TO-MORROW’S SOCCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 139, 2 September 1927, Page 11

TO-MORROW’S SOCCER

Schoolboys Test Match New Zealand v. Australia Shore v. Navy in a Championship Bout THE only senior Soccer games set down for to-morrow are ! the meeting of Shore and Navy at Devonport, and Ponlonby with Y M.C.A. at Victoria Park. Shore’s defeat of Thistle last Saturday gives the club an outside chance for the championship and a good game should result. Blandford Park wiH be given up to the schoolboys, and the first Test Match between the Australian and New Zealand schoolboys will mark another milestone in the history of the code Two good curtain-raisers between boys’ teams have' been arranged; the first between the Catholic and State schoolboys, and another a seventh grade knock-out between Comrades and Y.M.C.A. At Dunedin the touring Auckland eleven will play Otago in the English Trophy match.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES North Shore v. Royal Navy.—At present the Shore Club is running second in the championship series, one point behind Thistle, who have played one game less, and if the seasiders can secure full points in their remaining two games the Scots will have to play right out to win the honours. Navy is now running third on the ladder, and is keen on collecting all the points possible before the cruisers depart again and deplete the team. Each club has a man away with the Auckland team South, and Jay will again be an absentee from the Shore side, while the Dunedin is out in the gulf and neither Reid nor Scott will be on deck for Navy. The Devonport ground is in splendid condition and has not been affected by the recent rains nor cut up at all this winter, and given a fine day, the game should be a lively and willing display of the round ball game on a perfect surface. There is only one change in the Shore eleven from that which defeated Thistle last Saturday, Jones being absent in the South Colebourne will till his place at half, and Harold Smith returns to the left bach position. Navy will also be strongly represented by the men from the Philomel and Diomede, and the game should be of the character of the old-time struggles which always made the meetings of these old rivals one of the most attractive matches of the season. On its home ground Shore should win to-morrow. Ponsonby v. Y. M.C.A.—This match is timed to commence at Victoria Park at 1.30 p.m. and will be the “Ponies” first championship match for several weeks, during which time they have been battling their way successfully through the Chatham Cup knock-outs, and have now qualified to meet the champion Wellington club next Saturday in Auckland. The “Ponies” have been in strenuous training for some weeks now, but it is doubtful if they will be able to field tliei.r full strength to-morrow owing to sickness and minor injuries. Y.M.C.A. will also be without Humphries who is away with the reps., and the Young Men miss him sadly in their scoring line. Ponsonby lias only lost three matches in the championship and has a chance of finishing second on the ladder. There are some good colts in the “Ponies” junior team, and even with some seniors absent the blue and blacks will probably be too good for the Young Men. OTHER FIXTURES English Trophy Match.—The result of Auckland’s clash with Otago at Dunedin will be awaited with great interest here, as the provincial premiership is at stake, and the Aucklanders are keen on retaining possession. Otago is fielding the same eleven, with the exception of the goalie, that defeated Wellington so decisively on its own ground. The Southerners are confident of lowering Auckland’s colours for the first time in two seasons, and so avenge the four to one defeat Auckland inflicted on them last season. The Auckland team are reported all fit and well, and although the defence is not at full strength they are hopeful of victory. Schoolboys Test Match.—This week th« winter holidays have been made the occasion for a real schoolboys’ Soccer week in Auckland, and there have been largo attendances of young Jn 'i old at Victoria Park to watch the interprovincial tourney between the primary schoolboy reps. In spite of changeable weather and a muddy suriace there have been some tine displays of the Soccer code and some strenuous games. The boys have torn into their tourney games with a zest and keenness, which is an example to of their seniors on the line, and the matches have been most enjoy*b,e» though marred yesterday by the unfortunate accident to young Ward, o' Manawatu, who broke a leg. Australia v. New Zealand. —The ojccer authorities in the Common-v-oalth have shown commendable enterprise in sending over a team of schoolboy reps, to tour the Dominion,, and the only test match of the trip ul be staged at Blandford Park tomorrow, when the Aussie lads are sure a warm welcome. They are a rjty combination, with a good know•odge of the finer points of the game ? nd , te«n on taking the first “Ashes” kck to Australia. jJJjJJ New Zealand team will be seafter a final trial this afternoon, rom the following:—Poole, Nelligan 'Uaterbury), Jones, Killeen, White. j-m°n (Wellington). Williamson. u,' St <>ne, Hoggett, Cleal, Taylor A was unfortunate that the Otago Jettons were received too late for *<Weration by the sole selector, Mr. Pert Harrison, but otherwise the “Uhiature “All Blacks” will be reprereliJli Vd New Zealand, and may be thft i.°, n to put up a soocl fight against tads from across the Tasman.

ourable weather conditions, but the surface was still in a bad state and spoilt many promising movements. In the first game between Manawatu and Waikato the Auckland district won by two goals to one after an even game. In the first half no score was registered. Just before half-time sounded Ward was nearly through for Manawatu, and looked like scoring when ho had the misfortune to slip in the mud and fracture a bone of the leg. Ward had been playing a clever game at centre forward, and his loss was a blow to the team. In the second spell Manawatu dashed away and scored against the wind, but Waikato equalised and then won just on the call of time by two goals to one. The meeting of the unbeaten Wellington and Auckland teams provided a fast and lively game, and with the breeze behind them the Southerners turned roiind with a goal lead. In the second spell play was interesting, and from a fortunate penalty Hoggett placed Auckland level with the spotkick amid loud cheers. Both teams fought hard for the winning goal, but tho high wind and treacherous surface prevented accurate shooting and the match ended in a draw of one goal each.