Ruddiman was outstanding in the front line for his craftiness in opening up forward movements, but his colleagues were not equal to carrying through the attacks against the solid defence of Seacliff’s back division. Cherry, at inside right, was another player who battled hard throughout, but Duncan, on the left wing, gave him little support. O’Brien and W. Dryden between them missed three fine chances in the first spell, and had these resulted in scores the result might have been different.
On one occasion W. Dryden neatly tricked the redoubtable Andersen at full back, but absolutely threw away the opportunity by passing into the centre. The half-back line failed to back up the forwards right throughout the game, and their placing was badly directed. J. Dryden did not play up to anything like the form he has shown this season, and found Hooper more than he could contend with. Jones was the best of the line, placing a good spoiling game against Seacliff’s left wing. Coates, at right full-back, played a really good game, kicking and tackling in rare style.
Braham, in goal, did not relish the work he was given to do, and his judgment was faulty at times. One of Hooper’s goals could have been cleared had he come out to meet the centre. Seacliff fielded what they called a weak team, but on the play they proved themselves every bit as good as the original. Murray filled J. Anderson’s position at full-back, and dropped into the back play with ease, being little, if anything, behind his colleague, G. Anderson. The half-back line was a big factor in the success of the forwards. They placed the ball with good judgment, and followed up the attacks nicely. Rogers, at left half, is developing into a good style of player. The whole of the forward line gave a good display, Simmons and Hanlin being the pick. Simmons is a hard man to beat with the ball, and is an old hand at making openings. His last goal of the match was of the kind that seldom seen in local games. Getting a high pass from Hooper, he essayed a first-timer, and the ball shot into the net with lightning speed. Hanlin on the left wing put in a lot of clever wing play, and his centring as always reliable. In his partner Baillie Seacliff appear to have solved their problem of the inside left position, as although Baillie was palpably not fit, he shaped with distinction. Hooper proved a knotty problem for the opposing defence and made good use of his speed. He had several shots at goal, the majority of which were placed over, but the two goals he got were nicely scored. Baxter, who filled the outside right position in place of McDougall is a clever player who has had few games this season. The little he had to do was done well but most of Seacliff’s play went towards the left. Rivers proved very safe in goal, giving one of his best displays this season. — by ‘Full Back’
Oranges keep blood pure
During the course of an address last night on "How to Conserve Our Health" Dr Marion Whyte stated that not everyone knew that oranges, if eaten in sufficient quantity, would cure boils in children. The end of the winter was the time when children contracted this complaint, and if they were given oranges the blood would be kept pure. — ODT, 21.8.1924
Compiled by Peter Dowden
