CHATHAM CUP SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 193, 17 August 1931, Page 13

CHATHAM CUP SOCCER.

NORTH ISLAND FINAL.

VICTORY FOR TRAMUREWA

PETOxVE'S STRENUOUS STRUGGLE

With the victory of Tramurewa over Petone on Saturday, giving the local team ntry into the final of the Dominion championship in club Soccer, Auckland's hopes of gaining some recompense for the loss of the F.A. Trophy rise imineaeurij]y The Auckland champions will now L pitted against Nomads. Christchurch, t the Basin Reserve, Wellington, on September 5, which will mark the local team's second appearance in the Dominn final A. victory over the Chrietchurcli team would give the Tramurewa side equal honours with Petone, who are the only iMTn vet to have won the national trophy JS"e The game last Saturday was of a characteristic cup-tie nature, and from first to last was strenuously contested. In a hard and gruelling struggle it was noteworthy that there was a fine sporting snirit throughout, making the control of the game by Mr. Neebit, of Hikurangi, a comparatively easy one, though the official innsfbe given great credit for his conduct of the match. Team work won the day for Tramurewa, though two goals was probably just a shade more than was their rielit. As an introductory game the match between the Chilian Naval team and the Auckland rep. eleven, was highly diverting, and revealed a surprising skill on 'the part of the South Americans in the finer points of the game. Auckland, however, might have won by a much larger margin than 4 —2.

Petone Entertained. A pleasantly varied programme of entertainments was arranged over the week-end by the Traniurewa Club for the benefit of their guests, Petone, and the visitors' stay in the city proved an extremely enjoyable one. A dinner was given both teams in the Thistle Hotel after the match, presided over by Mr. Phelps, president«of the Tramurewa team, and Dr. McDougall, members of the local control, board, and Mr. J. Coleman, of the Wellington F.A., were among those present. An adjournment was later made to the home of Mr. S. Parkes. Green Lane where a company of close on 100 spent a pleasant social evening. Yesterday members of the team who desired were motored round the city and its environs. GREAT GAME OF TACTICS. The cup tie was a great game of taotics. Team work and strategy played a predoininant part in the decision of the contest and t ne victory to Tramurewa was undoubtedly deserved, because of their gTeater skill in this branch of the science of the game. Tramurewa were better served by their defence than they were by their forwards; Petone. while their forwards Were aggressive and combined, had not the same support from the rearguard and the backs failed toward the close, repeatedly being "beaten by the homesters' studied tactics. The home backs carried the honours of the day in the winning side and Tinkler was without a doubt unsurpassed on the field for his defensive work. Simpson for the nonce altered the style of play he has of late adopted, the waiting game, and advanced to meet oncoming attacks instead of allowing them to develop. His tackling, too, was deadly and effective, 'but where he lagged slightly be-

hind, Tinkler was in speedy recovery. The whole success of the Tramurewa side and rue outstanding feature of the game, however, was the masterly strategy of ;tbe - half-backs and ! backs. They packed ! their goal in close fori niation to meet cenI tral attacks of the i Petone forwards and J when a break through I was forced on either 1 ilank, there was an instant reinforcement ready to relieve the situation. Always in

clearing there was we behind the kick. As a counter moVe, Campbell, the Petone pivot, himself a master of tactics, endeavoured-by long , pasees to the extreme wings to divert attention from the centre, where the penetrative Leslie could make no headway against the concentrated defence of Tramurewa, but this operation was never successful, because of the falling back of Christie to aid ttie backs and because of the -understanding between the wing half-backs and the fullbacks. It was a great "battle of brams, but so successfully,did.the local men sustain their methodical play that Petone, thoußh to the last thrustful and determined, found the opposition altogether too strong. The local forwards have, as a line, played many a better game. Undoubtedly- the skill of Spencer in distributing the play fave. way to the dash and vigour of Bell, ut the attacking arm as an entity did not work to the same advantage and with the same unison as often are seen in the Tramurewa team. The Petone side were weak in the defensive flanks and had not the finished team work of their opponents. But in vigorous and sustained offensives they had at times decidedly more of the play than the winners had, but it was during those intervals of ascendancy on the part of the visitors that the excellence of the home side's defence was emphasised. There was much clever footwork on both sides. Petone Always Forceful. The Southerners were always forceful in their methods and their shock tactics had to be dealt with fare fully. As a team their methods were more kick-and-rush than cohesive, with the forwards fast and nippy on the ball. r ■ Peter McVean had no chance with the goals scored against him and he gave his usual display of rare judgment and anticipation. Brown and llaines for the greater part of the game were a sturdy pair, lusty in their clearances and enterprising, but they found the pace trying toward the close, when they were repeatedly beaten, and beaten badly. In the middle line Campbell was rigain the outstanding

Player. He was always to be found where tiie play was keenest and both in attack and defence played a great game. At times tie sent along a faulty pass, but that was a rare occurrence. Boe, on the right, was a tiger for work, but lacked finish in comparison with the pivot, while Hanlon was a plodder throughout without being outstanding. In the forwards May and Craig oa the left were rather more effective than Baistow and "Watson on the right, traig was always dangerous and but for tne brilliant display of Tinkler would have caused no end of trouble. Leslie was unlortiinate to suffer an ankle injury early in the game and was certainly not so > tengerous as he has often been in Auckland. Nevertheless, he called for a good deal of attention and if he did not always Krt tlie ball to his liking and was invariably crowded out by opposition players, he never failed to make the most of the slightest opportunity. "Watson played rather deep at inside right, often trying to force a passage wh«i he might have achieved something more advantageous by passing, retone gave an impressive display as cup tie- fighters, however, and showed a fine sporting spirit in their defeat.