Sth Canty Cup final full of flair
Football’s South Canterbury Cup final has a real David versus Goliath feel to it.
Northern Hearts have dominated the Cup in its 38-year history, winning a staggering 28 finals, while their opponents Timaru Boys’ have never won the John Denley Trophy.
City are next with five, while Oamaru, Pleasant Point, West End, Thistle and Meadowbank have all claimed it once each.
Hearts, who were in every final from 1993-2015, are favourites having defeated Timaru Boys’ three times this season and finishing second in the South Canterbury Football men’s division one league.
That doesn’t seem to unduly concern Timaru Boys’, even though Hearts player-coach Todd Burtenshaw last week said he felt their semifinal win over West End was akin to the final.
‘‘We’re looking to use Todd’s comment last weekend that the two best teams clashed in the semifinals as a bit of motivation for us,’’ Timaru Boys’ coach Cameron Gibb said.
Gibb, who will be glued to his phone as he is unable to attend the clash due to family commitments, is confident Timaru Boys’ can deliver the goods.
‘‘We’ve trained really really well this week, the guys are really excited and want to do well.
‘‘We have a few tricks up our sleeve and the best striker in the competition, so it’s certainly going to be a very good challenge.’’
He said they would be looking to play positive football.
‘‘Our intentions are to play football and hopefully play well. We’re missing a couple of players but have a strong squad and some of the ones coming through have been awesome.
‘‘Tom Baxter has been our most consistent all year, he hasn’t really had the accolades he deserves.’’
It will be Timaru Boys’ fifth appearance in a Cup final, with the schoolboys hoping to make history.
‘‘We’d love to be the first team from Timaru Boys’ to claim the Cup and if we play to our potential I think we can do that.’’
Timaru Boys’ last Cup appearance came seven years ago against Hearts, when they lost 3-2 after being down 3-0 in the opening 10 minutes. Burtenshaw said it was pleasing getting to face someone like Timaru Boys’ in the final.
‘‘They’re my second favourite team to support after Hearts and if we weren’t playing, then I’d certainly be cheering for them.
‘‘It’s going to be a great final, because like us Timaru Boys’ will be here to play football, it won’t matter what the score is both teams will look to attack.’’
Hearts wanted to finished the season on a high.
‘‘The guys trained really well last night [Thursday] and we’re confident we can go out there and play well to secure a win.’’
Burtenshaw said they have a number of players who were ex- South Canterbury Cup winners in the last 10 years: Northern Hearts 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. Pleasant Point 2013. Northern Hearts 2014, 2015. Meadowbank United 2016. Timaru Boys’ footballers, which adds to the occasion.
‘‘Myself, Ricky [McLeod], Ross [Godwin] and even Hamish [Rodgers] have all played for the school so it’s going to be great coming up against our old team in a final.’’
Hearts captain McLeod, who is set to play his 10th final, said he was looking forward to the challenge from Timaru Boys’.
‘‘It’s going to be a good game and I hope they play well, just not well enough to win. It’s a good way to end the season.’’
Timaru Boys’ captain Harry Pierce said they were hoping to make the school proud, building on the first XV winning their way to the Crusaders final.
‘‘I’m sure they’re stoked for us to make the final and with how well the first XV did, it’d be nice to have something else for the school to celebrate as well.
Geraldine face Thistle A in the bowl final and Northern Hearts B and West End B in the plate final, while Pleasant Point and West End clash in the women’s final. The youth final features Timaru Boys’ 1 up against Thistle/Roncalli.
All matches are being played at Sir Basil Arthur Park from 10am.