ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20263, 4 August 1937, Page 11

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

LAST SATURDAY’S PLAY. HUNTLY LEAD IN ANSELL CUP. POSITION OF PUKEMIRO TEAM. (By “Pivot.") Although there is still room for a great deal of improvement, the match between Huntly-Starr and Rovers on Saturday was productive of better football than for some weeks and there was an absence from illegal tactics which have to some extent marred many of the gamosjo date. As a result of their win Huntly are now leading in the competition, although they have played one more game than the the other teams who have so far taken i part. Pukemiro (holders of the An- ! sell Cup) have not yet played and it appears doubtful at this stage if they . will enter the competition. In the event of their withdrawal the draw ■ would have to be re-arranged. : Points Table. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Huntly-Starr .... 3 1 -2 8 6 4 Wanderers .... 2 1-16 4 3 Glen Massey .... 10-1111 Rovers .... 2 0 2 0 3 7 0 Rovers Unfortunate. Rovers were unfortunate in having to field a junior player in goal on Saturday and also in losing Schonau during the first spell through injuries. Rogerson played well under the circumstances, but a more experienced goalie may have saved the day for Rovers. Schonau is certainly an unlucky player having previously in the season had a broken finger which kept him out of the game for several weeks. Fine Fulback. A. Hall, Huntly’s right back and a South Auckland representative player, gave one of the best exhibitions of fullback play seen at Seddon Park this year. There was little doubt that Hall had the measure of the Rovers’ rearguard as time and again he not only robbed them of possession but in many instances went right upfield to turn defence into attack. His kicking was powerful, but what was more valuable, accurate. Success of Junior Players. On several occasions this season Rovers have been forced to promote junior players to fill vacancies in their senior team and they have been singularly fortunate in their choice. On Saturday Stewart, who has played 'With conspicuous success in the junior A team, was given the. centre-forward position and acquitted himself well in the first half. In the second spell he had few opportunities, but he gave evidence that the senior team have a sound reserve man to fall back on. He should be a certainty for the senior team next year. Still a Solid Proposition. Although some of the best known members of the Huntly-Starr forward line are absent from the side this year the rearguard is still a solid proposition and they were more vulnerable than Rovers on Saturday. W. Marshall was perhaps the best and his efforts had good support from Churchill and Spiers. If anything, Rovers’ forwards had more opportunities but they failed through inaccurate shooting or poor judgment to turn them to account.