ASSOCIATION CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19668, 21 June 1927, Page 14

ASSOCIATION CODE.

SATURDAY'S TWO MATCHES. POSSIBLES AND PROBABLES. ITEMS FROM OVERSEAS. Once again North Shore has succeeded in gaining a victory in the last few minutes of play and 'will enter the second round of the Chatham Cup competition. It is not likely the defeat will be amicably received by the Tramways team in view of their assertion that they were misled by the referee's whistle. Whether this was the case only those near to the goal are best able to judge. It says much for Tramways' play that tho team was only narrowly beaten after playing practically for the full timo with only ten men. When Davis had to relinquish his post at inside-left the forwards wore disorganised a great deal at a time when they had to contend with very sound defence. The bulk of the burden then devolved on Spencer and Dodds, and they did not receive any appreciable help from the wings. Lewis was all right with the ball at toe, and made 6ome pretty runs down the lino, but he was a failure when it came to shooting for goal. On the other flank Spong was also weak and did not appear to be in the necessary form for a hard gamo on a sticky ground. Tinkler seemed intent upon contradicting the opinion? that he was lucky to get into tho New Zealand team and worked very hard. There is no doubt he gave what is probaftly his best showing of the season and he got through a lot of valuable defence and attack. Still, he has not justified his inclusion in the representative ranks. The backs have their best commendation in the manner the North Shore forwards were kept in check, but they were also responsible for some very risky play and seemed helpless when the only goal was scored. Watson often impeded rather than assisted Simpson, who, under the circumstances, played a good game. Batty's goalkeeping was reliable. Disorganised North Shore. Tho changes in the North Shore team owing to the absence of Baxter were fairly successful. On tho left wing Moore - showed a fine turn of speed and his centreing was generally good. Jay tried to do too much and was far too often among the halves to be a strong link in the attack. Had he tried to keep pace with Moore instead of dropping back, better results would have developed. Whitley, as usual, kept well upfield, but the Tramways' defenders seemed to have his measure. The right wing was slightly the stronger and Cleal crossed tho ball splendidly on occasions. At left half Colebourne played most reliable football and was very successful with the exception that he was not too conversant with the throw-in. Jones' allround play was another asset to his team. The backs offered stubborn defence, Smith's left foot making up for tho shifting of Gerrard to right-back, while Lipscombe saved some hard shots. As a cup tie the match was a disappointment. The football was not of the best and mistakes were frequent on both sides. Representative Trial Match. The Possibles-Probables match was a good curtain-raiser. It is not a difficult task to decide upon the Auckland representatives who will endeavour to preserve the fine record of past teams, and it is probable that on Saturday the solo selector had his opinions confirmed more than altered. Of the two goalkeepers, Lyon was the better. He had more shots aimed at hirn and was allowed more chances to perform spectacularly. Now that Baxter will not be available it seems more than likely that Christie will replace him for Auckland, although the heady centrehalf play of Wright makes him a dangerous rival. In good company on Saturday Williams showed able ball control and plenty of speed. Mellor has the makings of a good wing, but is inclined to be erratic. The other forwards have been seen to better advantage. Hislop should be a power in the New Zealand team judging by his play for the Probables. Ho and Kay were just as good as ever. If these two players are not chosen as partners in one of the test teams a great injustice will have been done to Kay. Mooney was conspicuous in both forward lines, being given a trial at inside-left and insideright. Miles also demonstrated his ability at left-back and must have raised his stock in tho selector's estimation. Chinese and German Failing. When the Chinese team was in New Zealand a few years ago one of the greatest drawbacks to its success was the dislike of the men to charge an opponent. The Chinese preferred to use their feet alone rather than a combination of foot and shoulder play. This aspect of play is again apparent in the team now touring Australia, and it is held to be one of the reasons why the team is not having anything like the success it was expected to have. In Germany, too, this feature is outstanding. Little charging is indulged in and when an English team was on tour there recently, if one of the visitors "took" either tho ball or the man, as is done at Home, he was generally penalised. An English official who toured Germany with tho Ilford Football Club team said football was taken very seriously on the Continent. The game was so fast that cvon the referee had the utmost difficulty in keeping up with the play. The goal iudges also worked very well. Ho considered these tours, in the past, had been 1 regarded too much in the nature of holidays for the various English clubs, and I that a change of character was necessary ! if tho prestige of British football was to be maintained on tho Continent. Players Keep Late Hours. "In the past we have taken teams over and played about three or four matches in four or five days," ho said. "There has been extra travelling, change in food, and ; certain social gatherings which you have to attend, and on top of all this there has been the fact that many of the players are visiting the Continent for the first time, and want to visit places of interest, and do not go to bod until the early hours of the morning. "Tho result is that when they step on to the football field they are not ro well trained as the team they have to meet, who have prepared for us for woeks before we .get there, and are under the most rigid discipline. "I am inclined to suggest that in future when our teams visit the Continent, we should go upon no less than a seven or eight days' tour; that wo should not ploy more than three matches, and that these three matches should be played within the first five days. Then you can tell the boys that until the last match is played they must train as strictly and live as regularly as they do in England, and the last two days will be qqite free for them to enjoy themselves."