CHATHAM CUP CONTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 178, 31 July 1933, Page 14

CHATHAM CUP CONTEST.

ronsonbv were only seriously troubled for a short time in the tirst spell of their match with Hamilton Wanderers, and that was towards the close of the first half, when they were one goal ahead and the visitors made a desperate effort to draw level. The Ponsonby defence at this stage wavered before the onslaught of thenopponents, and but for the sound goalkeeping of Watson the visitors would have improved their position. Apart from this passage in the game the local men had little difficultv in disposing of their opponents in a game that was comparatively tame after the struggle between Tramways and Fonsonbv in the local final. The play was hard enough, but there was not the finish that might have been expected from a. meeting of contenders for national honours. The reason was that the Hamilton men relied mostly on the kick and' rush stvle of play, while Ponsonby, in adopting tactics to "counteract this style, were thrown off their usual methods of play. There was nothing spectacular during the afternoon, and towards the close of the game tho play was inclined to be onesided.

For the winners, Watson, in goal, brought off several very clever saves and Haggett -was again prominent in the backs. Stewart, too, was reliable. The half-backs were only moderately successful. Masters showed great improvement on his last week's game, hut Grant made the mistake several times of dribbling too much, and the ball seemed to be playing fast and loose with the men. Tho ground was fast and the sphere bounced lively, leaving the flayers often nonplussed, and dribbling was not the game under the circumstances. Diamond held the wing opposed to him with a firm grip. In the attack Innes was most successful. and played a very energetic game, witli Ahern always ready to make an opening with long crosses, but he showed too much hesitancy before shooting on many occasions. Jcpson was . more subdued than usual, and Morrison and Form'n on the left were not up to the high standard they set in the previous match. Altogether Poiisonby's game seemed to be influenced by that of their opponents, and they did not play nearly as well as they can play. The Wanderers were a sturdy side when it came to tackling and dash, hut they lacked team work and invariably the halfbacks did not pay much attention to placing. Reckless long kicking was very common and it gave tho forwards a great deal of useless running. Raven did not have much chance with the goals scored against film, and Gardiner and Caldwell were nothing if not robust at back. The halfhack line was rather mediocre and Corkindale did not do so well in the second half, when he went inside right, as he had done at centre half. The forwards were fast and willing, but Stewart, in the centre did not often get the ball properly placed to him He was forceful and dangerous when near goal. He has a somewhat menacing method of approach to an opponent, o<;peciPlly a goal-keeper, where he makes too much use of the wild kick. The w-ingers lacked nothing in energy or positional play, but showed-much room for improvement in constructive moves.