SOCCER PRACTICES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 947, 14 April 1930, Page 13

SOCCER PRACTICES

CLUBS ALL BUSY GOOD MUSTERS OF PLAYERS Tho Devonport Domain, the Dock Ground, the Outer Domain and the suburban spaces saw Soccer practice in full swing on Saturday. At Calliope Dock a mixed Ponsc-nby team had a full-time try-out with a naval side, which was 50-50 Dunedin and Philomel. A hard working gallop ended with honours easy at two all. On the Devonport Domain the seniors and juniors joined with some Dunedin men in a practice, while another Shore junior side had a try-out on X'o. 2 ground with the Auckland Chinese representatives, but the hefty Shore colts were too solid for the Orientals, and won by five goals to one. On the Outer Domain club practices and inter-club trials were in full swing, while the clubs in the outlying suburbs indulged in solid practice games.

DUNEDIN V. PHILOMEL

The Soccer season started merrily on the Devonport Domain cricket ground, when the team of the flagship Dunedin met the lads of the Philomel in a trial of strength, and gave them a lesson in clever Soccer to the tune of 11 goals to nil. There was a goodly number of the

ships* companies on the line, and a running lire of comment was heard when the game started. Both teams turned out spick, span and tit as usual, on a ground that was ideal for a fast and hard game. But in spite of some lusty encouragement the redstarted “Phillies” could make no fight of it with the “Blues,” and had it been autumn manoeuvres the umpires would have declared it “no light.” The depot ship was outranged, out-gunned and out-plaved, although “Xobby” Clarke, the flagship crackshot centreforward, has not yet returned from Samoa. SIX GOALS Page, in tho central berth, showed the “Dixey Dean” touch by bagging six of the brightest and best goals with splendid shots, which gave the “Phillies' ” goalie no chance. The teams turned round with Dunedin five up. and. although playing a man short in the second spell, the bombardment of the Philomel’s target continued unchecked until double figures were scored.

Luke, at centre-half, led the Blues in his usual clever and finished style, while Gill, Wilkes. Tite and Co. were all at the top of their form. Last season the Philomel team finished runners-up in the senior B division, after a great race with Manurewa, and earned the right of promotion to full seniority this season. But when the Diomede sailed for England she took Miles, Gilmore, Murch and other stars

from the depot ship, and the relief detachment which replaced the tim» - «p.\ : men brought no Soccer play ers, to fill the boots of those exports On ycsterda3*’s form Philomel would ha vo been easily beaten by a local junior team, and there was not one player in the Red eleven that any senior club would want to claim as a. recruit. The depot club was to decide over the week-end which grade it will enter for when the season’s nominations close on Tuesday next, but after its opening display it is difficult to see it as a senior side, unless it can enlist about 10 out of the Dunedin’s eleven. The flagship men would like to be frets to join up with any club they choose, as in previous seasons, and it would help the game generally if those of the Dunedin who are to be stationed ashore were free to stiffen up tho senior club teams.