SOCCER

Southland Times, Issue 20207, 18 June 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

SOCCER

(By "Pioneer.”) The following is the itinerary for the remaining matches of the Canadian team’s tour— June 18 (Saturday)—Canterbury at Christchurch. June 22 (Wednesday)—Versus Otago at Dunedin. June 25 (Saturday)—Versus New Zealand, at Dunedin (first test). June 29 (Wednesday)—Versus Southland at Invercargill. July 2 (Saturday)—Versus New Zealand, at Christchurch (second test). July 6 (Wednesday)—Versus South Canterbury, at Timaru. July 9 (Saturday)—Versus New Zealand, at Wellington (third test). July 13 (Wednesday)—Versus Hawke’s Bay, at Hastings. July 16 (Saturday)—Versus Poverty Bay, at Gisborne. July 20 (Wednesday)—Versus South Auckland, at Hamilton. July 23 (Saturday)—Versus New Zealand at Auckland (fourth test). July 27 (Wednesday)—Versus North Auckland, at Whangarei. July 30 (Saturday)—Versus Auckland, at Auckland. RESULTS TO DATE.

Exhibition to-day. Reps, play at Mataura. Selectors have done a hard job well. Team can be said to give general satisfaction. Friendly game will be played on Showgrounds to-day. Canadians play Canterbury at Christchurch to-day. The Cathedral city’s eleven is said to be a good one. The attendances at the practices at Rugby Park have been well up to the mark and Southland should not be lacking on the score of fitness. The trial game last Saturday was undoubtedly the best played yet. It went on at a rattling pace and the defence on both sides was kept very busy. Right from the jump the ball was swung about in delightful fashion and some rather pretty work was on view, particularly by the A team. The half-backs played up to the forwards in the approved style, and if the improvement expected is shown on the day, Southland will keep the Canadians busy. The B team defence was sorely tried in the first half, but when Drysdale retired they were well in the picture. Taking it right through, it was a fine game and the selectors had every reason to feel pleased. Maxwell and Cathcart showed they have a good knowledge of the game and defended well, but they could have covered one another better. The half line was kept busy and gave the forwards' great assistance. Of course this is always expected, but is rarely seen in Invercargill. Drysdale was in capital form and had a complete understanding with his wing men. The trio were responsible for some deft touches and exploited the triangle movement once or twice with good effect. McKay, always a solid worker, was well on his game and opened up attacks cleverly at times.

McMurdo played as left half in the first spell, but was shifted to inside left for the second, and he was undoubtedly more at home there. Dimmock was tricky and sent across some nice centres, but would be well advised to centre just a bit sooner than he has been doing. Pinkney was always dangerous and at times showed a nice turn of speed. He has a wide knowledge of the game and is a decided acquisition to any team. Sandy Todd did not see a great deal of the ball, but when he did he caused the black defence to move quickly. Smith was as steady as usual and made some nice openings for his winger. Readington played a speedy game, but found Scandrett a worry. Hill had a heavy day’s work and gave a really brilliant exhibition. There is no doubt he is the best goalie on view. Tourell and B. Scandrett bore the brunt of the defence and neither were disgraced, Scandrett, being if anything, a shade the better. Campbell was the brains of the B team and gave a first-class exhibition. There was not much to choose between he and McKay. Woodham was erratic at times, but he was well covered, and nothing serious happened. Reg. is apt to get a bit rattled, but otherwise defends well. Howden was up against a hot proposition and by no means had the worst of jt. Cullen was very disappointing and played as if he did not care. Greaves played up well to Heyricks and Cullen, but he seems to get bustled when near goal. Heyricks found McKay too good for him and was never prominent. Kendall was very patchy in the first half, but improved considerably in the second. Fitzpatrick was called on to play at the last minute and could not do himself justice. A better place than the leader pages of the dailies to study the Chinese problem is the dressing-room of the Celestial Soccer team now touring Australia (says a Sydney Bulletin writer). These youths are all university or college boys or graduates. A glance around the room shows that there is as much difference between one Chinaman

and another as between a Finn and an ! Italian. A pale young man with the face of a Greek god run over by a steam-roller stands head and shoulders over a dark youngster with the features favoured by Australian cartoonists. The one is from Chihli, in the north; the other from Kuangtung, in the south. Shapes aren’t the only difference. The only one who could understand my smattering of mandarin came from Pekin. A lad from Shantung who had been educated in Shanghai spoke the Shanghai dialect to a college mate who came from Fukien, but they were both using a foreign language, just as an Australian might employ French in Paris to communicate with a Swede. With some pidgin’ English is the only common tongue. But politically they are all Nationalists, and as serious about it as they are about football, which, like Nationalism, was taught them by the British. The Aberdeen A.F.C. are touring South Africa. Though the tour will be short, and will preclude a Currie Cup tournament being held in South Africa, this year, it is certain to prove interesting, especially as it will be the first Scottish team to visit South Africa. From all accounts Aberdeen has a strong side particularly in the halfback line. The team consists of fifteen players, a team manager, and one of the directors of the club, and will play thirteen matches. Their colours are black and gold stripes, and their nickname “The Dons,” because their ground is alongside the River Don. The referee is present on the ground during a game of Soccer to control the play, not to be controlled by the players. But one might be excused sometimes for thinking that the reverse is the case, judging by the frequent absurd appeals that players make for all sorts of infringements, both real and imaginary (says a writer in the Evening Post). Referees are as a whole quite capable of controlling a game without such frequent suggesti6ns from the players; it may not be possible for them to see every incident—the linesmen are entitled to remedy this defect, but they see a great deal more than some players give them credit for, and they are as a rule better judges as to whether an infringement is intentional or not, or calculated to give the offending side the advantage if a free kick is awarded. Incessant appealing, too often coupled with disparaging remarks about the referee’s eyesight, do not tend to make the game more enjoyable fbr anyone, and captains of the sides containing offenders might take a hand in stopping the abuse. Law 15 says that, in the event of any supposed infringement of the laws, the ball shall be in play until a decision has been given. Judging by what sometimes takes place one might think that the ball is “dead” as soon as an appeal has been made. A closer study of the rules would do some players no harm. On Saturday in a senior game one player deliberately clasped another round the waist and threw him to one side a la Rugby; he said that as his opponent was facing his goal he was entitled to do what he liked to him. Law 9 says—“lf a player turns so as to face his own goal when he is tackled or is obviously aware that he is about to be tackled by an opponent, he is intentionally obstructing, and may be charged from behind.” This is very different from “doing anything you like to him.”

THE SOUTHLAND TEAM The selectors have had a very difficult task in selecting the team to represent Southland against the. Canadians and there are few who will find a great deal of fault with the result of their efforts. The game has made great strides in Southland this season and the standard of play shown is many removes higher than that on view last year. One reason that may be given is the large amount of men from the home country who are playing the game here. Every team in the competition has men in its ranks who were taught their football at home and this can be given as the main reason for the improvement. Consequently the selectors had, I might say, to pick the team on the form shown this season. And this is how it should be. No man should be selected on reputation. Of course, they could not please everybody but taken as a whole the team will meet with general satisfaction. The only surprise, to Pioneer at any rate, was the selection of Greaves. While not saying Greaves will not fill the bill—l hope he will and vindicate the selectors’ choice— I consider McMurdo was the man for the position. Mac has played inside left several times this season and when shifted to that position in the second half of Saturday’s trial, gave a display that should have earned him a place in the team. Pioneer considers him very unlucky. Greaves is a young player, and a promising one but his football brain has yet to be fully developed. He is very apt to be at a loss when near goal—just the wrong place for a man in his position to be in doubt—but he is a solid grafter with plenty Of dash. His display in the exhibition game to-day will be watched with interest. Go to it lad and show ’em what you’re worth. Westland’s defeat of the Canadians ought to have far-reaching effects. Coming so early in the South Island tour it is going to cause exponents of the code in this part of New Zealand to keep their “tails well in the air” as they will realise what Pioneer pointed out early in the tour that the tourists are only mere men and are not invincible.

THE CANADIANS MORE ABOUT THE WELLINGTON MATCH. Undoubtedly Tait is quite the best man in his position who has ever been seen on a local field (says a writer in the Evening Post). The quiet and almost nonchalant, manner in which he carried out his work stamps him easily as a goalkeeper far ahead of anything that has yet been produced in New Zealand. His anticipation was excellent, and he never seemed to take unnecessary steps or make an awkward movement. Admittedly, some of the Wellington shooting was lamentably weak, but one or two shots had Tait thinking; but even under pressure, he carried out his work with a machine-like precision that earned for him the well merited praise of the crowd. He has an advantage in his height, which makes him a very hard man to beat with anything like an ordinary shot, and being lithely built and active, he covers a great deal of ground with comparatively little effort. It seems that theT only shot that is likely to give him trouble would be a fast ground shot. In the match, the Wellington forwards were shooting far too high for the shots to seriously worry the Canadian custodian. Both the full-backs, Crawley and Edmunds, gave a fine display of safe football, and many promising Wellington attacks came abruptly to an end when they got as far as the Canadian full-back, line. It was pitiable to see the local men robbed of the ball. Barton and Cudby, the Wellington wingers, will have cacse to remember the safe play of Crawley and Edmunds for many a long day. The full-backs were rarely caught out of position, and it was unusual for them not to find safety if they were. The pick of the halves was Monaghan, who played in the right half position. He displayed a nicety of judgment with his passes that must have been very disconcerting to the Wellington men. He was responsible for sending his side away on many occasions. Of the forwards, Archibald (centre) and Turner (inside left), were the most outstanding. Both these men demonstrated that they could shoot straight and hard. Turner was the scoring man, and netted both goals for the visitors. A sample of his hard shooting was given early in the second spell, when he sent in a shot which hit the cross-bar with cannon-like force. If the shot had been an inch lower it would have been a sure goal, as no goalkeeper could have stopped it. His first goal was scored with a swift, high shot, and the second was registered with an excellent header, for which he had to jump high. The shooting of the Canadians generally was good, and whenever they got into a scoring position they never failed to send

in a shot which finished somewhere near the net. RETURN VISIT CONTEMPLATED. The question of a New Zealand representative Soccer team paying a return visit to Canada was broached at a recent meeting of the New Zealand Council, when the chairman, Mr A. Varney, asked Mr J. Adams if he would bring the matter before , the Canadian Association. Mr Adams replied that this was a matter i which would need to come before the an- • nual meeting of the association, and the : team would be back just in time for that meeting in September. He indicated that a winning team was necessary for a financially successful tour, instancing the success of the English team’s tour, which brought a balance on the right side, and the visit of the Corinthians to Canada. The latter were not a winning team, so were not a big enough attraction, and that tour resulted in a deficit of about 5000 dollars. Although it is early yet, the end of the tour may show that a fully representative New Zealand team can extend Canada’s best to the full, and that the visit of an All Black team to Canada would be a paying and attractive proposition. If ever a New Zealand team does visit Canada, said Mr Adams, they can rest assured of a most hearty welcome. TRIBUTE TO NELSON TEAM OPINION OF MR. ADAM. BEST TEAM WORK AND COMBINATION YET MET. A tribute to the Nelson Soccer representatives was paid by Mr. Adam, manager of the Canadian team, during the course of a speech at the dinner to the team. “We enjoyed the game,” he said. “The first half was really a game of football. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You put up a good performance and showed the best combination and team work that we have yet struck.” (Applause). Going on to give some friendly advice, Mr. Adam added: “Just try and play the ball and forget the man and you will find that you will get on much better. Take the tip of an old footballer and play the short passing game, and take one man to cover an opponent and not two. Don’t shoot too far out; try to work the ball in on the goalkeeper and he has not a chance.” The remarks of Mr. Adam, given with evident sincerity, were warmly appreciated by the Nelson team.

HONOURING AN OLD IN VERC ARGILLITE IN CANADA GEORGE DEWE’S SERVICES TO EDMONTON CRICKET FITTINGLY RECOGNISED. PRESENTED WITH GOLD WATCH. Many old Southlanders will remember Mr. George Dewe who went to school in Invercargill over 50 years ago and later resided in Christchurch before migrating to Canada. Mr. Dewe, some of whose reminiscences appear in a letter to this office published elsewhere in to-day’s issue, was a keen cricketing enthusiast in Invercargill and Christchurch and has done yeoman service in establishing the game in Edmonton (Alberta), so much so that he was recently honoured for his services in this direction. The following report, culled from the Edmonton Journal of April 20, speaks for itself:— The cricketers of Edmonton held their annual get-together at the Albion hall last night, under the chairmanship of A. I. Murdoch, president of the league. The Press cup and the Howe cup were presented to the winning teams, George Dewe, the greatest cricket booster in Edmonton, was presented with a gold watch, and an allround good time was had by all in attendance. The outstanding feature of the evening was the presentation to Mr. Dewe, made on behalf of Edmonton cricketers by W. J. Tiplin. In presenting the handsome timepiece Mr. Tiplin made suitable reference to the fine work done by Mr. Dewe in connection with the western Canada tournament held here last summer, one of the most successful ever held. It was largely owing to the indefatigable efforts of Mr. Dewe, said the speaker, that the tournament was such a great success. The big bulk of the organisation work fell on Mr. Dewe’s shoulders, he collected most of the funds needed to put the tournament over, and in every way worked early and late for the success of the big event. Mr. Tiplin said he was sure he voiced the opinion of all local cricketers when he stated that an appreciation of this work was in order and he had great pleasure in making the presentation to Mr. Dewe. Mr. Dewe made a feeling reply, in the course of which he said it had afforded h>m a great deal of satisfaction to work for the tourney. He had been a cricket lover and player for some fifty years, and the encouragement of the game was one of his greatest hobbies. He had had the hearty co-operation of everybody connected with the game locally, and was sure he could have no finer lot of sportsmen to work with and for. Not only did the receive fine support from Edmonton business men in connection with the tourney, but from business men all over the country. In closing Mr. Dewe expressed his warm appreciation of the kindness of the cricketers and f?aid the watch would be one of his most treasured possessions. The inscription on the timepiece is as follows: “Presented to George Dewe by the cricketers .of Edmonton in appreciation of his work in connection with the 1926 interprovincial tournament.”

OBITUARY NOTICE EXIT—THE CAPTAIN. By the sudden death last Sunday, of Mr. Robert Kidd, many anglers have lost a lovable and congenial friend. Te deceased’s obliging and generous nature was a byword with a large number of local anglers. His wonderful mechanical turn of mind made practically ah things possible in the way of mending and making fishing tackle, and many a “buckshee” job was turned out by him, his only reward being embraced in the fact that he was proud to turn out a real good job, and many a Te Anau Salmon was lured to tife “rise” with splendid spoon baits and artificial minnows, made out of old spoons and knife handles respectively. His was a most ingenious mind. And on the river one could not meet a more cheery soul. His optimism was unbounded, and when fish were hard to move his efforts were doubled and his ewwiciency increased to a very high standard. He was a lover of nature too, and oft would contemplate the beautiful panoramic pictures' presented to the observant beholder on our lovely Southland streams. Some of my readers will perhaps remember a series of stories, in which the prominent characters were Wirewhiskers and the Captain. The Captain’s soul has journeyed forth to the happy hunting grounds, and may peace rest his ashes.

Taranaki Goals for . 10 Goals against 1 Wanganui . 7 0 Manawatu . 6 0 Wellington 0 Marlborough . 11 0 Nelson . 5 0 Buller . 2 0 Westland 0 1 Totals . 43 2