BRIGHT REP. MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 14

BRIGHT REP. MATCH.

SQUADRON TEAM BEATEN. AUCKLANDERS PERFORM WELL. RESERVES RISE TO THE OCCASION. The third, and the last representative game most of the Navy Squadron team will play in Auckland, was -contested under ideal conditions last Saturday, and proved a real ding-dong affair, the home side making a highly meritorious recovery and transforming a two-goal deficit into a one-goal victory. To defeat the Squadron team is no mean achievement. The sailors this season have suffered defeat on very few occasions, while they carried everything before them on their Australian tour, easily retaining the Navy Shield. They certainly started favourites against Auckland on account of several of the local representatives being unable, through a variety of reasons, to take their places in the team. Sole Selector Nccsham had an aixious time on Friday and Saturday getting an eleven together, but the match certainly went to prove that Auckland has several promising representatives in reserve.

The game throughout was hard, scrupulously clean, as Navy contests always are, and there were flashes of really high-class Soccer shown by both sides. The Navy were certainly the most cohesive side —that was to be expected since they have played so often together—but as the game progressed the home side showed improved understanding and combination. Thero was not at any time during the game any pronounced superiority on either side, and the fact that Auckland ultimately won the day was due to their making slightly more of scoring chances than the sailors did. The Navy did not seem to make the use of the extreme wings that Auckland did; most of their aggressiveness came from shock tactics by the three inside men, who had the tendency of forcing Auckland's defence to concentrate in a limited area. The local men, on the other hand, swung the ball more freely to the extreme flanks, which had the reverse effect on the opposing backs, keeping them in extended formation and mostly on the run.

For the Navy, Gill in goal took too many risks in leaving his charge. Nevertheless, he performed creditably as the substitute for Eacock, who, it 'will be remembered, was badly ' injured some months ago in the match between Dimedin and Diomcdc for tho Le Roy Banner. Eacock is still in hospital as a consequence of that mishap. Vincy, the right back, was more noticeable than his partner, Killick, but both were resolute defenders, and repulsed many attacks. The Navy middle line were not up to reputation. Reid is much more effective, semingly, on soft going. On Saturday, though he was far from being a weak link, he was not the Reid Aucklanders know and have admired so often. He was at times inclined to overdo dribbling too. Luke played with perseverance, but often found Kay and Hislop too elusive, while Wilkes had more than a handful in the Trams right wing, though he. found opportunity to initiate several progressive movements. Tho star in attack was certainly Clark, at centre - forward. "Nobby," as his shipmates fondly dubbed him, gave a great exhibition of how to make the most of the pivotal position in attack,. and his drives for goal were thrilling. Another feature of his game was nis attribution of the piay. Miln and Wright were forceful and vigorous on the right, as were Tite and i. Dunsford on the left, but Scott lias ■• proved a more deadly player than the last-named. The sailors gave- a, line exposition of the code, and their last appearance here will long be talked about. Tho Aucklanders certainly gave a very pleasing display. Zuill had little if any earthly chance with Clark's three goals. The backs, however, were sometimes seriously troubled under pressure. Contrasting Mowat's display with his club form of late, one was impressed with the fact that the Y.M. defender was uncomfortable owing to the strange team matejs. It should not be inferred from this that either JMowatt or his partner, Lornie, let Auckland down —far from it. J3oth performed with the greatest credit, and a few more games together would create a strong and reliable last line of defence. No player on the Auckland side caught the eye more than did the diminutive Balloch, at left half. His pluck, grit and lion-hearted tackling made him first favourite with the crowd, and behind his play was a solid constructive conception of the game. Under the almost paternal tuition and encouragement of skipper " Christie, Balloch soon worked up quite an effective combination. Christie played had at centre half and his generalship was outstanding, while Morrison's display reaped a fitting reward in his selection in the team to meet Wellington next week. The PonsODby man has one or two things, however, yet to learn, amongst which are the finer points of covering up and judicious placing. Auckland's front liners each and all performed well. Humphreys rose far above his club form , and he swung the ball to his wingers with rare judgment and discretion. He must be forgiven for missing a "gift." Spong was full of running and always dangerous with his crosses, but still shows that tendency to turn back in his manoeuvring. Bell played hard and with dash. Hislop and Kay were often prominent. The former gave a masterly display of elusive inside forward play, skilfully camouflaging his intentions by clever footwork. Kay was very closely watched, but succeeded in evading the Navy defenders on several occasions. Altogether the game was splendidly contested and reached a high standard.

Balloch.