SOCCER CODE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21086, 12 July 1938, Page 5

SOCCER CODE

HEAVY GROUNDS ON SATURDAY ART OF THROWING IN (By "Sphere.”) Conditions were not favourable to players or spectators on Saturday afternoon, Anzac Reserve and Russell Square being too heavy for fast football. There was too much cross-talk between the players on both sides at Russell Square. The referee has only one pair of eyes, and with the ball travelling rapidly, from end to end, he had a great deal of running to do. An appeal for trivial irregularities should be avoided, as too much whistle spoils the game for everybody. The referee can hardly be expected to see every incident in any game. Pirates front line was well served by Smith in the centre-forward position in the game against Central. Apart from his registering four good goals, he was quite unselfish, and swung the ball about a good deal. Pirates’ wingers have a tendency to get just a little too far in front. It is well to remember, that the defending side is usually awarded the benefit of any doubt in the referee’s judgment. Both Jeffrey and Western defended well for Pirates. Cordiner played a better game for Central in the full-back position on Saturday. Bearing he brunt of the attack he cleared the heavy ball with good judgment. Fulton was missed from the Central defence. Duncan, in his old position at right half, showed good form, and with the assistance of McAuliffe during the second spell Central would have fared better. Allan and Shears on Central left and right wings, keep on improving. Coaching is having a definite result with the boys. There were fewer infringements on Saturday and the play was even. Malcolm Young, inside right for Main, shows distinct promise, and Page is always In good form. Efforts are being made to provide suitable jerseys for the lads, and now’ that a definite start has been made for the Conner Shield, the games should become more interesting among the boys.

Waitaki Cup The Association has in its possession a Cup known as the Waitaki Cup. This trophy was presented by the Oamaru Football Club some years ago for competition between the school boys of Oamaru and Timaru, and the local Association would do well to arrange a game this season. As Timaru has possession of the trophy the game would need to be played he r e. A representative schools’ eleven, would give the boys something to strive for, and attain. When the Australian school boys’ teams visited this district some years ago, victory rested with the local eleven.

Secondary school football is going slowly forward. The Technical High School has always kept the soccer code alive, thanks being due to Mr Davidson. who has always taken a keen Interest in the game, and there is plenty of room for expansion in this division throughout the district. It will be of little use to coach the boys at Uie primary schools if they are to be lost when they reach the secondary division. Perhaps an eleven will be foun 1 in the District High Schools soon. The code was popular for a while in Temuka, and with a satisfactory coach a secondary schools team could be got together them, as there must be seme lads willing to link up with the game.

Throwing in From Touch During most of the games on Saturday there was not enough advantage taken by the side, when throwing the ball into play from touch. Too much time in many cases was taken up before the half-back got possession to throwin. The ball should be thrown in as smartly as possible, not necessarily to the ground, and with consistent practise a long throw can be attained when desirable. The side that has been awarded the ball has always the advantage; “possession is nine points of the law,” and coaches should insist on practice of throwing in when opportunity offers. The corner kick is often a wasted opportunity to score, and during this season has more than once been a benefit rather than a menace to the defending side. Give the leather the boot when taking a comer kick, and give your side a chance to “head” the ball through the goal. A short kick from the comer position is of little use as a scoring unit.