ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19947, 16 May 1928, Page 16

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE. Y.M.C.A. STILL UNDEFEATED. TRAMWAYS' CASUALTY LIST.

With five of the seven games in the first round of the Auckland Football Association's championship competition played, Y.M.C.A. alone lias an unbeaten record. The final two games of the round should prove the test of the team's ability. Ponsonby will provide the opposition on Saturday next, and Thistle the following week. The games scheduled for the next two Saturdays should prove extremely interesting, and the results are hard to forecast. It may happen that the positions of the leaders will be reversed. North Shore has to meet Thistle, and Ponsonby has two stiff hurdles for a team desirous of maintaining its challenge for the championship. On Saturday's form, however, and with the team at full strength, a double win does not seem beyond the club's ability.

The following table shows the position of the teams to date

Coals. Team. P. W. P. L. for. at'st. Pts. Y.M.C.A. .5 5 Thistle . . ft 4 I. J4 North Shore 5 3 1. I l' l { Ponsonby .5 3 ~ 2 1' Onehunga . 5 3 '2 9 £ o Tramways . 5 I 1 3 Belmont . . 5 Northcote .5 Onehunga Disappoints. No one present at the game between North Shore and Onehunga would suggest there was a three goals' difference between the teams. The goals came easny for North Shore, however, and, if they were obtained by the simplest of football, there was no element of doubt about the forwards' finishing power. Only the second goal, which came from a corner kick, might have been averted,, had Cummings not hesitated. The North Shoie attack found the Onehunga defence slow, and poor on recovery. „ - The speed and accuracy of the welldirected raids always had the defenders bustled, and it was soon apparent that, to bring success, Onehunga would have to adopt very different tactics from those employed in tho first half hour. Onehunga's trouble seemed to begin and end in the forward line. The three inside players were prepared to adopt a purely defensive game, and ivero more like a second halfback lino than a thrustful attack. The lesson of the previous Saturday was evidently not taken to heart, 'and the whole side adopted the same tactics which were so disastrous against Y.M.C.A. Onehunga has a fine defence, but the best can be overworked. To obtain points Onehunga must get goals, and, after ali, that is the forward line's first duty. First Appearance in Goal. Eacock, who made his first appearance in goal for North Shore, played a strong game, although his fielding was at times faulty. Renshaw, who replaced Gerrard at fullback, was a safe defender, and, with Colebourne, put up a solid defence Tipman played a useful game at right half, and Gilmore was always in the thick of it. Jones was the outstanding half on the field, and displayed brilliant form. Jav, Woolley and Moore were the best of "a clever forward line that made the most of its chances. Cleal was suffering from an old ankle injury. Onehunga was well served by Cummings in goal, but Whowell and Rimmer were not so convincing as usual. Bentley was the best of tho half-backs, but all louiid the pace too fast in the opening spell. Terry was clever, but inclined to hang on too long. Of the forwards Gill was the only one to display penetrative Whimster was lively in an attack which was for the most part aimless. To be defeated 6—o, B—l8 —1 and I 3on successive Saturdays must have been veiy disheartening to the Northcote Club, and the team deserves great credit for the fine showing it made against Thistle on Saturday. Although Thistle did the bulk of attacking throughout, Lyons, Taylor and Hibbert put up a sterling defence, and were ably assisted by the halves. The team has improved beyond comparison with its previous games this season. Tho forward line participated in the general improvement, and was unfortunate in not scoring on more than one occasion. Forwards Below Best Form: Thistle was well served by its defence, the halves were strong, but the forwards failed to produce their best. Cummings and Kay were outstanding, but the inside men did not make use of their many chances. The team play improved in tho second half, but the Northcote defence was stubborn.

The Tramways team has been most unfortunate this season, as eight of the eleven players originally selected are 011 the injured or sick list. The team on Saturday was without the services of Simpson, McElligott, Tinkler, Simm and Sutcliffe, but, although five goals down at the interval, the side showed fine spirit in the second half, and fought gamely. Some new players were tried out and proved successful. Gilbert should make a good forward. Ponsonby showed a welcome revival and the whole team played clever and effective football, particularly in the opening spell. Innes did not get his full share of the ball, but was the most aggressive forward. Wright was the best of the halfline and the defence was sound, although severely tested in the closing stages. Belmont again demonstrated its ability to extend the strongest of its opponents in the competition, and Y.M.C.A. found itself up against a team of hard, if not clever, fighters. The first half provided fast play, ranging from end to end, and Y.M.C.A.. although showing the more polished football, was fortunate to cross over on even terms. The second half was just as keenly contested, but experience told in the end. Humphries. Hoban, Otter and Dick did best for Y.M.C.A., while Chesney, Follas, Lithgow and Allen were prominent, in the Belmont team. Thii Navy Players.

The fine exhibition of the code given by the teams from the Diomede and Dunedin leaves a regret that the Royal Navy has been unable to enter a team in the senior grade competition this season. The football played by both sides was of a commendably high standard and the game, although hard and strenuous, was fought out in a fine spirit throughout. The Royal Navy players are not afraid to use the legitimate shoulder charge, and some of the senior grade players would do well to follow their example. No one desires to see rough play creep in, hut a fair shoulder to shoulder charge should not prove dangerous when both players are fit. Many of the Royal Navy players were making their last appearance on the football field in Auckland on Saturday. The Diomede is due to leave for England for a refit this week, and it is confidently anticipated the ship will return with at least some fresh talent, which would enable the Ftoval Navy to enter a strong claim for the championship next season.

ILLNESS OF a. NEPIA. HIS TRANSFER DISCREDITED. The report that G. Nepia, the famous All Black fallback, will be playing in the Wairarapa this year is discredited in wellinformed football circles, says a writer in a Napier journal. Nepia intended to shift to Mast irton this year, but recently ho was seriously ill and it is now authoritatively stated that if iie plays football at all this season it will not be till well on in the year, for ho is still suffering from tho effects of his indisposition. Those in a position to know of Nepia's probable movements scout the idea that lie will ba joining Cooko and Irvine in Masterton this year*