THE SOCCER GAME.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 170, 24 August 1914, Page 2

THE SOCCER GAME.

BROWN SHIELD MATCH. Tfre final Brown Shield match of this season has been played, and Canterbury retains this not altogether, unmixed blessing. Four Saturdays have been devoted to these matches, and I very much question whether Association football in Canterbury is any the better for them. It is quite time that the rules governing this interesting trophy were revised. No province should be called upoiTto give four Saturdays in one season to defend it, end, as in the case of Canterbury, deprive some 600 players of their Saturday's exercise. It would be far better for the sport, and would spread the interest, if the Brown Shield contests were played off in a series of rounds. Let each Island fight it down to one team, and if a South Island team holds it, the winning team in the North Island should be allowed to play the first challenge match with the holders. In the event of the challengers beingsuccessful the - ex-holders should have a right to meet their conquerors on,the latter's ground. Such a system would foster interest in soccer, and would save much money. Had this system been in vogue this year,- the Ilawke's Bay farce would not, have bteen enacted. But now to Saturday;'s game. -Canterbury's team was exactly the same as that which beat Wanganui a fortnight previously, and the goodly crowd of spectators was keyed up to a high state of excitement. A great game was expected, and that expectation was realised. The Otago men had been in strict training for more than a month past, and were most sanguine. From the kick-off Canterbury showed ' a marked superiority in forward play, and delighted the spectators with some of the prettiest passing they had ever seen, although, unfortunately, the final effort was invariably wild. Whether this was due to over-anxiety or to nerves I know not, but never before has it been my lot to see Canterbury in such poor shooting form. Of all the shots in the first half—and Canterbury had many —only one was worthy of notice, and that came from G. Norman. Bissett, who played an otherwise faultless game, was a grave offender in this respect. Three times he skied the ball —in the words of an over-excited patron, "miles over!" Ward did not show to advantage. His finishing touches were invariably weak. Of course, he was up against a weighty player , in Grant. Still, this did not necessitate so much manumvring for position as Ward took. Tanner was also an offender when finish was needed. In the halves, with the exception of Clay, Canterbury was weak. Mitchell failed to make the most of his opportunities, and time and again he hung on to the ball too long, giving a most disappointing display after'his great game against Wanganui. Baxter was slow on Saturday, but lie managed to put in some good work. MjJTiy-lane was brii-

liant at back, his clean kicking and clever tackling bringing unstinted applause. The Otago team was practically tied to its own half for the Whole of the first spell, and gave a rather disappointing exhibition. Booker and Rarity, the two reputedly fast outside men, have much to learn in extreme wing play. They hampered the forwards by ' converging, instead of keeping the game open. Race, at centre forward, had a few good chances to get going, but he preferred to hold the game to short passing, and failed to take advantage of Canterbury's weak spot. Otago was indeed fortunate to finish the first half with no goals against it. On resuming after the half-time interval, Canterbury again put on pressure, the brothers Norman anil Bissett showing a marked superiority over their opponents. Shots were frequent, Canterbury having the hardest of luck. Harkness, the visitors' custodian, was hard pressed, and several times he cleared but weakly. Had the Canterbury men followed up their shots they would have been the gainers. Ward waiS decidedly uncomfortable with Grant. The latter player, used. v his weight to great advantage, and-certainly had the better of the exchanges. The first goal to Canterbury was a penalty one, and the referee's decision gave Otago great dissatisfaction. It undoubtedly was a case of '' hands,'' but whether accidental or not, who can tell? The Canterbury men were now playing a great game, and the second goal was only a matter of a few minutes later. It was a brilliant piece of work and well deserved. For fully thirty minuted of the second spell Canterbury had matters pretty much its own way. Then the game veered round and Otago got going well, some really fine play delighting the spectators. Race kept the game more open, and he was. very ably backed by Fraser. Canterbury had some anxious moments. Unfortunately, the Canterbury team was now playing with ten men, E. Norman leaving the field injured. This broke up, to a great extent, the combination of their vanguard. Otago's first goal, earoe from a penalty against Cornish, and this put great life into tlieir forwards, who kept up a series.;of attacks, equalising the scores a few minutes before time. So Canterbury retains the Shield till next season.

Otago's display was disappointing. The Southerners gave Canterbury a better game in the friendly representative match at the beginning of the season. Their long swinging passing then greatly bothered the Canterbury eleven. They kept the game very open and played with greater dash. This Saturday saw them playing the short passing game, and, compared with Canterbury, playing it badly. Certainly Canterbury had the major portion of the chances, but it was an "off day" for shooting. To my mind there was a three goals' difference between the teams, and the Otago men were fortunate. WANDEBER. .