"EVERTON" HITS OUT.

NZ Truth, Issue 868, 15 July 1922, Page 7

"EVERTON" HITS OUT.

"New Zealand 3, Australia 1. What, did I tell you?" remarked myi knowall friend. "You can't convince me now that the second Test at Athletic Park was not a 'ready' ! " , "Everton" will at least try and convince those who have any doubt about that match, and who are prepared to listen to reason, how far out they are m making such an assertion. Having seen all three Tests played, and knowing from inside information -what we were up against, I will leave my Soccer readers to judge for themselves the fallacy of such statements. .'

The first Test at Dunedin was played on a wet day on a sloppy ground; the game was fast and open on both sides, with very little of the "blocking" stunt introduced. This was all m favor of the more scientific- team, and New Zealand scored early m tha game, which was a big factor m such a match, as the Aussies seemed to lose their "punch" after that goal had conic our way, and our half-backs, with Corbett the top-r.stcher, simply did as they liked with" the Aussies' forwards. They were, therefore, able to assist their forwards m wearing down the Aussie defence:— Result: New Zealand 3, Australia 1.

The second Test, at Wellington, was •played on a dry ground, which was more 'to the liking of our visitors. New Zealand had to alter their team owing to injuries received m the first Test, with the result that our forward line never once showed the understanding which was shown m Dunedin. The Aussies, having learnt their lesson m Dunedin, did not hesitate t> shift their team around, with the result that their defence easily held our weakened forward line ; and to make matters worse we had Corbett, our stalwart centre-half, knocked out m the early part of the game. Nor mus" one forget that the Aussie goal had "a wee bit doot" about.it, and Campbell was unfortunate enough to smack the cro3s-bar, with Cartwright. the Aussie goalie, beaten to the wide. — Result:- New Zealand 1, Australia 1

The third and final Teat was played, at Auckland on a good dry day with a- slightly- greasy ground. Both teams were at full strength, with the New Zealand team stronger than evecin the forward line. From the star.: the game was fast and open What happened m Dunedin was reproduced m this match, New Zealand scoring early,' while Cook put "the tin-lid" or. it with his clever second goal. Ou»' half-backs, as at Dunedin, never gavrf the Aussie forwards the slightest bit of rope, and once ajrain Corbett was the great stumbling block, with the result as already stated: New ZealanU3, Australia 1.

"Everton" trusts that once and for all anyone who had any "Soots" abour the second Test after tins summary oi the three Tests will leave the clean game of Soccer alone, and try a little wpeding m their on Saturday afternoons instead, ,

There can be no doubt as to the futvre of Soccer football m New Zealand if tha standard of plas r , as shown m the third Test, can be maintained, .Ii was a real game of Soccer from" thn ppectators' point of view — never a dull moment. The thousands of Soccer fans and others who made their wav to Carlaw Park will long remember the thrills of that snlendid game Th> opening incidents made the home supporters feel quite pleased wi+h themselves. A clever piece of work from Barwell on the right and a perfect centre, which, by the way, was missed by Campbell, allowed Ballard tv come m with a lovaly first-time shoot, which Cartwright just Touched'- but could not hold, and New Zealand were one vp — all m the first five minutes But the lads m Black were not satisfled. Dacre gave Cook his chance and the lad from the far South simply hunted the ball past "the Aussie goalie, making New Zealand two up m,- ten minutes. ' /:•>■: • .. ' .

DIDN'T THE 1 CROWD HOWL! But the Auasles set abcxt their hard task with a vengeance dud. the game swung from end to end of the flel-I until half -time. The opening 1 of thfc second halt gave ua <*ome more thrills. This time it came from the Auasiss

and for ten minutes they simply* got all over the New Zealand defence Not that the Blacks weie taking it l3'ing down.. But tue attackers got their reward m a lovely drive from. Brown, leaving Craxton nopeless. This gcal put the Blacks on their mettle, and they made thiags very merry for the Aussie defence, with the result that Daore drove home a terrific shot. From then to the finish the game was fought out on even lines.

In such a well balanced team as New Zealand had m the field, it would he hard to single oat aiy players for special mention. AI 1 did splendidly, although, . to my idea, Corbett and Jones were the two outstanding men on the field, and that is saying something. • \

Of the Aussies, Cartwright, m goal, couldi not possibly have stopped any of the goals scored against him. At times his saving was marvellous He has proved himself one of the finest goalkeepers who hu ever played i:i this country.

Fisher played well at back, and his kicking was a great improvement on that shown m the first two Tests. He used more ' judgment and very rarely overkicked his forwards, so that it would appear his. trip to this country has taught him -something. Gibbs played a brilliant game, breaking up attack after attack, and fed his forwards very judiciously, never lobbing the bali forward, but always placing it along the carpet. No doubt his placs is at centre half and not at wing- half.

Maunder was the best of the forwards; he has spe^d and is quick to make openings, but bis shooting is still disappointting.

Brown takes a lot of watching at; centre-forward ,and doesn't hesitate 1 ' about shooting on the run.

OTHER ITEMS.

Mr. Boyne, of. Auckland, looked after the New Zealand taam m Auckland, as trainer, and must be congratulated on the result of his wont. Boyne left Auckland before the war for the Old Country to play for Aston -Villa. After playing, for Villa for - some time he went to Brentford. He had the misfortune to break his leg, and so re turned home, whera he may play onca again. All Socceri*es will wish him the best % of luck. A rather peculiar incident occurred m Saturday's match, when McArthur got hurt. Boyne went to his assistance, which, I maintain, was quite right, but the ambulance people seen; tc think they had priority, over hin? I should say that the trainer has first call when acting m such a capacity.

"Everton" was snown one of thd rep. caps, and he was surprised .to find no date on it. The query was aeked if the player would have to pay for it being- put on- Frouably the high, cost of living has something to do with it!

What happened to the bal! before the match on Saturday? Was some one trying to souvenir ifc before it hart done its duty? They say it was found under an Aussie's ioat m the pavilion!

By the way, it was small wonder that Brundell refused to shine at outside-right m the second Test, for he found out after, his return to Dunedin that a chiaroscuro patch' he was given during the big Dunedin game and carried through" the second Test spelt a broken rib.

Brownlee had to stand down from the third Test, owing to an injury to his foot, received m the second Test.

McArthur would have been very unfortunate not, to have got a show m one of the Tests, as he is . one of the most' promising young halves m the country, and he made good when his clubmate stood down.

"Free Kick" writes apropos my par last week as to who was the best centre-half at Home: "Yes, 'Evert',n, you picked a good one m Alec Raisbfck, but 'Fatty' Weciock was my fancy. Nineteen times he pla3'e<3 for England and never played a poor game. For a centre-haif I think 19 caps is a recoid."

WELLINGTON MATCHES.

Thistle just beat Hospital on Saturday by 2 to 1 after a very hard game. Still, the Blues must be congratulated on their performance as they were without their three "All Blacks,!' which was a big handicap. Hospital are sore at missing that penalty. Still if they miss these "gifts" they deserve to go down. It is surprising the number of penalties that are wasted.

Watersiders gained a very comfortable win for Diamonds by 5 to nil, and they also had their 'skipper" away with the third Test team, but Rowlands played- a great game. The "auld horse" is still- a hard nut to crack, if I may be permitted the paradox.

To-day Thistle and Watersidera meet at the Basin Iteaerve m what will practically deck'e tlie championship. Both teams have tne same num* ber of points, with the Watersiders the better goal avevage. This match is causing a great deal of ercitement m local circles, it wili be a proper Derby. Who will win? "Everton' 1 thinks a, draw may be a, good forecast, if one compares both teams closely. It will be interest'n^. to wa + eh both goalkeepers and bath ci-rtre-hal^s, as dub supporters of the Learns all reckon that their man is "just it." I.eta hope we will see a first-class exhibition to bring the arame back into its own m Wellington.