WELLINGTON CHALLENGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 228, 26 September 1929, Page 21

WELLINGTON CHALLENGE.

SATURDAY'S TITANIC STRUGGLE. sparkling navy prelude. J day of super-attractions. J I jn every wnv Blandford Park on Saturday should bo the scene of a fes- J tival of super-Soccer. The fixtures t arranged. Dunedin v. Diomedc, and the J rep', ilia tell. Auckland v. Wellington, will , constitute an offering that lias probably 1 never been excelled in one afternoon in < the citv. The sailors play a type of , football tlint. while not characterised by < a pronouncedly high scientific standard, ; is undoubtedly most thrilling and re- ; freshing with a strong spectacular , rep. game on the other hand, ' if the previous meeting of the teams ( can be taken as a criterion, should be , responsible for a really skilful exposi- ' tion of the science of the code. With | several changes made in the visitors' j composition it is dangerous to enter into ■ anv analysis of the chances of either side. The premiership of Soccer having ( for so lon£ rested with Auckland is i proving rather irritating to the Wellingtonians and their efforts to spirit the handsome trophy to the capital are certain to lack nothing in determination. Whatever is the result in goals scored the upshot of the match should bo a game well worth seeing. Team Reconstruction. With the close of the season here, most clubs are already casting eyes six months ahead and team building is in progress. So far as the senior grade is concerned reconstruction is badly needed jn some clubs. Several have no nursery or reserve supply and it is conceivable that with a season of heavy casualties such a position might be fatal. Many of the junior clubs 011 the other hand have no outlet. The senior clubs are bodies with head but no tail, while some of the lower grade clubs have body without head. It seems that much good could be done to all concerned were some of the senior clubs, who have no junior ranks, to merge with some of the juniors who hold no future for their capable players. It is hardly fair for seniors to encroach 011 the players of a lower grade club during the season. There are players, too, who would refuse promotion simply because of the club spirit. This spirit could still be preserved In the case of a junior player promoted to the ranks of the senior eleven of his club. Teams like Manurewa, Corinthians, Bon Accord, Celtic, Thistle, and Tramways, are sailing near the wind in that they have but one team. It is surely, then, in their interests to endeavour to effect a merger with some of'the very healthy clubs whose highest grade is say third or fourth. It is understood that some overtures have been made in certain directions to this end. In one instance a very well-known official of the Socccr Old Boys' Association, will .'take'a prominent, part in -tiiel"management of a junior organisation with several very clever young players. This example may yet be followed by others •and the code in general would reap the benefit.