the diminutive centre forward, tested Speakman on several occasions with well directed shots, but failed lamentably in the last minute of the game to take advantage Of a golden opportunity to equalise the scores. Balderstone at left half Worked like a Trogan all through the game, while McVicar got across several lovely centres. Pattinson, the left winger of the State team, was a lively customer when in possession of the ball. Undoubtedly, school-boy Soccer in Westland is on the upgrade and with such enthusiasts of the game in the persons of Mr. H. R. Barrett (Pres.) A, G. Williams (See.), and the various other delegates of the schools team pulling together in the interests of the game, the Westland boys’ teams to travel tp Dunedin should be well represented during the South Island primary schools Soccer games in August.

Partisans of the code are reminded that the final for the Kent Cup will take place at 1.30 on Saturday on the Cobden Domain prior to the CobdenRewanui senior encounter when a good hard tussle for supremacy should eventuate. Of the senior games for Saturday (on last Saturday’s displays) I predict victories for Brunner, Cobden and Blackball Clubs for the forthcoming week-end games. The chief attraction for Saturday should be the Cobden-Rewanui contest, and the Westland F.A. would be well-advised to secure the services of a strict referee to control this game, as each team will make every post a winning post in an endeavour to secure premier honours. LAWS OF THE GAME (Contd.) Law 7. —When the ball is played Lk> hipd the goal line by a player of the opposite side it shall be kicked off by any one of the players behind whose goal-line it went, within that half of the goal area nearest the point where the ball left the field of play; but if played behind by any one of the side whose goal-line it is, a player of the opposite side shall kick it from within one yard of the nearest corner flagstaff and the kicker shall not again play the ball until it has been played by another player. In either case an opponent shall not be allowed within ten yards of the ball until it is kicked off.

Law B—The8 —The goalkeeper may within his own penalty area use his hands but shall not carry the ball. The goalkeeper shall not be charged except when he is holding the ball, or obstructing an opponent, or when he has passed outside the goal area. The goalkeeper may be changed during the game, but notice of such change must first be given to the referee. Law 9 —Neither tripping, kicking, striking nor jumping at a player shall be allowed. A player (the goalkeeper -within his own penalty area excepted) shall not intentionally hafidle the ball. A player shall not, use his hands to hold or push an opponent. Charging is permissible, but it must not be violent or dangerous. A jolayer shall not be charged from behind unless he is intentionally obstructing an opponent.

Law 10—When a free-kick has been awarded, the kicker’s opponents shall not approach wHhih ten yfifds of the ball until the kick is taken, unless they are standing on their own goal line. The ball must at least be rolled over before it shall fie considered played, i.e., it must make a complete circuit or travel the distance - pf ifs circumference. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it

has been played by another player. The kick-off (except as provided by i Law 2) goal-kick, shall be free-kicks within the meaning of this law. Law 11 —A goal may be scored direct from a corner-kick and, if a free kick is awarded because of any infringement of law 9, a goal may be scored direct from such free-kick* against the Offending sjde, but not from any Other free-kick.

Law 12 —A player shall not wear any nails except such as have their heads driven in flush with the leather, or metal plates or projections, or guttapercha on his boots, or on his shinguards. If bars or studs on the soles or heels of the boots are used, they shall not project more than half an inch, and shall have all their fastenings driven in flush with the leather. Bars shall be transverse and flat, not less than half an inch in width, and shall extend from side to side of the boot. Studs shall be round in plan not less than half an inch in diameter, and'in no case conical or pointed. Any piayer discovered infringing this law shall be prohibited from taking further part in the match. The referee shall, if required, examine the players’ boots before the commencement of a match, or during the interval.

QUESTION AND ANSWER Q: A player and a referee used obscene language at a match and the player received marching orders. What about the referee? A: The use of obscene language on the field of play by a player usually leads to his being ordered off, and although a referee cannot order himself off, for similarly misconducting himself at the same time, if he is reported to the Association or League concerned, he is likely, if found guilty, to be more drastically dealt with than the player. The use of bad language by the referee is always to be deprecated. No matter what provocation he receives from players, officials, or spectators, he must remain cool, calm and dignified. He is in the position of being the foreman ovei’ a gang of workmen, and must conduct himself as such, although the workmen usually receive much more in the way of remuneration than he does. If a player forgets himself during a game, he is often excused on the ground that what he did was done in the heat of the moment. This excuse, however, is never put forward on behalf of the referee, who is regarded as one who should not have such human faults and failings.

y PLAY BY ELECTRIC LIGHT

(Special to “Star,")

AUCKLAND, April 18.

A new light on Soccei’ was’ thrown at Blandford Park last evening, when several hundred enthusiasts braved the forbidding elements in order to see favourite teams fight out the issue in a seven a side tournament played under unusual conditions. Night was turned into day by means of 40 floodlights each of 1000 candle power. A white enamelled ball was used, the lighting system was a legacy of the days when the Park was the scene of night cycle racing. It was unfortunate the experiment should have had a premiere under unfavourable weather conditions, which not only detracted from the attendance, but also caused minor contretemps with the lighting effects at one stage. All went well for an hour and a-half when a cold passing shower caused a globe or two to explode with a hiss, ond it was deemed expedient to turn off all lights for ten minutes. Luckily, the weather cleared, and floodlights again bathed the field with brilliance. A game was in an exciting stage at the time of the mishap. In the final, Tramways beat Onehunga by the only cornel 1 conceded, no goals beipg scored.

Cobden’s team to play Rewanui on Saturday on the Domain at 2.45, will be:—Airns S. Marley, E. Cowe, Bell, Sharpe, J. Cowe, M. Marley, Cameron, McLean, McNeil, Bayley. Reserves: R. Marley, McNeil, Crompton.