CHATHAM CUP TIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 97, 15 July 1927, Page 11

CHATHAM CUP TIES

Auckland Semi-Finals of Dominion’s Premier Club Soccer Competition

PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW

AN exceptionally fine ’ free-for-all” Soccer programme has been provided for the public at Victoria Park tomorrow, -owing to Blandford Park being- given a muchneeded rest. The local semi-finals of the Chatham Cup knockouts are exciting great interest. The reappearance of the Thistle Clnb and its meeting- with Shore is sure to attract a big- crowd to the bank. Ponsonby meets Onehunga on No. 2 ground to determine the other finalist. In the championship series Northcote meets Trams at the Domain, and Y.M.C.A. plays Navy at the Calliope Dock ground.

THISTLE v. SHORE The long-looked-for meeting between the two leading teams will be the main attraction on Victoria Park No. game can be expected. In its only game con be expected. In its only meeting this season in the championship, Thistle emerged winners, after a dour struggle, by the odd goal in three, with Shore swarming all over them in the concluding stages, after the unfortunate Christie-Woolley incident which made history this season.

tour and will strengthen the half-line at centre. Renshaw is a newcomer at half to the Auckland spectators, but he is a finished player who has shaped well in the last two games. I-Ie is a heady half, who tackles well and feeds his wing with good judgment. Colebourne has been brought up from fullback to right half and is a strong defensive player with great power in his clearing work. Gerrard goes to right back and will be partnered by Harold Smith, a rugged defender promoted from the juniors, who- has shown improved form in succeeding games. If Shore can only start off with the same dash as it has shown in finishing, it will worry the Thistle a lot, but the superior experience and craftsmanship of the Scots gives them an undoubted advantage in skill and strategy which should gain them the game. PONSONBY v. ONEHUNGA This game is timed to start at two provide another very even tussle. Those provide another very even tusle. Those who saw Onehunga twice gain a twogoal lead over Shore in the drawn game last Saturday describe the Ma-nukau-siders as a vastly improved team, which has now acquired good combination and is very sound in all departments. There may be a weakness in the goalkeeping, but they have a hefty pair of full-backs. Whowell being a host in himself in a hard, knockout game, and Reid is a clever defender. Terry is a nippy wing half who is hard to pass, and has cultivated a good understanding with a dangerous left wing in Mellor and Knott, from which most of the Onehunga offensives originate. Cheesman has also developed as a good goalscorer and the “Ponies” defence is sure to be kept busy. Ponsonby will hav*' Innes in action again, but are very unfortunate in having Clem Bell benefiting from THE SUN’S free accident insurance policy. Innes, the “All Black,” will fill the vacancy at centre-forward. It is also unfortunate that Mooney is a doubtful starter, as he always figures as dangerous in the scoring line. Morrison will have his hands full if he has Mellor and Knott to watch, but Wright enjoys a hard game and will harass the Onehunga van. Pickett has recovered from his injuries and has consistently played a sterling game at back. On form the “Ponies” should be just about good enough to pass into the final round, but they cannot hold the new cup recruits too cheaply. CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES Most interest will, of course, be concentrated on the cup ties, but the game between Trams and Northcote should provide an even game at the Domain. Northcote is still dogged with hard luck, but Trams are a lot below their normal strength, and the blues may get their revenge over the Corporation men in the return game to-morrow. At the Devonport Dock ground Y.M.C.A. will try concluson with the Navy, and will find the service team a hard one to down on its home base, and Navy should win.

On the Thistle side Kay is the only absentee from the team which won that day, but 1 the Flying Scotsman was always the most forceful scoring factor in the Thistle thrust, and the rearranging of the front line with J. (“Darkie”) Stewart at centre, and D. Stewart transferred to Kay’s vacancy, may disorganise the attack. However, the Scots should be fit and fresh after their spell, and they are keen on being the bearers of Auckland’s hopes in the final of the cup at Wellington this year. Their defence is very sound and solid, and the lively Shore line will need to register some of its best shooting work if it is to find the net. If there is any weakness in the Thistle defence it is that inevitable and incurable one which appears with Anno Domini, and if extra time becomes necessary, the strain would be sure to tell, and Shore’s youth will be all in their favour in a hard and gruelling game. Baxter and Bradshaw will be prominent absentees from the Shore eleven which last met the black-and-whites, but Jones is back from his test match