FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 50, 4 July 1913, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

TUKAPA BEATS STRATFORD

The gamo which decided the Thursday premiership was played at New Plymouth yesterday between Stratford and Tukapa, the latter winning by nine points (two goals from penalties and one from a mark kicked by Stohr) to three (a try scored by Woods,). 'J lure was a drizzling rain during part of the first spell, but the turf was in excellent order. The game was largely confined to tiie forwards, but the backs opened out now -and again. Tukapa lost the toss and kicked off against the wind. Tukapa carried out a fine passing movement, all the hacks handling the ball perfectly until Whittaker knocked on. Just afterwards, Stohr had a shot at goal, which went wide. Brown led another Tukapa attack, but Dobson cleared, and Boon headed a rush which took play to Tukapa's twenty-five, where Brown marked. Off-side play by Tukap.i enabled Dobson to find the line in the enemy's twenty-five. From a scrum Smith broke away and passed to Tocker, who beat several opponents, and passed just on the line to Woods, who scored. Cameron's kick failed.— Stratford 3, Tukapa nil. Play became very willing. Tukapa pressed, and offside play gave Stohr a shot at goal about which he made no mistake.—Tukapa 3, Stratford 3. On resuming, Stratford was.put on the defensive, hut Woods, Dobson, Tocker, and Brown put in some good work, and removed play to mid-field. Cameron failed to field a kick from Stohr, and the Blues nearly scored,' over-eagerness spoiling the chance. Loveridge led another Tukapa attack. Dui-ing a forward scramble, a Red man got offside and Stohr landed another goal.— Tukapa 6, Stratford 3. The Reds now rushed play, and their forwards, headed by Bowar, Smith, Boon, and Sullivan, set a merry pace. Tho Red backs also opened out and looked dangerous, but Cade intercepted, his run being popped by Fearon. There was no further scoro when tho half time whistle went.

Tukapa set up an attack on resuming, and McAllum nearly, scored. Kivell cleared with a lorig' kick, and Dobson found the line at mid-way from a free kick. Give and take play followed, the Stratford forwards working hard, but failing to "do more than roach the opposite twenty-five line. Woods., Tocker, Dobson.-and Olliver gained a little ground by a passing movement, but Cade checked, it. Following tfie, mulling of. ( the. ball by Bullot things'looked shaky for Tukapa, but.Ca<2t3. intercepted "a pass . and ,saijed for"j>|ie'-lme, being,backed by.the: Red fulUback. He kicked, and Stratford forced just in time. Brown marked the kick-off, and from just over half way Stohr,landed another goal.—Tukapa 9, Stratford 3. The Tukapa backs threw the leather about on resuming, and Ciide .thrown out just at the corner...- Stratford put in another strong_rush, and compelled Tukapa-, to force, but though the Reels continued to press, in a good position, off-side, play again* relieved the Blues, Fearon, Boon, Smith, and Dewar set up a rush which carried play right up to Tukapa's line, but from a scrum Loveridge >got the ball and found the line about half-way. The Stratford forwards came again strongly, and Fearon dashed for the line. At the twenty-five he transferred to Dobson, but was called back for stepping into, touch. A, little later Dobsoa had a shot at goal from a penalty, but tlio ball fell short. Time was called soon afterwards, with no further addition to the score. Mr W. Koch acted as referee.

JUNIORS. •Stratford bent Clifton by ten to nil. Brown potted a goal and scored a try, and Hockley also scored a try. SECOND JUNIORS. New Plymouth High School defeated Stratford at New Plymouth by 17 to nil.

THE NORTH ISLAND TEAM

TARANAKI 3SOMINATIONS

Mi- TT. J. Mynott, selector, has recommended the following Taranaki players lor selection in the Nort;i island team and also for the New Zealand team Lo tour California :—-Backs, J. Stohr, G. Loverfdg'e, Brown (Tukapa), and Dick Roberts (Okaiawaj. Forwards, Tamu (Waimate), Cain i Clifton), Dewar (Stratford) and Hawkins (Tnkapa).

THE TRUE AMATEUR SPIRIT,

By Electkio Telegraph—Coi'yriciit] LCnited Press .Association j

(Received 9.50 a.m.) Sydney, July -1

Ac the Rugby Union's welcome to the New Zealand University team, Judge Backhouse urged the desirabU, : ity of a true amateur spirit in sport. The Universities, lie said, stood for all that was good, and New Zealandera particularly had been loyal to the Rugby Union game, which had fallen on evil days in New South Wales temporarily, but be hoped that the visit of the New Zealanders wbuld do much in again placing the game in the proud position it once hekf.