Football

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 90, 21 August 1923, Page 3

Football

CANTERBURY'S VICTORY. The Taranaki Herald states: Some exciting i but not very brilliant Rugby, was seen at Pukekura Park on Saturday when' Canterbury defeated Taranaki by 15 points to 8 before ail attendance of about 5000 spectators. Splendid conditions prevailed though the footing was a little insecure m consequence of recent rains. Full of incident" and hard-fought the game was played in the best of spirit and jthe big crowd thoroughly enjoyed every moment of a fast, fluctuating fight. l That it was clean football was evidenced by the fact that no dolays were necessary through players being temporarily incapacitated, though both a Canterbury and Taranaki placer had to retire. Play did not reach a high standard on eithe' side, but the form displayed by the Taranaki backs wag much below that'of the Canterbury rearguard who, it must be remembered, were suffering froin the effects of a particulaity strenu us tour. Canterbury had the advantage of weight, being heavier all round, and their forwards more than held their own against the Taranaki pack, whilst the backs were cleverer, more enterprising, and showed better' combination than those of the home 'tefam. Of good passing amongst Taranaki's inside back s there was little, forward passes being frequent and knock-ons and off-side play being even more common. Bad handling lost opportunities on both sid°s, but Tafanaki suffered more ii- this re-

spoct, and thouch Canterbury thoroughly deserved their win, there did not appear to he the difference between the teams which the scoring indicates. A practice for the fourth grade t&im will be hold on the old hockey grounds at 7.30 this evening, i