ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20959, 24 August 1931, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS.

THISTLE'S FINE PERFORMANCE. DEFEAT OF TRAMUREWA. Some very attractive football was witnessed at Blandford Park on Saturday, when Thistle and Tramurewa met in the Auckland Football Association's senior championship. The contest proved a fust and exciting one, which kept the large attendance thrilled throughout. Tho ability of the Thistle team 1,0 make more 6f its opportunities gave it a well-deserved victory. A Falcon Cup match between North Shoro and Celtic, played ns a curtain-raiser, resulted in a comfortable win for the former. Two other championship games were played, Ponsonby gaining a clear-cut decision over Onehunga on the latter's ground, while Y.M.C.A. defeated New Accord in the match at New Lynn. Following were the scores:— Falcon Cup.—North Shore, 7; Celtic. 3. Championship Games.—Thistle, 4; Tramurewa, 3. Ponsonby, 5; Onehunga. 0. Y.M.C.A., 5; New Accord, 0. Tho following championship table shows the positions of tho teams:—

Goals Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pis. Y.M.C.A. . . 13 10 2 1 38 10 21 Thistle . . . 13 51 3 1 fi2 23 19 Tramnrewa . . 12 8 4 3(> '25 I'> North Shore . . 13 (> 7 2!) 24 12 Ponsonby .. 13 4 0 3 25 2d 11 Onehunga, .. 14 3 8 3 I<> 32 0 New Accord . . 13 3 8 2 21 50 8 Celtic . . . . 13 3 8 2 22 43 8

THISTLE'S FINE ATTACK. Tit A MURE W A OUTPLAYED. Iu spita of the clover methods o£ the Tramurewa team Thistle swung the ball about determinedly and by its ability to get goals gained the decision over its formidable opponents. There was little between the teams from the start, play moving from end to end. "Woods almost put Thistle ahead with a tricky side-line run, which culminated in a shot which elid off the post just clear of the goalmouth. In a swii't counter Mill worked jdown the left flank prettily, eluding several Thistle backs and connected up with Bell. Surrounded by defenders Bell, nevertheless, threw himself forward and with a great shot screwed the ball into the top of the net. Tramurewa continued to besiege the Thistle goal, with Chapman and Williams, in the defence, rising magnificently to beat off the invaders. Another pretty run by Mill saw his transfer deflected back .by Bell and Spencer ran in to crash the ball into the net. Thistle then started the long passing game with effect, McLeay netting with a great shot after Wright-had supplied the opening. More wus seen of the Thistle attack, which dominated play to the spell, when the score was: —Tramurewa. 2: Thistle. Thistle appeared a different team after the epell, playing with a dash and accuracy which had its opponents dazzled. The Tramurewa defence, sorely harassed, broko when Kennedy placed a free-kick beautifully, and McLeay was on the spot to head a great goal. A further goal was registered against Tramurewa, when Woods kicked a brilliant corner, scoring direct. Thistle continued to dominate the play and the Tramurewa goal had several nanow escapes. In a characteristic counter-attack the Tramurewa forwards took play to the other end where McMillan seized a chance and scored with a snap shot Hustle got through again, however before the end. Watson putting in a smashing run and passing to Woods for the latter to supply the finish. A fast and exciting game ended with tho score Thistle, 4: tramurewa, 3. Mr. G. Shancl was referee. FALCON CUP MATCH. NORTH SHORE BEATS CELTIC. Although Celtic mado a determined showing in the first half, North Shore proved too powerful in tho second halt of tho Falcon Cup contest at Blandford l'ark, and finished with a generous margin of goals. Celtic combined better from the whistle and a swift invasion caught the North Shoro backs unprepared, Kiminer getting through to goal. The North Shore vanguard then got away from a well-placed pass by Jones, and Wilson, beating several defenders, crashed home a great shot. Shortly afterward a faulty clearance bv the Celtic goalkeeper let Webb m to score. Grant was sending the Celtic forwards uwav repeatedly, but except Anstced. none of them made much progress, hast following up by ltimmer, however, saw the forward collect a rebound and level the score again. North Shore took the lead prior to tho spell however, when Wilson dropped across a nice centre and Cowie collected to score. North Shore quickly showed its supremacy in the second half, rattling on three goals in a space of 10 minutes. Webb screwed one into tho. net from the penalty area, and tlisn Cowie, by forceful following up and accurate shooting, secured another two. Cowie scored his fourth goal off a centre from Wilson, the goalkeeper receiving no chance. Just before the end Rimmer received from Ansteed and gave Celtic a. further goal, the final score being:--North Shore, 7; Celtic, 3. Mr. L. J. Check was referee. Y.M.C.A. IN GOOD FORM. DEFEAT OF NEW ACCORD. Y.M.C.A., the championship leaders, did particularly well to score a very decisive win at New Accord's expense in the match at New Lynn. " Superior combination saw y M C A. establish an ascendancy from the start and the New Accord goal was besieged for quite a spell. Poor shooting and sound defending kept the attackers out. however, until a bright Y.M.C.A. frontal move caught the defence out of place and Humphreys went through to pass to M. Kay, who netted in quick time with a fast drive. Tho New Accord attacks lacked sting and were capably dealt with by the opposing backs. Y.M.C.A. maintained the pressure, Humphreys and Hamilton going very close with shots. New Accord retaliated and almost forced a way through, but Pvid dolls came back in a forceful YM C A raid to make the score at the spell':— Y.M.C.A.. 2; New Accord, 0 New Accord was now playing with the wind behind it and its efforts troubled the Y.M.C.A. backs to a greater extent. Several good chances came tho way of the New Accord forwards, but dallying with tile ball was the chief fault and allowed the visiting backs to get round again and smother up. Y.M.C.A. wore down the offensive and then set about giving Morris a strenuous time m the New Accord goal. The latter defended magnificently, however, and \vhen Riddolls scored from a partially cleared centre of M. Kay s the goalkeeper was not to blame. jM. Kay put in two more goals before the finisli to make tho final score:—Y.M.C.A., 5; iSew Accord. 0. , . Mr. T. H. Ham brook was referee. PONSONBY TAKES POINTS. ONEHUNGA WELL BEATEN. Ponsonby, although one man short, plas'ed all over Onehunga nt Onehuuga. From the kick-off Ponsonby tressed and good work by Tnnes resulted in Forrester ,sconrg, the sun baffling Zuill. Ag" n Poiui nby attacked, Innes, Ward and Bentley do.ng most of the work, tho last-named scoring with an easy shot from close in. A breakaway by Whimster, who sent to Dick. ; saw Surtees save from a hard drive. Next Cole gave Zuill no chance with a lightning shot. Ponsonby again pressed and a hard tusslo ensued between Woodhall, Forrester and Whaley, tho first-named sending in a high centre, which found the far corner of the net. Half-time came with the score:—Ponsonby, 4; Onehunga, 0,

Favoured with the wind, Onehunga pressed and several corners were conceded. McCosh cleared repeatedly in the face of strong attacks. Nicol headed at goal but Surtees brought off a fine save. Cole tested Zuill, who cleared, but Bentley again got possession and sent to Whaley \vho gave Cole another chance, or\ly to see the lastnamed head past. Onehunga now pressed hard and Whimster, Huston, and Nicol made Surtees save in quick succession. Cole shot from well out, Alexander being unlucky to deflect the ball into the corner of the net out of ZulU's reach. The game ended with the score:—Ponsonby, 5; Onehunga, 0. Mr. A. E. Parkinson was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Reserve Grade.—Senior Cup: Thistle, 4, North Shore, 2; Onehunga, 5, Celtio, 1. Second Grade.—Dacre Cup: Belmont, 3. Tamaki, 1: Glen lnnes, 6, Northcote, 3; Henderson, 7, Y.M.C.A.. 3. Championship game: Ponsonby, 1, Comrades, 1. Third Grade Open.—Glen lnnes, 1, Celtic, 0; Abel's, 8, New Lynn, 1. Third Grade Intermediate.—Tamaki, 2, W.Y.M.1., 0; Comrades, 7, Mount Albert Old Boys, 0. Fourth Grade.—Grammar Old Boys, 3, Western United, 0: Burnley, '2, \.M.C.A.. 0; Metro-College B. 1. Glen lnnes, 1. Championship games: Comrades, 2, Onehunga, 0: Metro-College, 5, Y.M.C.A., 1. Fifth Grade.—Comrades A, 2. Y.M.C.A. B, 0; Tamaki, 3, St. John's, J; Technical Old Boys, 3, Comrades R. 1. v mt Sixth Grade.—Comrades B. G, W.Y.M.T., J; Belmont A, 3. Y.M.C.A. A. 2; Onehunga, 6, Thistle. 0; Metro-College, 2, Tamaki. 0. Secondary Schools.-Junior grade knockout final: Kowhni, 4, Mount Albert, 3. SECONDARY SCHOOLS' TOURNEY. NORTH ISLAND PREMIERSHIP. The North Island Secondary Schools' Football Association will hold its third annual tournament this season, commencing on Thursday and extending over I< ridu.y and Saturday. A senior and junior competition will be held, three teams competing in each. Auckland, Wellington and Wanganui will be playing in the senior competition, while the teams represented in the junior event will be Auckland, Wellington and Manawatu. The senior teams will compote for the Skerrett Cup. which Auckland holds at present, while the junior trophy will be the Herbert Smith Cup. Play will commence nt, 12 o'clock on each day and if fine weather prevails all the matches will be played at Blandford Park, otherwise Victoria Park will be used. The following teams will represent Auckland:— Senior. —Abevnethy (Auckland Grammar), Shaw (Mount Albert). Delangs, Baskett (Auckland Grammar), J. Dallimore, O. t'lygcr (Technical), Burton (Auckland Grammar), Rogers, Jcpson, Gnint (Mount Albert), A. Flyger (Technical), Macky, Berriman, Williams (Mount Albert). Juniors.—Coleman, Wheeler (Takapnna), Dobson (Auckland Grammar), Kerr, Simms (Mount Albert), .Tones (Technical), McGowan, Ferguson (Takapnna), Cleal (Auckland (irammar), Fyfie (Mount Albert), Gilbert (Auckland Grammar), Colo (Kowhai), Best, Dickson (Technical). A junior B secondary schools' team has also been chosen to compete in a tourney organised by the Auckland Primary Schools' Association, which will be held during the week. Following is the team: — Ryan, Mortimer (Mount, Albert), D'Amaida, Gordon (Auckland Grammar), .Tones (Takapuna), McDougall. Ripley (Auckland Gramni.ir), French (Kowhai), Chambers (Takapnna), Woods, Chine: (Mount Albert), Cooper (Kowhai), MacGuire (Mount Albert). ITellyer (Technical), Lnmond (Auckland Grammar), Brown (Kowhai). MATCH AT HAMILTON. [from our own correspondent.] HAMILTON, Saturday. Playing at Hamilton to-day. Rotowaro defeated Hamilton Y.M.C.A. by 2 goals to 1 after a very close game. PLAY IN THE SOUTH. Association football games in Wellington and Christchurch on Saturday resulted:— Wellington.—Petone, G, Hospital, 0; Dia monds, G, Thistle, 4. Christchurch,—Western, 4, Nomads. 2; Thistle, 1, New Brighton, 0. MATCH AGAINST WELLINGTON. AUCKLAND ELEVEN CHOSEN. The following team has been chosen by the sole selector to the Auckland Football Association, Mr. D, Corbett, to represent Auckland against Wellington in the match at Wellington on Saturday :—Zuill (Onehunga), Tinkler (Tramurewa), Gerrard (North Shore), Morrison (Ponsonby), Christie (Tramurewa), Balloch (Tramurewa). Blackie (North Shore), Ansteed (Celtic), McLeay (Thistle), McMillan and Mill (Tramurewa). THE WELLINGTON TEAM. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. The sole selector Mr. Hicks has chosen the following Association football players to represent Wellington .against Auckland at the Basin Reserve next Saturday:—Ell (Hospital), J. Watherspoon (Diamonds), Duilie (Seatoun), J. McLeod (Diamonds), Campbell, Hanlon (Petone), Nicolle (Lower Ilutt), Dunsmuir (Waterside), Leslie (Petone), Rigby (Diamonds), Craig (Petone).