ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22022, 3 August 1933, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

By Corner-kick. F.A. Trophy.—Otago v. Auckland at Dunedin. August 26. Chatham Cup.—Final between North and South Islands at Wellington. August 26. The date for the acceptance of Auckland’s challenge for the English Football Association Trophy has been definitely fixed by the Otago Association for August 26. This decision has been arrived at after mature consideration from all points, and especially in respect to possible counter attractions, and as the local governing bojly have to stand the heavy cost of the bringing the Auckland team to Dunedin and generally finance the match, it is only fair that it should have the right to select the date. Auckland’s only objection is apparently the possibility of, an Auckland Club being engaged in the final of the Chatham Cup at Wellington on the same date, and although there is always a degree of uncertainly in football games, it appears more likely that a Wellington team will be the North Island representatives in the final, as a recent visitor to both the Wellington and Auckland centres informs me that the standard of club football in 'Wellington is far ahead of that to be witnessed in Auckland on any Saturday. Otago are desirous of having the match with Auckland, and the association are firmly convinced that it could be made a profitable venture on the date selected. It is becoming increasingly evident as each season comes round that the Chatham Cup competition is an “ extra ” that could be very well done without. The local association is not alone in being concerned in the interruption of local competitions caused by the elimination games of the Chatham Cup, and a suggestion that the cup could be competed for by the championship winners in the main centres has much to commend it. FLETCHER CUP. With three of the teams, each of whom is well up on the table, having still to play back games to bring their matches into line with the other clubs in the competition, the championship table is still somewhat clouded. The two leading teams, Maori Hill and Mosgiel, continue to run each other close, both having an equal number of cup points, but the former has played one game less than Mosgiel. Maori Hill have an undefeated record so far this season, its only loss being one point, when it drew with Northern. On Saturday at the Caledonian Ground the association will resume playing two senior games, and with the meeting of Maori Hill and Seacliff in the early game and with Mosgiel and High School Old Boys following on, spectators should be treated to a fine afternoon’s football. This is the best draw so far this season, and there should be a good attendence. LAST WEEK’S GAMES. In the game at Prospect Park, Maori Hill were definitely superior to Technical, and ran out easy winners by four goals to .nil. The Hill playerg showed the better football, making more effort in keeping the ball low against the gusty wind which prevailed. Brown set a good example to his team in this respect, and with, the Technical players kicking far too hard Maori Hill had them well held Mr D. M. Stuart, Mr H. Harris, and Mr V, G. Cavanagh would have thought —and said —if it had been suggested to them before they took the field that they should have a rub down by a masseur. However, other times, other ideas. , A masseur will travel with the Otago team which is to play Southland. THE OTAGO TEAMS The selection of the Otago team to play against Southland on Saturday has been awaited with more than usual interest, and now that it has made its appearance it will be seen that Messrs D. M. Stuart, W. Pearson, .and Dr Perry have done about the best they could with the material available. The selectors were faced with several difficulties, and this, despite the fact that there are 150 players in senior football in Dunedin, and many more if the country players are included. . Alhambra, Union, Dunedin, University B, and Zingari-Richmoud could not get one player in the A team. Pirates and Kaikorai have one man each. The. full-back, Taylor (11.0), is the best line kick playing in this position in local senior football to-day. He has done some good tackling also, and it only remains for him to stand up to dribbling rushes to prove a sound last line of defence. Nicholson was not available. Dunne (11.0) was always sure of his position in the threequarter line, and Smith (11.10) and H. M'Skimming (12.0) should capably fill the two remaining places. M’Skimming is a strong, resolute runner, who, however, lacks something in finesse and is inclined to get off his feet too much. Uttley (10.9) and Rae (10.4) are the five-eighths. They are both on the. light side, and the selectors may be criticised for taking Rae from the back of the serum and playing him in a new position. Through Rae is light, the fact remains that “ Teddy ” Roberts was not much heavier, and he was one of the finest halfbacks and five-eighths who have ever played in the Dominion. Rae, moreover, played at five-eighth in the High School team. Simon (10.0) should do well behind the stalwart Otago pack. If the Otago forwards hold the opposing pack—and there is no reason why they should not—plenty of opportunities should be given the rearguard. If they do not, ’then Whoever was played in the fiveeighth line would be set a severe—probably a hopeless—task. It may be an experiment to place Rae away from the protection of his forwards, but if, as I say, the Otago vanguard plays its part it may prove to be justified. The Blue forwards are heavy and have speed. The weights of the vanguard, according to the official guide book, are as follows; —Service 13.0, Hore 13.0, M‘Donald 11.10, MTarlane 13.2, Yorrath 14.2, Gibson 13.0, Findlay 14.2, Slyfield 12.8. . The B rearguard to play against Marlborough should prove a sound combination. The only point about it which raises a doubt is whether Martin and Sutherland (the five-eighths) will link up well in attacking movements. If they do not, however, Francis-, the half-back, will probably attempt some other method to bring his three-quarter line into effective action. On In’s day Francis is a very fine half-back. Hig weakness is that be sometimes forgets he is only one of 15 players. The B forwards are solid and fast, and they should give a good'account of themsleves.

"A PLAYER’S GAME" . change-over”. to RUGBY. The Rugby Union game has become firmly established at- Scotch College, Melbourne. and the reasons advanced in a publication of the school for the introduction of the. Union code are interesting. The college paper states:'— “ There is a good ease for the introduction of Rugby into the schools of Victoria, and also for its adoption as a public school sport in place of the present game. In the first place, it is an amateur game, clean and skilful. It is played throughout Australia and New Zealand, and is the standard game in England and Scotland. Rugby is a fine game for boys, and can be played in any weather; in fact, a sodden ground is rathCr suitable for Rugby forwards, who number over half the players; whereas a wet ground snoils a game played on the Australian Rules. In Rugby every member of both teams is in action the whole time, with the possible exception of the full-backs. In our game, if one side has the play, the men on one side of the field may stand and shiver for minutes,on end. “ It has room for all the individualists of Australian Rules, but they are not so conspicuous, for, besides the tactician, the speedy unci nippy man, the kicking arid marking expert, there is room for the slow, plugging, undistinguished type, who is a dead loss in Australian Rules, but who may be a valuable Rugby forward. Fundamentally, Rugby is a player’s game, and not a spectators’, and for this reason it is more suitable for schools. It may not be so spectacular as the present game, but surely it is preferable to have team work rather than individual excellence in kicking and high marking.”

in the first spell against the wind, and in addition troubled Holden on many occasions. In the second half it was well on in the game before the Hill displayed anything like its combination of the first half, but once the players adjusted themselves to the windy conditions Technical were well beaten, and the honours of the game went deservedly to the Maroons. Deputising for Taylor, who was standing down nursing an injured leg, Dougal displayed his versatility as a player for the Hill team, he having now filled the full-back, right-wing, and half-backs positions. He and Bayne defended well throughout, but the outstanding player was Wills, in goal, who was very safe and sure in all his work. The forward line played remarkably well together under the adverse conditions, Gordon, with his clever control of the ball, being outstanding. Although Balk has lost some of his dash in line play, he is, nevertheless, still a most dangerous player, and his sound judgment in gauging the strength of the wind on Saturday enabled him to make his crossings and shots extremely dangerous. Technical gave its poorest display of the season. This may have been due to some extent to the smaller playing area, but the players altogether failed to adjust their game to the windy conditions. Hard kicking by the rearguard in the first half gave the forwards little support, and resulted in either a free kick to the opposing backs or the ball being carried over for a goal kick. Against the wind lack of placing prevented any systematic attacks being launched, and although Witchall made repeated efforts to break through on his own he had little support either from his wing-man or centre. Hector was the best of the half line, with Addison playing a good game at full-back. Holden gave a good display in goal. He was, strongly tested in both spells, and had no chance of stopping any of the goals scored. Meeting in the first round Technical put up a much better game, and on this occasion were beaten by the narrow margin of three goals to two.

NORTHERN v. ROSLYN-WAKARI. Played at the Oval this game was won by Northern, which proved its superiority by winning four goals to two. The Black and Whites deserved its win for the display put up in the first against the strong wind. Turning over with a lead it bombarded Eoslyn’s goal all the second half, and only steady and reliable play in the back division of the Hill team prevented more than one goal being scored during this spell. Eoslyn, with a two goal lead early in the game, fell away, the forwards being to blame by lying too far back and giving the opposing defence an unnecessary lot of free kicking. Instead of forcing play with the wind, the whole line was lacking in cohesion, which gave one the impression they had the game in hand. The nippy play of the Northern front was an object lesson, the set playing nice football. The score indicates the difference between the teams on the day’s play. Jones in goal for Northern played a good game in the first spell, but got very little to do in the second. Coats was the better full-back; his strong kicking and lobbing the ball in the goal area always spelt danger. Euddiman played a useful game, and was always reliable. Perry was the best half-back afield; continually breaking up attacks he fed his men in front nicely. M'Hugh’s game was pleasing to witness, his control of the ball being a feature of his play. Sutherland was consistent, working nicely in conjunction with his wing man in front. Of the forwards Anderson was the pick. He was the leader ,of most of Northern’s movements, and along with Connelly, provided the best wing on the field. The last named played a nice game, was fast on the ball, and crossed well. Henderson, although playing well, spoilt much of his work by hanging on too long, when a short pass either way might have succeeded. The’ young centre, Peart, played hard throughout, and deserved the goal he scored. Hughes, though not prominent, shows that he knows the. game, and will improve. For Eoslyn, Clark in goal, saved many hard shots in the second spell, but should have cleared the first two which got past him. The backs, Eamage and Copland, had a trying time, and again came out with credit. Whyborn, the right-half, played strongly, ’repeatedly dropping back to help the men behind; he saved many crosses which would have counted. Lennon and M'CalHon played hard ,at times, but the former’s inability to head a ball lost him many chances of clearing his lines. The latter player is bard to pass, and is a useful man to the team. The forward line , was poor, with Haldane the best. He, along with the others, hung too far back when playing with the wind._ A tactical mistake was made in changing Eutherford from the left-wing position. This player has a good understanding of the position, and unless a wing man is supported by his inside man he has little chance of being prominent. In the previous meeting between these teams, Northern won by six goals to nil.

MORNINGTON v. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS

Mornington and High School Old Boys met Qn the Oval, and a keen tussle eventuated, Motnington causing a surprise by winning 2 —l. Old Boys were without the services of two of its usual team, Sutherland and Duncan, their places being tilled by Beal and Cameron, while Morning'ton fielded a junior in Robertson at full-back. A light ball and a strong wind made good football out of the question. Old Boys missed.the generalship of S. Duncan, who was indisposed. Chapman appeared stale and did not play up to form, and Pickerill, at full-back, had a handful in Grant and Murphy, with Laurie Johnson at left-half to deal with. However, Bringans in the halves and the Latimer brothers in the forwards gave nothing away, and only the forceful play of Moon and Donnelly (the latter always keeping well up with the play) gave Mdrnington the advantage. Lowden was a distinct success at inside-right for Mornington, his openings for Schofield being a feature of the play. He was also in good shooting form, and was unlucky not to count on two occasions. Marshall, at full-back, is playing particularly well at present, but still has a. tendency to hang on. For Old Boys. M'Farlane and Hamilton were quick on defence, although the light ball seemed to trouble them and their clear.ances were not as clean as usual, while Hall, in goal, did not gather in the ball well. A rebound on one occasion gave Donnelly n goal following, a good shot by M'Quarrie from well out. The first game between these clubs ended in a draw of three goals each.

In the remaining games Mosgicl met with little opposition from Kaitangata, the bottom team in the competition, winning by five goals to one. SeaclilT had a similar win over Port Chalmers, which this season has just managed to keep ahead of Kaitangata.

SECOND DIVISION. In this competition Tramways still maintain its unbeaten record. RoslynWakari, however, ran them fairly close in Saturday’s-game, the scores being one all. until near the end of the play, when Tramways secured the winning goal. Technical and Northern are coining along ninely, and should be well up at (he finish. The following table gives the present positions of the teams in this competition;— Goals

P. w. L. D. F, A.l Ps. Tramways 10 10 - - 35 12 20 Technical 11 8 2 1 39 22 1.7 Northern^ 11 8 3 - 44 19 10 Roslyn-Wakari 11 4 4 3 28 24 11 Y.M.C.A. 10 4 5 1 27 26 9 Leith 11 3 6 2 18 31 8 MorninKton .. 11 2 8 1 14 45 5 H.S.O.B. 10 2 7 1 10 32 5 Mosgiel .. .. 11 2 8 1 18 30 5