THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18459, 24 July 1923, Page 4

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. SENIORS AND CHATHAM CUP. The , local executive controlling the Association game has every reason to be deeply gratified at the attendance at Vic tori a Park to witness the Chatham Cup semi-final on Saturday. The stand was full to overflowing, th.s bank in ; front densely packed, while the rest of the playing area was lined about six deep. This, notwithstanding counter-attractions like the Winter Show and races at fillers lie, is surely -an indication that the "soccer" boom cannot be regarded as "a flash in the pan." After Saturday's play the positions oi the teams competing stand as follows

SENIOR DIVISION.

Next Saturday's games will doubtless finish the senior competition and the Chatham Cup contest. There is a postponed match between Philomel - and Thistle, but unless Harbour Board beat North cote and Philomel win their match with Ponsonby it will not be : necessary to play this. On form Northcote should win fairly comfortably from Harbour Bcurd, but Ponsonby and Philomel should be particularly well matched. Considering that the playing pitch at Victoria Park was about two inches oeep in slush, the most outstanding feature of the Northcote-Philomel contest was the great pace set throughout the game. . All present were amply rewarded by a fine exposition, but many were heard to remark that a dry, ground would have greatly enhanoed the display of football. Both sides are also to be complimented on their splendid control of a very greasy ball. Northcote's Flyers. ■ North cote's " flyers " on the left wing were certainly a great asset to their side. Burford and Knott both played admirably. The latter though is by far the more heady player. Although he did not actually register any goals, two at least were due to his cleverness in making openings. Tremain, at centre, played a very capable game. Not once was his tendency, to dally with the ball in evidence. His two goals were the result of fast follow, ing up, when he showed a turn of speed that many were surprised and delighted to see. On the right, although not nearly as conspicuous as the opposite wing, Baker and Corrin played very useful games. It will no doubt surprise many to .learn that Corrin is in his 44th, year. Some doubted his ability to play at outside right, but again th*> veteran halfback defied the critics. If Baker was- especially told off to try to prevent Corbett opening up the game for his own forwards,, he certainly met with a large measure of success. In this , respet.i "'one his play was of great value to Irj. :''de. Among the Northcoto halfbacks Thompson at centre was outstanding, with Abernethy a good second. Catlow did not get so much to , do,' but his play was also seldom at fault. Alpe and Metge gave a - very or editable display in the fullback

line, with the latter perhaps a little more certain' than his partner. ( In goal Craxton was nothing short of brilliant, playing at the top of: his form and saving many hard shots from difficult angles. In the .Philomel attacking line Mcßae was undoubtedly the star. At centre forward in the first half and right wing in the second, he was the life and soul of the forwards. Malbery at inner left was also on his game, while Lewis on the left ■ wing was, to a certain extent, starved. Margison, inner right, was not up to his . usual form, while Young was anything but a success in the first spell, but retrieved his fallen laurels somewhat later on, when he scored a brilliant goal from a centre ;by Mcßae. Corbett stood alone in the half line, despite the fact that on Saturday he was a marked man. Ho scored an excellent goal Harvey was the better of the other two although Levitt was good at times. McElligott was the pick of the fullbacks on Saturday. Both he and Hopkins did some splendid ' saving work, bat neither was as good as usual, Hopkins in particular making several mistakes which meant goals to the- opposing side. He gave the free kick by illegally tackling Knott, from which Thompson scored his . brilliant (joal. This was probably the turning point in the game. Philomel were I lading 2—l at the time. The Philiomel prayers alone know whether or not Tucker is a reliable goalkeeper. Prom the play of the backs on Saturday it would appear that they did not have much confidence in their new custodian. They tried to give him all the support possible, and overdid it. On no fewer than three occasions there was a back crowding in on him, blocking his view of the 'ball; when goals were scored. He did not fret a chance to prove himself, but judging by a few of his saves, he .is certainly no stranger to the position. ■ Very pleasing feaures of the game were the absence of appealing, the few . free kicks awarded for infringements and the splendid manner in which Mr. Bowie controlled the play. ' The ruferee seemed to have the confidence of spectators arid players alike, a fact which added greatly to the general enjoyment of the gams.

Ponsonhy's First-class Form. In their victory over ; Thistle on Saturday, Ponsonby displayed first-class form. The dash that has been lacking in the few previous matches was much in evidence again, and it looks as if this team will have a lot to say with regard to, the destination of the Falcon Cup. The tightening up of the defence by the inclusion of Braithwaite seems to have solved the mysterious lapses of form shown lately, while the return of Innes to the outside right position, after his Australian tour, has vastly strengthened the forward line. Norman { in goal, was not severely tested during the afternoon, except when he was called upon to save a penalty kick, which ho cleverly turned round the goal post. Kane and Braithwaite left nothing to be desired as a last line of defence, and considering the soft state of the ground and greasy ball their kicking was Invariably good All the halfbacks "played splendidly and the Thistle forwards were given very little scope for concerted movements. Rimmer, who , was changed from left half to centre forward in the second spell, played a defihinpi game, appearing to revel in the heavy going. Now that this player has curbd the tendency to "sky" the ball when shooting,' he should score many goals. _ The "daisy-cutter" from 30 yards out _ with which he opened Ponsonby's scoring account was worthy of first-class centre forward play. In the forwards, Simm and Dickson combined well on the left wing. Simm is showing rare dash at present, and when he shoots for goal the goalkeeper has to do his best. Ahem, transferred to inside right, shaped surprisingly well in the new position, and his work was well capped off by the scoring of two fine goals. Innes, on the right wing, played superbly throughout. Although he played in most of the matches during the recent tour cf the "AIJ Blacks" in Australia, he is by no means showing any staleness. The Thistle forwards seamed to find the wet hull troublesome, and fhev never really settled down. McDonald arid Dodds worked hard on the richt wing, but' could not nenetrate .tho strong, 'defence nut up bv the Ponsnnhy rearward. With the forwards making very little headway, the backs h?d their hands full, and has it not been for the good showing of Brit tain and Anderson, the scores must have been larger. Second Division Contest. 1 A very interesting iitage has been reached in the second division. The table to data is as follows:— i

Wateraiders have yet to play North Shore, An enjoyable social and dance was held last Thursday by the newly formed Harbour Board Club. Mr. N. L. Viokerman presided over a good attendance. It is hoped that t this is ' only; the forerunner of many more such gatherings. This club has gone ahead well for a . new club, playing t good, clean football. Though its seniors "are not at the top, its two junior teams are fairly well placed.

P. W L. D. V. A. P. Northcote .. 13 9 4 0 39 26 18 Ponsonby . . 13 8 ' 4 1 37 23 17 Philomel . 1' 12 8 4 0 37 21 16 North Shore ». 13 8 5 0 25 22 16 Thistle .... 12 5 5 2 26 22 la Harbour Board 13 5 8 0 20 29 10 Y.M.C.A. .. 13 4 8 1 16 28 0 .brotherhood .. 13 2 11 0 16 52 4 CHATHAM CUP. P. W. E. D. P, A. P. Northcote ». 660020 10 12 Philomel .« .» 5 4 1 9 16 8 8 Ponsonby : ..6330 16 9 6 Thistle .... 5 2 2 1 9 6 5 Y.M.C.A. .. 6 2 3 1 6 9 5 North Shore 6 2 4 0 8 13 4 Harbour Board ■: 6 2 4 0 9 , 15 4 Brotherhood 6 1 5 0 8 21 2

> • ' ■ " Goals'. __ • _ P. W. L. D. For.Apst.Pts. Wateniiders 10 8 1 1 38 18 17 North Shore 9 7 0 2 32 9 ■ 16 Metropolitan SO 7 12 19 7 16 Ponsonby 11 6 3 2 29 , 22 : 14 Y.M.C.A. B 10 5 3 2 20 20 12 Y.M.O.A. A 10 5 3 2 20 14 12