ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22907, 15 June 1936, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S TRIAL MATCH The (Association football trial match played ,at Logan Park on Saturday provided a mediocre exhibition of the code. The team comprising the Stripes played with more method than the Blues, which was generally regarded as the team most likely to represent the province against Canterbury next Saturday, and "'ell deserved its win by 3 goals to 2. The teams were:—

Blues.-W. Smith; G. Taylor, G. Anderson: W. Chapman. Alec. Sutherland, A. Sutherland; S. Duncan, ■L. Groves, W. Hooper, T. Farnan, J. Skinner. Stripes.—L. Holden; A. Ramage, G. Picker-ill: G. Groves. C. Skinner, A. M'Quarrie; L. Smith, W. Rogers, A. Davidson, J. Dalziel. J. Little. From the start better half-back play by the Stripes gave them the advantage, Chapman being the only Blue half to play football of class. ' Dayidson, at centreforward for the Stripes, kept an excellent position and frequently troubled the opposing backs. The opening score came from Little, who lifted a high ball to goal, and Smith failed to field it. Stripes 1. Blues nil. The Blues' first real attempt at goaling followed an attack on the left, Farnan making his own play to test Holden, who saved a strong drive. M'Quarrie, at left-half for the Stripes, was outstanding both on defence and attack, the Blues 7 right-wing being held in check. " Groves, however, was giving little support to Duncan, and- in contrast Rogers and Smith on the right wing for the Stripes *.7ere always prominent. Smith made good use of Rogers's opening play, and frequently outstripped Sutherland, the wing-half, and Anderson. His only weakness was a tendency to cross too strongly. Ramage was putting in sound defensive work for the Stripes, and from one of his clearances Groves, the righthalf, sent in'a long pass to Smith, who placed to goal for Davidson to beat Holden close in. Stripes 2, Blues nil. The spell ended without further score. At the start of the second spell J. Skinner, on the left for the Blues, received and sent play to the backs. Farnan, profiting from a poor clearance, slipped the ball across goal, and Duncan came in fast to place past Smith. Stripes 2, Blues 1. Although the Blues improved, their play was still handicapped by the poor work of the halves.* Chapman continued to play well, but Slither-' landV work at centre w.is disappointing. Occasionally he showed some*good touches, hut he was not so prominent in the play as Qi Skinner, the opposing centre. In a- spell of even play the Stripes' attack w,na not sd .pronounced, Davidson's play falling away,-'whilst Hooper's weakened the attacking movements of the Blues. The equalising goal followed when Chap- ( man swung the ball across to Farnnn, and the inside-left,' breasting his way through several defenders with clever footwork, beat Holden close in. The Stripes' half-line —Groves, Skinner, and M'Quarrio —continued to dominate, the play, and Groves sent Smith away on the right. The winger's centre was headed out, but M'Quarrie showed fine judgment in meeting the clearance and scoring with, a low drive. Stripes 3, Blues 2. For the remainder of the spell the light was poor, and the game ended: Stripes 3 goals. Blues 2 goals. ' Mr F. Stanley was the referee.

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

As an outcome of the form displayed theselectors of the Otago team are faced with a difficult problem in making the final selection. , In goal for tho Stripes, Holden, although not getting the same work ,to do as Smith, displayed more confluence and showed better anticipation. He has a tendency to leave his goal, and is also inclined to take 'risks in kicking instead of. getting his hands to the ball. . The. Blue full-backs, Taylor and Anderson, were not greatly ahead of the opposing pair. Tayior is certainly not the player ho was last season. Anderson still retains hb old shrewdness, and makes amends for his.'slowness by excellent anticipation. Pickerill, while fairly sound on defence, Jacks Anderson's anticipation. His ..Ramage, had a hard wing to hold in Farnan and J. Skinner, and shaped very well. Of ! the four, he is tho only one who-has not had experience of representative football. As a line, the Stripes" halves—M'Quar-' Skinner, and H. Groves—were much, superior to that of the Blues, M'Quarrie being outstanding at left-half. On his game he must replace Sutherland for -the position. Chapman, the righthalf for the Blues, played excellently throughout. The centre-half position is the one likely to cause the selectors some thought. Sutherland did not at any period of the play show the football he displayed when playing for Canterbury against Otago last season* at Lo<Jan Park. His opposite, C. Skinner, although not a centre-half, played soundly, but his placing was 'faulty. Of the forwards, Farnan and J. Skin- ! the left, were ahead of Dalziel and 'Lfttle, and as a right ; wing pair, Rogers and Smith were better than Groves and Duncan. Duncan, however, shows more football ability than Smith. Rogers displayed/ more Versatility in his play than Graveß> feeding his wing and centreforward iiyith excellent passes. The centroforward,'Davidson'(Stripes), showed remarkably good form and was always dan* gerous, whereas Hooper, although not getting the game chances, lacked his customary/initiative in making for goal. He waa,. nursing an injury, however, and is theS'type of player who can rise to the. occasion in important games. Summed up, a likely team would be ' Holder Anderson, Pickerill, Chapman. Sutherland, M'Quarrie, . Duncan, Rogers. Hooper or Davidson, Farnan, and J. Skinner, with C. Skinner as emergency, as he can play either as a forward, half, or full-baekV Should the Question of dropping Sutherland arise, a good halHine •could be, arranged with Duncan (right), Chapman (centre), and M'Quarrie. (left), while Duncan's position on the right-wing could be given to Smith, the Stripes' right-winger. ~'.-.. -\-

SEC.OND GRADE. Northern 5, Mornington 2. Tramwavg 2, Caversham 1. Maori Hill 1. T.C.0.8. 1. High School 6. Y.M.C.A. 1. THIRD GRADE. Caversham 2. Fairfield 2. T.C.0.8. 4, Maori Hill 3. High School 2; Caversham nil. FIFTH GRADE. High Schools, Port Chalmers 2. . , i IN OTHER CENTRES (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 14. New Zealand Navy 1 defeated Imperial Navy nil in a special challenge. Mount Albert Grammar 3, Thistle nil. Ponsonby 4. North Shore 2. Comrades 3. Metro College 3. WELLINGTON. June 14. Trial Match. Possibles 5, Probables 3. B Division. Technical Old Boys 10, Miramar Rangeru 1. Scottish Wanderers 3, Rovers 1. • Island Bay 5, Nada 2. Lower Hutt 6, Onslow 1. CHRISTCHURCH, June 13. Thistle 2, St. Albans nil. Western A 3, Western B 2. Technical 2, Nomads 1. Rangers 5. Linwood 1.

WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVE TEAM (Per United Press Associaiion ) WELLINGTON, June 13. The representative Association football team to play the Australians on the King's Birthday is:—Goal, Parton (Seatoun;; back* —Miles (Hospital), Haines (Petone'* • halves—Toriel. Jeffery, and Simon (all Hospital); forward*—Heath (Swifts), Webster (Hospital), Leslie (Petone), Hatchard (Marist), Gendall (Scatoun). Reserve: Longbottom (Waterside).

PETER DAWSON CUP

(Per United Press Association) WKSTPORT, June 13. The Peter Dawson Cup was retainer! by the Buller team to-day against a challenge from Nelson, the holders winning a .very eVCn same by 3 goals to 1.