Association.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18785, 14 June 1929, Page 3

Association.

TO-MORROW’S GAMES.

The first round of the Hurley Shield competition will be completed’ to-mor-row. The chief attraction will be the meeting of Thistle and Nomads at English Park. On performances against the other clubs, there has been little to choose between these two teams this season, and Thistle are now leading Nomads by one point for first place on the league ladder. To-morrow’s game should indicate the probable winners of the championship. Both teams will be at full strength, Thistle having the services of Trotter in the front line for the second time this year. After a game last week, the ex-Nomads centre should be striking form, and at his best he takes a lot of stopping. Also included in the Thistle ranks will be D. Sutherland, M’Leod and A. Walker, who represented Canterbury against Wellington on June 3. M’Leod is another ex-Nomads player. Nomads also claim three 1929 Canterbury reps., Allen, Frickleton and Mus* croft, whilst Smith and Wilson are ever dangerous forwards. For the rest, both teams play an attractive game of combined football, and with such general interest attached to this fixture, Soccer followers may safely anticipate a fast, keen and thrilling display. The result of the Sumner v. St Albans match will also be watched with considerable interest. By their defeat of Western last week, Sumner have moved into third place on the table, two points behind Nomads. Their chances against St Albans look very bright, and should Nomads be defeated, they would then be equal for second place. The rapid progress of this young seaside team has proved the surprise of the season, and it would be very gratifying to see such an eleven, composed of enthusiastic and fit young players, occupying one of the top places on the league ladder. The other games are: Western v. Rangers, at Spreydon, and New Brighton v. Kaiapoi, at Hagley No. 2. Both should provide very even and interesting contests. Western have their last week’s defeat by Sumner against them, but no one will look for another such poor display From them in a long while, and they will probably account for the improved Rangers. Kaiapoi and New Brighton, on a neutral ground, look very evenly matched, and an interesting game and a sharing of the points are promised. Chatham Cup in Auckland. The first round of the Chatham Cup on Saturday produced several typical cup-tie encounters (says the Auckland “Star”). An extra half-hour was necessary in the Thistle-Y.M.CA. game, making it necessary to finish the second fixture at headquarters in floodlight. Celtic gave Ponsonby their quietus after a dour struggle, and Trams easily accounted for Corinthians.

Bon Accord and Manurewa, two B grade sides, defeated Onehunga and Belmont respectively, and with Northcote make a trio from their section in the second round.

YJVLC-A. and Thistle provided, a hardcontested match and an exciting finish. At the outset Y.M.C.A. were in the picture, and Humphreys scored from a well-placed corner kick. This was followed by a goal by M’Auslan. Then Thistle woke up. and Kay, Chalmers and Webb quickly added goals, which put them one up at halftime. The second half was furiously contested, and Humphreys scored near the close, the bell going with the scores even. Thistle made no mistake when the extra time was played, goals being added by Hislcp and Kay. Wellington Doings. With the first round of the championship games completed, Saturday was occupied with the first rounds of the Challenge Cup in the various divisions. In the senior A cup, Petone were too good for Institute, winning 6-2, while Marist won by the odd goal in seven against Waterside. The Thistle-Y.M.C.A. encounter resulted in a win for Y.M.C.A. by 2-1, and at Hospital the Hospital team lost to Diamonds by 1-2. —Wellington “Dominion.” Dunedin Notes. Considerable interest and surprise attached to the concluding matches in the first round for the Fletcher Cup championship, played last week. The redoubtable Seacliff team went down to defeat at the hands of High School Old Boys, by the odd goal in three Thus the suburban eleven were reduced to the position of sharing the lead with Technical Old Boys, and tomorrow’s meeting between these two teams is sure to draw a large crowd. Northern apparently got a shock, too, at the Gardens ground, where Mornington romped home by 4 to 1. Followers of the code in Christchurch will be pleased to learn that M’Dougall, the ex-Nomads, Canterbury and New Zealand custodian, gave a sound display in His first match in the southern city. He has signed on for Mosgiel, well down on the championship ladder, and a Dunedin critic states that it was largely owing to his game on Saturday last that Mosgiel were defeated by only four goals in their game with Maori Hill instead of by a cricket tally. M’Dougall has shown himself a good sportsman in turning out for the “under dog ” and Mosgiel will probably find themselves considerably strengthened by his inclusion. i*: x Scottish League. „ Scottish-born Soccer patrons now in New Zealand will be interested to learn that, according to recent advices from Home, Glasgow Rangers, with a match to go. were assured of an easy win in the Scottish League First Division, while Celtic and Motherwell were fighting for second place. With two

matches to play, Raith Rovers were doomed to go down to the Second Divi sion, and Third Lanark seemed likely to follow them. Greenock Morton and Dundee United have played themselves into the First Division. The following are the latest tables available, showing the positions after the games played on April 20:

First Division. Matches. Goals. P. W L. D F. A. P. Rangers 36 29 1 6 103 31 64 37 21 9 7 64 42 49 Motherwell .... 37 19 18 10 SO 66 48 37 19 10 8 90 56 46 Queen’s Park .. 36 17 13 6 97 67 40 37 16 13 8 SO 67 40 St Mirren 36 16 13 7 78 71 39 36 16 14 6 So 67 38 36 14 14 S 76 69 36 St Johnstone .. 37 13 14 10 55 69 36 Falkirk 37 13 16 s 66 85 34 37 12 16 9 55 81 33 Hibernian .... 37 13 18 6 53 63 32 Cowdenbeath .. 37 13 19 5 53 68 31 Airdrieonians . . 37 12 18 7 55 63 31 Clyde 37 12 19 6 45 68 30 Ayr United —. 36 11 18 7 63 78 29 36 9 17 10 57 64 2S Third Lanark .. 37 10 21 6 70 90 26 Raith Rovers .. 36 9 23 4 50 103 22

Second Division. Matches. Goals. P. W. L . D. F. A. P 35 23 9 3 97 54 49 35 20 7 8 86 48 48 Arbroath 35 IS S 9 89 59 45 Albion Rovers . 35 17 10 8 S9 65 42 Leith Athletic . 35 17 11 7 73 55 41 St Bernard .... 35 16 10 9 77 54 41 Forfar Athletic 34 14 10 10 67 69 3S Queen of South 35 ■16 15 4 84 76 36 East Fife 34 15 14 5 86 75 35 Bo'ness 34 14 15 5 Cl 62 33 Dunfermline A 35 13 15 7 65 70 33 East Stirling .. 35 14 17 4 70 72 32 35 11 IB 8 57 SO 30 Alloa 35 11 17 7 62 78 29 King’s Park .. 35 8 14 13 60 82 29 Clydebank 11 20 5 69 84 27 Arthur' 32 9 16 7 51 73 25 Stenhousemuir . 35 9 20 6 51 90 24 Armadale .... 35 8 20 7 16 94 23