FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 90, 14 August 1922, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP.

STRATFORD; THHNB (PRIMARY.

THE BEST OF THE MJCK.

The Stratford Primary School | representatives (Black "nd Red) had the best of the luck in the championship match played at New Plymouth on Saturday against the Waitara School (Yellows). They asserted themselves in the opening stages and also at the close of the first spell, when they had put up two tries to one; further, both the tries were converted and, Waitara's failed. In the second half, the latter romped over.their lighter opponents in the forwards, but the superiority of the Reds' backs on the whole won the g ; m e for them, the Yellows scored a try in the second spell, and the kick at goal being successful they raised the score to eight; but all further strenuous efforts "catae to nought, though they had several free kicks in good positions and also camo close to scoring two or thee times. Stratford wa B represented by the following :-Full-back L. Dodds; three-quarters, R. Hinds, E. Mason, H Smart; five-eighths, L. Collins, H. DaVieg (capt); half, G. Thomas; forwards, R. Young, R. McWilham, H. Rudings, L. Browning, W. Hall, A. Richards, E. Pierce, W. Crofts. The Waitara team wa s as follows: Full-back, It. Sntmpson; throe-quar-ters, S. Sampson, F. Meads; C. Ewens; five-eighths, A. Sutton, H. Evven; half, A. Rowo; forwards, E. Roberts, D. Muschamp, C Fowler, W. Petersen, F. Olssen, E. Mcßae, W. Barton, R. Watson. The attendance was not large when the game started, on account of the hour of kick-off, about noon, but-it improved towards the finish. Tho spectators evinced great interest in tho work of the boys, and they were rewarded with seeing a fine exhibition of school football. There is no, doubt that in the course of a few years, if the present improved standard of tuition in football at the schools is continued, the future of the Rugby code in Taranalki will provide high-clas s club and provincial p^y.

The Yellows kicked off against the wind, which was blowing in from the sea. A scrum was formed on account of a Yellow being in front, and immediately the forwards showed they were able to hold the Reds and get the ball. Crofts picked up and kicked, the opposing full-back returning to the line. Passing started from a serum, Bevies, Collins, and Mrson handling, but it was mulHl, and 6L Sampson, beat two or three Reds and cut down the line, play resting nea/r the corner. A free to tbo -Reds and a mark by Olssen to thy Yellows left play at half-' way. Creft 8 had hard luck in missing a great chance owing to slipping Tlie yellows started prssing, but the tackling of the Reds wa s deadly 0. Ewen s kicked to the corner; play went back, and the Yellow full-bacU wa a beaten by the bounce of the ball, enabling Smart to secure and score. Davie» kicked a good goal (5 —0). Several marks were taken in a remafrkably cool styb?, especially by the Yellows, and then S. Sampson, who played a great game throughout, tore away ' down the. line, but was downed. Then fom the scrum ha again secured at'id dashed over. C. Ewens' kick was not successful 5—3. The Yellow supporters became more aggressive, and cheered them to the echo. The Yellow full-back returned the kick-out to half-way, and a free on account of S. Sampson's offside play gave the Reds relief. Crofts was playing well at this stage, and hi s smart picking up and short sharp kicks, gained at lot of ground, while he followed up fast. Thoma s was also prominent in passing bouts with Da-vies, Collins, Smart and Co., but they gained li'ttle ground. Davies rain down to the fullback, passed wildly, and a good chance was lost. Continuing the attack, the Reds were near enough to the goal to encourage Collin s to pot, but it was not a good kick. Several free kicks were given against tlie Yellows, some of the decisions being demurred against by the Yellow supporters. A great Yellow rush headed by Sutton and Mead» niado matters dangerou s for the Reds, and they attacked strongly, S. Sampson nearly getting over. Collins relieved with a kick, and the Red 6 carried the ball right down the line. Collins secured, and wildly threw back. Line-out play followed. Crofts secured, ran through the opposition, and scored. Collins's kick W{% beautifully timed, passing just inside tbo posts from a fair angle, and ho was applauded. Half-time was then called.

The second half wate a hard time for the Reds, who were- busily defending for the greater part, hut now and again were abloj to attacn owing to their passing tn«tic s The Ycllowg made great use of S. Sampson, a fairly tall and well set-up lad, who can run and hnndle the ball well. In this spell, the work of Collins, Davie s and Smnrt among the backs wa B most prominent while Crofts. Hall, Young, McWilliam, and Pierce b'lttled hard in the forwaru ranks, where they hald a rough spin, but stood up to it well. The Yellow s strongly attacked at the start, and had a good chance to score when Sarten marked nealr the goal, but it only resulted in a force. Mason also marked in a d;i.ngorou s position. Hero Croft 8 knocked on after following up well. Passing from the | ccrnin, tho ball w as handled by Dav-I

ios and Collins and went out. A free to the Yellows was followed by Davibs' marking. Passing among tho Yellows failed and Colling marked. Crofts found tho line, aiud then tho Yellow backs handled neatly, tho ball travelling across tho ground; after play in the Reds' 25", they wero forced by a hard kick. A free to the Yellows in the Reds ; 25 produced a good kick, but failed. Two or three marks followed on both sides. Davies finally relieved with a good kick, and then ho broke away down to the full-back, whom h e downed on the line, but the Yellow 8 worked back to neutral territoiy. Thera an interchange of kicks and some marks. Dodds' play at fullback wa 8 notably good at this stage, as ho wa»s being hard 1 pushed. Crofts was playing with vim, and received a timely warning, which thereafter he wisely remembered till the close of the g*me. Th e Yellows, however, were not to be denied. Gaining ground from a free ki ck> they carried on the offensive, and Olssen scored near tho posts, C. Ewens kicking a goal (10—8). Th© hopes of the Yellow supporters rose audibly, and they urged the boys on to "clean them up"; and it wa s admitted they put up a great fight at the finish. It appeared to be all over with tho Reds when a free to the Yellows was awarded near the goal, but the ball went wide. Th© Yellow 8 set up passing rushes, playing their best football in the game. The ball travelled right across the three-quar-ter lino to S. Sampson, who streaked for tho corner, but was thrown into touch in goal by Dodds. It was a very narrow escape, and rao va!i called half a minute later, when the ball went out in the Reds' 25. Mr Papps refereed well, although he did not succeed in pleasing a few disgruntled Yellow supporters. The respective head teachers before the assembled teams expressed satisfaction with the decisions generally, and th© kids exchanged cheers. NORTHERN JUNIORS.

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL.

N.P.H.S. WHACK CLIFTON 11.

Following the primary B chool cham- I pionship game, the New Plymouth High School (Black and White) met Clifton II (Yellows) in the final of the northern junior championship, when a keenly-contested match was witnessed. The schoolboys were j light compared to their opponents, this applying particularly to the forwards, and success, wa s uo *<> tnoir work in the open in handling and passing the ball, and to their spten- J did exhibition of doggedness m standing up against physical weight. Tlie final scores were thirteen to nvo. The teams lined out a s follows: School—Full-back, K. Taylor; three-quarters, L. Abbott, H. Brown, E. Paden; five-eighths, J. Shaw, W. Alexander.; half, J. Brodie; forwards, Christie, Bmster, James, Rickard, Collins, Eaves, Davies, Patterson. Clifton.—Full-brock, J. Young; ih"o;M|uarters, Irwata, J. Janes, K. Longman; frvfcl-eighths, Baalnnt, Southwell; hpJf, Crc-w; forwards, Simmonds, Frost, Spu.dle, Taylor, Sk Hon, Telfor, McGregor. The School kicked off, and a Yellow getting offside a scrum was formed in the Blacks' 25. The ball soon went out of play, and from the lineout Christie passed to Alexander, who sent it o.:i to Shaw, the latter potting neat goal amid applause. Only al couple of minute s had elapsed since the kick-off. (4 —0. Tlie School immediately set the ball m motion 'from the scrums which followed, and Faden was instrumental in play being confined to tlie Yellow territory. Th full-back mulled <-n the corner, and there was hot work on the line. Collin s received a hard knock on the neck, and had to retire, his place being filled. There was a lot of interesting work by Uio School backs, and Abbott wag pushed out into touch in goal. Then the Yellows replied with an offensive, in wliich the passing among the threequarter lino was neat and clean, and the wing wag, thrown into touch in goal. The ball travelled up and down the line, but the Yellow s seemed to be gaining a. little every time, uiid they were rewarded by Telfor scoring half-way between the posts and the corner flag. Jerry Jones kicked a good goal (5 —1). Half time wa s called allmost immediately. In the second half there wa» much determined play on both sides, tlie school players suffering most. However, they set off with three good passing bouts that put fresh heart into the supporters, and very nearly scored. Humphrey secured two marks, but they were not near enough to warrant an attempt at goal. A free to the School at half-way enabled an attack to be made on the Yellow line, and Patterson was successful, grounding the ball well out from the posts. Burster's kick failed. (5—7). The Yellows played hard, and the School were awarded f re e kicks for offside and obstructive tactics. As the result of good forward work by School, a scrum wa s formed in the Yellow 25, where Alexander secured, passed to Shaw, who sent it on to Brown, and the latter neatly fooled two of the opposition and go over. Abbott was haiudy on the wing. It was a fine

piece of play. The kick at goal failed. (5 —10). School were well up against it after this, and were forced two or three tiroes, principally a s the result of hard kicks by the Yellows, "but the latter backs indulged in, Several good passing rushes which made the School supporters hold their breath. Then R-'ckird marked, and found the line about the half way. A scrum formed, and from a subsequent kick the School rushed down owing to a Yellow back mulling, and they fought hard on the line. A big Maori on "the Yellow side got offside, and Blown was entrusted with the kick at goal, at which he was successful with a long low ball, and IS™5 was heralded. There was no further score, the w\stl© bloAving ag soon a.s it went out °f play.

Mr A. H. Guy refereed; strictly and impartially.

AUCKUWD (13) V. TARANAKI («) VISITORS DESERVED WIN. I _____ The meeting of the represenattive teams of Auckland and Taranaki on Pukekura Park, Ne.w Plymouth, on Saturday was the thirty-sixth that has been played between them, of Which 'Auckland has won 25 and Taranaki 9, while three were drawn. They met first in 1887 at Auckland, wfien Taranaki won (I—o).\ Taranaki won. last year which- was their first success for eight contests. There was an attendance estimated at 5000, and as the weather was mild though dullj it was an ideal outing for. lovers of Rugby. The ground was heavy as usual, but the ball was dry. The public were treated to an interesting game, with the result in doubt tight to the close of time, but there was disappointment among the keenest supporters of Taranaki at the display by some of the team in comparison with the standard set at Stratford on the previous Thursday. Notably was this the case with Coutts's exhibition, in which he did „not come anywhere near to the reputation established in playing Manawatu, frequently failing to get in his kicks, or in waiting for the bounce, whereupon he was generally downed. Marks also wag a long way below Thursday's standard and so was Mick Malon© in the forwards. It must be said in extenuation of the play, however, that they were up against a stronger combination, and that the team suffered owing to changes due to'casualties during the game. Still, there were cases where good openings were made by the Lalf or five-eighths, but the ball never went very far without beihg mulled and the chance lost.

Auckland scored their second win on the tour, having beaten South Auckland at Hamilton on August 9 by 11 to 3. Their chances were not greatly fSanoied at home against Taranaki, as they were generally considered to he a rather weak team, sp that they are pleased with themselves, and their . popular manager, Mr S. Webster, made no secret of it. They played hard to win, and were given equal treatment by the Yellow and piacks, but they showed a finer knowledge of the game both in the open and the tight corners, particularly in the latter, the forwards, keeping the bustling opposition pressed for timo to initiate attacking movements.

Tho match wag the second with in the week to prove what a really good full-back is worth to his side, and was an instance where all honors rested with that player. lake Coutts against Manawatu, Muir for the visitors was every time safe, and having considerable pace he gained lots of ground by well-timed runs and following up. He was ably backed op by Ifwerson,, the great general of Rugby and later of League reputation, who has returned whitewashed to ' the Rugby-fold. The public keenly relished his heady worfc throughout in running, passing and kicking. Helander led the forwards in many exhilarating stunts, and was a power of strength to his side. The gam© was conspicuous for the number of casualties! that held up play for about a quarter of an hour after time, both sides suffering. MeWilliams (Auckland) was the first to retire, his place being filled by Sbmervilla. Robertson, for the homo team, received a bad knock in the chest, and Hooker went oh. Later Owtfo sprained bis. #&le i» a 'tackle

and Brien went on. The team was .rearranged, Fryday going back to full.

The teams lined out as follows:' Auckland (Blu e and White).—Fullback, Muir; three-quarters, Mattson, Ifwerson, Thomas; five-eighths, McManus, Grant; half, Earl; forwards, Nicholas (rover), Peters, Bagnai, Marshall, Helander, McWilliams, McDonald, Taylor. Taranaki (Yellow and Black).— FulNhack, Coutts:; three-quarters, Funis, Marks, Stohr; rive-eighth 1 *. Johnson, Roberston; .half, Court; fonvards, Malone (rover), Campbell, Hunt, Fryday, West, Fognrty, McCullough, Hammerslev.

THE FYRST HALF. A few minutes after three o'clock the visitors kicked off from the east em eud but a man wa* ill front and a scrum followed. Malone got offside* and Auckland kicked down ilie field, Ennis, mulling. Campbell broke away to the centre, whore play rested for a time, and then the Yellows* started pa&slhg, but Marks seeded t» be a bit slow in 'sending it out to Ennis. MeManus secured and kicked, Coutts marking tor safety. West led a rush, which finished at halfway, and they were driven back by a kick to the Stf. Again Ennis mulled, a pass from Marks, though there did not appear to be any great opening. From the. centre, Nicholas broke away, and looked dangerous, but knocked on. Through Marks missing, Mattson was enabled to get away, but he threw forward, and hot work ensued on the line. A bout between the opposing forwards followed, McDonald being penalised, but still the Yellows wenclosely pressed, and Ifwerson with a well-judged kick found the line at the comer. Attempted passing by the visitors was not productive of much gain, but Marks got offside; as it was within striking distance lor Ifwerson some concern was felt by the Yellow supporters, but the kicK failed./ McWilliams marked the kick-out, ami Coutts failed to get his kick in. Court came to the rescue, and found the line at halfway. In subsequent passing from the actum, Johnson hung on rather long, and was blocked. Coutts was similarly in trouble a moment later. In an interchange of kicks, Coutts kept his end up. An Auckland forward rush was responded to by the Yellows, and Coutts marked.'the return kick. West put in a good kick to Auckland's 25 as the result of a free, and later Helander could not res*a the temptatictt to handle the ball in the scrum, and was penalised. Stohr, Thomas, and Ennis handled consecutively, and then Malone came into the limelight in a rush but passed badly. A pretty movement among the Yellow backs followed. The ball came from the sonim smartly, Court to Robertson, to Marks, to Stohr, who was pushed out of touch. A free kick to the Yellows taken by Coutts was poor. Further passing across from the scrum by the Taranaki backs saw Robertson and Marks handling, and then Grant tackled Ennis on the corner line. McWilliams was disabled and Somerville went on. Working the blind side, Court passed to Robertson, then to Johnson, who passed wildly. Helander holding Coutts in a tight corner as penalised, and the Yellow forwards signalised their gain with a great rush. with Malone in the van. Owing to mulling, the advantage was not fully accomplished. Robert-* son was disabled and Hooker went on, "completing the Tukapa throoquarter line'' as a admirer of that combination remarked. Muir marked Marks' kick. From a scrum on the line Court threw out, but a visitor kicked down to Coutts, who returned it and followed up not wisely but too well, and was penalised for obstruction. In Yellow passing Mattson missed. Then Malone broke away, but also gave a poor pass. McOullough shone out with the rmlt and passed to West, and play wag at the corner flag, wherefrom a lucky speculator by a Blue and White relieved. Stohr kicked to Auckland's 25, and Thorha,s returned. CoutU replied, and Muir knocked on in fielding. Court' and Hooker did not get far with their passing bout, and did further similar work when Marks passed to Stohr, who knocked on. Auckland broke away to the centre, Coutts kicked, and Muir returned. Johnson saved well, and it appeared that Malone had a good opportunity but passed wildly, and Ifwerson, anticipating the result, rushed up and secured the ball in the- open, streaking for the line with a clear field. Coutts tackled him as he fell over. The kick at goal was a difficult one, and Ifwerson failed.—(Jt —o).

In the .succeeding play, for a free to the Yellows West put in a good kiak. Ennig got down to the fullback as the result of passing among his backs, and play rested in that quaticr for some time, but Muir eventually shifted the leather to halfway. It could not have been Mick Malone'.s day out, because he again had a good opening and knocked on. After Ifwerson had shifted play, Malone and McOullough were prominent. For a free to the Yellows, Ccutts put ;n a splendid kick, which wa s returned to the 20. Marks and Ennis both knocked on in subsequent passing movements, and strenuous scrums followed. Muir and Grant did good

work for Auckland in saving. Coutta and Hooker were instrumental m working the leather to the enemy's territory but their backs, did some good pah-sing, and matters appeared dangerous until Malone broke aw sy and fought his way to the 25. The visitors were forced. Auckland from the scrum hooked cleanly, but Court downed his man. The Yellows were awarded two trees for offside play, McManus making the latter one. From a swum, the Yellow backs started passing, Court, Maiks and Fiimis handling, but the ball went out, and half time was called, with the score three to nil. THE SisKX>i\i> SPELL.

The second spell was a strenuous one, and there were plenty of thrills, but the visitors always had the upper hand in the points, their defenco proving too cleve. for the Yellows. j x'a& hi st hidden i (■•»" note was a big jdclr By FogtuMg, waich forced the Lluesi Malone and Couttg for Taranaki and Muir and Ifwerson for thevisitors were prominent. Ifwerson look a free kick at goal, but was not successful. Muir returned the leather to halfway, where the Yellows were given a free. Funis was blocked in a passing bout, and threw wildly. Malone and others got offside, and after the kick line-out play followed, and a hard kick forced the Yellows. West's drop-out found Auckland's neutral fcer. ltory. A free to Auckland shifted p.ay to the Yellow ground, where attempted passing among the backs came to naught, owing to Marks mulling. There was U scrum on the; line, and after furtheir mistakes by two or three "STeiW backs, Coutts relieved with a kick and followed up, succeeding in Auckland being bustled, but they wsw saved by a speculator iti the midst of a Yellow forward rush. feto'br marked, but the kick was not successful. Auckland set up an attack, as the result of the good start given them by Muir in fielding well. The forwards bore down, and in the race over the) line Couttg just forced in time, but unfortunately was disabled, Brien going on. After the drop-out had been returned to halfway, Court sent the ball to Malone, who threw it low down at Marks, and Auckland seized ihe opportunity. Nicholas and McDonald' ran down together to the full-back, the former passing neatly, and the latter scored. It was a good try in a good position, and Ifwerson added the major points.— (8-0).

With thirty-five minutes to go, the Yellows renewed the attack, and they were rewarded inside a couple of minutes. From a scrum in front of the Blue goal, Court passed to Marks, and the latter right on the line passed to Funis, who ran round and scored near ,the posts. Hooker kicked a goal amid applause.—(B—s).

The Aueklandeivs wore not to be denied, and they too set out on* a mission, which shortly proved successful, and thus practically put the seal on their victory. Helander at the head of an Auckland rush knocked on iii the Yellow 2-5, where West was temporarily disabled. Two free kicks to the Yellows did not gain much. Then Grant received a pass from Earl and ran straight, heating some Yellows, afterwards handing on to Ifwerson, who went over in a good position, Ifwerson's kick was* a good one.—(l3 —5). Grant put in good work for Auckland and Fryday for Taranaki, and there was an interchange of kicks between the backs. Ifwerson cut off a pass and went down the field, but was stopped by Ennis. Maloue's kick for an infringemet was charged down. Court from a scrum passed to Ennis who missed. Later Johnson marked, and with a short kick Marks secured and passed to Hooker, then to Stohr, the latter missing. Grant knocked on a kick from Malone, and a scrum was formed in front of the goal. A free was awarded the Yellows in a good position, but Hooker s kick failed. Another at a later stage wnc also unsuccessful. Keeping up the attack, Fogarty and Marks gained ground, and then the ball was sent by Marks to Ennis, who got

over. West's kick failed.—(l3 —B). Though the final of the scoring had been witnessed, the Yellows made some hold bids for more. On on© occasion Karl saved the visitors with a beautifully fully-timed kick. Johnson ran across and passed to Stohr, who ran down and kicked, and got in again, but was downed. In further hot work, Marks and Eimis charged down and appeared to have a chance, but the latter wag tackled by Matt son, and an Auckland back found feh© line at the 20. One of the remaining incidents was a free kick against Mialone for pushing Grant when he was waiting for the bail, temporarily disabling him. Marks, Hooker, and Stohr attacked, and the latter was hurled out. Just on time Bonis was nearly over, but time was up. Mr F, Julian referred very satisfactorily. TARANAKI'S TOURING TEAM. Backs: Ennis, Oliver, Stohr (Tukapa), Wilkinson, Robertson (Hnwera), Hickey (Clifton), Johnson (Okaiawa), Lynskey (Kaponga), Coutts (Inglewood), Marks (Old /Boys), Vaugl.an, Court (Stratford). Forwards; West, Fogarty (Hawera), L. Hunt (Patee), Brien, Harris, 0. Taylor (Okaiawa), Malone, Hammersley (Kaponga), Masters, McCullougii (Stratford), ll%day (Clifton), Birchall (Waimate), Men (Tukapa). The team will leave by the mail tram on Thursday.