FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 139, 4 August 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI v. NORTH ISLAND. Tho above teams met at the Recreation Ground, New Plymouth, yesterday. There was an excellent attendance of the public, including a good number from Stratford, Hawera, and other stations along tiio lino. The weather was lino and bright, and tho wind was light. Mr. F. Spurdlo controlled the game. Tho Teams. The teams lined out as follow s:— North Island— McKenzie, O’Connor, N. Winiata, Darby, Lennard, Morgan, Mcxtcd, Carrol, Winter, Barry, Downing, Bailey, W. Winiata, Desmond, Smith. Taranaki — M. Cain, Osborne, Young, Tamu, Dewar, Whittington, C. Sheahan, Taylor, Brown, Mynott, McLeod; Roberts, Stohr, Cameron, D. Ryan, First Spcli.

Very soon after the kick-off North Island forced play to Taianaki’s lino, where they were given a free-kick, tho ball just failing to go over the bar. A httlo later play was .right on Taranaki’s lino, when Taranaki kicked out towards the line. ■ Tho North Island backs were on the spot to sneak a try, but Taranaki saved, and forced just in time. Play went up and down the field at a quick pace for a spell, and then Cameron took a neat mark from the opposing forwards’ toes, but the kick did not improve Taranaki’s position, and Nortn Island just afterwards transferred play to Taranaki’s twenty-five. Hero there was some tight and willing play, from which North Island came out with a dangerous-looking passing rush, which failed through bad passing. Just afterwards North Island took the ball over the line, but could not ground it. Taranaki worked play down to half way, and by the help of a free-kick momentarily took play to North Island’s twenty-five/ But play at once gravitated again to Taranaki’s line, where a free-kick gave the homo team much-needed relief. Play was pushed slowly to North Island’s twenty-five, and a score looked imminent when O’Connor, the last man, hesitated with tho ball and was prevented from getting in bis kick. Ho passed out, however,, and a few speculators brought relief. But North Island a little later kicked unwisely across the field, and Cameron picked up the ball when ho had a fairly clear run in. He sot out for tho line, but tho few visiting backs in bis track were solid and ho came down. The attack, however, was not stopped, and North Island had a nervous time until the ball was safely forced. On resuming play Taranaki made a better showing, instituting a number of passing attacks. While one of these was in progress, and when Taranaki appeared to have a good chance of crossing the lino, they wore given a free-kick, putting the ball over nicely. Taranaki 3, North Island 0. After a considerable spell of give-and-take play the ball was taken close down to the homo team’s line, where North Island took a good mark in a nice position, McKenzie putting tho ball over.

North Island 3, Taranaki 3. Play then’ settled down in Taranaki’s twenty-five, and a scrum on tho lino relieved the homo team after a. line piece of pretty short passing by the visiting backs. Shortly afterwards Cameron once again got tho ball in a good position, and streaked for the line, but was brought-down five yards from it, and North Island relieved and got up an attack, which Taranaki converted into an attack on their part, the half-time whistle going when the ball had been booted by Stolir into North Island’s twenty-five. Second Spcfi. Soon after tho opening of tho second spell, Stohr took a penalty kick at about half way, but the ball missed by a narrow margin. Taranaki were then troublesome on the visitors’ line, but wore very soon put on the defensive. Play was stopped for a short time at this point owing to Brown being put out of action temporarily by a knock on tho head. Prom a 'linoout in their own twenty-five Taranaki set up an attack, working jthe ball up the field with attractive tmekicking, but they wore forced back to half way, whore Stolir had another unsuccessful shot at goal from a penalty. After give-and-take play of a vigorous but undecisive nature North Island Were given a free-kick, but the ball did not go over. In a few minutes Stolir had to taljo a speculative kick when pressed, and the ball was well taken by Darby, who centred. Tho ball was then passed neatly and was ultimately grounded near tho corner. The kick at goal failed. North Island 6, Taranaki 3. Within a very short time North Island had another dangerous passing attack in operation, but Prince saved nicely, preventing an almost certain score. Taranaki worked play up to tho visitors’ end, and in the" twentyfive Brown got the ball, and after a useful run, passed the ball, which finally got to Cameron, who grounded it over the line. Stohr added the major points.

Taranaki 8, North Island 6. Taranaki pushed play down on the visitors’ line, but the visitors relieved and tight play in midfield followed. Once again North Island had their lino in danger, but a good kick by Darby, which ho followed well, took play to the other end, whore a shot at goal in a good position was charged down. Play continued up and down the field, mostly in Taranaki’s favour, for a long time. Then Taranaki were given a free-kick for an infringement, Stohr putting the ball over. 1 Taranaki 11, North Island 6. North Island, with only a few minutes to play, livened things up considerably, and attacked strongly, but no-time was sounded without any further score. MAORI TOURING TEAM. The Maori touring team played Wairarapa yesterday, the game resulting in a draw—three points all. The following team has been chosen to represent Taranaki against the Maori touring team at Stratford on Thursday next: — Full-back: Coleman. Three-quarters: Goodwin, Stohr, and Cameron. Five-eighths : Mynott and McLeod. Half-back: C. Brown. Wing-forward: Taylor. ‘ Forwards: Cain, Osborne, Young, Tamil, Whittington, Hawkins, and Kissick. Peppermint Cure. Never fails. 1* For Influenza take Woods’ Great 6d t 2a 6d*