THISTLE ON TOP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 184, 6 August 1934, Page 14

THISTLE ON TOP.

N.Z. CUP FINALISTS. GREAT GAME WITH PETONE. CLEVER PLAY OX SLUSHY GROUND. There was no doubting the abilities of the North Island finalists in the Chatham Cup competition as revealed in the match between Thistle and Petone on Blandford Park on Saturday. It was a tragedy that the conditions both overhead and underfoot did so much to wreck the exhibition, yet the state of the turf, which was almost impossible, went to emphasise the outstanding merit of the contestants. On a dry day there is no doubt that the match would have been a memorable one; as it was the display on Saturday will be long remembered for the real cup tic element that surrounded it and the thrilling Soccer provided.

Opinion will always be divided as to what might have been the result had the teams met under favourable circumstances. The verdict no doubt will over be a matter of individual opinion. The teams were evenly matched as to physique and experience, but there was a finish in the play of Thistle that has not yet been developed by the Petone team. Both sides played cohesive Soccer; the ball was made to do the work, and there were discretion and judgment generally in use of the sphere, but Thistle had a much deeper appreciation of the strategy of the game than was shown by their opponents. Xevertheless, the greatest credit was reflected on Petone for the game they played under conditions with which they were quite unfamiliar and that were nothing new to Thistle. Through it all the amazing things were the manner in which the players of both sides could work the ball and the way in which the pace was kept up right to the close.

Clever Thistle Tactics. Close analysis of the play of both teams provides an interesting study. Thistle certainly were the masters in strategy. They adapted their game to the conditions and the opposition with telling 'effect. For quite a time in the first spell they were definitely superior as a team, and again in the second session they demonstrated a finer conception of methodical play. The focal point of the Thistle attack was obviously centred on Campbell, the Petone centre-half, and during the afternoon he was constantly, kept in check; The weight of his generalship certainly was a potent menace.to.the Aucklanders, and they acted wisely in-concentrating their energies on the opjbosing pivot. But while this was done Thistle alternated their method of attack with rare judgment and kept working the.' ball, ■ sometimes in close passing movements and sometimes by long swinging passing, which kept the opposing defenders always on the. move and deployed. Only in the second spell, when circumstances forced Petone to pack their goal, was there any concentration of play in a given space and that was round about the Petone penalty area. Then Thistle used their extreme flanks to draw out the crowding defence, only to again throw play into the centre, from whence came the last three goals. There was great skill and studied movement behind the Thistle game which contrasted sharply with the methods of the Petone side. The visitors used a more or less orthodox style of play. Their movement was fast, free and open, but had not the finesse or purposefulness that characterised Thistle methods. While they were combined to a certain extent, and made progress rapidly and with vigour, yet they'had not the faculty of swift change to meet a changed situation, and were more or less stereotyped in their manoeuvres. •

For footwork, there was surprising accuracy in trapping the ball by some of the players and there was also a surprising absence of ballooning the sphere and aimless kicking. The understanding between Thistle players from back to front was more s pronounced than that of Petone, and there was.Hio.re resourcefulness on the part of the Tray of elusive, movemenf&Ttlt .was in these finer points of the code'H&at Thistle shone, but when they came to pressing. those advantages they were met by a spund and solid defence which had spoiling play as its strongest point. : '7/ . Petone's Vigorous Backs. McVean got through a heavy afternoon's work with credit. The ■ goalkeepers had an extremely difficult task .handling a heavy, slushy ball, and with most insecure footing. Scott Brown and Haines were a very active pair of backs, who. made surprisingly few miskicks. Both tackled vigorously and kicked a long ball. They were difficult to pass, man for man, and stood up jto the combined efforts of Thistle very creditably. Campbell played the game of a stalwart. He was in the thick of things from first to last and _waa always resourceful and studied in his methode.. White on the right, and Smith on the_ left showed much promise, but erred at times in their placing, which, in young exponents of the game, could be pardoned in the circumstances. But they gave every assistance to their side. The forwards were "not bo cohesive ?s the

home vangu&rd. "Watson on the right and McGrory, his partner, ■were a forceful pair, Tout did not alwavs keep control of the ball and were lacking in elusive tactics. McGrory, however, has made great strides since leaving Auckland a season ago, and he is a strong bustling player. Leslie was seen at the top of his form. He played better on Saturday than he has yet done in Auckland on his many previous visits.' Unfortunately he did not always get the ball in the best position, and had to do a good deal of "fossicking," but his thrust could always be seen and was a source of danger to the Thistle. Cunningham, till he was unfortunately injured, was the cleverest individual player in the Petone front rank. His working of the ball was very in.pressive; but he had not the force behini his play tnat som-2 of the others had. Woods on the left vine; was kept in close vatch.'by Watson and'McCosh, and seldom was allowed to become dangerous, bat he was alvrnjra a. trier. The pluck of Leslie and Cunningham in returning to aid their side after each had sustained severe injuries was greatly admired. Petone won many friends by their , sterling display. >v

Team Work Tells. Thistle success on Saturday, . as throughout the season, can be.•■ fairly accurately Hummed up in the word team-work. This carried them to victory on' Saturday. Each player gave of his best, and local followers of the-code, irrespective of partisanship, ■ must give them full credit for their clever football. Gerrard showed a welcome return to form- in goal, and, like McVean, was very safe in handling the greasy, treacherous ball. He showed much judgment in his work, and sound anticipation. McCosh and Williams were a redoubtable pair, the former /characterised by his ~ shrewd, •thoughtful methods and the latter by his vigorous—sometimes needlessly _ so—and clashing clearances and his activity in the mud. The half-backs were a solid trio. Wright was more than up to reputation. His display can be written off as one of his best in Auckland. In tackling, breaking up, and, most of all, in initiating forward movements he was brainy and astute, and his goal illustrated deadly shooting. ~ Watson on the right did all that was needed of him with vigour arid determination, while Wiseman, though not so outstanding as on former occasions, was a hard and willing worker. Thistle front rankers were a deadly force , to contend with, not only because of their -wily ways, but also on account of

their wonderfully accurate footwork. Woods is weekly adding to his reputation by his consistent play, and on Saturday lie was again outstanding. But the play of Dunsmore, as that of all the other members of the side, gave Woods, as it gave Kay and Williamson, every opportunity to make headway. Seldom was a ball lost and on practically every occasion the passing was characterised by rare Judgment. Williamson in centre was full of running and a source of constant worry to the Petone backs. If

he missed a goal or two it would be unfair to blame him in the circumstances. Much of Thistle movement came from Hislop, who was as much a defender as an attacker, being übiquitous in both capacities. Xay had many thrilling tussles with the men opposed to him. but he was full of dash and proved a hot handful for the visiting defenders.

Thistle played like winners all the way and a continuation of the form they showed on Saturday will make them firm favourites for the national club championship. The game was played in a most praiseworthy sporting spirit and was excellently controlled by Mr. Rickard, whose refei'ccing was verjr favourably commented upon.