CHINESE UNIVERSITIES (1) v. TARANAKI (1).

CHINESE UNIVERSITIES (1) v. TARANAKI (1). Following rain for several days, the weather cleared yesterday morning and held off during the course of the match, thus enabling about three thousand spectators to see the game in comfort. The gate takings amounted to £265. A fairly strong south-easterly wind was blowing, and the ground was heavy, and in parts very "sliddery." The ball was fairly dry and enabled the players to keep control. The game was interesting and fairly fast, but at no time did it reach a. high level. There is no doubt that the visitors have a line knowledge of the "Soccer game and play it cleverly Their footwork is of a very high order, but they are inclined to overdo the close passing. They also- want to dribble the ball through the goal instead of shooting as soon as they get into position. .Judging by the work displayed when. Chang's goal was obtained, it is more than a pity that the visitors were not put more on the stretch. The game was kept fairly open, but th€ Chinese showed a better knowledge of the game and showed sound methods in their approaches towards the goal mouth. The following were the teams: Chinese Universities: C. Pao; H. C. Hung, M. L. Loh; T. Y. Tsai, L. N. Lok, P. Chen; C S. Wang, K. S. Liang, H. E. Chang, Y. C. Wu, Alex. Ting. Referee: Mr. G. Reading. Linesmen: Messrs Muggeridge and Broomfield. Chang kicked off against the breeze and his forwards at once set up an attack, which was Avell stopped by Nicholls. Pollard was put in possession, but failing to control the ball his centre went behind. The visitors retaliated, and a passing rush got the ball into a £ood position, but Wn's centre was missed by Chang slipping. A corner resulted, which was beautifully placed, but Liang headed over. Taraoaki next took a hand on attack, but Hung easily cleared. Ting dribbled into the corner and centred well, but Wu shot outside. Pooch next took a long shot at the other end, but -his direction w.as not good. Offside play stopped a raid by the visitors. Ramsay got away on the right and Galloway picked up the centre shot, but Pao j cleared easily. The ball came back, but Pooch again was wide. A few seconds after Freakley pounced on a centre, but shot over. The visitors again set up a lively attack, but Beare foiled it and sent Pollard away; but again the centre was misdirected. The Chinese forwards on the attack again i were very dangerous, but offside spoiled the effort, and Pollard and Campbell i brought the ball back into the danger zone, but Pooch's final effort went a little wide. Ramsay next got away witli a fine dribble and, beating Hung, put across a high dropping centre, which was well taken and cleared. Taranaki were keeping the visitors back on the latter's goal, but lacked finish, and several good centres were wasted owing -to the weakness of the inside men. A strong clearance by Loh. was picked up by Lok, and a hot attack on the left by the visitors was well stopped by Betteridge. Another rush. by Alex. Ting, Chen, Wu and Chang brought the ball back again, but Wu shot over. Another rush by Wu and Chang was stopped by Beare, who sent Ramsay away on the right, but he was not supported, and half-time was blown with no score. From the kick-off China went on to the attack/with great pace, but the shooting was wild. Ramsay and GallowaJy gained a lot'of ground, but Wu, Ting, and Lok came back and Chang shot outside Give and take play followed, and Chang again shot outside. The next feature was a great centre from Wang, which Iwas 'blown jugfe over' the bar. Following another fine piece of passing by Wang, Liang, and Chang, Liang nearly got there with a fine effort, the shot travelling just outside. Hart was called on to save two hot shots in succession, but cleared in great style. Pooch, in trying to clear, nearly shot through his own goal. Another shot by Chang was neatly tipped over by Hart. The resulting cornet- went behind. Ramsay next dribbled in fine style and beat his opponents badly, but his final shot went over. The game was faster and more even at this stage, and rush after rush by both sides ensued. Time was getting on, and towards the end of the spell tho ball was passed over Pollard, who dribbled nicely into position. His centre was well' taken by Galloway, who gave to Campbell, aiid the latter beat Pao with an obliffiio shot vjhfrh travelled across goal. From the kick-off the Chinese immediately set up a strong attack. Lok sent over to Alex. Ting, who beat Xieholl and sent a good pass to Chen. The latter opened up a splendid position and gave to Chang, "who with a spendid shot"into the far corner had Hart well beaten. Time was called immediately with the scores standing: Chinese Universities 1 Taranaki 1 Mr G. Reading was the referee, and he gave a very good exposition and was prompt in his decisions. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 August 1924, Page 10