SKERRETT CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 209, 4 September 1929, Page 9

SKERRETT CUP.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS SOCCER AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON AT BLANDFOBD PARK. TROPHY WON BY AUCKLAND. Fine football weather prevailed at Blandford Park to-day for the match between the Auckland and Wellington secondary schools' teams for the Skerrett Cup. The ground was in fairly good condition, but there were sticky patches in midfiekl. The teams were: — Auckland.—Williams (Technical College), Outtrim (Auckland Grammar), Ross (Technical), Dallimore (Technical), Toy Albert), Thompson (Technical, captain), Austin (Auckland Grammar), Ferguson (Takapuna Grammar), Jepson (Mount Albert Grammar), Sloan (Technical), Woods (Mount Albert). Wellington.—Turkington (St. Patrick's), Raxworthy (Technical), Wilson (St. Patrick's), Bedford . (Rongatai), Pender (St. Patrick's, captain), Baillie (Technical), Hamill (Technical), McGregor (Wellington College), Webster (Technical), Oliver (Wellington College), Smith (Wellington College). Referee. —Mr. E. G. Caton. ; Wellington -won the toss, and were the first to become aggressive, the visiting left wing swinging the ball about in lively fashion, and initiating an attack, which, was nullified.by the promptitude of Thompson. Auckland retaliated,. and a line advance ended in Ferguson shooting over, whilst a sfecond attack came to an end when Pender nipped in to intercept a pass from Toy to Jepson which might well have boded danger, A spell of quiet play was the prelude to a vigorous home attack, at the end of which Thompson tried his luck with a first-time shot, which went wide of the post. Auckland continued to hold the balance of the play, and Ferguson swung in a centre, from which 1 Turkington had to handle. Pressure by Sloan forced a corner, but the flag kick was not improved upon, and Wellington made reprisals for Ross to check the career of 'he visitors' left wing in timely fashion. The game was twenty minutes 'old when Wellington took the lead, Oliver scoring a good goal from a pass by Webster. The home goalkeeper ran out in a plucky attempt to stop the inside left, but Oliver got liis shot in, and Williams had no chance of saving This reverse had the effect of making the game harder and faster, but Jepson shot tamely at close quarters, and Ferguson was unlucky in not being able to gather the ball close to the upright at the end of a strong home attack. Ferguson had his recompense a few minutes later, however, for he ran past two oppponents to send in na high dropping shot. The goalkeeper Jumped to it, but there was a good deal of swerve on the ball, and it found the net. Auckland pressed until half-time, which arrived with the score: — Auckland 1 Wellington Auckland opened the second half with a strong attack, and after Jepson had brought the goalkeeper into action, Austin came into prominence with a centre which hit the corner of the post. The home side coutinurd to press and they gained the lead after seven minutes' play, albeit in very lucky fashion. Ferguson kicked towards goal from fully 40 yards range, and the ball dropped in a puddle, failing to bounce, and deceiving the goalkeeper in its flight. Turkington ran out to meet it, but failed to gather the leather, which rolled into the net. Wilson and Bedford making a vain attempt to check it. Auckland held the upper hand during the succeeding stages and pood form was shown by Ferguson and Jepson. the centre forward getting in a brilliant low drive which the goalkeeper did well to save. Ferguson also tested Turkington. and good work by Toy and Thompson Jed to Sloan driving in another shot, which went very near the mark. With a 'quarter of an hour to go, Jepson put Auckland further ahead, the centre forward collecting a Ion? pass by Toy and running on° to score a pood goal. In the course of a breakaway Smith reduced the deficit, the outside left snapping up a pass from Oliver and sconn? with a high drive. Auckland held the upper hand till the close, and Jepson increased their lead, the game ending with the score Auckland 4 ellington .-> The cup was handed over to Thomnson the Auckland captain, bv Mr. F. M. lvitchie, a former member of the junior management committee.