LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 September 1934, Page 9

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

PLAY AND PLAYERS. The Code has now reached its last stages for the 1934 season, a]J senior fixtures but ono having been .played. The junior and fourth grade can provide competition matches for a week or two yet, and quite interesting football is usually seen in these matches. A review of the season’s activities will be given in this column next week. Useful Winger: In P. Gilbert, Marist seniors have found a useful wing-threequarter. Gilbert played a fine game on Sunday, and Marist should see that he is not spirited away from them before next season. On His Game: Roberts -was brilliant on Sunday. At tinj.es he went just a little too far with the ball, but as a rule he did everything right. Ho had Pirates bewildered w-ith his lightning-like thrusts, and his display was his best this season.

Safe Custodian: R. Pollock, a junior grade Marist player, acquitted himself ably at fullback for the seniors on Sunday. Pollock handled well, kicked with judgment, ran up on occasions to link the backs, and was sure in his tackling.

Honours Ahead: A Beban has but to continue, as he has played this season, and he will not find it difficult to secure senior representative honours next season. He has speed and initiative. A most, difficult and powerful man to bring down, he employs a splendid swerve that enables him to cut the defence to pieces. Ho played a good game for Marist seniors on Sunday.

Another for Marist: Kiely, a promoted junior back, filled the second five-eighth, position for Marist on Sunday, and filled it well. He will probably be retained, as he shaped as a clever and sound player. Marist bid well to have a clinking back team next season.

Best in the Pack: Griffen had no equal as a forward on the field'last Sunday. He prefers junior grade, but he is a star iu the best company. Although light for a senior forward, Griffen’s natural ability for football, places him with the best seen on the Coast for several 'seasons. He is a hard, but a clean player, and is always where the fight is hottest.

Ruffled Tempers: G. Scott, L. Burger and H. Hunt were a little upset on occasions last ‘Sunday; Burger only once, but the other two more often than they should have been. Scott, in particular, is inclined to play the man, rather, than the ball. He gets away with too much rough work, and a player of his experience should be given his marching order, more quickly than most others who suffer from frayed tempers. His Best for Seasons:

Devonport was outstanding in the Pirates team last Sunday. Never before has he tackled with such deadlihess, nor had he previously handled so ably. He is the fastest runner in the code, and if only he were reliable in handling the ball, he would be indeed a great winger.

Expensive Errors: Martyn gave a good all-round exhibition against Marist, and was unlucky in tiiat his two errors each resulted in five points to the opposition. Martyn should benefit in his play from the lessons he was given on Sunday. He has the bad habit of running in too close to oncoming players before he kicks, and it is not uncommon to see the opposition charge down on the ball.

Well Up With Play: Williams is a tireless forward, who has been prominent in all his games this season. He has more than the average speed, while he continues to handle safely, and is usually the first up to the man for the play-the-ball. His keenness is not surpassed by any otlier player in the code, and as a hooker ho holds his own against all comers.

Has Been Missed: C. Preston, who was injured in the Pirates-Blackball match last Sunday week, has since had to employ the assistance of crutches. He has. been missed behind the Pirates pack, but it is probable that he will be fit again to take his place in the team for the Thacker Shield defence against Hornby.

A Temporary Relapse: Pirate seniors have given disappointing exhibitions in. their two recent matches. The fact that T. Dowling lias had to be taken from the forwards to the back line has not effected an improvement in team work. Dowling is not a back, and Fisher would have been a much better- _ man for the change. The team will need to .got together, and formulate a plan of attack and defence, superior to that in their latest games, otherwise the Thacker Shield will be taken through the tunnel as easily as was the Northern Union Cup.

Final Senior Match: Bleekball Club, after due consideration decided to forego the’earlier dec’sh’m not to challenge Marist for the Chalk-nre Cup, and the game will provide the concluding senior fixture for this season. Marist should win, tor although the strength of Blackball is recognised, Marist backs have but to reproduce the form shown last Sundav and Blackball wil be outpaced. The match gives promise of fast football, and a strong finish to what has been a rather disappointing season. HOCKEY NEWS AND NOTES. The local competition tor the Burnett White Cup was advanced a further stage last Wednesday, when Mawhera suffered their first defeat at the hands of St. Columba, and Cobden I succeeded against Technical. The St. i Columba-Mawhera encounter was robbed of much of its interest by the ! absence of several prominent players ;of both teams. Mawhera’s play particularly was affected by the absence' of G. Scott and Nelson, and neither ' backs or forwards played well together. St. Columba depended too much on solo efforts, but fortunately

for tlie team, these methods' carried the day.

Cobden i. Technical: Technical were unlucky in not securing at least a draw with Cobden. r J.he latter team played good hockey to win by two goals to one. Possibly the fact that Technical had drawn a bye the previous week had something to do with their play, and the team was definitely below form. Bunching and lack of finish in the circle, coupled with too many infringements, cost them tlie game.

Cobden Team: Maurice Eatwell was the outstanding forward on the field and played a fine, clean game, which appealed to thu onlookers. Eatwell has youth and more than the usual amount of vigour, but would possibly make a better wing than an inside forward. He is not afraid to come back and get the ball when his halves fail him as they did on Wednesday. Plenty of practice next season should make Eatwell a greatly improved player. Moore is a hard working forward, who almost invariably thinks that it is the winger’s duty to take the ball into the circle and shoot. He would achieve more for his team i£_ he passed inwards just about the 25yds mark, or when he has drawn the opposing back, and. leave the scoring to the inside men. Moore always appears to be shocked when the umpire penalises him. Many players of this type cud up with a good position amongst the spectators. Beckman, who played centre forward, tackles well, and would play a good game, if ho paid more attention to sticks and obstruction. H. Eatwell is a promising Player, who keeps his position well. “Sticks” are his main trouble. Weir has played better hockey, and should watch where lie is hitting. McLaughlin holds his stick too high, and consequently does not get any punch behind the ball. He overruns a lot and missed many opportunities. Burns also should pay attention to “sticks.”

Carter was the best back. He clears well, and is not slow at tackling. Keith, the other back, does not. get off: the mark with the required speed. Mosley, in goal, did not have much to do, but performed satisfactorily.

Technical: Peek, playing in the halves, was the pick of the Technical team. His hitting was powerful, and well directed. Similarly, Vaughan’s hits were well placed, although this player was below usual form, and appeared to tire early in the game. Denton played a fair game. He would find it advantageous to tackle earlier, and not give his opponent the chance of a clear pass. Thomson and Harvey were the best forwards, though Thomson was not well marked by bis opponent, and would have achieved more had he received tho ball more frequently from the halves. He passes cleanly when tackled, but should watch obstruction. Harvey played a fast game, but was inclined to overrun the ball at times, lie is a good runner, but does not grip his stick properly. His goal shooting] was erratic. I Smyth gained a good deal of ground for his team. Like Vaughan he was not up to scratch. Price and Kibble both hit the ball too tar forward, and could not overtake it before the opposing backs came into possession. Forwards should play* sideways when advancing against strong opposition. Price has been seen playing much better hockey. Kibble’s goal was a fine effort, and he made no mistake with the ■shot. Knapp, al. full back, played a great game, and saved Tech, many times.

He received no support from Dauber, who had no sting in his hits, but put the hall into the opposing forwards. In attempting to clear, Dauber put the ball right across the circle, giving Cobden a sure goal. He failed to tackle at all. I Mettrick, in goal, brought off some fine saves, and the scores taken by] Cobden were by no means his fault. I No ’keeper can be expected to save ( wjhen one of half-a-dozen players; 'scrambling in the circle shoots through in the corner of the net. Sixmi-Side Tournament: This is usually a popular fixture of the hockey season, and the local Association’s decision to conclude the t season with such an event has beenj well received. Dependent upon the completion of the men’s competition, and the finalising of the date for the Mawhera, Cup match with Buller, the tourney should be held about the end of the month, possibly September 26. The end of September is usually the end of the season in most towns. The first six-a-side tournament to be held in Greymouth for about 20 years should prove a popular event, and with the possible entry of 12 teams it will be a fitting conclusion to a, successful season. Women's Tournament: Tho classic event in the women’s, hockey world has been completed, and, by now, players will be looking, back on a very busy week in Christchurch. The tournament provided its share of the usual surprises. The defeats of such redoubtable provinces as Southland, Wellington, Otago, and Canterbury can be ascribed to their selectors overlooking the younger players, and endeavouring to. play, safe with teams of veterans. Otago, of course, were without the valuable sei vices of their country players, due to an unfortunate position which arose on the very eve of the tournament.

Eastern and Jlarlborough: To reach the final, both these teams played hockey of a standard seldom seen in New Zealand. Eastern’s is a. last, clean game, and the youthful team did well to defeat Canterbury A by four goals to nil. Eastern’s hold on tlie K Cup is not likely to bo a loose one, and it will take a strong team to remove the Floyd Shield from Marlborough’s possession. All join in the general congratulations on the fine sporting .spirit of both these teams. Marlborough hockey, after all, is only a recent development, for . until '■ six yours ago the stick game was unknown in the Golden Province. With tho team’s success at Christchurch, Marlborough’s claims to next year’s tournament are enhanced, and it is to be hoped the New Zealand W.H.A. allots the fixture to Blenheim.

The Ccast Team: The West Coast team failed to hold its ground in Christchurch and suffered four defeats. The only consolation in this is tho fact that two other- teams shared Coast’s fate. The main weakness was not, as expected, in the backs, but in the failure of the forwards to combine effectively, and to hit correctly in the circle. Coast were on the verge of scoring on a number of occasions, but just didn't have that little extra “pep” so.necessary in the circle. A good defeat, or series of defeats, can do much to make teams brighten up, and set to with determination to avenge such, defeats, and it is confidently expected that Coast will take the lesson to heart. A Sporting Team:

In what is by far the most important aspect of tournament play, Coast upheld the sporting honour of this province. Ou all sides, the high-

est compliments have been paid to the sporting manner in which our girls took their beatings, ami even when the score against them was highest, they came off tho field with smiles on their faces. Defeat counted not with them. They went out to win, but success did not come their way; but does that matter so long as the defeat is cheerfully accepted? Not lightly, but very sincerely, has the writer been informed by one best in the know that our girls were, the most cheerful and happy team at the tournament. Such a good report, should provide helpful - encouragement for any team that may be sent to a tournament in the days to come. The girls attended the tournament with unfailing regularity, and there can be little doubt that .the study they made of the play of other teams will stand them in good stead for the future.

WHIPPET RACING. ■ (Notes by. “Caller.”) A successful, whippet race meeting w 4 as,held at Dunollie on Sunday last, when there, was a large attendance. The race track was in the best of condition, and fast times were regis-tered-in all the races. The committee are working to have everything in readiness for the meeting to be held next month. Dog owners are being invited from Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Buller. The stakes for the meeting will be the biggest yet offered on the Coast. Patrons will see whippet racing at its best, aw there will . be twenty-four heats during, the day. Word has been received that the Christchurch champions Charm and Rossaway intend to compete at next month’s meeting, and it will be interesting to see how the local dogs race against the best in New Zealand. Rqssaway did 113-ssecs. from sciatch in a match race with Charm over 200 yards at Bushy Park, Christchurch. ..This is a world’s record. The match race was the two out of three and Charm won the deciding heat. Britomartis won the treble on, Sunday last. She raced like her sister, Charm, and showed the correct way to finish. Lenin is just coming to form. With constant work he will be hard to beat next month. Black Dust beat the maidens easily on Sunday, but he seemed to be moody. Windsor Lass is gaining more courage, and has lost most of her shyness. She has plenty’ of speed, and will give a good account of herself in tho near future. Lonely Maid is not yet at her best. She put in a great finish to dead heat With Britomartis for second place in 1 the first heat of the Open on Sunday last,, but was well beaten in the final. | Pretty Peter is a young dog who is I showing a lot of promise on the flat, and over the sticks. Mountain Buck needs much more training. Ho ’ is • carrying too much condition to enable him to lie first past the post. Red Terror won both his heats in th# Middleweight and Open Handicaps, but could only get second in the Middleweight final. Orion has not raced too well- since his Westport trip. He seems to be off colour. Spring Boy is a veteran who makes all the best of local dogs gallop full out, before beating him. Eight Stone Eight has 100 much condition to show her usual form. With some steady training the McTaggart Open Handicap next month should be hers. Jonah is well named; he is always in the wars. He won the first heat-Of the Maiden Handicap on Sunday, and put up the best time for the.day when he won the first heat of the Open Han- . ; dicap in 12 l-ssecs., but could hot catch a final, ; ... • 1 ’