ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22489, 5 August 1936, Page 21

ASSOCIATION GAME

■*» CHATHAM CUP MATCH NORTH ISLAND FINALISTS SURPRISE BY WATERSIDE TEAM The New Zealand Council has again changed its mind with regard to the date of the North Island final of the Chatham Cup competition. Originally set down for decision on August 15, the-fixture was advanced a week, and now the council has decided that, owing to counter attractions, the match will be played on Saturday week. The contestants are Thistle, Auckland and the Waterside team, of Wellington. Thistle qualified by defeating the Starrtown Club, of Huntly, in the provincial final last Saturday, while Waterside had already eliminated Hospital,' tho winner of the competition last season. Followers of the code in Auckland will look forward to the contest, which should produce excellent football of tho usual fast and open cup-tie nature. Wellington teams always give line displays at Blandford Park, in spite of the fact that tho conditions often militate against good football. Thistle's convincing victory over the Huntly contenders will give its supporters more confidence, but it is realised that the team will need to show more consistency it' it desires to lift the trophy. However, its somewhat erratic displays in the club matches this season may not be a criterion, as Thistle has proved itself a fine lighting team in cup-tie foot ball.

Some surprise was occasioned in Wellington when tlio Waterside team defeated Hospital in tho provincial filial. Although it is conceded that tho winners thoroughly deserved their victory, some critics in Wellington would rather see the Hospital team representing the province in the national competition. Hospital lias shown excellent form this season, being undefeated prior to tho Chatham Cup match, and it was regarded as the obvious contender for the national title. There is no doubt, however, that Waterside was the better team on the day it defeated Hospital. LIST OF WINNERS THISTLE'S PREVIOUS SUCCESS Waterside has never been successful in the Chatham Cup competition, but Thistle secured the honours two years ago. The winners of the trophy since tho inauguration of the competition 13 years ago are as follows: 1923 —Seacliff, Otago. 1924 —Harbour Board, Auckland. 1925—Y.M.C.A., Wellington. 1926 —Sunnyside, Canterbury. 1927—Ponsonbv, Auckland. 1928—Petone, Wellington. 1929—Tramways, Auckland. 1930—Petone, Wellington. 1931—Tramurewa, Auckland. 1932 —Marist, Wellington. 1933—Ponsonbv, Auckland. 1934 —Thistle, Auckland. 1935—Hospital, Wellington. VETERAN HALFBACKS EXCELLENT DISPLAY BY JONES It was interesting to see two veteran players opposed to each other, and both playing at -centrehalf, in the senior match between Ponsonby and North Shore at Blandford Park last Saturday. Both former representatives, Jones, of Ponsonby, and Corbett. North Shore, gave excellent displays for their sides, and their studied and effective methods threw into sharp contrast the less experienced tactics of some of the younger players. Jones gave a particularly fine display, proving one of the bulwarks in tho Ponsonby defence as well as opening up the play for his forwards at every opportunity. Hs is a player who manages to do the maximum of work with the minimum of effort.

H. Chapman, the Ponsonby halfback, who captained the New Zealand team in the third test against the Australians, had a new role on Saturday, He filled the centreforward position and gave a pleasing; display, impressing with his dash and ability to take advantage of an opening. Riggans. whose place Chapman took, fell back to •fullback, where he gave a greatly-improved display. He was in a position where he could make the most use of his weight and powerful kicking ability. There is probably not a sounder pair of backs in Auckland than Gerrard and West, who gave a first-class exhibition for North Shore in Saturday's fixture. They understand each other's play to a nicety and the forward who penetrates their defence has accomplished something. West is somewhat reminiscent of Evans, the star Australian fullback. in the manner in which he takes the ball on the volley. A young and sturdy player, he has a promising future ahead of him in Soccer football.