EASTERN FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 45, 15 June 1914, Page 6

EASTERN FOOTBALL.

WHANCA. v. TOKO, The above fixture was played at Toko on Saturday under ideal weather conditions, and ended in a victory for the home team by 5 points to nil, after a keenly contested and exciting game. The spin of the coin favoured Toko, who played with a strong southwesterly wind in their favour. From the outset the yellows invaded the Blues (Whanga) territory, forcing their way by loose forward rushes to well into the visitors’ twenty-five. A good line kick by one of the visitors backs, placed Toko on the defensive, but a moment later Toko returned and aided by the wind, and the hustling tactics of their forwards, were hammering at Whanga’s line. A free kick to Whanga at this stage brought much-needed reljef. Whanga now bbgan to exert themselves, and carried play into the Yellows’ twentyfive, the loose play of their forwards and accurate line kicking of the backs being a feature of the game. Toko, however, were not to be denied, and some nippy passing rushes among their backs brought forth* hearty approval from their supporters, who had mustered in large forcer A moment later, Kilpatrick broke through and dribbled the ball well into the Buies’ twenty-five. The Yellows were awarded a free kick for obstruction, and Dixon had a good but ineffective attempt at goal. Just on half-time Ferguson picked the leather up, inside half-way, and his kick being quickly followed up, Corbett succeeded in drawing first blood. Dixon again took the kick, and landed a beautiful goad, the spell ending; Toko 5, Whanga nil. On resuming, Whanga, now aided 1 by the wind, immediately became aggressive, 'and had the home team penned on the line. Mather secured the ball from a scrum, and with a splendid line kick shifted play back to half-way. The visitors’ forwards were now playing with considerable dash, and had the Yellows defenfce severely taxed. Hard kicking close to the Yellows’ line gave them an opportunity to force, and play once more shifted into neutral territory. Toko was now keeping the ball on the ground, their forwards excelling in the loose. The Blues’ backs, however, were always’ on the alert, their line kicking placing Toko again on the defensive, a force resulting. Fifteen minutes were now left, to time, and the Yellow forwards twice broke through the opposing pack and carried play dangerously close to the Blues’ line. Whanga’s defence was solid, a high centring kick shifting play beyond half-way. / Time was called shortly after this final spurt, with the Blues attacking strongly in Yellows’ twentyfive.

Mr K. Armstrong controlled the game in a most impartial manner. The visiting team were afterwards entertained' at dinner at the Toko Hotel as the guests Toko Club.