ASSOCIATION NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18876, 31 May 1923, Page 4

ASSOCIATION NOTES.

■o By Corner Kick.

N.Z. TEAM’S MATCHES IN AUSTRALIA, Juno 2—Brisbane. June 4—Rrislnme. June (I—Niimlionr. Juno !l—Brisbane, (first test). June U’—Maitland. June'lß—Newcastle. RESULTS OP MATCHES PLAYED. Against Granville, lost, 3 goals to 1. Against New South Wales, draw, 2 all. Against Newcastle, lost, 2 goals to nil. NEXT SATURDAY'S MATCHES Southern v. Old Boys luiitangnta v. Scaclitt. Mornington v. Maori Hill. Northern v. Mount Zion, at Kaitangata. PETER DAWSON CUP CHALLENGE. June 4.—Southland v. Otago, at Dunedin Tho playing area at Culling Park looked well on Saturday, the marking of the lines, undertaken by tho Southern Club, being a credit to tho members who officiated. Tho attendance at the matches as the season progress shows an increase of followers of tho game. Tho only point that detracted was the appearance of a. player m long trousers in one of the senior games. This sort of thing does not do tho game any good, and I am pleased to note that the O.F.A. has recommended the referees to send back to tho pavilion any player in a first, grade match who does not appear in regulation dress. Tho scoring in the Old. Boys-Kaitangata match did not flatter Old Boys’ superiority over Kaitangata at Culling Park on .Saturday, although when the interval was reached, with only one goal against them, the miners, who had so fur relied mainly on their defensive powers, might, well have hoped for a closer result. But except for some spasmodic outbursts by Munsio, the Kaitangata boys failed completely to alter the complexion of the game, which always scorned to be going against them. As we saw it on Saturday, tho Old Boys’ forward lino is well constructed for the business of getting goals. Their two extreme wingers, M'Miillan and Douglas, who are just about as clever as anything in Otago, kept, slinging in perfect centres, and the one-time rep. half-back Harraway, at centre forward, scarcely over failed to respond with something really good. Harraway may not be an ideal conte forward, but he is certainly a paying one, and has a good scoring boot, is thrustfiil and bustles the defence all tho time. Peake and Fraser both played nicely and make many tine passes to tho wings and centre. “Corner Kick” saw Douglas for tho second time ns a senior on Saturday. This lad greatly impresses by his nice ball control and beautiful centres. Harraway will get lota of goals this season from the left winger’s parting centres. A little more confidence in himself will improve Douglas’s game. Old Boys’ half-backs were a bib uneven but Race was a host in himself, and had tho Kaitangata inside men completely subdued. Allen was the belter back, while Doakcr, in goal, was scarcely ever troubled but made one good save in the second half from Munsie.

Seldom have T seen a. Kaiiangata team so completely outplayed in all points of the game. Munsie tried hard, but generally never got going, and was not anything like his usual self. The other forwards are all young and have plenty of dash, and will no doubt improve as the season progresses. Still Kaitangata cannot hope to bo near the top this season unless a great improvement in the team generally takes place. Howie, at centre half, was the best of the half-back lino. Frank Smith seems to have lost his form and is nothing like what he was when he represented Otago two years ago. Jock Rarity djd well at full-back, but is wanted badly in the forwards. Richardson, the other back, is neat when on the ball, but his mistakes cost his side two goals on Saturday. Penman, in goal, is a safe custodian and could hardly bo blamed for the score against him. He saved well on occasions, but was a little at fault in getting down to Harraway’s shot, which counted the third goal. The High School Old Boys Club is a striking example of the result of training the school boys in the game. Originally formed from ex-jrupils of the Otago Boys’ High School, who took part in school matches under the jurisdiction of the 0.F.A., they commenced in the junior grade and wer© admitted to senior football with the season of 1912. As a team they have always provided a game that was pleasing and attractive to the spectators, combination and nippy footwork being a'characteristic? of their play. Three of the present first eleven, Allen, Race, and Peake, are in their twelfth consecutive year of senior football, and on their present form show no signs of going back. Both Allen and Race have represented Otago, whilst Race has also represented South Island, and was picked to tour with the New Zealand team, but through shortness of time, was unable to arrange for the necessary leave. The only other club playing at present whose members are likely to run them close in years of service is perhaps, Kaitangata. The names of Penman, Rarity, Thompsons, and Thomsons bring to mind some sturdy players of a dozen years back, but. whether or not they have played continuously, I cannot definitely say. Perhaps our Kaiiangata friends can supply the information?

The opening play in the second game at Culling Park, that between Northern and Maori Hill, led one to expect an interesting game would bo witnessed. The spectators, however, were disappointed. The game was even enough, but lacked that something necessary to give it spice. The Hill team at times opened out with some neat forward moves, but generally failed to push home the attack. Coates, the Northern right back. was exceptionally quick on defence and is rapidly getting back to last year’s form. His play on Saturday was a feature in the game. Cherry, at centrehalf, again attracted the eye, and gave an improved showing on his game of the previous Saturday, in his now position. M'Pherson, at left-half, a new player, should be an acquisition to the halves. lie frequently opened up play to O’Brien with neat passes. Northern forwards have not yet settled down to each other’s play. O’Brien is more at home in his position on the left wing and along with Dryden they made a good attacking pair. Dickson, a recent arrival from Home, played centre forward, but on hi s first showing did not play a remarkably strong game. Taylor the inside left, is lamentably weak and failed to connect in a forward move. Duncan’s play on the right wing suffered in consequence. Maori Plill team did not play up to “Corner Kick’s” expectations. M’Donald, centre forward, who, I understand, played a fine game against Mount Zion the previous week, did not repeat the performance on Saturday. His placing lacked direction, and ho frequently overran the ball and was weak in front of goal, being too slow and awkward with his shots. He missed a golden opportunity in the first half through being out of position when n centre from Wright travelled untouched across the northern goal. Both Wright and M'Cormack, on the f left wing, are good, but their play suffered after Fraser, loft half, was injured, as M'Corrnack was frequently dropping back to help his half. Prydn, inside right, would bo more serviceable to his team if he did not dally with the ball. The tricking of a couple of men with clever footwork is somewhat detracted from when a third man comes along and robs him of the ball; Grant, on the right, wing, made a poor showing, and his centres from the line lacked power to reach the goal area. Turner was the best of a weak set of halves, whilst Kennedy .and Wallace, who played in place of Bennie at back, frequently miskickcd, and the Hill team were lucky in that more goals were not scored from the mistakes. Bachop had more to do than the opposing goalkeeper, and was very safe." The penalty kick from which Dryden opened the scoring, just lipped the top of Bachop’s fingers and passed under the bar. The following comments on the SeacliffMornington game have been sent iniiv a Seacliff enthusiast; —Tin’s game resulted in n win for Seacliff, s—l,5 —1, but this was no fair indication of the game. Mornington forwards time and again were shooting at and missing Soacliff’s goal in (lie first half of the game. Cat.to and Newman gave Seacliff backs n. lot of trouble, having to concede corners lo get dear. Dick el was not up to his usual. Hall arid he do not to have a proper understanding with each other; frequently both tackled one opponent at the same time. Scott, Mornington goalie, comes too far out to meet a long, rising shot, and one. if not two, goals resulted in the ball going over his head 1 and just drooping under the bar. Hooper who scored four of Seaclifi’s goals, nnpears too eager and frequently found himself off-side on Saturdav. It is well when a player finds himself in this position.

to leave the ball well alone. This avoids frequent stoppages of the game, and often results in another player who is not offside putting the ball through, ns would probably have happened on Saturday. Hooper's shooting should be an example to Otago forwards. He never hesitates if (here is a possible chance. Seacliff appears to have a capture in young Rogers, late Waitati, and at half with G. Anderson behind at right back, a wing has something to do to get past, as they appear to have a good understanding with each other. I would prefer seeing Rogers in ins proper position of left half. Murray, who was the best half on the field on Saturday, plays equally well right or left, and few players have this ability. G. Anderson (right back) for Seacliff was the best back, and I think the Now Zealand (earn would have been the stronger with his inclusion. .1. Anderson appears slow, but gets thorn when wanted. Seacliff have made a good change with Cox on the right wing. He suits this position better than centre half and is a perfect artist with his head, three of Seacliff goals being through the Roger, Cox, Hooper _ ‘ A recent visitor to Christchurch informs mo that Walter Brundell, ex-Otago and Now Zealand representative, is at present playing centre forward with the Rangers Club of Christchurch. In a recent match he netted no fewer than three of the five goals scored. Brundell expects to be in Dunedin about the end of June, when ho will play for his old club. Ilec. Gormack, another Northern hoy. is also a member of the Rangers’ first eleven playing in the position of left half. W. Kennedy, Ihe ox-Old Boys and Otago representative, is also in Christchurch doing good work for the Western Club. Another Otago representative, Robinson, .who played with Kaitangata last year, is also playing in Christchurch. Rumour, which may bo father to the wish, has it find the Commercial Bank will in all probability open a branch at Balrlntha shortly, and that Cook, the ex-New Zealand representative, will be transferred, and will bo seen playing for Kaitangata. The recently formed Oamarn Rangers Club has now become affiliated to the O.F.A. On Monday the club will play a team from the •Maori Hill Club at Oamarn and on the following Saturday will travel to Seacliff to plav the local club. Other clubs travelling to plav matches on the King’s Birthday are Y.M.C.A. to Christchurch and Southern Third Grade to meet the Sprcydon lads who visited them last season.

According to tho published itinerary of tho .Chinese team’s visit to Australia there seems little prospect of a tour in Now Zealand. The Chinese partv will arrive- in Sydney on July 7, ami is fully booked up to October 5, when tho team meets Tas : mania. One of the staled objects in favour of Mr Graves travelling with the New Zealand team is to arrange matters so that the Chinese will visit this country, and if he succeeds in ■ altering the programme and getting the team over here his trip will bo well justified. Judged from tho live interest shown by those present at tho mass meeting on Monday night tho Association football clubs will bo found putting their best efforts into the sports carnival planned for October next. Club representatives rose one after the other and almost without exception each reported either that his club had already taken the matter up enthusiastically or that a meeting lo consider the carniyal was to bo hold in a day or two The suggestions made for the running of the carnival also showed the interest that was being taken. In view of the change of days for the weekly half-holiday in Invercargill, which is likely to affect the game there, tho Southland Association has deemed it advisable at once to Challenge the Otago Association, the present holder. The match will take place at Culling Park on Monday. June 4. It is expected that Southland will have the services of Cook, who played such a sterling game for New Zealand against the Australians in the tests. The Otago team has been picked and appears in another part of this issue.