JUNIOR JOTTINGS.

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

JUNIOR JOTTINGS.

The Dacre Cup final between North Shore and Ponsnnby was a colourless display, as well as being ragged in the extreme. There was a marked absence of dash on both sides, and the players seemed to be eontent to jog along without unduly exerting themselves. A strong cross wind made ball control difficult, but this was 110 excuse for such a disappointing display, bliore held the advantage in the first spell, and obtained a lead of one goal. Ponsonby had the best of the next session, and equalised a few minutes before time. An extra ten minutes each way still found the teams level, and a play-off will be necessary. . The third open knock-out semi-final between W.Y.M.I. and Technical Old Boys provided a fast and vigorous game, and the latter scored a well-deserved win by 3 goals to 2. W.Y.M.1., with the advantage of the wind, attacked continuously through the first, spell, but met with a solid defence, both sides scoring one goal. On the change over, the W.Y.M.I. broke away with a good combined forward run from which Young netted. On resuming. Tech. penned their opponents down on their goal, and the forwards, playing a vigorous, bustling game, secured two more goals, which won the game. W.Y.M.I. put up a strenuous defence, the backs defending- well, but Tech. made good use of the wind, and the backs placed the ball into the goal-mouth at every opportunity. These tactics were successful in wearing down the defence. Tech. will now have to meet New Lynn in the final, and a close and interesting game should result. For Tech.. Marlow, Burford. Munroe, and Blott were outstanding, while Young. Lewis, Massam, and Lincoln were the best for W.Y.M.I. The third intermediate semi-flnal knockout, between Belmont and Northcote, at Cornwall Park, resulted in a win for Belmont by seven goals to nil. The score does not indicate the run of the game, which was fast and interesting, but the better positional play and team work of the winners accounted for the large scor*. The Nortlicote forwards were very weak in front of goal, and many opportunities were lost. The backs put up a dogged defence, but the speed and cleverness of the opposing forward line were too much for them. For Belmont, Warren. Parker, and Gamble were a good trio, while Smith and Simpson were a useful pair for Nortlicote. Belmont will now meet Burnley in the final. The championship linn 1 between the fourth grade teams. Comrades and North Shore, provided a stirring encounter from which Comrades emerged victorious by two goals to one. It was a fast and interesting game, both sides giving a splendid exhibition of the code. The forwards of both sides gave a great display of clever combined football, and the movement that brought Comrades the winning goal was a splendid piece of work, capped by a great goal from Skinner. The Shore forwards also brought off a fine piece of play from which D. Smith scored, hut unluckily one "t his colleagues got off-side and spoiled the effort. On the run of the play, a draw

would have been a fair result. For Shore, Snoad. King, D. Smith, and Ormiston played splendidly, and Page, Marvin, Francis, and Skinner showed up well for Comrades. Tamaki gave a much-improved display in the lifth grade knock-out final, being beaten bv one goal by College United, after a hard and fast game. This was a most interesting match, and resolved itself into a duel between the clever College forwards and the Tamaki backs, whose defensive! work was right up to their best form. The Tamaki front line, although giving a much improved display compared to the tT\o previous Saturdays, did not come up to their best standard. They were inclined to be slow, and were often caught in possession when a pass would have had the defence on the run. The College forwards played their usual clever combined game, but were up against a solid defence, who did not give them much scope. The College backs performed splendidly, and their clearing work, especially when playing against the wind, was first class. _ For Tamaki. Harrison (in goal), Kae, Welch, and Austin were the pick, and Dixon, Atkins, Dillamore, and McGregor were sound for College. Belmont won the sixth grade knock-oiu final, defeating Y.M.C.A. A by one goal to nil, after a brisht and interesting display. Belmont were slightly superior in teamwork and positional play. Neither side could claim any advantage in the front line, both sets of forwards bringing off some sparkling play. Some of their combined runs were pretty to watch. The Belmont backs 'were better 011 defence, and also placed better, while the Y.M. backs were weak when under pressure, and got out of position. For Belmont, Wheeler, Peighton. and Keane played sterling games, and Jacobs, Lcyland, and Page were a sound trio for Y.M. The Carlton v. North Shore sixth grade match ended in a draw, one goal each. Carlton were superior in the forward line, clever combined play being much in evidence at times. The Shore backs, however, nullified this advantage by resolute lackling and solid defence. The Caclton backs defended well, but were, not as sound 011 defence as their opponents. The Shore forwards played a vigorous bustling game, and had their share of the play. A draw was a fair result 011 the run of the play. For Carlton. Morrin. Cleal. and Williams were the. best, while Harvey, West, and Allen were outstanding for Shore. The seventh grade knock-out final between Comrades A and Belmont resulted in a win for Comrades by four goals to nil, after a fast and interesting game. In'spite of the score, the game was most evenly contested.' The winners own their victory to their solid defence, and the abilitv of their forward line to seize scoring chances. Belmont gave a well-balanced display of team wo-k and positional plav. but the weakness of the front line in front of goal proved their undoing. For Belmont, Dixon, Chambers, and Freaks showed up well, and Hunt, Francis, and McLaclilan were the best for Comrades.