AULD MEMORIAL CUP

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 78, 29 September 1930, Page 14

AULD MEMORIAL CUP

WON BY DIAMOND CLUB

Tlio Auld Memorial Cup, a trophy competed for by First Division clubs in Wellington, in memory o£ the late Mr. W. Auld, a prominent figure in local Soccer circles for a large number of years, was won by the Diamond Club on Saturday, Marist being defeated by two goals to nilThe match, which was the last Soccer fixture of the season, was played at the Kilbirnie Stadium before a large attendance. From the spectators' point of view it was quite disappointing, the high northerly wind which swept the field making anything approaching scientific play, impossible. The teams were:— Diamond. —Wyatt; AVotherspoon, Guest; J. M'Leod, Geddis, M'Cormack; K. M'Leod, Neale, Dickinson, Smith, Stark. Mai'ist. —Turkington; Laracy, Wilson; Duffy, Hindle, Quirke; Barton, M'Elligott, Marshment, M. Condon, Cudby. Marist played with the wind in the first spell, but failed to use the advantage to the utmost. For p. great part of the time there was a mid-field battle for possession of the leather, but in the strong wind passes went amiss,, and kicks upfield very often changed their direction and went in the opposite way. There was a tendency for both sides to keep the ball too high, and, as a consequence, little was seen of the combination which each side possessed. After Diamond had held Marist for the greater part of the spell, the former attacked, and Turkington was called on to save. In a second rally the M'Leods worked well, and R. M'Leod centred to Dickinson, who netted rather easily. There was no further score that spell.

Playing against the wind, Marist appeared to slightly better advantage in the early portion of the second spell,' Barton, Condon, and Marshment being conspicuous. The latter broke away twice, and on one occasion lost possession of the leather when in a_ dangerous position. Diamond forced, and in close play, Marist were penalised. The kick, taken by Wyatt, made the score 2-0 in favour of Diamond. Thereafter, the game was somewhat spiritless, Diamond easily holding their opponents till the end.

After the match, the cup was presented to J. Guest, captain of Diamond, by Mrs. Auld, who also presented medals to the members of the team.

Mr. J. J. Roberts, president of the Wellington Football Association, congratulated Diamond upon winning the trophy. He mentioned that the late Mr. Auld came to New Zealand in 1802, and took an active interest in football from the start. He was one of the founders of the Rovers Club, and represented Wellington on many occasions. After his playing days were over he became a referee, and later took an active part in the .management side of the code.