THE "SOCCER" GAME

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 283, 19 August 1918, Page 8

THE "SOCCER" GAME

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL WON BY PORIRUA In beautiful sunny weather Association Park-last Saturday afternoon was ilio scene of great enthusiasm. The occasion was the meeting of I'orini.i ami Jlarist senior elevens in the final for the Wellington Football Association's senior league competition. The game was played in a fine, virile spirit, quite in kep'ing with the traditions of Association football. Fully 1200 people were present*, and amongst them were many players of bygone days, and it wns pleiunnt to hear these old "soccer" players ' fighting" their battles over again. Marist kicked off, and quickly took the ball to Porirua's goal area, wnore m quick succession their forwards had two shots, but without result. From the resultant goal-kick Forimn's forwards, headed by Sorbic and M'Gavin, invaded Marist's goal urea, but were quickly sent to the right about by Fitzgerald, and Bidgood enhanced the situation by dribbling well down the. field and then sending on to A. Lowe, who sent a long pass to Carruthere—this player winding up a fine movement by sending in a hot shot, which missed its objective by inches. From the kick-out A uld secured, and sent on nicely to Marshall, thence on to Cashmaa and Carruthers, the. lastnamed making another fine attempt, without result Marist's forwards at this stage were Retting the better of the play, Oarruthera being especially brilliant. Stubbornly resisting every inch of ground, Porirua's backs put up a great fight, in which Cross, Wallace, and Rene were seen in judicious play. With the ball in midfield, Paratii (Porirua) secured, and sent on nicely to Daly, then to Tyra, who cross-kicked to Sorbie, then 'back to Tyra, who sent in a list drive, but Hayes relieved brilliantly, and play came back once more to midfield, where some clever line-play took place. At length Porirua broke away,: and a fine piece of spectacular work on their part ensued. From a throw-in Whitehouse (Porirua) secured, sent on nicely to Eene, who in turn made a nice opening for Sorbie, who drew Dnignan, and then passed to M'Gavin, who, amidst applause, sent in a hot. drive, which beat Hayes: Porirun, 1; Mariet, nil. Marist retaliated with a hot attack on the Porirua citadel, and were awarded two corners in rapid succession, but Porirua's backs cleared, and were pressing strongly when the whistlo sounded for half-time.

Eight from the kick off in the opening stages of the second spell Marshall (i\!arist's centre-forward) secured, and v.ith a meteoric dash set off for Porirua's goal, passing nicely lo Bidgood when 'acklsd. Bidgood sent back to Marshall, und this player eeiit in a shot which glanced off the upright. Keeping up the pi\ssr\\ Marist had several ehote from_ i'.kely positions, but the goalkeeping <if Porinin's custodian (Wineera) was of a high standard, and Porirua eventually worked the ball back to neutral territory. In midfield Piirata (Porirua) gayo Daly a nice pass, and the speedy winger t(,ok (ho ball nicely up the field, passing to Tyra, and then to.Meirs, the latter driving into goal, but Keilly relieved with a fine kick to midfield. Here Anld (Marist) secured, and made a fine solo effort, finishing up by lifting the ball just over the crossbar. From the kick-out Jurist's forwards again rushed the will to within striking distance, Marshall erding up a nice movement by shooting the ball a little wide. Porirua's fonvirJs now gave the spectators atf sample of what they are capable of at combined play. Securing Ihe ball in his own f:oalarca, M'Oiavin passed cleverly to Sorbie, then to Meirs, then to Tyra, to Daly, back to Tyra, the latter from close quarters sending in a fast, low shot, but Hayes was equal to the oeasio'i, and brought off a good save. Play was becoming very exciting at this juiuNre, and each team was having its full share of attack and defence play. AVith but two minutes lo the call of time, Marist'3 forwards were seen in a lovely combined rush, and they took tlio ball right down to Porirua's gcal-mouth, whero Ma:'S!i-.i'l made a great effort, Wineera conceding them a corner. Excitement was intense as Carruthers placed the ball lor the coiner kick. Pie landed the ball squarely in the goal-mouth, and a great struggle,' ensued, but the vigilant l'eno secured, and with a neat kick sent the ball to the corner flag, and the whistlesounded for time, leaving Porirua the winners nt' the championship by one goal tn nil. Mr. V. Astill capably controlled the game, and was ably assisted by the lino umpires. FOURTH DIVISION FINAL. The fourth division final, played between Institute and Jfarists as a counterattraction to the senior final, only attracted a few spectators. The first spell proved to be a test for the forwards, as the. ball was kept swinging from end to end of the field with great rapidity. Tlio defence of both teams, however, stood tlie strain well. In the second spell matters livened up considerably, and the Institute forwards, playing with great dash, soon had the Marist goalkeeper busy. He, however, was equal to all. About fifteen minutes from time .T. Ilowitt opened the scoring for Institute by kicking a good goal. 1-1). This performance was immediately repeated by N. Bing, who, receiving the ball in midfield, sent in a stinging lo.v shot, which gave the Marist goalkeeper no chance 2—o. Shortly before the' final whistle blew P. Harris scored the third goal for Institute. 3-0. OTHER MATCHES. Playing at Anderson Park. Thorndon (Fourth A Division) -'efeated St. Thomas's by four goals to nil. The scorers for Thorndon were Nickless, Cording, Irvine, and Daly.

Other results:—Boys' Institute (3rds), 2, Y.M.C.A., 1; Institute (4-th A), 3; Marist, 0; Karori won by default from Institute (till B); Institute (4th C), 5, Institute (4th D), 1; Institute (sth A), B. South Wellington, 1; Institute (otli B). 13, Wadestown, 0; .Tohnstonville won by default from Institute (sth 0; St. Paul's 2, Institute (Gth A), 1; Institute (6th B), 4 Mari?t, 0; Mnrist. 5, Institute (6th D), O'; Institute (lith E). 1. Jurist 0; Seatoun, 8, Institute (6th F), 0.