ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22481, 27 July 1936, Page 13

ASSOCIATION GAME

SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES SURPRISE BY NORTH SHORE Keen play was witnessed in the first division championship of tlio Auckland Football Association on Saturday, when a further series of matches in the second round was decided. The most surprising result was the defeat of the championship leaders, Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, by North Shore, the latter securing a convincing victory. Thistle gained the decision by a narrow margin over Metro-College in the principal game at Blandford Park, while Comrades was defeated after a hard struggle with Ponsonbv at Western Springs. Following were the scores:— Thistle, 2; Metro-College, 1. North Shore, C; Mount Albert, 1. Fonsonby, 4; Comrades, 3. NORTH SHORE'S SUCCESS MOUNT ALBERT OUTCLASSED The North Shore side gave a surprisingly good exhibition in defeating Mount. Albert Grammar Old Boys by six goals to one in the match at Fowlds Park on Saturday. The championship ' leaders were completely overshadowed, and, if anything, the margin in favour of North Shore should have been larger. The ground conditions were conducive to speedy play, and North Shore commenced by exploiting fast forward methods that had the opposition puzzled. The Mount Albert defence was thrown off its balance and by the time it had managed to settle dewn North Shore was four goals ahead. The latter did not relax, however, and it was easily superior in the closing stages. Although he did not have to do as much work as usual, Cameron gave a safft exhibition in tho North Shore goal, and he had two excellent supports in the fullbacks, Gerrard and West. The backs tackled cleanly and kicked nicely, so that their forwards had every opportunity to open up the play. Corbett was a dominant figure in tho halves, steadying his inside forwards and wings with well-judged passes, while he set an example in positional play. Excellent work was performed by the wing-halves, Walters and Blackie, both of whom swung the attack with judgment, quick changes of direction having the opposing defence in diffi culties. The North Shore forwards displayed their best combined form of the season. They relied on short and accurate passes for the most part and they dominated tho game for the greater part of tho time. Seldom has the Mount Albert team been so thoroughly ouiclassed. It was a trifle casual in its play during the first, 20 minutes and this allowed North Shore to secure a grip on the exchanges which it refused to relinquish. Warren, the goalkeeper, could not be blamed for the goals registered against him. lie received little support from his fullbacks, Horrocks and Macfarlane, who were very erratic in their tackling and kicking. The halves were also unimpfessive, Ward being the only one to play anything like his usual game. However, his sound efforts on defence were not sufficient to stop the- opposition. The forwards had little combination, but Fyvie showed up for pretty individual play. Goals were scored for the winners by Archer (4) and Ekman (2), while Fyvie netted for Mount Albert. Mr. J. C. Sibbin was referee.

WIN FOR THISTLE METRO-COLLEGE UNLUCKY The turf at Blandford Tark was In good order, although a little heavy, for the meeting of Thistle and Metro-College. A keen game resulted, In which Thistle was lucky to take the full points. Territorially the _ exchanges were fairly even, but the Thistle backs played a smothering game, while, when fine chances presented, the Metro-College forward line could not fake advantage of them. The half-time score of one-all was n true reflex of the merits of the teams. Metro-Colleo-e proved a better trained team but it made the mistake in the second spell of feeding the ball to the right instead of varying its attack. Watson gave a sound display in Thistle s goal, particularly in dealing with high shots. Stone and Williams were an efficient pair of barks and thev covered up well, using their weight, to advantage in breaking up dangerous attacks. Wright proved a dour defence at centre-half and initiated several dangerous attacks. He was well supported by Kennedy and Constable, Kennedy pleasing with nice forward passes to Wood and Wiseman. Wood sent over some accurate centres, while Wiseman made- good openings for Angus, w 110 was generally too well marked to be really dangerous. 'On the left, Kay made some clever runs, his combination with Wallace frequently catching the defence out of positloGavan, the Metro-College custodian, was verv safe, and he gave a polished display, particularly when subjected to heavy pressure On the play it would be hard to differentiate between Speed and S. Ilolman. Both hacks were solid and repeatedly broke, up Thistle attacks and, with well-.indged passes, they set. their own side on attack. The effort'of Speed, when he attempted to score after a fine solo run the lengthi ofthe field, was a feature of the game. The halfback line was a sound combination. (ronan was in the centre and his defensive measures were ennalled by his clever distribution or the plav. C. Flyger, on the left, worked hard throughout and swung the play well, quickly turning defence into attack. Jones gave a solid display at right-half. The front line was a fast combination. Burton and McCallnm made several nice runs and th« latter gave Cleal plenty of chances, but the tall centre-forward, although a hard worker, could not turn them to advantage. Too much solo work spoiled deal's play. On the left. P. Holman and A. Flyger showed np with neat combination, but although they both worked hard, they received little support. Kay and Angus scored for Thistle, while Cronnn netted for Metro-College. Mr. R. C. Brighton was referee

KEEN CONTEST DEFEAT OF COMRADES There was a fair attendance at Western Springs, where Ponsonby and Comrades met under good conditions. It was early apparent that (he two teams were evenly mtched and a fast pace was set. with the bustling tactics of Comrades being offset by the more experienced Ponsonby defence. Ponsonby held the advantage throughout the first spell, and although Comrades lost Carter with ari ankle injury, Ponsonby was full value for its 3—2 lead at half-time. Still, playing with 10 men. the Comrades team set a willing pace in the second half and it was unlnokv not to secure the decision. Smith had a hard time m Ponsonby s proal and lie was Riven little time to 1 c |f a J by the fast Comrades' forwards. Tlaggett had an amount of extra work to do on defence. Chapman, at centre-half, gave thrust to the Ponsonby attack, while his breakinir-np methods'enrned applause. Masters and Sim.", completed a sound halfback line, which was subjected to steady pressure. Ahern was on the riclit wine with Caisle.v at inside, and the pair showed up in promising movements. helped to harass the Comrades defence. On the left, Mnllane and Mulholland made' many nice openings and their crosses were always dancrerous. However, they were well watched by the defence. Yearbury repelled many of the Ponsonby attacks with clever clearances, while he was sound under pressure. McKenna was more accurate than Gilmonr in clearing, but the pair provided a staunch defence. Bent ley was greatly responsible for Comrades' ' aggression, his work at centre-half being conspicuous. His partners, Twinn and Fletcher, wore quick on recovery and coin-

bined well with tha front line, where Bunting and M. Francis were always dangerous. On the left, Carter and C. Hayward were prominent until Carter was injured. Hayward and A. Francis showed up in nice movements, which should have produced goals on several occasions. Caisley (3) and Innes scored for Fonsonby, while A. Francis (2) and Carter scored for Comrades. Mr. A. Firth was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS First Grade Reserve.—Thistle, 3, MetroCollege, 1; North Shore, 1, Mount Albert, 0. Second Division.—Philomel won from New Lynn by default. Second Grade Reserve.—Thistle, 2. Y.M.C.A., 1; Abel's, 8, Fonsonby, 1. Third Grade Intermediate.—Metro-College, 4, Training College, 0; North Shore, 5. Onohunga, 1. Fourth Grade.—North Shore, 8, Fonsonby. 1. Fifth Grade. —Onehunga, 2, W.I .M.1., I; Comrades B, 1, Y.M.C.A.# Rivals, 0; MetroCollege, 4, Abels, 0. Sixth Grade.—Metro-College, 8, Y.M.C.A. Spurs, 0; Y.M.C.A. Rovers, 0, W.Y.M.1., 0; Thistle, 4, Y.M.C.A. Swifts, 3; Y.M.C.A. Rivals, 5, Onchunga, 3. Seventh Grade.—Y.M.C.A. Spurs. 1,. W.Y.M.1., 0; Y.M.C.A. Rovers, 3. Eastern Suburbs, 0; Comrades A, 4, Comrades B, 2. Secondary Schools. —Senior grade: Technical College, Takapuna Grammar, 0. Knock-out competition: Auckland Grammar. 3, Mount Albert Grammar B, <). Intermediate Grade. —Technical College, £, Mount Albert Grammar, 0. Knock-out competition: Mount Albert Grammar 8,'2, Takapuna Grammar, 0. Junior Grade. Knock-out competition: Takapuna, -1, Otahuhu Technical, 2; Technical College, S, Kowhai, 0; Auckland Grammar, (3, Mount Albert Grammar C, 0. SUCCESSFUL HUNTLY TEAM [from our own correspondent] HUNTLY, Sunday The Chatham Cup district final was played yesterday, when Huntly Starr United beat Rotowaro by 4 goals to 2. The winning team will play Auckland Thistle in the provincial final at Huntly next Saturday. MATCHES IN WELLINGTON [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] WELLINGTON, Sunday Associatiou football matches played ye»terday resulted:—Local final of Chatham Cupt Waterside, 3, Hospital, 1. First division: Petone, 4, Swifts, 1; Institute, 3, Marist, li Seatoun, 3, Diamond, 0.