ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19075, 21 July 1925, Page 6

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, NEXT SATURDAY'S CUP FINAL. AUCKLAND'S REPRESENTATIVES. After many interruptions, caused by representative and cup games, the first round of the senior championship has at last been completed. An interesting record of each club engaged is contained in the following league table:—

The Auckland Football Association has not yet definitely announced whether a full second round is to bo played, but if this plan is adopted it may result in somo big changes in the positions of tho teams. On their present form both Ponsonby and Northcoto are capable of administering a setback to either of the two leading clubs, while Royal Navy, with H.M.S. Dunedin in port, can field as strong a combination as we have in Auckland to-day. Thistle so far have done remarkably well, for they have had their share of bad luck with regard to injuries to players, and the club does not possess more than a dozen first-class senior men. Ponsonby s plucky uphill battle is demonstrated by their position on tho league table. Although next to bottom, they have a victory against tho leaders to their credit and have won through to the semi-final of the Chatham Cup. The team as it. stands to-day would hardly be recognised as tho one which went down to \\ atersiders earlier in tho season. Northcote's Triumph. ! Last Saturday Northcoto surprised most j followers of the game with their excellent i display against. Hellabys'. Although tho I latter club fielded a weakened team, this 'should not be allowed to belittle Northcote's victory. The suburban side produced football well up to the highest club standard, and on the day would have given any of the best senior elevens the game of their lives. For the first time this year W. Knott and Burford on the left wing were seen at their best, and throughout the gamo they were pretty to watch. Bell, at centre, led his attacking line like a veteran. His dashing efforts were a great asset to his side, and he never seemed to tire. Tremain and McDonald on the Tight were also brilliant. Thompson, the captain, played his first game at centre-half, and acquitted himself well. L. Knott 011 the left did some use- ' ful work, but at times gave the impression that he was not reliable. C'alderwood was the superior wing-half on the day. Hibbert and Blackledge made a strong pair of fullbacks, while Chesney, in goal, played in his usual confident and finished style. To do Hellabys' justice the luck of the day was against them. First Mellor and then Brittain had to retire on account of injuries sustained. The former pluckily returned and has one of the two goals to his credit. In tho forwards, Bryan and Tocher on the right were easily the pick. They were responsible for most of the dangerous moves. Among the backs Kane did a tremendous amount of saving work. He was handicapped by being out of his usual position, apparently giving place to the Teserve man, Roberts, who is also a left fullback. The latter, by the way, shaped very well. The halfbacks were not. strong. Brittain twisted his leg and ultimately bad to leave the field, although lie carried on for some time after the mishap. Martindale, acting as a substitute, was not as good as his brother, while McLachlan s style is in direct opposition to good football. Navy's Good Win. With J. Lucas, Walbran and De Luce On the sick list, Y.M.C.A. were faced with a hopeless task in their match against the Royal Navy eleven. They put up a plucky fight and did well to score, considering they were 011 the defensive for the greater part of the game. A word of praise is flue to the? veteran Miller, for the splendid manner in which fie kept goal. His services were called upon in emergency and he certainly saved many points being registered against his side. Of the rest of the defence Clanachan and Shenkin were easily outstanding. Among the forwards Marshall worked very hard but failed to get the necessary support, although Coltman and Muir, on the wings, were responsible for several good moves. Dick was handicapped by being out of his position. Entwistle missed some good openings mada by Marshall, but scored a goal in dashing style. Notwithstanding several fine days the playing pitch was far from dry, and one or two very sticky patches upset the Navy forwards on more than one occasion." The inside men too, were handicapped by the failure of tho wings to swing the ball to centre. Merritt, Buck and Welsh were easily tho stars of the attack. « Baxter was right on bis game at centre half, stopping and placing with precision and occasionally putting in a nice drive from well out. He registered two of tho goals, the second from a free-kick, being a particularly fine effort. Bradley, at right half, also played a sterling game. He is a very consistent performer and although comparatively a youngster, has a thorough knowledge of the game. Ponsonby on Tour. At Whangarei Ponsonby covered themselves with glory by defeating the 'North Auckland team which recently challenged Auckland for the Brown Shield. Those who saw the game say the Ponsonby forwards played wonderful football in the second half, after being two down at tho interval. The home team's score was rapidly overtaken and the visitors ran out. victors by 4 goals to 2. It certainly is a spelndid performance. 011 a strange ground after travelling all the previous night, and against a team which gave a very good account of itself opposed to Auckland's best eleven. Every man 011 the Ponsonby side was right on his game, with Christie and Innes outstanding. The popular centre forward secured three of the goals by dashing play. This success enhances Ponsonby's chances for tho cup final, next Saturday, and adds to the interest in the game .with Thistle, which was already tremendously keen. Probably never before 111 the history of the game in Auckland has a club match been so eagerly awaited. Both teams and their supporters are supremely confident, of success and a Triemorable contest is assured, particularly if the pitch is dry. May the better team vin and in turn vanquish the premier club of South Auckland, for then we shall see the North Island semi final in (Auckland, when Wellington's Y.M.C.A. 'cracks will be led forth by the redoubtable George Campbell, hero of many test matches against the Australians as captain of the New Zealand eleven. The Brown Shield Team. In Soccer circles all Auckland is discussing the team chosen to defend the Brown Shield. Truly, the lot of the Selectors is not a happy one, for although liobody can find fault with the backs, the choosing of the forward line has called forth no end of criticism. Narrowed down the cry of the critics appears to be that it is ,-v mistake to May Dodds at centre forward, and on his form this season Palmer is not worth his place. All seem agreed that Dodds is worthy of inclusion at his regular position of inside right. 1 In making their selection tho committee has obviously been guided to a largo fcxtent by past experience with Wellington. They apparently anticipate that /tampliiell and Ballard will be on the (kiting team's left wing, and conclude

that nobody knows the play of these champions better than Dacre. Therefore Dacrc must go in, and as he and Innes have been associated so often in big football, the Ponsonby centre must take the position on the wing at which he has proved so successful in New Zealand teams. Dodds is too good to leave out, so he has been included as centre forward, remembering that he always makes most of the opening for the Thistle attack in club games. Palmer is a dashing goalgettcr. Adshead is the only really good left wing we have. All this sounds well enough in theory, but against it are the facts that so far this season Palmer has not reproduced his form of last year, and Dodds is a grand inside but not quite fast enough for a centre forward. However, '• Ite team is undoubtedly a strong one. and if Wellington can win the Shield they will certainly deserve it. The writer would feel more confident though, if the Auckland forwards were Innes, Dodds, Humphries, Dacre and Adshead. All these men have been picked, but not in the above positions, Humphries being, at present, among the reserves. Dacre has often proved his ability to play anywhere and do well.

RIMUTAKA V. TRAMWAYS. An Association football match has been arranged between the steamer Rimutaka's team and the local Tramways Club, to take place at Victoria Park to-day at 3 p.m.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

1 NOTES AND COMMENTS. SATURDAY'S CLUB GAMES. THE CITY-RICHMOND CONTEST. With conditions ideal for football a fairly large crowd of League followers assembled at Car law Park to watch the City-Richmond match. Although the scores were heavy, 34 to 22, the game was by no means uninteresting. Richmond, weakened by the absence of several good backs, did not show their usual form. Numerous opportunities came their way, but on almost every occasion their backs kicked tho ball. Too much kicking is a weakness displayed by a good number of League backs. Possession of the ball and plenty of passing are the outstanding features of good League play. No player should kick tho ball. It is far better to be tackled than to give one's opponents possession. In the first spell of Saturday's gamo Redwood continually gained the ball from the scrum, but the Richmond backs did not make the most of their opportunities. The speed of the City backs was largely responsible for their scores. They were seen at their best, and it was no disgrace to be beaten by such speedy players. Individual Players. G. Davidson, with threo tries to his credit, showed that he still retains a nice turn of speed. Behind the scrum Mitchell gave an excellent display and scored two tries, the second being a fine effort. Wardlow again impressed with his determined dashes down the line, and is a much improved player. City's best back was B. Davidson, who gave a very fine display. Owing to a lack of good inside backs City are playing their forward, N. Bass, in the five-eighths line, a position he fills in masterly style. In the forward division Mackie and Ruby were the most prominent. Sandham was a consistent goal-kicker. It would be difficult to single out any of Richmond's backs for special mention. From the half to the wings they played well, but too much kicking spoiled good individual work. McDonald, at fullback, was sound and was unfortunate in having to retire owing to an injury. Devon, on the wing, showed plenty of pace but got' limited chances. Of the inside backs Hyland was perhaps the best. He made some clever openings. The Richmond forward division as a whole followed up fast, and were just as good as their opponents. The hardest workers were Crewther, Hanleh and Avery. Redwood, tho Richmond hooker, gave his side plenty of the ball. Marist and Newton. An excellently-contested game was witnessed between Marist and Newton. The former had the better of the play and led throughout. The outstanding player on the ground was Singe, the Marist forward. He was always on the ball and gave every assistance to the threequarter line. On his recent displays Singe must be considered a very unlucky player not to be included in the New Zealand team. Malloy at fullback gave a sound display, running well with the ball and showing good judgment in line kicking. Kirkland used his pace to good advantage. The best of Newton's backs were Polson, Clarke and Hargreaves. In the forwards Stack, Somers and S. Brown were the most prominent. Bevonport and Athletic. At Devonport the home team gave one of its best displays in defeating Athletic. The popularity of Leaguo at North Shore was indicated by the large gathering of spectators, who lined the sides of the playing area and thoroughly enjoyed tho match. Athletic had hard luck with several promising movements. Shortly before time the losers asserted themselves, and kept Devonport busy defending their line. For the winners Cleaver was perhaps the best of the backs. Since joining North Shore he has shown improved form in each game. Greig played a useful game behind the scrum, but has developed the bad habit of running into the scrum. Among the forwards the veteran Haddon was the most outstanding North Shore player, getting through a tremendous amount of work. The best player on the ground was To Whata, of Athletic. He has played in almost every position, and is one of the most versatile players in Auckland. Auckland' 3 Southern Tour. The decision of the Auckland Rugby League to exclude any players now touring Australia from selection for the coming Southern tour of the Auckland representative team will give many promising young players an opportunity of making good. Particularly fine form has been shown by Riley (Ponsonby), Hadley (Athletic), R. Hyland (Richmond), List, (Kingsland) and Wardlow (City). Among the forwards Mason (Athletic), Payne (Ponsonby), Stormont (Marist) and Avery (Richmond) have caught the eye in many good games this season. The win for the New Zealand team in Newcastle on Saturday was very pleasing. Again the feature of the piny was tho good form shown by Dufty. On Thursday the New Zealand team will play Australia in Sydney. This is the date of the arrival of tho American Fleet at Sydney. Designs for a handsome shield, to be known as the William Stormont. Memorial Shield, are now under way, and to-morrow evening the Management Committee of the Auckland Hugbv League will discus* the arrangements for a suitable competition. Bright Junior Gamo3. With the B division playing so often at Car law Park, patrons at headquarters have missed the junior teams, with their fine football. On Saturday, however, good games were witnessed between tho C-ity and Northcoto fifth grade teams, and the Ellerslie and Richmond sixth grade tliirteens. One try, scored by the ( itv team in tho second spell, was the result of a particularly fine combined effort. All the way from the scrum th* boys showed cleanness in handling and speed when in support. In the sixth grade gamo 011 No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park an even better exhibition was witnessed. Next Saturday the final of tho Sixth A grade between Richmond and City will be decided. These two teams have good reputations, and the game should bo a curtain-raiser worth watcbiug.

Goals. Ch. p. w. L. 1). For AK. Pts. Thistle . . 8 7 1 0 31 13 14 Korth Shcro 8 5 1 2 22 0 12 Royal Navy 8 4 2 2 20 11 10 Hellabys' . . 8 4 0 17 17 8 Tramways . 8 3 4 I 16 16 7 Y.M.C.A. . . 8 ;> 4 1 17 22 7 Northcoto . 8 3 5 0 18 28 6 Ponaonby . . 8 2 4 2 19 21 6 Watersiclers 8 1 7 0 8 31 2