Soccer: Rare Chatham Cup triumph caps club's centenary celebrations

Western Suburbs 0 (3 pens) Eastern Suburbs 0 (0 pens)

Penalties can be a cruel way to decide a contest but it seemed the only way to separate Western Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs yesterday. Both sides created plenty of chances and the woodwork came in for special attention but both were profligate in front of goal.

It was perhaps appropriate that Wellington's Western Suburbs won their third Chatham Cup, following successes in 1935 (as Hospital AFC) and 1971, considering it's also the club's centenary season. As far as 100th birthdays go, it's difficult to top that in New Zealand football - all they need now is a birthday card from the Queen.

Stu Jacobs' side easily won the penalty shootout in front of a small band of supporters who had made the trek up from Endeavour Park, with goalkeeper Phil Imray saving all three Eastern Suburbs attempts.

"It's probably the best day of my life," enthused Imray, brought out by the club from England to play. "A few of the boys knew a few of their players and told me which way they thought it might go but it's pretty much luck [when it comes to penalties]. Pick a way and dive."

In a curious twist of scheduling, the Knights game was something of a curtainraiser for New Zealand football's premier knockout competition. But given what took place in the earlier game - a first Knights home win - the final was always going to struggle to match that.

The terrible ground conditions didn't help but the contest lacked quality and after a bright first half, it degenerated into what Jacobs described as a kick-fest.

"I think at the back end of the second half, it always looked like it was going to penalties," Jacobs said. "But this is special. I'm so pleased for the club."

The Wellingtonians had the better of the first half, with Jimmy Cudd pulling the strings in the middle of the park. Former All Whites striker Rupert Ryan had three good chances to break the deadlock, including a header that cannoned off the crossbar but his efforts went unrewarded.

Eastern Suburbs enjoyed more chances and possession in the second spell, with Andrew Webber nodding his header onto the crossbar after a great cross from Matt Wallace.

Eastern Suburbs might have fancied their chances of winning a sixth Chatham Cup and the first since 1969 after a penalty shootout win over holders Central in last month's semifinal. But they duffed their lines on centre stage and, in a final, there's no second night to get things right.