LOCAL FINAL

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 11, 13 July 1931, Page 5

LOCAL FINAL

PETONE BEAT HOSPITAL

By defeating Hospital ou Saturday, Potohe earned the right to represent Welliugton in 'the Chatham Cup competition. The match was played at the Basin Reserve, and was won by 2 goals to 1. The ground was heavy after the recent ram, and a fast, spectacular game was not to be expected. The class of football shown by each side was of n very high standard, and even if the goals were few and tar between the spectators at times saw football well worthy of senior players form. Shortly after the game started Petone lost the services of one of their players i'oi- some time, but though he returned to the field his injury was still apparent. At another stage of the game they had two men off suffering from injuries. As far as the play was concerned, there was not a great deal of difference between the teams. Petonowere perhaps the more spectacular side, but the Hospital eleven was always dangerous, and kept the result ot the game in doubt till the Jast moment. The teams were:— Hospital.—Ell; Gibb, Thompson; J. Wood, Jeffreys, Brigg; Marshall, J. irewick, Standbridge, W. Wood, Lambert. Petone.—M'Vean; Brown, Haines; Boe, Campbell, Hanlon, Baistow, Watson, Leslie, May, Craig. Keferee: Mr. T. Plant. THE PLAY. Petone kicked off, and immediately attacked. Within a few minutes the spectators were on their toes when Leslie received, and, slipping a pass to May, enabled the latter to find the net. The goal was ruled off-side. Petone still attacked, and Leslie very nearly scored. His shot was just turned by .Ell. Fortune changed and the Hospital forwards thoroughly tested the Petone defence. Trewick tried a high, dropping shot, which . fell over M'Vean's head. The Hospital halves were operating more efficiently than Petone's at this stage, and a series of attacks saw Petone hard pressed. Marshall swung the leather in, and when W. Wood shot M'Vean went on to the ground to save. In the melee which followed Lambert netted. .Hospital 1, Petone 0. An-1 other Hospital attack saw Standbridge shoot from close quarters, but his effort went wide. Play became close and hard. Petone slowly worked to the Hospital goal, and ultimately scored. Craig sent the ball in, and Watson shot. The leather came back to Watson, and he made no mistake with his second. attempt; 1-1. There were some exciting moments when Petone./vyere pressing. Baistow centred, and Leslie and May, who were in good positions,^could not get to the leather m time. A couple of corners fell to Petone, but though the ball was well placed, the forwards could do little. A few minutes before, half-time Petone scored as the result of a fine piece of combined effort. The movement started from Campbell, and the leather went outto May. The latter back-heeled, and enabled Craig to shoot. .EH failed to clear, and Leslie netted easily. Petone 2, Hospital 1. The opening stages of the second half saw little advantage to either side, but Petone were the quicker to settle down. Several wing .movements ou the part of Petone tested the Hospital defence. Ell saved smartly a "header" from Leslie, and play swung to Petone's goal, where M'Vean was called upon twice. A determined attack was launched by Hospital, and the Petone defence was sorely tried. Play travelled up and down, with Hospital pressing most of the time, but Petone broke away occasionally. While defending Petone were penalised for "hands," but the kick failed,' The concluding stages of the game were evenly contested. Pe-I tone staved off the last of the Hospital attacks, and time was called with the score unaltered. ' ' ■ . / NO OTHER GAMES. All other Soccer matches were postponed on account of the unfavourable condition of the grounds.