DIAMONDS’. FIRST WIN

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12454, 24 May 1926, Page 9

DIAMONDS’. FIRST WIN

AT BROOKLYN'S EXPENSE BLACKS APPRECIATE KELBURN PARK. Diamonds showed their appreciation of the match committee’s action in removing the venue of their game from Association Park to Kelburn by defeating Brooklyn by the best of three. Certainly the ground was la-den with water; it would have been surprising had it been otherwise after the downpour which occurred between 1 and 2 o’clock, but it did not prevent play, and the heavy going suited tbe Diamonds better than a fast ground. Brooklyn were represented by Dobbs; Edwards and Browning; Henry, Hanson, and Brown; Davidson, McMaster, Anton, Radcliffe, and Hunter. Diamonds.I—Cutler 1 —Cutler ; Auld and Blair; Hearn, Ballard, C'hown; Bolt, Stocks, McLeod, Dbaley, and Payne. Diamonds assumed the aggressive from the start, but when in front of goal could not keep their shots below th? crossbar. who has been shifted from the right wing to centre foiward, promises to make the experiment a successful one, for he and Dealey gave Brooklyn defence a lot of work. A throw-in by Brooklyn saw a rush on Diamond’s goal, and a cross shot caught Cutler napping. A succession of corners fell to the blacks, but they could not convert one of them, and when Brooklyn transferred piny to the other end Cutler had to handle smartly against Anton. Clearing a corner-kick, the black forwards caught the Brooklyn defence too far down, went through, and McLeod landed a low, fast shot well in the rigging between the sticks. THE SECOND HALF On changing ends, Hearne came close to i>utting his side ahead, but the ball rose over the bar. Still attacking, Diamonds kept Browning and Edwards busy, and when Stocks dropped a high shot over their heads, Dobbs misjudged the flight, and it ran past him into goal. Diamonds 2, Brooklyn 1. Brooklyn strove hard t'» even up the score, but the Diamond defence was sound, and they wore unable to get by Citftler again. The most promising chance was spoiled by McMaster getting off-side, and such a good opening did not come again. Diamonds thus secured their first points in the league table.