FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

CUP COMPETITIONS. SOME CLOSE MATCHES. CLIFTON DEFEATS OKAIAWA. The football competitions in Taranaki were continued on Saturday under varying weather conditions. . RESULTS AT A GLANCE. A GRADE. Clifton 6 v. Okaiawa nil. Hawera 9 v. Kaponga 3. Stratford 9 v. Opunake nil. Batea 6 v. Tukapa 6. B GRADE. Star 6 v. Eltham 3. Okato 9 v. Old Boya 3. A GRADE. CLIFTON (6) v. OKAIAWA (0). Clifton and Okaiawa met at Okaiawa, Clifton winning by 6 to nil. Okaiawa kicked off against the wind. Clifton attacked, but R. Roberts saved by' marking, and a moment later had a shot at half-way from a penalty, the ball just falling short, being forced. Okaiawa managed to ibep their line intact, but penalties gave Colman two shots at goal, the second producing three points. Okaiawa now pressed, and Kingston, being smothered, matters looked dangerous for Clifton, but Okaiawa. again Infringed and were penalised, whilst & lucky speculator bj’ Ross also cleared. Then D. Johnson badly beat Jones, and Roberts Rtcb. executed a nice passing movement, but Laurent failed to accept a pass from R. Roberts, and a chance went. Off-side play gave Colman anther resultless shot. Ike, the big Okaiawa forward, led his men, but Kingston was again safe. Clifton were getting the ball from the scrum, but making little use of it. Then Canyjbell headed Clifton forwards, but Easton got off-side, and Okaiawa were able to clear. Okaiawa backs now set up a passing bout, but Toro failed to take, and Ros,s cleared. In the concluding stages the Okaiawa forwards took a hand, and headed bj- G. Harris and Ike, Clifton were forced twice in succession. Roberts just failed to goal from a penalty.

I With the wind behind them Okaiawa at cnce attacked, but Colman saved bj' marking. Okaiawa kept up the pressure, but Kingston and Ross were safe, and lined. Then Clifton, led by Taj-lor and Campbell, broke through. Clifton were still keeping the game close. After another resultless shot by Colman Okaiawa backs got moving, but O. Roberts failed to take, and another chance went. Twice in succession Roberts had shots from penalties, but both just went wide. Okaiawa kept up the pressure, but could not strike home. Gradually Clifton cleared and removed play to half-way, where from a free kick Purvis (Okaiawa full-back) failed to take the ball, and Taylor, following up fast, scored. Colman failed to goal. Okaiawa now pressed. R. Roberts made a great dash, but was collared, and a little later 0. Roberts was checked by Hickey. Martin then essayed to centre, but miskicked, and Clifton .forced. Okaiawa, both back and forward, attacked hotly, but Clifton kept their line intact. Then the southerners put in a great burst, but it proved ineffective, and time was called with the score:— Clifton C. Okaiawa 0 Mr. W. Roch refereed. HAWERA (») v. KAPONGA (3). The Kaponga-Hawera match was played at Hawera, the home team winning by 9 to 3. Kaponga kicked off against a keen wind, and Hawera at once set up a forward rush. Presently Hawera set up a vigorous attack and had Kajxinga defending their line, when for off-side play the visitors were penalised, but Bailey’s shot at goal failed. The Kaponga vanguard tiien forced play, and for a brief period had Hawera on the defensive. Then Hawera gained the advantage. Fogarty marked, but kicked too hard, and Kaponga forced. Some hard scrumming.here took place, the ball going out hi the visitors’ twenty-five, and in loose play Day secured the ball and got over. Cameron's kick failed. Hawera again attacked, and had the visitors on the defensive and Kaponga were again forced. Lynskey received a slight injury. For off-side play A. West (Hawera) kicked a good goal, and at half- | time the score was: Hawera 6, Kaponga 0. On changing over with the wind in their favor, Kaponga set out to try and equalise matters, but the good collaring of the home forwards broke up Kaponga’s open play tactics. Soon the Kaponga forwards, with the ball at toe, carried the leather over, and Hawera forced. The visiting forwards still kept up the pressure until the Hawera backs secured the ball, and aftfitf a fast passing rush Kaponga were forced.’ The visitors returned] to the attack, and for an infringement, Mick Malone kicked a good goal from nearly half-way. Hawera forwards were now forcing the pace, and had Kaponga defending their lide, but only for a brief period. Then the ball went out to the Hawera back, Wilkinson, who outpaced the Kaponga backs and scored a brilliant try behind the posts. Cameron had an easy kick, but failed to goal. Kaponga tried again to open the game, but good collaring by the home forwards nullified their efforts. Malone had a shot at goal from nearly half-way, but just missed th; uprights. Some hard plaj’ between the opposing forwards was the order in mid-field, and Malone again had a shot at goal from the half-way mark. The game ended:—

Hawera •• 9 Kaponga - ... 3 STRATFORD (9) V. 3PUNAKE (0). Stratford journeyed to Opunake, and after a keen contest defeated the local team by 9 points to nil. The game was, somewhat marred by drizzling rain. Shortly after the start Radford Iftid a shot at goal from a free kick, the bail falling short, and Stratford forced. Stratford removed play to Opunake territory, but the local team brought it back, and were dangerous. Then Gr’aj- saved, and the visitors again took a turn, but Pennial spoilt a good opening by a bad pass. Then from a scrum on Opunake's line the locals were forced. Stratfofd kept up the pressure, but Tawtaka, at fullback, was playing a great game, and saved his team on several occasions. Opunake now took a hand, and forced Opunake twice in succession. Stratford backs then set up a passing rush, and were nearly over, but a fine kick by T. King removed the pressure, and play was even for a while. Then C. King, with a great kick, put Stratford on the offensive, and Ryan was almost over. Half-time then sounded with no score. On the resumption of play Stratford set up a hot attack, and an Opunake back mlsklcking, Wilson fielded smartly, and beating a couple of men, scored in the corner. Collins' kick failed. Stratford kept up the pressure, and frail a forward rush Hampson shot the bail out, Gray capping a fine piece of play by scoring in a handy position. Collins failed to goal. In the concluding stages Stratford again attacked, and Hampson d'.ved over and scored under the goal. Collins again failed with the kick. The game ended:— Stratford 9 Opunake 0 Mr. Holmes refereed. > - TUKAPA (6) v. PATEA (G). v An interesting match between Patea and Tukapa at the Recreation Grounds, Plymouth, resulted in a draw, six all. The first of the scores was registered by Tukapa early in the spell. McAllum, who was [following up fast, and supported by G. Hooker, beat the full-back (Tinney), and toucned down after a good piece of play. Hooker’s ilck at goal went outside the postal Patea

then had their Opponents defending by some passing rushes well up in the twenty-five, but did not get past the Tukapa tackling. Lively play near the line followed, till Mclntyre relieved for Tukapa, by coming away with the ball at toe. It was only momentary relief, for Patea came at the attack again, and for a time the game was up and down field. Presently a dribbling rush bj- Patea forwards, led by Spratt, resulted in this player scoring. After a scrum on the Tukapa line touch-ln-goal resulted. Further loose play in the home team’s* twenty-five was lively, but the tackling for the defence was good. Oliver had just relieved by finding the line well down the field when half-time was called: Tukapa 3, Patea 3.

The second spell saw Tukapa more to advantage. A smart dash up the line bj- Ennis and Hart gained a lot of ground, but a long kick enabled Tinney to force. Some good individual play followed. A fine run was made by R. Oliver, who broke through from loose play, and subsequently Patea forced. Tukapa's efforts were giving the opposition plentj’ of defence work. G. Hooker had a shot at goal from a mark, and was awarded a no-charge, but did not succeed. It was not long before the visitors' line was crossed. A return kick from Tinney (Patea) was taken by R. Hooker, who touched down after a dash along the line. A fine attempt at goal from a difficult angle was made by G. Hooker, and he just failed to add the extra points. Almost immediately Patea notched their second try. A forward tush took plaj- into Tukapa territory, and securing from a serum Fitzwater set the backs moving. Fred, McKenna scor- ’] Ing. Southcombe's kicked failed. Ensuing' play was at the other end of the field, and; H. Oliver sent the ball into touch at the: corner flag with a nice kick. Play on the •_ line did not enable Tukapa to touch down.; Hooker had a penalty shot with no result, i and an attempt bj’ Crone from a mark was also unsuccessful. Time was called with the scores:— x Tukapa G Patea 6 Mr. T. Hopkins refereed. B GRADE. STAR (6) v. ELTHAM (3). Star and Eltham met at New Plymouth, the game resulting in a win for the Star team by 6 points to 3. In tfce early stages of the game play hovered in mid-(ield, but Star forwards soon set up* a strong attack and took the ball into Eltham's territory, and the latter were forced. Loose plaj’ followed, from which 'l’uku (Star) put a penalty kick over. Star again attacked, and Bridger nearly scored, but was I stopped by Page (full-back), who put the ball out. The Eltham backs then got busj' and with some good passing rushes earned the ball into Star's twenty-five, and had the latter defending Vigorously. From a scrum near the line Bridger (Star) got the ball, but Eltham were granted a penalty, Dive’s kick missing the goal. Star were kept on tto defensive by their opponents, who let the ball out to their backs. Dive took a mark near the twenty-five line, .and put the kick over. At half-time the score was: Star 3, Elthium 3. On resuming some fast play was witnessed. | From a scrummage Bridger made an opening and passed to Tuku, who kicked, and follow-1 ing up, regained the ba-11, but lost it near Eltham’s line. Falwasser, however, was close behind, and he got the ball and scored, Tuku’s kick failed. Star continued to attack, i and a good kick bj- Dunford put the ball out i at the corner In Eltham's territory. From - ; the line-out backs got the ball, but[ their rush was stopped by Sinclair kicking • too hard, and play again came Into their; twenty-five, where Star were granted a pen- i alty, Dunford’s kick missing the goal. Later j Star missed a chance to score. Tuku made | a good run up the line, and when stopped in! Eltham’s twenty-five passed out to the backs, but the Eltham backs intercepted. Their rush, I however, was stopped by Julian, who gained the ball and kicked It out. The concluding stages of the game were keen, time sounding with no further score. Star G Eltham 3 Mr. D. Johnston refereed. OKATO (9) v. OLD BOYS (2). Okato won their first competition (match this year by defeating Old Boys at Rahotu by 9 points to 3. Okato owe their victory to the good work of their forwards, whilst Old Boys’ backs, who were without the services of Sykes, did not handle the ball with their usual precision. Soon after Old Boys kicked off Mane, the Okato half, was nearlj’ over, but Okato were penalised. Good kicking by Wynyard and Sole and fast following up by the forwards, brought play Into Okato territory. From a line-out Wynyard secured and kicked high. Bruce, at centre, followed up well, and touched down. Dolle's kick narrowly missed. Okato forwards now cam© through Mth th© bail at their feet, and Valentine had to force. Shotter kicked down the line, and things looked dangerous for Old Boys, but Okato were too eager and kicked over the line. Old Boys' backs were handling tte ball liicely until penalised. R. Shotter had two unsuccessful shots at goal., Okato kept uy the pressure, and Old Boys forced twice inf succession. Shortly afterwards L. Shotter equalised the score by crossing the line in the corner. R. Shotter’s kick was charged down. Old Boys’ forwards, headed by R. Boon and McDavitt, came again, but knocked on. Walshe made a good run before being stopped, and then Old Boys’ backs took a hand, only to be cramped for room. Hughes tad an unsuccessful kick from a penalty. Okato had to force, but soon after Mane set his backs going, and from a scramble near the line Milne scored an unconverted try. At halftime the score was: Okato 6, Old Boys 3. Almost inwnedtatelj’ after resuming Sullivan scored for Okato from a forward rush. Tanner’s kick was charged down. Old Boys retaliated, and were nearly over, but Norgate and Mane brought relief for Okata On several occasions Old Boys’ backs got going, but failed to handle the slippery ball effectively, and many golden opportunities were lost. Time sounded tyith play near the Okato goal line.

Okato 9 Old Boys .1 Mr. J. Johnston refereed. NORTHERN DIVISION. FIRST JUNIOR. At Waitara Star met Clifton, and were defeated by 14 points to nil. The ground was slippery, and this made good back play very difficult. The first spell ended 6-0 (two tries by Sheahan). In tte second half of the game Sheahan scored another try, which was converted, and Crow kicked a goal from a mark. THIRD GRADE. High School B won their match against Tukapa 14-G. FOURTH GRADE. High School C beat Tukapa by 58 points to Star defeated High School D 21-0. CENTRAL DIVISION. At Mkll.lrst, Midhirst defeated Tariki by 3 points (a penalty goal) to nil. SOUTHERN DIVISION. FOURTH GRADE. At Hawera the Technical School defeated Kaporffca by 9 points to 3. Trios were scored for the winners by Hocker, Griffin, and Russell, while Paterson scored a try for Kaponga.

’VARSITY TEAM’S TOUR. SYDNEY AGAIN BEATEN. I GAME OF HARD PLAY. By Teljgraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. Received June 12, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, June 12. At Rugbj’ football yesterdaj' New Zealand University defeated Sydney by 19 points to II in the third test, after a contest characterised by hard play and resolute and determined tackling. Two New Zealand backs were injured, Siddelis and Jackson, the former by a kick on the nose, and the latter by a kick behind the ear, necessitating his removal to- the hospital. The Injuries, however, were not serious, Scott suffered a cut mouth. Consequent upon strong defensive work, ail attempts of both teams to open the- game were smothered. Raymond opened Sydney’s account with a fine sprint, ending in a t ~ which was not converted. Aitken equalised by running round the backs and getting across. K°al resulted. At half-time the scores were 3 all. In the second spell Sydney got their backs moving. Nothling and Raymond essayed a passing bout, the latter crossing the line but failing with the kick, Aitken again retrieved the position by getting a try, which Harty failed to convert. Both .teams fought strenuously to gain an advantage, Aitken among the backs, and Cabot among the forwards being prominent. A pass went astray when Sydnej•••ere invading the blacks’ territory, and in a twinkling Ward dashed down the field, transferring to Aitken, who scored again. Cabot converted amidst great excitement. Raymond, by good luck, picked up the ball in the loose and got across the line, Nothling adding a goal.—ll all. Hansen next forced his way across, and shortly afterwards was followed by Maxwell, Harty converting the latter’s try. making the final scores: New Zealand 19 Sydney 11 WELLINGTON RESULTS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, June 11. Rugbj- football results are: Petone 14 -h Marist 8; Oriental 21 v. Athletic 2‘. ; I’oneke 22 v. Wellington 5; Berhamporc 17 v. University nil. THE LEAGUE GAME. QUEENSLAND BEAT NEW ZEALAND, SUPERIOR PLAY. Brisbane, June 12. At League football yesterdaj' Queensland beat New Zealand by 21 points to IG. The teams were: —-New Zealand: Full-back. Delgrosso; three-quarters, Davidson, Woolley, McElwee; halves, Laing, McClymont, Polson; forwards, Walters, Somers, Williams, Avery, Tahcred, Pakl. Queensland: Full-back, Fewln; three-quarters. Broadfoot, Brown, Mcßrian; Paton; halves, Bath, Flanagan; forwards, Potter, O'Donnell, Bennett, Richards, Stanley, Johnson, The weather was threatening, and the ground sodden, pools of water making the surface slippery. The attendance was 10,000. Queensland forced ti e pace, and Paton was over the line promptly, the try being converted. The game was hard. New Zealand attacked, and Davidson passed to McClymont, who scored, Davidson converting. Paton wav playing brilliantly. Wilson came on for M.JElwee, who was hurt, and immediately Wilson went over from half-way—a great run. Davidson failed with the kick. From a scrum Bath sent the ball to Brown, to Johnsen, the latter scoring. Paton kicked a goal. Thorog«od went on for Bath, who was hurt. The game continued fast. Paton was forced out. Flanagan scored from a scrum, but Paton’s kick failed. Wilson broke away, but was stopoped by Broadfoot. Some clever passing by tte New Zealanders followed, Davidson and McClymont being the outstanding figures. Following heavy forcing, Brown smartly scored and Paton goaled. Queensland's ascendancy was duo to fetter combination, superior handling, and greater ■ speed. For New Zealand Davidson, Avery and McClymont were prominent. At half-time the scores were:— Queensland 18 New Zealand 8 Wilson started the second spell with a brilliant run, but was immediately tackled, sustaining an injured leg and being .carried off the field. No one replaced him. Laing spurted and passed to Woollej’, who was grassed near the corner. Mcßrian made a run over half th© length of the field, and Ultimately Brown got over. Paton's kick was fruitless. The blacks attacked, and McClymont crossed the -line, Davidson adding a goal. Just on time Somers scored, but Davidson’s shot at goal failed. In the second half play was rough and uninteresting. New Zealand’s combination Improved, and a feature of their play was dribbling. The game ended

Queensland 21 New Zealand **-««- 16 THE SPRINGBOKS, Sydney, June 11. Mr. Pklmer has received a reply stating that the Springboks will play two matches in Melbourne against Victorian Rugby Union teams. WOMEN AS PLAYER?, Sydney, June 11. Over a hundred young women attended the preliraftiary meeting of the Rugby League in connection vrtth a proposal to form ladies’ teams. Training commences next week, and there will be public exhibitions when they bav© graduated. FIXTURES, FOURTH GRADE. The following fourth grad© fixtures trill be “played this week:—• FIRST ROUND MATCHES. June 18-.—High School C v. Star, Racecourse No. 1, 1.30 p.m.; Technical College v. Clifton, at Waitara, 1.30 p.m. I Lepperton v. Tukapa, at Lepperton, / p.m.; High Sellool D v. Old Boys, Racecourse No. 2, 1.30 p.m. Thursday, June 16.—-High School D v. Technical College, Racecourse No. 2,2 p.m. ■