ELECTRIC SOCCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 664, 16 May 1929, Page 13

ELECTRIC SOCCER

THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT N.Z. NAVY BEATS IMPERIAL The luck of the Navy held good at Blandford Park last evening. A fine day dried out the ground thoroughly, and the mild weather attracted a large crowd which overflowed the grandstand and included a large contingent from the ‘•silent service,” whose continuous barrage of barracking added much to the enjoyment of a lively game. The New Zealand Navy, with the Dunedin, Diomede and Philomel to call on, carried far too many big guns for the Imperial Forces, which were restricted to the sloops Laburnum and Veronica for a recruiting ground. But in spite of this big handicap the Imperial men put up a gallant fight against overpowering odds, and were loudly cheered for a stubborn and willing resistance against opponents with superior power in all departments. BREEZY BARRACKERS The Imperialists in the stand promptly christened the All White New Zealanders the “Bag wash” brigade, and cheered frantically for the “S-s-s-loooops!” At times the suggestions from the side-line were somewhat ferocious, the hard-pressed Imperial men being urged to “bite” their ever-pressing opponents, or to ”set ’em alight.” The turf was in splendid condition after the heavy rains. Some new men from the Diomede, making their debut in Auckland, proved highly-finished exponents of the Soccer code, Clark at centre-forward being an accomplished expert in that position, and giving a display which has rarely been bettered at Blandford Park. One goal of his from about 35yds out was a revelation in long-range shooting at a small target. Tite and Wright were also in great form in the firing line, and superior shooting gave New Zealand a somewhat easy win. the ball registering on the b&ck of the net no fewer than seven times. Eacock, who played for Shore last season,, put up a great defence in the Imperialists’ goal and kept his flag flying till the last shot. Horton and Giles led the Imperial van in many daring but fruitless reprisals, but the sloops’ back division found thc lively New Zealand line too much of a handful at times. Reid, at centre-half, and Miles, at fullback, shone out among the “bagwash” backs. Tho naval men are now undergoing intense Soccer, training with a view to important bouts pending when Diomede meets Dunedin for the divisional champions’ laurels, and the combined navies meet the Auckland representatives on King’s Birthday. An even more important engagement, from the service point of view, is the challenge match in Sydney between the New Zealand and the Commonwealth naval representatives, and there is keen competition among all hands for thc honour of getting a place in the representatives of the fleet.