FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143781, 3 May 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR GRADE. CLIFTON (0) v. STRATFORD (3). The Clifton Seniors went down to Stratford on Thursday, and after an uninteresting game suffered defeat by 3 mints to nil. The match was started late, it being 3.45 before the game commenced,- Stratford kicked off against the wind, which was so slight that it gave no material advantage to either side. There was only _a fair attendance of the public, considering that .it was tho aliening day of the football season Tho weather and tho ground left nothing to bo desired Irom a football point of view, and favoured neither side in particular. There was little brilliant play shown by either side, tho Stratford backs, although not getting tho ball so often as the Clifton men did, made more headway when they did got it, and wore also more successful in finding tho line. Tho Clifton hookers got the ball whenever they liked, and the game resolved itself into a battle between the home hacks and the visiting forwards. There was little or none of that combined movement between backs -which makes the game fast and spectacular, and yet the game could not bo by any moans called a slow one, for tho pace set proved too hot for some of the under-trained men, and before the second halt had been long under way several stragglers were to bo noticed. For Stratford, Anderson was out by himself amongst the backs. “Dud” Cameron also played well at times, and Whittington, Young and T. Cameron did good work amongst tho forwards. For Chiton, Goodwin, although far from certain in his acceptance of passes, played a good game, but Fuller was weak on his wing, Eggleston played a good safe game at fiveeighth. The forwards held the upper baud throughout the game, Cain, Loveridge and licnulsteu being perhaps the more prominent. Clifton had tho better of the first exchanges, and were awarded two free kicks in the first five minutes of play, the ball from the svoml out going out of touch in the Stratford, twenty-fiyo. Stratford now took a, hand, and with a good, passing rush up tho ground nearly scored, Anderson being thrown out almost at the corner flag. From the throw-in Clifton gained possession, and resiling tho ball clown the ground, Fuller picked up out of the ruck, but holding on n bit too long, failed to give Goodwin a pass when he was in a good scoring position. A free kick to Stratford did not gain much ground for them, as the ball did not find touch, tho result of exchanges of kicks between tho backs on each side being that Eggleston obtained, and screwing through three or four of bis opponents, got in a good kick which found the lino. Eggleston soon after made a good opening, but Tate bungled the pass and lot the Stratford backs rush the ball up to the lino, where it went out close to tho corner post. From a free kick Kibbel made a good but ineffectual shot at goal from a difficult angle, and Clifton forced. From the kick-out Cameron obtained possession, hut kicking too hard, a good chance of scoring was lost, for tho ball went over the line. Another free .kick to Stratford, in front of goal this time, looked dangerous, but Kibbel made a poor attempt. Stratford wore frequently penalised, and Clifton had several free kicks awarded them, but they did not gain much advantage from them, as they seldom found tho lino. The whistle went for half time, and neither side had scored. Clifton had been up to this point getting tho ball more often than their opponents, but their backs did not make such good use of their opportunities ns tile home men did. Up to now Stratford bad bad, if anything, the better of the game.

Clifton kicked off, and long kicks were exchanged by the backs, the ball eventually going out. in Clifton’s twenty-five. Off-side play by Cameron gave Clifton another free kick, but tho hall did not rise, and it rebounded from a Stratford man, A good passing bout between the Stratford backs landed tho ball in Jones’ bauds, and bo attempted to pot at goal, but it was smothered. Another free kick to Clifton gained some ground for them, and there were looking dangerous when a forward pass by Eggleston put a stop to a promising-looking movement. Clifton were now showing up well in the loose, Eggleston’s knowledge of dribbling being of great value to his side. A long kick was mulled by Tate, who was lucky to find touch when in a dangerous position. From tho throwin Cameron gained possession, and lacked across the ground, and the bounce of the ball beating Fuller, Anderson picked up and scored the easiest of tries right behind tho posts. Tho kick was again onsrusted to Kibbol. who failed, for tho third time with a very easy kick. Clifton now played up, and until time was called had much the better of the game. A nice passing bout between Tnte, Eggleston and Goodwin ended in the latter failing to take his pass when in a good position. Goodwin made a fine run just before time wasi up, and tho whistle found Clifton still attacking hotly, but the Stratford defence was more than equal to tho demands put upon it. Mr. F. Spnrdle gave every satisfaction with the whistle. JUNIOR GRADE. INGLEWOOD (12) v, TUKAPA (3). This was the only match played at New Plymouth on Thursday, and was won after a strenuous game by Inglewood, who were much tho lieavier team. Tho game, which took place on Western Park, was witnessed by a fair number of spectators. 'Up to half-time the game was fairly equal, Inglewood leading by 6 to 3. _ In the second spell, however, the visitors doubled their lead, while Tukapa could not add to their score. Mr. B. Petty refereed. CLIFTON (14) v. STRATFORD (0). This match was played at Waitpra. and resulted as above after a good hard game. For the winners, M'Davitt, Dimmer, Stoddart, Elliot and Lawrence played best, tries being obtained by M'Davitt (2), Cunningham and Stoddart. Mr. W. H. Elliot refereed. STRATFORD (31) v. CLIFTON (3). The Stratford thirds were too good for tho Clifton team, and in this match, which was played at Stratford on Thursday, easily disposed of the visitors. Tries wore scored for Stratford by Rogers (4), Collins, Merchant, Syme, and A. Syme converted two tries. King kicked a .penalty goal for Clifton. Star thirds forfeited to Eltham. Tho following will represent Rovers against Fitzroy on tho Recreation Ground to-morrow at 3 p.m. (colours, green and white, necessary)Pott, Graph (2), Thompson, Jleid,

Falvey, Crombio, Ellis, Horo, Quilliam, •Jennings, Inch, Monk, and Mulloy. Tim following will represent the Star Football Club in their match against the Okato Club to-morrow: Dewar, M’AUum, Richards, Ooudie, James, Stanuering, Packard, Pycroft, Mulloy, Evans, Jackson (2), Okcy, Gleeson and Martin. The drag wdll leave Ambury’s corner at 12.30 sharp.