FOOTBALL NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 9 May 1925, Page 8

FOOTBALL NOTES

The enthusiasm of the players in Saturday's matches at the Park was good to see. It acted as a tonic to the spectators, and ga.ve them a good return for the afternoon devoted to the game. And not, a few of the players were, in good form and maintained pace from start to finish. What the games .lacked most of all was common, garden skill in handling the ball. Lt would he wety if the players secured a football for their own. use, and if they did nothing more than throw it up in the air and endeavour to catch it. again, they would be doing something worth while. The simplest of passes were repeatedly missed and much of the kicking was below street, standard.

Make friends with the ball. That is what the newer players should do. And much good would result from kicking, passing and catching in any old paddock or by-way.. The Waimea. team has plenty of material to work wit h. It could be developed, by training and consistent practice, but facilties for concerted effort in the country arc not great, and in the meantime much improvement- could he made it the players took a ball home with them mid handled it wherever possible. The same thing applies to all thj teams, only perhaps to not so great a degree. Even in the Nelson-llival match players were to be seen who did not seen to like the ball when it came to them. Some got lid of it as soon as possible, others did not seem to know what to do with it, and as for having any definite plan in their minds, that was the last impression given to the spectator. There was no funking or shirking. Absolutely no reflection is intended. The spirit was there. All that is wanted is familiarity with the. ball, which can cotno only with experience, lt may seem, we arc the importance of individual play. So we are —up to a point. For no player can do good team work unless Iris own house ic in order. Years ago wo remember the first impression on a visit to the Park was the worn-out, broken-wiruled, appearnee of many players as they jogged along after the ball—far enough away to be safe, but- close enough up to be hidden in the bunch —and obviously then the great need was training to give sustained effort. In this most important respect there is a vast improvement to-day. The need now is for consistent effort in the direction of improving the handling of the ball. When this has been, completed, the next great aim must be to develop team work. Nelson Club players have advanced somewhat along the tortuous ipad. On Saturday last they did at times play as a. team, and the spectators were given a good indication of what football really is. Rivals have much to learn in tliis respect, but they are within reach of very fair efficiency. Match play alone will never give it. to them —certainly not. in this generation. There must he definite work by the team itself when the players can be taught what to do with the ball among tl.qin selves. /

We do not feci in a position to cx press a definite opinion just now, hut on Saturday’s matches, it does seem to ns that .'in' effort should be made very early in the season to get- the rep. team together. If this is not done, the good men will find it difficult to. reach a. high standard. On Saturday last what could a man like Snodgrass, for instance. do with so many weak players on hotli sides. It spoils good play in every way. Reed had better opportunities, in the other game, and made good use of them most occasions. Se'rivons is a man who will doubtless give a good account of himself before the season ends. It would be a good thing if the tackling of __ Wallace could bo matched bv other players. He sets a fine example in this respect.