THE CHATHAM CUP FINAL

NZ Truth, Issue 1239, 29 August 1929, Page 17

THE CHATHAM CUP FINAL

Seacliff Were No Match For Tlie

Speedy Northerners

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Wellington J^presentative). , Speed first, speed . second and speed again, j Those. are the three reasons why the Chatham Cup, for the fifth time m seven years, has found a resting-place m the North. . .■ '*/■■.-' AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS' defeat of the strong Seacliff . side, though

prophesied m these columns, came m a manner which was a surprise to the most confident of their supporters.

A four-goal margin, against a team which included six Otago representa.tives was beyond the Tramwaymen's wildest dreams. But it all came about because the southerners could not last the pace. - Five da.ys'. rain had, left the ground greasy and. treacherous and at ' the beginning of the match, the odds seemed against the Auckland side. 'Yet, within five minutes of the start, they, had settled, down to the conditions better than the struggling southern men. „-■.'. With a light ball and a spanking breeze behind them, SeadifE found the leather not at all easy to control and overkicking cost them: valuable time ..in the important. opening spell.. At the 'same time,, the Tramwaymen displayed; rare, dash m .the teeth of ;the wind and rocked the stands with, beautiful combined work which showed their forwards linking as perfectly and effortlessly as a well-tended piece of machinery.

There were, some perfect centres sent over at this stage of the *ftiatch arid the opening score came frora'a

beauty which fell right at the feet of Williams, the Inside right.- ■ He. could hot have missed it with his ' eyes shut. '•'.'■'

With, time ticking away. ,tßei Seacliff, backs were working splend.id.ly, but, could not hold that' smoothly-geared Auckland combination with -its fine ball-control and passes swung to just the right 'spot. Once the teams changed' rqund it was all over, .for the vigorous work of. the northern forwards ran the total to three goals within five minutes. After that Seacliff's main concern was to break their duck. Even that consolation was denied them. ' - ' '• "''".

It was a struggle between, a side which played as a team and; a collection of individualists, 'linking only occasionally m brief, but frenzied efforts towards the goal-mouth. ,

Bitt: for all that, if Seacliff had possessed a kicking boot, they must have gained a couple at'least. ' At least three chances went begging m a manner -• to provoke laughter from the crowd. . -■'

The southern forwards showed rare determination and useful judgment m working for the opening, " but when it- came there was no one able to steei\ the ball anywhere near the goal.

Glylng Seacllff justice, though," Batty played a great game In goal. After three lucky shaves In the first srcll, during: two of which he came out to take the ball- near the line and- had to • drop It and flee Ignominously ? t.o avoid a- corner, he kept his citadel safe. Once he burst through three men to fl'ng the ball far Vdown the field.' . - .

Spong, Spencer .and the. acrobatic Dell were the neatest of. a polished set of.forwards, Fyyie, Christie and McElligott doing' great work. The big full-back, .covered the whole field at times and' was.a rock., ..:-.-•■

No one shone brighter m the Seacliff team than Maxwell,, whose, solid work left him .playe* to a standstill. Anderson, past New Zealand representative, . was never passed by a man he tackled, . though once he was lucky. Munsie waa another sound . player. But nothihg could give the Seacliff men the ability, to cover the ground fast .enough to hold the -invading Auckland five.,. ' Seacliff. haye. now four times, reached the national; final and this year's defeat is. the. greatest suffered by any. club since the competition, began. .'....

He-tied with J... P. .Stern,' 2 'down, m a bogey match. Wright, playingV from scratch,^put up a fine score. <.:"yr-y-The • Goldfields championship, r will -attract- all southern .'golfers as ladies -and men are being catered? for. Roxburgh- is having a golfing week just now. Ken. Duncan-left for Sydney this week. He;is "going to have a pop" at the -state championship when there. — Christchurch . City Council have joined up with the New Brighton Council in'the formation of municipal links on Rawhlti Domain. Returned solders only will be employed m the construction of the 18 holes. The O.C.C. will never regret taking'' this step. -■'"■■■ ':"..- Shirley-reports, the .course is m good order and/ expects the greens* to be at their best by the end of next month, when the • ladies will play (the open'.champipnr ship of New Zealand. '.

Players, both male arid female, are