ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 20

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CELTIC'S SURPRISE WIN.

FINE DISPLAY BY FORWARDS

Y.M.C.A.'S STRONG POSITION

A further round of championship panics claimed the attention of Soccer followers on Saturday and in spite of strong counter-attractions quite u fair crowd of spectators at Blandford Park witnessed the two principal contests, l'ine football was seen in tho game between Celtic and Ponsonby, although the ground was against a sustained attempt at scientific play, but fortune treated each side to impartially that the interest was maintained to the last. Celtic's win, although putting it in second place on the championship ladder, seems to have strenthened tho position of Y.M.C.A-, which now holds, a live point lead in the compe'.ilion. i i. i In tho opening play lonsonby lookecl certain to win as its combination had the Scots side bewildered. However, it tweaks well for Celtic's recuperative powers that in the second spell it had much the better of the game and should have finished with a wider margin of

goals. . Very seldom have the Celtic forwards l-icen seen to such advantage and consideriug that the mucl was anklo deep in places il is remarkable that they could establish such a fine control tho ball. Hall was rather shaky in the Celtic goal jit the start and his handling let his side in for several difficult situations. He improved toward tho finish and beat off several particularly dangerous Ponsonby attacks. Celtic's backs inspired confidence with their safe tackling and clean kicking. Kav has given better exhibitions, but his work was still highly creditable. He had nn admirable partner in Gray, a recent arrival from Scotland, who upheld the reputation ho has brought, with him.

Gavan at Centre-Forward. 'The naif line was solid, with Grant doing most, of the work in tho centie position. He received a couple of hard knocks in the early exchanges, which inconvenienced him to a great extent, but ho was always, up with the play and proved a great help to the forwards, whom he backed up with judicious passes. Mooney and Jenkins supported their respective wings well and also held the opposition in check. Once again Gavan proved that he is most suited to the centre-forward position. His performance was particularly impressive, the manner in which he pushed through the backs to connect up with a pass branding him as a fino opportunist. While one could not help admiring the fine handling of Stirtees in the Ponsonby goal the manner in which ho dallied with the ball calls for criticism. Nothing is to be gained by these methods and his nohchalanco when surrounded by a ring of attackers is liable to let his team in for trouble. The Ponsonby backs did not impress to any great extent although McCosli was always a trier. Lornie, Balloch and Morrison formed a strong half line with the latter most prominent. The attacking quintet was dangerous throughout, McMillan and Stewart being outstanding, while Inness and Sims were responsible for good work on the wings.

. t Forwards Too Good. The Y.M.C.A.-Corinthians encounter proved fast and attractive although the result was apparent after a few minutes play. Y.M.C.A. was without the services of M. Kay, hut even (hen their forward line proved too good for its opponents. Mowat and Chapman caught the eye in the backs for Y.M.C.A. while Humphreys and Thornc-s did well in the vanguard. Corinthians' most eftective division was the forward line, in which Ansteed and Woods figured most prominently. Taylor and Jones set up a stern defence in the backs and received good support from Lyon in goal. A hard game, in which there was very little to pick and choose between the teams, resulted when Mannrewa met Onehunga at Walker Park. The defences of both sides were evenly matched and the spasmodic rushes of the respective forwards met with very little success. Onehunga was inclined to rest on its oars at times, but was soon reawakened by the eager Manurewa players, who maintained a fast pace throughout. Parks, Corbett and If. Donaldson shone in the Manurewa team, Corbett, especially, being noticeable for his tine constructive play. gave a good display in goal for Onehunga, his activities being mainly responsible for saving his side from defeat. The forward line was well led by Gill and Moon.

GAME OF BADMINTON.

IMTER-CLU3 COMPETITION. The, competitive, season in Badminton Trill commence this week, when a start, v.ill be made with the inter-club competition inaugurated bv the Auckland liadminton Association. The. Auckland championships arc set down for decision at the Scots Hall on August 14, 15 and 16 and these will lie followed by the Ts'ew Zealand championships at Waiiganui on September 4, , r > and 6. It is not, certain at present, what Auckland players will bo making the trip, but .J. Southon, holder of (lie men's singles title, and Miss D. Fllett, t.ho lady champion, have both announced that they •will be defending their respective titles. In the combined doubles Southon will be playing with Miss Ellett and should have a very good chance of coining through In the ladies' doubles MKs Kllutt v. ill be partnered by Miss B. Solomon. It is a pity that (i Martin will bo unable to go. as he is an effortless player and with Southon is outstand ing in Auckland at. the present time. Inter-chili matches fixed for this week fire: —Mangerc v Papatoetoe, Alfriston v. St. Andrew's, St.. Aitkin's v. Heniueia, Central v. Xorlhcote. The strength of most of the different clulis is an unknown quantity at present, but the St Aidan's Remuera match promises to provide a good struggle. It will be played at the It cm ucni Library to-morrow night. The teams will be chosen from the following players: —St. Aidan's: Itev. Polemail, Ryder. Bell, Woods, Skegg, and Mesdames Clark, Bell, Misses Capcy, Smith and limes Remnera: Mnnsergh, Towle, Hay D. Wilson, Hull and Misses Marjorie Macfarlane, Marion Macfarlane. Ji. Pence, R. Waller and A. Parker.

ECCKNTKIC fiOLFJCR.

NO DESIRE FOR RECORDS.

I'erhaps the most notable case of a golfer giving up 'ho- came, was that of <iuy Ellis, the (hfmd blue, slates an English paper. When the rubber-cored ball was introduced he declared that the game had been made too easy, and he refused to play any more. lint he was always a little eccentric in his outlook on the game. Once, when playing on the Prince's course at Mitcham, his caddie (old him When ho was about to make the last drive bV^ir 1 n 4 scl "P.» «®w rein ' i S t j I.! 0 ' ' ' ie ami, turning round he deliberately banged the ball to the wrong direction.