WIN FOR STRATFORD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 121, 4 May 1936, Page 7

WIN FOR STRATFORD.

RECOVERY IN SECOND HALF. Inglewood Defeated In Opening Match. LITTLE BACK PLAY. Stratford defeated inglewood in the senior competition match ?': Victoria Park on Saturday by 19 points to 11. The heavy rains over the past week hart made the ground very greasy and heavy, and. ifakiing into consideration, the match provided good football. A short hut heavy hailstorm in the opening five minutes of play rendered (lie hall exceptionally greasy in the first spell. When the hail left off the get of.backs were able Ho (to inuah forwards got going well but neither with the ball, although both sides heeled out fairly well.

Collins' cool play and skilful use of his boot were a big factor in restraining the Inglewood forwards, who had rather the better of the first spell. Hayman was well marked by O'Byrne, who showed himself an exceptionally competent tackier, and, seeing little of the ball, he had not much opportunity to show what he could do. He ■was more in evidence in the second spell and his breakaway try was the outstanding individual effort of the day.

Stratford forwards, although they did not show up too well in the first f pell, were easily the best pack after the change over. Smith was outstanding and played slashing football all day. Hinton. Young and Butcher from the inside backs was sorely felt were prominent. Lohmann's absence and the Inglewood line were better on the day. Grant, the Inglewood five-eighths, played great football and the backline generally gave the impression ol* being a tough proposition. The teams were: Stratford; Berg; Bowler, Hayman, Ross; C. Sangster, Collins; Wellington; Butcher; R. Young, R. Clarke (captain), Davey, Smith; Latham, Hinton, Ford. Inglewood: L. Corlett; D. Mcllae, E. O'Byrne (captain), I. McCallum; Grant, Arnold; Rumball; S. O'Byrne, Sutton, Devercux; Gardner, Hark r nets; Douglas, W. Young, Brown. The Play Described. The forward packs took charge charge from the kick-off, and after a se.ason of midfield play Inglewood, following up a kick, took play to Stratford territory, whore a scrum ensued. Inglewood got the ball out, but their backs were unable to handle it and the Stratford forwards, with the ball at their toes, took play into Inglewood territory. R. Clarke led a further forward sally but a free kick got Inglewood out of trouble. The Stratford forwards continued to press', however, and Inglewood were soon back on defence. From a scrum near the Inglewood twenty-five Wellington got . the ball out and Hie Stratford back line got going. Hayman was well collared, however, as he attempted to cut-in, and Bowler was stopped as he got (lie ball. After a season of mid-field forward play Ross attempted to open Stratford's account with a free kick from near the half way line, but the wall failed to malce tne distance. Shortly afterwards Sangster was ui;successful with an attempted field foal.

Following up a twenty-five kick, Inglewood forwards took advantage of Berg's failure to-take the ball cleanly and Stratrora were driven hack to their own line., where they forced down. Inglewood forwards continued to press, but Stratford fought back and Inglewood gradually lost the advantage. A kick up field by Collins,, which Hayman followed up, finally put Stratford out of their own territory. At this stage both forward packs were getting the ball out buai no likely back movements developed. Itoss misted narrowly with a freekick, the ball going just wide of -the, posts. Inglewood took the upper hand for- a spell and Young tried to goal a free-kick. .Their backs got going shortly afterwards and Grant, often making a good run when practically on the side-line, passed behind him to McCrae, who cut ;i'n to score the opening try of the match. Young put the kibk 'over, malkiing- the score: Stratford 0, Inglewood 5. Shortly before half time Grant gained possession in. mid-field. From him the ball went to McCallum, wing three-quarter, who"'passed back 'to O'Byrne, who made a great run to score near the corner. The kick failed and the half-time whistle wfeaj» with the £icore;

Stratford 0, Inglewood 8. On the resumption Inglewood forwards pressed hard but they were well held by the stjrgtford pack In the midifleld scrummaging play that followed. Stratford forwards gradually dominated and Inglewood were forced back into their own territory. Wellington got the ball out from a scrum to Butcher, who handed to Bowler, wbo shot over near the corner. Ross failed with the kick. Stratford 3, Inglewood 8. Another forceful attack by the Stratford forwards culminated in Roger Young forcing hiy way over to score under the posts. Ross converted, making the score: Stratford 8, Inglewood 8.

The Stratford domination continued for a spell but Inglewood defended desperately and gradually forced play hack to midfleld. O'Byrne spoiled what looked like 1 cing a good backline movement by coming up fast and collaring Hayman just ay he got the ball. Inglewood forwards, following up, took play into Stratford territory. From a melee near the Stratford line Hayman broke away in a solo dribbling effort. Bowler came up in support and the two "took the ball to within 15 yards of the Inglewood line, where Bowler was stopped while trying to pick the ball up. Hayman regained possession almost immediately and ran diagonally to score near trie corner. Roas put the kick over. Stratford 13, Inglewood 8. After a long spell of midfleld play Inglewood got going and took play into Stratford territory. Arnold wa.s successful with a free-kick from this point. Sjtratford 13, Inglewood 11. Stratford forwards then took the upper hand and Rosy notched a freekick. Stratford 16, Inglewood 11. From a scrum near the line Wellington got the ball out to Ross on the blind side, and the latter made a rood run down the line and handed to Roger Young, who forced his way over near the corner. The kick failed and the match ended shortly afterwards. Stratford 19, Inglewood 11. * Mr A, O'Si'.llivan was the referee. '