THE SOCCER CODE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 201, 26 August 1936, Page 4

THE SOCCER CODE

CHARITY CUP FINALISTS

As a result of last Saturday’s matches Eastbrooke and Thistle qualified for the final of the Charity Cup compel ition, to be played on Saturday next.

By

"SPECTATOR"

By displaying more penetrative ability and better shooting in the forwards Eastbrooke and Thistle ousted Athletic and Rangers respectively. For a period in the first half of the game Athletic held a decided territorial advantage over Eastbrooke, but the forwards again failed badly in front of goal. On the other hand. Eastbrooke were always dangerous on attack, and co-operation between the 'halves and forwards proved the deciding factor. For the first time for many Saturdays Thistle had more than a complement of players from which to select. The team will probably have a covetous eye on the handsome trophy at stake. Thistle have the most effective forward line in the competition, and they rattled on the goals with remarkable ease after Rangers had practically overhauled their lead. Rangers took no longer than 15 minutes to register their three goals, at which stage they had Thistle overwhelmed, but they threw away this advantage by deserting from combination and adopting the individual bustling type of play. Thistle forwards went away like clockwork when the attack was relieved and displayed deadly combination when within shooting range. Stokes played a fairly sound game and if his present form could be maintained he would be second to none in the city. Taylor is a robust back and got through a meritorious amount of work. Spence initiated at least one excellent scoring movement and if his speed was improved he would prove a redoubtable half. O. Wilson was in his element on the soft ground and his accurate returns were a decided advantage. J. Wilson augmented a sound line and in spite of a few gymnastic displays was always effective. Cavaye and Heath were the pick of the forwards, and a lot will depend on these two for the Cup final. Clementson broke his scoreless period with a well-taken goal. He would be well advised to snap in his wing crosses with more pace and accuracy. Barron had a lively time between Athletic posts, and most of the shots he missed were well out of his reach. He is a steady player. Thomson performed a lion’s share of back work, and was always a solid barrier. Robinson was the outstanding half and was ably supported by Thomas. R. Wilson and Carter sent in a few good shots, but the rest of the line showed great lack of direction. Thistle fielded a strong team, with Healey reappearing between the posts. Puddle and McLeod are developing a nice understanding and will be a stumbling block to any attack. The half line was right up to form and only lost grip of things for 15 minutes. The forwards are the team’s strong point. Mackie and Meikle were the outstanding men in ihe Ime. The latter is always the on-

portunist and is not. beaten until the final whistle. Rangers were worthy of a better score, for Mclnnes, in goal, performer a lot of work meritoriously. Duke and Hoskins could have distn buted the ball to better advantage but they secured some good hefty kicking. Nixon, Rusling and Proud loot all played well up to form and at times had a firm hold on the attacking play, carrying on to Thistle area. The forwards were a disaptpointing lot. Many chances were absolutely thrown away. Cook’s Gardens will be the stage for the big final next Saturday, when the best match of the season will be staged. Thistle have now solidified their team. With Meikle in the forward line there are no weak links anywhere, and with this infusion of new keenness they will take the field confident of victory. Eastbrooke, on the other hand, are note quite at their strongest. Jones, the versatile inside right, is still on the convalescent list, and that hurdler Gray is still "away in the wilds." Clementson and Dear now combine on this wing, but a few more games would have welded this wing into better combination. They will take the field on Saturday fresh from a round of success in the Association Cup. and one anticipates 90 minutes of exciting football. A junior curtain-raiser will be played against Taranaki. The Wanganui team will be: J. Hoskin, Thomson, Good, Croucher, Farrel (capt.;. Whiteside Rush, Joyce, McDonald Kidd, Nelson. Reserves; Davidson. Hubbard. A third grade rep; esentative team will travel to Palmerston North on Saturday to try conclusions with Manawatu. The players will assemble at Limpus’ Store, Wanganui East, ai 12.30 sharp. The team is: Coughlin, Green, Limpus, Fisk, J. Nimmo, Meek, Boss, Watty, A. Kendrick, R. Kendrick, G. Nimmo. Mr. H. Ward has matters well in hand for the primary schools’ tour I - ment, to commence on Tuesday next. He is still somewhat worried about an adequate supply of billets, and would appreciate volunteers willing to take in a boy for a few days. Teams from Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Taranaki will arrive in Wanganui on August 31 and will be met at the station by officials. On Tuesday morning at 9.30 the Mayor of Wanganui will accord the visitors a civic welcome at Cook’s Gardens. At 9.45 the ball will be kicked off in the first match. A souvenir programme will be on sale at a moderate price, and admission to the grounds has been fixed at a very low figure. The Wanganui primary school team had another trial spin against a fairly strong Technical team and have improved considerably of late.

JCVtgC Ul VIIV gcviixv. They easily accounted for the Technical team. The third and fourth grade seven-a-side tournament resulted in a win for the team skippered by J. Nimmo, who led his merry men to victory against Kendrick's team in the semifinal and against Willacy's team in the final.