ASSOCIATION CODE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27397, 9 July 1954, Page 12

ASSOCIATION CODE

INTER ISLAND GAME TOMORROW PROSPECTS DISCUSSED Although an Association football match between the North and the South Island was played in 1920, Saturday’s game at English Park will be only the eleventh such fixture. . , x The first match was played in Christchurch and was won by the North Island, 3-2. In 1921 the match was played at Wanganui, and ended in a draw, 4-all. After a long break to 1933, the North Island won decisively by 4 goals to 0 at Wellington. Thirteen years elapsed before the. next game was played, and on this occasion, 1946, at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, the result was a 3-goal draw. Honours were again even in 4948 at Dunedin, where each side scored two goals. The South Island had its first win in 1949 at Auckland, where the final score was South 2, North 1.

The following year, at English Park, Christchurch, South beat North by 4 goals to i in a game which was much closer than the scores suggested. North turned the tables the following year on the Basin Reserve, Wellington, with a 4 to 1 victory. In 1952, the game was played on the university oval in Dunedin, and in steady rain op a field which resembled a lake. North triumphed by the odd goal in three. Last year on Blandford Park, Auckland, North again handled the heavy conditions better, to win by 4 goals to 1, after leading 1-0 at the interval.

North Island Side After the English Trophy game at Auckland last Saturday, when the holders beat Wellington, 3-1, the selectors of the North Island side, Messrs J. Shankie, R. Speed, and Dr. J. Dacre, chose the following team for Saturday’s game:—H. Hiddleston (Wellington); R. Hastings (Wellington), M. Best (Auckland); K. Gibson (Wellington), J. Hunter (Rotorua), P. Traynor (Auckland); D. Kendrick (Auckland), K. -Podman (-Waikrto), R. King (Auckland), F. Benge (Wellington), G. Barker (Auckland). Reserve: A Preston (Wellington). H. Hiddleston, the goalkeeper, learnt, his football in Scotland and gained his colours this year over several -former representatives in Wellington. R. Hastings, the right full-back, is a former representative for Wellington. M. Best, of Auckland, at left back, represented his province 1949-52-53. The intermediates are particularly strong. Gibson is no stranger to provincial football. Traynor, at 34 yetrs of age. .New Zealand and both Wellington and Auckland. Traynor, who is an Army physical training instructor, has built up one of the finest records of a Soccer player in this country. Besides his .previously mentioned honours, he has al ?° won three Chatham Cup medals—all with different clubs. i th< i centre-half, represented the North Island last year and plays his footballl for Mangakino, in the Rotorua competition He first played lor Arthurlie, in Scotland, and subsequently signed for the Chelsea first division side. Before coming to New Zealand, he played for City in the Kent League. Both the wings, Kendrick and Basher, played outstanding games for Auckland against Wellington last Saturday. Both are fast, clever players whose ball control and ability to cross the ball to the unmarked player places them in New Zealand class.

• nd Ben & e . centre forward and inside left, have had previous provincial experience. K. Poelxnan. at inside right, learnt his football in Holland and has ■IL th , e outstanding attacking forward in the Waikato eleven. The reserve, A Preston, is a New Zealand University Soccer Blue.

South Island Team Messrs W. P. Smith, G. Smith, and L. O Rorke have chosen the following South Island team for Saturday’s game:—• Langley (Canterbury); R. Naus (Otago), J. Cullen (Canterbury); D. Charlton (Canterbury), Morrison (Southland), W. Westerveld (Otago); C. Steel (Southland), A. Smith (Nelson),»E. Chittenden (Nelson), K. Olley (Canterbury), P. Saunderson (Canterbury). Reserve: R Clough (Otago). H. Langley, who is goalkeeper for the Canterbury University College side, has played for the South Island as well as Canterbury. Earlier this season he deserted his old berth for a field position, but since he has returned to the goal he quickly showed that he has lost little of his old skill.

R. Naus, the right back, played in Holland before representing Otago. J. Cullen has played for Canterbury at left half, but in the recent Jones Cup game at Dunedin he improvised so well at left full-back that his selection in that posi-

D. Charlton, the right half, has been the outstanding intermediate in Christchurch this season, and he has only to play his usual game on Saturday to make the Australian trip next month. R. Morrison, the captain, is one of the soundest centre halves in Nev/ Zealand.

Since he came to this country he has represented Southland. Otago, the South Island, and New Zealand. W. Westerveld at left half learnt his football in HoUand, where he played top grade football. He was a member of the V.V.V. club team which toured England. C. Steel, the outside right, was a former Buller representative, and gained his chance in the South Island side by a good display In the recent Keach Cup game between Southland and Otago. Much is expected of the two Nelson inside forwards. A. Smith (inside right) was a junior Glasgow representative on four occasions. He later played for the Thornliebank and Ashfield clubs. Since coming to New Zealand he gained a place in the South Island Minor Associations team. His goals over the last two seasons have averaged three each match. E, Chittenden, centre forward, played for the Naval Radar side ifN Britain and was chosen for Wairarapa and Nelson aince coming to this country. He is a fast, aggressive player who needs very little room to work in. Two club-mates, K. Olley and P. Saunderson, occupy the inside left and left wing positions. Both are fast, heady players who should provide real penetration -in South’s attacking thrusts. R. Clough is the reserve, and is equally at home in either the full-back or intermediate positions.

WELLINGTON CLUB NOT EXPELLED (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 8. The Wellington Football Association decided last night not to expel the Apollon Club from the association. A special meeting of the association voted 17-14 against a management committee recommendation that the club be expelled. The club wps suspended after a referee had been attacked during a match between Apollon, a Greek settlers’ team, and the Dutch club, Zealandia. The management committee’s earlier rulings regarding the suspension of certain players, are not affected by. the association’s decision last