ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17786, 10 August 1929, Page 20 (Supplement)

ASSOCIATION.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. ROVERS STRENGTHEN THEIR LEAD (By "Soton.”) If I were asked to say why the exhibition of football by Rovers and Huntly given at Seddon Park on Saturday last was unworthy of the position occupied in the championship table by tIM two contestants, I should without a doubt blame the tactics of the visiting captain. However, a player and skipper of the experience that Ted Hall has gained could be guilty of so frequently changing his team about is beyond comprehension, and I say without hesitation that it was this faulty and entirely unnecessary chopping and changing about that lost his team those two valuable points. Furthermore, it robbed the game of enchantment, for although there were a few thrills there was precious little good or clever football. One team could not settle down because their players were never 15 minutes in the same position, and that also in all probability is the reason of their opponents being unable to “produce the goods.” It Is almost impossible to pass comment upon the Huntly players for the reason already mentioned. Imagine Dodds at outside right and you immediately gain some idea of the extent if their disorganisation, but the play- ! irs who most distinguished them- j selves w’ere Ted Hall in his dull role if centre-forward and full-back, and ill three halves, who were reliable but lever brilliant. Hedley and Liddle .vere good forwards who suggested hat had they been allowed to settle town and form some sort of understanding with the remaining forwards might have won the match for them. Dodds at full-back was not always jomfortable against the tenacious J. Drabb, and was beaten more times than s usual for him. Thorne made many food saves but lacked judgment, his losltional play being frequently at fault. He could not be blamed for the

defeat, as he was powerless to prevent the two goals that were scored.

A Poor Display.

The Rovers gave a poor display, quite the poorest game they have played this season, the only men who showed anything approaching form being English (apart from one mistake when he shivered the cross-bar) and the brothers Crabb. I thought Grinder contributed largely to the goal obtained by his opponents through being too far up the field. The occasions should be very rare when a fullback should pass the half-w’ay line, and this did not appear to be one of them. Deacon held the ball far too long, and he w r ould be well advised to try and find his wing-forwards more frequently. He, however, obtained the winning goal by the most clever piece of play during the game. This goal was so hotly disputed (but curiously enough not until the teams were leaving the field) that the scene was no credit to those who were engaged in it, and I have the opinion of tw r o competent judges who were “on the spot” that the goal was perfectly fair and legitimate. I make this statement not argumentary but in defence of the much-maligned referee. Of the Rovers’ forwards, only J. Crabb was worthy of mention, although Rogers improved on recent displays. He can still play a lot better and I think he is of better service to his club in the centre. Let it be said that this is not the true form of either team, and so far as the locals are concerned a return to form is looked forward to on Saturday next.

Positions of Teams. The following table compiled up to Saturday, August 3, snows the Rovers to have strengtnened their lead, while the bugbear of postponed games is rendering the congestion of fixtures still more acute. The situation is now desperate as only nine more Saturdays are left for play and in all probability the Howden Cup will require four of these while some clubs require five and six Saturdays to complete their championship games. It cannot be said of some clubs that they have fulfilled their obligations with any credit to themselves and It behoves all clubs to endeavour to keep faith, not only with their opponents, but with the fixtures committee whose task is a very irksome one, even without these complications.

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P. W. L. D. Goals F. A. Pts Claudelands R. 10 6 2 2 25 11 14 Ham. waad’ers 10 5 3 2 17 20 12 Huntly .... 8 4 2 2 29 13 10 Pukemlro 8 3 4 1 14 20 7 Pukemlro Jctn. 7 2 3 2 14 9 6 Huntly Thistle 7 2 3 2 11 13 6 Glen Massey . 5 0 4 1 3 20 1