SOCCER

Grey River Argus, 18 September 1937, Page 6

SOCCER

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Although this season is drawing to its end, interest has been surprisingly well maintained, and with the fare still offering it. appears most likely to continue so. The grand finale will be the meeting of our local representatives and Buller for the Peter Dawson Cup. The selector has made a surprisingly good job of his team, and under favourable conditions the chosen eleven should have more than an outside chance of regaining the trophy. When one realises that those players fortunate enough to be selected to represent their province have to pay their own way, it speaks well for the small band of enthusiastic supporters that have helped to carry us through the season. Of course, a few here dropped by the wayside, but when everything is weighed in the balance the code is just as well off without them. Those players who have stood firm have placed the code where it is, and they are the ones who will proudly regard the results of their efforts within the next two or three seasons. In spite of the fewness of the teams, a good standard of football has been maintained, and there have been remarkably few faults.

Heslin Cup: The competition for this cup was to have been of two rounds, with the two top teams to meet at Runanga in the final. Though Runanga and Taylorville appear the probable finalists, the competition has not been far enough advanced for this to be definitely decided upon. With the competition in its present position, the governing body would scarcely be justified in declaring Runanga and Taylorville the two top teams and staging a final between them. With the one Saturday available for play before the Peter Dawson Cup match, it would be better to abandon the competition for this season, and for September 25 to select'd team to play the team selected for Buller. It would give the players a fine opportunity of getting to know one another and to work up the required combination. Third Grade: The meeting of Runanga and Tech. B really finalised the third grade football for this season. Tech. B had already won the Wee Mac Cup, and by their defeat of Runanga added the Campbell Cup to their collection. Though the competition was not quite complete as far as the matches were concerned, it would be unwise to continue it further; for the school team with only one match still to play had a four-points lead. Better to close this competition on its note of interest and enthusiasm. The deciding factor in last Saturday’s match was the better combination of the Tech. team. Some of their combined efforts were excellent, while Philip, the centreforward, who scored all three goals, was in fine form. With such a wealth of young talent at their disposal, both Tech. Old Boys and Runanga can look to the future with equanmity. ****** To-day’s Games:

The more important game to-day is the meeting of Canterbury and Westland juniors for the Dewar Cup. Unfortunately, the team representing Westland is only a shadow of the

selected team, but nevertheless it is , quote a good one. It was impossible to obtain accommodation for ihe players on the rail-car, and they have had to travel to Christchurch by the excursion train. So if the are able to show their true form, it will lie a remarkable achievement on their part. Though we would like our team to win the actual result matters little. The great point is this—the players are travelling at their own expense and with a minimum of comfort, in order to keep faith with the Canterbury Association and to give their juniors no cause for disappointment. Well done, juniors, for whether you win or lose we are proud of you. This afternoon at the Recreation Ground the visiting Nomads Reserve XI will be opposed to a local team. The local team will be partly composed of Tech. Old Boys players, it being impossible to field the whole eleven on account of several of them taking part in the Dewar Cup game. To-morrow the visitors, will play Runanga at Runanga. * * * ♦ * at

Two Surprises: Last Saturday in Christchurch, a mild surprise resulted in the English Cup competition owing to the defeat of Tech. Old Boys, the championship winners, by Thistle. In Wellington, Petone, who have staged a great recovery this season, were expected to defeat Waterside in the play-off for the championship. Contrary to expectations, however, Waterside proved victorious by 2/1. Waterside owed their championship success to the defeat of Hospital by Marist, and it will be interesting to see how Waterside fare against Marist in the semi-final of the Auld Memorial Cup to-day.

A Wise Choice: Lee, Bernard and Armstrong have all shown up so well in the trials that it was sound policy to include all three in the representative team. Although Armstrong has been playing full-back for Runanga, he is undoubtedly a half-back. The selector has recognised this fact, and by playing him in the halves the line will be greatly strengthened. Perhaps it would be better however, to play him in the left-half position. Wood has been playing so well on the right flank that it is a pity to transfer him across. Armstrong has played at left-

half in the junior reps, and it would be better, to play him in that position against Buller. A Great Attack: The chosen forward line is probably the best to represent Westland for a number of seasons. All five forwards are fully endowed with speed and dash. At first it may appear unwise to have separated Scott and Crowe, for not only do the two combine in excellent form, but Scott, is a roving inside instrumental in initiating many a promising attack. As it now is, his sole capacity will be one of a scorer. Nevertheless, the move is a good one, for he is the most likely one to satisfactorily link the line. In the second case, Paton is a rare spoiler, and should prove a most effective link between Scott and Crowe. Craig is another of the spoiling tj’pe who has been displaying dashing form this season. He and Shotton should prove a most effective wing. ******* Westland Team: The following is the Westland team to meet Buller at Victoria Square on October 2 for the Peter Dawson Cup: Goal: Closs (R.). Backs: Lee (T.), Bernard (T.). Halves: Armstrong (R.), Bowman (T.) capt., Wood (T. 0.8. Forwards: Shotton (R.), Craig (R.), Scott (R.), J. Paton (T. 0.8. Crowe (R.). Emergencies: White (R.), Kerr (T. 0.8. W. Watson (R.).