FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 58, 17 June 1910, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SENIORS. STRATFORD (6) v. STAR (3). The Stratford and Star seniors met on the Recreation Grounds yesterday. The attendance of the public was not large, ■because the general opinion was wiat the visitors would have tilings tneir own way. flihe Stars, however, are an uncertain quantity. Last year, it wu* be remembered, laey sprung a surprise packet on Eltham, and gave the Magpies a trouncing. Yesterday's game at the outset looked a soft thing for Stratford. They swarmed down on the Jine right troin the start. But the defence was surprisingly good, and it was some time beiore a vulnerable point was found. Then the whole aspect of the game changed, and the three points registered for each side after that change just about represented the deserts of I the teams. With a little luck in its I place-kicking, the Star team must un i doubtedly have won. Owing to an accident to a motor car the Stratford team arrived several men short, and the start of the match was delayed for over 'half an hour, in order to allow the fifteen men to take the field. Had the Stratford men held the Stars as cheaply as the local people did, and gone on the field at 2 o'clock, with several nien snort, there's no telling what might have hap- \ pened. It was a very friendly match, and the unfortunate accident to Burgham was not the result of any unfair play. It was a clean tackle, and the result a pure accident. Star kicked off, and Hill sent the return into touch. Emery missed a long kick, and Stratford forwarded invaded the (Star end, where Hill saved, ana just afterwards Star forced. Don Cameron ran to the twenty-five again, kicked to centre, and Star carried over. Tocker narrowly missed scoring, and a scrum was given near the post. Star had a fortunate free-kick for handling in the scrum. James fielded the ball, but threw it away wildly. The Blacks were getting down to it well, and Stratford failed to pierce the defence. A free kiclc by Hawkins and another good line-kick by the same player gave them breathing space. From a line-out Bonner and Tocker got the ball out to pameron, who ran strongly until pushed out. Play rapidly crossed the field, where Burgham missed his opportunity. Tocker, however, soon got over at the corner,' and Burgess made a good 'but unsuccessful kick at goal . Stratford 3, Star 0. Star shaped better now, and a nice passing run between Brown, Hill and Grant made a piece of ground. The forwards were moving strongly now, and Stratford was placed on the defensive. Pearce was very nearly over, when Stratford was penalised for off-side. Whitaker made a poor attempt at goal. Cameron mulled a kick, and the game opened up amongst the forwards, where the Stars had the better of it for a time. Tocker kicked hard and straight across the field, picked the ball up himself, and streaked for the line, (but was neatly grassed by Emery. Hill made a nice cross-field run, but held too long, and passed badly to Grant, who had great : difficulty in rescuing the ball from the feet of the opposing forwards. The Reds pressed hard, as the reustt of some ' rapid passing ambng the backs, but were frequently penalised for off-side play. A '■ fine kick by Brown, well followed by the : ■kicker, placed Stratford, on the defen- ■ sive. Then 'Brown, Hill, Malone and : Whitaker made a hot attack, the ball ' passing rapidly to and fro, but they were surrounded, and Smith 'broke away, i Away went the Blacks again, and only ' a couple of knocks-out caused a tern- ' porary lull in the attack. Upon resum- '. ing, two line-outs, a bullocking rush by ' Smith and Co., and Star got a lucky ! mark near their twenty-five, but made ' little use of it. Open play again, and 1 Bullock, Bellringer and .Turnbull rushed i the ball right up to the line, and Strat- i ford forced. From a scrummage, Smith ' broke through, and Brown grassed niin. i Next moment Whitaker was over, as ' the result of a fine spurt. He made a < poor shot at goal. The crowd was de-' t manding. Hawkins as the kicker. Stra.t- ] ford 3, Star 3. The Stratford backs set < up a rush, but Tocker kicked too hard, 1 and Mai one put in a splendid left-footed ■' line-kick. Loose play saw Stratford in ': trouble again. Brown shot' out of the ' ruck, Whitaker passed to Hill, and Eill ' to Mai one, 'but he was waiting too * close, and Was collared early.. Hot play ! ensued in the corner, and first one and 1 then another seemed to have a try. Nt i half-time they were still attacking, kit '. there was no further score. .'

Shortly after recommencing, Di:<on secured a mark near half-way, and tv.:)ieron sent a long kick past the posts, Star forcing. Tocker had a fine ©name, but could not gather in, and Eicha.ids speculated into- touch. Cameron went to five-eighths, and Tocker took Ills place on the wing. Stratford soon had the locals in difficulties, and Brovrni made a lucky mark in the corner. It was not long before a serum placed the hall into Bonner's hands. He transferred to Tocker, who passed to Cameron, Cameron to Dixon, and Dixon to Burgham, who scored. Cameron missed the posts. Stratford 6, Star 3. It was a question now as to whether the Sta.rs would be able to keep up the pt ce i against their far weightier opponents. A nice opening-was made by Hill, who rin' from centre, but squeezed Grant on to j fthe line before passing. Grant beat one man, who had seized him by the jersey, but had not resumed his stride when I Cameron broke him down. Had Hill I passed earlier, a score could hardly have I been averted. The Blacks kept up the attack, until Pearce was penalised for off-side play, and the ball was put out at half-way. Grant came down the line at top and kicked, but Cameron got there first and lined from about five yards off the line. Emery did a fine i piece of rush stopping, and the ball came I out at half-way. Ross, Bullock and Turnhull renewed the Black's attack, but Marehant kicked hard to the line, and one of the blacks kicked upfield. Nice play by Campbell made an opening for Cameron, but he was thrown out. Campbell went on, and Star was forced. The little Black pack was still going strong, and by a series of very well [worked rushes kept the Reds busy on j the defensive. Then Cameron picked up ! the ball at Star twenty-five, and dodged !'through the field. Grant was the only man who seemed likely to get 'him, but he slipped. "Don" went on until Hill caught him by the middle and turned him a somersault. The Stratford forwards pressed solidly, and the ball was sent over between the posts, but a Star forward touch it before Melville, and a force resulted. Burgess fumbled a long kick from Hawkins, and Stars got mside the twenty-five yards' line. A scrum j and the Red wing forward was penalise for off-side iplay. Hawkins took the i kick, but just missed the posts. Cameron marked Grant's centring kick, and Brown arrowly missed potting the rei turn. Then play suddenly shifted. From | a scrum the visiting backs obtained posl session, and Murgham p«t in a strong run. Emerv went low, and the force of the impact between the runner's leg and

J the tackler's shoulder caused a clean J fracture of the leg. There was only a few minutes to go, and after the injured man had been attended to by Br. Fookes and Constable Melvor, and taken to the hospital, the game soon terminated, without any incident of note, beyond the fact that a Stratford back found it expedient to kick back over the line to nullify the effect of a very fine loose rush by the home forwards. For the winners Burgham played a capital game, and Bonner and Tocker also put in a lot of good work. Cameron was j brilliant at times. Dixon was off hk game. Abbott and Smith were easily the pick of the forwards, although the veteran Hughie Campbell played a fine game also. The Star backs were at their best. Malone was the weak point. It would be unfair to single out any forwards for special mention. Every man "did his little bit" towards it, and they worked like Trojans. Mr. F. Sp'irdle was referee, and lii-i decisions wero unquestioningly accented.

', CLIFTON (11) v. ELTHAM (0). .1. : l .' The above teams met at Waitara yes- • terday and provided a fast and excit ng contest. Although the home team ■ won by 11. points, there was not that much difference between the teams on the day's play, but the home team deserved the win. Elt-ham, in addition to playing only fourteen men, had slightly the worst of the luck. The day was perfect for football, and the ground was dry. At times both teams brought off some fine passing rushes. Although the game was fairly open, it is a pity that both teams did not use their backs more. Each team contains some fast, nippy backs, who handle the ball nicely, but the weak spot, as far as attack is concerned, appears to 'be the respective half-backs, though they are good on defence, particularly the Clifton half, Lash. Eltlram won the toss, and opened with the sun at their back. Shortly after the kick-off, Eltham carried the 'ball to the home twenty-five, where Potier had a shot at goal; the ball, however, fell short, and Kyle returned. Give and take play followed, until Moir marked nicely on Clifton's twenty-five. Potier took the kick, but a force resulted. Clifton forwards, headed by De Blois and Loveridge, then took a hand, and carried the ball down. Kyle came along fast, but failed to gather up the hall, and a lucky score was lost for the 'home team, the ball going out in Eltham's twenty-five. The home team made strenuous efforts to score, and several scrums took place. Clifton were awarded a free kick in a handy position, but Cain failed to goal. Potier, however, mulled the return, and the ball again found touch close to the goal line. From the throw-in the ball was carried across the line, but a scrum was awarded. From this Lash obtained the ball and passed to Goodwin, who set out for' the line, but was grassed ' by Cooper. Almost immediately a passing rim by Lash, Jones and Talt looked dangerous, but Potier downed the latter. Scrambling play then ensued. Eltham forwards, headed by Levick and Osborne brought the ball back. Tait, however, kicked high and, following tip fast, smothered Gientwcrth's ,euirn. Dive then secured and centred nicely. Potier obtained possession, and was downed by Goodwin. Interchange of kicks took place between Potier and Lash. A scrum resulted about, mid-field, from which Tait secured and passed to Jones, who put in a well judged kick, finding the line at the corner. Shortly afterwards there was a change of scene. ' Loveridge and Du Blois were? prominent in a Clifton forward rush, but Dive cut in and secured, passing to Potier, who < passed back to Dive, the latter centring. Eltham were then awarded a free kick. Potier kicked high into Clifton's twentyfive. Sampson and' Tait both tried for the ball, and nearly mulled it. Pa.it, however, secured and kicked to Potier, who handed on to Dive, who kicked out at half-way, receiving a nasty knock. The game stopped for a while. On resuming, Eltham forwards, headed by Levick and Charteris, carried the ball down, but 'Goodwin, with a long kick, saved. Prom a scrum in midfield, Lash passed to Kyle, who missed. .Moir secured and kicked into Clifton twentyfive. Loveridge and Crowley came throu'gh. but the Eltham full-back returned in a workmanlike style. Good- < win nearly caused touble by hanging on '. too long. He beat two or three men and, when collared, passed forward. Moir took the pass and streaked across '. the lime, but the whistle had gone foi the knock-on before he secured the ball. From the scrum Clifton brought the ball back, and a little later,, in Eltham's twentv-five, Kyle passed to Tart, wno, with a fine swerving run, scored between the posts. Sampson made no mistake with the kick. The whistle went immediately for half-time. Clifton 5, Eltham nil. Soon after resuming, Moir tried to pot, but failed. From the kiokout Dive centred. Moir passed to Potier, who put out in Clifton's twentyfive. Loveridge and De Blois, however, brought it back from the throw-in to ■half-way, where Dive marked nicely. The ball hovered about half-way for, some time, until Cain, Loveridge and Del Blois headed a forward rush, which J wound up by Tait kicking into touch ,inj. goal. Kyle -returned the kick-off to' Charters, who broke away, but kicked to hard to the full back, Sampson, who passed to Tait, the latter being collared before he got going. However, Clifton backs were throwing the leather about well, Kyle, Jones, Goodwin and Jones again lending a hand. The latter was 'mped out when streaking for goal. From the throw-in, Clifton were not to be denied, and Kyle passed to Goodwin, who transferred to Jones, and the latter got over in the corner, with Workman on 'his back. Sampson failed with the kick. Both sides' were now passing exceedingly well, and plav was very fast, the collaring being deadly. Eltham gradually worked the ball down to Clifton's territory, and Potier, Dive and Moir made several dasbes for the coveted honor, but could not succeed in -breaking through the . defence. A mark bv Sampson relieved tihe position. From a loose serum, McLean kicked too hard, enabling Sampson I to save. Eltham were pressing hard, and a passing rush between Moir, Potier, Moir and Cooper, ended in the latter being taken on the line by Lnsb. ' A free kick materially assisted Clifton te clear their line, and' Loveridge. and Tin P.lois headed a rush, which Glentworth | failed to stop, and a sTiim ensued under Eltham's goal. Clifton had one or two shots at goal for off-side play bv Eltham, but they were fruitless. Clifton next scored a neat try. From a serum Kyle passed to Jones, who transferred back to him nicely, and he notched Clifton's tihird trv in the corner. Sampson made a good■but fruitless attempt to convert the try. Shortly after the kickoff. Dive and Potier carried the ball down. Osborne gathered it up and headed for the line, but not -having sufI ficient pace to best Goodwin and Sampj son. kicked instead of passing out to | two men who were supporting him, and, Eltham lost a nice chance of scoring, i The whistle sounded sliortlv afterwards. Mr. Elliott was a capable referee.

Q7UKAPA (d) v. INGLEWOOD (3). This match, which was played at Inglewood yesterday, was expected to result in a runaway victory for the New Plymouth team, but Inglewood again proved that they are a 'hard team to beat, particularly on their own ground, and a close contest resulted in a threepoint victory for Tukapa. The recent' wet weather had the effect of making the Inglewood ground very muddy in places. Inglewood kicked off, having the disadvantage of the sun in their eyes. Loveridge returned very smartly. Soon afterwards Ward had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a mark, and, a little later, Fairbrother made an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Numerous free kicks were given for breaches of the rules, the ihome team being the chiof offenders. Jones scored' first blood for 'ltikapaJ Loveridge was unsuccessful '.with thej kick at goal, and a little later Brown, equalised matters by placing a neat; goal for Inglewood from a free kick. The first spell ended: Tukapa 3, Inglel wood! 3. Soon after tne commencement of the second spell, Jones a second try near the corner. Loveridge's kick again failed. Tukapa carried the ball down. Inglewood brought it back, and were awarded a free kick, Tukapa forcing. From a mark, Ward had a shot at goal. Inglewood, however, rushed the ball down. Free kicks were still fairly frequent. Tukapa were awarded most of them, and Loveridge, Blyde and Jones all had unfruitful shots at goal. Mr. Roch made an efficient referee. i i

JUNIORS. ELTHAM (11) v. CLIFTON (3). j At Eltham yesterday the home team defeated Clifton by 11 points to 3. The game was very fast and interesting. The backs were very evenly matched, but Eltham forwards, if anything, held tne advantage. Mr. W. Wood made a capable referee. \ TUKAPA (26) v. INGLEWOOD (lli). These teams met on the Western Park Ground yesterday, and a fast and hard-fought game ended in a win for the home team by 26 points to 11. la the first spell play was very even, but, with twenty minutes to go, the umes kept play on the visitors' line, and scored three tries in quick succession. For the winners, Addison, Ryder, McGiven and Stannering, in the back division, played sterling games, while Francis, Allen, Coker and Bollinger were noticeable in the forward division. For the losers, McDonald and 1 Harkness were the most conspicuous backs, the forwards all playing a 'hard game.

STRATFORD 11. v. STAR 11. Ift the first junior match, played at Stratford, tne Stars defeated Stratford by 14 points (3 tries, 1 converted, and a penalty goal) to 12 (2 tries, 1 converted, and a potted goal). ; SECOND JUNIORS. I Played on the Racecourse, the game between Stratford and Star proved one of the most interesting third-grade games played this season. Play was very even, the only score being a try scored by Tichbow. Just on the call of time, Lovell (Star) had his leg broken through colliding witn an opposing player. r lue game thus ended: Stratford 3, Star 0. Clifton 111. defeated Eltham HI. at Waitara by.ll points to 3. For the winners tries were scored by Monekley «,iidj Cartwright. Mcivoy converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Simm scored a try for the losers. Mr. Johnson refereed.

Tukapa 111. defeated Inglewood 111. at the latter place by 6 points to 3. Kennedy scored a try for the losers, whilst Patarson obtained a try and Lovell kicked a penalty goal for the losers. Mr. Petty refereed. ASSOCIATION GAME. NEW PLYMOUTH v. STRATFORD. The Association football match, New Plymouth v. Stratford, played on Tukapa grounds, resulted in a win for the home team by 1 goal to nil, Goddard scoring. The Stratford men travelled two short, and New Plymouth men acted as substitutes. For the winners, Elliott, Holmes, Goddard and Legg were the pick. For the losers, Chapman, But-' chart and Bodle .were about the -best. Mr. Bowlls officiated as referee, and gave] every satisfaction to 'both teams.