AUCKLAND WINS ENGLISH TROPHY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 153, 19 September 1927, Page 11

AUCKLAND WINS ENGLISH TROPHY

OTAGO DEFEATED Press Association. DUXEDIX, Saturday. Dull weather prevailed for the Association football match between Canterbury and Otago in the final game of the Football Association Trophy competition. The former team won by 3 goals to 1. The result leaves Auckland the winners of the trophy. There was no wind or sun to interfere with play, and the Carisbrook ground was in good order. The attendance was 2,000. The teams were as follows: Canterbury. —Goal, McDougall: backs, Johnson, Muscroft; halves, Walker, Roberts, Howarth; forwards, Nelson, Sutherland, Trotter, McDougall, Frickleton. Otago.—Goal, Caskie; backs, Coats, Anderson; halves, Munro, Munro, Munsie, Murray; forwards, Simmonds, McHugh, Duncan, McCormick, McLean. The first spell was fairly even, with Canterbury showing better all-round football. Trotter, Sutherland and Xelson, of the forwards, were prominent, with Roberts, Johnson and Muscroft best in the defence. McDougall was not seriously tested but he made a brilliant save when Simmonds dropped in an awkward cross kick. Canterbury’s opening goal came from a throw-in, McDougall passing to Trotter, and the latter sending on to Sutherland, who headed past the goal-keeper. Otago evened up matters shortly after. Munsie, who was opposing Trotter, with a hefty kick to McLean, enabled the winger to cross to the goal, giving Simmonds a close shot, which McDougall had no chance of saving. Canterbury returned to the attack and the Otago goalkeeper made two fine saves, from both Trotter and Nelson. Roberts was very effective in checking Otago’s advances, which lacked cohesion. Simmonds, on the right, was the only player to make headway. Following a free kick against Otago, Sutherland received from a clearance bj/ Otago’s goalkeeper and scored Canterbury’s second goal. At half-time the score was: Canterbury 2 Otago 1 On changing over Canterbury’s rearguard played a sound game, and penned Otago in their own territory. There followed smart work by Roberts, who initiated play for Trotter. A kick from a corner was nicely placed and enabled Trotter to score Canterbury’s third goal. Otago’s goal then had a narrow escape, the goalkeeper having come out to clear a cross kick from Nelson. From a free kick to Otago, McDougall saved by conceding a corner, and play hung round the visitors’ goal. Poor shooting by local forwards brought relief. Canterbury was striving hard to obtain another goal. Trotter and Sutherland were prominent with several fine shots, which the defence cleared. Although Sutherland beat Caskie on one occasion the goal was disallowed for offside. McDougaU then saved brilliantly a fine header made by McCormack. Toward the end of the ganle Otago rallied considerably, but the strong defence on the part of Johnson and Muscroft repelled all attacks. The game ended:—Canterbury 3 Otago 1 ALL BLACK TRIAL MATCH DULLER DEFEATS NELSON Press Association. WESTPORT, Sunday. The All Black trial match, Buller and West Coast v. Nelson, Golden Bay and Motueka, was played this afternoon in beautiful weather, the former team winning by 20 points to 15. The play, although at times ragged, was strenuous, and some effective passing runs were made by the backs. Tries were scored for Buller by M. Jamieson (two), McNeight and P. Jamieson. McCleary kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. (The remaining three points were not telegraphed.) Scorers for Nelson were Clarke, Reed and E. Snow, Reed converting all three. The Nelson backs, combining well, were responsible for some pretty play in the first spell, the team leading 10—3 at half-time. In the second spell Nelson faced the sun and the Buller forwards, W. McNeight and Freitas outstanding, dominated the play. Reed, who had scored nine points for Nelson, had to retire, and his loss was a serious one to the visitors, who at the time led 15—6. Snodgrass, who was injured in last Saturday’s match, was not able to play, but it is understood he will be given consideration in one of the other trial matches. McNeight was the outstanding forward on the field and has maintained his reputation as a sterling player. Freitas, Tunnicliffe, G. Stuart, in the forwards, and P. Jamieson, Sherlock and McCleary in the backs, were the best of the other Buller players. On the Nelson side Reed, Wallace and Mahoney, of the backs, showed outstanding brilliance. E. Snow, Young and Clarke were the best of the forwards. KNIGHT INJURED NOT AVAILABLE FOR TRIAL CLOSE OF RUGBY SEASON A. Knight, the Grammar forward, suffered a broken rib in the match against Wellington on Saturday, and is not likely to be able to play in the trial match on Saturday next. Knight’s absence, coupled with the fact that Paewai, Batty and Wanoa are not eligible, will make room for four North Aucklanders in the Auckland group team, which has not yet been selected. On its performances this season, the Auckland team is entitled to predominate representation, but even so men worthy of a trial, such as Wright and Woods, may not get a game. Woods is at present out of action through a shoulder injurv It is doubtful if V. Butler, the Varsity fullback, will be fit for next Saturday. His untimely attack of mumps gave him a severe setback. REMAINING PROGRAMME The remaining Rugby programme provides for three more playing Saturdays. On Saturday next the trial match will be played, and the following week will be the Charity Cup match between Grammar and Ponsonby. The proceeds will be partly devoted to charity, and partly to the W. Cunningham memorial fund. A . representative match between Auckland and Waikato will be played on Octob€;r 8. three days after the last of the All Black trial matches. Further Pollard Cup matches also are to be disposed of. Manukau is at present in the lead.