ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 20

ASSOCIATION GAME

THE MEDAL COMPETITION NORTH SHORE SUCCESSFUL WINNERS DUE FOR RELEGATION Bv reason of its drawn game with Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys and Abels' defeat of Thistle, North Shore is in an unassailable position in the Auckland Football Association's medal competition. With only one more series of matches to be decided, North Shore has a lead of three points over Thistle, Abels and Mount Albert' Grammar Old Boys, which are equal in second position. Coining after the club's unimpressive showing in the championship competition, in which it finished last, the success of North Shore is surprising. The credit for the team's revival must go to the club's selectors, who pursued a bold and successful, policy in promoting a number of promising colts. The newcomers infused the speed and vigour which was missing earlier in the season. In spite of its success in the medal competition, the team is due for relegation to the second division next season unless the association decides that the club is too valuablo to loso from the senior ranks and agrees to increase the number of first grade teams to eight. Such a procedure is not to be commended, however, as tlie association made a definitely progressive move when it concentrated the best senior talent into six teams, which has been reflected in the general improvement in tha standard of play. For the sake of ono team, which on its present form should experience little difficulty in securing promotion back to senior ranks next season, the extension of the competition would be a retrograde step. Although from the association's point of view the temporary loss of North Shore from the senior competition would appear somewhat serious, especially when the long and valuable service the club has given is taken into consideration, relegation, rather than prove harmful, would probably have a rejuvenating effect. By defeating Eastern Suburbs in the deciding game of the second senior division at Blandford Park on Saturday, Metro-College earned the right to displace North Shore from the first division. The Metro College eleven has proved a clever combination and has an unbeaten record this season. Two good goals by Cleal gave Metro College its victory.

ONE-SIDED CONTEST FIXE INDIVIDUAL DISPLAYS While the match between Thistle and Abels was somewhat of a one-sided allair, interesting'features wore several bright . individual displays. McCallum, the Abels inside right, has given some sound displays during tho season on wet grounds, but with the firmer conditions prevailing on Saturday his control of the ball and clever, elusive methods stamped him as a player above the ordinary. G. Ross, of. Abels, is another who is playing sound football. His long and accurate passing, combined with his speedy recovery and robust tackling, created a' marked impression. Robinson, a player from H.M.S. Lcander, gave a sound demonstration of the third-back game. His deft touches and clever defensive methods could bo copied'with advantage by many of the other senior plavers. The experiment of .ha ving . only • six teams in the senior division has resulted in the competitions being finalised early. This is in a measure due to the fact that the Chatham Cup competition was abandoned this season. However, there are still some representative fixtures to b>3 played, and with many new players in tho Navy team, a series of matches with the Squadron should prove interesting. .... Wellington will send 'a team on September 18 to play for the Frank Campbell Rose Bowl and an Auckland side will visit Christcliurch in quest of the English Trophy on October 2. The team to play Canterbury should be composed of many new players to representative ranks, as several of those who took part in the tests against the Englishmen are not available.