BIG DAY FOR SOCCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 141, 5 September 1927, Page 7

BIG DAY FOR SOCCER

Schoolboys’ Test Drawn

Shore Leads Championship IN ideal weather and with drying grounds there was some sparkling Soccer on Saturday with close finishes. At Blandford Park the first schoolboy test match between Australia and New Zealand provided an exciting encounter, the miniature “All Blacks” drawing level just as time sounded, and the game ended in a draw, I—l. In the senior championship Shore defeated Navy decisively and now leads in the contest, but have played two games more than Thistle. Ponsonby drew with Y.M.C.A., and Auckland defeated Otago in Dunedin by the odd goal in three. CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE Navy Lawrence batt’ed hard Kallantlv at fullback aira Inst th» 1

POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS

4 s the result of Saturday’s series, the positions of the teams are as follows: . .Goals p. w. r>. L F. A. Pts. Shore .... 13 9 22 3S 21 20 Thistle ..11 1 1 33 11 19 Pcnsonby .. 11 5 3 3 27 21 13 Navy .... 11 5 3 6 41 35 13 Y.M.C.A. -.13 1 4 5 31 37 12 Tramways .1- 3 4 5 19 20 10 Northcote . 13 22 9 23 48 6 Onehunga . H 1 « i 19 37 5 SCHOOLBOYS' TEST AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND In spite of strong: counter-attractions at the other codes, there was a good muster at Blandford Park to witness the first international schoolboy game played in New Zealand in any field sport, and the spectators were rewarded with a willing game and a thrilling finish. when New Zealand equalised in the last few seconds of the match, making the first .struggle for the schoolboy “ashes” a draw of one goal each. Blandford Park was In better condition than it has been since the beginning of the season, and is making a good recovery from the frequent soakings and severe cutting-up it has received. It was still heavy and holding, but not sufficiently so to prevent the play being lively and bright throughout. A curtain-raiser between “midgets” representing the Catholic Schools and the Auckland Primary Schools provided an interesting bout, which went in favour of the State pupils, but the “Tykes” first appearance as a representative Soccer team, after their first season at the code, was full of promise for the future.

SMART AUSSIE BOYS The Australian lads received a roar of welcome as they filed out and lined up to give a team-song and aboriginal war-cry. They looked very smart and trim in their bronze green jerseys with gold badges, and were a well set-up eleven, appearing heavier in build than the New Zealanders. The juvenile "All Blacks” were also given a rousing cheer, which was repeated after Mr. H. S. W. King, in the absence of the Mayor, had presented them with their representative caps.

The New Zealanders took the initiative at the start, but without success, and the Aussies soon found their feet. The game settled down to a dingdong struggle in which each goal was threatened in turn, and both sides forced corner kicks which failed to connect. Weak shooting and finishing was responsible for the scoreboard being blank at half-time, but both sides showed some clever footwork and combined play in mid-field work.

On both sides the defence was superior to the attack, the diminutive Cleal bringing off some marvellous saves for the Blacks, while Campbell at fullback for the Aussies and Hooper at half were prominent with some strong defensive work. The second spell was of a similar nature to the opening one until Australia scored in a strong attacking move which caused a melee in New Zealand’s goal-mouth. Partial clearances by Stone and Cleal •eft an open goal, and Mills ran in to score unopposed. The Blacks rallied strongly and attacked in a determined s tyle. but failed to get through until the dying moments of the match, when Nelligan passed back to Bates; the half drew the defence cleverly to send m a perfect centre, which Taylor connected with neatly and drove hard bnst Cheminant. The whistle then sounded after a thrilling climax, and oud cheeds saluted the boys as they left the field.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

SHORES DECISIVE WIW There was a good attendance at uevonport to witness the second chainponsliip game between Shore and ‘ ship's companies appearing ‘n strong force on the lines. The turf - * cricket field condition, and play tin^v St und willing from start to T he game was more of the <hn” tle than a club match, the anrt i-“hpwing superior combination, s-vi the ball about in a lively ‘He which made the pace too hot for off SJ* who were bustled sk , cir legs at times by the speedy’ fchore lorwards. onAnP re held the advantage in the KoaS 11 ? when they led by two OD _ to n il. after missing some easy -\«i.vvk S through faulty’ shooting. The but f had taken a hand at attacking. f 0 _ *° un d the Shore defence too solid JHckit m ‘ * n second half the blueto frj-V 1 set out in a determined manner with » up i < ewa y» and were presented acri*it J u .?ky penalty through Baxter C*rsrAa lltal i? handling while clearing, ment# n ‘ ioud and lusty encouragetfoniM ♦£ n \5 leir shi P*nates, Navy conbut the bombardment for a while, Mypk defensive play by’ the Shore backs, and Lipscombe’s line si, * lr * Soul, drove the attack off. * H? en took a hand in reprisals, for rwwT i lnf: and “mixed” play called j_'*-casi° n al intervention by the reth* 7 Cut bumping was mostly of one . st type expected in a hard ih* o h • A - ®wift sweeping movement by xi<i e hne saw Walters put his w ° U P. und then a neat right Cleai ,u ® v ement between Renshaw. flying, Moore ended in the latter Sogj . rough and scoring a brilliant decisive "bistle sounding with Shore Pop * Wlnner * by four goals to one. foal home Lipscombe, in jim'J Gerrard, at back, were cool tone p le * ln defence, and in the half In hnr^ Xter , and Renshaw shone out initiatir. the attackers #nd fregt offensive movements. In the lively hw ar -d Moore were a 'lever - , wing, the former being Moor* l drawing the defence, while flown tK °wcd great bursts of speed J> r omis» ine ‘ Walters gave great a nce ce ntre on his first appearWW ™ senior ranks, and fed his Wl th good judgment. For the

Navy Lawrence battled hard and gallantly at fullback against the lively Shore line, and got in some splendid clearing work, but the halves in front of him were weak. Lacey and Black stood out in the Navy van, combining well together, and some of Lacey’s strong centres deserved a better fate. PONSONBY V. Y.M.C.A. Neither team was at full strength on Victoria Park, but an interesting game ended in a division of points with the score at one goal each. Play was fast and brisk in the first spell, both sides enjoying the unusually firm going, and only solid defensive work kept the score dowrl A neat combined attack by the Young Men ended in Bridges putting a perfect centre into the goal-mouth for Hoban to head past Watts, and the teams turned round with the Ponies one down. On the restart Ponsonby took up the offensive, and after fruitless corners Hunter got his head to a straight one and brought the score level. Both sides struggled hard for the winning goal, but without success, and the pace had slackened down a lot when an even contest ended with the score at one goal each.

AUCKLAND BEATS OTAGO The Auckland touring team gained \ meritorious victory in the English Trophy match at Dunedin by defeating a powerful Otago eleven by the odd goal in three. Miles, who had not been in action since his injury in the Canadian game, became a “lame duck” in the match, and Carter was a temporary casualty through receiving a nasty kick, but fortunately Kay’s injured leg remained sound, and he played a brilliant game. Canterbury had all their work cut out at home to defeat Wellington by the odd goal in seven, but two of Wellington’s goals came from penalty kicks by Gill. Auckland has now two wins to its credit, and the prospects of retaining the national trophy are very bright. Simpson is in reserve to fill Miles’s place if needed, and a win over Canterbury on Saturday will put Auckland’s name on the English Trophy for the first two contests.

WELLINGTON FINAL OF CHATHAM CUP

MARIST FOR AUCKLAND (Special to THE SUN.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Marist beat St. Andrew’s (Manawatu) on Saturday by four goals to nil in the Wellington district final for the Chatham Cup. Marist will meet Ponsonby at Auckland next Saturday to decide the North Island finalist.

CANTERBURY BEATS WELLINGTON

ODD GOAL IN SEVEN Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday Wellington met Canterbury in a Soccer match to-day before a good attendance. Play was very even, both sides conceding corners. Dickinson scored for Wellington, and shortly after this Trotter scored for Canterbury. The score stood at the interval: Canterbury 1. Wellington 1. Early in the second spell a fine movement initiated by J. Frickleton, who passed to Isles, enabled Trotter to score. Canterbury 2, Wellington 1. Shortly afterwards brisk forward play gave a goal to J. Frickleton. Canterbury 3, Wellington 3. Immediately afterwards Gill scored for Wellington from a penalty. Canterbury 2, Wellington 2. _ . , The following play was fast and "filing. both goalkeepers being busy until T. Nelson scored. Canterbury 4. Wellington 2. From a penalty a minute later Gill again scored, and the game elided with the scores: Canterbury 4, Wellington 3.

LAWN TENNIS IN THE PROVINCE

WAIUKU’S GOOD YEAR Yt the annual meeting of the At aiuku Tennis Club, Air. A. AV. M. Ohlson preThe committee reported that the club had started the past season with a debit balance of £7 14s 7d. and ended with a credit balance of £u3 2s id. Further equipment had been provided. The membership totalled 7S. One tournament had been held before Christmas and another at Easter. The club was applying for affiliation with the Franklin Lawn Tennis Association. Ihe coming season gave promise of an increase in the club’s membership. Officers elected were:—President, Air. Ohlson; vice-presidents, Alessrs. J. Forbes and 11. B. Armitage; secretary and treasurer, Air. C. C. Alunro; committee. Alisses Arkle, Aleiklejolm and Christiansen and Alessrs. Cl. Arkle A. James. R. Eade and Graham: match committee, the president and Arkle and Ateiklejohn: grounds committee, Messrs. Eade, Arkle and James, auditor. Air. H. AI. Barribali. PUKEKOHE CLUB At the adjourned annual meeting of the Pukekohe Hill Tennis Club the president, Mr. G. Gathercole, presiding, the financial statement showed a credit balance which was considered very satisfactory, in view of the club having purchased land and laid down new courts in the past year. Tho election of officers resulted: President. Mr. G. Gathercole: vice-prc-sidents. Alessrs. A. Donald and A. Middleton; secretary and treasurer. Mr. J Hooper; committee, Mesdames Moore, Donald and Hoper, and Messrs. j \ Moore, J. Middleton and Donald; auditor, Mr. E. D. Wilkinson. It was decided to officially open the club’s courts for the season on Saturday, October 29.