FOOTBALL

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144407, 22 June 1914, Page 4

FOOTBALL

THE RUGBY GAME. NORTH TARANAKI GAMES. Tho second ' round of the North Taranaki senior competition was commenced ou Saturday ' in unfavourable weather. Clifton maintained its position at the head of the ladder by heating Tukapa hy 3 points (a penalty goal) to nil. Stratford downed Inglewood by 25 points (two goals from tries and five tines) to ml, while Okato gained a narrow verdict over Star by 3 points (a try) to nil. CLIFTON (3) v. TUKAPA (0). The heavy state of the ground and the grea-siuess of the Lull wore the dominating factors in the clash between Tukapa and Clifton, which took place at Waitara. Neither side was at full strength, Tukapa having to find substitutes for Stohr (who was in Wellington) and Hawkins (who was compelled to be a spectator from the sidc-iino owing to an injury received in an earlier match), glauneriug was again pressed into service in the backs, aud Paul took Hawkins’ place iu the pack. Clifton were without Gain and Taylor, both of whom were iu Wei ling ton; their places were taken by Fisher (an exWanganui man) and I).' George. Tho game was for tho most part hotly contested between tho opposing sets of forwards, who had a very strenuous day. Plenty of vim was put into tho work aud minor mishaps were very numerous. Clifton seldom tried any passing between the backs, going in more for high kicking and following up. What little back play there was canto from the Tukapa men, and it was very poor. The forwards were evenly matched, the home team coming off best in the tight work and the visitors shining better in the loose.

Tho only score in tho match happened five minutes alter the commencement. Clifton were in a good attacking position when a scrum was iormed about 13 yards in front oi tho Tukapa goal. Tho ball came out Tukapa way and AVard dribbled it round tho scrum and as ho kicked the leather a second time tho rcicrcc ruled him offside. To a goodly section of ihe spectators (and some strong Cliiton barrackeis were included) the ruling camo as a surprise when it was seen that Clifton wore preparing for a kick at goal. \ . Tato was entrusted with the shot and his kick went wide of tho mark, but the New Plymouth forwards had charged before tho ball was down on the ground and a second kick without any charge was allowed. This time Tato sent the oval spinning over th© bar and the only score of tho match was registered.—Clifton 3, Tukapa 0. Play commenced fairly punctual to time and for a few minutes hung around midfield. Then the Clifton pack broke away and tho incident described above happened. For about a quarter of an hour play remained about centre field. On two or three occasions the blue and white backs were set going, when xh© collaring w'as found very deadly, and the passes from man to mau were cither erratically given or badly dropped. Little advantage was gained by either side until C. Tate, with a good run and long kick (Clifton were playing with ilic wind) put his side on the attack. Clifton were given a good chance, but Abbott got offside and spoilt the opportunity. Two frees put Tukapa in ihe ascendancy, when Crowley broke away nicely, AVobster saving. George here had to go off, feeling the effects of a knock in tho chest received early in tho game, and was replaced hy Stoddart, who played full-back, C. Talc going up to wingforward. A good run by Bertrand was stopped when Lovcridgo took a nice mark. An interchange of punts found Tukapa well up, hut the passes among the backs were ail upset. Atorshead took a mark on a line-out and Lovcridge’s kick for the goal was short. Tukapa had slightly the better of tho ensuing five minutes, and gradually their forwards worked up and for ten minutes the homo lino was endangered. Paul and Perry wore together in what really looked likely to be a score, but tho latter was too anxious and ovor-ran the ball. Half-time sounded soon after with the visitors still on tho attack.

Play continued of the solid order for some time after resuming, with Tukapa making the pace. Twice Kupe was tho stumbling block in back rushes by claiming nippy marks. When in an attacking position the visitors were awarded a free, hut Lovcridgoks kick was a poor one. The blurs kept at it and when Brown marked Thompson had a long shot at goal, but without success. Then the opposing forwards took charge and rain, followed by a cold shower of hail, made the ground very slippery. Bertrand got in a good kick, but AA'ebster saved nicely. Tho sa-mo player centre-kicked a minute later and T’ocker ran well and passed in to Alorshead. The latter dropped the pass when a score seemed certain. The pace, in spite of the treacherous nature of the ground, was a cracker. The Now Plymouth men were on the right side of half-way when the ball came back to Thompson, who essayed a pot at goal without success and V. Tato forced down, the first of the day. The blue pack carried the ball over the Clifton goal line again, another force being recorded. Paul took tho drop-out and potted at goal. Tho ball appeared to be going straight between the uprights, when it swerved just outside and was forced down onco more. Loveridge tried the same tactics from the succeeding drop-out without success. It was now getting dark and tho atmosphere was very keen. Tukapa were trying valia'ntly to score while Clifton were content to play tho s»io game and wore marking on all possible occasions. Then the scene was changed in a moment. Fisher broke away on his own and for a couple of minutes the 'Tukapa line was endangered. Kupe got a mark right in front of the Tukapa goal, but Abbott’s kick was charged down hy Morshead, who was flattened out by tho impact. #AVith Clifton still on the attack the whistle sounded no time, with the score—Clifton 3, Tukapa 0. Air. AAL Roch refereed. STRATFORD (25) v.INGLEAYOOD (0). The Stratford showground was in a sloppy state for this match and play was Very ‘ 'uninteresting and straggly.

Tho homo team wiAs not up to Soil strength, hut as was expected fluty were too strong for Inglewood. Tho visitors nevertheless put u’O a very fair' fight, and deserved to have had better luck on several occasions. Inglewood won the toss and Stratford kicked off with tho advantage «f a slight cross-wind. The homo forwards took matters to the visitors’ twentyfive. but Raynor relieved with a good kick to touch. Then Inglewood gradually pushed tho Stratford people to the home twenty-five, but were forced back to midfield. However, the reds came again, and there was some lively work only a yard or two from the lino. Straggly'play followed, but gradually Stratford forwards asserted themselves and then Whittington cleared well uphold with a fine penalty kick. Once again Whittington called on to save, and activities remained at halfway for nearly five minutes. Then Whittington got away in great stylo, but was grassed before passing. However, the ball was shot out to Kivcll on the wing, and this player put in a fine piece of work. .Putting tho pace on he streaked right through the visiting backs and touched down near the posts. Brown failed to convert.Stratford 3, Inglewood 0. Shortly after resinning the visitors were forced, but for several minutes afterwards unattractive give and take play followed. Stratford then rushed right to the Inglewood corner, hut the ball was kicked out just m time. Then it was whipped out to the centre of the hcldand Woods ran round and scored. Kivcll converted with a lino kick and tnc score was—Stratford S. Inglewood 0. Cameron started an attacking mow raeiu, which ended in Inglewood ing, and tho visitors were forced again just as half-time sounded without any alteration to the score.

On changing cuds the home ream got in some loose rushes which took them well within striking distance, but Smith sent them back with a well judged penalty kick. Inglewood kept up ihc rush and gradually neared cue homo twenty-five. Allies had a shot at goal but failed, and Stratford swept right back again. They got within the visitors’ twenty-five and YVhitiinglon put in a good run before passing to Brown, who managed to heal the Inglewood backs badly and touched down neaj tho corner. Kivcll inilod with the kick.—Stratford H. Inglewood 9. Stratford kept hmu moving away and the next score came very suddenly. Tho forwai'cb broke away in a loose rush and Sullivan pounced on tho ball. Stewart convened with n kick and tho score was—Siratfogd 19, Inglewood 0. The home forwards mv, began to get the best of them opponents and Dewar showed up well in segue good dashes. One of tlyso carried the ball right to the lino and Inglewood were again given a hoi time. A scrum was formed and from this the ball r. as tossed from each of tho Stratford hacks, Kivcll on the far wing eventually getting ovc-r- Whittington faded to convert. —Stratford 39, Inglewood 0. From now on vhe home team had much tho best of things, and do-spite a spirited resistance by the visitors tho hail remained in thoir twenty-five, hirst a try was scored by Burgin, Kivcll tailing to convert. Then Stewart got over easily, tho same player failing with tho kick. Inglewood rallied and made two good rushes, hut Stratford •continued to have the upper hand, and the final whistle went in the gathering dusk with the score—Stratford 23, Inglewood 0. Mr. F. Snurdle refereed. OKATO (3) v. STAR (o>. These teams met on the Sports Ground on Saturday, a tagged exhibition. in which, little science was shown, ending in a victory for the coast men hv 3 [minis (a try hy Ryan) to nil. Cold showers of rain and a slippery Hall arc not conducive to good football when tho best of teams meet, and it was therefore not to he wondered at that nothing very brilliant was seen on the Sports Ground ou Saturday. The game was willing, to say the least, the opposing forwards playing the principal parts. Occasionally Carey would shine out on his own for Okato, or M. Skipper or Tito would relievo the monotony by a good run. Air. E. D. Snell refereed. THE RUGBY GAME. NORTH v. SOUTH. PER PRESS ASSOCIATIONWELLINGTON, June 21. The North v. South Rugby mutch yesterday resulted in a win ior South by 8 points to nil, after what was little hotter than a mud scramble, lioin Jell during the afternoon, accompanied by a cold, biting southerly wind, and ihe. ground was already churned up by the curtain-raiser between St. Patrick’s College and Victoria University, which ended in a three-point draw. Though it was the bleakest day ou which any match has boon played on the Athletic Park this season, there was a good attendance of tho public. Under such conditions, the game was essentially one of tactics. Back play was next to impossible with the greasy hall, heavy slippery ground, and falling rain. Obviously the game was to kick and follow up when with the wind. South played that gam© and won. North attempted tho passing game, and failed badly. Play itself was not interesting. It could hardly be so under the circurastaneffs. South showed better form forward j and more vigour behind tho scrum. North were probably, man for iuan, better, and their combined work such as there was of it was certainly more attractive than anything the South did in that line, but back play on either side never came to much.

Tho game was played in four spells, and the iirst two were cron enough, with a slight advantage to South, who got the ball more in the scrum and were enterprising in the loose. At the opening of tho third spell, South, playing with tho wind, put in a determined rush, aud in less than five minutes ran up the only points scored in the match. These were a well-de-served try hy Taylor, who heat his opponent Black in a race for a winddriven rebounded ball, and a minute or two later a fine try by Pyle, who took a chance pass and got over in the corner. Graham converted the first, but Cockcroft had no chance with tho second kick. North were near enough to scoring in tho concluding spell, but their tactics were faulty. They endeavoured to open up the passing game, and evorv time failed to reach the goal-line. The following were tho teams NORTH.

Full-back, J- Ryan; threo-C|itarfcors, Stewart, R. Roberts, Stohr; fiveeighths, NPKenr.io, Weston; half, E. Roberts; wing-forward. Taylor; forwards, Francis, Cain, Downing, Smith, Cotter, Wilson, Bruco.

SOUTH. Full-back, Scott; thlroc-QUariers, Pyle, Cockcroft, Lynch ; li cc-eighths, Black, Crawshaw; half, Taylor: wing-forward., Murray; forwards, Williams, Lindsay, iVTNccce, Irvino, Fisher, Graham, fordTHE PLAY.

SouiVi kicked off thoir hacks to tho TrimL which was strong, aud North tvorc sooi' defending. Ryan had twice to save m tho tcot-k of a strong forward rush. The .socevnd tune he was only just able to get it - to touen on the twenty-five, anu' in the *, ensuing scianuie for tho leather G. KoL'orts just managed to force. No'rth ir. some progress from the kick-out, but Lockcrott, with a brilliant run, elude-d the racklcrs aud made pace to the twem V* ive i where tho ball wont out. It drill od across m loose scrambles to the oppor.i and from tho throw-in Ranji AViis m an bn led awav to safer territory. Froi. a tIiC hncout; Taylor kicked high for t\ centre but tho ball was carried by ■ *ho wind too far, and Stohr, forced South wore pressing all :he*tiiuc, and next minute were down again. Ajjotncr force resulted, and again th e couth camo down, and dim Ryan's . kno xick was swung back to n bad pot it:on in touch. Still attacking. Son 4. a wore soon awarded n penalty lor an poncut (U. Roberts) lying on the ball- I -'.'aham just missed the posts with llu ' ’xmk. North were always on the dot •■umvo. Alter an interval of mere even -way, Graham had another penally M ,n hi goal, but the ball wont wide. M opened a North rush just ns tho v' dstlo wont tor quarter-lime. There had been no score, and North now had tho * nml. The Biark. opened the second qua rlor with a determined attack, ami Si 'at I was penalised for hanging on the \ ine with the .Black forwards over him. Su >Lr took tho kick and narrowly missed r. ho posts. South came h;w-k, and n<-tr.rdlyr crossed the lino at midway-—'■-mnel.u.n, North had not succeeded in doing ca, their sped—against the wind. It vras not for long. North were soon down again, and MTGnzie made a good attempt lo work through. The wind was exceedingly strong, and Cockerel t s kick for the lino curved right hack to touch behind his initial position. At length tiic South forwards, who were oniplaying their opponents in the le.;-e. luoyo avgiy with a hue dribbling rush, dim Ryan atiempied to pot, but failed, and again the South Islanders came haex with a sv.T-*ping onslaught, penetrating to the North I wentyTrve, where the ball wm.u into touch. A.rtcr an interval c.i even plav iu tho North tvrritory, nndisl. i!i<:,iis!ii-:l by aiiv incident, the Blacks a gin pet awav- Then eame jMe first- 'lash ot bach play yet seen. .M Tvrnzic tucked up mu of tin* mud and pawd to Stewart, who made a good run and passer] m again. IN Roberts look it and slung mu to R. Roberta. who feinted and .'dipped through a/oong half a dozen v.diiics. hut eventually slipped and fell In the mud. (Vif-kcroE vra.s duiinguisiied in getting tiie ball ;. cud with 'Taylor managed to reach .VaR-way. Jim Ryan ret ntmed with n Ime T- if ’k to tone) i , nml South had a longh ihnio oi it in tho teeth of the ino»l, sire vnous attack so far. dim up.-diot was that South hold their own throughout the spell, and when tho bell worn for lia Uriivic there wa-> no scon-. 'things Jivtncd up a groat deal ro* the opening of tho udrd quarter. 'The Blacks made a dc:.u!?ory ioray against the wind, but did not panel rale far. South was scon down again, and Ryan had to make good with cas'mtd linokicks to restore anything hko the b.danc.>. At length Son!-', opened out with a. strong rj-h. R. Robert.- picked up in the face of the attacking forwards. am! utU-Lup:- -d l«» lor touch. The bail rebounded from anotlu r player, m-’d. swept by i!u* wind, careered towards the goal-line. I jure v. as a great rr.<v for the 'tali between Taylor, Stohr and Jim Ryan. Taylor, with a hiilliani sprint, finished fir it., .and slid with the ball under him right to the fence, it was a tine try. v.vll earned. Graham, from right in front of (lit.* goal, safely piloted tho hall lad ween the posts amid tho applause of the crowd. South 5 North 0 “Now North will wake things up.” said somebody in tine croud, but it was South who did ii. A vehement, forward rush carried tho hall riglii down towards tho North lino near the. center (lag. Pyle took a pass at high sneid with one arm. and scored a kmc try. Tho line umpire had his flag tip, hub the referee overruled him. Cockcroft took the kick, but could not accomplish trlial- was well nigh an impossihiljty with an acute angle, greasy ball, and heavy turf. South 8 North 1) The pace now eased up a good deal. North held their own ior u dull few minutes. Tho game degenerated into scrambling in tho mud, ant! Sourly with the wind and tho weight of their lorwards, gradually worked their way t-j the North twenty-five. Here there were some brilliant rallies. South had hard linos in not scoring, but the defence was improving. The closing stages of the game were characterised by desperate North attacks, with equally staunch and determined defence on tho part of the Smith. Cockcroft displayed (me generalship in his tactics, while North missed their chances through try big to pass too much, or kicking t,/.j hard. It was a giim struggle in the falling darkness, and North several limes camo within an aco of getting over. Stohr had particularly hard lines in one corner. South were not content with defending ail the time, bub more than once crossed the midway line, and even reached tho North twenty-five. North made, valiant efforts, blit it was too laic. The fatal hell went, and North were left scoreless, the final result being:— South S North 0 Mr. J. Francis controlled tho game. THE TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA. WELLINGTON, Juno 20. Tho following team was selected last night for tho tour ot Australia, leaving Wellington for Sydney on July 3;— Backs.—Green (West Coast), Taylor (Can torbury), AY ©stem (Auckland), AUKenzie (Auckland), Black (Otago), tt. Roberts (Taranaki), Lynch (South Canterbury), O’Brien (Auckland), Lovcridgo (Taranaki), Jim Ryan (Wellington).

Forwards.—lL AVilliams (Otago), Francis (Wellington), Cain (Taranaki), Bruce (Auckland), Irvino (Southland), Downing (Auckland), Graham (Otago), Ranji Wilson (Wellington), Can-oil (South Auckland), M'N’eeco (Southland), Fisher (Buffer), Hurray (Canterbury).

Of these, M’Kcnzio, Taylor, li. Rob-

erts, Lynch, Lovcridgo, Williams, Cain, Bruce. Downing. Graham, and Murray were members of tho team that toured California last year. AVAIRARAPA (3) v. WELLINGTON (6). CARTERTON, June 21. Wairarapa met Wellington on Saturday in a howling southerly, and wore defeated by 6 points to 3. Wellington won the toss, and defended.the southern goal, with tho wind and rain behind them. In spite of thi.s, AVairarapa forwards more than hold their own, and continually pressed. From a long kick from Wellington’s twenty-live lo the Wairarapa twenty-five, a scramble occurred, and Taggart scored under the goal. The try was not converted. There was no further score up to halftime. In the second half it was expected that Wairarapa would score vigorously, but tho exertion of the first half had palpably weakened them, and though they pressed continuously they could not score till about half-way through, when V. Johnson, from a forward rush, fell on. the leather. M/Kcnzio failed to goal. Wairarapa continued pressing, and Wellington accepted .-evI oral forvo.s. With n minute lo go. V/el--1 lingion forwards broke away and ran the hall to AVairarapa’s twenty-five. A “speculator'' across the field was picked up wonderfully hy Fa ire. who ran in aud -cored a iry. which was uncoiivorled. and lime wa* called. I’lay throughout was merely a mud scramble, and in tins depart incut Wairarapa outclassed their opponents. QUEENSLAND v. NEW .SOUTH . WALES. HT ELECTRIC TEnnoUAPH—COPYRIGHT. SYDNEY, Juno 21. Th? Queensland Rugby loam beat New South Wales hy Iu points to lb AUCKLAND MATCHES. PUP. 1 P.lgs ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND. Juno 2‘i. Fooi hall matches on Saturday resulted as loffow.s: City and Ronsouby drew, r.o M-jre; I aiveisu.y boat Marist Brothers. 8 points to nil. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. WELLINGTON, June 21. Thistle heat Sv. fits. 7 goal* to nil; V.M.C.A. hen: J'otoue. 3 u> 1: Rovers heat Brooklyn, J Lo 2.- Tile DiamomlsWanderers match was not played owing !to tiie woL ground. AUCKLAND. Juno 2(. Thi-iif beat. North Sucre. •) go as -o ;2; Corinthians and Carlton draw. 2-p.tl-, ; Kverien beat V.M.C.A.. 2 to nil; Aduil | School boa!' Broiherhood, 2 to I. THE LEAGUE GAPdE. ENGLAND DEFEATS QUEENSLAND. i>7 KLFWn'.IC TIiU.GUAI'H.—CO w V R!C JIT BRISBANE. June 20. England defeated Queensland by -2 poiets t<» 8, atur loading iu h.Ed-tnnc hy It iu 0. Tho weaJmr war .fine, and liio attendance was 12.002, The game throughout w.m, fast and strenuous, and at limes rough. England's torwarrg proved mo heavy, and beat tiuiir opponents both in the t.hif.k and in rite The visiting harms, particularly VV agstaif and Moorchmiee■, were brilbut were frequently penalised for olVsuV play. Queensland forwards -played n game, v.hdo the backs, {hough lacking combination, pur up u sple-uaicl fight. uebesive gmc. For England. Mocmehem.;f .-ronN i"vo tries ami Wags.all. Cold riel,. Mai? and Roberts, mm rnii. '[Toma.- <mr-'ei'cd one. aud j.oivaiaiio kicked a iv.k-mV gmd. For Q-a .-nmn.-.d V. Bolew>ki kicked Him - pemdiy g.n.is aud il. BoieWshi one. .MATH! AT WEUbiNGTON. WELLINGTON. -Hmo 21. O’dy one L,;i„.ua mama w/.'O got off. Newtown bjatiug Pc tone by I I paints AUCKLAND .MATCHEE. AUCKTiAND, Juno 21. Po.uscnliv her:*. Non h Sljoit. 2 noum.s to nil: Newi.ru band Graftmu 16 to 1; Cdy beat Oiahuhu, n to 3.