SOCCER

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 June 1937, Page 11

SOCCER

NEWS AND NOTES At the last meeting of the W.F.A., a resolution was passed allowing Waiuta the privilege of holding the Blackmun Cup against all comers. This resolution is open to argument, for the Waiuta Club is not interested enough in the code to field a team for the ordinary weekly matches. The Cup should automatically return to the W.F.A. Anyhow, if the Waiuta Club has a grain of sportsmanship, the Cup should be returned so that enthusiasts of the code can compete for it in the area which has its interests at heart.

The Westland Cup: Runanga made no mistake about the Westland Cup. The unbeaten record which the club holds in the competition speaks well for the ability of its players. It is to be hoped they meet stronger opposition in the forthcoming Heslin Cup competition. Good luck, Runanga; at the same time see to it that your third grade team fulfil their fixtures and not be so eager to default!

Taylorville Team: Taylorville offered strong opposition to Tech. Old Boys on Saturday, the game hanging in the balance right up to the final whistle. W. Lee is to be congratulated on the sterling game he played, considering the years he has been out of the code. It .would be to Taylorville’s advantage if they were to encourage this »fcy.er to turn out more regularly.

Coming Half-back: Erskine proved his mettle against the Old Boys. This young player improves with every game. He works hard to get his wing going, and his growing knowledge is teaching him how to tackle cleanly, and cover up effectively. He has the spirit of the game, and never uses unfair tactics, if an opponent beats him. It is a pity some of the older players had not a similar spirit.

A Good Combination: Coutts and Bateman combine well together. The majority of the Taylorville goals have either been scored by, or eventuated from this wing. Unfortunately these two players have to make their own opportunities as the rest of the team seem to concentrate solely on the right wing, which is unfair to these two players, who have the ability to score goals.

A Good Forward: H. Hoggarth is a consistent player, and a dangerous man at short range. Taylorville’s only goal on Saturday came from the boot of this player, although his finest effort was thwarted by the Old Boys’ goal-keeper. However, Hoggarth spoils his fine play through selfishness, and his habit of crowding his own forwards spoils many a good movement. He could overcome this if ho were to keep his position and not attempt too much. Solid Defence:

Bowman works like a Trojan and he is a hard man to pass. With his partner Bernard, the Taylorville team possesses a solid defence, which the Old Boys found impenetrable on Saturday. Also, the fine display by Baird the goalkeeper, was noteworthy.

Old Boys: Technical Old Boys are gradually coming into their own. The team is pulling well together and improving with every game. They are fortunate in having some promising youngsters to fall back on when the occasion arises. It was' a wise move on their part when they transferred Hogg from the centre-forward position to left full-back, as he rose to the occasion and gave of his best.

Clever Goalkeeper; Henderson gave a brilliant display in goal* for Old Boys on Saturday, some of his saves being spectacular. He always appeared at the right moment. One noteworthy feature however, was his quickness in covering the length of the goal. But, one little word of advice, never hang on to the ball too long. When you have gathered the ball and the opposing forwards are right on top of you, if you cannot kick clear, throw the ball away,—get rid of it.

Hard-working Player: Duggan, at centre-half, is a fine type of player. He is a good tackler, and works the centre of the field to advantage. As he holds the key position, a lot depends upon his being up with the forwards, while at the same time assisting the backs. Never lagging, he gets through a lot of work in the ninety minutes.

|A Pile-driver:

Dalziell’s goal on Saturday was a pile-driver. It was the termination of a line effort. He has the makings of a fine right-winger if he would only utilise his speed more. Although a little slow in accepting close passes, he makes up for this with some beautiful centres. Test Matches: According to one sporting paper, 1940 is to be a great year for the Soccer code in New Zealand. Triangular tests are in the oiling between England, Australia and New Zealand. Although three years ahead, this should be an incentive to furthering the interests of the younger players on the Coast, who, perhaps, will have the chance to win their places in the tests. At present, the Coast has an abundance of promising young players. The Technical junior grade teams are getting valuable coaching, and out of this will come a representative team second to none.

The English amateur team are finding the Tests harder towards the end of the Lour. Il is to be hoped in 1940 the New Zealand Soccer team will have plenty to offer in the way’ of opposition. FIXTURES. Fixtures for Saturday arc as follow:— Heslin Cup: Tech. Old Boys v. Tay-

lorville at Recreation Ground (A. I| Winstanley); Blackball v. Runanga at Blackball (C. Hogg). P Third Grade: Teclt. A v. Tech. B -'at Recreation Ground: Runanga v. | Taylorville at Runanga.

HOCKEY, • NOTES AND COMMENTS. Te Rama fielded one short against Pacific and did not have the services of three of their usual players. This upset theii' combination, and although they performed creditably in the first half, to keep the score down to two to one against them, they went to pieces in the second half to have tho final score made 9 to 1 in favour of Pacific. For Te Rama, Best scored and for Pacific Coffey 4, Heaton 3, and Allen 2.

Low, at centre-forward, held the forward line together well, ably supported by the left wing, and Best. .

Defence Weak: With the usual centre-half not playing and the two backs, Te Rama were weak on defence, and consequently the forwards did not see very much of the ball; also the goalkeeper was asked to do the impossible. Truman, playing in this position made sbme good saves, but the sticky nature of the circle made it a hard job with the ball coming in from all angles.

An Easy Time: The Pacific backs had an easy time owing to the splendid work of Messenger, D. Knapp, and Seguin. D. Knapp is playing good hockey now, placing well to the forwards, and not hanging to the ball, which failing was previously spoiling his game. The two wings S. Knapp and R. Crase sent some good centres to the inside forwards, Heaton, Coffey and Allen, who are combining better than in the first round. Wesley v. Cobden:

Wesley fielded a re-arranged team against Cobden, the first half being two to one in favoulr of Cobden, but superior combination made Cobden easy winners by six goals to two. For Wesley, Newton scored both goals, one being from a penalty bully. For Cobden, Eatwell (2), Weir (2), De Freatus and Anglsey scored.

Saved Well

Cross saved the Wesley goal on numerous occasions in the first half, but put his goal in danger by stoppingballs which would have travelled over the back line, and he thus allowed tho Cobden forwards to conic in on top of him in the second half.

Good Clearances:

Peek and Greenwood, the backs, made some good clearances, but tho nature of the ground in their half during the second spell did not permit the ball to travel far. Taylor at right wing, received some of these clearances, but lost the advantage by hanging on to the ball too long.

Moore on the left wing, still tries one-handed playing. This lost the team the advantage of several clearances, and broke down attacking movements.

Tho inside left, played a good game for a new comer to the game, and with Howell, another small but good exponent, of the game, should be an acquisition to this club in future seasons.

Cobden Players: For Cobden. Anglsey played well on the. left wing, combining well with Eatwell ami Weir, both of these forwards playing good hockey, and finishing off movements started by Burn, Nicoll and Hardy, of whom Nieoll was the pick, probably due to his greater experience. Carter cleared well and is not Hiking so many fly hits al I he ball as previously. Tahua Drop Out: Mawhera won by default from Tahua. this team having decided to

drop out of the competition, owing to not being, able to field a full team. Condition of Grounds: The grounds were in a soft slate, due to recent rains, and were topdressed with .sand at one end. This slowed the games up in the circle, but in the outfield it was drier, and consequtently the hockey played there was much better than the circle work, where the ball pulled up deceptively, when hard driven for the net. A number of chances to goal were lost because of this.

BASKETBALL PLAY AND PLAYERS With only one series of matches to complete the first round, the position of the leading teams remains unchanged. The only A grade match of doubtful issue was the Blaketown-Technical A game. The excellent understanding among the Technical centres and forwards resulted in their being three goals in the lead at half time. However, they were not able to increase their lead in the second spell, Blaketown showing greatly improved teamwork, and fine defence. M. Brailsford was particularly sound in the last line of defence, and was well supported by M. Carter. M. Isherwood, of Technical, was very accurate in her shooting, but needs to anticipate more in her field work.

Convent Teams: Convent O.G. B suffered their second successive defeat, this time at the hands of their A team.' It was, a bright game with many pleasing incidents. The B team, though two short, played so well that the A’s were given no opportunity to slacken, even had they wished to. F. Pope and T. Bellamy, defenders, and M. Beirne, forward, all of the B team, were outstanding in their efforts, being largely responsible that the score was not greater. The A team have a well-developed team-sense, their passing movements displaying precision and smartness as the result of complete understanding.

An Easy Win: Runanga A secured an overwhelming victory over United, due mainly to tho excellent field-work and accurate shooting of their forwards. They were ably fed by their centres, while the defenders also played well. United played gamely, but against the [tall Runanga defenders, their forwards had few opportunities.

Good Passing:

Technical Old Girls’ A and Technical O.G. B played an enjoyable game, in which ragged play was frequently brightened by brilliant pieces of passing. Both teams were one short, the A team playing only two forwards, and the B team two defenders. The A centres were a good combination, ably led by B. Tennent. while .1. Greenhill and M. Girvin played one of their best games. C. McAra, forward, displayed line anticipation in the field, while Iter shooting was very reliable. The A defence was more than equal to the occasion: in fact, they are a strong trio. There arc promising players in the B team in all depart incuts. B Grade:

For (lie second round of the B grade, sections have been re-arranged so that fhere might be better competition. Woolworth’:; had their narrowest victory so far when they defeated Runanga B by 10 goals Io S. Tim game opened well, and for the ’first half, some fast, open movements were witnessed. The scoring was even in tlic early part of the game, but Woolworth’s, being superior and more accurate in their goal-tnrowing, soon took the lead in the second spell.

Runanga would do well to take the game a little more seriously than they did on Saturday, concentrating more on team-work than on individual play. Woolworth’s have good combination, and fully merited their victory. Cobden Convent O.G. B, playing two short, went down to Technical B. They were too prone to over-defence, but are a rapidly-improving team. Technical forwards combined nicely, M. Ferguson playing particularly well. M. Cochrane, in Cobden defence, played a good game. Cobden Convent O.G. A, playing better in every game, gained the victory by a smali margin over Taylorville. It was an interesting, well-contested game, the deciding factor being Cobden’s slTghtly better combination. Tainui scored their first win of the season when they defeated United B. Both teams missed many opportunities in their goal-throwing, and players in both teams were too inclined to stand on the line. The game was more even than the score would indicate, both teams showing marked improvement. A New Team: A further entry to the competition brings the total number of teams up to thirty. The new team is Paroa, and they are to be congratulated on their win in their first' game.' They are fortunate in having tall players, and when they have had more practice they should be able to hold their own with any team. L. Bruhn played well in the centre. Technical O.G. C have good individual players, but lack combination and are inclined to bunch.

Greymouth Reps: Twelve players to represent Greymouth in the tournament on July 3 have been selected, the actual nine to plav to be chosen later. The selected players are strong individually, and should develop into a good team.