FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 55, 26 June 1914, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

EASTERN DISTRICTS. TOKO v. TAHORA. The above fixture was played at Toko on Saturday last under moderate conditions, and before a fair sprinkling of spectators. Tahora, who made their debut in the Eastern Districts competition, were represented by a weak combination, consisting of several inexperienced substitutes. This, together with the fact that they played only 14 men, was mainly responsible for their defeat at the hands of the home team by 20 to nil. Taken all through, the play was much below the standard witnessed on the same ground the previous Saturday, and the score registered by no means determines the superiority of the Toko team. Tahora won -the toss an*l had the advantage of a moderate wind in their favor. The ball had not long been in motion when the visitors' line was endangered, the yellows carrying the ball into the visitor's twenty-five. Bayly secured the leather from a scrum and initiated a brilliant passing rush, the ball travelling' from Bayly to Mather, to Cheer, to C'orbett, who drew first blood for the home team. The attempt to add the major points was unsuccessful. -3—o. Toko immediately returned to the attack and had the visitors again penned oil their line. Fergu son made repeated efforts to carry the ball over from ensuing scrums, but n timely penalty temporarily relieved the situation. The respite was but brief, the yellow vanguard sweeping down on the visitors' line, where M. Marfell dropped over and scored. The kick at goal was unsuccessful, the spell ending—Toko 6, tahore 0, The whistle had only brought the teams together when Toko further augmented their score by a penalty kick—--9—o. A few minutes later Tahora were again penalised, but Wiles was unsuccessful with fcli'o shot. The blues Were' now. playiiv .'.wii.h more dash ad

carried play into the yellows' territory. Give-and-take play followed for some time, and though vigorous, was not devoid of a good deal of erroneous judgment on either side. Toko, however, again returned to the attack, their forwards driving the visitors baeli into their own twenty-five, where from a loose scramble Caskey speculated, and kicking the ball beyond the opposing backs, followed up fast and scored, the attempt at goal again proving abortive—l2—o. The lack of condition and want of experience was now beginning to have its effect on the blues, who showed signs of tiring. The yellows, swept the play right to their line, where Lyford dropped over. Mather piloted the leather safely over the bar.—l7—o. Just on time Cheer secured, and racing at top speed, bustled the blues full-tback, and added the final points to the home team's victory. The game was played in a fine spirit and \va,s ably* and,impartially .controlled by Mr Stewart. After dinner at the Toko Hotel, both teams passed a leisure hour in song and recitation, the visitors returning home by the .7.30 p.m.' train.

YESTERDAY’S MATCHES. I’"' ■" '■

Yesterday's first junior matches re- ! suited: Tukapa 6, v. Cljfton 3; N.P. H.S. 29, 'v. Star 8; Stratford,,l4, "v. Inglewood o'. The latter match was played at Inglewood. The first spell ondqcl three to nil m Stratford's, favor, Collins lauding a good goal from a penalty. In the second spell two tries were scored by Rogers and one by Jones, Collins converting Jones', try. In the second junior division Clifton, heat Stratford ; by 20 to nil, and Stratford D.H.S. beat Star by 25 to nil. For the school Coutts scored three tries and converted two, Morton scored two tries and Stanners one.

the Australian tour. •> [Per Pbesb AsaoriiATioN. ] Wellington, June 25. The Xew South Wales Rugby Union has notified the New Zealand Union that- the following itinerary has been mapped out for the New Zealand team:— July 3.—Leave Welligton. July 7.—Arrive Sydney. July 11.—Play New South Wales at Sydney. . July 15.—Play at Orange, July 16.—Arrive back in Sydney. July 18.—Play Australia, at Sydney July 22.—Pla vat Armidale. July 25. Queensland, at Brisbane. August I.—Play Australia at Brisbane. ' August s.—Play Olympic Fund match at Sydney. August B.—Play New South Wales, at Sydney. August 15.—ptav Australia at Sydney.

THE NEW ZEALAND UNION. Wellington, June 25. A meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held to-night. Mr .). Meredith was appointed referee of t]ie Wanganui-Taranaki Shield match on Saturday. The Wanganui Union wrote complaining of the manner in which the North Island team selectors had carried out their duties, adding, "It was a regrettable - coincidence that the players selected all came from the unions in which the selectors resided." —lt was decided to reply that the union could not interfere with- the selectors, and to point out that the statement in the paragraph quoted was incorrect. , NORTHERN LEAGUE CAME. Auckland, June 25. At a meeting of the New Zealand Rftgby League, held.to-night, the fellewiig itinerary adopted as tk« (

final arrangement for the British team's tour of the Dominion: — July 12.—Arrive at Auckland. July 15.—Play Hawke's Bay. July 18.—Play Wellington. July 23.—Play Taranaki. July 25.—Play Auckland. July 30.—Play Wanganui. August I.—Play New Zealand, at Auckland. August 3-—Leave Auckland for Sydney.