FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 June 1925, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

STRATFORD V. ATHLETIC. After a downhill fight, Athletic suffered defeat at the hands of Stratford by 22 points to 6. The game was characterised by strong forward rushes, but the Stratford backs passed well and kept up a hot pace. In the first spell Stratford had the better of the play, but, nevertheless, Athletic made a very creditable showing, their forwards doing a lot of spoiling work amongst the opposing hacks, and the spell ended 8 to nil. In the second spell Stratford continued to force the pace, and Athletic weakened noticeably, allowing Stratford to penetrate their defence time and time again. Athletic’s strength rested mainly in their forward division, hut although they played -well, the visitors’ vanguard was superior. Hunter, the home team’s full-hack, took the ball on the full very well, but he was inclined to hang on to it a little too Jong. Further, he would do better if he could develop his right-foot kick. In the three-quarter line Thomas and Plank divided the honours. Knox, at five-eighths, played a good defensive gam© until lie had to retire. Lay did not play up to his usual standard, and appeared to he developing a habit of hanging on too long. Owens played a fair game, hut his efforts were nullified to a- certain extent by the weight of the Stratford forwards. Simpson, at half, played well until he had to retire, hut his passes were a little erratic. Grant, the wing forward, was not seen at liis best. Hall, Hunt, Bailantync and Herbert were the' pick of the forwards, but the whole of the vanguard lacked the combination they displayed early in the season. The luck of the team, however, was out, two men being put out of action, and front row men from the scrum having to go hack to wing three-quarter and five-eighties. Briefly, it may be said that the forwards want- to play with greater combination, and the backs want to- cultivate crisp passing movements. Tackling could also be improved upon. All hut one of Stratford’s tries were registered by forwards. Bond getting across the line and scoring three times. The Stratford forwards were exceptionally strong in attack, Kivell, Walter, O’Keefe, McCullough and Bond paying a fast and hard game. The Stratford backs were a good average lot, and were superior to their opponents’ rearguard.

MID-WEEK PLAY

A GREAT STRUGGLE,

The interest, which has been keen and sustained throughout the round, culminated in the match between City A and Freser Road yesterday, which result decided the supremacy in the first round. The interest was the keener in that before yesterday bpth were level in points, eleven all. The match produced a good disx>!ay of football, which was witnessed by a large crowd of enthusiasts. The result was in doubt right to the end, and had Fraser Road’s place-kicking been better they would almost certainly have won, for they had two opportunities right in front of the goal. However, ' City staved off the challenge, and got home winners by a smal] margin, and now lead for the banner. The table of -results in championship point® up to date is as below:

There have been quite a number of matches forfeited, and these are reckoned as played in the table. CITY A (5) V. FRASER ROAD (3). There was a Very satisfactory attendance when City A met Fraser Road yesterday, and much excitement prevailed among the spectators. Visitors were present from many parts ,to see the game, because the two teams were even, in leading position. j Fraser Road kicked off and City returned upfield, Coburn, Foster and Loader showing dashing work. Keeping up the pressure, City rushed to the line, and the blues were obliged to force. Play went up and down field in loose rushes, neither side having the advantage till the Blues got away in fine style and rushed right to the line, whefee hard kicking lost them the ad vantage, and City forced. From the kick out City pressed hard, and following on a loose rush, Loader and Foster made a nice dash, and just on, the line Dalgleisli secured, made a good run and scored a try. Loader made no mistake with the kick. City 5,'

Fraser ltoad 0. Spurred on by tlie reverse, blues forced the pace and took play right to the opposing line, and twice reds found it necessary to force. Then they got to work, aiid ’ed by Loader, went upfield in great sty’e. Rosewarne kept up the pressure, and all the forwards were associated in a fine loose rush, which kept the blues on the defensive. But, c'caring in good style, they, put, in a brilliant loose rush, which swept away opposition, and in a scramble Zimmerman got over under the posts. The easiest of kicks failed. City 5, Fraser Road 3. 7 Play was scrappy ior a time till City forwards went clownlield in fine style and kept the opposing hacks busy. Then blues came back, and in a good position they had a penalty, which Rumble* just fai'ed to convert. Craighead and Loader relieved with a fine dash, and Purser, taking a fine mark,

gained a lot of ground with liis kick. Blues repeatedly attacked, and Purser was instrumental in saving his side by e'ever kicking. Half-time came without alteration in the score. In the opening phases of the second spell blues made the pace hot, and were continually attacking, and on\y good defence kept them out. Purser and Goodwin both gained much ground by good kicking, and following up •fast, the Reds were on the attack. But once more bhies came hack again, and Purser, taking a mark in the face of the forwards, sent them hack with a fine kick. Loader, Coburn and Purser were again noteworthy for clever savng, and then the City forwards, seeming to gain a new lease of life, ran clean through the opposing pack. Paidra and Wliai sent them hack, and during the hist few minutes City had a strenuous time. A penalty was given them right in front of the posts, and Whareaitu failed with an easy kick. One more chance he had to convert, but this also failed, and City rushing to midfield, the ball lent out and the whistle went for no-side, leaving City victors after a keen and strenuous contest. bv a margin of two points. Mr G. Hurley was referee.

A compulsory practice will be held at the Showgrounds for, the Hawera Thirds on Saturday at 1.30 p.xn. OTHER GAMES. Of the other matches set down for yesterday, Manaia forfeited to Ohangai, and the match jSformanby v. City B was held over, on account of so many players being away at camp. SECOND ROUND. In view of the time occupied in playing another round, and the fact that most of the players in country teams are dairy farmers, it has been decided to play the round in two divisions, and so conclude the season earlier. The fixtures will be drawn tonight. THE, ALL BLACK MATCH. „ WILL NOT ..TAKE PLACE.

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, June 24. Tlie New Zealand Rugby Union decided to-night to abandon the proposed match between the All Blacks of 1924 and 1925 on the return of the* ,latter from Sydney. Insufficient men are available to form a strong 1924 team. Instead the Australian visitors will meet a combined team from Wellington, Manawatu and Horowhenua. The Te Mori Rose Bowl will be decided at Wellington on August 19, and from the contending teams a fifteen will be chosen to meet Canterbury at Christchurch on August 22. Mr R. G. Warren, secretary of the International Rugby Board, advised that several unions expressed the view that it would be impossible to send out a team to New Zealand in either 1926 or 1927. As Mr C. J. Wray (Dominion representative on the English Rugby Union) stated that France was ab’e to guarantee a fully representative side for 1927, it was decided to send an invitation for that year.

TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. Okaiawa. Seniors. —Tula, Griffin, Corbett, Cameron, Purvis, Atkins,. Roberts, Birchall, McKay, Parslow, Ike, Peta, Linn, McGuire, Fry, Woods, Dodd, G. Hurley. Seniors meet at show ground, Hawera, at 2.15 p.m. Juniors. —-Woods, Henry, Dodd, Douglas, Ramsay. Clarke, James, Guy, Linn, Hooper, Robinson, Blair, Tipnett (2), Wilson, Tin, Awahou, McDonald, Stoddart, •Kaponga.

The following teams will represent Kaponga Football Club on Saturady: — Seniors.—Paterson (3), J. McCarthy, W. Alaison, C. Whalen, A. Guy, M. Lynsliy, L. Thoumine, Hammersley (2), A. Thomas, W. McCook, M. Malone, C. Kspin, W. Martin. Emergencies: L. Whalen, J. Doyle. Juniors.—-Cameron (2), Busby, Scott, Free, Sangster, Keheley, Tremaine, Afoa (3), Espin, Ritter, Tyack, Nortlicote, and Mooreland.

P w L D Pts for Pts agst Ch pts City A Fraser Road .. 7 6 0. 1 87 21 13 7 5 1 1 57 16 11 Ohangai 7 5 1 1 45 32 11 i’okaora 7 9: 3 2 29 GO 6 City R 6 3 3 1 49 45 5 No liman by 6 2 3 1 14 45 3 3 Whareroa 7 i 5 1 23 61 Mianaia 7 i 6 0 37 61 2