FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 127, 21 July 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY UN lOX MEETING. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, July 20. The management committee oi liio New Zeala.'Ki Itugby I man met tonight. la cmmocbtuu with the country lour u was reported mat difficulty had been experienced in securing a manager for me North Island team. It was decided to ask Air. J. Sweeney to undertake the office, and, fading acceptance hy him, the secretary (Mr.

J. Avery) will conduct tlic tour. Ike secretary reported that all arrangements in connection with tiie tour were now well in hand. Alter consideration of an appeal from the White Star Glub (West Coast), the committee decided to inform it, through the B idler Union, that the matter was one for local jurisdiction. R. M. Isaacs and J. La ughton were elected to represent the union on the appointment of the hoard. The committee endorsed the following disqualifications, intimation of which was received from the respective unions ; —C. Harvey, Marlborough, for the rest of the season, for striking an opponent; T. Fox and C. Savor, Hawke's Bay, until December 3 1 , for had conduct after a match; T. Baird, Southland, for remainder of season, for using insulting remarks to a i;oicrce. The Auckland Union reported that the following players had taken part in games played under Northern Union rules:-—A. R. Francis, G. Gillett, C. Morse, and C. Winder. The men were given a fortnight within which to show cause why they should not bo expelled. It was decided to inform the Southland players who had appealed against disqualilication for professionalism, that tiie reasons submitted in support of their applications were not considered sufficient, and that in such cases as these there was no power to reinstate. A similar action was taken in connection with a Timaru application for reinstatement. FIRST GRADE. TUKAPA (9) v. STRATFORD iC). The lookcd-forwftrd to meeting between the Stratford seniors and Tukapa, at New Plymouth, yesterday, resulted in the defeat of Stratford by nine points to nil, and Clifton accordingly wins the Northern Thursday Division Championship, and will play-off with Stars to decide who is to uphold the honour of the north against the southern champions,' Okaiawa, in the contest for championship of the province for 1911 season. Tukapa's score, large though it was comparatively, cannot be taken as a fair indication of the difference between the two teams, and the victory must bo largely rttributed to Stohr’s outstandingly brilliant play, that player nicking two goals and scoring a meritorious try. Tukapa won the toss, and ] layoff with the wind. Stratford immediately became aggressive, but Stohr’s kicking drove them hack and a little later they wore on tiro defence. Kjvcll, however, came through and found the lino at the 2-3. Charteris, J nil, and Francis were next prominent, but Anderson marked ana gave his Mile icnef. Whitaker and Loven.lge then jieadccl a forward rush, which Feuron checked by kicking to touch, from the throw-in the oali came out to Stohr, but Anderson intercepted ins pass and found the line at half-way. a free kick to Tukapa saw Stohr hnd tno line in Stratford's 20. Marchaut, Smith, and noon broke away liom the lino-out, but a knock-on nullified any advantage, and from the scrum Woods

found tne line, at half-way. iU;uner marked from the lino-out, and a kick to the lino saw, the reds in Tukapa s territory. Stewart sent tiie had out at the corner, and Stratford forwards made further great efforts to score, but 01. Loveridge relieved with a bek to tiie 25, and a little later a free kick gave further relief. A mark by Mynott transferred play to rods’ tonitory, where Mynott attempted to open up the game, but did not succeed. Stratford forwards still j rossed, but Mynott checked them nicely and headed a rush which saw play in Stratford’s side of half-wav. Here he obtained a mark, from vhich Stohr landed a magnificent goal. Tukapa ... ■.. . . >3 Stratford ... ... ■ • 0

On resuming Stratford took the play into Tukapa’s territory, and i arrowdy 'missed scoring. Give-and-take play followed, Stratford still pressing their opponents. From a sciymii seme indifferent passing allowed Webster to get away witli Stohr alongside him. Ho was collared by Anderson, and the ball went out at half-way. The Hue backs then took a hand, out the icd forwards, headed by Young, retaliated. A pass forward enabled Mynott to mark, and Stohr’ kicked another good goal, making tiie scoreTukapa ... ... C* . Stratford ... ... ... 0 )

Davidson secured from the kick-oil, and fairly even play followed until half-time, no iurtner score resulting. In the second spell Stratford opened a strong attack. A pass from Stewart to Anderson saw the latter collared near the line. From the scrum, Brown secured and kicked over the fence. Off-side play by Whitaker gave Cameron a no-charge shot at goal, which went wide and was forced. Directly after a passing bout between Bonner, Stewart, and Anderson saw the latter kick high to Honoyficld, who was just able to force, I rom the kick-off Ward and Charteris were prominent in taking play to the reds’ 2-5, but an infringement nullified the advantage. Indifferent play followed, knocking-on being frequent, but neither side gained much advantage, the ball going out at half-way. From the throw-in, Brown passed to Mynott to Stohr to Webster, who was collared by Anderson when dangerous. Off-sido play by Tukapa gave Stratford a number of free kicks, and the ball ultimately found the lino about five yards from .the blue goal. Tight play ensued, but a free kick gave relief, and, Kivell mulling Stohr’s kick, saw the ball out at half-way. From the line-out Cameron kicked high, and followed ii]). Mynott smothered him, however, and a scrum ensued. Stohr next scored by intercepting a pass about half-way. The kick failed. Tukapa ... ... ... I* Stratford ... ... ... 0

For the vest of the-spell t’uo game was fast and exciting, and on more than one occasion scoring appeared imminent. tiro whistle, however, sounding without addition to the total for Tukapa or any score to Stratford. Mr. Yv. Roche acted as referee, and Messrs. Smart and Petty were lino umpires. THIRD GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP. W AIM ATE v. STRATFORD. The above match took place at Kaponga on Thursday afternoon, in glorious weather, to decide the third grade championship. The Stratford team journeyed in a six-horso brake ably driven hv Mr. F. Gooch, and arrived in good time. The ground was in splendid condition, but the attendance was

small. The Waimate team was by far tne heavier, and could easily give a

stone weight all round to tne Stratford team, and both were in the pink of condition, Stratford being slightly superior in the open play. Following are the teams —Stratford: I Full-back, Kruse; three-quarters, I Rogers, M. Loveriago, Sheehan; fivei eighths, F. Collins; half, N. I Jxuvenagc; wings, P. Marchaut, I i'. Coffins; forwards, Rennie, |C. Mareiiant, Walsh, Jones, Till, jR. Uollins, and Russ. Waimate: full-back. ix. Butler; three-quarters, Jones, braydon, Duncan; live-eigths, Hail; halt, B. Ryan; wings, Sutton and Hughes; forwards; Borne, Mourio, McCook, Clements, Gnmblin, Landers, and Crosby.

Waimate won the toss, and elected to defend the western goal, and Till set the hall rolling for Stratford, and play was soon in mil swing. Stratford .was awarded a free kick for offside play, the ball going into touch at the foyds ilag, and Stratford began to press the nines very hard, and almost scored, but a scrum was formed at iivo yards, and Waimate eventually shifted play to midfield. Collins shortly afterwards obtained a mark, and found the. lino near the corner, another freekick was awarded, Hall making an unsuccessful attempt at goal, the ball going wide. Waimate, from a scrum, carried the ball well down the held, the ball goin'g into tho deadball line. From the kick-off, give-and-take play ensued, Butler saving by a mark near the goal, Waimate being compelled to force shortly after. Play now began to be of a brisk nature, and Stratford boys were all

working hard, and F. Collins, from a mark, made an unsuccessful shot at goal. Scrummaging was next indulged in, the blues’ forwards were working hard, Sheehan saving by a mark, and found the line near midfield, N. Loveridgo, Stratford’s half-back, playing a fine game. Waimate was responsible for another rush, but was stopped in good stylo by F. Collins. Line play was the order for some time, fully five minutes was taken up in line-outs, the game eventually shifted iu front of Stratford’s goal-posts, where the blues were pressing the reds very hard for some time, Waimate at times getting some good passing in, the ball, Irom a scrum going over the line, and Stratford ware compelled to force. From tho kick-off, Stratford carried the ball up to tho blues’ goal-line, but Waimate were awarded a free-kick, and following up in good style, carried the leather into Stratford’s twentyfives, where Kruse saved by a good imo kick. Half-time was then sounded, with no score. ,

On resuming, play was not of a brilliant nature, marks, scrummaging, free-kicks, and line-outs were very frequent. From a scrum, Collins relieved by a good line kick, Sheehan shortly afterwards made a good run, carrying the ball well down the field, but Waimato soon changed the scene of operations, and a brisk piece of play was carried on near Stratford’s goal-line, but a free-kick relieved somewhat. Play was stopped for a few minutes for the purpose of clearing the spectators off the line. From a scrum “Ponty’ ‘ Jones got possession, and got in a good line kick. Marchant hero obtained a slight knock, but soon resumed. Play began to get a bit lively, Stratford getting on a good rush, but was soon stopped by a mark obtained by Duncan, who found the line. From a scramble the reds were awarded a free-kick, F. Collins making an unsuccessful shot at goal. Duncan got possession of the leather, and made a good run up the field, but was grassed in good style, N. Loveridge saving. Give-and-take play followed, and here a Stratford player was ordered off the field by the referee. Shortly after a fine piece of play followed, Kruse carrying the ball to Waimato’s goal lino, where a scrum was formed, Collins got possession, anu kicked the ball out at the corner, where a series of line-outs was indulged in. Eventually the blues were relieved by a free-kick, but were shortly afterwards compelled to force down. After a number of scrums had been indulged in, Waimate obtained a mark in Stratford’s twenty-fives, Ha” taking the kick at goal, but failed. Time was sounded shortly after, the game, which was hard fought, ending in a draw, no score being registered. The Rev. W. B. Scott held the whistle, and gave general satisfaction. THE BOYS’ DAY. To-morrow will be a field day with the Stratford High School boys, when they will play three matches in Victoria Park with the New Plymouth High School boys. Tho first (senior) match will commence at 1.30, and as some really good play is indulged in by the coming reps., no doubt there will bo a good attendance of the general public to encourage the youngsters. GOLD MEDALS. Messrs. Mullen and Marshall, of “Tho Kash,” Broadway North, have notified the secretary of tho Stratford Football Club that they intend presenting two gold medals to tho seniors—one for the best back, and one for the best forward—and two silver medals for the juniors—one for the best back and forward. The medals, which are very neatly designed, are now on view, in tho window of the firm’s premises.