Association.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 12

Association.

NOMADS WIN THE CHARITY CUP. After a very hard game at English Park, Nomads, for the first time, lu.d themselves in possession of the Charity

Villa, last year’s winners of the English Cup, put a very strong team into the field, and played a splendid game. \ iiia have the reputation of rising to the occasion when in a match of any importance and they Certainly gave Nomads a hard run on Saturday. For practically the whole of the first half, and a good bit of the second. Villa dominated the game. This was due in the main to fine forward work, Morley, Evans, and G. Walker bringing off movements which time after time delighted the spectators, but in spite of their splendid efforts, they were unable to pierce the Nomads’ defence. The play was the keenest seen on English Park this'season and at times was perhaps a little too keen.

Nomads have the reputation of seldom playing up to their true form in a game and this was well demonstrated on Saturday. At times there was practically no combination between individuals or divisions, a marked contrast to the .splendid attacking movements carried out by the well-combined Villa forwards. Except for M’DougaU and the two full-backs Grabam and Muscroft, Nomads in the first half played much below form. It was against the two Nomads’ full-backs that the strong attacks of Villa came to grief. Graham and Muscroft were kept at it without a let up all the match and time after time they brought off brilliant saves. James M’Dougall was not up to Ilia best form although on the whole he was a very sure goalie. At times he brought off some wonderful pieces of work and was continually cheered by the spectators. In the half line M’Leod stood out. His game was a mixture of steadiness and hard work, although his passing was a bit inaccurate. He showed good control with his head and an ability to head a ball a great distance. Scragg displayed control which it would be almost impossible to better. His passing was perfect and his habitual coolness allowed him to bring off some beautiful bits of work. lie played a very keen game at the top of his form and gave a fine exhibition of half-back play. Wilson, with Trotter, was the chief figure of the attack. He scored both goals for Nomads. His first goal was a beautiful hard low drive from a very difficult angle. Trotter was not nearly as impressive as usuA, during the first stages of the game but warmed up towards the end to play splendid football. His goal shooting, for him, was painfully inaccurate. Bryan was a great success in the forward line, liis weight and hard play making him difficult to deal with. Hindson came to light well and showed top,notch form. Jackson, the Villa goalie, was a very busy man in spasms, but did not let his team down. He brought off some very clever saves from bad positions. Till late in the game, A. Walker did not show up as he usually does, but when he warmed up there was no stopping him. He gave a great display. With him were Howarth and Mulcahy, both of whom played a very solid and keen game. Mulcahy was noticeable for his beautiful passing. The forwards were at the top of their form, and hardly made a mistake. They had hard luck in meeting such a very solid defence. Time after time the ball was brought through the length cf the field by keen and clever play, only to be cleared at the last moment. Some of the movements brought off by the inside forwards were splendid. T. Berry played a very solid and determined game and gave Nomads a let of trouble. QUEENSLAND V. N.S.W. (United Pres* Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, May 20. New South Wales defeated Queensland at League football by 16 points to 7.—Australian Press Association.