P.B. SOCCER TITLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22405, 12 August 1947, Page 6

P.B. SOCCER TITLE

THISTLE__SUCCESS THIRD IN A ROW KEEN R.S.A, BID FAILS Bv ••Dribbler" The play-off between R.S.A. and Thistle for the 1947 senior championship held on Saturday produced a fitting: climax to four rounds of keenly contested football in this year’s league competition conducted by the Poverty Bay Football Association. Thistle, by a meritorious win, established themselves as the premier- local club for the third successive season, having won this distinction in 1910 and 1946, the last two years in which the contest has taken place. Final Results Seniors.—Thistle 4 v. R.S.A. 2. Juniors. —Thistle 1 v. R.S.A. nil; P. and T. 1 v. Wanderers nil. Schoolboys.-—Celtic nil v. Intermediate nil; High School 4 v. Te Kapara nil. Clacking Pace The senior play-off commenced at a cracking pace and resolved into a test as to which team could bear up to pressure the longest. Exchanges were fairly even in the first half, although Thistle held a one-goal lead. On the resumption R.S.A. evened the score at two-all, but Thistle, with more aggressive forward tactics, forged ahead in the later stages to re-establish the lead and maintain it until the final whistle. Johnny Watt, with three goals to his credit. R- Lowe and D. McLean were conspicuous in the Thistle attack, while the half-backs, although not outstanding individually, were the mainstay of the team through their sound backingup Both the backs, D. Miller and W. Bryan, were in excellent form, while J. Vannan once again shone as goalkeeper. In their second season of soccer, R.S.A. have done well to achieve the runners-up position this year and, although beaten at the post for the alternate honours, gave a very good account of themselves. Although strongest in attack in this game, they could not master the Thistle defence. All the forwards were willing workers with J. Hepburn, A. Waugh and R. Barbour impressing most. R. Murray was the best of the halves while Sheffield defended well in goalGoals were scored for Thistle by J. Watt (3) and A. McLean, and for R.S.A. by F. Raggert and R. Barbour. Mr. J. Taylor was the referee. Junior Leaders Beaten The final round of the junior competition commenced on Saturday when a strong P. and T. eleven defeated the leading' team, Wanderers, by one goal to nil, the scorer being A. Rickard. With Wanderers having a bye next week and Rovers and P- and T. being favoured to win their respective matches, it is possible for any of the three teams to finally annex the Beatall Cup for which this competition is con- j ducted. Further surprises and upsets are possible, however. The improved Thistle combination, following their one-nil defeat of R.S.A. on Saturday, are not to be taken lightly and the skipper. B. Thomas, who scored the winning goal in this match, may lead his team to further victories. R.S.A. have been weak of late, but may show a reversal of form soon.

Matters connected with the Kirk Cup competition and return inter-district club games will be discussed at this week’s executive meeting, which is being held on Thursday instead of the usual Tuesday.