FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 62, 18 July 1913, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

TUKAPA (9) v. STRATFORD (6)

A friendly game between the above teams on the Show Grounds, Stratford, yesterday proved an interesting contest. The weather was idea! and the ground in first-class order, and the referee (Sir Fred Spurdle) was, at first, the favourite of both teams and, at the end of the game, still retained j his reputation as an absolutely smart and impartial occupant of this important and thankless position. All the conditions, then, being equal, it is safe to say that the better team won. What would have happened had the home boys assumed the tactics and the aggressiveness that characterised the second spell, a different tale might have to be told, but, after all, as in all other cases, the public are not concerned with "ifs." The opening play of the Stratford team filled their supporters with such hope as, it cannot be denied, there was some justification for. But there was a sad falling-off n the play after the first quarter of in hour, which, as events proved, neant their undoing. The fact that there was some difficulty in raising die necessary fifteen for the home ;eam no doubt was not in their favor, jut in this matter no excuses can be iffered, especially as there had- been iorae 'complaints of the unfair—or, diould it be said, unlucky—incidents, •onnected with the previous games •etween the two teams which ,\ ere said to have had a decking factor in the result. It is well, .herefore, that now no cavilling can easonably be allowed. That Tukapa von on their merits is the verdict of ill those whose opinions are worth jonsidering. Stratford kicked off against the jlight breeze that prevailed, and put u the boot (not literally) to really effect, making it appear to the jepctators that there was nothing in ■t but "our boys." But before the conjest had gone long, several mistakes m their part displayed a want of .inish and finesse that stilled the enthusiasm of the man who is said to iee most of the game. There was dovenly passing and a tendency—mite unwittingly of course—not to ieek the psychological moment, such, for instance, as a Tukapa man being illowcd to fall with the ball, rise again, md make yards of ground before being anally settled. At times throughout die first spell on several occasions, die Stratford players seemed to simply >pen 'out for their opponent and let hni have a clear run for yards at a sime before they arrived at a realise ition of their folly. To particularise, .n this' respect, a glaring instance was die c.;se of Hawkins, who was- not marked on the line-out', and he broke iway to the 25.tfag?~ Only determined, the part of the Black'and Reds' took play to Tukapa* s territory, and Cameron seemed to have a splendid opportunity but passed forward. Here 'Stratford's passing w;as' pretty, and rained a lot of ground, but when vvithin five yards of the line a free kick for off-side allowed Stohr to shift.' play to neutral ..territory, and, Bonh'or got to the opposing fidl-back, who 'failed to field cleanly. Bad'passing on the part of Stratford nullrfied ,;he advantage gained'. Ward broke through, but Don Cameron robbed aim oj the leather and found the line. Agrei t run by Cade from half way was attend Hi by hard luck, he being pushed jut of touch at the corner. A free kick was taken by Stohr on his own side of the half way, but the effort was too much. Tukapa were livening up at this stage and Stratford seemed to have lost a lot of their dash. Stohr potted well, though ineffectively, and shortly after the same player broke away and passed • well *to Cade, but though Kivell missed, Dobson brought him "down. Hawkins broke to the posts with the ball at his toe, and in the scramble off-side play by Brown gave Stohr a chance to kick at goal when he easily added the major points. Tukapa 3, Stratford 0. A lot of ragged play followed. A tree kick to Stratford came at the :ight time, when the play was near their line, but it was only temporary, .is from a scrum the ball went out to Stohr, and he earned an honest try by going straight for the line in spite of the attentions of half a dozen black md reds. Stohr's kick failed, much to the delight of the small boys. Tukapa 6, Stratford 0. Brown marked cleverly when pushed, but no advantage followed his poor kick. Kivell's mark on the line at the end of a dangerous rush in which 3tohr fielded cleverly saved the situation for the time being. Play momentarily went into the visitors' quarters, but Tukapa was hard down on the line in a trice. Dud Cameron, by means of a good kick, shifted play to half-way, where Stohr had a free kick (given for off-side play), but the effort, ilthcugh a splendid one, was not of [ho three-fifths majority order. Tocker up-ended Cade at the end of a Whit-fcakoßrown-Stohr combined passing rush. Then, unadulterated messing, alone, was the reason Hawkins did not p;et over Stratford's line. The leather passed through several hands from a scrum due to Kivel's senseless desire to wait for the bounce. Shortly after, Cade got over, after nearly all the back row h d put a hand on the leather. Stohr's kick was, again, unsuccessful. Tukapa 9, Stratford 0. At half-time, the ball was at the

Lalf-'.vay flag. The spell opened with a cliange in Stratford's placings, !''?:: or taking Woods' place at half. A ; events proved, it was a good move. Play was of a lively fashion, both sides kicking It in. When Stratford was forced Cs '.'. ■ after a few minutes play some of fch v spectators—and isn't it amusing to h lr the adverse comment in the stun I when things don't go right according to their ideas—said it was

hard luck for Tukapa because the player was thrown over tlio corner ilag and into touch in goal. Then commenced a series of spells owing to players being counted out. it was noticeable as the game progressed that Tukapa were the chief unfortunates in tins respect. Whether it was on account of rough play or only want of condition need not bo anticipated. Morsehead was the first in this spell to bo knocked out temporarily, and all hands had a few minutes' breathing space. Dud Cameron had a pot which went between the posts, but under tho bar. Don Cameron then had a free kick, which went anywhere, but as the referee ruled "no charge" this player with his next kick earned tumultuous aplause by putting up a beautiful goal. Tukapa 9—Stratford 3.

• Some excellent play followed on the part pf Stratford. Do war feinted and fooled the opposition something lovely, as someone picturesquely remarked, and then he parted with the leather to Woods. Tocker got it, and Don Cameron hugged the, "wee bit oval" and put on the pace to such good effect, that he grounded behind the' line. The kick was too big,to expect anything further, and the, score stood— n>l

Tukapa 9—Stratford 6. Tho game was very hot in Stratford territory, till Dud Cameron put in a fine kick, and play was at tht other end.. Kivell made a fine run, and sent a smart, pass to Dobson who failed to get it clean. The latter player redeemed the fault by later kicking well and gaining a lot of ground. Kivell ran wisely, but kicked too well, and Tukapa was forced. Keeping up the pressure, Stratford got down on tho line and Dewar had hard luck losing tho ball when in a splendid scoring position. A fino rush by the visitors looked dangerous, *until Dobsoon found the line. Hot work was kept up on the Tukapa. line, and when the ball came from a scrum on a passing errand, Tocker missed, and in the succeeding play a mark was obtained by a Tukapa man, enabling Stohr to make a splendid kick. Tho ball hit the cross-bar and appeared to go over, but the referee ruled otherwise, and the spectators, big and little, gloried marvellously. Another attempt by Stohr from a better position was also unsuccessful. Loveridge was making a bold bid for the lino when Woods up-ended him near the corner flag. Play worked back to mid-field, but Tukapa went at it, and one of the visitors was knocked into touch in goal. Another Tukapa rush worked up to Hawkins getting the ball in the 25 territory, in front of the goal. Ho passed to Cade, but this player was settled by Woods. Another one of several delays owing to a visitor being laid out occurred here, and darkness grew perceptibly. Don Cameron broke away, and looked dangerous, but it was an expiring effort on the part of the homo team, and the game ended without further incident.

WAIRARAPA DEFEATS HAWKE'S

BAY

[Per Press Association.]

Masterton, July 17

The representative football match between Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay was played hero to-day in the presence of about 1000 spectators, and in splendid weather. Hawke's Bay had the best of the first spell, and Holders potted a goal. Tho second spell was in favor of Wairarapa and C. Groube scored a try which was converted bv M. McKenzie, the game ending: Wairarapa 5, Hawke's Bay 4.

MAORIS BEAT SOUTHLAND

Invercargill, July 17

The Maori team yesterday beat the Southland reps, by 8 points (two tries, one converted) to 5 points (a converted try). The weather was very showery and the ball difficult to handle. Southland had the Maoris on the defence for most of the game, and were rather unfortunate in losing.