FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 28 August 1925, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

STRATFORD BEAT ELTH AAJ

SI'LAII.-FIN A), THIRD GRADE,

Eitnann suffered defeat a,t the hands of Stratford yesterday by 11 points' to n,ill in the .semi-final match of the third grade comipetitiioai. Play Avals fast and fairly open, aud it AA’as not nut,ill the ifinal stages that Stratford • ,asserted their superiority. Eilitham. kicked off and play hung in midfield until! a passing movement amongst the visiting backs -.saw tbe ball transferred to Croft, who kicked upfieJd .and followed up. The fullback, L. Gower, could not get in h.i,s kick, and Stratford .sav armed on the line underneath the goal, until AV. ■Gower relieved. Eltham retaliated, Knucdrey putting in a run down the line, and the Eltham backs followed up the advantage. Stratford attacked, but L. GoAver goib in a splendid clearing kick to, the line. Froinr the Jiineout AY. Go,Aver AAiais given the ball, and he put in ,a good run. The Straitford forwards returned the leather and their backs made repeated attempts, to get through. Knuekey broke away again and coveired a good deni of ground down the line,, but a tackle stopped him. Ferguson improved Stratford’,s position when he 'broke aAAiay and carried the bull into Eiltliiam’s tAA'enty-fi.A r e, but be passed blindly. Pilay continued to alternate up and down, the field, honours being even, and half-time Avals called AAnthont either side regiisltering any points. AVihen pilay resumed, AYiithens put in a good nun land brought the visitors bn to the goal-line, Avliece tight play AAiais foSllio'Aved by a ,scrum. The Eltha.m defence, however, AVas effective, and Kuuekey re'lieA’ed AA’iitli a sgiecuilatoir. Play Avlais in Stratford’s hiailf Avhen Graft put in a run and got in ,a short kick which Casey faiiiled to clear. Sullivan kicked across in the corner, and following up smartly, fellll on the ,bialll and registered Stratford’is first try. _ Croft failed to convert. After a period of oAien play Eltbiam. lattackecl strongly, but tilid viisiltoins got tlio bail! away 'fi'oim amark. Stratford then attacked, ami from '» line-out in Eltbam’s twentyfivo ia pas Sling movement resulted ill AViitlieiris getting ialcroisis close to the goal. A up-change kick isteuw P." Collins ,oon\ r erb. A minute later H. Hinton soared linoan a foanvard l’liish,. Orbit failed to ooiLA r ert from a, difficult angle. Stilatliord continued to press, bub coaiild not penetrate the Eltham, defence again, the .fuUll-hack, L. Gower, relieviiig tbe poisiitiion for the home team, time and time again. Time sounded with tlio .Snore 11 to mil in tbe A'isitoa’s' fiaivouir. Air. J. Kiley Was referee.