FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16496, 25 July 1919, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS (10) r, STAR (9).

The match played between the travelling 'Wellington Tramways representatives and a mixed fifteen from the Star Club in Fukekura Park on Thursday afternoon excited considerable interest and was witnessed by about 1000 people. The weather conditions were ideal, the ground being dry aifd the strong southerly wind blowing not being noticeable in the sheltered sports ground. The exhibition of football was not more than ordinarily brilliant, however, and though Star lost by. one point they deserved a win on the* play in the latter stages of the game. The AVellington men, for whom the game was arranged as a practice prior to proceeding to Auckland, did not appear to be playing right up to form. __ for several minutes after file kickoff play was confined to the forwards in the centre of the field. Then the Star backs opened up somewhat and looked dangerous momentarily. Loveridge (Tramways’ half-back) started the back play on his side, making a good run and finding no one to pass to. Just after this ho picked up the ball in Star territory and sent it to Nicholls, to Bowie, who scored. Loveridge failed with an easy kick. Tramways 3, Star 0. Tramways continued to press and a minute or two later Nicholls potted a goal. Tramways 7, Star 0. After tnis Star gained more cohesion, the forwards particularly showing to bettor advantage, and play hung about the centre of the field. Clitt (Star half) initiated a back movement, but Lee sent a bad pass to iPenniall. The chance was not lost, however, as, after a scramble, Francis, a forward, picked the ball up and crossed the line in the left corner. Handing's kick failed. Tramways 7, Star 3. After further uneventful play Loveridge, Nicholls and Bowie ,who were the mainstay of the Tramway backs, commenced a promising attack, but Bowie lost the ball when collared by Handing, the Star full-back. The ball did not come out of the scrum which followed, and a penalty against Star enabled Loveridge to kick a goal. Tramways 10, Star 3. The Star backs attacked before half time, but their work was spoiled by faulty passing. Soon after the opening of the second spell Star secured the initiative, and the visiting team played a defensive game thereafter. An interchange of kicks ended in the ball being kicked by Bowie near bis own line mid rebounding from Casey, one of the Star wing men, who followed it over the lino and touched down. Hamling was not successful with the kick. Tramways 10, Star 6. Later, Blucher, Richards, and Koea headed a forward rush from and the ball went into touch near the Tramways’ line. Next, Star sent the ball back, and Loveridge (Star) had a clear jam to the right-hand corner. Stanley faked with the kick. Tramways 10, Star 9. Tramways then got a bustle on and took the game to the opposite end of the field, but Penniall and Pearce bj-oke away, and time was called with Tramways forcing. Sir. J. Johnson was referee.

THURSDAY COMPETITION MATCHES.

STRATFORD (11) v. TUKAPA (8),

Playing at Stratford on Thursday the Tukapa senior fifteen was defeated by tho home team. The Stratford men opened with tho advantage of the wind, and did all their scoring in the first 15 minutes. Coutts secured » try which he faied to convert, and kicked a penalty goal. Rich scored, and this time Coufts was successful with tho kick. In the second spoil, when the wind had dropped considerably, the Tukapa backs did good work, but their efforts were nullified by the strong team opposite them. A successful kick by H. Oliver gave them 3 points. The Tukapa forwards were weak, a. number being emergencies. Tho final scores were: Stratford 11, Tukapa 3. Before the game commence!! Tukapa notified Stratford that they were playing under protest against the inclusion in tho Stratford team of the two Carlsons, who have been playing as members of the Eltham Club this season. Owing to a break-down near Egmont Village, the Tukapa team had to send into New Plymouth for cars, and did not reach Stratford until after half-past three.

HIGH SCHOOL (7) y. CLIFTON (19)

High School were outclassed in age and weight by the Clifton team which they mot on the racecourse, and the game had an element of one-sidedness. A high wind was blowing fhq length of the field, and, with this in their favour in the first spell, Clifton had command of the -game, though the school team defended stubbornly. The attacking of the school backs in the second spell, when they were playing with the wind, was by no means up to the. usual standard, and the team was able to do no more than hold its own. Through ■ Clifton being penalised Osborne was enabled to kick a. goal, and then Brown, who probably showed np best among the school backs, was quick in taking advantage of an opportunity of making a drop-kick from play'. Tries were secured for Cliffon by Copcstake (five-eighths), M‘Garvov (wing three-quarter), Taumate (forward). and MTCoy (whig three-quarter). MTCoy did good service for his side by also converting two tries and kicking a penalty goal. The final scores were: Clifton 19. High School 7. Mr. L. Humphries was referee. STAR v. CLIFTON. . The following have been selected to represent Star seniors in their match against Clifton at AVaitara to-morrow; Sheppard. Handing, Copestake, Lovevidge. Stanlev. Hartman, Penniall, H. Mann. -Sutherland, Reynolds, Blncher, Kuea. Fay, Spence. Richards. Emergencies: M. Skipper. H. O. Smith. Francis, and C. Herbert. The team will leave Gihnour and Clarke s corner at 1.45.

The following will represent Star juniors ngaiust High School “B, # at the Recreation Ground.-on Saturday, at J p.m.: Jenkins, Hurley, Tunbridge, Bourke, Belcher, Haldane, Amor, Bow--103% Boon, Sheeny, Mills, Bedford, lHalwasscr, Clare, Way; emergency, Pratt.