ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 53

ASSOCIATION.

CANADIAN TEAM’S TOUR. WELLINGTON, August 18

At to-night’s meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Football Association to-night it was stated that the recent Canadian tour of the Dominion had resulted in a loss of £1155 9s, but it was generally considered that, although the Canadian visit had cost money which the council could ill afford, it should not be considered as a loss. The Canadians had done a lot to boost the game. The tour was the biggest thing that the New Zealand Football Association had ever undertaken. On future occasions, however, it •would be far better if some of the small towns were 'deleted from the programme, as the expenses on extended tours were very heavy indeed. Mr 11. I. Graves suggested that if big teams from overseas were brought out in future the New Zealand Football Association should work in with Australia. If this was done a profit would result instead of a loss.

The report, which, with 1 the balance sheet, was adopted, said that the football played by th? visitors had been very satisfactory, for, although no exceptional brilliance was shown during the 21 matches, the team work was of a very high order. While the general arrangements for the tour were quite satisfactory, it was felt that the handling of the New Zealand test team could have been better. Circumstances which were unavoidable, and which were not likely to recur, had occurred, and the committee felt that in future tours special arrangements dealing with the assembling and handling of New Zealand teams should be made more complete. Arrangements as to their movements, entertaining, and expenses should also be gone into. The gate takings amounted to £6715, while the cost of the tour was approximately £BOOO.

OTAGO DEFEATS WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, August 20 In the match for the English Football Association's trophy, Otago beat Wellington by 4 goals to 2, the scoring for the winners being done by M'Cormack, M‘Lean, Hooper, and Simmonds, and for the losers by Marchinent and Anton. At half-time the score was 2 goals to 1 in Otago’s favour. Otago played the better football, attacking prettily from the outset. The Wellington backs defended stoutly, and Tarrant in goal made brilliant saves. After MTlugh had scored for Otago, Wellington brightened up, but the Otago combination was too good. M'Lean finished off a southern onslaught with a left foot drive that left Tarrant helpless. Berry, centre-half for Otago, shone conspicuously throughout in his passing, but Marehment reduced Otago’s lead from a strong attack by giving M'Quarrie no show to save.

In the second half Wellington cleared an Otago attack, and Anton, receiving from Ballard, neatly tricked the back, drew the goalkeeper, and picked out his spot in the net. He then crashed the ball there to even at 2 goals all. Otago maintained a determined attack, which ended with Hooper scoring with a great shot, putting Otago in the lead. Wellington also attacked strongly, a shot by Anton going over the bar. Otago cleared, and Simmonds scored Otago’s fourth, goal with a magnificent shot. All Wellington’s efforts to the end were frustrated by a definitely superior team.

CHATHAM CUP GAME. AUCKLAND, August ‘*3. Ponsonby (Auckland) to-day defeated Waro Wanderers (North Auckland) by 5 goals to nil in a semi-final of the Chatham Cup competition.