INGLEWOOD DEFEATED

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1934, Page 10

INGLEWOOD DEFEATED

STRATFORD TO THE FORE TARANAKI LEAGUE GAMES. NEW FACTOR IN COMPETITION. UNFINISHED EASTERN LOSES AGAIN Inglewood, which has hitherto shown clear-cut superiority in the Taranaki League competition, went down to Stratford at Stratford on Saturday to the score of 11 points to 5. In its second competition game Stratford has emerged as a definite factor in provincial League supremacy, and has by its check of Inglewood’s victorious march given an added impetus to the competition. Undeterred by an early try by Inglewood with conversion points added, Stratford went on to a three-point lead at halftime, and in the closing minutes of the game put the issue beyond doubt by adding another' point. It was not to be expected under the conditions that the attractiveness of League play would show itself, but this was offset by the interesting and even contest provided by a new side holding and defeating the best League side on present season’s play. The win was not as unexpected as might be thought. Observant followers of the game were prepared for a Stratford forward victory under the ground and weather conditions. A sodden ball made it difficult to put the ball out on the bounce, and the pace was resultantly slower. At Western Park New Plymouth Eastern Suburbs were again beaten, this time by Western Suburbs in a creditable display under unfavourable conditions. Eastern was again disorganised by absentees and played three emergencies, including one junior. This handicap was not so severe, however, in the determination of the game as was the effect of poor training which most of the side showed. With Stratford now a. proven factor in the competition Eastern Suburbs will, unless it shows improvement, remain in its present position at the bottom of the senior ladder. Bailey played surprisingly well at half, and Fraser, Hines, Brier and Lile in the- pack did the major portion of the work. At one stage Eastern had the advantage, but as it takes a full thirteen to hold it this was soon lost. EASTERN AGAIN DEFEATED. The teams were:— Eastern Suburbs: H. Lawrence; H. Burke, Williams, Rosser; R. Ninkie, A. Henderson; Bailey; Hines, Fraser, Winthrop, A. Lile, A. Lawrence, E. Brier. Western Suburbs: W. Priar; Wipiti, Houston, Richards; Lash, R. Lewis; McDonald; J. McLeod, McConnell, L. Lewis, Hogg, Waller, Morgan. Western opened smartly for Martin to score at the comer. Western kept up the pressure and when the Eastern fullback was uncertain in handling to clear McConnell gained possession on the line and scored. This put Western six points ahead, conditions being against conversions. Priar had made this latter opportunity with a 60 yards cross kick from near one side of the field to the opposite comer. Henderson cut in smartly to gather Houston’s opening kick to the line and score. Morgan next scrum down was in the second row instead of the front. There was a slip by McConnell and Moorhead snapped up the ball and was over to make the score six-all. Then Eastern had. a turn on top. A. Laurence made a good ran and, tackled by Wipiti, let Fraser have the ball at the right moment and Fraser touched down. The fifth attempt at a conversion during the game 'failed. The score at half-time was Eastern Suburbs 9, Western Suburbs 6.

The Western side made its usual bright second spell opening and McDonald did his bit, let McLeod have the ball and then W. Lewis, who finished strongly over the line. The first conversion of the day by Wipiti would have been a good effort even under the best conditions. Western forwards treated the people to a real bit of League football with first-class passing up the line. W. Lewis again got to work from a speculator, let Lash have it, took the return pass and scored. The game finished in the best style with W. Lewis making a great solo burst over half the field to cross the Eastern line and convert his own try and make the final score:— Western Suburbs 19 Eastern Suburbs 9 Mr. G. Hooker- refereed. THE LEADERS DEFEATED. In the Stratford v. Inglewood match the teams were:— Stratford: D. Vincent, Boyle, E. Vincent, D. Collins, R. Collins, Bublitz, Sharrock, Francis, Linden, Burke, A. Milne, A. and J. Wellington. Inglewood: Bennett, Surrey, Thomason, Hunt, McLaggan, Cowley. Cottier, Paterson, Larmer, Price, Browning, Coles, Hanwright. Stratford forwards held their own at the start, and playing an aggressive game were very much in the picture. The first score, to Inglewood, was due to well-judged co-operation between Hunt and Larmer, the latter sprinting over. Thomason, converted. Bublitz started Stratford with a goal from a free kick, and then Burke broke through to let D. Collins away. He scored but missed with the kick, leaving the score at 5-all. Stratford was having the better of the play and another try by G. Sharrock resulted from his snatching an opportunity in a handy position. Bublitz could not add. The half-time score was 8 to 5 in Stratford’s favour. A burst of energy saw Inglewood holding Stratford back during the opening moves, but better kicking and faster following up gradually gave Stratford control, and it held Inglewood successfully till E. Vincent, facing after a punt over the Inglewood team, tore along the line and touched down in the corner. D. Collins failed from a bad angle and the final score was;— Stratford 11 Inglewood 5 Mr. G. Hall refereed. JUNIOR GRADE. At Waitara, Waitara defeated Eastern Suburbs by 15 points to 12. At Western Park, Western Suburbs 3 defeated Inglewood 0. Mr. R. McDonald refereed. RESULTS FROM ELSEWHERE. League matches where played in other centres resulted:— • Auckland:—Seniors: Newton 32, beat City 3; Ponsonby 17, beat Devonport 2; Richmond 29, beat Marist 3. Senior Reserve: Devonport 17, beat Ponsonby 2; City 8, beat Newton 2. Napier: Clive 12, beat Taradale 7; Ahuriri 10, beat Te Awa 3; Te Ngaru 25. .beat City 8. Dunedin:— Matches postponed.