FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 81, 26 May 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

FIRST GRADE. STRATFORD (11) v. TUKAPA (9). Stratford met Tukapa at the A. and P. Ground yesterday afternoon, there being a moderate attendance of spectators. When play started there was a considerable wind blowing- down the held. Stratford Avon the toss and played with the Avind. ToAvards the end of the first, spell the Avind dropped, and Avhen ends Avere changed Tukapa got no advantage from the Avind. During the game a I'cav light shoAvers of rain fell. Mr Spurdle carried the Avhistle. The teams lined out as folloAvs:— Stratford— Kivcll. Burgess Cameron Anderson SteAvart Woods Bonner Fearon James Marohant Young Brett Smith Boon Melville Tukapa— Joll Francis Chartres Davidson Ward Brabant Morsehead Jones Lovoridgo BroAvn Whittaker Webster Stohr G. Lovoridgo Honeyfleld.

From the first exchange of kicks Tukapa sent the ball out near their twenty-five, and Avhen it was put into play again it was rushed over the line" by the Stratford fonvards, Fearon falling on the ball. Cameron sent the ball over the bar, thus giving Stratford a good working lead after only about a minute’s play;— Stratford" 5, Tukapa 0. When the ball Avas in play again it soon gravitated to the Tukapa twenty-five. Cameron picked up and lacked for the goal-line, but the Avind over-carried it and a force resulted, Anderson being just too late. A little later Stohr secured the ball and set off for the Stratford line with the majority of the Stratford team on the Avrong side of him,but his OAvn men Avere not on the spot and he Avas ' pushed out. Tukapa Avere given tAvo free kicks, but did not improve their position. After play had kept close and uninteresting for" some time, Stratford narroAvly missed scoring again, Cameron hitting the post from a free kick from about half-Avay. Then Tukapa took a hand in things. Loveridge started a dribbling rush which Avas npt smothered before the ball Avas in dangerous proximity to Stratford’s line. Stratford relieved, but from a bit of open play Whittaker got the ball and passed to Stohr, who, hoAvever, Avas forced to kick. Thereafter play moved doAvn into Tukapa territority, and by close Avork Stratford took- the ball light doivn to the line, but ware sent back for a breach, men Tukapa took play to Stratford’s lino, where two scrums took place, relief coining Avith a free kick to Stratford. Cameron made a good run, but passed fonvard, and Anderson, Ai'bo had taken the ball over, Avas called back. After an exchange of kicks Stratford centred the ball, but Tukapa spoilt its opening by off-side play. Cameron kicked toAvards Tukapa’s goal and, folloAving up smartly, collared the Tukapa player avlio took it, but after a short space of suspense play Avas worked, by loose rushes, into Stratford’s territory.-. Three Tukapa men united

in a dribbling rush and things looked dangerous for Stratford, who had only” a few men on the ball; but by strenuous efforts it was sent out of play. Directly afterwards play was rushed into Tukapa territory. Stratford started a passing rush, but wore stopped. Then Stratford was given a free kick, Cameron kicking ,a good goal.—Stratford 8, Tukapa 0. Soon after the ball was in play again G. Loveridge made a good run, being collared a few yards from Stratford’s goal. Half-time was called just afterwards. The second spell opened with an exchange of kicks, from one of which Stratford was forced, play staying in the home twenty-five tor some time. A big spell of tight and uninteresting up and down play followed, whin Tukapa woke up and made a strong attack. Stohr took a mark in a good position in Stratford’s twenty-live, and put the ball over the bar.—Tukapa 3, Stratford 8. \Vebster got the bail soon aler play was re-started, and put in a good run. but was smothered. Play kept

in Stratford’s twenty-five, and as a result of hard pushing Joll secured the ball and got over Stratford’s lino, Kivell managing to force nicelv. Stohr next got the ball in a position handy to the line. Ho kicked over the lino and followed up smartly, but two Stratford men obstructed him, and Tukapa was given a free kick. No score resulted. Play was next shifted to Tukapa territory by a fine run and kick by Cameron. Very tight work on the line followed, three scrums in succession being formed. Tukapa got relief from a penalty kick, but soon afterwards Cameron put the oval over the bar from a free kick.—Stratford 11, Tukapa 3. Not long afterwards Tukapa was awarded a kick near half way, a score resulting from a fine kick by Stohr.—Tukapa 6, Stratford 11.\ _ Give-and-take play followed for a time, and then Tukapa attacked strongly and were just on the point of scoring a certain try when they were penalised. Stohr 'took a mark from the free kick, and placed tlie ball between the posts from near halil way at a considerable angle.—Tukapa 9, Stratford 11. Tukapa began to force the pace, and from a scrum near half-wayßrown started a likely-looking passing attack, but passed forward badly. Tukapa Persisted in the endeavour to open play up and succeeded in doing so, but with no advantage to either side. Just before time was called Cameron again placed his side on the offensive with a good run and kick, which took play right to the Tukapa line. Tukapa were forced, and time was sounded soon afterwards.

REP. TEAM TO PLAY WANGANUI. The following rep. team has been selected to play against Wanganui at Hawcra on June 3rd:— Full-back: Hill. Three-quarters: Prince Stohr Cameron Five-eights: Roberts McLeod Half: Brown. Forwards: Taylor (wing), Hawkins, Cqn Sheehan, Ward, Boon, Whittington, Osborne, Cain. Emergencies: Back, Beamish; forward, Kissick.