FOOTBALL NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5, 10 May 1913, Page 5

FOOTBALL NOTES.

(I3y “Side-Line.")’ The. football season is now fairly I with us, an 1 last Thursday’s matches afforded followers of tho game some! idea of the merits -and demerits of I each team, and their possibilities when i they get more “into the swing” of j things. And yet, as regards “bar-■ rackers,” the number of those who turned out to n atch the games did j not compare favourably with the at- j tendances of former years, and leads one to wonder whether interest in Rugby football is not decreasing. However, as the competition progresses, attendances will probably he more satisfactory. It cannot be said that the spectators of the Stratford-Eltham match were rewarded by a particularly brilliant exposition of the game. Both teams wore palpably out of condition, Eltham, indeed experiencing some difficulty in gathering a full fifteen. ft is not to be wondered at, therefore, that they had to spend the greater part of tho time endeavouring to keep their opponents off -heir lino. Still, they managed to get together a very solid pack of for wards, who grabbed slightly more than a half share’of the ball in the scrum's and on the line-out and also in the loose.

Osborne and Narby were the pic-k----ef the bunch, although one or two of the others require only some more standard. The backs on the other hand showed no combination, and never got going in a concerted movement. They also showed a disinclination to collar, which let their own side down badly at times.

The performance of tlio Stratford hacks shone out more brightly by comparison. Their greatest fault was that, having an task before them, they spoilt a lot of their good work by over-confidence. Kivell, at full, did what little fell to his share cleanly and coolly and never missed the ball. The three-quarters, Brown, Wood, and Toeker aid the five-eighths, Dobson and Olliver, worked well together, although the latter did not seem to play his real game until the second spell. Dobson was prominent throughout. Spratt, at half, seemed disinclined to hold the ball any long O' than was necessary to pass it on, but this was doubtless due to injuries which he had received to his hands. Of the forwards, Fearcn was the most prominent in the loose, and was the most consistent in the following up. The rest played up to him well, each man doing his work without shirking. However, it is in the vanguard that most of the improve-.nt is required, and some shedwork would not come amiss, especially as the pack is by no means on the heavy side. In view of the results of the two matches, the struggle between Stratford and Clifton next Thursday should be productive of a good deal of interest.

The following are the suggested dates for Taranaki Rugby fixtures June 3.—Against Wanganui, at Wanganui. June 25—Against Wellington, at Hawera. August 9 or 16—Against Auckland at Auckland. August 23—Against'Wellington, at Wellington. August 30—Against Australia, at New Plymouth. * September 4 —Against Auckland, at New Plymouth.

Is is possible a match may be arranged with the Maori teams in July at New Plymouth on their return from Australia, and with the Hawke’s Bay team at New Plymouth during the Winter Show week.

An unfortunate accident befel Mr A. Lash, a Clifton footballer, in the final stages of the senior game at Waitara on Thursday. With several others ho was charging down a Tukapa man, who was kicking the ball for tho line. Lash received the full force of the ball in the face and was thrown to tho ground. Dr. Fookes attended tho sufferer, and later brought him in his motor to the New Plymouth Hospital. The right eye was injured to such an extent that it is impossible to say at present whether the sufferer will regain his normal sight.