THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21589, 6 September 1933, Page 16

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

KEEN NAVY CONTEST. RUGGED DEFENCE SHOWN CAMPBELL ROSE BOWL MATCH A further tribute to tho attractive play of Navy Soccer teams in tho past was paid on Saturday, when the largest attendance at Blandford Park this season witnessed tho meeting of tho Australian and Now Zealand Navy Squadrons for possession of tho shield presented by tho Auckland Football Association. Tho squadrons wero well represented among the largo crowd, which thoroughly enjoyed the strenuous and entertaining exhibition given. A feature of all Navy contests is tho systematic barracking which greatly improves the ntmosphcro and spurs the players on to greater effort. On Saturday this partisanship was much in ovidonoc. Tho drawn game, each sido scoring one goal, was a very satisfactory result. Thero have been more attractive Navy games from the point of view of tho spectator, but few liavo equalled Saturday's contest for ruggedness on defence and determination on attack. Tho defence in each case, particularly that of tho halfback lines, was a little too aggressive and effective t for the opposing attacking divisions 'and this fact consequently confined exchanges to mid field play for tho greater part of tho gamo. Tho New Zealand team did not appear to have tho strength of last season's team, especially with regard to tho forwards. Tho meteoric runs on tho right by El well, the clover constructive inside work of Haines, and tho piledrive shooting of Leonard wero missing. With theso three forwards in action during tho first half on Saturday, when lino work by Lund, Wilkes and Luke placed their side at such an advantage, the New Zealand score Timid have mounted. Evenly Balanced Team The Australian side proved very evenly balanced, but also could havo been more thrustful in the vanguard. Tho forwards were forceful enough, but could not take advantage of opportunities which wero presented. Downs led tho forward lino in a daring manner and was responsible for somo very tricky footwork and ball control. With nioro support ho would havo probably won the gamo for his sido. Anderson and Akister caught the eye for cool play on defence, but what proved tho salient feature of the team's work was the goalkecping exhibition of . Jones. Unorthodox in style, he thrilled the spectators on numerous occasions with saVes when thrown at full length, deflecting tho ball clear just at tho moment that goals seemed certain. North Shoro registered a surprise performance in forcing Ponsonby to drop- one point at Blandford Park in tho curtain-raiser game. Tho Ponsonby side appeared jaded after its strenuous Chatham Cup fixtures, and with a little luck North Shoro would have beaten the Dominion champions. The game was remarkable for -a peculiar decision given by the referee, which could be held to havo cost North Shore the full points. Early in the first half North Shoro was awarded a penalty-kick. As the kick was taken the goalkeeper advanced syds. out of his goal, but did not succeed in stopping the shot, which entered the net. The referee ordered the kick to be retaken, as a North Shore forward had crossed tho penalty line prior to the kick. He failed to remonstrate with the goalkeeper, however, for moving off his goal-line prior to tho kick being taken. Tho kick was retaken and the Ponsonby goalkeeper again advanced out of his goal and this time stopped the shot. There was genuino amazement among players and spectators when tho referee allowed play to proceed. Attractive Programme Tho "Auckland Football Association ' will have another very attractive programme for its patrons at Blandford Park next Saturday, when the return match for tho Campbell Rose Bowl between Auckland and Wellington will be' staged. Auckland and Wellington met earlier in tho season for the trophy, tho latter being successful in taking it from Auckland's possession. Tho coming contest should provide some very spectacular football, and, if Auckland is successful, it will have the honour of holding three of the major Soccer trophies in the Dominion, the English Trophy, the Chatham Cup and the Campbell Rose Bowl. Although nothing definite has yet been arranged, it is anticipated that Canterbury will bo challenging for tho English Trophy before the end of the season. Such a visit would' bo greatly appreciated by followers of the code here, •as it is somo years, since Aucklanders havo had the opportunity of seeing representatives of this Southern province in action. The Canterbury Association's competition for the Hurley Shield is in a very interesting stage at present, Western and Thistle being level at tho head of the table with 17 points, while the latter has still one more fixture to decide. Prior to last Saturday Western held a one point L 4ead, and its position would havo been strong if it had won Saturday's fixture. However, it could only draw with Rangers, while Thistle had a clear-fcut victory over Technical Old Boys, thus enabling Thistle to draw level in tho lead. The premiership now depends upon tho ro_stilt of Thistle's' unplayed match.