SOCCER NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11305, 2 September 1922, Page 13

SOCCER NOTES

THE BOYS’ DAY OUT PROGRESS IN SCHOOL FOOTBALL. WHAKFIES WIN THE DOUBLE. Last Saturday was rather a big day in junior Soccer, for besides two teams of doughty youngsters meeting in the Charity Cup, the opening rounds in the Primary Schools’ Football Association championship were played. There were three visiting representative teams from Canterbury, Otago and* Manawatu, and with Wellington made tho contest a fouir-sided one. The competition has been running foT two years, but hitherto only three districts have been represented. This year Manawatu made a fourth, and with the whole-hearted support of the W.F.A. one or two more districts should be in the event next year. At the moment, however, there is no trophy being competed for, which is, perhaps, the more to the credit of the bovs, for it shows they are playing purely tor the love of the game. However, it is probable that there will be a trophy next year, owing to the defection of the secondary schools from the Soccer code. The Skerrett Cup, which had been competed for in a secondary school competition, is idle in consequenoe, and is at present at Otago, but the N.Z.F.A. have written for it. Mr Varney's idea of setting up a committee to inaugurate a new competition in the primary sohoals is an excellent one, of course with the idea of having this cup for the trophy. The secondary school® are bound to enter into Soccer again before long, for as the primary schoolls enter more largely into (the game, and the boys pass on to tho secondary schools, the demand for Soccer is bound to be acceded to. Is it not a very unusual procedure to ex elude any sport from a. public school When there is a demand' for it? There appears to be little grounds for excluding it from the Wellington school if all that has been slated is correct, but the refusal will bring its own consequences in the near future, and we shall be interested when that day arrives. Those who took the trouble to turn in at the Basin Reserve for the cUTtainraiser last Saturday—and they were by no means fow—felt amply repaid, for the style of play shown by the boys of St. Patrick's (sth B champions) and Waterside (sth A champions) is worthy of the highest praise, and) their conduct on the field ooamnondable. They have little to learn from the senior teams in this respect, rather might we say that the reverse is the case. One or two accidental fouls were registered, but almost ere the whistle went the two lads concerned wore shaking hands in goodwill. Friend Yeoman must have enjoyed the game while refereeing, for they kept him going all the time. We can imagine his regret at having to award a penally in a junior match, but there was no help for it.. Even the boys must abide by the laws. When they had) played full time the scoring was even, but St. Patrick's had had the best of the game, and but for the unlucky penalty—well. In the extra time the junior Watersiders Oast-

ed better and were the only ones to score in the extra time, so enter .the next round. Better luck next time to St. Patriot’s. The latter had an ex cellent forward line and a pair of good backs. The wharfies were rather weak on their right wing <md developed most of their play on the -left. Their inside left was a good little chap and did all the shooting. The Watersiders were represented by Brown; Dore and Hamilton; Featenbv. B. Had cliffe and Nick lees; O. Donnell, D. Batcliffe, Proudfoot, Condon. and * St. Patrick’s boys were ; I)ealy; White and O’Connell; Watson, Hilton and Murphy; Butter, Gregg, Evatt, Sale and Hoban. Condon scored the three goals for the wharfies, the third glancing off Proudfoot, and Hoban tho two St. Patrick's goals, one of them a top-no teller. The boys are credits to their trainers. After all the AYaTcrsffJSffc senior team have pulled off the double, winning th© Cup in almost the last kick of the game. It was a pity that the goal was questioned, but there was such a tangle of players that it was not ee*«y to sec what happened. The referee saw nothing wrong himself, and awarded .tlie goal. Then the Thistle goalio and captain appealed, but the referee, after consulting both linesmen, adhered to his decision, and that ends the matter. It was bad luck for tho Thistle, for they at least shared tho honours on the p l ay. It was the fortune of war, and they would have been more "sporty boys" had they joined in the congratulations when the oup was presented to the Waterside team. Again, we commend the conduct of the juniors to the notice of the senior* Karori and Diamonds had a hard and even struggle in the Consolation Cup on Saturday, Karori drawing level 2-2 just on half-time as the result of a free kick just outside the penaltv area. Hxtra time was played, and Diamonds scored the winning goal in the last half minute. Diamonds were not at foil strength, playing two juniors, who displayed a useful knowledge of the game, being quite the equal of the seniors, although smaller in build.' The programme which the Botary dub has mapped out for the hoys of Wellington in connection with toe celebration of Dominion Day includes avoids Soccer and Bugby tournaments in Athletic Park. Mr D. MoKeiurie sought the co-operation of the WJP.A. this week in running a six a-side tournament for the Soccer code, and the matter has been referred to the Schools Fbotfaall Assentation. The preliminary rounds will take place at Athletic Hark on Saturday and the finals at Newtown Park on Monday afternoon, when there is to he a big school sports gathering. All expenses will be defrayed by the Botary Club, leaving the management of the Boooer games to the W.F.A.