FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 19, 7 September 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI BEATEN. WEST COAST WIN— 9 TO 8. COAST FORWARDS HAVE A DAY OUT. tl’cr Press Association.) Greymouth, September 7. Much interest was evinced hero in the football match Taranaki v. West Coast. The day was beautifully lino, and the attendance estimated at 2900. 'The game was particularly interesting throughout, the Coast being :no tictors by 9 points (three tries) to S (two tries, one converted). The locals unc. a splendid combination ,and gave the best exhibition over shown here. The average weight of the Const men was list till), and that of Taranaki rci. 12st -11 b. The Coast won the toss, and played with the stiii at their backs. Colmar, kicked off for 'Taranaki, and h laser icturned with a good kick to ba'f way. A scrum ensued, and the Coast sunned the ball. 'Taranaki then biokt away with a forward rush, hit a knock-on stopped play. The Coast again secured possession, and the forwards took the ball down the Held, Daly kicking too hard and the ball going into touch. From the 1 !ck out ti e Coast forwards again canio with a rush, the Coast were penalised, and Stohr found tnc line. Irving si-f rtly afterwards .saved a dangerous rush and landed a beautiful line-kick in Taranaki's territory. 'The Taranaki forwards then put in some fine voik, and carried the hall to the lull-hack, hut Butt was equal to the «ccasiou, and saved brilliantly. Taranaki then set tip a passing rush, hut Irving, In a clever piece of work, intercepted a pass, King mulling the same. The Coast forwards were making the game very fast, and were causing no end of trouble to the Taranaki backs. From give and take play the Coast were penalised, and the kick went into force. Prince centred, and the Coast forwards smothered it. From a scrum the ball was passed,to Irving, who found the line. Mclntosh then headed a Coast rush, and play was taken to the 'Taranaki territory. For some minutes very even play took place, neither side being able to gain the advantage. The Coast forwards were playing a great game and were always on the ball. Church was doing some good line work, and Nelson math several tricky runs. From a lino-om Coast broke away, and looked dangerous, Irving passed to King, whe round the line at tiro corner flag. 'Taranaki were awarded a freed kick, and Stohr relieved. Irving brilliantly returned. Taranaki was then penalised for a pass forward, and Irving kicked well tip the Hold, and Prince returned. Several scrums then took place, the Coast holding their own. The Taranaki backs failed to get the ball, and hao no opportunity of giving a display ol back play. From a line-ont the Coast were awarded a free kick, and Irving kicked well tip the Held. This was quickly followed up, and the Coast looked dangerous. Ring secured a mark in a good position, but Irving failed with the kick. Taranaki again kicked off, and Irving found the line at half-way. Cameron, by a lucky speculation, saved a dangerous Coast rush. Coast were then penalised, and Stohr took a kick at goal, but the ball fell short. Stohr then made off down tlio lino, but was pushed out by Irving. Watson returned, and Levan broke away from a scriim. From a scrum, Morrison broke away and smothered Cameron. Brown came up and got possession smartly, and passed t< Mclntosh, who dived over and registered the first scoro. Irving failed with the kick. Coast ... ... ... 3 Taranaki ... ... ... 0

On resuming, the Coast forwards put in a strenuous attack, Devon finding the line well down. From a high kick by Irving, Nelson followed up well and gained a good deal by finding the line. Irving then made a brilliant opening, but Nelson knocked on when it looked dangerous. From a serum McPherson worked the blind side, and passing to Richards, he cleverly scored. Irving failed with the kick. Coast ... ... ... G Taranaki 0 Some brilliant passing was then indulged in by Taranaki, but the Coast defence was splendid, the tackling of the forwards being deadly. Tajranaki by a great forward rush carried play near the lino but Batt relieved by throwing the ball into touch. Taranaki then tried screwing the ernm, and wore awarded a free kick for Coast being off-side. Cameron found the lino. From a scrum Church, by a brilliant piece of foot work, carried play into the Taranaki territory, but McLeod saved. Mynott put in a good run, but was collared by Mclntosh, and a pass forward resulted. Play was then removed to the Coast territory, and from a scrum Young got possession and scored in a good position. Column kicked the goal. Coast ... 0 Taranaki ... ... ... 5 The whistle then sounded half-time. In the second spell play was stalked in earnest by the Coast forcing the pace. Stolir returned a kick to Irving, who found the lino. From a linoout the Coast forwards took possession, and Richards scored. Irving failed with the kick. Coast ... ... ... 9 Taranaki ... ... ... 5 From a scrum McPherson passed to living, who found the line well down the field. The Coast, forwards wore carrying the scrums, and the hacks were doing serviceable work. Irving was a tower of strength, and never made a mistake. From a lino-out the Taranaki backs got away, Stolir making a splendid run. passing all but flic* full-back, who tackled well and saved. The Coast were awarded a penalty kick, and Fraser made an unsuccessful attempt at goal. From a. scrum Drown broke away, and, punting high, Sheahan marked. Drown returned the kick, and from a scrum which followed Mynott broke away on the blind le, and centred, hut Nelson relieved brilliantly. The Coast wore awarded a free kick for illegal handling. Drown followed up well, hut Sheahan ran across the hold and was smothered by the Coast forwards. Tim Coast backs were putting it! some pretty w:nk, all playing well. A good Coast passing rush then took place, the ball going out near the ‘Jo. The Coast got possession from a scrum, and Irving kicked too hard, and Taranaki forced. Daft returned the kick, and Cameron and Mynott rushed away, but wore put out near the Coast line. McPherson secured the hall from the throwin. and made a splendid kick to halfway. Taranaki then came with a for-

aard rush, and were looking dangerous when the Coast were awarded a free kick, and Irving found the line. From the line-out Fraser broke away, and passed to Daly, who kicked out of touch in Taranaki’s twenty-five. Taranaki then got possession, and Mynott kicked high. Butt saved by throwing out. Taranaki were making great efforts to score, but the Coast wore placing a safe game. McPherson gained a mark, and some even play followed. From a scrum Taranaki got possession, and after good play Cain scored. Cameron failed with the kick. Coast ... ... ... 9 Taranaki ... ... ... 8

Play now became very interesting, both sides doing their best to score. The Coast men wore standing the strain well, and were playing with determination. The Coast nearly scored on two occasions, but were over anxious. No further score resulted, and tiie game ended— Coast ... ... ... 9 Taranaki ... ... ... 8 The game was one of the best ever witnessed in Greymouth, and was played in the most friendly spirit. Mr. \Vilson acted as referee, and gave every satisfaction. AUCKLAND DEFEATS OTAGO. Auckland, September 7. The football match, Auckland v. Otago, was played to-day in perfect weather, and resulted in a win for cao former by 9 points to 3. The game was fast and interesting, but the standard of play was not particularly good. Otago lacked dash, and tiie backs frequently fumbled the ball at the critical moment. The line-kick-ing by Auckland was a feature of the game. As soon as play started, Otago rushed the ball to Auckland territory, and a passing rush ended in Norrie scoring one minute and a half after the commencement. A minute 1 iter Auckland attacked, and McGregor scored after O’Leary had made a Hno run. Soon afterwards McGregor scored again for Auckland. There was no further scoro until shortly before the Hnish, when the Auckland forwards rushed in, Hayward scoring. AUCKLAND "^WELLINGTON. Auckland, September 7. The Auckland team to meet Wellington at Wellington on Saturday will be strengthened by the inclusion of Cunningham and Sellars, who are leaving by to-morrow evening’s Main Trunk train in order to take part in the match.. These players will considerably strengthen lire Auckland pack. Cunningham is a master lock, while Sellars and Herring combine well. The pack will bo absolutely the best that Auckland can place in the Hold.

BREAKING AWAY FROM THE ENGLISH UNION. A WARM ADVOCATE. Dunedin, September 7. Speaking at a dinner to the Otago and Auckland footballer teams this evening, Mr. F. H. Campbell (president of the Otago Union) expressed the opinion that the only way to con; trol the Rugby game in New Zealand was to get away from the English Union. He had been satisfied for a long time that they could run their own game in New Zealand. They had men who had an interest in the game, md who wanted to see clean football, md who would have such. Football players in Now Zealand wore branded ).V the English body as professoinals. Their players were not professionals, they should go on their own way, and show England that they could not only play football, but control it in the proper spirit. NEXT WEEK’S STRUGGLE. AUCKLAND v. TARANAKI. The Auckland-Taranalci match to be played at Now Plymouth on Thursday next is creating a great deal of inter\st. Special train arrangements will bo made for the day of the match, and there is some talk of a special boat from Auckland to allow Auckland’s supporters to view the game. The price of admission has been fixed at 2s for gents, Is for ladies, and 6d for children. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. AUCKLAND y. TARANAKI. The following is the Taranaki Association football team to play the Auckland ren. team at Auckland on Saturday:—Sheppard, Bullock, and Holmes'; Rae, Stapleton, and MalColm; Gwillim, Goddard, Smart, Elliott (captain) and McComish. A few supporters will travel with the team, which leaves by the Rarawa to-night for Onebunga. As the Auckland Association’s annual social is to be held on Saturday night, a hearty invitation has been extended to the visitors to attend. It was stated that Roberts sprained bis ankle in the game against Otago, but from a private letter, received in Stratford from Mr Campbell Jackson, who is accompanying the Taranaki team throughout its tour ,it appears that the ankle was broken, and that Roberts is now in the Christchurch hospital. Tamil left this morning for Christchurch to take part in the match against Canterbury on Saturday, and Hill will probably leave to-morrow. _ A reminder is given of the social evening to bo hold at the Primitive Methodist Schoolroom to-night. The rehearsals of “Trial by Jury” by tho. Stratford amateurs is progressing very well. Tickets are selling very readily, and may now be obtained from Boy Scouts, or any member of biio Society. The prices are 2s, and 3s for reserved seats. A limited number of Is tickets will bo sold on the night of tho performance only. As there is sure to be a packed house, it would bo avoll for intending patrons to book seats at once at Mr. Grubb’s, whore tho box plan is now open.