ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 16

ASSOCIATION GAME

AUSTRALIANS' TOUR IMPRESSIONS OF MANAGER STANDARD IN THE DOMINION "The game to-day was tho hardest and most thrilling of the tour," said Mr. S. Storey, manager of the Australian Soccer team, at the conclusion of the third tost match at Blandford Park 011 Saturday. "My team was fullv extended to win by a score which was somewhat flattering," ho said. Tho Australian manager sniil he did not think New Zealand had produced its best possible team in iho test series. Ho considered that G. Smith, the Canterbury centre-forward, and A. Jeffries, the Wellington halfback, wcro two of iho finest players his team had encountered oil tour, yet neither was selected for the tests. This would indicate a fault in Iho method of selection. He thought that tho players of both major and minor associations should have been thoroughly tested prior to tho representative games. The selection of candidates for the test elevens could hayo been narrowed down by a North and South Island fixture. Commenting on the possibility of a No.v Zealand secondary schools' team being invited to visit Australia, Mr. Storey said that, if a definito scheme was proposed by tho Now Zealand authorities, ho would bo pleased to bring the matter before tho attention of tho Australian controlling body. 110 said the game was making good progress in tho Australian secondary schools. Mr. Storey was impressed by tho general standard ol Soccer football in Now Zealand. Tho players were of a fine type and, when tho tendency to rely on "kick and iusu " methods had been eradicated, tho standard wouid rise considerably. The greatest weakness was in passing (ho ball, tho players not taking sufficient care that their passes reached their objective. However, ho felt that the visit of the Australian team had dono a great de-tl to preparo New Zealand for its matches against tho English side noxt year. TEAMS ENTERTAINED PRESENTATION OF " ASHES" Tho Australian and Now Zealand teams which took part in tho third Soccer test at Blandford Park wero entertained at a dinner given by the New Zealand Football Association at the Hotel Auckland 011 Saturday evening. Tho chairman of tho New Zealand Council, Mr. J. Milburn, presided. In presenting the casket containing tho "ashes" to Mr. S. Storey, manager of the Australian team. Mr L. Munro, chairman of the Auckland Football Association, complimented tho visitors 011 tho high standard of play they had revealed in their matches to date. He also paid a tribute to the conduct of the Australian players both on and off tho field. Mr. Storey said tho third test had been the hardest gamo experienced by his team during tho tour. Ho was of tho opinion Unit tho Australians' superior fitness had been largely responsible for their success. The importance of the tour from the angle of providing instruction for schoolboys was commented on by the Australian captain, A. Cameron. He congratulated the New Zealand sido on the strong opposition it had offered in Saturday's game. The New Zealand captain, H. Chavnian. s;i id the difficulty with which Dominion teams had had to contend was a lack of understanding of one anjther's play. Tho New Zealand players had not had an opportunity of working up a combination. Other speakers were Messrs. W. Martin, J. Milburn and K. Usniar, the last-named apologising for tho absence of the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, who is also president of tho New Ze iland Football Association. Mr. Martip expressed appreciation of tho action of tho Australian players in coaching schoolboys during their visit. Later in tho evening, several members of the team were the guests of the Auckland Wrestling Association at the Town Hall, whilo others attended a dance given by the British Legion. Tho team left by bus for Uotorua yesterday morning and will return to Hamilton to-day. A match will be played against South Auckland at Hamilton 011 Wednesday. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Secondary Schools. —Senior grade: Mount Albert Grammar, 3, Technical College, 1; Takapuna Grammar, 8, Mount Albert B, 0. Intermediate Grade. —Mount Albert Giaromar A, 8, Technical College, 1. Junior Grado. —Takapuna. 3. Technical College, 1. ANNUAL FRIENDLY MATCH The annual Soccer match between tho Auckland Hospital Club and Fukenuro was nlaved at the Domain on Saturday. After an even struggle the match resulted in » draw, each team scoring ono goal. GAMES IN OTHER CENTRES [BY TELEGRAPH rRKSS association] Wellington. —Chatham Cup semi-finals: Hospital, 4. Marist, 1; Waterside, 4, Scottish Wanderers, 0. Senior championship: Seatoun, 2, Petone, 1; Institute, 2, Swifts, 1. Christchurch. —Thistle, 1, Nomads, 1; Western B, 4, Rangers, 2; St. Alban's, 5, Technical, 2; Western A, 9, Linwood, 1. Duncdin. —Chatham Cup district final: Mosgiel, cS, Corinthians (Invercargill), 1 Senior championship: Old Boys, 5, Seacliff, 3; Maori Hill, 5, Roslyn-Waikari, 2; Northern, 4, Technical Old Boys, 2.