ASSOCIATION CODE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 243, 11 September 1933, Page 10

ASSOCIATION CODE

A DRAWN GAME. CHAMPIONSHIP STILL UNDECIDED. A gusty wind and hard field militated against the best of football on Saturday when the final match on the Manajvatu Football Association’s league calendar was played to determine the 1983 champions, St. Andrew’s and Athletic being on even terms with four points each. It was an unsatisfactory contest, no goals being scored to improve the position and when the teams left the field there was evident disappointment that something tangible was not available. Tire teams were as follow :

St. Andrew’s.—Holland. Marshall, Oman, McSheffrey, Coomos, Thompson, Smillie, Allan, Bridgens, Lock, Millar.

Athletic.—Crowe, Askam, Ivempson, Rabbitts, Cummings, Harriman, Rainford, Watt, Hearsey, Elliott, Travers. The teams had to meet a strong wind across the entire length of the area and in consequence the pace was not all that could be desired. Athletic had to face the full blast of the gale in the first half and the Saints made inroads in their defence, but Cummings was up to the attack and sent his forwards away on a counter rush which was soon repulsed. St. Andrew’s were back on the attack in short time and Crowe had an anxious few minutes before he had his goal safe. Bridgens and Lock put in some hard work, but Harriman and Cummings took control and in a few minutes it fell to the lot of Holland to face a barrage. The wind was harrying the forwards and it was all they could do to keep the leather in play. Fine play was necessarily s.t a premium, and when St. Andrew’s made a concerted move in the direction of the blacks’ goal it was not altogether a surprise when a meagre defence won the day. A sudden shot by Smillie likewise missed the entrance. A hard surface seemed to restrict the Saints, who did not seize all the advantages of the wind. Allen gave a good account of himself as a junior player, as also did Marshall, while the more experienced men found their usual tactics of little avail. Thirty minutes passed with no score up and several near attempts. Right up to the end of the spell there were hard tactics in operation, but both goals remained intact at the end of the period. There w r as an almost immediate turnover and Athletic made things willing for a few minutes as they endeavoured to beat the wind for the mastery of the ball. It seemed that at last there would be a score for the effort expended itself, but strangely enough, St. Andrew’s made more impression than in the earlier part of the contest. There was a preponderance of “skied” leather and the first indication of anything like dangerous play came when Smillie took an unsuccessful corner shot for Saints. Rainford made a fine break shortly afterwards, but the blues were on him too quickly. Elliott was roving in a handy position for Athletic and kept his forwards well supplied, but it was hard going and the scene of operations constantly changed. After ten minutes, play settled down to the hum-drum of the earlier spell—a somewhat paradoxical position in view of the energy of the forward lines. Lock had a good shot at the net, but that was as far as it went at that stage. Athletic came back with a stimulating rush and it was Hearsey who next gave the ball direction, but here again there was no reward. Watt came to the attack and beat Coombs and McSheffrey, but the wind carried the leather over the bar. Oman was getting more work at this stage, for Athletic were out to net, but the Saints were also keen and Millar gave Crowe some anxious minutes later on. There was a lack of persistency in these expeditions, however, and it was more about the halfway mark that play was centred after Askam and Kempson had relieved the pressure. Athletic lost the services of Harriman at this stage and resorted to nice combination to compensate for the weakness. Time sounded with no score.

The referee was Mr A. G. Baldwin LOWER GRADES.

The following are the results of the lower grade matches decided before the main game: Fifth grade;—Te Awe Awe Scouts 5 v. St. Paul’s 1; Y.M.C.A. Juniors 5 v. All Saints’ Scouts 1; Terrace End Scouts 2 v. Central Scouts 1.

Fourth grade.—Convent School B 2 v. Central A 1; College Street 6 v. Hokowliitu ITerrace End 4 v. Central B 0.

TEAMS ANNOUNCED.

The following teams have been selected to play on Saturday next, tire representative side to play a Wellington side or the team representing “The Rest.”

Representatives. —Crowe, Askam, Oman, Kempson, Coombs, Travers, Bridgens, Eliott, Young, Hearsey, McSheffrey (captain). Reserves: Cummings, Smillie. “The Rest”: —Holland, Thompson, Childs, Rabbitts, Cummings (captain), Harriman, Rainford, Smillie, Watt, Millar, Crowe.

RESULTS IN OTHER CENTRES.

Auckland : —Campbell Rose Bowl: Wellington (holders) 3 v. Auckland 2. Dunedin. —Mornington 5 v. Kaitangata 3; Maori Hill 3 v. Northern 3; High School 6 v. Rosl.yn-Wakan 1; Mosgiel 6 v. Technical 0. Wellington.—First A Division: Diamond 1 v. Petone 1; Technical Old Boys 4 v. , Waterside 4. Christchurch. —English Cup semifinal : Nomads 8 heat Rangers 3. In the Hurley Shield competition Thistle 5 beat Linwood 1.