SOCCER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18208, 15 July 1927, Page 13

SOCCER.

CHATHAM CUP.

FIRST ROUND TO-MORROW.

The first round of the Chatham Cup ■ill be played to-morrow, when the crack teams of the province will be seen in action. The Cup is in Christchurch still, after Sunnyside’s victory last year, but a hard struggle will be necessary to hold it with some of the strong northern clubs on the warpath. There is a chance, of course, with the clubs here streng-

thened with Svuinyside players, that the local winner will go a long way. Both Nomads and Western are particularly strong this year, and have among them some of the Sunnyside men. However, the result is yet to be seen. The Cup game at English Park tomorrow is between Western and Tech nical Old Boj'S, and if the Technical team reproduce their last. Saturday’s form it would not be surprising to see them beat Western, but they are a notoriously patchy team. They have been playing an outstanding game recently, last Saturday’s being of an exceptionally high standard. They had the redoubtable Nomads thinking hard. Their forwards are a very aggressive lot and contribute largely to the side’s success, but they will strike a set of forwards equal to any in the Western men. Both the teams are composed largely of 3 r oung players. Western are a very fine combination and form a team in the first rank in the game here. They also have a particularly aggressive set of forwards, which includes players of great ability. Western should win, but Technical are capable of putting up a surprise. It will be a game well worth watching whichever team wins.

The Nomads-Thistle game will be played at Richmond Park and should be a great contest. Nomads arc very strong at present, and the inclusion of Trotter will help them a lot. They are favoured many as the winners of the Chatham Cup here, and their form gives good foundation for this surmise. Thistle have done well this season and are always a good, reliable team. Nomads should win. NOTES. Jim M'Dougall has been definitely picked for the fourth Test against the Canadians to be played at Auckland to-morrow week, and there is a good chance of 1 rotter getting a game as well. The team, it is understood, will be the same as that which beat the

Canadians last Saturday, provided all the men can pet away, and as it is highly probable that, all will not be able to make the trip, Trotter looks

set for a game. M’Dougall gdes north on Saturday. The team is to assemble early in the week in order to got in

about a week’s practice, so it looks ;.s if New Zealand is right out after the rubber. With the improved team and a week’s practice, New Zealand ought to give the Canadians a good run

Commenting on the changes in the New Zealand team for the third Test, a Wellington writer says:—“Mr B. L. Salmon, the sole selector, made some drastic changes in New Zealand's team last Saturday. No fewer than six players were given marching orders. The greatest alteration was made in the half-back line, and the new selection made proved a success. It was the half-back line which let the New Zea land team down at Christchurch in the second Test. Cooper, Campbell, Burke, Ballard, Hooper and Nicolle replaced Jones, Tinkler, Steele, Balk, • Spencer and Hislop. Of the six new members Nicolle was the only real failure; although Cooper fell away a lot in the second half, he did great work in the first half. Mr B. L: Salmon has not at the time of writing announced his selection for the fourth Test, but I think the same team as that which took New’ Zealand to victory on Saturday, with the replacing of the right wing pair, Newman and Nicolle, would have an even chance of repeating the dose. The two right-wing men. if this is the change, I expect will likely be chosen from Auckland players. Innes, cf course, may go back as inside right, and Cumming, of Auckland, in place of Nicolle.” It has been decided, by mutual consent, to play the Western-Marist Junior match on North Park at 1.30 to-mor-

Lyttelton have given notice of their intention to default to Brighton cn Saturday, as the3' find it hard to get to Brighton, and also the press of shipping in the port at the present time will keep most of the team working for the afternoon. The New Zealand Soccer team for the fourth test at Auckland is: M’Doifgall, Anderson, M’Girr, Reid, Cooper, Campbell, Jones, Innes, Newman, Spencer, Hooper. M’Cormack, and Ballard (captain). The team assembles at Auckland on Monday and will practise at St Helliers. The Cup teams will take the field as follows:—Western—Andrews (goal), Sproston, Colville, Whittington, Roberts, Ellis, Sharpe, Barwell, Harbutt, Clements, Nelson. Technical Old Boys—Kirk (goal), Cajvtheray, Booth, Broadbelt, Muirson, Teichert, Bridgens, Barwell, Phelps, Teichert, Smith. The referee will be Mr Thornley.