FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 8 June 1922, Page 6

FOOTBALL

AUSTRALIA DEFEATS COAST. GOOD SOCCER GAME. HOME TEAM'S EXCELLENT DEFENCE. COAST LEADING AT HALF TIME. Close upon 2,000 people turned out at A ictoria Park yesterday to witness the soeecr match between the Australian eleven and the representative team of Westland. One of the bleakest winds expert, rued here for some time blew across the park, although the weather was otherwise fine. The game was interesting from a ' •c* entific. point of viexx as the combina- I lion of the Australians was, on occa- | fiionfi, good to watch. However, their play did not come up to lhe expccta- • tions of the majority of the spectators —particularly in the first half. The attack was good, also the passing, but their rushes lacked finish. On the other hand the stone walling of th•» ’ Coast team was very effective and the relief work accomplished by tho home 1 goalie (Bennet) proved the salvation of his side on frequent occasions. The headwork on both sides was noticeable, particularly with the visitors. The Coast team lacked combination, not having played together, and in view of this fact tin' game they put up was commendable. Honours were about even nt the half time call, and the score was one goal in favour of (’oast. The second half, however,, saw the ('oast constantly on the defensive and the Aussie goalie did not touch the ball during the whole of the spell. The result of the game—2 goals to one in favour of Australia—satisfied the local enthusiasts, who hardly anticipated such a strenuous defence by their side. THE TEAMS. The teams to take the field were as follow: — Coast. Goal, Bennet (Greymouth). Right Back. Hogg (Moonlight .. Left Back, Penman (Blackball). Right Half, Henderson (GJ. Centre Half, Sharp (G.). Left Half, Kinsey (Runanga ). Right Wings, F. dark (B.»; ('. Qui bell (M.). Centre, Gray (R.). Left Wings, Howie ( G.) ; and J. McNicol senr. (M.). Australia. Goal, G. Cartwright. Half-backs, A. H. Storey (right), T>. Cumberford (centre), P. Doyle deft). Forwards, W. Dane (outside right), W. Bratton (inside right), W. Maun <ler (centre), G. W. Brown (inside left), D. Ward (outside left). THE PLAY. Coast won the toss and elected to defend the town end goal. Australia ki .kod off against a very bleak wind xicd immediately pressed. ('oast returned, however. Henderson relieving the position. Australia began passing und, using their heading facilities, let the ball to Fisher, who kicked it out at halfway. Mcßride (Aus.. relieved u kick from Sharp ((’oast) and transferred to Cumberford, who was in turn defeated by Henderson, the latter gain ir.g ground for ( oast. Australia toolpossess ion and swept into the (.'oast area, the latter being placed on a stren nous defence of their goal. Bratton made an attempt to shoot but his ei fort culminated in a corner kick. Brat toil was again instrumental in attack and a miss by him relieved the Coast goal. Gray showed up in the Coast team and, together with Quibbel, re moved the ball to Australia s territory Fisher assayed to save ami missed: (G.ay took advantage of the situation tu*d shot a nice goal. Coast, 1 ‘ Australia, 0. Stinnn.'tvl by /. • r.-verse t'ie An? triaUans Wj, m 111 ll,tti; ‘‘ tl,r aud Storey eainmen’eed a I attack to the opposite line. Mau:.U r stopped the ball when he was recalled for at. infringement. Coast returned and Cartwright (goalie) relieved with * long kick. Doyle and QuilvU lur.-ht cut the issue in the Aussie area. Ironi where Brown instituted a further attack, culminating in a save by Bennett. Coast again cnnie tn the attack, but were repulsed by the superior coinbin tition their opponents, who ininied: atelv retaliated. Dane showed out aoutside right and had a shot. Coast defence was taxed in the ensuing |day but tire reliable goalie proved lus wort! ou every occasion. b-torev. Mnunde and Brown participated in a ven ma heady move, the latter t< D'oylc. Howie runic out, recovered from Doyle, and led his told into th. Aussie hull. Mcßride accomplished : nice save. Doyle got po?-*f.ti.sion. Dans ferring to Bratton and Dam-, the lai ter centring to Maunder, who niissei the goal. Almost immediai ly Maunder hud a further shot, Bennett intercept ing the kick. Ward was conspicuous on the outside left and as a result ol a bit of dodging had a shot. Hie loath er striking the upright. Kinsey inter ccpted a further rush by the Aussics and kicked to half way, where Aus Valia were penalised. Kinsey s kick did not gain much, but Howie and

Juibell took it on and a five yard kick resulted, Brown and Fisher participated in spectacular defensive work. i'he former. who was (he outstanding player on his side, became associated with Ward and removed (he ball to Const territory. Dogg relieving In half way. A pass nciu from Clark io Gray. I'he latter kicked to avoid Doyle and i his efforts were wasted, there being no | one there to lake his pass. At this stage Coast were using their individual hard kickers and irequently .swept into the* opposing goal area. Maunder broke away from a conges.ion near his owa goal, Kinsey stopping his onslaught. Brown recovered and made a great run. Bennett gaining the plaudits for his save. A short kick by dark was the signal for a further attack by tho Aussie boys, who combined and transferred play to Coast territory. Howie, Quibell, and McNicol took part in an attempt to force Australia, but -Mcßride proved too nippy fur them, transferring to Dane. The latter led a rush right down the field and Maunder, taking his pass ,had a shot, the ball striking the bar. Bennett fisted to Henderson and the latter kicked out. For a while play hovered in neutral territory. Cumberfoid was penalised for off side, and almost immediately Brown and Maunder offended in the same respect. In the ■ensuing rush, of -which Quibell was the instigator. Cartwright, was forcer and his Kick relieved the -Aussie goal. Half time sounded with honours about even on the play and the score; Coast, 1; Australia, 0. SECOND SPELL. On the resumption in the second half the Australians had the advantage of the wind and immediately organised a vigorous attack on the Coast goal, where, for several minutes, things looked very precarious for th - home team. Sharp, Hogg and Bennett, however, combined in a strenuous defence and the latter managed to clear. Keeping up a constant pressure tho Aussies again came at it and Maunder, taking th<» ball from Fisher, had a shot and missed. Fisher returned the Coast’s ensuing kick. A penalty kick finally relieved the Coast goal and. after a good dribbling rush Hogg looked promising, but Cumberford was too good for him, and sent the ball back to the opposition. Aussie forwards followed the lead and an exciting tussle took place at the mouth of the Coast goal, Bennett eventually fisting out. The episode culminated in a corner kick. From Dane's effort at the corner Kinsley relieved the congestion. Securing tho kick Maunder passed to Ward, who was getting away nicely when he clashed with Howie and sent the ball out at half way. The game became a consistent attack on the part of the Aussies and a stubborn defence on the part of the Coasters. Occasionally the < oas men would brink away and get oxer the half way line, only to be repulsed immediately by the organisation of the visiting backs. The defence (if the Coast was good and the nippy work of their bucks was responsible for several excellent saves. Down the Aussies came again and on every occasion the ' hi bi nat ion seemed to break down al ;lie critical period. .Shooting was fre.pieiit and the Coast goalie was strenuously ilefending for some time. Hogg stopped a great rush, but Storey defeated him for it and had a shot. His effort missed. -Maunders led an onslaught on the Coast premises and Ben nett, listing to Hogg then to Sharp, \\ as instrumental in saving. A great heading effort, originated by Fisher, thence to .Mcßride, Storey, Doyle, was finally taken up by Alaunder and Bratton. Hogg’s kick out saved the Coast. Dane took a kick from the corner am the ball went to Storey, thence to Maunder. The defence, however, xvas too Holid and Maunder's efforts to goa proved fruitless. Gray broke away and made for the Aussie goal, his rush icing intercepted by Bratton. Flay vas removed to the (.'oast goal vicinity chore Hogg was hurt, but resumed •lay. Australia were granted a free cick about 20 yards out, Brown netting .he ball. Coast. 1; Australia. 1. With honours even as far as points .vere concerned, the Aussics again came o the attack, their combination shewng up to advantage. Clark broke out uid remove.l the ball to past half way •nly tn lie defeated by Mcßride. Cross • lay followed in midfield with slight .dvantage to tho visitors, the hiMer speeding up the game in all departnents. Coast were continually press'd. and Kinsey intercepted a rush b. Storer and Maunder. Ward tooK it io ami forced the pace. Dane. Bratton ind .Brown keeping Bennett and his upports b'.i-y in defensive work. Fre[uent shots at goal characterised the Australians’ play and their head work proved too quick for the home box s. srown kept his side well supplied with he leather and showed out frequently. );!!!.■ instigated a very mat bit of play from a wide kick. The Coast goalie isted it out and the defence packed irouiid the goal mouth. Brown was no quick, however, and immediately reurned a slinging shot into the corner • f the ip’t. Australia, 2; Coast, 1. The C. asters bucked up for a while, ..,11 the al lurking forces of tho opposiion wore too sO"i.tHie for them and •sneli ellnrt v.ns fru.Aratea before passim tlie l-.iilf '’-tiy line. Howie. Quibell md Kinsey 1.-olmd very promising on one nm-asiim. bin Fisher was very reliable at right back and did not let much past him. Transferring to Dane he led piny back to th' Const territory, where from a ceom kick Gray got possesion and passed to MeKicliol. The hitter did not get far .ns Fisher iaiiw at him and turned the tables. Flay was fast, the Aussies shaking things up and keeping the Coasters busy. With three

min’d os to go they again came at Coast goal and Dane fed bis men from the win.;. Bennett, Jluxxie, Hogg anti Kinsey combining at the goal mouth in s'.renuous dcfi-ncp. The call of time found the play in the vicinity of the <'oust goal anti tiie home def ending I .strenuously, tio.* final score being: 1 Australia-, 2; Coast, 1. Air W. Thornley, of Christchurch, COMMENT. The Australians did not field their best team, but m vertheless played fine football, their combination and heading being llrst class. I’oor shooting on the part of th-e Aussies saved Westland from a heavier defeat. Cartwright, in goal had nothing to do, but had no chance with the shot that scored. I’ishrr was the best back on the ground. -Mcßride was not altogether impressive. Cumberford was the best oi the half backs. Doyle was also good but Storey was fair. In the forwards, Ward, outside left, was the pick, Alaundor, Bratton, and Dane were tuso good, but had letf their shooting boots at homo. For Westland, Bennett, in goal, played a splendid game and undoubtedly saved his side from a much heavier defeat. Hogg played a line game at right back. Denman xvas not up to club form. Sharp was easily the pick of the halves. Kinsey played well in tin* first half, but fell away afti'fwurds. Henderson tried hard but xvas beaten I repeatedly by Ward. Forward, Howie and Gray xvero the pick, both playing I well. The extreme wingers, Clark and ' McNicol, were obviously out of position und did not show out. Quibell played a fair game. AUSTRALIANS ENTERTAINED. ■ SMOKE CONCERT AT ALBION HOTEL. 1 Tho Australian visitors xvcrc last evening entertained at the Albion Hotel by the officials of the West Coast Centro of the New Z.-aland Football Association. The Mayor ; Mr .]. D. Lynch) presided. Representatives of various sporting bodies wore also present. The toast of the New Zealand Council xvas proposed by Mr H. MeKeoxvcn. xvho outlined the difficulty experienced in the past by the council in arranging for the interchange of teams from other places. He was pleased that the game xvas :t last coming into its own. Air Storey (secretary of the N.S.W. Association') replied and said Nexx' Zealand xvas to be congratulated on the complete, arrangements they had made in connection xvith the present visit. Particular credit xvas due to Greymouth for tho splendid reception they had tendered the Aussie visitors. The speaker advocated the encouragement of soccer in the school, xvhich, if accomplished, would make it the premier game as Rugby xvas noxv. The chairman proposed the toast ot the visitors and said the game xvas the first ganvo of soccer he had seen on tho Coast, and ho xvas very pleased with the result. Nearly 2,000 people had turned out, showing tho enthusiasm that xvas shown in tho visit of the Australians. He thought there xvas room for all branches of sport. Th' 4 Australians’ visit xvas approbated as it xvouhl string.hen tho good fooling between tho two countries. Ho wished the town ('very success. Mr Morgan, replying to tho toast, said ho was getting quite used to replying to enthusiastic receptions of the people of New Zealand. The xvelcomc they had received in Greymouth e-f--sed anything they had received so far. It had conic as a great surprise to them and he could assure them it xvas appreciated and the good fooling was reciprocated. He thanked the Geeymouth and Runanga bandsmen tor playing out for them. The team xvas also very much indebted to the Nexx’ Zealand Rugby Union and its various branches, for in many cases the Rugby ground had bo-on given to them xviliingly to play their game on. lie could never xvish to meet a better class of player than he met in this game, ns the plax’ xvas as free from fouls as ho had ever seen. If the referee had not “been good to them’’ and given them tho penalty kick the result wou! dhave been a draw. He wished the advancement of soccer on the Coast. Air Ramsay proposed the toast oi the Westland Centre, and said this xvas the best reception ho had seen in Noxv Zealand and it boro out the reputation in regard to the hospitality of tho Coast. He had betn given the option of choosing a Westland man in the South Island team and announeed with pleasure that he laid chosen C. Hogg ns a Westland player to displace a Canterbury piun (applause), lie advocated a more frequent interchange ot teams between the Coast ami Canterbury. In r.'piy, Mr W. Baidmstone (see. of the 'Westland Centre) briefly outlined the history of soccer on tin* (oast, partiiiil:'.rlx' in the country districts, lending up to the guarantee among the enthusiasts for the Australian visit. He felt ceitahi that Soccer was firmly cs- • tnblishcd on the Coast. | Mr Sharp (captain of the Westland team) proposed the toast ot tin 1 winning team anil said although he icgiettc.l losing .he game, he congratulated the Australians on their xvin. lhe members of his team were getting on in years, oijly cne member being under 30? However, he was xs ell satisfied j with the performance of his team. Mr Gibb apologised for the absence of Mr Fisher (the Aussie captain) and expressed himself pleased with tho display, but his honest opinion was that lhe Australians won on their ineiits and had bad luck. The performance of the Westland' team, however, was very creditable and had they been

younger mon the game xvould have been harder. Mr Bonnett proposed the toast of the referee and Air AL Thornley (referee of yesterday’s match) responded. The chairman, in proposing the toast of kindred sports, emphasised the fact • that the more the different branches oi sport associated on the field the more they xvould get to understand each other. Mr J. F. Wilson ,in reply, congratulated the management of the Soccer game in N.Z. They would get no centre in Now Zealand to attend a soccer match in such large numbers as the attendance at the match that day. ’ There was no better xvay of bringing good feeling between two countries th: n by arranging the visits of different sporting teams to the respective countries. During the evening vocal items xvere rendered by the following: Messrs Nad Kitcliiugliiirn. Bennett, Tom Frieklelon, D. Cumberford, Patterson, FeuneU,