Association Football

Much to the delight of kinsmen of Harry Lauder, soccer soon got under way in Fiji with platoon and company games. At Namaka a battalion side was formed and played games against Fijians, Chinese and Indians. The game against the Indians was very exciting, ending in draw—two all. The battalion team played very well but found their opponents especially clever with head and foot work. After the move to Samambula weekly fixtures were arranged in Suva, and the battalion sides met with considerable success in the competition. page 84The end of the season found the 'A' team undefeated winners of the championship. Improving with every game the 'B' team finished fourth in their grade.

On arrival back in New Zealand the soccer fans were soon hard at it again, and many interesting tussles were played at Papakura Camp, When the next move overseas came some of the Caledonians in the ranks had great expectations of a land of whisky, haggis and bagpipes; and when these dreams proved vain they covered up then-disappointment by getting out the round leather ball once more. Grounds were carved out of the lantana and niaouli and goalposts erected. The battalion side won the first six games in a row and were then defeated by the 38th Field Regiment by five goals to two. The ASC were next beaten four to one and the battalion felt fit enough to challenge the artillery once again. However, this match did not eventuate. The team was in even more of a winning mood when the battalion came back to New Caledonia from the Treasuries and, although it lost narrowly to the 34th Battalion on one occasion, managed to win the brigade championship.

Credit for much of the success and pleasure the unit got from soccer goes to Captain J. C. Thompson. His capable organisation and cheerful manner were an inspiration at all times. Those who gave the battalion yoeman service in the field were Percy Holman, J. M. Woods, R. W. Loader, E. W. Douglas, R. Penswick, M. Simpson, A. O. Williamson, W. Forrester, H. E. Clark and D. C. Hislop. The goal-keeper, Harry Clark, played some brilliant games. Bill Forrester proved a consistent scorer of goals and, although only a small chap, he knew all the finer points of the game. He and Davie Hislop would sit for hours on end working out how they would score 'gales on Sat-ur-dae'.