THE FOOTBALL WORLD

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 78, 15 June 1928, Page 8

THE FOOTBALL WORLD

CENTRAL (DIVISION JUNIORS

YESTERDAY'S GAMES

Conditions were excellent -yesterday for the continuation of the Central Division junior competition. Following are results of the games:

FIRST JUNIORS. Tariki 5 v. Cardiff 0. Celtic 7 v. Stratford 3. Jnglewood 4 v. Eltham 4. Midhirst 6 v. Pukangaliu 3 Toko a bve.

THIRD GRADE. Celtic 6 v. Inglewood 3. S.T.H.S. 23 v. Cardiff U

FOURTH GRADE Eltham 12 v. S.T.H.S. A 3. Jnglewood defaulted to Stratford School B. a bve.

A TOUGH STRUGGLE.

CELTIC (7) A*. STRATFORD' (3)

Celtic and Stratford; first juniors met on Victoria Park yesterday afternoon under good conditions. Tne ground was dry, there being only ;.. slight breeze and no bright sunshine. Play was not of the spectacular kind, the backs on both sities getting no "opportunity to operate freely. It was a tough struggle all round, and the forwards had plenty to do, the forward play being tight and strenuous.

In the first spell Stratford seemed to be able to do nothing right. Certainly they held their own and made no more mistakes than their opponents, but tbe ball seemed to bo against them.

On resuming after half time P. CoK lins went up to the fiv-eiglith lino, replacing Cuff, and the change wan for the better, Guff showing up better in his. new position. In the early stages of the second Knell it looked as if the reds were done, but half way through they livened up rema rkedly and played with all the dash 1 that could he desired. The luck of the hall als» seemed to turn in their favour, but the green s were on the hall and playing no as well as ever, and the reds could make no impression.

Towards the end, when uiere were just a. few minutes to go, and tb" reds wer e playing fast and furious for a score, the excitement- reached fever heat and the red supporters shouted themselves hoarse. It was not to he, however, and the game ended with a four-point lead in favour of Celtic. The teams were as follows; Stratford: L. Collins, Phillips, P. Collins, Wheeler, Alger, Cuff, "R. Collins, Nolan, Rudincrs. Fookes. Butcher. S'h.arrrtsk, Keiightfcy, :H,inton, D. Collins.

Celtic: Dodd. Ivlpatrick. Richardson, Sangster, Davev, North, Gvubb, Hamjoison. Crdlaghan. L'-ord, Bilski, Hodgson. McCrae, Ford, BurkeFIRST SPELL. Stratford kicked off. Play was quiet in neutral territory for some minutes. Then Sharrock kicked well up and quick following up by the reds found the green hacks in trouble. Play was Held up here owing to Alger getting knocked out. From a scrum on resuming play swung to tlic other side, wiiere the redg g°t over but could not touch down. A free kick brought relief to: the greens and play was worked down-field, L. Collins forcing a kick by Kilpatr^ck. Mid-field play followed, till an infringement, after seventeen minutes' play, enabled Dodd to land a goad goal from a penalty. —Celtic 3, Stratford 0.

Celtic attacked strongly and kept play in Sti'atford'c territory. Ford kicked up *and followed up fast, as a result of which thjcht play, on the red goal-line followed. The position was relieved and Sangster failed from a penalty kick in a good position. Play then shifted to Celtics' quarters for a time, but near half way faulty red passing gave Hampson an opportunity and he took play to the red line. The reds relieved but play continued in tueir territory. Here Dodd took n. red kick clean and dropped a goal, the hall striking the bar and rolling over—C?ltic 7, "Stratford 0.

Stratford attacked, and Sharrock narrowly missed goaling from a penalty. Almost at oncof play went to Stratford's 25, but the position was, reversed by a hue run by P. Collins. Play came back to Straffords' quarters, where from a mark Nolan was enabled to make a break, hut Dodd lined well down. With a few minutes to go. Stratford attacked, but play hung near half-way till an opening; by North and Sangster took the game'down to the rod 25, where the ball was when half-time sounded.

SECOND SPE'UTi. On resumption play went to red territory, where the fl.-eeti hacks gave a fine display of 'passing, all handling, Davey was pushed, out near the goal line hut just, afterwards he was knocked out A. fine Stratford forward rush changed the venue of play, and Stratford attacked strongly. Play was held up for a time as a result of Alger being knocked out a second time. Well itTtho green 25 the reds were given

a penalty kick, but Sliairock's effort failed. Grubb lined from • a scrum on the green line, and Celtic gradually worked play up-field. .From half-way Sharrock took play to tiio green 25 with a. fine dribbling rush, but the defence was tooi solid. From near halfway Alger passed to P. Collins who kicked anil followed tip. The bounce beat .Dodd, and for an infringement the reds were given a free kick- P. Collins narrowly missed the posts. Sharrock made a good opening with a pass, which set the red backs going. Davey laded to take the ball from a kirk and Wheeler was on him and appeared to touch down, but a scrum was given. The rods continued to press. ( ..-uJf passed to N-o Tan in a good position, but the latter cut in instead of passing to ihe Man waiting, and was ismothered. Celtic, rushed play to the other end and Stratford were forced. With a quarter of an hour to go play was new Celtic's 2-5. Dodd was caught with the "ball, and from following tight play. Nolan nipped over and touched down- P. Collins' kick failed.—Celtic 7. St-atl'ord 8. On his own side of ball-way the bounce beat BooVl and the wl* on. him. Passing by the red hacks let Phillims away, but he was pushed out. Vigorous- play in green territory followed, but North transferred with a good kick. Time was not far ciT and .Stratford played up and flattered their supporters on several occasions, but the greens were, solid in defence ami time Avas called with the score at 7 to .*} in favour of Celtic. Mr ". Were, refereedTAP IX i V. CAP DIM". For their game against Tariki at Cardiff yesterday Cardiff could not field a full team and played too Iwo Tariki emergencies. The Tariki backs endeavoured to open up the game a s much as possible but play was not Brilliant, dough, Herdman, Aubrey and MoRoberts played well, Aubrey's placekicking being a feature.

The home team seemed flow in the offensive, but left nothing to be desired as regards tackling.

There was no score m the first 'half. Tariki got the ball from most of the scrums, and: Cardiff was on th e defensive' for the most part of the spell. | P. Hucker scored for the visito-s iearly in the second spell.-' He followed up a long kick and touched down just before the full-back him. Aubrey converged. dough. Herdmjin, Aubrey and Trans were associated in a. nice passing bout and Cardiff were lucky to be able to force. Mr F. Gush referccd. FOURTH GPADK. The new fourth grade competition was commenced last week, when the. pames resulted: Jnglewood and S.T. H..S- A. drew, no score; S'J-.*i.S,. B (6) beat Stratford- (3); Eltiiam had a bve