PROMISING DISPLAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27450, 25 July 1950, Page 9

PROMISING DISPLAY

Southland Soccer Team The progress made by soccer in Southland was fully demonstrated last Saturday when a reasonably strong Otago eleven was just able to defeat the Southland representative side by two goals to one. Certainly the wind marred the game, but the Southland players proved themselves Otago’s equals in many positions. This was particularly so in the back and halfback positions. The Otago selectors could pick a worse substitute for J. Stephenson, the Otago goalkeeper, than J. Semmence, who gave a safe and confident display for Southland. G McKenzie was the better of the Southland backs although both were sound. N. Gibson, a tall, fast and robust centre-half, played the real stopper third back game, as W. Berry would testify. Gibson was not so constructive, perhaps, as R. Morrison, but his play was sound, nevertheless, on the ground and in the air. Morrison, at right-half, and W. Harkness, at left-half, complete a fine middle line, all of whom played well. Of the Southland forwards F. Low, at outside right, was the weakest, the other four being sound footballers of pace. D. Ottley appeared to be starved of the ball, but as the Southlanders were playing against a very Strong Otago half-back line, they acquitted themselves well. With C. Hill and M. Dalziel covering a considerable amount of ground and playing sound and constructive football, W. Meehan in the pivot position for Otago rarely had to leave his beat down the middle, and only once did he have to come across to the wing. Meehan’s ground work was equal to his best. With the Otago half-back line dominating play, the Otago full-backs, G. Mason and W. Webster had an easy task, and both performed confidently any work that came their _way. The forwards moved well against a fast tackling defence. A. 'Patton and J. Warner performed creditably in their senior representative game and W. Williams gave a display at outsideright in the second spell which was in keeping with his many fine games for his club in this, his true position. His lobs and crosses to goal were always dangerous and excellently placed. Berry was in his usual form, just waiting on that slender chance that he generally turns to account. Warner and Warke teamed well, Warke’s only weakness being his inability to lift his otherwise good corner kick. This game should do much to further stimulate the increasing interest of the improving young players who are gaining the attention of the selectors. Veteran Playing Well The 33-year-old Bluff player, E. D. (Chum) Calder. is being tipped in Southland Rugby circles as the likely half-back in the southern team to play Otago at Dunedin on August 5. Calder is a nuggety fellow who will be remembered for his fine games against Otago in 1946. He is rugged and reports state that he is playing as well as ever before. Although he decided to give the game best a few years ago, Calder turned out for the Bluff team as full-back this season, and when the half-back was injured he moved in behind the scrum. His play was so good that he was named as a member of the Southland training squad. He is thought to be the only half-back in Southland capable of standing up to the fast-breaking Otago flankers and he may get the selectors’ nod in his favour on this account.