JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1926, Page 5

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

SCHOOL BEAT STRATFORD. THE LOSERS GREAT FIGHT. NINE POINTS £0 SIX. The game between Stratford and New Plymouth High School for the junior provincial championship provided a great struggle, victory finally going to School by 9 points to six. School did all their scoring in the first half and Stratford their’s in the second. On the day there was very little difference between the teams, Stratford, if anything, having the territorial advantage. Playing close up the Stratford backs did not give the New Plymouth backs too many opportunities, their tackling being very- sound whilst their forwards, keeping the" game tight, also dominated the position, especially in the second spell. The School backs took every opportunity of throwing the ball about and gave glimpses of fine passing, but the sure tackling of the Stratford team only allowed them to pierce the defence twice. School also were very sound in defence, their tackling keeping their Ime intact until well into the second spell, when Stratford, by forward rushes, got over to score twice. The only alterations in the teams were that McNeill replaced Norman in the School pack and Davis was absent from the Stratford backs, McCullough going on the wing. The teams were as follows: STRATFORD. Guy Sullivan Phillips McCullough Robson Hinton Childs Nolan Neal Aagaard L. Hinton Tubby Dudding H. Hinton Sharrock SCHOOL. Petty Watson K. Fookcs MedleyFletcher Galbraith H. Fookes Read Abraham McCallum Buckeridge Wefere McNeill ■*t Riley Eaves School won the toss and opened with the advantage of a slight breeze but with the sun in their eyes. Stratford forwards at once attacked but H. Fookes shot the ball back to Galbraith, who lined. A centring kick by Stratford was snapped up by Fletcher, who kicked well down field and, Guy failing to hold, School took play to Stratford territory. Sch ol backs opening out, K. Fookes kicked to Stratford’s twenty-five where, after some light play Stratford forwards, led by H. Hinton and Neal, invaded with a solid rush that was gamely checked by Fletcher, who kicked well down field. Stratford being penalised Fletcher had a shot that just fell short. SCHOOL BACKS IN MOTION. School backs kept moving, a pretty bout coming to an end when Medley failed to reach a pass from Fookes and Phillips lined. A moment later Watson made a dash on the other wing and from offside play Fletcher landed a fine penalty. School 3 Stratford 0 Stratford forwards at once charged down field, when suddenly H. Fookes snapped up the ball which travelled smartly via all the backs for Medley to shake off Sullivan and run behind to score near the posts. •Fletcher’s shot was a poster. School 6 Stratford .■ 0 On resuming the Stratford pack, led by Nolan and Sharrock, took play to School’s territory, but it was not for long, as lengthy kicks by the School backs brought it back past half-way, where their backs opened out but Phillips intercepted and broke through, his pass being knocked on. School backs tried to get the ball out to Watson but the Stratford men were quickly on them.) Aided by a weak kick by Guy, School again attacked and Abraham cut through but was tackled, a penalty giving Stratford relief. Neal and Nolan led the reds in a dangerous rush that was not checked till close to the line, where a penalty had School again attacking, a long kick finding touch in goal. Then followed a neat movemnet. Galbraith cut in beautifully and sent the ball via Read to Fletcher, who sent Watson across to complete a fine movement. Fletcher failed to goal. School 9 Stratford 0 Tubby and Neal led the bunched Stratford pack to School’s twenty-five, where play hung for a while until Robson sent a long pass to Phillips, who could not reach it. Keeping the ball at their feet Stratford kept School defending, H. Hinton sustaining a slight injury. A player waiting for the bounce let School through, but Guy, after fumbling, lined nicely. Again from a passing bout Medley was away, beating Sullivan, but was taken from behind by Robson who later, with a long kick, put his team into a great attacking position. Keeping the game tight Stratford held the upper hand but found the School defence too sure and from a penalty Sharrock failed to goal. STRATFORD ATTACK STRONGLY. A rebound saw H. Fookes momentarily put out of action. Fast following up saw Medley tackle the full-back but the latter shook him off and lined. School continued to attack, finding the dead-ball line. From the kick off Nolan started a rush that Hinton carried close to School’s line, where Sharrock made a dash but lost the ball. From the line-out Hinton essayed- to mark but dropped the ball. The Stratford pack strove hard but the defence was very solid and School were able to keep their line intact until half-time. School 9 Stratford - 0

School at once attacked upoox resuming, their backs moving in line, but Watson’s in-pass was forward, and from the scrum Stratford forwards pressed and, aided by a miss-kick by Fletcher, Stratford were pressing hotly. Hinton tried to set his backs going but the passing lacked snap and Dudding, marking a short kick, essayed a drop at goal but missed. Sharrock marked the return and kicked high. Fletcher secured and cutting through set his backs going for Medley to be well taken by Guy and Phillips returned .play past half-way. L. Hinton was taken before he could get rid of the ball. School backs again bad Medley gallopping but he was well tackled.

School then used the other wing for Watson to be taken by McCullough. Suddenly snapping up a dropped pass L. Hinton broke through and sent the ball to Neal, whose pass was too wide, spoiling a great chance of scoring. Pressing hotel/ Stratford were nearly

over, Hinton dropping the ball when the line was in sight. Fookes marked, staving off the attack for a while, but a little later Stratford were back again and Hinton sent the ball out to Robson close to the line, but the latter failed to hold. Stratford kept hammering at the line and Sharrock, kicking through, followed up, but the ball struck the post and Petty was able to line. Several scrums ensued on School’s line, Hinton being held up just on the line. School cleared to halfway but over-running the ball Stratford were soon back again and Phillips and Sullivan passing in the twenty-five were promptly up-ended, but R. Hinton, kicking over the line, followed up fast and scored a well deserved try. Sharrock failed to goal. School 9 Stratford ...... 3 A great return by Guy had play at half-way and fast following up by the Stratford pack again looked dangerous till well checked by Fletcher, and from a free kick Sharrock failed to goal. Failure by Read and Fletcher to hold a high kick saw McCullough nearly over, School just forcing in time. Now School backs woke up and a passing bout saw Watson make a strong run,to be well taken by McCullough, his pass infield ,to Fookes being smothered. Using the other wing Medley was away, Robson intercepting his in-pas© and lining near School’s twenty-five, where Nolan led a rush that had Petty busy defending, and culminated in a force. Stratford had the better oi the next few minutes play but the defence again stood the strain and a smart mark let School clear. Interchanges of kicks ended in Stratford’s favour, culminating in a scrum close to the line. From a free kick School sent the ball to touch where Stratford essayed a quick htrow in. Hinton cutting in to be well collared and School broke through only to be driven back by Guy. Keeping up the pressure Neal broke through but lost the ball, and Aagaard scored. L. Hinton failed to goal just as time sounded with the scores:— School 9 Stratford 6 Mr. J. Kiley was referee. TARANAKI RUGBY UNION. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS . A meeting of the management committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union was held at the Central Hotel yesterday evening, when there were present: — Messrs. Jas. McLeod (chairman), W. A. Guy, F. M. Whyte, A. F. Neilson, R. R. Tyrer, J. J. Goodwin, J. Paterson, L. J. Furrie, Jas. Garcia, E. H. Young (lion, treasurer), and S. E. Nielson (secretary). An apology was received from Mr. A. 0. Casey. The chairman reported that so far no decision had been received in regard to the Tukapa appeal. It was decided to play the championship final between Okaiawa and the northern winners on Thursday, August 26, at Stratford in the event of finality being reached in the northern division on Saturday. An amendment that the match be played at Inglewood was lost. It was decided to play the final between Stratford Technical and Star thirds on Saturday next at Inglewood at 2.30 p.m. If finality is reached in the fourth grade competition it was decided to play the fourth grade championship final either as a curtain-raiser to the senior final on Thursday next at Stratford or on Saturday at Stratford. The Coles case was reconsidered by the committee and it was decided to stand Cole down until after the first playing Saturday after next Saturday. Notification was received from the Waikato Rugby Union agreeing to play Taranaki on September 15 instead of September 8, as originally arranged. A letter was received from the Taranaki Referees’ Association entering a protest against being charged admission to stands in representative matches and considering that since referees were active supporters of the Rugby Union a special privilege ticket should be issued to them and not merely complimentary tickets issued as at present.

The chairman said that there was no intention to deprive referees of any privilege but from the number of complimentary tickets issued and the limited stand accommodation it was practically a physical impossibility to provide seats for all holders of complimentary tickets.

The matter was deferred, it being understood that there was no intention of curtailing the referees’ privileges. Notification was received that the Stratford Technical High School A team had won the fifth grade championship, putting up a splendid record, having won all its matches and not having its line crossed once. It scored 236 points and had three points (a penalty goal) scored against it. The Waimate Club protested against Okaiawa playing a junior in the fourth grade match against Waimate. Okaiawa admitted the facts and it was resolved to uphold the protest and award the match to Waimate.

It was resolved to make a grant of £5O to the Primary Schools’ Union. The selector (Mr. W. A. Guy) and chairman (Mr. J. McLeod) were appointed joint managers of the touring team.

The secretary submitted a rough statement of the financial position, showing that there was a credit balance of £5OO in addition to the £lOOO on deposit.

•S. Fookes, a member of the Christchurch 'Varsity team, ought to he able to play good Rugby if heredity goes for anything, states a Christchurch paper. He is a son of Dr. E. F. Fookes, of New Plymouth, who, when studying for his medical examinations, represented England for four years. Dr. Fookes is a New Zealander by birtf i, and when in England he played Rugby for Sowerby Bridge. He first wore the jersey with the rose of England in 1896, then playing against Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and he appeared in international matches for the ensuing three seasons. His son, S. Fookes, is an old boy of the New Plymouth Boys’ High School, and this is his first season with the ’Varsity team. His qualities arc of the solid order, being best expressed in the tight stuff. He has made a steady improvement this season, and should be a considerable asset, in the scrum next ■year.