THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21251, 3 August 1932, Page 16

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

CHATHAM CUP CONTESTANTS HAMILTON WANDERERS' SUCCESS DEFEAT OF Y.M.C.A. TEAM Cup-tio football again found the Y.M.C.A. team's weakness on Saturday, when Hamilton Wanderers took the honours in tho Chatham Cup North Island semi-final at Hamilton. The losing team held a distinct advantage over tho greater part of tho game, but it had only ithelf to blame for its poor finishing and haphazard tactics. Hamilton must be complimented on its display against a more experienced city combination, and it will carry the best wishes of the province in the North Island final of the competition against the Marist Club, Wellington. This is the first occasion on which a Hamilton team has qualified for play in the semi-finals of tho Chatham Cup competition. .It will bo a great stimulus to the code in that part of the province if the Wanderers can fight their way to further success "in the competition. The contest on Saturday provided plenty of incident, and excitement. Y.M.C.A. held a clear-cut advantage in midfield play, but could not realise on this superiority, weak shooting, combined with a lino display of goalkeeping by the local custodian, being responsible for the Hamilton Wanderers' goal going unseat bed. The Wanderers played a plucky game and held tenaciously to the lead of a single, goal. A splendid exhibition was given by the Hamilton Wanderers' goalkeeper, Ravin, j who, with clean handling and excellent j anticipation, kept the opposition at bay. His work served as an inspiration to the fullbacks, who played with vim and kicked with strength and judgment. Gardiner, particularly was a bulwark of the | defence. Poor Shooting | I'lie remainder of tho team gave solid j exhibitions, although the forward line did not appear to have tho qualities of the | defence. Stewart and Black were ever dangerous, however. The Y.M.C.A. team, under Christie's ■able guidance, had plenty of method in initiating raids, but failed badly in the goalmouth. The forwards crowded one another and passed indiscriminately, giving a display which was not in keeping with a team which heads tho Auckland Football Association's senior championship ladder. Cowie, although not having much to do, shaped impressively in the Y.M.C.A. goal, while the two fullbacks, Ross and Bentley, together with tho halfbacks, were responsible for solid displays. Although recognising tho Northern Association's representatives as worthy opponents, very few anticipated that the Auckland team which journeyed to Hikurangi on Saturday would meet with particularly strong opposition, much less suffer a convincing defeat. Fielding practically the samo team as that which was successful in winning tho Brown. Shield from tho South Auckland Association this season, North Auckland played with speed and understanding which was infinitely superior to that of the visiting combination. A rfumber of the players who will fravel south this week in quest of the English trophy were included in the Auckland team, the mediocre showing of which may have been duo to the fact tlfct the side did not leave for the north until Saturday morning and arrived just before the time for the commencement of the match. Better Team Wins After making this allowance, there is no doubt that on tho day's play the better team won. The Auckland goalkeeper, Morris, was called upon more frequently than his northern opponent and Save a fairly safe exhibition. Tho Auckland fullbacks, Stewart and Stone, were probably the most impressive in the team, igiving a safe and attractive exhibition of (clean lucking and clever covering. That the North Auckland team went through on four occasions could be attributed to a groat extent to a pronounced weakness in the halves In midfield the Auckland front division did some impressive work, but did not maintain tho same standard in front of the goal. Tho visiting forwards' shooting was in direct contrast to that of the North Auckland set, which took good advantage of most of their chances. The winners were responsible for a fine, all-round display, and gave the impression that they would be a fitting match for most of the major associations' best teams. Directness of attack was the salient and telling feature of the North Auckland team's play, very little time being lost in making for goal. Tho forwards' were well supported throughout by a trusty defence, the halves showing up for their initiative. Ross, Caldwell, Ackers, Queripel and Rodgers were outstanding, while Hazell, as goalkeeper, responded valiantly when called upon.