WIN FOR STRATFORD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 139, 25 May 1936, Page 2

WIN FOR STRATFORD.

CONVINCING MARGIN Long Lead Over Star In First Spell. NO SCORE AFTER HALFTIME. Stratford defeated Sur in Lie senior competition game at Pukotkura Parlk on Saturday by 12 pc Inks to 3. Stratford’s f'e-'wards proved too solid and aggressive for the Star pack, and secured most of the ball from the scrums and line-outs. Stan forwards, however, fully held 'their own in the loose.

1. McLeod ployed a great game and he was well backed up by J. McLean, Sampson, Whittaker and Morris. Roger Young, Smith and Hinton led the Stratford vanguard. Stratford ployed more open football than has been the case in previous | matches this year and their backs were more in evidence. Lehmann and Haymann went well but generally a lack of finish in the passing and handling marred the whole of the back line. Star, too, tackled solidly. The best movement of the match was | that which resulted in Stratford’s { second try. On this occasion several or the forwards and the inside backs contributed and Lehmann finally! made the opening for Bowler, whoflew over in characteristic style. . j McGrath was again in Sangster’s j p’ace behind the scrum and played j capable football all day. He is not j yet up to Sangster’s standard, howj over, and this, combined with the abj scence of Ross from the wing three- | quarter position, considerably -weakened ihe Stratford back line. The teams' were:

Stratford: Berg; Reis', Haynlan, Bowler; Lehmann, Collins; McGrath; Butcher, R. Young. R. Clarke, Smith, Garllck, Ford, Hinton, Latham. Star; Simpson; Wilkins, Neilsen, Sykes; Adlam, Ma'cFarlane; Aubrey; Whittaker, J. McLean, Morris, C. McLean, J. McLeod, Sampson, Signal, Rutherford. PLAY DESCRIBED. Stratford forwards took charge frorn/ the kick-off and play whs all in thei Star area during the first few minutes. McGrath got his backs away several times but their attacks yielded no result until Colling drop kicked a field goal. Stratford 4 Star 0. Star then took the upper hand for a. season and Stratford were kept; busy defending their line. Aubrey f oaled a penalty goal for Star, making Lie score; Stratford .. ~ f - Star .. 3 An attempt at a jotted goal came near to putting Sar in the lead shortly aferwards but from then on they gj adually receded. Stratford forwards took the ball upfield and the ball came out to the backs. Lehmann cut through and handed to Bowler, who scored. McGrath converted. Stratford 4 Star 3 From then on till half time Strafford backs were trying lo make the

attack open hut tlie solid tackling of the Star backs kept them at bay successfully. Stratford’s only further score was from a snap effort, by Lehmann, who picked up well inside the twenty-five area and shot over. Stratford 12 Star 3 SECOND HALF. On resumption Star backs got into action and a dashing run by Neilson placed them in a. strong position. A Stratford forward rush penetrated to the near vicinity of the Star line and Hinton, following up last from a rebound, was just beaten for a try, the ball reaching touch in goal. Smith, Roger Young and Hinton were prominent in the forward rushes, which often had Star in difficulties during the remainder of the spell. Star backs were handling well and play travelled fast ni) and down the field but there 'vani no further score at final time, the match finishing: Stratford 12 Star 3, Mr N. Frost was the referee.