FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 34, 1 June 1914, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAYS RESULTS. Clifton 3, Stratford 0. Tukapa 9, Star 0. Okato 9; Inglewood 6. CLEFTON (3) v. STRATFORD (0)

Stratford and Clifton met on the Showgrounds on Saturday. The • ground was slippery, and the ball hard to handle. Heavy rain showers were ; frequent, and the play was generally of the wet-weather sort. Both teams played as well as the circumstances would permit, hut speculators were in fashion and the ball travelled a good deal more than was necessary. However, there were some few dashes of back play. It must be adm<ted that on the ground the best team won. And it says a lot for the Clifton vanguard that they were as solid and sound as they were, against the line play of the Stratford pack, who in the later stages of the game played with a degree of vigor before which a vanguard with any weak spots must have gone down. Both sets of forwards played well, and it would not lie fair to single out individuals. H. L. Abbott captained the visitors, and demonstrated that he can still play as sound a game as ever. The hacks on both sides were naturally seriously handicapped, and did not show up prominently except in the case of the full-hacks, who by the nature of the game were most often to be found lighting not far in front of the opposing forwards. Both men got rather more of a gruelling than usually attaches to the somewhat leisurely job of full-hack, hut each creditably adapt. ed himself to the task of doing the odd jobs of the game. It will be interesting to see the teams contesting on a drier ground, enabling Stratford's back division to show their mettle. The spectators were highly demonstrative, and tliere was a big crowd of Clifton supporters

present. Stratford defended the northern goal. They worked the ball down into the visitors' territory. The ball was hard to handle, and a promising opening was spoilt by the Stratford backs not being able, to hold the leather. Play went up and down the held for a time, in more or less scientific foot rushes, not much endeavor being' made to handle the ball. One of these loose rushes took play well into the home team's territory, where the visitors were awarded a lice kick, Abbott making a good but unsuccessful attempt at goal. Stewart dribbled the ball'to Clifton's twenty-five, the ball going out. In play again Clifton were forced, and were again forced 'just afterwards. Loose rushes then took play to Stratford's end, where Kupe took a markjust in front of the'post, Abbott failing to goal. Things were opened up nicely for Stratford, but Reid overkicked and a force resulted. Play was then rushed to Stratford's end, but the home men turned the tables. Fearon picked up the ball from the loose, and made a' good run, finishing with a handy kick. A Clifton back held the ball rather long, and things look-

ed promising for Stratford, but a lucky speculator sent 1 the ball to the side line and safety. •Whittington got the ball and centred, lleid taking it and kicking for the line. Young followed up quickly, but was not soon enough to, touch down. Soon afterwards, Stratford were in sight of scoring, but Tate, Clifton's full-back laid on the ball under tlr. posts, Reid running over him. Play stayed in Clifton's quarters for some time, the ball being kept fairly tight. Half time was called with no score registered. 1 Stratford were on the aggressive when the second spell opened, and looked dangerous as a result of a short passing rush started by Cameron, the ball going out when dun gerously near the Vnic. A good kick by Kupe took play well into Strat--1 fold's territory, where play stayed for some time until Stratford was forced, the operation being repeated just afterwards. Goodwin took the ball close down to the line, a scrum following. No score resulted, Stratford holding the play tight, and substantial relief was afforded by a series of short passes between Dewar, lleid and Smith. At this point, Goodwin (Cifton) was taken off the field unconscious, having received, a knock on the head when he took the ball down to the line Krom tight play near Stratford's line Cain dropped over. Abbott failed with the kick, —Clifton 3, Stratford 0.

Stratford wove penalised just outside their twenty-five. Abbott failed to goal, and Whittington booted well up the field. Young secured the ball and put in a good run, but nothing came of it. Soon afterwards Young again secured and alter another strong run, transferred to Whittington, who took thi l ball well within the visitors' twenty-five, Clifton forcing. I'ioni mid-field, the Stratford forwards booted well, making some headway, but the defence was solid. Getting towards the end of the game the Stratford forwards made a determined endeavor to break through. putting a surprising amount of devil into the work, but the best they could do was to keep play in the vicinity of I half way. Time was called with the score unaltered.

Mr V. Spindle carried the whistle