SOCCER NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 196, 18 July 1928, Page 10

SOCCER NOTES

SENIOR LEAGUE. R.S.A. RESUME SECOND PLACE. (By “Centro-Half.”) Tho position in the senior league competition has again assumed an interesting aspect, the three leading teams being only separated by three points. Eloclc House still occupy top rung with five wins and a draw, with R.S.A. four wins and a draw 1 in second place. Athletic have won four games. St. Andrew’s have six championship points but have played two more games. The ultimate winning team is hard to pick. A new draft of boys has just arrived at the Bulls institution so that Flock House may gain 6omo valuable reinforcements. If so they should be able to carry off the honours for tho first time. Up till last Saturday Athletic were in second place and it seemed on the cards that they might come still nearer to Flock House, a win meaning their being only one point behind tho leaders. However, when the elevens took tho field, several absentees were noticed among the ranks of tho blacks, Wheeler, Askam and Fitzherbert not being able to turn out. With their defence crippled and their attack weakened, it was apparent that Athletic would need a good deal of luck to win. It was not long after tho game started that it become obvious that tho whole team was off-colour and R.S.A. looked the victors from the kick-off. Adams, who deputised for Fitzherbert, played the game that was anticipated, his lack of practice being evident. Travers and Crowo wero disappointing, being rather patchy. Hearsey was also right off in the first spell, but after half-time gave a taste of his real quality and scored two good goals. Rainforth and Hobson were not noticeable and tho former had to retiro in the second spell—a circumstance which added to Athletic’s misfortunes. Foremost among the forwards was 11. Childs who was a “trier” throughout. Watt played his usual steady game, while Aird and P. Childs gave fair showings in the second half. As a whole the team gave a most disappointing display and except in patches never showed the form that had carried them from bottom to second place. Graham had little to do for R.S.A., but did it creditably. He only made one mistake and then tho sun wa6 in his eyes. Tucker played as good a game at back as he does at half and Ivempson was also steady. Travers was again the dominating player and did all that came to him. He was well supported by Askew and Lovejoy. The whole forward line went well and was an improvement on previous red combination. Gardiner, a promoted junior, played a nice game on tho right wing, while Younge, a newcomer - , as left outside, was quito satisfactory. The inside iiren were all good. “Nothing succeeds like success” and it is doubtful whether R.S.A. would have scored such a great win had Baigcnt missed the first goal. They went on from strength to strength. It was not a pretty gamo to watch, though played at a good pace. There was also too much bickering among the players. CHATHAM CUP TIE. St. Andrew’s visited Hastings to engago in a Chatham Cup tie with the United Club, the homo team prevailing by 4 goals to 3 after a close game. Playing against tho wind United scored first, a ground shot just . boating Chilton. Corkindale then made a solo dash and levelled the tallies. Hefore half-time the centre scored twice again, Thackwell and McShell'ery crossing nicely for him. The Saints thus had a 3 —l lead at tho interval and were still attacking. With tho aid of the breeze, Hastings set out to catch St. Andrew’s and Gradually drew level. After gaining tho lead they began to lire and'tho bluo and whites made strenuous - efforts, but could iot avert defeat, Bell being prominent in defence for tho homesters. From the account in the Herald it would ipear that tho Saints’ weakness was in tho lalf-line. Their backs saved on numcrius occasions, while Thackwell, MeSheffery rnd Corkindale played great games in tho zanguard. The last named had tho clisinction of doing the hat-trick, scoring hree pretty goals on end. Local enthusiasts would have liked to lave seen St. Andrew’s win, but satisfacion must nevertheless be felt at the good lisplay they gave. A visiting team is alvays at a disadvantage so that to run a earn like the United so closo was a worthy icrformance. It indicates the strength of vlanawatu Soccer when the team at tho lottom of the league can play tho champions of another town to an odd goal nargin.