SOCCER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1936, Page 11

SOCCER.

NO'TES AND COMMENTS It was the speed of the Marist team that won the match for them on Saturday, Taylorville played better positional football, but could not cope with the swift’ raids of the Greens. The end of the first spell saw the home team definitely on top, with a one-goal lead, but in the second spell, with the wind against them, they permitted the bustling tactics of Marist to upset their combination, with the result that towards the close they were playing as a team of individualists. At that, however, Taylorville were unlucky not to equalise the scores, missing a couple of golden opportunities in the closing stages.

Deciding Match: The Westland Cup competition is now nearing its close and next Saturday’s fixture between Runanga and Taylorville may decide the issue, for should Taylorville win they will hold a four point lead, and would have to be beaten by both Waiuta and Marist to put Runanga back in the running. Should Runanga win, the issue will still remain in doubt while if the match results in a draw Marist, who a few weeks ago appeared hopelessly out of the competition, will also have a chance of winning the trophy.

Representative Fixtures: Last year the code suffered (in Westland) from a lack of representative matches. The executive have been at pains to remedy this defect this season, and already a fair quota of matches have been arranged or are in the process of being arranged with other associations. The Westland representatives take the field for the first time for two seasons against Canterbury on the King’s Birthday, while there is a possibility of their playing Buller in Greymouth on the following Saturday. Canterbury have also promised a return game at Greymouth. With these matches in train and the possibility of others being arranged the code should receive a real impetus.

Good Omen: It must have been a pleasure to those who were present at Victoria Park on Wednesday last, when the inter-house Soccer competitions conducted by the Marist Brothers’ School took place, to see the number of young boys who were playing the game and to see the eagerness and zest they put into their play.-The boys have a lot to learn but tW are improving with each round of their competition. In all, twelve teams took part on Wednesday, and the fact that four of the six matches were drawn, augurs well for the continued interest of the boys in the game, while the number engaged was a splendid omen for the future of the Code in Greymouth.

The Representative Team: The selector, Mr. Rafferty, has published the team to represent Westland against Canterbury on the King’s Birthday and as usual with representative selections his choice has met with a good deal of criticism. The selectoi has a thankless job and it is part of his hard lot to have to bring disappointment to the many who just fail to make the grade. Mr. Rafferty has had a difficult job and has permitted himself bne or two experiments with the forward division, but the team appears fairly well balanced. Following are a few notes on the players selected: — R. Hall, in goal, may be considered by many a trifle small for first class football, but what he lacks in inches, he makes up in nimbleness. He has not played a bad game this season. His only dangerous rival for the position was Young, of Waiuta, but a slight

unceYtainty on low shots was probably the factor that ruled this player out. , • , R. Armstrong, right back, has been playing good football this year and has earned his position in the team. Lee, left back, had plenty <?f competition for his position, Grogan, Parkinson and Marshall all being likelj candidates, but he also has earned his chance, and though both he and Armstrong lack experience in representative football they should make a hard pair to penetrate. Cameron, selected to play as right half, has been playing in the forwards this year, but apparently the selector has in mind his sterling performances in the half-back line in other seasons. Cameron is a solid type of player, and deserved his place, though . perhaps inside right would have been more suitable for him. , , . Rutherford, centre, was the obvious selection for the position. His only serious contender was W. Timlin, of Mari’st.’but the experience and ability of Rutherford! rendered hitn indispensable to the team. - . . . Cowe, left half, is well-known to all followers of the game as a heady player. Other contenders for this position, who were perhaps a .trifle unlucky were Woods (M) and Craig (R). Coutts, outside left, has been playing brilliant football this ' year, and was the obvious selection, though Martin (M) must be considered unlucky and Jobling (W) also had his fanciers. Shortt, inside,- is a player who alwavs appears to come to light with one or ‘two bright efforts each, match. He knows* the gaine well, and is always dangerous ’ near goal. ' . . Pollock, centre, is the right type foi the position. Well built, and with plenty of stamina, he is not afraid to use his weight,'while he also heads a ball nicely. He has played only one garhe in the centre position this vear/ibut past performances 'at inside right, and his grand display against Taylorville on Saturday earned him his position. His only real contender was Bayley, of his own team, who was unluckv not to make the grade. Jas. Anderson, inside right, was a surprise selection for this position. Hitherto, Anderson has played only in the Halves, and though a solid player in that position has yet to piove his adaptability to the forward division. One wonders why'Anderson, who ig a half was placed ih the forwards while Cameron, a forward was placed in the halves. _ I . J Timlin, outside right, is anothu experiment on the part of the selector, for he has not played in that position this year. At inside right, and at centre half however, Timlin has given sonic fine displays and if he keeps his position should do well at outside. He