WET-WEATHER SOCCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 383, 18 June 1928, Page 6

WET-WEATHER SOCCER

Lively Games In Soaking Rain

WIN FOR TRAMS AND PONIES FOR the first time this season the contestants in club Soccer struck real winter weather, and games outs'd headquarters were called off. In spite of the heavy down 6 pour, Blandford Park was in good playing condition and stood the severe test splendidly. In both games the teams waded into it with a will, and gave a lively exhibition to the many keen enthusiasts in the stand. Conditions were against Belmont'S style and the Ponies won 4—o after a gruelling game. Tramways and Y.M.C.A. provided an exciting tussle in which the transport men came out winner 3—l.

BELMONT and Ponsonby were both at full strength for th« opening game, and rolled out c.heerfiully in a drenching rain, ■which filled a few hollow places on the surface with shallow pools, and played pranks with the run of the ball on occasions. The “Ronies” have always had a reputation as a wet weather side, and they fairly revelled in the soft going. The Belmont babes got an encouraging cheer as they filed out after congratulations on a memorable win over the late leaders. A SPORTING CONTEST But the ground conditions were all against the youths’ usual tactics. Long passes failed to find their objective, and Ponsonby was quick to adapt itself to a policy of close control of the ball. It was significant of the true sporting spirit in -which the game was played, that by mutual agreement between the clubs the official linesmen were dispensed with and saved a thorough soaking, and never once was the referee asked to decide who had the throw-in of the ball from touch. Innes was soon prominent, with some brisk dashes down the line, and led the defence a lively dance, but N. Bach stuck well to his task of blocking the flyer. STEWART’S BRACE OF GOALS Eventually Innes showed a wet pair of heels to the defence, and sent a strong centre to the goal area, where Stewart gathered neatly and broke the ice for the first score. Ponsonby kept the pressure up and the Belmont defenders found difficulty in driving the sodden ball to their front line. Pickett at centre-half came through the ruck and sent ahead where Stewart was right on the spot to collect and slip

past the backs to bag his second go* Belmont rallied strongly, and both Trewhella and Hamilton struggle' hard to get within shooting distaao birt found Miles and Williams too so' in defence. A long drive by Bell «: his left wing in action and a miss bv the Belmont back drew Chesneyoutof position. Williams was quick and ety in securing to tap a soft one the empty goal, where Follas resists a temptation to fist clear and a penalty. BELMONT BATTLES HARD In spite of a three-goal deficit the Belmonat boys sailed into it gallant:, on turning round, and finished up i fresher team than their opponent*. Although Trewhella and Adams forced corner kicks, the placing was spoilt by a greasy ball, and a free kick against Miles for the usual “hands" went wide of the target. Ponsonby broke away again with a nice left dank attack, where notched his second and put Ponies four up. Morrison had to retire Tiurt, but Belmont could get no combined play in action, and failed to score in spites of gallant individual efforts. The Ponsonby forwards were all tn good form and iilways dangerous, while Miles and Williams were a solid pair of backs. The naval man still has an incurable impulse ot handle a passing ball, which may prove costly at any time. The Belmcnnt forwards could not exploit their hustling and "keep it n the air” game on Saturday, but Barh (2) and Lithgow, gave a good impression as a stronge trio of halves. Murphy got in a lot of hefty defensive work a tback. but Chcsney was not so confident as usual in a wet goal with a slippery ball. TRAMWAYS’ GOOD RECOVERY It was again a pleasure to ses the Corporation men turning out with their strongest team, and after a bad in the early games the gxeen and black? are now running strong for the lead in the championship. The* Young Mec were unlucky in having to field three juniors and striking the Trams full of running. The weather had cleared temporarily when the second match started, but the Trammies were a hi: slow off the mark, and took quite a while to settle down to the vnusuai presence of casual water. The Young Men were quicker to fir-d their feet and soon bustled rheir way past the defence, and Chalmers mad* good opening for Dick to drive hard * Batty. The goalie made a partial clearance of the wet sphere, but in attempting to boot it away it sidddtc from Simpson’s toe to the net. and Y.M was joyfully in the lead. Trams the; 1 settled down to a strong attack, and a centre from Simm was cleared bac* to Reed. The naval man sent to Spore who splashed away and crossed will for Spencer to get up quickly and equalise. TRAMS RUN AHEAD ! Blinding rain came on as the team- ; turned round all square, but both sido tore into the game with gusto and foogt hard for the lead. The ball travelled from end to end at a surprising founder the conditions. Paton saved cleverly from Spencer, and then Simpson smothered at the other end wfce: a score seemed certain. Trams tor* back with a flying run from Simm, slammed the ball accurately across tor Spencer to head neatly into the ne* The Y.M. defence was showing signs c:

the strain, and Reed fed Sim ™ perfect starting pass for a rep* of the previous offensive, and _fdeadiy centre came true for again to net and chalk up a na A LIVELY FINISH The stand cheered lustily as_.7. fought like demons to retne uation, and swooped with a bombardment which goalie prone in the net on ni oT ,r the ball beneath. Y.M. Ly th*" him and claimed a score, o were rewarded with was a fcard them for dangerous play. hare & luck for Y.M., and a dose Trams. Y.M. contested th ® up , tsi bitter end, but fa.iled to ca t* Trammies notched a won- rig* l three goals to one. Spence on top of his form, and was catered for by SimnYs . " s *oo*ments from the line. ** and d?was very safe in both off®. best fence, while Tinkler P* - wa a ccP' game this season. SinsP c iean r f spicuous with some VlS °. h i e m work and Batty The Y.M. forwards wereoj 4*o* by having Otter and bu t pot men on the opposite w,n 7^ K , n di«*P * a gallant fight with teal* the weather and a weak