ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 56

ASSOCIATION.

SEACLIFF WIN PREMIERSHIP.

TECHNICAL OUTCLASSED.

The final for the 1930 season, played on Saturday between Technical and Seacliff, resulted in the Seacliff team winning comfortably by four goals to one. The game was played on the Caledonian Ground, and, attracted an ttendance of ■well over 1000. The playing area was in splendid order, and the slight breeze did not seriously intertere with the play. Both teams set up a fast pace, and, especially in the first half, there were some lively exchanges. Seacliff however, displayed better all-round play, and through positional play ind accurate placing kept the Technical players on the run, and the latter were only occasionally dangerous. The second half proved too one-sided to be interesting. and Seacliff fully deserved the honours on the play. In addition to the Fletcher Cup trophy which goes with the premiership, the Chinese Cup which is Usually played for between the two top teams, was also at stake and both the cups were handed to the winning team after the game by Mr J. Simpson, chairman of the Management Committee. THE PLAY. The teams lined out as follows:-,-Seacliff: Jackson. Watson. Anderson, Rogers. Morris, .Baillie. M’Laughlan. Simmonds, Hooper. ‘ M'Cormack. M'Lean. Technical: Ho den. Lindsay. Cope Hector, Patton. Armishaw. Batchelor. Groves. Witchall Warnock. Middlemass. Referee. Mr W. P Smith Seacliff won the toss, and elected to play against a slight breeze, and with the sun in their eyes. Witchall kicked off for Technical. Hector, by good play, put his forwards in position. Seacliff's defence being subjected to a hot attack, but Anderson and Watson were safe From a throw-in Patton secured, and bad an unsuccessful shot. M'Cormack opened up play to the centre Hector checking Hooper, but Simmonds, receiving in midfield, neatly slipped the defence and sent the ball goalwards. Holden came out to clear from Hooper but mulling the clearance, Hooper drove the ball into the vacant goal and opened the scoring Sea cliff I. Technical nil. Seacliff kept up the pressure, M'Lean crossing nicely 'or Hooper to place over. A free kick to Technical was of little avail, ano M'Lean transferred play by sending up to Hooper. The latter was proving a source of trouble to the Technical backs but twice failed with shots. The Technical halves were having a hard time, and their opening up splay was nullified by the poor passing of the forwards. Batchelor on the right wing, made headway at times, and a good cross to goal bv this player was headed out by Rogers The Seac'iff players were making the play for Hooper and this player again raced" through the opposition . Holden being forced to concede a corner. The kick across was cleared, but Baillie drove in a hard shot from the outfield. Holden bringing off a good save. Technical went near to equa lising the scores, from a free kick Hector's shot being only partially cleared by Jackson, the ball going upwards and being carried over the crossbar by the wind. Seacliff, however, were soon on attack, M'Lean making a good run on the left and Cope misjudging the centre. Hooper had a clear opening from which Holden had no chance of stopping the shot. Seacliff 2. Technical nil. Sea cliff were playing the better football whilst the Technical players were m dined to bunch. Witchall, however led hie forwards in a strong attack, but although the ball was crossed by Middle mass and Batchelor from either wings, the inside men were too slow in shooting and the defenders managed to clear the danger. Again the superior combination of Seacliff asserted itself, Hooper finishing off a fine movement by forcing Holden to push outside a hot shot. A free kick brought relief to Technical. Warnock neatly tricked the defence and crossed to Batchelor. The latter shot weakly and Armishaw. .receiving from the clearance struck the crossbar with a great drive Seacliff’s rearguard overshadowed the Technical forwards, whose attacks lacked method, and although Hector and Patton strove hard to open up play to their forwards, they had their hands full tn holding Hooper and Simmonds. Just on half time. M'Lean. on the left, got a clean run down the line and centred high to goal. Holden, coming out. missed badly and a header by Hooper was almost through when Lindsay dropped back to save The spell ended with Seacliff two goals in the lead.

Following even play at the start oi the second spell. M'Lean slipped the ball well down to Hooper wdio beat both Lindsay and Cope to shoot over. The Seacliff half-backs gradually assumed the upper hand, and with the Technical for wards placing erratically. Jackson, in goal was rarely troubled From a free kick for hands. Armishaw drove in a nice kick to goal, forcing Jackson to concede a corner kick. This was cleared by the de fenders, and Hooper raced down the field with the ball at his toes until brought up bv Armishaw. Cope cleared a fur ther advance, sending Witchall and Batchelor away, the former missing with his shot at goal. Hector repulsed i movement by Simmonds and passed up to Middlemass. The winger took play down but his cross was too hard and Baillie returned the ball down field, for Sim monds to shoot over. A lifeless period of play followed until, Seacliff getting a free kick, Anderson placed well to goal Lindsay miskicked the return and' M'Lean secured in a good position, but Holden cleared, and again shortly after when both M'Laughlan and Hooper were on the point of scoring. * Hector cleared a corner kick to Seacliff, and sent his forwards away, the movement breaking down with Batchelor and M'Lean. getting a pass, ran through to goal to send on. for Hooper to beat Holden with a close shot Seacliff 3. Technical nil. Tn a spell of up and down play both goalies were tested unsuccessfully, and although Seacliff displayed signs of tiring. Technical made little headway -through wild kicking. Eventually Armishaw. who had been prominent throughout the spell, gave Warnock an opening. The latter drew the defence and centred to goal where Jackson cleared Witchall’s shot, but Batchelor, coming in fast, headed the

ball into the net. Seacliff 3. Technical 1. Immediately from the re-start. Sea cliff pressed on the left. M'Lean screwing the ball in beautifully from the cornel enabled Hooper to score his fourth goal with a header Seacliff 4. I’echnical 1 Seacliff still dominated the play, and Holden was twice called upon to clear a couple of further shots from Hooper, but in a final rally just on time Technical forced a corner kick on the left, the game ending immediately afterwards, the result being:— Seacliff ~ 4 goals Technical 1 goal FLETCHER CUP WINNERS. The Fletcher Cup was first competed for in the season of 1927 and the list of winning clubs is as follows:— 1927. —Northern (Seacliff runners-up). 1928 —Maori Hill (Northern runnersup). 1929. —Seacliff (Technical College Old Boys runners-up). 1930. —Seacliff (Technical College Old Boys runners-up). CHINESE CUP. The winners of the Chinese Cup to date are:— 1925. —Northern. 1926. Kaitangata. 1927. Seacliff. 1928. Maori Hill. 1929. Seacliff 1930. Seacliff

The curtain-raiser between teams from the Otago High School Juniors and the Otago Primary School representatives was watched by a lajge number, the boys giving a good exhibition of the code. The Primary Schools' team was victorious by 5 goals to 2, Harrison (3). Henderson (2). scoring for the winners.

NEW ZEALAND,COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, September 30. A fortnight ago the Council of the New Zealand Football Association received a letter from the Canterbury Football Association stating that a Thistle player had been suspended for six months for kicking a Western player during a game be tween the two teams The council defined the suspensions as six playing months. At a meeting of the New Zealand Council to-night a further letter was received from the Canterbury Association that it was not its desire that there should be any alteration to the suspension of six months imposed on the player, which was imposed on August 26 The chairman (Mr F. Campbell) pointed out that the offence was a serious one. and he should have gone out for life.

Mr H. L. Godber considered that the offence called for six months’ suspension. It should be six playing months. The chairman moved—" That the suspension be for six playing months, and that if the player took part in any game before the expiry of six playing months both player and club would be dealt with.”

Mr Godber seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Canterbury Football Association requested that Christchurch should be considered when the final of the Chatham Cup was to be played in future. “ Owing to the unsatisfactory state of finance in connection with the recent final held in Wellington,” said the letter from the Canterbury Association, “ the game could have been played in Christchurch, and would have shown a better net return.” In connection with the game Petone v. Western the financial return on the game was requested. It was decided to forward a letter to the Wellington Asso ciation for its consideration and reply. An extension of the season was granted to the Buller Association to enable it to complete its competitions. The Buller Association wrote statnw that it would probably join up witfi Westland

Marist (Wellington) was given permission to send a team to plav Wanganui on October 4.

The secretary of the Minor Committee of Auckland Associations wrote suggesting that the secondary schools’ tournament should be played in two divisions The secretary was instructed to reply that the competition could be played in as many divisions as desired.