FOOTBALL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 4 September 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

ASSOCIATION.

TARANAKI CHAMPIONSHIP.

HAWERA v. STRATFORD.

Another drawn game was the result of the meeting of Hawera and Stratford teams in the re-play for the Taranaki championship at Hawera on Thursday. Both clubs were well represented, and a stubborn and, evenly contested game resulted. Hawera started with the advantage of the sun and breeze, but the visiting team were first to become dangerous. A corner kick was cleared by Hawera backs, and the home forwards then passed neatly and carried play to the other end. A corner kick to Hawera proved fruitless. Each team played with dash and offered a solid defence. Fine footwork by Hawera forwards forced an opening, and Chadwick centreing neatly Hutchinson scored. The home team were again quickly in the vicinity of their opponents' goal, and Clapham saved finely. Stratford made vigorous efforts to equalise, and Collingwood succeeded about a minute before half-time.

In the second spell Stratford opened strongly, and gave the home defenders an anxious time for some minutes. Stent saved a hard shot, and Hawera forwards then settled down '• to. their work, and as the game proceeded were by far the more dangerous, though each end was frequently visited. In the closing quarter of an hour's play Hawera battled hard for the winning goal, but Clapham, in Stratford goal, several times saved splendidly. The whistle blew without further score. Result : —

Hawera 1 goal Stratford 1 goal The forwards on both sides combined well, and 'the backs defended admirably. Smith, Collingwood, Baker and Vann played finely for Stratford, and Stapleton, Smith and Miller were prominent for Hawera.

BROWN SHIELD MATCHES.

WELLINGTON, September 4. The New Zealand Football Association has re-arranged the matches for the Brown Shield at Dunedin as follows: — First day (Wednesday next), Southland v. Taranaki, 1.30 p.m., referee, Mr S. W. Thorn Eon, of Canterbury; Otago v. Canterbury, 3 p.m., referee, Mr H. &r Mayer; of Wellington; second day (Thursday), Wellington v. the winner of the Taranaki-Southland match, 3 p.m., referee Mr W. Smith, Otago. The referee for the final match will be arranged by the captains of f the teams interested.

A team of Maoris from Fraser road will play a mixed Hawera team on Saturday. The Hawera team will be picked on the ground. Judging from the feeling amongst a number of Gisborne footballers, it is probable the Northern Union rules will be introduced there next season.