NO SCORE AT WAITARA

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1935, Page 9

NO SCORE AT WAITARA

CLIFTON ATTACKS FAIL INGLEWOOD PENNED IN OWN HALF HOME TEAM LACKS FINAL THRUST. Although pinned close to the O oal-line for almost the duration of the match, Inglewood was not faced at any time in Saturday’s match at Waitara with a Clifton movement meritorious enough to penetrate the tenacious defence. Losing the advantage of strong attacking positions time after time through icrum infringements, Clifton went close to scoring on more than half a dozen occasions, only to lack the final thrust that would have meant well-earned points. The game ended without score. Only twice did Inglewood show any sign of taking the offensive, at the beginning of the first spell and the end of the second. In the first period the team was driven back by Collins’ exceptional soundness and in the second it was unable to produce any cohesion capable of penetrating a Clifton defence somewhat discomfited by gradually waning hope of a win. Play was confined mostly to the forwards and did not reach a high standard except on the part of Collins, whose command of full-back play placed Clifton constantly in favourable situations. Three. Clifton dropkicks and two penalty kicks against a cross-wind went close to providing points. Playing without much system, Inglewood was saved frequently by sound work by the full-back, L. Coriett, who was always to be found in the crucial place of a Clifton attack. His play was not polished but was' invaluable, while Grant, playing a necessarily individualistic game, relieved the tension capably on many occasions. Niwa’s defence was also useful. , Clifton spoiled its own chances many times by repeated scrum infringements, but Robson’s play at first five-eighth, lacked sting and the forwards were lifeless. 'sen and Wilson played sound but uninspiring football and three juniors, P. Cole, C. Puke and Poti, who replaced the absent Jones, Edwin and Fenton respectively, showed rawness but much promise of better things with more coaching and experience. Devereux was the keenest of two hard-working but somewhat ineffectual packs. ’’ , *

The teams were:— Clifton:—Collins; Puke, Wilson, P. Cole; Simonsen, Robson, Poti; A. Cole, Fowler, Major, Wells, Tate, Olsson, Armstrong, Longstaff. Inglewood:—L. Coriett;» McCallum, O’Byme, Mcßoberts; Grant, Simpson; Niwa; E. Coriett, Devereux, Brown, J. Coriett, Corney, Taylor, Young, DodunAlthough for the first quarter of an hour Clifton had only two Inglewood attacks to repel, the visiting forwards were fully the equal of the Clifton pack, the ability of Collins keeping his team on the attack. Wilson nearly scored after a long kick to the® comer, Poti narrowly missed with a snap shot at goal and a loose rush by Olsson and Cole saw Inglewood gain' the force by inches. - Simpson and Grant engineered a good move that lifted the barrage and Corney continued the Inglewood attack, only to kick too hard when he had dribbled close to the line. The respite was only a brief one and the Clifton pack remained in Inglewood territory for the remainder of the spell. Clifton renewed the pressure in the second spell, infusing more dash into back and forward attacks. The succession of free-kicks to Inglewood for Clifton’s scrum infringements was broken by one against Inglewood in a useful position, but the cross wind beat Collins. Simpson and Niwa changed places but Inglewood had once more to settle down to a desperate defence against the Clifton forwards, L. Coriett, Grant and Niwa saving the side on many occasions. P. Cole and Wilson made an inspired run to the corner, where both were bundled over the comer flag; Poti tried to push his way over from a yard scrum and nearly succeeded; and Simonsen dropkicked from close quarters but was just wide. Wilson attempted a similar kick within a minute ai.d followed up, being beaten in a touch-and-go race for the try by Simpson. Clifton r as awarded a free-kick in front of goal, but Collins’ attempt from 25 yards out was slightly wide. . Grant at last found an opening and manoeuvred his way through to Collins, who upended him i l ' midfield, ball and all. Inglewood gained heart-and .Clifton, following the continual attack, fell into error on defence. Inglewood came near scoring for the first time when J- Coriett and Collins raced beneath the Clifton posts for the touchdown, but Collins won. Inglewood’s effort ended the match, the final stages of which were fought out raggedly in midfield with the visiting team more impressive but unable to show penetration.

Clifton 0 Inglewood • • ® Mr. L. Hoffmann ,was referee.