Association.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18786, 15 June 1929, Page 6

Association.

THISTLE V. NOMADS. The first round in the Hurley Shield competition was concluded to-day. Chief interest centred in the game between Thistle and Nomads at English Park, as Thistle were leading Nomads by one point in the race for the championship. A cold' wind blew across-the ground, which was heavy. The teams were as follows: Nomads—Wilder; Graham and Museroft; Scragge, J. Wilson and Thompson; Barwell, Allen, Smith, G. Wilson, rVickleton. Thistle —Gwillam, Johnston, G. Sutherland, A. Walker, A. Sutherland, M'Leod; Sp'eirs, 1). Sutherland, Trotter, Dick, Walker. There was a good attendance when Nomads kicked off. There was a thrill in the first minute, A. Wilson taking a pass from Barwell to shoot wide from the best of positions. From the other wing Frickleton electrified the crowd with a great cross-drive that skidded off the far upright. Thistle tried on both flanks b’efore A. Sutherland had an unsuccessful distance drive. Speirs sent in to Dick, whose ground shot Wilder cleared. Nomads came again and A. Wilson had Gwillam full out to make a great save. Still on the ground, Gwillam again fended out. A free kick to Nomads and then the Scots gained a corner on the right, but Wilder got it away. Trotter essayed a typical snap-shot, but Wilder proved safe. Sutherland made an opening and Trotter fanned the upright with a fast drive. In a desperate Nomads sally, A. Wilson was just off the target with a shot from the *ruck. With play swinging rapidly from end to end, feeling crept into the game and several players w r ere cautioned. L>. Sutherland put well up to Dick, who swung in for a nice drive, iust too high. Play quietened a bit, with Thistle keeping in their opponents’ territory. An exciting first half ended with the game in midfield and no score.

Thistle were first away from the restart, but Nomads sent them back and Frickleton was almost through with a great lob, Gwillam tipping it over the bar. Trotter received, slipped two opponents and sent the ball out to Speirs. A good effort by the winger was turned outside by Wilder in fine style. The pace was on again now, with both teams having their share. A great corner by Barwell was followed by some hot 'moments in Thistle’s area. From the - ruck the ball went back to Truscroft, but a strong drive by the bu.« k, Gwillam.. dealt with it capably. Allen went away in a great break, but shot behind. Frickleton was inches wide with a splendid ground shot on the crpss. At the other end Trotter worked .position, then drove wide. A corner to Nomads, then Speirs was away in a solo break, but his shot screwed wide. A. Sutherland gave G. Sutherland possession, the inside man passed to Trotter and the centre drove on the upright. Thistle lost-G. Sutherland, the full-back being sent to the pavilion. A great gamo ended just after with the score:— THISTLE 0 NOMADS 0 Referee: Mr M. Wilson.

NEW BRIGHTON V. KAIAPOI. Xew Brighton and K.tiapoi met at Hagley No. 2 ground. Tfc<> game began very brightly, both teams playing fast sind enterprising football. After ten minutes’ play Brighton began to show up the better. I>. Burns, J. Bird and .r. Cockle opening out a series of attacks. Kaiapoi, however, scored first, J. Bruce, centre forward, taking a smart pass from P. Wells on the right wing and putting it through from close quarters. Brighton had slightly more of the ball, and made frequent attempts on Ivaiapoi’s goal, but their luck was out, a number of shots which should have been productive miscarrying at the last moment. S. Bristow, for Kaiapoi, and J. Cruickshanks, for Brighton, were playing fine games. P. Knight opened the Brighton score with a fine shot which went right through from the left wing, beat the keeper, and bounded through off the goal-post. The spell closed immediately with the scores: Kaiapoi 1, Xew Brighton 1. Kaiapoi began the second half hotly, T. Xoble sending across some good stuff, with which his inside men gave Mitchell, Brighton's keeper, something to think about. Both sides kept the ball m play as' much as possible, and the ga«pe swept rapidly from one end of the field to the other. W. Morley, Kaiapoi’s 1.-it back, did fine work in stopping Xew Brighton’s dangerous open rushes. Both sets of forwards were shining, but the backs on either side were too good to let much pass. Kaiapoi had the better of the game in the last ten minutes, but the match ended without further score. XEW BRIGHTON 1 KAIAPOI 1 Mr J. Cawtheray was referee. SUMNER V. ST ALBANS. St Albans met Sumner at Richmond Park. In the opening stages play was weak, but a scuffle round the goalmouth saw Angas slip one in. St Albans 1, Sumner 0. Prom a penalty in the goal-mouth Dryden put in a hard one. St Albans 2, Sumner 0. Sumner battled hard to score, but could not finish off their movements. At last however, a good centre by Bell sa*v Stoneman put one in. St Albans 2 Sumr\gr 1. Sumner continued to press but the spell ended with the scores still— St Albans 2, Sumner 1. Prom the kick-off in the second spell Sumner attacked and after a period ol hot play Browne centred beautifullj for Stoneman to shoot in. St Albans 2 Sumner 2. Both teams began to gv excited and several times the referee had to warn players for arguing. Sumncr continued to press and Browne shoi hard, the bail going in off Einley Sumner 2, St Albans 2. Shortly afterwards the referee, Mr M'Baughlin, hac to warn a St Albans player for fouling Play ended:— S LIMNER 3 ST ALBANS 2 Referee: Mr W. jU’JLaughlin.

WESTERN V. RANGERS. Western met Rangers on Sprey don Park. Rangers won the toss and Western kicked oft' against sun and wind. Western attacked at first, and carried play down to- the Rangers’ goalmouth, •where W. Barnes, the Rangers left-back, m endeavouring to save, rnis-kicked and scored for the opposition. Rangers then attacked, and were later awarded two corners, but were unable to gain anything from them. Following a period of even play, Western gained a corner from which Pearston goaled. Western continued to attack, and two corners came in quick succession, but were fruitless. Up-and-down play followed. Rangers were awarded a penalty against Whittington. Mitchell took the kick, and goaled. Play remained even until half-time, with the score: Western 2, Rangers 1. On resuming. Western attacked, and from a scramble in the Rangers’ goalmouth Pours'?on scored. A long period of even play followed. Western gained r corner, but a misunderstanding among their forwards spoiled their chances of a goal. Western were now having all the better of the play and from about twelve yards out Pearston again scored. Rater Western were awarded a penalty. Ellis took the kick, but Flood saved. The game ended:— WESTERN * RANGERS 1 Referee: Mr J. Force,