FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1923, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Play in taranaki. OPENING OF THE COMPETITIONS?. FINE WEATHER CONDITIONS. The competitions under the auspices of the Taranaki Rugby Union were commenced on Saturday under flue weather conditions. The results of the senior matches are:— Northern Division. Stratford 11 v. Inglewood 10. Clifton 6 v. Star 3. Old Boys 14 v. Okato 3. Southern Division. Hawera 12 v. Walmate 3. Okaiawa 14 v. Kaponga 8. Patea 9 v. Opunake 6. NORTHERN DIVISION. SENIOR. CLIFTON (6) v. STAR (3). This match was played at the Recreation Ground, New Plymouth, in the presence of about 1000 spectators, and provided a close struggle, the issue being in doubt to the end. It was only in the concluding few minutes that Clifton landed the winning points. Clifton had the advantage in weight, and played their usual strenuous game, but the Star for-/ wards proved very fast, and quite held their owu, having the visitors In trouble on several occasions. With a little bit of luck Star might have won. Play was mostly confined to the forwards, the passing bouts usually breaking down early. Clifton, however, possess 1 seme speed}’ backs, and after they have played '• a game or two together should prove a hard proposition. Star were without two or three oi their usual players, ineluding Dean (fiveeighths) and Hogan (lock). St... go going quickly, but after a spell of up and down play Soffe and J. Taylor sc' up a strong rush, which carried the ball over the line, where B. Young scored. G. Taylor ! failed with the kick. Good play by Sturmey saw Star attack, and shots at goal by Jenkins from a penalty and Sturmey ’ from a mark failed. Clifton backs and forwards were striving hard to score, but the Star forwards kept them out, though Star were forced twice. The local team then got moving, and aided by a free kick, took play to Clifton's territory, where a little later Dunford equalised with a nice kick from a penalty. At half-time the score was three all. On resuming Jenkins bad a shot from a penalty, which just failed. Matene got moving for Clifton, but he was collared at half-way. A great rush by Clifton was followed by a volld Star move to Clifton’s territory, where Jenkins (twice) and Dunford failed to goal. Star were now pressing hotly, and in a scramble near the line Goodwin ran nut, while after a series of line-outs Sheehan forced just n front of the Star forwards. Clifton forwards, aided by good kicking by their backs, carried play to Stars territory, where from a free kick Matene landed a fine goal. Clifton had the better of the concluding two or three minutes, during which Matene had another unsuccessful shot at goal. The game ended - Clifton 6 Star 3 OLD ROYS (14) v. OKATO (3). This match was played nn the new Okato grounds in the Domain. Strengthened by the inclusion of that well-known veteran footballer J. Coleman, the Okato backs presented a strong attacking body, hut their tackling was for from sure. The speedy Old Boys* rearguard appeared to be able to break through whenever the occasion demanded. The Okato pack is much improved, and at times played with remarkable cohesion. There was trouble at the back of the scrum, however, and it was evidently with the -idea of rectifying this that Coleman took the place of half for a considerable portion of the match. In view of the fact that the Old Boys have previously contested two matches. an<t to a certain extent have found their football legs, Okato put up a very creditable display and were unlucky in not scoring on several occasions. The game was fast and open, and It was pleasing to see a diminishing amount of the close forward play which last year made some of the B grade matches so uninteresting. J. Corbett. L. O'Sullivan and L. Carey were the pick of' Okato’s forwards, and M. Roberts and J. Coleman worked hardest in the hacks. For Old Boys Bayly and Sykes were the pick of the backs, hut from the eager vanguard no one could be singled oul. Atkinson, at half, is rapid!’- learning the skill required in tha! important position, and gave a much improved performance. During the final stages R. Boon and J. Coleman had to retire Injured, hut they were nnt seriously incapacitated. Okato drew first blood by a penalty goal k’cked by Coleman, and Doyle soon evened matters. Tries were scored for Old Boys by Bayly and Wilson, Doyle converting the last and also placing another neat goal from a free kick. The game ended: — Old Boys ••• 14 Okato 3 STRATFORD (11) v. INGLEWOOD (10). A fast, willing match was played between Inglewood and Stratford, at Inglewood. Inglewood have recruited some promising material from their fourth juniors of last season, bu* were seriously handicapped by the absence of their tower of strength, Coutts. Stratford also were hampered by some of their best players being unable to play. Following a penalty against Inglewood. Sharrock kicked a goal from an excellent position, thus opening the scoring for Stratford. A series of scrums followed, Inglewood getting the hall in each case, and although Deane twice crossed the line, he was unable to touch down. Stratford defended vigorously, and the game moved gradually away to midfield. Two penalties were given against Inglewood In quick succession, and with the ■second Sharrock succeeded in kicking a goal, which increased Stratford’s score to six. Inglewood rallied, and set up a strong attack, t’Ut they were unable to score. Then the Stratford rearguard got moving and carried jibe, game into the local twenty-five. From a 'line-out Vaughan secured the ball and dashed ■ ever. Sharrock was successful with the kick, i Ut half-time Stratford had the substantial lead i of 11 to nil. I On changing over Inglewood at once assumed ’ {the offensive, and a great forward effort carried the ball over the Stratford goal-line. The full-back snapped it up, and although his kick availed him little, he should never have got his kick in at all if the Inglewood forwards had learnt how to tackle. This weakness of not tackling low was noticeable throughout the game. From the following lineout a tussle ensued on Stratford’s goal-line, but a free kick for picking out of the scrum gave relief to Stratford. Inglewood returned to the attack, their forwards working hard, and Lumsden finally scored and Ross converted. Inglewood continued to press, giving the defenders some anxious moments. The Inglewood pack broke away with the ball at their feet. Bishell got possession and dived over, but failed to touch down. From the ensuing scrum the ball came out to Inglewood again, and Deane scored. Gernhoefer put the ball over the bar as the whistle concluded a wellfought out game. The final scores were: — Stratford 11 Inglewood 10 Mr. Goodacre refereed. SOUTHERN DIVISION. HAWERA (12) v. WAIMATE (3). The Hawera-Waimate match was played at Hawera. The teams were evenly matched, and the result was in doubt until the concluding stages, when the home team showed better condition. Walmate should give a good account of themselves as the season advances. The Hawera forwards attacked from the outset, and had Walmate defending in their *—Attar, hard forward play tha bucks

of both sides tried to open Up the game, but the collaring was sure. From penalties Hawera had unsuccessful attempts at goal. Then the Hawera forwards forced play up the field, and from loose play on the line Spratt got over. No goal resulted. Then Blrchall made a sensational run, but he was collared when within a few yards of scoring. Half-time was called with the score: Hawera 3, Walmate 0. Soon after changing over Walmate were playing hard defending in their twenty-five, when Cameron dodged over at the corner flag. Wills’ kick went wide. The Walmate forwards, by good play, worked the ball to their backs, but a bad pass spoilt what looked like a score. Hawera were dangerous for some time, and then the Waimate forwards attacked and pressed Hawc-ra into their territory, from where C. McKay got possession and scored Waimate’s first try. His kick at goal just missed. Hard play in midfield enabled West to cross Waimate’s goal-line. He took the kick but failed. The game continued to be fast, and the condition of the Hawera vanguard enabled them to outstay their opponents. S. Cameron, snapping up the ball, scored under Waimate’s goal posts, but he failed to convert. The game ended : Hawera . 12 Waimate 3 Mr. A. H. Guy refereed. OKAIAWA (14) V. KAPONGA (8). At Okaiawa, after a good game, the local team defeated Kaponga by 14 points to 8. For an opening game play was fairly fast, being mostly confined to the forwards, although there were occasional flashes of back play on both sides. Okaiawa had the better of the first spell, which ended in their favor by 9 to 2, but in the second spell Kaponga reduced the margin, scoring another five points to their opponents’ five. For the winners tries were scored by Martin, Hurley, Johnson and B. Roberts, one of which was converted by Johnson, while J. Ktfflek scored for the losers, Humphries converting the try and kicking a penalty goal. Tuke and Fitzgerald, the respective full—backs, gave good exhibitions. Atkins, Johnson, Roberts, Guy (backs), Martin, Linn. Hurley, Pcta (forwards) wore the pick of the winners, and Humphries, Lynskey. Kilpatrick, Stewart (backs). J. Kifflck, RammersTey. Thoumfne. and Scott (forwards) of the losers. The game ended:— Okaiawa 14 Kaponga 8 PATEA (9) v. OPUNAKE (6). Patea journeyed to Opunake, and after a close game defeated the local team by 'J points to 6. For the winners tries were scored by L. Hunt, Frank McKenna, and C. Wills, and for the losers by C. Rye and Thompson. A FRIENDLY GAME. ELTHAM (8) v. TUKAPA (0). A friendly game was played at Eltham between Tukapa and Eltham seniors, both teams haring drawn a bye in the competitions. A good open game resulted in Eltham, who have been considerably strengthened this season, winning by 8 points to nil. Play for the first few minutes was confined to Eltham’s twenty-five. Then Tukapa backs got moving, and a fine passing rush, which looked dangerous for Eltham, was stopped by a knock-on. Eltham backs then put Tukapa on the defence, and from a line-out the ball was passed to McLean, who scrambled over and scored in a good position. Head failed with the kick. There was no further score in the first spell. On resuming Tukapa marked, and fast following up by the forwards saw Eltham in a tight corner. The Eltham forwards, who were playing good football, then attacked. From a | scrum Tukapa got the ball, but McLean inter- | ceptcd a pass and dashed over. McGuinness goaled. Tukapa then made an attempt to even matters, and Hooker was nicely tackled when things looked dangerous. The game ended: — Eltham 8 Tukapa 8 JUNIOR RESULTS. NORTHERN DIVISION. First Juniors. Tukapa (18) v. Old Boys 3. Urenui (21) v. Star (3). High School (17) v. Clifton (3). Lepperton (17) v. Rahotu (0). Second Juniors. Star (25) v. High School (0). Inglewood (9) v. Tukapa (3). Third Juniors. High School C (30) v. Clifton (3). Technical College A (9) v. Tukapa (3). Star (6) v. School D (5). Old Boys (6) v. Technical College B (6). Stratford (37) v. Toko (0). SOUTHERN DIVISION. First Juniors. Waimate (6) v. Hawera (0). Okaiawa (12) v. Kaponga (3)« Opunake forfeited to Patea. Third Grade. Hawera (3) v. Patea (3). Fourth Grade. Hawera Technical A (6) v. Patea (0). Hawera (14) v. Hawera Tech. B (6). PLAY IN THE CITIES. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. Results of Saturday's Rugby matches in the cities are Auckland.—Grafton 8 v. Marist Old Boys 8 ; Grammar 21 v. Old Boys-Nov/ton 0; North Shore 18 v. Eden 0: College Rifles 9 v. Ponsonby 8; University 35 v. Suburbs (last year juniors) 0. Christchurch.—Marists 9 v. Christchurch 3; Old Boys 14 v. Linwood 8; 'Varsity 18 v. Merivale 15; Albion 17 v. North Canterbury 3. Dunedin.—University A 12 v. Zingari 8; University B 14 v. Southern 9 ; Pirates 29 v. Taieri Rovers 3; Alhambra 30 v. Union 0; Kaikorai 28 v. Dunedin 9. A LEAGUE TOUR. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, April 27. The Council of the Rugby League decided to accept the New South Wales League’s offer for a team to tour Australia in 1924.