ASSOCIATION NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18894, 21 June 1923, Page 4

ASSOCIATION NOTES.

By Corner Kick. NEXT SATURDAY’S; MATCHES. Northern v. Southern. Taieri v. Old Boys. ■ Mornington v. Kaitangata, at Kaitangata. Mount Zion v. Seaclitf. - The Australian papers containing the full account of the first test played at Brisbane and '.won by the Australians are not to hand at time of writing, but I gather from earlier issues that only ■ iour •of the team that toured New Zealand last year —Cartwright. Gibb, Maunder, and Thompson—wore included in the team to oppose the Now Zealanders. Tile reports further state that there arc'many enthusiasts who believe the locals to be a. much superior combination to that which lost the "ashes.” Regret, however, has been expressed at the absence from the side of Allan Fisher, recognised as one of the greatest bricks in Australia. He was not considered for selection on account of having left the first grade ranks for second grade to suit his employment as an official at the Callan Park Hospital. The selectors’ action has met with severe criticism, and there are many experts who consider that Maunder, the Australian centre forward, should not have been chosen on. the poor form that he showed against New Zealand and Victoria in Sydney recently. ' Alick Gibb (Q.), whoso selection as centre half lias caused adverse criticism in Queensland, will lead the Australians, and Campbell the ‘‘All Blacks.”

Those wh» were disappointed at the result of the first test against Australia wore no doubt gratified when the news was received that the New Zealanders had achieved victory in the second test played at Sydney last Saturday. The cable gives few details of the play, apart from the fact that George Campbell .scored all three goals. Campbell first played here with the Northern Club, prior to removing to Wellington, and, knowing the genial George for a hardheaded -Scotchman, I can easily imagine the determination and doggedness that would be consistent, with the scoring of the goals. As leader of the team he would leave no stone unturned to bring about the desirable victory. The result of the third test to bo played on June 30 at Newcastle will be eagerly looked forward to by all Soccerites.

“Vanguard.” in the Evening Post, writes: “ The announcement that New Zealand is to.have a visit from the team of Chinese university Soccer players, which is due to arrive in Australia about the middle of July, will bo received with approval by all followers of the giv.no in this country. The tour will he unique in the history of sport in the dominion, and the members of the New Zealand Council are to be congratulated on the. stand that they have taken in the matter. Visits from any oversea teams are always of immense value from an educational point of view, and they assist very materially in popularising the game with the public. Such popularity is sadly needed at the present time, and tho tour of the Chinese team, if there is no hitch and it becomes an actual fact, should go a long way to establishing it. The Chinese will play lust in Australia, and they are due to arrive in New Zealand, , according to present arrangements, on August 15. Eleven matches will be played in all, including three test, matches. This programme should provide for matches in , all those centres whore Association football has a strong footing. The New Zealand Council need have no fears as to the success of the tone financially, as, apart, from, the attraction of the games as exhibitions of scientific football, the novelty of seeing an Oriental team in action will be sufficient to Attract large crowds wherever tho team plays-. Early reports indicate that the Chinese are- by no means novices at tho game, ■ and there are likely to be some great contests during tho tour. Among the forwards there are stated to be men who are capable of breaking evens for the hundred yards, and a photograph of some of those who are likely to make the trip shows that they are by no means dwarfs. One can only hope now that the tour will go ahead satisfactorily, and that New Zealanders and Chinese will be seen in - friendly rivalry before very long.” The results of Saturday s games gives the Old Boys a serviceable 2 points lead, taking into account the bye. Kaitangata and Seacliff are next with an equal number of points, being closely followed by Southern, a further point behind. To complete the first round, Old Boys have still to play Taieri and Mornington, and it is quite on the cards that the latter team, who are showing improved form, may alter tho complexion of things. Kaitangata meet Mornington, Southern, and Maori Hill, in that order, and Seacliff have still to play Mount Zion, Northern, and Southern 1 Much was expected of the match between Northern and Kaitangata at Culling Park last week, but the display throughout was rather disappointing. Both teams played below their usual standard. Not a goal was scored in a game which was fairly evenly contested., but it must be said jvery few tolling shots were directed at either goal. Northern, ' if anything, had more scoring chances, but their forwards wore deplorably weak in front of goal. Penman,, in goal for Kaitangata, handled the ball more often than Mitchell, opposite,'but easily dealt with those that came his way. He showed improved form on his previous displays in town, and on the day it would have taken something exceptional to have passed him. Richardson, at back, was very reliable, but his partner, Proctor, is lacking in experience. He seldom anticipated tho run of the play, and Northern would have fared better had they played to this wing more. The principal weakness of the Kaitangata'team was their forwards, who showed no cohesion or method in their attacks. Rarity was a tireless worker, and, occasionally with Bennie, succeeded in initiating forward movements which the wing, men failed to improve, on. Similarly with Northern, their shooting was wretched. The Northern forwards’ display was slightly better than the miners. All of them, however, fiddled round too much, instead of getting quickly off the mark. O’Brien was a great offender in this respect, and the opposition generally managed to stop his usual swinging shots from tho line. The halves gave a good display on defence, but the placing of the ball by both Jones and M'Pherson to their forwards could be improved upon. Cherry is rapidly developing into a sound centre-half, and his solid work on Saturday deserved a better fate. In Coates at right back Northern have a splendid defender who tackles resolutely and cleanly. The following comments on the Old Boys’Mount Zion match have been received The weather was perfect, but the ground was very heavy, and in the goal areas the mud was ankle deep. On several occasions the ball absolutely “refused to roll.” The game was fast and interesting from tho kick-off, although the backs on both sides indulged in hefty kicks at times. The score was a fair indication of tho game, but Old lloys seemed to have- the game well in hand. M'Mullan. the right winger for Old Boys, played a good game, and scored both goals, the second being one out of the- box, giving the goalkeeper no olumce. M'Mullan is inclined to pul the ball too far forward when centreing. Douglas, on the left wing, played his usual good game, lobbing in beautiful centres, which the centre forward (Harraway) failed to connect, with through not being up. The inside men, Fraser and Peake, fnado good openings for their wingers. “ Bade ” did all that was required of him. and time and again came to the assistance of his full backs. Lattimer and Dickson were also very effective, the latter appearing for the first, time in senior football hero. Ho placed the ball to his forwards very well, but at limes appeared slow in bis 'movements, probably through lack of training. The same also can be said of Fleming. Allen, as usual, was fairly safe. Cathie, the last line of defence, played splendidly, and stopped five awkward shots, but-had no chance with the one that heat him. He shows great, promise. Mount Zion in goal were well served by 'Tiger Thomson, who played one of his best games this season. Ho hail plenty to do, and came out of it quite creditably. The full backs were pillars of strength, their lingo kicks delighting the spectators.- hut at times they failed to gel, the hall away. Hansen, at centre half, nipped in the bud ninny forward movements, and was well supported by the old warrior Jap Thomson, who played a -snlendid game. The right lullf obeyed his instructions and paid eldse attention to Douglas. Hie- right, wing (Oliver), u convert Tom the rival code, played a useful game, hut, needs to put more vim into his piny. Prescott, at centre forward, was always daftgerons. and was ably supported by Ins inside men. Kitcb 'Thomson, the left winger, put, in some fine centres, and showed that he knew what to do with the hull. My Seacliff correspondent writes me as follows on the Maori ITill-Seacliff match. A very interesting game,was witnessed, and, apart from the Seacliff defence, there was very little to choose-between the two teams. .After seeing Maori Hill play one wonders wliv the Hill team are not, better placed in the competition. A feature of the plav in (he caily part of the game was a fine effort, Vv Murray to get through on his own, which very nearly resulted in a score. Scacliff’s first goal came from Cox, a rising

shot beating Bachop all the way. Hooper registered the other two goals, one from the 18 yards line, and the other was headed "through from a corner kick. M'Cormaok was an outstanding player in the Hill forward line, and D. Fraser, playing left back, troubled Faid and Cox very often. The local forward line combined very poorly, although given plenty of opportunities by their halves. The inside men require to pass more to the otiier forwards, instead of shoOtin- for goal from the halfway line. Bachop, the Hill goalie, had a. great deal to. do in the" latter stages of the game, and gave a fine exhibition. The Seacliff goalie does not part with the ball quickly enough, and against a dashing type of forward would have found himself on more than one occasion on Saturday bundled, ball and all. into the net. Ho should endeavour to fiat out rather than field the hall when in a tight oornfA One undesirable feature of (he game was the constant appealing to be heard from both sides. This sort of thing does not look well, especially from players in (ho Senior Grade, who should know better. If there is any appealing necessary, the. captain is the one man who should do the talking. Cochrane, who has been playing some good games for the Taieri this season, has removed to the West Coast. Sandv M‘Cloy filled this position on Saturday, but from his display has not yet struck form. Jock Simpson, well-known as an active player of the game a few years back.' who recently returned from Southland, left on Monday last for Middlemarch, where he has become “ mine host ” of the Strath Taieri Hotel. Jock has always been a keen sport, and has taken a live interest in the game. In years gone by he represented Otago on several occasions in the forward line, and as a player who knows all the points in the game, and has the happy knack of imparting it to his fellows, his advice to younger players has always been willingly given. In an official capacity he has represented Kaitangata on the executive- of the 0.F.A., and his departure will he a distinct loss to Soccer. lam sure Jock will always have a warm welcome for his Dunedin friends. SCHOOL FOOTBALL. Matches are being played regularly each week, and the keenness of the boys is very much in evidence. The following tables gives the position of the various teams up to and including last week’s matches; — A GRADE. Played. Won. Lost. Drawn. Pts. Musselburgh ... 5 5 Anderson’s Bay A 5 4 1 8 Mornington ... 4 4 Moray Place ... 4 22 Kaikor.ni 3 ! 22 Anderson’s Bay B 4 1 3 —2 Maori Hill ... 4 1 3—2 George Street ... 4 ■ — 1 1 Normal 4 BANTAMS. Musselburgh I ... 5 5 Anderson’s Bay 5 5 - Mornington I ... 5 22 1 5 Musselburgh II 5 2 3 Moray Place ... 4 1 12 4 Mornington IT ... 5 1 4 —2 Musselburgh 111 4 Normal 3 SOCCER TESTS. NEW ZEALAND TEAM IN ‘ AUSTRALIA. (From Ode Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, June 13. The visit of the sturdy Now Zealand team is causing quite a boom in Soccer in Australia. It was not a very convincing defeat that the All Blacks suffered in their first test at Brisbane last Saturday. It was won by Australia, in the last minute of the game. Eight thousand enthusiasts witnessed the match. The game was extremely fast, and showed the fine condition of both teams. Craxton was judered the best New Zealand player on the day and was given a special gold medal. The New Zealand' halves were very good. Kissock doing a lot of work. It was mainly owing to his efforts that the Australian score was not larger. The Australian forwards gave a great display. Thompson, on the left, and Mitchell, on the right, both beat their men repeatedly. Leonard, at inside right, played unselfishly’, feeding Mitchell with beauti-fully-placed passes. Burton played hard football, his back-heeling to Leonard, who scored the first goal, being a pretty piece of play, but he was hardly fast enough for the speedy men alongside him. Maunder (centre-forward) was fast and dangerous, and gave Kissock a lot of trouble. His goal in the last minute of the game was a beauty. The game was one all until the last minute. Thompson drove twice at goal.’Braithwaite saving on each occasion. Maunder then secured, and driving hard at Craxton, gave him no hope, and, scored amidst a hurricane of cheers. The Soccer game is gripping the snorting public her©, and while such expositions as these are staged, the game must continue to extend. Keen interest is centred in the meeting of Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground next Saturday. LADIES’ HOCKEY TOURNAMENT. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—As one who is very much' interested 1 should like to make a few remarks concerning the seven-a-side tournament whion was held recently by the Ladies’ Ho-koy Association. I see by to-day’s Daily Times that the tournament is till unfinished, but what I should like to know is why Momona and Otago are playing off, when at the end of the day’s play the position of the three leading teams, counting two for a win and one for a draw, was; Otago 10 Clyde 9, Momona 8. ’ It was impossible, owing to the wet day, for every team to meet. Four games were played in the morning. The position of the leading teams then was: Momona 8, Romahapa 7, Clyde 7, Waropa 6, Otago 6. Now, why Otago, and not Warepa, was brought into the afternoon’s play is a mystery. Waropa was a country team, having travelled over 50 miles, and should certainly have been treated more fairly. One of the officials remarked to me that Otago vva s out in any case and that it was de-. sired to find the best team out of the first three, as neither Romnhapa nor Clvde had met Momona. I contend that if Warepa were not allowed to play in the afternoon, Otago should not have been. In that case Clyde and Romahapa should each have played Momona, seeing that Clyde and Romahapa. had played a drawn game in the morning. In the first game of the afternoon Clyde beat Momona 3—l, and Otago beat Romahana I say that Clyde, by beating Momona, ,is the winner of the championship, unless Romahapa had also beaten Momona when the final would then have been between Clyde and Romahapa. I may also say that the Clyde team apoealed. but the. appeal -was dismissed. I think I have stated the facts very clearly, and I am quite sure that every unbiassed reader will agree with me in saying that the final should not be played between Momona and Otago.—l am, etc.. Interested Spectator. Oamaru, Juno 18.