THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21263, 17 August 1932, Page 15

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

REPRESENTATIVE CONTEST WEAKNESS IN FRONT OF GOAL SCHOOLBOYS SHOW PROMISE A contest in which drab periods alternated with brighter phases was witnessed by a, good attendance when the Auckland B representative team tried conclusions with 11.M.5. Difiiedin at Bla.ndford Park on Saturday. Clever mid-field play wag a feature of the contest, with (he 11.M.5. Duuedin team shining particularly in this department, but both teams displayed a weakness in front of goal which invariably spoiled the more scientific work. On tho day there did not appear to be a forward who showed confidence when faced with a scoring opportunity. Territorially, 11.M.5. Dunedin held a marked advantage throughout, speed and stamina being salient features of the Navy men's play. They played a hard and clean game, it being a delight to see tho crisp shoulder charge in use. Local players could learn a lesson from the Navy players in this department of the game, for the tactics of some of the senior players in Auckland who stand off and allow an opponent to make the play are responsible for making the game unattractive to tho public. While not being particularly impressive as a combination there wore several Aucklanders who gave good accounts of themselves. Tho fast-moving Dunedin players did not give the forwards much chance to settle down to a plan of working, but on the occasions when the Auckland quintet did picrco the backs' defence, tho Navy goalkeeper was kept very alert. Liko their opponents, however, good marksmanship would have profited by tho many chances which offered.

Good Anticipation Although not called upon to do much Gerrard in goal for Auckland "was impressive for sufo handling and good anticipation. The backs, 11. Stone and Stewart, did not shape well for a start, being inclined to mix faulty kicking with indifferent tackling. As the game progressed and the players became used to the ball, which was bouncing in a disconcerting manner on the fiery turf, the play of the Auckland backs showed a corresponding improvement. Although the Auckland half-line did not display much understanding, the vim and cleverness of the individual units did a lot to compensate for this deficiency. Forceful work and good constructive play enmo from Wright, especially, who was seldom far from the scene of activities. Balloch and Spong shone more in a defensive role than on attack.

Cunimings is not showing the form on the right wing which mado his play so attractive earlier in the season, his centres especially lacking the customary accuracy. Hitchins was the more impressive of the two inside forwards, neither of whom offered their wings the necessary support. Bell and K.ay were also spasmodic, although a good deal of the credit for their inactivity must go to the opposing backs. Defence oI Halves The Navy goalkeeper, Gale, did not appear too sound and would have probably saved the goal scored by Kay with a little more anticipation. The fullbacks, Preston and Orr, played solidly, but the honours for defence rested with the halves, who also used considerable judgment in initiation. Lund, at centre-half, was always on the ball, showing himself to bo a powerful, bustling typo, of player well suited to his position. Wilkes and Davies proved hard men to pass. The forwards were good up to a certain point, but slumped badly in front of goal. The respective wingmen played well in the first spell, feeding their inside men with several nice centres, lite was a constructive inside-forward with poor shooting abilities, however, while Clarke and Carli 11 failed to find their feet properly at any stage. Considerable interest was evinced in the college arid lower grade representative curtain-raisers, which provided some of the best football of the day. The boys swung the ball about delightfully at times, showing a commendable appreciation of combination and the finer points, lliere were some very likely players seen in these matches who should prove the backbone of the" code in Auckland in a few

years. In the first contest the secondary schools' junior team secured a close decision over the primary schools' team, a win wliiclu was emulated by the Jiftn grade representatives against the secondary schools' intermediate team. The latter contest was a. particularly good one, which drew frequent applause from tl.e crowd. The boys showed a cleverness and speed which Vould have done credit to a much more experienced team. The senior secondary schools team proved too superior for the fourth gi ac e representatives and gained a comfortable victory. Here, too, some very pietty touches were apparent. Auckland and Wellington

Commenting on the representative natch between Wellington and A uckl a t Kl payed nl Wellington last Saturday, a Welling ton writer states that the game was somewhat disappointing, and play S ene [' did not attain the high standard that i.y expected in first-class interprovincr ball. The first spell provided very dull football at times, but in the second half, when Auckland equalised, the game proved. On the day's play the V ! S 'J"' S , were the better side. Ihey showed better combination, and generally wore a bettei balanced eleven. , _ . Defending against the sun m the first half, Wellington was sorely pressed 1 a great part of the time. Hie visitors maintained a relentless pressure on Wellington goal, and thoroughly tested the home defence. Bolton and stood up to the attacks well, as also did Turkington, in goal. He brought off some fine saves in this spell, although lie did not show to the same advantage in the second half Man for man, there was not a great deal of difference between the respective forward lines. Auckland's strength in the van was on the right, and this wing, acting in conjunction with McLeay, the centre, displayed some nice touches. In Iho half-back line Auckland was definitely superior, Morrison, Christie, nnd Grant all playing solidly, with Christie outstanding. The excellent work of the Auckland halves, both in attack and defence, was the strength of the side Of the backs, Gerrard was the more conspicuous, and Zuill. in goal, played well. Both goals scored against him would have proved troublesome to the best of Goalkeepers. The good combination between Auckland's half-back line and the forwards troubled Wellington for the greater part of the first spell, and it was rather extraordinary that although Auckland attacked for most of the time, Wellington scored the only goal netted before half-time, Zuill being beaten by a shot taken from close quarters, after a corner. The Wellington eleven lacked the combination and understanding shown by the visitors, but on occasions the individual members of the side showed their capabilities. This was most noticeable in the second half when Marshall and Longbottom worked lhrougth the Auckland defence. Baker, .also, on the right, played well. The Wellington van showed pace, and Auckland had Z"to thank that the score was not more, than two. Craig, the left-winger, did not see as much of the ball on his wing as he should have. McLeod and Campbell worked hard in the half-line, but. they were up against a better opposition. Todd, tno left-half, played a better defensive game.