IN THE CIRCLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 44, 14 May 1927, Page 13

IN THE CIRCLE

SOCCER SHOTS NOTES AND COMMENTS NATIONAL FIXTURES The meeting: of the Now Zealand Council on 'Wednesday decided to appoint Mr. B. L. Salmon as sole selector for the Dominion team this season with a provision for consultation between the provincial selectors and Mr. Salmon. There has been no occasion to | call for the selection of an All Black | soccer team since the Chinese visit. 1 and there has been a hip: change in I the personnel of the players since then, iln view of Auckland's easy victories over the opposing: provinces in the initial contest last year for the English trophy the local reps, must hold a strong claim for national honours. THE PROVINCIAL CONTESTS This year Auckland must travel to the South Island to meet Canterbury and Otago on their home grounds for the English trophy, while Wellington will come north to meet Auckland at Blandford Park. The question of dates has been under consideration and Auckland has proposed to meet Otago on June 11 and Canterbury on the following Saturday, June IS. leaving the Wellington v. Auckland game until after the Canadian visitors have departed. THE AUCKLAND REPS. If the A.F.A. suggestion for the Auckland representatives to make the trip south in June is accepted by the N.Z.F.A. it will mean an early selection of the local team, but Mr. Neesham has most of last year’s players available and his main task will be tilling up some of the gaps. in goal Lucas is now at Hamilton and will perhaps bo found in the citadel of the South Auckland team, while at home in Auckland there are three or four legitimate contenders for the title in Batty, Lipscombe, Zoull, or Lyon. At full-back Gerrard and Reid are still defending strongly, but Kissock will be missed as the king-pin at centre-half. His absence has made a big difference in the Tramways team, but Baxter. Christie. Tinkler and others are well able to fill the job in the Auckland side. Forward there are four out of last year’s quintette available with some other promising material who are showing good form.