THE ROUND BALL GAME

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 182, 4 July 1931, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE ROUND BALL GAME

(By “Centre-Half.”)

Senior Competition. In comparison with the junior grades, the Manawatu senior ' competition has been retarded to some extent by reason of the representative and Chatham Cup games. Progress will also be impeded later by these games, for it seems that there is to he no dearth of outside matches.

Referees’ Association

It is possible that about July 11 the Wanganui Association wi'll be played in connection with the triangular contest. The Wellington Association’s visit is still in thin air and the M.F.A. does not intend to permit the matter to lapse. As it is, August will provide the earliest opportunity for a game because of the teams in the Capital City being engaged .in the Chatham Cup matches. They will, nn doubt, have other invitations, but Manawatu will not he overlooked if it can he avoided. The Chatham Cup match towards the end of July will doubtless further postpone the competition, although St. Andrew’s and its opposing team in the draw are the only teams that cannot piny on that dav.

As a result of this series of matches the local competition will be extended for some time, despite the fact that only four rounds are being played. St. Andrew’s will probably bo required to make up their postponed matches. Flock House and R.S.A. are now a game to the good in the competition, having played last Saturday, and so can afford to engage in outside games or enjoy a spell for one Saturday.

At the present time, St. Andrew’s and Athletic have five senior league matches to play, R.S.A. and Flock House having four. Provision has been made for two Saturdays to he utilised for the knock-out competition, two for representative games, and one for the Chatham Cup contest. No difficulty will be met with in arranging for extra games, however. , Flock House’s Loss. Playing R.S.A. at Flock House in last Saturday’s gale, the home team felt the loss of Goodall who was away with the representative players. Until after the change-over they were being beaten all the way and only rallied when it was too late. The House will have to select another “marshaller” to whom they can look for guidance. Carnell was in form for R.S.A., netting three of the four goals in the first spell. The wind had an adverse effect all through, however, and tho forwards liad to battle for their goals.

Teams in Training

At tho present time two representative teams are in training for coming matches. The Manawatu Association’s team is under orders to train at North Street Park at regular periods, and irregular attendances at the Park will possibly affect the competition of the team.

St. Andrew’s aro also in training,for the Chatham Cup game with the Wellington finalists on July 25. They do not intend adhering to the “physical jerks” principle, but are engaging in long runs, Fitzlierbert Hill being the goal. The team engage in alternate periods of running and walking. Such training is considered superior to other methods. The back line can do with light training to a certain extent, 'but the remainder gain more benefit from the running exercises. Affiliation Fees. That the Manawatu Football Association has more expense than some other bodies is evident by the information given by a member of the Wanganui team which recently paid a visit to this centre. He stated that the clubs’ affiliation fee to the W.F.A. was £4 4s, as compared with £lO paid by local clubs to the M.F.A. As it is, the local association does not have anything to spare in the way of finance, so it may be inferred that the Wanganui Association has not the same expenses to meet. Considerable difficulty was experienced by local clubs last year in meeting payment of the fees, but, despite the arduous nature of the times, the four clubs this year are meeting their obligations very well, and are endeavouring to be “all square” at the end of the season. “There is not the slightest chance of a cut,” said Mr J. C. Young, president of the M.F.A., in reply to a recent query by a club.

Doings in the District

News And Comments

According to tho information received at the last meeting of the management committee of the M.F.A., the projected Referees’ Association is to be formed. 'When Mr Caisley, of Wellington, was in Palmerston North to referee the Chatham Cup match, ho gave information for the benefit of those who are launching the body. It is expected that before the season has progressed much further the referees will have an organisation in working order. Brown Shield. The matter of entering a challenge for tho Brown Shield, at present hold by Hamilton, was brought before the last meeting of the Manawatu Football Association. The chief consideration is expense, which, it is expected, will amount to about £4O. This is a large sum to spend, even in the event of winning the trophy, and the clubs were instructed to consider the proposition before the management committee meets again. It is understood that the Hamilton side is by no means strong this year, and that Manawatu would stand a likely chance of lifting the shield.

MANAWATU BEAT TARANAKI.

LOCAL TEAM’S DISPLAY. After a match played on a sodden ground with a greasy ball and punctuated by rain showers, the Manawatu Association representatives celebrated their first visit to New Plymouth last Saturday by defeating Taranaki by three goals to two. Allowing for the handicaps of tho weather, it can lie said that it was a good game, to which additional interest was lent by the fact that the scores were always kept close and on two occasions were equal. The visitors combined .well, played cleverly, and deserved their win (says a New Plymouth exchange).

Manawatu kicked off and immediately invaded Taranaki territory, where Lyons, receiving on the outside, swung a strong shot to tho net; Hurtles punched out for a good save. Tho homo sido then got going and Henderson sent towards the net, where J. Crowe mishandled, but his backs saved the situation. Again returning to the attack Taranaki passed to Hill, who shot a long one in to hit tho sido of the net. Hill tried a similar shot again hut A. Crowe intercepted.

The Manawatu forwards were then seen in action. Goodall passed to Childs as they swept up the field and the latter placed a hard shot against Boare. It seemed that the crowding attackers must penetrate, but Beare eased the pressure when he headed behind a side-long shot from Smillio, giving the visitors a corner. With Goodall in the centre those Manawatu forwards were certainly keeping the defence busy. Childs passed to Goodall, who tested Hurtles. When relief came Taranaki rushed down and Henderson shot one to the side of tho net. Once more the visitors got away and Lyons’s attempt just missed tho opening. But Taranaki were not lacking in vim, and presently, from a front line attack, the hall found its way from Henderson to Young, whose long, hard shot reached the corner of the net and gave Taranaki their first goal.

That was the signal for redoubled vigour by Taranaki. The forwards car lied on from the kick off and Janie: bustled J. Crowe, who, however, wa 1 well supported by A. Crowe. Mana watu then set up a strong attack and after worrying around the goal lei Stewart have the hall to find the lie' with a beauty to equalise the score.

The visitors maintained the pressure and Hartles was called upon to stop several hot shots.

The beginning of the second half saw Taranaki carry play right into the goal area. McDowell and Henderson pitted their skill against the defence of Hearsey and A. Crowe. Eventually the venue was changed and Lyons received to send a stinger for J. Crowe to knock behind. The corner was diverted in Manawatu’s favour. Henderson headed in for a neat save by J. , Crowe, who immediately afterwards

was' tested again •by ■ another Taranaki forward. Manawatu.got -away, but Taranaki'were soon back, having been started’on their way by Berry, who kicked on to Hill, who centred for Young to test Crowo : with a short, straight-shot. A very clever piece of play gave’Manawatu their second goal. Stewart, baulked by the backs' close in, sent a lightning short pass to Goodall; who, standing right in front' of the net shot the hall straight ■ in, giving the goalie no chance.

Without much delay Taranaki equal-: ised. Henderson shot a stinger against the bar and Starling, ready to seize an opportunity,' rushed in-and completed tho' movement before the goalie had time to recover.

Starling dribbled with a dodgy run from half-way hut lost tho ball; which was’later secured bv Lyons, the vigorous, tricky outside left, who ran speedily parallel with the line to kick across to Stewart; Anderson intercepted a good shot. Manawatu maintained the pressure and eventually from a mixed passing bout in front of.the net Goodall received to register the third goal cleverly:

Manawatu with Childs, Goodall,. and Lyons in the van, pressed until the final, whistle. -

PLAYERS FIGHT

ON FOOTBALL FIELD. There were disgraceful scenes at the finish of the 7.5 th football match between North and South at Hobart on June 20. Five minutes before the finish two opposing players fought. When the game ended a Southern player was struck atiby an opponent, and the boundary umpire (Mr ■ Johnson) attempted to turn the offender to take his number. Air Johnson was molested by a Northern player and this was the signal for a general disturbance, in which Northern players, the boundary umpire, and hundreds of spectators, who rushed the oval, and the police engaged.

L. Nash- (North) was struck by a spectator-and his .team mates went to his assistance. . The police cleared the oval, and assisted the Northern players to their dressing rooms.

As a sequel to the incidents, Ryan (North) and . Buckley • (South) have been disqualified for three and two Saturdays respectively on charges of having fought. L. Nash (North) was disqualified for three Saturdays on a charge of having assaulted the boundary umpire (Mr Johnson). A charge against H. Smith (North) of having kicked Air Johnson was dismissed.