FOOTBALL NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11, 17 May 1913, Page 5

FOOTBALL NOTES.

(By Sideline.) It can well bo said that Stratford sprung an all-round surprise by the apparent ease with which they defeated Clifton on Thursday. Not even the most sanguine expected such an overwhelming score, a pretty even game being generally expected. Still, all credit is due to Clifton for playing an uphill game through to the very last moment with the balance of luck decidedly against them. Although very seldom appearing dangerous, they made the Reel and Blacks work hard for their points, and, in fact, gave a good account of themselves in all hut the scoring line. Their forwards are a solid lot, and in the scrum work had slightly the advantage over their opponents, although they scarcely made the best use of it. When they kept close, however, they generally gained ground. It is also a pity that they did not use their advantage by getting the ball out of the scrum and giving their backs a chance. The ball seldom got fairly into the scrum, generally rebounding off the players’ legs.

As for the Clifton backs, they hardly rose above mediocrity. Tey got very few opportunities for combined attack, and then something went wrong with the machinery. There was an absence of team work, in striking contrast to that which, on the whole, characterised the play of the Stratford backs. The local team has improved out ol eight, particularly in the forward line, since they defeated Eltham on the previous Thursday. In combination in loose work, and most noticeably in their tackling, they were much ■superior to their opponents. Dewar and Fearon lead the pack in splendid style,'and they have evidently gained a lot of points during the last week, being now almost as great a scoring factor as the backs, who also worked together bettor than in their last game. Time after time they got going with beautiful precision and dash, and as the score testifies, they were not altogether unsuccessful. The general opinion is that Stratford now has a team which is equally solid m attack and defence, and which is quite capable of “shaking things up” for the championship of the province.

TARANAKI football association. LIST OF CUP FIXTURES FOR MAY-JUXE.

May 21—Hawera v. Okaiawa, at Hawera (Referee, Mr Fox). "May 22—Waitara v. New Plymouth, at Waitara (Referee, Mr Watson). Stratford v. Eltham, at Stratford (Referee, Mr S. Clark). Manaia v . Kaponga, at Manaia (Referee, Rev. W. E- Stent). May 28—Kaponga v. Hawera, at Kaponga (Referee, Mr Melville). Okaiawa v. Manaia, at Okaiawa (Ref ei ee, Rev. IV. F. Stent).

May 29—Eltham v. Waitara, at Kith am (Referee, Mr Harrison). New Plymouth v. Stratford, at New Plymouth (Referee, Mr C. E. Roper). June 1 H—Manaia v. Okaiawa, at Manaia (Referee Rev. W. F. Stent).

June 12—Stratford v. Kaponga, at Stratford (Referee, Mr S. Clark). Hawera v. Eltham, at Hawera (Referee, Mr Fox). New Plymouth v. Waitara, at New Plymouth (Referee, Mr Watson). June 18—Okaiawa v. Hawera, at Okaiawa (Referee, Rev. W. F. Stent). Kaponga v. Manaia, at Kaponga (Referee, Mr Betts). June 19—Waitara v. Stratford, at Waitara (Referee, Mr C. E. Roper). Eltham v. New Plymouth, at Eltham (Referee, Mr Crossley).

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES

June 3—Taranaki A v. Taranaki B, at Stratford. June 17—Taranaki v. H.M.S. New Zealand, at New Plymouth.