THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22173, 29 July 1935, Page 14

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

CHATHAM CUP MATCH PROVINCIAL FINAL DECIDED PONSONBY DEFEATS HAMILTON "» In spite of atrocious ground conditions tho provincial final of the Chatham Cup competition between Ponsonby and Hamilton Wanderers played at Blandford Park on Saturday produced an interesting encounter, Ponsonby securing a fairly comfortable victory. Threo senior championship matches were also decided. North Shore gave a strong showing in disposing of Thistle at Devonport, while tho Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys accounted for Metro-College at Mount Albert. Maintaining its good form of late, Y.M.C.A. secured a win at the expense of Comrades at Western Springs. Following were the scores: — Chatham Cup Match.—Ponsonby, 4; Hamilton Wanderers, 2. Championship Matches. —North Shore, 2j Thi&tle, 1. Mount Albert Old Boys, 0; MetroCollege, 1. Y.M.C.A., 5; Comrades, 1. MARGIN OF TWO GOALS PONSONBY'S SUPERIOR FORWARDS Although it waß apparent that dry conditions would hove been more pleasing to the visiting eleven, Hamilton w andercrs managed to provide a strong showing in the match against Ponsonby at Blandford Park. By winning the provincial final- 1 on : sonby will now nioet the Hospital Club, of Wellington, in the North Island final to be played at Blandford Park on August 17. Hamilton Wanderers saw every bit as much, if not more, of the play us did I onsonby on Saturday, but- the superior forward play of the latter team swayed the balance. The visiting team was responsible for fine midfield work and, by clever changes of direction and surprisingly good footwork under the greasy conditions, often had tho Ponsonby defence at a disadvantage. 1 no shooting capabilities of the Hamilton players left a lot to be desired, however, many golden opportunities being allowed to pass owing to this weakness. The Ponsonby backs and halves moved with understanding throughout, but were inclined too much toward a defonsivc policy. It was not until toward the end of tho game that Ponsonby showed a balance of territorial play in keeping with it 3 advantage in goals. Although suffering for some tune from an injured shoulder, which caused his retirement before the end of the game, Watson gave a finished display in Ponsonby's froal. hill keen anticipation und agile methods getting his side out of trouble on several occasions. Outstanding among the fullbacks was Haggett, whose tackling was robust and effective, while he also showed considerably strength in his clearing kicks. In spite of having to cover an amount of ground in attempting to curb Hamilton's offensives. Jones was always calm and collected. His neat passes to supporting backs and forwards often produced more result than the stronger but more erratic kicking of his fellow backs. Among the forwards Innes. McCallum and Faraan were outstanding, tho lastnamed pair providing some exceptionally clover touches. Mullane showed pace on the left flank and swung across some dangerous centres. He and Farnan worked with fine understanding. The Hamilton Wanderers goalkeeper. Raven, was forced to deal with a number of powerful shots. His handling was a trifle faulty at times, but he nearly always managed to make good recoveries. Several of his full-length saves merited the spectators' applause. GardineT was the better of tho fullbacks. while in the halves both Caldwell and Bullock were impressive. The lastnamed appeared to have more initiative than Caldwell who, when in possession, tried to force his way through by sheer strength. One of the outstanding players on the field was the Hamilton inside right, Stewart. He appeared to revel in the conditions and often left his heavier opponents standing flat footed by means of quick changes of direction and splendid footwork. He made ground repeatedly in the first spell, but received very little assistance. In the second half he was just as eager, but his opportunities were fewer. Crabb improved toward tho finish and led the visiting vanguard in a powerful manner, but the remaining forwards were of, little use. Mullane (2) and Riggans (2) scored for Ponsonby, while Lark and Crabb scored for the losers. Mr. A. Firth was referee. Y.M.C.A. SUCCESSFUL DEFEAT OF COMRADES Conditions at Western Springs were not conducive to good football, but the meeting of -Comrades and Y.M.C.A. provided a splendid contest. The first spell saw both teams attacking in a constructive manner with Comrades having slightly the better of the exchanges. Y.M.C.A.'s defence was sound, however, and as a result of more accurate work in front of goal, Y.M.C.A. had a two-goal lead at half-time. The second half was a repetition of the first, keen football being witnesspd. Smith in Y.M.C.A.'s goal gave an outstanding display. He was greatly responsible for his team holding such a large margin of goals at the finish. The return to form of the Y.M.C.A. forward line was a pleasing feature of tho game. Most of the play was made on the left where Donaldson and Churchill were always aggressive, the former being particularly dangerous with accurate centres and powerful drives. Humphreys, at centre forward, ably distributed the play. Until he was injured. Murane proved an opportunist on the right flank, and with Macfarlane executed several nice movements. Chapman, at centre half, was tho brains of the attack, breaking up many Comrades raids, and initiating sound counter attacks. He received solid support from Ross and Sims. The backs, Mowat and Dobson, provided strong opposition to the Comrades attack, their clearances being generally well placed. Batty, in the Comrades goal, had little chance with the shots that beat him, his saving of a penalty-shot meriting applause. Saunders and McKentie gave a good display under difficult conditions, but were often forced out of position.. A sterling display was given by Hooten at centre-half. Strong on defence, he recovered quickly to launch attacks with judicious passes. Egan did more spoiling work than Twinn, who provided a solid defence but was slow on recovery. Evans and Francis combined nicely on the right, and on the left Carter and Fletcher made ground and centred accur ately. Donaldson (2), Murano (2) and Macfarlane scored for Y.M.C.A., while Hayward netted for Comrades. Mr. R. C. Brighton was referee. VICTORY FOR OLD BOYS METRO-COLLEGE OUTCLASSED Mount Albert Old Boys had an easy victory over Metro-College in the match at Mount Albeit. .The first half was well contested, but Mount Aibert Old Boys wns much the better team in tho second spell. Metro-College's raids in the second half were of a very spasmodic nature. The winning team was much more impressive in its forward play, the Mount Albert forwards losing few opportunities. Warren had a fairly easy task in Mount Albert's goal, while the fullbacks, Holdsworth and Shaw, broke up mimy attacks and cleared with judgment. The halfback line proved Bound on defence and initiated attacks by means of clever tactics. Ward proving aggressive throughout. Jepson was the spearhead of the Old Boys' attacks and exercised sound judgment in distributing the play, while Spencer and Fyfie combined well with their wings. Noble and Wood, who were always dangerous. Gavan gave a Bound display in MetroCollogo's goal. The interchange of Speed and Cronan in the centre-half and back positions in the tiecond half was responsible for crowding in front of goal which gave the goalkeeper little opportunity to clear. Cronan played a sound game at centrehalf. J. Dallimora und C. Flyger were a hard-working pair of halves,.-but their good passes to the wing men, H. Dallimore and Burton, were not taken advantage of. Williams and McDougftll worked hord. the latter being always danaorous. A. Flyger, in the centre of tho forward line, made the mistake of distributing the ball when, considering the littlo support he received, direct shots might have been more productive, Jepson (9), Ward. Spencer, Wood and Fyfie netted for Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, while A. Flyger scored for MetroCollege. Mr, J. Stewart was Teferee, WIN FOR NORTH SHORE FAST GAME AT DEVONPORT A fine contest was witnessed in the meeting of North Shore and Thistle at Devonport, the former securing a narrow victory after a fast and exciting struggle. In spite of the heavy rain of the past several days, the playing surface was in good condition, which permitted the players to reveal football m a high standard. (Thistle pushed

home an early advantage and likely wjnners in the first spell, nut North Shore staged a fine recovery in the second half to take the hill polnt B by the odd goal in three. The exchanges were well contested throughout, in fact, tho play was inclined to becomo a trifle too vigorous at "cowie had an anxious time in the North Shore goal, but he mail need to give a convincing difjplay of safe handling and powerful clearing. Splendid defensive work was provided by tho two fullbacks, (terraid and C. Ekwan. the former »iv»ne a brilliant eshibition. They were especially conspicuous during the first spell, when they were forced to shoulder a great amount of work, Archer was a force to ho reckoned with in tho halves, his spoiling tactics greatly assisting in upsetting Thistles usual studied methods. Blackie. also, acquitted lumsolf well, strong tackling being his greatest, asset. In a fast-moving forward line K, Kkman showed up as a Ihrustful attacker, his positional play, footwork and shooting! being excellent. , 1 While he handled a number of hanl drives with confidence, Garrard did not appear safe when called upon to save lob shots, Williams and Reid defended splendidly, but wero up astninst ft difficult proposition in the North Shore forward ine, Wright dominated U © pluy ol the halfbacks, but frequently lost his position when facing North Shore's strong offensive in the second half. Wood. Dunsmore and Angus were the best of the forwards All the Thistle attackers made the mistake of holding on to the ball too long. , E. Ektnan , scored both North Shores goals, while Williamson netted for Hustle. Mr. G. Shand was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Second Grade—Eastern Suburbs. 5, Abels B. 2: North Shore, 10. Thistle B. 1: Mount Albeit Old Boys, 3. Metro-Col-lege. 1: Y.M.0.A.. 3. Onefuinga B, 1. Secondary Schools.—Senior grade: Auckland Grammar, 2. Takupuna Grammar. 1. Junior Grade.—Kowhai. 4, Mount Albert Grammar C. 1. GAMES IN OTHER CENTRES [BY TELEGRAPH —rRESS association] Dunedln.—Mosgiel. 6, Mornington, 2; Northern, 4. Tligh School Old Boys. 1; Maori Hill. 11. Technical. 3; Roslyn-Wakari, 4. SeaclifT, 2. Wellington.—Petone, 2, Xlarist, 1: Hospital, G, Swifts, 2: Waterside, 4, Institute, 1. CANTERBURY SUCCESSFUL WELLINGTON TEAM DEFEATED [BY TELEGRAPn —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRIBTCHURCH, Saturday The Canterbury Soccer representatives defeated Wellington by 3 goals to 2 to-day, A cold, southerly wind and showers of rain combined with a greasy ball and a wet ground made conditions difficult, but the game was fast and well contested. Wellington wan superior in positional play, but the Canterbury halves worked well and checked the Wellington forwards. Canterbury owed its win chiefly to the brilliant opportunism of Craugs. the outside-left, who was responsible for several brilliant solo efforts. Wellington was the cleverer team, but Canterbury wai vigorous and fit tnd played with match-winning determination. . . Wellington scored two goals early in the game as a result of excellent movements. Canterbury's first goal came from a solo run by Craggs. Canterbury's second goal was a lucky one. the ball rehounding into the net off the Wellington goalkeeper's hend Ihe first spell ended with the score two-all. . Both sides missed several good chances in the second half, the luck being about even in this respect. The final goal waß scored late in the spell from an excellent movement which left Ellis, the inside-left, unmarked. The final scores were:—Canterbury, 3; Wellington, 2.