ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20504, 21 May 1938, Page 23 (Supplement)

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

NEW SEASON'S GAMES THREE CHATHAM CUP ENTRIES NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Centre”) With two series of games in the South Auckland Football Association's competitions completed the 1938 season can be said to be fairly well under way. Th_ opening day was a rather discouraging one, with the fields in a heavy state following heavy rain and the weather threatening, but these factors did nothing to dampen the ardour of the players. Keen mulry has been the keynote of the plny.su far, and this augurs well for the rest of the season. clcn Massey have shown themselves to be formidable opponents, first by defeating Hovers by G goals to nil and then by claiming a 10—u victory over Jiuntly Starr. Wanderers huve also been on top in the first two games of the season, having defeated jiuntly and Rovers. Positions of Teams Following are the positions of the senior teams after the second series of games was played last .Saturday:— Team P W D L For Agst Pts Glen Massey 22 0 010 0 4 Wanderers '2 2 0 010 1 4 Huntly Starr 20021 160 Rovers 2 0 0 2 0 10 0

Blx-a-side Tournaments Two six-a-side tournaments, senior and Junior, have been arranged by the South Auckland Football Association for decision at Seddon Park on King’s Birthday. Trophies donated by the Association will be attached to the competitions.

Chatham Cup Entries Additional interest in this year's Chatham Cup series will be aroused in the South Auckland district by the fact that three entries have been received from the area. The clubs which have signified their intention of making a bid for the honours are Glen Massey, Huntly and Wancferers, and the trio should be responsible for a bright and interesting elimination competition. In addition, advice has been received that the Auckland provincial final will be decided at Hamilton.

Starting on Time The necessity for players to be on the field and ready for play at the scheduled time of starting cannot be stressed too strongly or too often. A bad example was set by several of Rovers’ players at Seddon Park last week when, after giving the team a few minutes’ grace, the referee commenced the game with only four Rovers players on the field. A sample of what happens through late starting was witnessed at Auckland last Saturday when the game was still unfinished after darkness had set in. It should be remembered that in drawing up its fixtures the association endeavours to avoid such an occurrence and a little co-operation from the players would not go amiss.

Change of Grounds The South Auckland Football Association is to be congratulated on the successful conclusion to the negotiations which have been undertaken with the Hamilton Domain ‘Board for the use of the ground immediately in front of the grandstand at Seddon Park. In addition to providing seating and shelter for the spectators the change will be a step in the right direction in that a smooth field, unmarred by a sand cricket pitch and other obstacles, will be available for senior play. The old No. 1 ground has served the* association for many years but it has long been felt that an improvement has been needed and the change in fields should have a beneficial effect in the standard of play witnessed at Seddon Park. Eearly-Season Rawness Although all the traces of the earlyseason rawness, which is only to be expected at this time of the year, has not yet left the players, the teams in the South Auckland area seem to have more or less settled down to the new season's play and present indications are that bright fare is in store for followers of the code in the South Auckland area. In the games played so far deficiencies have been fairly numerous but the players should not be condemned on this account. Within the next week or two they will be properly settled and a considerable improvement in the standard of play should be evident. Interest In Junior Sections The players in the Junior and intermediate divisions in the South Auckland Football Association's competi- , tions have shown a pleasing keenness i in the games played so far this year ' and indications are for some particulj arlv bright competitions. The junior | players of to-day are potential seniors ; and the association has always adopt;ed a lon6-sighted policy in making i every provision for their welfare in the j game. In this way they can assure i themselves of a steady supply of players in the years to come.

bout in New Zealand because the Dominion of New Zealand Wrestling Union is making early overtures for the winner, whoever he may be, to come to New Zealand to meet Blomfleld. Vincent Lopez Coming Vincent Lopez, the Mexican wrestler, is on his way to New Zealand. He is a grappler of ability and he is looking for a match with Lofty Blomfleld. Opinions of all fans will vary, but there seems little doubt that New Zealand’s champion will be the better of the two men and on last year's form lie was rated by American authorities several above Lopez in the world's ranking list. Lopez shojuld lie better than most of the other men in the country at present, however, and he will probably lake a ranking with Fraley and Kennedy which would be just behind Biomfield'. Everyone will know better when he lands and gets into aclion. In the meantime the fans will anxiously await his arrival. Another New Arrival Ray Steele, of California, another first rate wrestler of the United States who is usually ranked not far after Lopez, will arrive in Auckland on , M.-nday fortnight, May HO- Steele re- 1 c ntlv drew in a no-ball contest with Nir gurski, but tlie* champion cannot -tocle accepted a remunerative guarantee for a tour to New Zealand. Steele should lie welcome here and a match between he and Biomfield would draw considerable interest as both did well against the world’s champion. Wrestling Fixtures Saturday.—Biomfield v. Kennedy, at Auckland; Meehan v. Tourist, at < Osborne. Mond.ty. - Jensen v. Moen, at Wei-