FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 13, 3 June 1914, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

NEWS AND NOTES. Although two Saturdays have yet to pass before the first round of the Cup fixtures are completed, it is safe to assert that the round will end with Clifton leading Stratford by a point, and Tukapa third three points below the leader. It looks as if the final in the i northern division will be between Strat- | ford and Clifton, with the advantage in | favor of Clifton, who have to play their two big matches on the home ground, jTukapa arc by no means out of the ; hunt, but they canont afford to lose a j match, and unless they are to do so, they I will need to put up better fights than ! was the case against Star last week. Among the Sole Cup teams Okato arc in the lead, and should just about manage to annex the trophy. As prognosticated, the matches between the three top teams, Stratford, Clifton and Tukapa, have been very close, the greatest margin between either team being three points. The same has occurred when Inglewood, Star and Okato have met, the largest margin there being also three points. Some close and even contests should therefore be witnessed next round, and the issue of any of the matches will be in doubt. This, however, does not apply to the matches between the ex-Thursday and Saturday teams. In these the former should win by good margins, though of course the unexpected may happen. Saturday's game between Clifton and Stratford was worth going a long way to view, even in the wet weather. It proved a stirring forward struggle. Heavy rain had made the ground very wet, and the ball was consequently very greasy to handle. Play was therefore wisely confined to the forwards, .otratord, when playing with the wind, made the tactical blunder of throwing the ball about too much. Their backs certainly handled tiie ball beautifully, but the slippery foothold prevented them getting off the mark with that alacrity that is so necessary to push a passing rush successfully home. The game was very fast. Back and forward rushed the forwards, first one side and then the other having the upper hand. The game was in doubt right up to the last minute, and though on the day Clifton were the slightly better team, yet everybody present—and there were quite a number of supporters of both teamß on the ground—would have been satisfied if it had been a draw.

Both teams possess fine forwards, and it says much for their condition and stamina that they were able to keep up the pace as they did right to the, finish. Indeed, at the finish the pace was much warmer than at the start.

For the winners, Cain, Thomas and Hicks showed out among the forwards, the former's try being a good one, and Bhowing the advantage of a forward keeping control of the ball with his feet. Taylor and Tate, on the wings, showed great dash, though the former is hardly up to top form at present. Another mulch or two and he will be right. Crowley went down to the rushes in great style. Kupe did a 'ot of defensive work, but was not at home with the greasy ball.

Abbott played a great game. He wai here, there, and everywhere when wanted. He fielded the ball exceptionally well. He looks like striking old time form.

Goodwin was the best of the other three-quarters, and put in some fine dashes. He was unlucky not to score on one or two occasions.'

Tate, at full back, had a lot to do, and did it in a workmanlike manner. Among the local forwards, Reidj Dewar, Smith, Woods and Higginson were prominent all the time. The (irst-named played with great dash, and should reach the reps, before long. Smith showed his old-time cleverness, and is by no means a back number. / Bonner, at wing- forward, was very useful.

Stewart was the most convincing of the Stratford backs. He did a lot of defensive and offensive work. Dud. Cameron did not like the forward rushes too much, and was apt to shirk it. Young and Whittiugton, the wing three-quarters, also played well, but it was not the day they wanted. Kivell, at full- back) fielded and kicked the -ball well. He saved his side agaii and again.

,4ratford backs play with fine combination and look like doing things on a tine day. They have not yet had an opportunity of displaying the'i - fine weather qualities, as on the three occasions they have been in action the weather has been wet. Saturday football has been unlucky so far; out of three Saturdays it has been wet three times at Stratford, anil twice elsewhere. The match between Star and Tukayii on Saturday last, was. considering fh» weal her, a fairly interesting panic? Had the weather been belter, however, it would have been less holly contested, as an .open game would have 'told against Star. At the out-.el it nmsl be said that Star possesses a very useful pack of forwards, who- were on the day's play superior to the opposing vanguard. I On several oeca-wns they made matters ■ very interesting indeed for the Tukapa j team, and played throughout a nood 1 solid game. °

Of the Star hack division, little can be said, except that Cox played 11 "ood game at full buck. What the tcuif appears to lack most is a scoring th.re*quarter line.

Tonga Carroll, at live-eight-, .showed Hushes of play, and now and again a turn of speed. ['nforlunafclv. however, infringements mailed his woiv. and an altereal ion with the n-Teree ended in his retirement from the --anie ju-l at its close. 'Pile best of 1h... Star three-quarters was Tito, who at times showed ind«ment and a nice turn of .speed. " ° itnc noticeable, f.flliu'c of the Mar

team's play, especially that of the lor

winds, was their solid tackling. In this l-n\ at full back was a-l*o reliable. The

low tackle pay-, every lime. The Tukapa. three-quarter line was faced with the di,;tb ;r .!i: s of a .. Tl -isy ba'l end a w,-t fi-ld. but ali tbAanic lliey were perhaps -a little disr-ppoiul-nig. The nn),t noticeable defect was

crr.n'c passing. There were, liow.-ver. si vera I short, dashes, and vine fine passin'.; rush half the leimth of the field, in which all .participated. Slobr'.- try was (In- result if a short tricky run in the nick of lime. His- penally goal was ■.< line effort but the heavy 1.'.1 l hampered his kieking powers 'lining most of the game.

Webster at full back, pi, ve,l bejt..r than as a lbree-i|uartcr. and in .Hie 5,.,.. mid half of the srnrio especially Readied down a lot. '

llrown at half, is a most consistent player, and his work on Saturday did not detract fn.m hh reputation in the lea-t.

Of tin- vanguard, Perry. Hawkins. ■Kil-hrist, and Morslicad all grafted liavd. In the! willing forward wo* ImUi Mm-diead and 'U;v\vl:ins suffered minor injuries.

COASTAL CONTEST. Puniho journeyed to Pihama and ware beaten by 15 to 3. It is under.u..\.d Puniho have lodged a protest against Pi-liama, for playing a man outside their district, ThliiiVit Travelled to Pari'haka ami defeated that team by five points to nil after a very exd-t-tog wi willing go. Warrigle scored for Itali'otu and Surgenor converted. Pui had charge Of the 'whistle, and gave general satisfaction.