SOCCER FOOTBALL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 August 1934, Page 12

SOCCER FOOTBALL.

NEWS AND NOTES. There was a good attendance at Dobson on Saturday to witness the home side withstand Runanga’s challenge for the Blackmun Cup, and a fast game was witnessed. However, Dobson carried too many guns for the challengers,”and ran out. winners by four clear goals. There is only one more challenge to be played for this Cup. and, whilst Waiiita have a good team, il is unlikely that they will defeat the holders. Dobson should retain the Cup for yet another year, adding to their long list of successes with this trophy. Dobton Strong:

Dobson played well as a. team against Runanga, and gave nothing away. Taken.a 11. round. tjjere, were .no weak positions in the side. Pickering had little to do in goal, but what came along he dealt with in a workmanlike manner. Roth James Anderson and Erskine played well at back, and did not allow the Runanga forwards to get within shooting range often.

The Halves:

John Anderson was played in what is really his rightful position, centre half, and as a result was the best player on the ground. Shortt dropped back to right half, and gave his forwards a plentiful supply of the ball. On ’the otheir flank, White played a steady game. Forwards:

The pick of the forwards was Coutts. He was right on his game, and continually swept down the left wing to harass the Runanga defence, whilst his crosses kept them continually on their toes. Richardson and Hamilton were grafters in the inside positions, and with King at outside right were always dangerous. Rush played centre forward, and, as usual, notched a batch of goals. Brilliant ’Keeping:

R. Airns made a first class substitute in goal for Runanga, and put up a brilliant display, which was all the more creditable, considering that neither of the backs, Wick nor Clark, was playing at all well. Both were most erratic. Beet of Halves: Cowe was the best, of Runanga’s halves, and is playing much better during the last few weeks. McLean put up a good performance, until he was injured, but Pattinson at centre half was disappointing. At one time, this player gave promise of being the future half on the Coast, but his displays this season are well below form. One Out of the Box: On Saturday, Malpass played a game out of the box, and was the most dangerous of the Runanga forwards. Had he received more support from his inside men, there would not have been such a large gap in the scores. Both White and Craig persisted in long shots, instead of returning the ball to Malpass, who was mostlj r in a better position to goal. Cameron -went well on the right, but Crowe was patchy on the opposite wing. Considerable Loss: Blackball juniors will be considerably weakened by the loss of Fred Caldwell, wiio is leaving this week for the United States. It is his intention to keep in with the code there, and he will turn out with Olneyville Rangers, who play in the Rhode Island competition. A Good Team: By their defeat of Greymouth last Saturday, Marist have now placed themselves in a sound position towards winning the junior championship. This team has improved considerably, as the season has progressed. Now they are a formidable combination, there being no weaknesses in the side, and the ball is swung with abandon from player to player. Most Improved Player: Probably the most improved player this season, in all grades, is S. Knapp. He was originally played in the outside right position, but now finds himself more adapted to an inside berth. Knapp has plenty of speed, which he uses to advantage, and does not waste any time before placing the ball to advantage with his supports. The goal which he headed for Marist. on Saturday was a real gem. Ex-Rep in Juniors: W. Timlin is a tower of strength to the Marist juniors in goal, and inspires confidence in the remainder of the team. He has lost none of his skill between the sticks, and should assist the team towards further successes. Best Centre Forward: The best centre forward in the junior grade is R. Pollock. This player is fast, has good ball control, and a powerful drive. A heavy player, I he is ready to take advantage of every opportunity, and does not shirk looking for them. Player of Promise: Adamson was the best player on the field, at centre-half, for Greymouth juniors. He has every possibility of becoming the best on the Coast, as he has all the required assets. His kicking is strong, but at present is a. little of the ballooning type, but practice should correct this. Adamson tackles well, and knows where to place the ball to the best advantage.

Westland Rep. Team! The sole selector, Mr J. Sharp, has picked the following team to go into training in view of the Emms Shield match to be played at Granity on September 9.—A. Pickering (Dobson); W. Wick (Runanga), M. Hall (Greymouth); J. Cowe (R.), J. Rutherford (G.), A. White (Di); Jno. Anderson (D.), D. Hamilton (D.), W. Malpass (R.), N. Shortt (D.), A. Coutts (D.). Reserve: J. Richardson (D.).

The team picked to represent Westland for the Emms’ Shield will no doubt be a surprise to most followers of the code, and will evoke consider-

able criticism. Pickering is the obvious choice for goalkeeper, but Wick is extremely lucky to find a place in the team ahead of both Anderson (D.) and Sharp (G). Hall has played and should make a good captain. Rutherford is playing good football this season, and cannot be displaced as centre half. No doubt, the selector is trying an experiment in moving Cowe from left to right half, but Wood is extremely unlucky not to be selected in Cowe’s place. Hamilton is the surprise selection in the forwards, and in a lesser degree, Malpass. Hamilton was a. good junior player, but is by no means up to senior representative standard. It is surprising that such a proved player as Cameron has been overlooked. On the left, both Shortt and Coutts picked themselves, whilst it would be hard to displace John Anderson from the team, although F. Bayley has hard luck in being omitted, as he has been playing consistently good football all this season.