FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 96, 22 June 1925, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

! STRATFORD 22 v. ATHLETIC 6. I Stratford wore without the services I of Fryday in their match at Huwera on Saturday, for the reason it is understood, that he was unable to obtain leave of absence from Ins emplovers owing to stress of business. Of the selected team Alger and >• Young were absentees, the team hemp; rearranged to include the two emergencies. Lehmann and Thomas, ine Hatter was on the wing in the threequarter line, and the former took his place in the forwards. Thonuis so far has shown himself to he a good forward, and it was not doing ■ him. justice to place him among the backs This was recognised at half tune, ami Coulton was shifted to the wing, Thomas going up to the front. Undoubtedly this was an improvement, and the" great game that Coulton played in tackling and fielding stamps him as a rattling wing three-qua'rfer. The teams lined out as follows: Stratford—Full-hack, A. Collins; jj three-quarters, J. Jans, A. Walter and Thomas; five-eighths, Dossett f and Ginner Collins; half, .). Sangster; I forwards: Coulton (wing), Bona, Lehmann, Kivell, McCullough, O'Kecfe, Hinton, J. Young.

Athletic—Full-back, Hunter ; threequarters. Plank, Knox and Thomas; five-eighths. Lay and Owen; hall, Simpson; forwards: Grant (wing), Hall, Hunt, Greig, L. Hunt, Blundelll, Ballantyne, Herbert. From kick-off the game was a poor one both sides failing to show much finish about-their play. But it was exciting at times owing to tbe unexpected situations that arose. It was some time before Stratford werd ahlo to score. Even this was a some-; what doubtful decision. Bond fol-

lowed up when the ball was kicked hard over the lino and touched down almost under the fence, which is notfar behind the line. It was a surprise to most of the off-enders, who considered that the ball bad reached the dead-ball line. Sangster kicked well and registered a goal.—(s 0). Simpson, of the. Blues, was injured and went off, his place being filled. From a scrum on the. Blues' line .shortly afterwards, Sangster passed out to Thomas, who dived over. The kick was not successful —(8 —0). There was no further score at halftime. The second half was much more interesting, both sides scoring on more than one occasion. Ginner Collins passed to Coulton who kicked and followed up, and smothered the opposition. Then Kivell broke away on his own, nad after a short swerving run scored a nice try. Saugster's kick was unsuccessful—(l1 —0). The Blues then scored a pretty try. From a mis-kick in the. centre of the: ground, Hall broke away and passed to Plank, who was too speedy for the opposition, and scored at the corner.

The kick was unsuccessful —(11 —3). The next try went to Stratford. Ginner Collins kicked well and followed up, and Bond received and ran from nearly the 25 Hag and scored. Sangster placed a goal —(16 —3). O'Keefe marked 'and kicked well hub unsuccessfully. Young broke away and was well supported by O'Keefe, who gathered the leather and scored. Sangster's kick failed—(l9—3). The Blues then had a look in, Hall .scoring after a good run as the result of receiving a pass from Hunt. The kick 'failed—(l9—6). Kivell broke away and was nearly over, and Bond secured and registered his third try. Sanger's kick was again unsuccessful—-((2 0). Mi' \Vhittington refereed. NOTES ON THE GAME. At full, UolHr'*' i-lpyad a safe game and also collared well. He made a particularly good shape when Plank scored, but was nC-'j able to prevent the score. Walter made a better display at centre than for some tune past, and put in several good runs, while his ! fielding and kicking were also miproved. Jans handled the leather wUh better results, but there is room lor improvement. Dossett's return \o the field after his enforced absence owing to an injury to his ankle was welcome, his play being sale. Collins played with plenty of dash, but was inclined to get too far away from his half-back, Sangster, who was forced to run across the ground before passing. This fault was remedied to a large extent in the second half, and the result was most noticeable. A half's first, duty, it should be remembered, is to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible and allow the fiveeighths to make the openings. A preliminary run allows the opposition to anticipate the attack and mark their opponents. Couiton, on the wing, did excellently being the' best back on the ground. Ho makes most of his own openings, but if fed liberally would be sti?l more valuable. Of the forwards, it must be said they were a good lot all round. Kivell was again a tower of strength, but Bend with three tries to his credit greatly pleased the spectators. These two should certainly gain olaees in the reps on their present form. 0

J. Young is always a grafter and McCuilough did a lot, of useful u*rk. O'Kcefe promises to be better tlian expected, and with added experience will make ■ a ;first-class forward. Hinton. Thomas, and Lehmann deserved their, places. The latter is a bit raw at. present, but a few games with the. pack will worjc wonders in hia play. Of the ,Blue hacks Hunter. Plank and Lay were most prominent, while Grant, Hall and the Hunts shone out in the forwards. The Athletics made a bette*' showing in their first match against the xted.and Blacks at Stratford Init have lost some of their players. The weather was bright and warm, ,jand the Ui*-f in' good order. The ball was light and appeared to be difficult to handle, and the bounce beat the players very often.

TAB ANA KI COMPETION S SATURDAY'S RESULTS. Tukaua lo v. luglewood 3. Okaiawa 16 v. Pa tea 6. Clifton 11 v. Hawera 6. Kaponga 6 v. Opunake 0. Stratford 22 v. Athletic 6. Eltham 11 v. Old Boys 3. SECONDARY SCHOOLS COMPETITION. High School A G v. Strafford T.H.S. A 6. High School B 511 v. S.T.H.S. li A., .MOASCAB CUP. Advice lias b:»en received by the secretary of the Taranaki Rugby Union that challenges for the Moascar Cup have been received from Whangarei High School and Alt. Albert Grammar School. These. with the challenges from AVanganui Technical College and To Ante College, will make the four challenges that New Py mouth High School will require to play should they be suec::-,dul in retaining the cup. PLAY IN THE CITIES. Auckand.—ldeal weather prevailed for football. Rugby resultsi:—Marist 20 beat University 6; Grafton 19 beat Grammar 16; Ponsonby 29 heat College Rifles 0: Shore li beat Suburbs 6; Manukau 11 beat Newton 3. The first of the two annual fixtures between King's College and Auckland Grammar School resulted in victory for the former by 8 to 3. Mount Albert Grammar 26 beat Sa'ercd Heart 3. Wellington.—Eight thousand people saw Poneke (27) defeat 'Varsity (16). The teams wrm level, tack.lo, until Hearing the end of the second spell, when Poneke forged ahead. Poneke now leads in the championship. Other results; Oriental' 8 v. Athletic 3; Petone 10 v. Marist 6; Wellington 12 v. Selwyn 3; Hutt 3 v. Old Boys 3! Uhristchurch.—Old Roys 27 v. 'Varsity 6; Christchurck 8 v. Menvale 3; North Canterbury b' v. Linwoo'd 3. ENGLISH SOCCER, TOUR, Brisbane, June 20. At. the soccer match between England, and Queensland'ls,ooo- were present. Queensland were outclassed, England winning by 11 goafs to nil. The score was fax to nil at the end of the first half. ..Ratten scored four times, Siinnis five, Hannaford one and Cae.sar one. SCHOOL FOOTBALL. STRATFORD v. HAWERA. On Saturday (20th 111st.) Hawera and Stratford Primary School teiuiia played on Victoria Park. The game was won by the Stratford team by 20 points to 3. For Stratford, tries, two of which were converted by F. Collins, were scored by W. Nelson, R. Young, and F. Collins, while W. Gratia and R. Young each potltea a ( goal. For Hawera, W. Nicholas scored a try. Mr Stratford refereed. The local boys showed consideraoie improvement in puny, especially among the backs. At the conclusion, of the game, the boys sat down to lunch provided by the girls, in charge of Miss Ritchie. Mr Fume and Mr A. Lawn complimented both teams 0111 their play. The juniors A and B teams "of Stratford School under Mr Hancock's supervision, played a friendly game, the A team winning by 9 to 6.