SOCCER CHAMPIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 215, 12 September 1927, Page 13

SOCCER CHAMPIONS.

PONSONBY'S CLEVER V*IN.

WELLINGTON STARS, MARIST,

BEATEN.

N.I. FINAL CHATHAM CUP.

In a hatd-fought battle all the way Fonsonby beat Marist, tho Wellington champion team, by two goals to ohe, at Blandford Park in the final of the iforth Island section of the Chatham Clip on Saturday, and qualified to meet Northerfa, the South Island star team, in the grand final. It was a thrilling game, ahd despite the slippery ground, was marked by high skill, and the speetators throughout footed vigorously for their favourites. The winning goal came in the last fetr minutes, after both goals had repeatedly been in grave danger. Teams Were:— MARISTS. Goal—Hickcy. Backs—Fitzgerald and Rudolph. Halves—Pope, Thomas, Burke. Forwards—Barton, McElligott, Ckmdoa. Marshment and Cudby. PONSONBY. ! Goal—Watts. j Backs—Pickett and Williams.

Halves—Morrison, Wright, Mooney. Forwards—Bell, O'Brien, Innes, Tomilty, and Adshead.

Ponsonby shaped the better in the early stages, but, nevertheless, Marist were dangerous, when near goal, their shooting being very good. The spectators were electrified by a sudden break through the defence' by Condon. He slipped, however, when about to shoot, but managed to touch the ball out to the right wing. Barton came up at a great pace, collected, and drove with terrific force for goal A shout of "goal" went up, but Pickett, with a quick dive intercepted and cleared the danger for a moment. Rudolph se< cured possession, and instantly drove for goal, but again Pickett came to the rescue and cleared, breasting the ball down before kicking away. A breakaway by the Ponies on th 4 left threatened danger, but offside by Adihead brought relief. Prom the other wing Tomilty put behind when in a good position. For several minutes after this play swung from end to end very quickly, and on one occasion when Marist at-> tacked, Cudby sent in a beauty from near the touch line, which Watt! collected coolly and Cleared.

Marist broke away again, and Barton put in a beautiful centre for McElligott to make a weak attempt to More, the ball going behind.

Play then turned to Marist end, where Hickey was called on to save a hot shot from Innes, which he did by throwing out, but Innes Was on the spot again to head oven

Ponsonby raised the hopes 6f their supporters by another attack in which Innes and Wright Were prominent, but neither was able to pierce the defence. Play changed again suddenly. Marist made a dangerous pish on the Ponies' goal, Camden and Marshment passed prettily, but the former lost possession by kicking too far ahead. A race for the ball ensued between Watts and the centre forward, and the former won by inches, getting his kick in first. Half time:

Ponsonß/ »4. 54 . 4 0 Marist 0 Ponsonby immediately attacked on the left and forced a corner. This Was placed ft little too far out to be effective, and Marfchmeftt put the Marist on the attack with a great run down the wing. He was dispossessed by Pickett, butwai plated ill possession again by Thomas, Running to within ten yards of the goal line he shot, and Wattfe, to the dlft' appointment of the Poflleß' supporters, mulled his clearance. Aa he attempted to take the ball he looked at an onrushihg forward With .the result that the greasy ball slipped through hit hands and over hi* head. Marist . *~ 1 Ponsonby . * ; 0 To the great delight of the home supporters Ponsonby equalised Within a minute. The forwards went aWfty in a line with great dash, and Innes securing possession close in beat the backs and scored a beautiful goal. Ponsonby 1 Marist 1 Ponsonby were going great guns, and within two minutes a Marist batik handled and a penalty waft awarded to the Ponies. This waft taken by InfiM» and he shot straight at the goalkeeper. Hlckey who had been playing a great game promptly tipped the ball Up and it struck thd crossbar and the goal* keeper securing again* cleared. Twice in quick succession following this Marist attacked, and on both occasions Watts had to safe long shots. The second of these (tent in by McElligfltt from the touchline dear half-way nearly bounced over the goalkeeper's head. Ponsonby in their turn made two very dangerous attacks and Tojnilty . twice shot hard into Hickey's hands, and Innes hit the crossbar the nftti taofnent.

three times running the Ponies W«f» given good chances by Williams* good placing. The back dropped the bftl) right Into the. goalmouth, after break* ing up likely attacks by the Marist right wing. Maftst again became aggressive, tad attg had to handle from Marshmfent and Barton, and Thomas just missed thtt goal by inches.' Ponsonby's right wing came into pro* minence with a nicely combined move* ment, and Hi a result f omiity fired lite

the hands df Hlckey, the goalkeeper clearing at tie expense of a corner. This was cleared temporarily, and Ponsonby came baek stronger, this time on the left. Adshead, from near the corner flagj whipped the ball over to the front of goal, and Innes touched forward for Tomilty to flash in and score the wirining goal a few mintites before time; Final:— POfi&onby ......an........ 2 ItaHkt 1