In one corner, the new boys from Melville. In the other, craggy cup veterans University Mt Wellington. A lop-sided contest surely?
On paper, Sunday's Chatham Cup final should be seen by most as a cakewalk for the glamour Auckland club. It won't be if Melville's amazing run continues.
The first appearance bya Waikato club in the Chatham Cup final came in 1962, almost 40 years after one of this country's most enduring sporting contests was first played. The 4-1 win by Technical Old Boys over regular finalists Northern (Dunedin) hardly signalled the start of a great era. It took until 1988 for a team from the region to make it through again - Waikato United beating heavyweights Christchurch United in a two-leg affair.
Their winning streak ended four years later, losing 3-1 to Miramar Rangers. Melville are the first Waikato team since 1992 to make it through.
On the other hand Uni-Mount have one of the proudest records.
In their first cup final appearance in 1973, Mt Wellington were involved in one of the epics losing a second replay to Christchurch United after the final in Wellington ended 4-4 and the replay, in Christchurch, 1-1. In a controversial ending, the Mount went down 2-1 at Newmarket Park.
In the early 1980s the Panmure-based club made the cup almost their own.
In 1990 the old foes, Mt Wellington and Christchurch Utd, were at it again with the Aucklanders winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
As Waitakere City, Mt Wellington took a back seat through the 90s, re-emerging two years ago as University Mt Wellington to topple Central 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
Last five finals
1998: Central United 5 Dunedin Technical 2
1999: Dunedin Technical 4 Waitakere City 0
2000: Napier City Rovers 4 Central United 1
2001: University Mt Wellington 3 Central 3 (Uni-Mt won on pens)
