FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4, 9 May 1913, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE THURSDAY GAMES.

FORM AT A GLANCE

STRATFORD (23) v. ELTHAM (0)

The opening games in tlic first round of the Taarnaki Rugby Union matches woo played yesterday afternoon. Stratford were drawn to play Eltham on the latte’s ground, and started the season in an auspicious manner by gaining

fairly easy win. The teams were;—

Stratford.—Kivell, Tocker, Brown, Wood, Dobson, Olliver, Spratt, Sullivan. Fearon, Anderson, Bonner, Stewart, Boon, Woods, Dewar. Eltham. —0. Glentworth, E. Glentworth,' McAlpine, Anderson, Murray, Loveridge, Willy, Ongley, Osborn, Bunn, Rich, Hardley, Beard, McDonald, Xarby. THE PLAY. Eltham having won the toss decided to play with the sun at their back, and Dobson kicked off for Stratford. Anderson secured, and following his kick, a melee ensued just on the Eltham side of the half-way line. A moment afterwards the Red and Blackbacks instituted a passing movement, which was spoilt by a forward pass on the part of Brown. Later a similar movement was spoilt by a knock on. A period of uninteresting play ensued, mostly to Eltham’s advantage. A scramble, and the ball coming out oj the ruck with the Eltham pack behind it, a score was only averted by Kivell kicking behind tbo line. A five yards scrum and Eearon header a rush which staved off the danger. Brown secured, but the Eltham fullback saved the situation by marking his kick. From a line-out, Stewart marked and Dobson landed an easy goal within ten minutes of the com mencemeut. —Score s—o Flay recommenced very tamely, being relieved by an occasional passing rush hy the Stratford backs, Dobsor putting in some noticeable work. A good scoring chance was lost hy 13rowx sending a low- pass, after the ball hac passed through several hands. Olliver also spoilt a score by trying tc cut in on his own near the line, al though two men were lying close uj on tlio outside. A second shot hy Dobson went wide. A minute latei the same player tried a pot in the midst of a /general scramble, the hall just landing on the line. Olliver and Sullivan contested with the Eltham full for possession, and a try was awarded. The kick was rcsultless—--B—o.

• Eltham woke up at this stage and a forward rush ended in Stratford’s twenty-five. A Red and Black getting off side gave them a possible shot, but Glentworth’s attempt, although a good one, went wide. Play was transferred to the other end, /and Sullivan scored. The major points were not added—ll—o. For some time after resuming, the game took on a semblance of ping pong, the scene of play gradually work ing up to Stratford’s end, and halftime was called just as Stratford were compelled to force. Score; Stratford 11. Eltham 0.

Eltham took up the attack upon resuming, and for a while kept their opponents penned on the line. However, Kivell found the side line from a. mark, and play returned to the centre. Practically the only interesting feature of the game was the play of the Stratford backs, although they just seemed to lack the necessary last touch of combination and dash to put the desired finish to their efiots. Play was, however, exciting for a period on the Eltham line, and at last after many unsuccessful efforts, Brown dash, ed over and grounded the ball.Kivell’s kick, although a good one, was unsuc-cessful.-—l4—o.

Shortly afterwards, Tocker and Brown burst through the opposition, the former scoring. Kivell’s kick was again unsuccessful.—l7—o.

The next Stratford try, which was scored a few minutes later, was the result of the prettiest piece of work up to date—the ball coming out in front of an Eltham forward rush to Olliver, who snapped it up and transferred to Brown. The latter parted with the leather at the physichological moment to Wood, who dodged the opposition and score between the posts. Stewart’s kick was resultless—2o—o. The Stratford backs seemed to be improving with practice, and a minute later Brown got possession, and running round the opposition, scored between the posts. The kick did not come off, the ball hitting the post and bouncing into the field—23—o. The play until the cal! of time a few minutes later was slow and uninteresting, both teams being obviously tired. Final score:— Stratford 23. Eltham 0. Mr F. Spurdlo was referee. TUKAPA (12) v. CLIFTON (8). Playing at Waitara, Tukapa defeated Clifton by two unconverted tries and two penalty goals to a converted try and one penally. Neither fifteen were up to form, but Tukapa were considerably fitter than their opponents, both in respect to condition and combination. The game was b\ no means a brilliant exposition of Idugby, but nevertheless, considering it was the opening match of the season. it was not to be cavilled at. The teams were;—Tukapa: Billiot. Lnveridge, Stohr, L. Whittaker, Cade, Brown, W. Whittaker, McAllum, Smith, Ward, Harvey, Steele, Carl-

son, Morshead, and Davidson. Clifton: AVaka, Howitson, C. Tate, Goodwin, Kupe, C. Crowley, Elliot, V. Tate, Cain, Hen.sten, Hicks, McDonald, Buna, Lash and P. Jones.

From the opening kick play hung amidlickl, and the hall see-.sawe<] from one side of the field to the other, until a high punt hy Cade saw Clifton just force in time. A “speculator” put the ball at Stohr’s feet, but fortunately for .Clifton the star threequarter mulled. Several free-kicks came the nay of Clifton, and the visitors retaliated with a mark hy W. Whittaker, just about on the half-way line. Stohr took the kick, and a beautiful piece of footwork saw a goal narrowly missed. The Tukapa pack began several concentrated attacks on the opposing line, before which Clifton began to crack up. A forward rush ensued, in which McAllum and Morshead were prominent, and Cade scored in the corner. Stohr failed with the kick.. Clifton re-commenced hy a series of loose rushes, and for a time Tukapa were hard pressed. A promising rush by the Tate Bros, was nipped in the hud, and immediately afterwards Clifton nearly opened a scoring account by means of Goodwin’s attempt at goaling from a freekick. Clifton were penalised for offside play on the part of Cain, and Stohr, who was in line form with his boot, landed a beautiful goal from about half-way. Crowley was getting the ball fom the scrum in fine style, but Ins confreres lacked combination. Lovcridge essayed a fruitkiss pot at goal, but it would have paid him better to have found the time to darner. Loveridge secured, and after dodging several Yellows, past'd to Stohr, who made the mistake of running blindly into the pack. The closing incident of the first half was I good goal hy Stohr from a free-kick.

On resuming, a free kick came the way of Clifton. Goodwin took the shot, and a goal resulted, the leather striking the inside of the post and iust glancing over the bar. Hearten’d by this success, tho local men became more venturesome. Following ap a dangerous rush, Tukapa were regarded with a free-kick, but Stohr’s judgment was at fault. V. Tate led a counter-rush and crossed the Tukapa line with the ball at his toe, and justfailed to get home. A passing rush between Cade, Stohr, and L. AVhittake rended in the latter-getting over the line in the corner. Stohr made a good but unsuccessful attempt to convert. Tukapa continued mainly by virtue of their superior condition, to have tho upper hand. Just on the call of time, P. Jones and Hicks initiated a very determined attack. A’. Cliff carried it on in fine style, but lost the ball when over the line. His brother, following up well, dashed in and scored under the posts. Goodwin had no difficulty in converting.

Tn ka pa ... ... 12 Clifton ... ... ••• 8 The score was not improved upon. Mr Roclr was referee. JUNIORS. TUKA PA (9) v. CLIFTON (3). The above teams played in the AVest■:vn Park, New Plymouth. West scored one try and kicked two penalty goals for Tukapa, while Clifton scored one try. Mr B. Petty was referee. ELTHAM v. STRATFORD. Eltham sent a weak team to Stratford, and the match resulted in a .lollow victory for Stratford by 33 to ■lil or thereabouts. It is stated to ,e unlikely that this team will go >n with the fixtures. Inglewood forfeited to Star. association. STRATFORD v. KAPONGA. Stratford entertained Kaponga in a 'return friendly match at A ictoria Park yesterday, the home team being beaten by four goals to nil. Stratford were without the services of Patrick, Smith, and Liddington, and at the last moment had to re-arrange the beam. The home team lost the toss, and were set to play against the wind. Kaponga early got going, and the Stratford goal had some narrow escapes, a shot by Faull missing by inches. From the goal kick, McGlade obtained, and tried to force his way through, but was stopped by Carr. Kaponga were still having the best ol the play, and after 20 minutes were one up. Stratford then took a hand, and a centre by East looked like going behind, but Pearce nipped in and pushed the ball across the goal mouth to Anderson who lost a. golden opportunity by skying. Kaponga got into 'heir stride again, and Gorton was forced to concede a corner from which Kaponga scored. At half-time the score was Kaponga 2, Stratford 0.

In 11 10 second spell, Stratford liad a little more of tlio game, but oil the ivholo were outclassed by their opponents, who added two more goals before the close. For Stratford, Way played a splendid game in goal, and could not he blamed in any way for tho score against him. Final score, I _ 0. N.Z. RUGBY UNION. Wellington, May 8. The annual conference of delegates 'o tho Xew Zealand Rugby Union was held to-day, Mr 0. H. Dixon (Auckland) the president, occupied tho chair, and among tho delegates present wore Messrs. M. ,). Crornhie and J. M, ! . , .1 (Taranaki). 'I he Chairman, in moving the adoption of the reports and balance sheet, said that in Australia, South Africa, and America the game was more than satisfactory, and as far as Xew Zealand was concerned, it had progressed on sound lines. The bulk of tho play-

ers in the Dominion were actuated by a fine sporting spirit. Ho had had tho privilege of witnessing a number of tho interprovincial matches last year, and ho had seen fine football and fine players, and when the New Zealand team came to he selected this year, he was convinced that they would have a side that would compare more than favourably with those of the past. It was a matter for congratulation that the long standing dispute with tho New South Wales Union had now been settled, and tho interchange of visits would be resumed this sea-

son. Ho thought this would do a great deal of good for tho game in New Zealand. In turning to tho balance sheet he said that tho loss for the season was £1194. Of this, £Bl7 Is 6d was attributable to tho visit of the American University team, and really dated back for a couple of years, thus making the actual loss C36G 19s lOd on the season. Then, there were tho North v. South Island match, and the country teams matches, which actually brought the loss ou tho season’s operations to £4B, In 1906 their credit balance was £12,027, but at the present time it stood at £10,024, which "was a fairly considerable reduction. IT they proceeded at this rate, the Union would bo in the same position as it was some years ago. In any ordinary commercial institution sound finance was hold to mean living within income, and he hoped delegates* and the management committee would take these matters into consideration. It was, of course, a fact that they had lost £BOO over the American University tour, but he Hoped this Would bo recouped hy a visit to America in the near future. For a. long time, lie had advocated that a team should go to America, in preference to a longer tour. Mr Macassey seconded the motion, and after discussion the report and Hal arco sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected: Patron, Lord Islington; President, Mr Gl. H. Mason ; Vice-presidents, Dr. J. F. Bennett (Marlborough), and Messrs A. E. Devore (Auckland), darken 'Sout|i Auckland), AY. B. Miller (Poverty Bay), E. Kusabs (Bay of Plenty), F. Logan (Hawke’s Bay), F. D. Pel--ling (Bush Districts), F. T, Bellringer (Taranaki), G. Spriggens (Wanganui), A. M. Gibbons (Manawatu), AEaster (Horowhenua), D. K. Logan AA’airarapa), G. F. C. Campbell (Wellington), R. AY. Styles (Nelson), G. Colvin (Duller), J. S. Vile (West Coast), F. T. Evans (Canterbury), A. Shirtclrffe (South Canterbury), H. Harris (Otago), and H. Tressidor (Southland); management committee; Messrs. G. H. Dixon, R. M. Isaacs, N. Galbraith, F. G. AVallburton, A. Lauronson, C. G. Wilson, and J. H. A. Laughton; Appeal Council:; Messrs. G. H. Mason, AV. G. Garrard, and F. T. Evans; Appeal Committee: Messrs. S. C. Fache, E. O. Hales, J. H. Lyuskey, V. Meredith, : and,.E. AVyjie; ■auditor: Mr O. Rember; lion.’■'treasurer, Mr E. Wylie; represnetative on the English Union, Mr C. Wray PalI SGI*. w A X I/V

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Palliscr for his services on the Eiudish Union.

Tho Poverty Bay Union were granted £3OO for the erection of a training hr. 11. ;.■ ' ’ :;

It was decided there should be no ronntry rep. team this year, After discussion, £2OO was voted for.the encouragement of school football. allocation to various unions being left to the Management Committee.