UNDEFEATED TEAM

Stratford Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 172, 10 October 1934, Page 7

UNDEFEATED TEAM

Stratford Soccer Eleven's Fine Record SOCIAL GATHERING HELD An outstanding performance in the Succor history of Taranaki was the progress t liia season of the Stratford team, undefeated, through two competitions, resulting in the eleven annexing the Julian Cup and Duff Rose Bowl. The team also holds the Chinese Cup.

A social gathering was held last night to mark the splendid performance. Mr T. M. Smith presided and the attendance included visitors from Hawcra and Now Plymouth. Reference to the Taranaki Football Association was made by the chairman .

He did not know how long the Association had been in existence, but the Julian Cup had been competed for since WOK lie said. In 1910, lie recalled, there were more players at Stratford than there were now. The Taranaki association was composed mainly of old players who still had the interests of the game at heart. Mr W. Adams (Hawcra), who was present that night, was president of the association before the war and at that time there were eight teams playing in South Taranaki. The popularity of hockey and the war did much to set the game back. There was no team even at Hawcra this season, but it was hoped one would be organised next winter. There were four teams at New Plymouth ami one at Waitara, but Mr Smith remarked that. it. was not long since there was only one team at. New Plymouth and much of the credit for the progress of the game there was due to the present president of the association, Mr J. W. Hollows.

He was very sorry to see the old competition between teams in North and South Taranaki had failed, Mr Hollows said. The association was, however, on the right track ns it had interested several primary school headmasters in the game and, moreover, secured a start for the code in the New Plymouth Boys’ High School. Once the game was established in the schools there would bo a constant stream of young players to feed the more advanced teams. He congratulated the club on having won the trophies.

Mr D. A. Benjamin •ceygratulafed Motnroa, (he runner up in the competitions, and paid a tribute to the sportsmanship of nl! teams and to Uu> work of the officials of the association. He regretted that the game was not as well established as it might be, but expressed the hope that the enthusiasts at Hawera would be able to raise a team there again. As far as the Hawera club was concerned, Mr Adams said, it was a case of hibernation. The long travelling involved had been (he greatest difficulty.

The code was substantially established in the cities 1 and he would like lo sec the time when Now Zealand would send a team of colonial born players to Britain that would leave 1 a record as good as that of the All Blacks at Rugby.

Other toasts were; The referees, selector and coach, proposed by Mr j W. Were and responded to by Mr j L. Henderson; the ladies. Mr Grant j (Hawera) —Mr H. Longstnff; the chairman, Mr R. Trueman; and the Press.