A DAY FOR SCOTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20411, 15 September 1934, Page 15

A DAY FOR SCOTS.

Chatham Cup Final at Wellington. AUCKLAND WIN. (Special to the •'Star.") WELLINGTON. September 15. There were scenes of unprecedented enthusiasm to-dav when the Chatham Cup final was played at the Basin Reserve between the two Thistle teams. Auckland and Christchurch. The football authorities received the full co-operation of the various Scottish Societies, who were anxious to make the occasion a Scottish festival. The Petone and Caledonian Societies’ pipe bands and the Wellington Regimental Pipe Band took part, in the festivities and the crowds helped to make it a day of Soicer festivity, not unlike Southland's raid on Canterbury for the Ranfurlv Shield last winter. Though some rain fell during the night and this morning, the weather conditions were perfect when the sides took the field. The sun was shining brightly. There was a southerly breeze and the sting was out of the ground. Christchurch Thistle were the first Canterbury team to play in the final since Nomads were beaten by Tramuera in Auckland in 1931. The following were the teams: Thistle (Christchurch). M. B. Mitchell; backs, H. Johnston, G. Sutherland (captain) ; halves, J Paton, A. Sutherland, A. Walker; forwards, J. Simpson. T. Sutherland, R. Adam, J. Bruce, G. Walker. Thistle (Auckland).

Forwards, Kay, Ilislop, Williamson, Dunsmore, Wood; halves, Wiseman, Wright, Watson; backs, Williams, M’Cosh (captain) ; Gerrard. When the teams filed out amidst loud cheers, there were 7000 people present, including the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe. Cheers were given for the Governor-General. Christchurch won the toss, and Auckland set the ball rolling against the W’ind. Kay shone in a move down the left flank, - but Christchurch returned with pretty passing down the centre, for D. Sutherland to test Gerrard with a neat shot, which was well cleared. Christchurch made another sortie, but the defence of Williams and M’Cosh was very sound. The pretty short passing of the Auckland halves and forwards was carving holes in the Christchurch defence, but trouble was averted with line kicks. From a free kick at half-way, G. Sutherland placed nicely for D. Sutherland to head over the goal. The Christchurch attack, though sound, was too cautious, and every time the southerners broke through Auckland were able-to marshal a sound defence. Finally Walker crossed nicely for Adam to run the ball into the Auckland net. Christchurch 1, Auckland 0.

Encouraged by their success, Christchurch attacked and Bruce grazed the | bar with a sizzler, while D. Sutherland badly beat Gerrard seconds later, but was off-side. M’Cosh was injured and when he returned to the field a cripple, he played left-half, Wiseman dropping back to full-back. A little later Kay shone in a brilliant movement down the middle. A shot twenty yards out just grazed the goal posts. Auckland were still impressing as the cleverer side. The Wood-Dunsmore-Williamson combination were making things hot for the Christchurch defence. Auckland were also playing with ten men, as their skipper, M’Cosh, could not run. At half-time the score was: Christchurch 1. Auckland 0. Auckland took the field with ten men in the second x spell, M’Cosh being an absentee. Christchurch immediately attacked, Auckland conceding a corner. The wind had dropped slightly and conditions were not so bad as those faced by Auckland in the first spell. Christchurch bombarded the Auckland goal, but brilliant work by Gerrard and lack of direction in shooting saved the situation. Auckland were playing a skilful back game on defence and curbed the Christchurch attack, while the wind was proving of great assistance. Then Auckland set up a series of attacks, in which Woods shone.. The match was full of keen play, and after an early Christchurch attack had been beaten off, the northern side provided thrills by its fight for the advantage. Dunsmore missed a chance, however. From well out, Watson goaled, and the scores were even. Christchurch took the offensive now and again, and all Gerrard's brilliance was needed to save scores as the southerners came through a gap left in the line. Shortly before the close. Wood goaled for Auckland, and the game- ended: AUCKLAND 2 CHRISTCHURCH a 1