SOCCER GAMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25201, 14 May 1945, Page 3

SOCCER GAMES

NAVY TEAM DEFEATED CUP HELD BY WHENUAPAI There was a good attendance at Blandford Park on Saturday afternoon, when the Auckland Football Association decided two cup matches. In the main attraction, between Auckland and Navy, the first of the Drummond Cup series, play alternated at a fast and thrilling pace, and, although Auckland was victorious. Navy was unlucky not to at least have made a draw. In the early name, between Wheriuapai and Ardmore, for the Munro Services Challenge Cup, which Whenuapai won from Philomel two weeks ago. there was little to choose between the teams, and, although Whenuapai retained the trophy by the odil goal in seven, a draw would have better reflected the merits of the teams. The greasy ball and slippery ground conditions handicapped the clever Navy forward line in the representative fixture, and Auckland had the better of the exchanges in the early movements. Rutherford, usually a tower of strength both on defence ami attack for Aavy. miskicked badly, and additional work was thrown on l'arrish and Green, who eventually repelled the strong attacks of Richards, Needham and Hutchinson. Cleal used his height to advantage when lie headed in from a corner to open Auckland's score. Richards tested Yeomans in the Navy goal with several solo attacks, one of which was successful. Navy was unlucky to be three down at halftime. In Hie second spell Auckland went further ahead with two more goals, but Navy then opened up the play, Kutherford breaking up Auckland attacks and distributing the play lo the front line, where the torwards maintained an almost constant attack on the Auckland goal. Ardmore, the challenger, was in the lead at halftimo against Whenuapai, but in the second spell the combination of Hope. Ede Wilkinson proved the deciding factor in Whenuapai retaining the Munro Trophy. following were the scores and scorers:— Drummond Cup: Auckland, 5 (Richards 2, Cleal, Need ham, Woods), Navy, 3 (Williams, Wigg, Hall). Munro Challenge Cup: Whenuapai, 4 (Hope Ede 'J, Wilkinson 2), Ardmore. 3 (Angus -J. Williams).