Final Soccer Trial This Week

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 13

Final Soccer Trial This Week

/CANTERBURY soccer enthusists will be disappointed that there are no representatives from this province in the 12 players named as a “provisional’’ New Zealand side to meet Auckland in the final trial match this week. Although the final selection of the teams to meet the touring English side has not yet been made, it looks very much as though Canterbury will not be represented. The four Canterbury players chosen for the South Island team which was soundly defeated by Welling, ton last week no doubt had best chances of further selection. These were J. Callaghan, P. Frost, D. Simmonds and E. Charlton. Callaghan’s form in Wellington appears to have been better than his previous showings this season, although he was under continual pressure. P. L. Whiting (Wellington), selected for the final trial, was pressing Callaghan for his place in the national side last season. Canterbury's best chance for representation in the New Zealand side appeared to have been Frost, and the Western player must receive sympathy for his incurring a slipped disc in this vital match. It is reported that he may be unable to play for at least three weeks. As left-back, right-back, or among the halves he would not have disgraced the national team. Charlton played under the handicap of a bad thigh bruise incurred in a club match on the previous Saturday. Perhaps he would have been better not to have played at all, for he could certainly not do full justice to his ability. The young Wellington centre-forward R E. Reid, had a fine match, and returns to the international scene. There was no room for Simmonds in the half-back line, where last year's combination of J. R. Warrender (Wellington), J. G. Kemp (Auckland) and K. A. Armstrong (Auckland) has been retained

However, Simmonds may have pressed Kemp close for his position. The right-wing pair, as expected, are J. D. Bell and J D. Wrathall, both former representatives. D. Buller (Wellington) is a recent immigrant from Scotland who has taken over at inside-left, and B. Ormond, another Scot, has taken the left-wing place after only a few weeks in the Dominion. The left-wing position was left vacant by the return to Britain of A. Moynihan.