Stirring Soccer

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 177, 17 October 1927, Page 10

Stirring Soccer

TWO EXCITING KNOCK-OUTS

Onehunga and Thistle Survive

SATURDAY'S Soccer provided by far the best programme staged at Blandford Park this season, the two knock outs in the Falcon Cup semi-f nals being keenly contested to the final whistle, and both being decided by the narrowest, margin of the odd goal in three. Onehunga occasioned a surprise by outing Ponsonby, the “Ponies” fielding a weakened team. Tramways put up a great struggle against Thistle, holding the lead till nearly half-time. Thistle played Lucas in goal and his appearance may involve an inquiry into his qualifications to play in the match.

CHATHAM CUP WINNERS WORSTED

Onehunga v. Ponsonby.—The Manukau men appeared with a very fit and fresh team, but the “Ponies” had Williams, Mooney, Morrison and O’Brien on the-sick and injured list, while Bell at fullback had not entirely recovered from a crash in the Chatham Cup final. In spite of this handicap the western suburb put up a gallant fight, and the juniors substituted all showed promising form. The game was a gruelling one from end to end, and the usuai week-end showers had softened the surface in favour of fast play. ONEHUNGA SCORES FIRST Ponsonby made things lively at the outset, Innes leading some enterprising raids into Onehunga’s home area, but Whowell was a tower of strength at fullback, and McPhee saved well in goal. The West Coasters then took a hand with some smart sorties, and Green blundered in clearing towards his own goal where Waterson nipped in and headed neatly past Watts. The reverse woke Ponsonby up, but numerous raids were nullified by powerful clearing kicks by the Onehunga backs, and from a counter-attack Mellor sprinted down the side-line to send a perfect pass to Gill, who had an open goal when brought down, and Watts ran out to clear. Innes was battling hard to rally his forward line, but an injury to Harper at outsideright held up the offensives, until Hunter fastened on to a miskick by Jackson and drove past McPhee from close in. With the scores level both sides worked hard for the leading goal, and, after even exchanges, Mellor flashed through again to send across a stinging centre which was too hot for Watts to hold, and Waterson ran in to net from close up. LIVELY SECOND SPELL Bell went up forward in the second half, Harper relieving him at back, and the “Ponies” set out to save themselves from extinction with some forceful thrusts, but McPhee defended brilliantly in goal and Ponsonby failed to find the target. Onehunga smothered up effectively, Bentley, Whowell and Mays being responsible for some solid protective play. Th-e Onehunga attack lost some of its pace when Mellor showed signs of lameness, but play was fast and thrilling right to the final whistle, when Onehunga survived fo.r the final by two goak to one. WINNERS’ GOOD FORM The Manukau-siders showed improvement on the good form displayed when they eliminated Y.M.C.A., and had been in solid training for a strenuous knock-out contest. McPhee was in great form between the sticks and brought off several clever saves. In front of him Whowell and Mays were sound in defence, while Bentley put in a lot of solid work at centrehalf. Mellor and Waterson were the pick of the forwards. Ponsonby showed signs of staleness at times and the changes in the personnel of the team upset the combination. Watts made few mistakes in goal, b«ut Pickett showed signs of knee trouble and neither Bell nor Harper were a success in partnering him. Wright battled hard in both defence and attack, but the outstanding feature was the forward line, where Innes, Tomilty and Hunter were conspicuous. They were unlucky in not netting in the second spell and the “Ponies” were not disgraced in having to go down to a fast and fresh team like Onehunga. ANOTHER THRILLING GAME Thistle v. Trams.—The second semifinal was played at an even faster pace than the curtain-raiser, both sides appreciating the ideal surface and true-running ball. It was one of the few really good games seen this season, the teams showing both speed and skill, playing themselves right out through an exhausting 90 minutes. Thistle furnished a surprise by fielding Lucas, the old Auckland rep., in goal, Zuille having departed for Australia, and W. Cummings being unavailable. Hislop, who only recently joined up with the Benedicts, made a welcome re-appearance in his old possie, and the Scots were at full strength. So were Trams, with Gordon Dodds in position again, and Batty came out of his old citadel to give a solid display at half-back. A WILLING GO Both teams made it willing from the kick-off, the ball travelling from goal to goal at top speed, the Scots being the first to appear dangerous from a solo run bj r Dunsmore and a neat corner kick by Cummings. The Trams tore down the field and a good combined rush, with neat passing, saw Spencer streak through the defence and drive in a hot shot high up which Lucas failed to hold. With attack countered by retaliatory raids, both teams kept at it hammer and tongs, but the civic eleven maintained its lead until nearing the interval, when Cummings dropped a corner kick into the goal area and from a lively mix-up Thistle rushed the ball into the net, A BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL Both teams were right out to avert the knock-out in the second spell, the game being hard and clean, with no advantage to either side, until another perfectly placed flag-kick by Cummings from a corner connected with Webb’s head for the deciding goal. Trams were striving desperately to even matters again, but the Scots’ defence was very solid. Reid shining in some staunch defensive work. Thistle replied vigorously with occasional counter-offensives, but could not again penetrate the Trams’ rearguard. In the closing stages Fyfie was pulled up for apparent handling, and then ordered to the side-line for questioning the decision, a fine cup tie exhibition ending with Thistle passing into the final by a win of two goals to one. BOTH SIDES’ GOOD FORM The winners showed a return to their best form on Saturday, and gave a fine display of the cup tie type of game. They abandoned the short tricky game, and slung the ball about in great style. Lucas and Reid were the stars in the defence, while Christie played his usual hard plodding game at centre-half. Cummings was outstanding in the front line, and it was from his accurate corner kicking that Thistle scored both goals. Hislop showed all his old skill in ball control

and fed Kay assiduously, but the Scottish flier was too persistently shadowed by Watson to be very cangerous. TRAMWAYS’ SPLENDID RECOVERY

The Trammies showed a welcome return to their form of last year, and gave what was easily their finest exhibition this season. Dazzle was saf« in goal when tested, and could not b< blamed for the two goals rushed, past him. Simpson played a great game at fullback and was the mainstay o:.’ the defence. Watson was detailed to stop Kay and made a good job of his task, while Batty showed surprisingly good form at half on his second appearance outside the goal arba ia senior Soccer. Spencer, Dodds and Fyfie were a forceful trio in the inside forward positions, but the weak spots in Trams* van were the outside wings who found it difficult to get their centres across. It was a stirring contest which kept the spectators on tiptoe throughout.

FALCON CUP PROTEST

STATUS OF LUCAS Thistle sprang a surprise on the opposing team and spectators on Saturday, when the redoubtable ex-Auck-land goalie, Lucas, appeared in front of the nets for the Scots combination. Lucas transferred from Y.M.C.A. to Shore at the outset of this season, but failed to get a game, and after joining up with the hockey code left for theWaikato where he played at Soccer for Frankton Railways. Returning to the city Lucas reappeared in hockey for Wesley, and had apparently abandoned the Soccer code for the season. Thistle’s goalie, Zuille, departed for Australia recently, and his deputy, W. Cummings, was not available on Saturday. To fill the vacancy, Thistle secured Lucas and applied to transfer him on Friday from Frankton Railways to the town club. The rules of the A.F.A. require all transfers or registrations to be made on the Tuesday night, and where the transfer is from one district association to another the New Zealand Council must be consulted. From this it would appear that Thistle’s application was not in order, and the club took a .risk of forfeiting the match on Saturday. It is not definitely decided whether the Tramways Club will enter £. formal protest at tomorrow night’s meeting of the A.F.A. Management, but it seems certain that the question will arise in some form.

SWIMMING IN SOUTH AUCKLAND

ANNUAL MEETINGS . (Special to THE SUN.) HAMILTON, Saturday. At the annual meeting of the South Auckland Swimming Centre, Dr. F. D. Pinfold presiding, delegates were present from Te Awamutu, Waihi, Morrinsville, and Hamilton. According to the report, the past year had been a most successful one. It was resolved that in future, instead of the centre having to contribute toward club championship medals, clubs be asked to meet the cost of the medals themselves. Cambridge was fixed as the meeting place of the centre meetings, to be held once a month. The junior carnival was offered to the Cambridge Club on condition that that club ran the carnival and paid over half the profits to the centre. The need for tepid bath 9in Hamilton was emphasised by the chairman. He said there was no need for an elaborate scheme, but some means to provide a small heating plant was needed. As a recommendation to the executive, it was decided that the matter be kept in mind. Mr. N. Ross urged that the entrance fees for swimming carnivals be placed on a more reasonable basis. It wa* resolved that affiliated members from visiting towns be not charged an entrance fee for club carnivals. The election of officers resulted: Patron, Hon. J. A. Young; vice-patron, Mr. R. English; president. Mr. BChapman (Morrinsville): vice-presi-dents, presidents of the affiliated clubs, secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. >*• Saville; handicapper. Mr. F. Empson. auditor, Mr. A. Needham; council representative, Mr. Collins (Christchurch. . . Championships were allocated as follows: Ladies 50yds championship. Hamilton; 100yds senior championship, Te Awamutu; 220yds senior, Waihi, 100yds intermediate, Cambridge; swimming centre, flying squadron and tn diving: 75yds ladies.’ Morrinsville, 440yds, left open. MORRINSVILLE CLUB There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of the Morrmsv i Swimming Club. The annual report showed that the season had . very successful one. Three carm _ were held during the year, at swimmers attended from all eluding Auckland, O :ago. Camrnj - Hamilton, and Thames. The ship of the club was 97, as againthe previous year. The oalan—showed a credit of £29 0s 6d. .. The following officers «re eI «t“; Patron. Mr. S. S. Allen: president. MB. Chapman, vice-presidents, Me. • F. A. Hanan. TV. McPherson, and c. »• Gummer: committee, Messrs. • Barker, C. Davidson, F. Dickinson, . G. Yardley, I. Jones, F. J. Coomb;, arm R. Cairns; secretary and treasurer, D. Morton; auditor, Mr. A. captain, Mr. E. Seville: handicapper, Mr. F. Dickinson; delegates Auckland Centre, Messrs. F. Dic ’i” ed . and C. Davidson: starter, Mr. *** . ham; check starter, Mr. B.ChaP ladies’ captain. Miss P. Seville,