FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19806, 23 May 1934, Page 5

FOOTBALL

NEWS AND NOTES (By Onlooker") The Old Boys-Star match on Saturday was easily the best exhibition of football seen at Fraser Park this season, and it was appropriate that the game should draw the largest attendance this season. The defeat of the Star fifteen—last years premiers—and Zingari’s meritorious win over Temuka, last year’s runners-up, has brought the competition to an interesting stage. The following table shows the position of teams after the first three matches:— '•g g £ s >» £3 £ . 'Z d 3 3 S 2 js £ 3 a, £ ,j q p, < o Old Boys .. 3 3 0 0 48 18 6 Pleasant Pt. .. 3 2 1 0 20 11 4 Zingari .. 3 1 0 2 23 20 4 Star .. .. 3 2 1 0 29 27 4 Waihi .. .. 3 1 1 1 17 15 3 Temuka .. 3 1 2 0 37 29 2 Geraldine ..3 0 2 1 9 33 1 Celtic .. 3 0 3 0 15 45 0 The most sensational upset of the season was achieved by Zingari in their defeat of Temuka, runners-up in the competition last year. It must be admitted that the country team took the field with a depleted team, but the same also applied to Zingari, who were without the services of the Pye brothers and Wilkinson, and on the day, the Yellows were the superior side. So far this season, Zingari have played draws against Waihi and Geraldine, and their victory over Temuka should give them a decided fillip. It is to be hoped that the Club is on the up grade, and that this seasson it will be able to regain the prestige it once held in senior football in Timaru. A. M. Hartnell, the ex-Canterbury forward, fully justified his city reputation by his exhibition in the Old Boys pack against Star on Saturday. He gave a sound example of what is required of a forward both in the tight and the loose, and was ably supported by a hard working and energetic pack. The Star pack also toiled hard, and there was no one on the field more impressive in this department of the game than T. Gunn. If the Zingari back line could only establish a combination it would be one of the best rearguards in the competition. As things are there is no connecting link, and individually the players lack polish and initiative. Bishop, at the base of the scrum, is sound on defence but his transfers on Saturday were too high, which had the effect of slowing up the attack. Samways, who has come to Zingari from the ranks of Southern, Wainiate, played a solid game, but he lacks the thrust which one expects to find in a five-eighth.

The Temuka attack lacked sting on Saturday, but that was probably due to the fact that they have not been able to field a regular combination since the season started. Blyth and Goodson got through a lot of solid work on the defensive, and on the few occasions when they were given possession showed flashes of their usual form. Blyth, who scored a good try, appeared to be short of a run.

Although at times during the first session of the Old Boys-Star match on Saturday there were cries from the grandstand concerning the frequent use of the whistle, the referee (Mr W. Direen) is to be complimented on the firm attitude he adopted in regard (o the offside rulfe. He proved that there was nothing like a free kick in front of the posts to sober up two over-eager packs of forwards, and when these kicks were liberally handed out in the first session they had the effect of calling for strict observance of the rules, and of treating spectators to first-class football in the second half.

W-ihi and Celtic staged an evenly contested game at Winchester, the home side scoring a meritorious win. Waihi fully compensated for what they lacked in brilliance by the solid nature of their play. Possessing a heavy and vigorous pack, it was pleasing to see the country team making more use of concerted back play, and it would seem that sound coaching would do a great deal to improve matters in this connection. R. Jamieson was again the mainstay of the backs, both on attack and defence, while C. Higginbottom gave a safe exhibition at full-back. The Waihi forwards were a fairly even lot. G. South and Pemberton played solidly in the tight, while Whiting, an exAshburton representative player- and wing-forward for the Combined Team against the British tourists in 1930, was conspicuous in the open, being responsible for good spoiling work and combining with the backs on occasions.

G. Gaffaney, was undoubtedly the best back on the ground in the StarOld Boys match on Saturday. He was responsible for many fine openings and was always solid on defence. Although some critics might consider that Gaffaney should let the ball out more, he proved on Saturday, that it is very often wise to draw the opposing inside backs, and thus make scoring possibilities from a concerted rush, more secure. The defence of practically all the Old Boys’ rearguard, was surprisingly sound, while little fault could be found with their attacking movements. Although the Star backs generally gave an exhibition below what was expected of them, it would have taken a very good team to have downed Old Boys on the day.

The Zingari pack had things much their own way on Saturday, beating Temuka for possession in a majority of scrums and line-outs. From the

kick-off they held a territorial advantage, and by solid packing and well finished loose rushes had the Magpies on the defensive for the greater part of the game. Outstanding in the loose was Camellie, a newcomer to the Zingari side. He was on the ball all the time and twice gained large slices of ground when he broke through with the leather at his toe. He also shone in the line-outs and was easily the best forward on the ground.

For the first time this season at Fraser Park, games were scheduled to commence at 2.45 insteed of 3 p.m. The decision of the Union was in the right direction as play was commenced on No. 1 ground at 3 p.m, instead of after 3 p.m., as was the case in earlier matches. On No. 2 ground, however, the Temuka team did not put in an appearance at the dressing sheds until 2.45, and the Zingari team and the referee were on the field for some minutes before the country side filed out. Punctuality is a word which apparently has no place in the dictionaries of most senior players, who should realise that a prompt 2.45 start is desired by the Union and spectators, and w r ill also obviate any complaints from players about having to finish matches in the dark now r that daylight saving has been cut out for the winter

A good example was set by the Washdyke junior team which had an engagement at Fraser Park at 1.30 p.m. The entire team was at the grounds at 1 p.m., soon after the gates were opened.

Although they were well beaten, the Temuka park toiled hard till the final whistle and, in the closing stages when the scores were even, they renewed their efforts in a desperate attempt to pull the game out of the fire. Duke, McCully and J. Stewart stood out both in the tight and loose. Duke also was fairly successful with the ball, converting a try and goaling twice from penalties.

Celtic put up a stout resistance to Waihi at Winchester on Saturday. Though down 8-3 at half-time they pressed the home side to a 2-point lead only to see it increased to five as the result of a good passing rush. Tn the final half hour Celtic on several occasions went close to scoring, but lack of finish nullified the efforts. However, there was no disgrace in the defeat; on the other hand the fighting effort of the town team augurs well for the future. Celtic cannot hope to win many matches this season, but it should be their aim to endeavour to build up a team for the future. At the present rate of improvement, it is not unlikely that the club may provide an upset before the season is finished. On Saturday, Delury showed good form at full-back. Though inclined to be slow in movement, his kicking is a great asset to his side. Sinclair showed speed on the wing, and was responsible for a splendid solo effort. The backs for the most part were harassed by the fast-breaking Waihi forwards. Though out-weighted, the Celtic packmen gave a good exhibition, and stood up to their opponents in fine style.

King, the Zingari custodian, is a player who is worth a lot of points to his side. He possesses great goal kicking ability and from anywhere inside the halfway line is dangerous. On Saturday he succeeded with two kicks from 35 to 40 yards out and well over towards the touchline, and scored 11 of Zingari’s 14 points off his boot. Apart from his goal kicking he saved his forwards time and again by judicious line kicks.

Alan Campbell, a former champion heavyweight boxer of the Dominion, had his first run with tne Star pack on Saturday against Old Boys, and was always doing his share of the work in the tight.

E. Ryan, Temuka and South Canterbury wing-threequarter, was a notable absentee from the country side on Saturday. Ryan is suffering from an injured knee and may be on the bank for three weeks. His place was filled by A. Horgan, but he had hardly got warmed up when he sustained a broken jaw and concussion and had to retire.

Although Geraldine was a man short in the forwards and Pleasant Point likewise short in the backs the senior game, resulting Pleasant Point 3, Geraldine 0, played on the Geraldine Oval, which was in an exceedingly heavy state, proved an interesting and hard fought match. The first spell was keenly contested, play moving up and down the field, but it ended without score. Pleasant Point pressed vigorously on resuming, Geraldine striving desperately to resist the attack, but a gruelling struggle in the home team’s corner saw Guy force his way over. In spite of the greasy nature of the ground there were some good passing movements, the Point back line playing better in this connection. Although the Geraldine players were within an ace of scoring on several occasions they appeared to lack the final thrust for successfully completing their attacks.

Geraldine on Saturday called on the services of T. Watson and W. Angland, who, with L. Neutze, played a splendid game, Watson’s work in the loose doing much to nullify Pleasant Point’s attempts at back play. Thorp, the Geraldine half-back, gave an outstanding display on defence, his rush stopping and fielding the ball being excellent considering the almost unplayable nature of the water-logged ground. S. Callanan, centre, was responsible for a bright exhibition. The Geraldine forwards put up a very stubborn resistence to their much heavier opponents. Pleasant Point’s strength lay in the forwards, who adapted themselves well to the ground, being led by Guy, who played an outstanding game. Dewar, Halstead, and Cartwright were the pick of the Point backs, Cartwright beingconspicuous for splendid defensive work.