ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22435, 3 June 1936, Page 20

ASSOCIATION GAME

ENGLISH TROPHY MATCH AUCKLAND AND CANTERBURY STRONG VISITING ELEVEN In view of its clear-cut victory over Otngo in tlie opening representative match of the season, Canterbury must be regarded as very serious rivals for the provincial premiership this season. Canterbury will, meet Auckland in the English Trophy game at Blandford Park next Saturday, and indications arc that the local eleven will meet the strongest challenge it has had to contend with for the past two seasons. Canterbury will field a strong allround combination, which has had the experience of one representative match this season as well as weeks of intensive training. A fast and clever forward line, well versed in the various methods of aggression, will be supported by an intelligent and rock-like defence. Canterbury will have a young hut efficient goalkeeper in Mcßae, who is a somewhat unorthodox type of custodian. He is very sure in his handling, while an outstanding feature of his past displays has been the accuracy and length ho lias gained with his clearing kicks. The Auckland forwards will be opposed by fearless and quick-footed backs, outstanding among whom should be Fail, the left-back, who is a young and earnest worker from start to finish, and M. Gordon, a brilliant centre-half, who learned his football in Scotland. J. Pa ton is another prominent member of the side who has rendered valuable service to Canterbury in many representative games. The forward lino will be in the charge of G. Smith, an excellent tactician and a dangerous man when within shooting distance. He should receive excellent support from firstclass constructive forwards in J. Ellis, It. Adam and E. Hail.

THE AUCKLAND SIDE

SOME SURPRISE SELECTIONS

The Auckland side for the game against Canterbury does not inspire confidence. When the selector, Mr. J. Tinkler, announced a young, and, for the most part, inexperienced side for the recent Navy fixture, the team was looked on in the light of an experimental eleven. That the selector had different ideas was shown when he made but one alteration for the game against Canterbury. One would prefer to see a more seasoned side taking the field on Saturday, especially in view of the fact that the team which met the Navy gave little better than a mediocre exhibition, while there were distinct weaknesess in some departments. How players of the calibre of Gerrard and Kay came to be overlooked is most surprising. Both are only veterans in the sense of experience, and there are no reasons, judging on past performances, which would appear to merit their absence from, the side. In fact, it is not too much to say that they are probably the best players in their respective positions in the Dominion.

Admitting that Hagget gave a muchimproved display in last Saturday's frame and showed promise of adapting himself to representative football, it is too much to expect that he will prove as valuable to Auckland as Gerrard, either from ,the viewpoint of ability or experience. The same can be 6aid with regard to the left wingmen, Mullane and Kay. The foimer has gained preference, but it is hard to understand why such a brilliant opportunist and prolific goal-scorer as liay has been omitted. Kay's match-winning temperament is even more developed in representative games, and he is capable of making his own opportunities should the remaining forwards be off colour.

The halves were not very impressive against the Navy, and it is pleasing to. see that Wright has been brought in to bolster the middle division. Moving Chapman to left-half is a definite experiment, and one would have much preferred to have seen Walters given the place. Walters was one of the oustanding halves in last season's Auckland side, and, while an injured leg handicapped him during the early games this season, he merited selection against Canterbury.

WELLINGTON COMPETITION HOSPITAL TEAM LEADING One of the best performances in the Wellington Football Association's competition last Saturday was, that by the promoted team Seatoun. In spite of the handicap of a wet and slippery ground the side defeated Marist in probably the best contested game of the season bv 3 goals to 1. Seatoun is in second plnco on the championship ladder, four points clear of the next team, Marist, and but two behind the leader, Hospital. Hospital, which easily defeated Petone on Saturday by 9 to 2, at the moment is the probable winner, but there is always the possibility of a reversal of form in the second round, and Seatoun cannot yet by any means be regarded as out of the running. As it is, the side, whatever happens, has done remarkably well. It meets Hospital next Saturday.