BLUEJACKETS AT PLAY.

Wairarapa Age, 6 May 1924, Page 2

BLUEJACKETS AT PLAY.

DEFEATED BY WAIRARAPA. IN SOCCER MATCH. On arrival from the motor trip the Hood team mot the Wairarapa representatives at Soccer on the Park Oval. Owing to minor mishaps to the cars the - n arrived late, with the result th- o short spells had to 1 played. Considering that six members of the j Hood team were playing in the Squad- i ron team at Porirua, the combination I which took the field performed most » creditably. Honours in the forward ; division, went to the home team, whose j combined work was good considering ! the slippery nature of the ground, i Lusk (left wing) and Irwin (inside . left) showed the best form in 'die , Navy forwards. Wairarapa’s half L'ne ! wah not the equal of the visitors, while | the backs w’ere evenly matched. Lai.- | ris (right back) played prominently , for Wairarapa, while Trafford, tne ; Navy skipper, showed excellent de- ; fence. Knowles successfully guarded his net, turning out some good shots j from the Navy forwards. The teams were as follows: — | Hood (Blue): Goal, Gee; backs, Trafford (captain), G. Jones; halves, Hookway, D. Jones, Rickwood; forwards, Hammett, Palmer, Demelwick, Irwin, Lusk. Wairarapa (black and white): Goal, Knowles; backs, Harris, Nicholl; halves, Bolton, Walton, Timson; forwards, Birkett, Gray, Emerson (captain), Stacey, Collison. Referee: Mr R. Taylor. Wairarapa were first to attack, and after a spell in the Blue territory Trafford dispatched Lusk to the VMiite’s goal, coming out to save. Wairarapa returned to the attack, reckless shooting from a long way out repeatedly saving the situation for the Navy. A Blue attack, marked with pretty footwork, placed Wairarapa on the defence, a possible goal being saved by Harris, w r ho came across quickly to mix it with Palmer. Stacey set the White forwards again on the go, and a spectacular save was effected by Trafford who tackled Collison in the act of shooting from a good position. The White’s kept up txe pressure, and Jones conceded a corner to save. From a nicely placed kick-in Jones headed out, but Birkett I caught it on the full and slammed home the first goal. Wairarapa 1, Hood 0. A succession of raids by the Blue forwards followed, Lusk, Palmer, 1 and Irwin being unlucky with some shotg and reckless with others. Irwin and Lusk were soon again associated in a storm on the White goal, Harris ; once more upsetting the position. The attack was resumed, Hammett missing a splendid opportunity on an excel- i lent centre from Lusk. Wairarapa then took command Stacey heading one over the top from a corner. The ' ISTavy backs again cleared their goal, ■ and a swift centre from Lusk was ' headed in by Palmer, Knowles effect- ! ing a smart save. ' The Navy were first to attack in the second spell, Harris and Knowles being called on for some good defence. The attack was gradually turned back, and the Blue goalie was kept busy fending out shots from Emerson and Birkett. A good clearance was made from one shot, but Stacey got possession in a good position and drove a grounder into the corner of the net. Wairarapa 2, Hood 0. Walton almost repeated the dose a few seconds later, but Gee was equal to the shot and set his forwards in action. They carried on the movement, but found the defence of the home team too sound, the bell sounding without further score.