FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 85, 31 July 1914, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

WAIMATE BEATS CLIFTON. The- weather was very unpromising yesterday afternoon for the decision of the provincial championship, W aimate and Clifton being matched. Heavy showers made getting to the ground very disagreeable, and the main grandstand, lying open to the wind, was wetted almost throughout, and the majority of those who sought its shelter had to stand during the whole of the game. The southern stand did not get so much of the rain, and had the further advantage of being close to the play all the time, the fairly strong wind prevailing keeping play mostly at the south end of the ground. The curtainraiser match had churned up the ground to a great extent, and as the rain continued during most of the first spell the ground got slippier as the game proceeded. There was very little passing, and what there was was chiefly done by the Clifton backs, some very clean exhibitions being given which were worthy of remark in view of the greasy state of the ball. The footwork was chiefly of the order associated with a wet ball and ground, find consisted largely of “speculators,” though there was a fair proportion of work on regular lines on the centre of the ground, which did not become very greasy. The Clifton men made effective use of the side line, hut in the open they were the second best team as regards weight and speed of forwards. The small number of place kicks were of a high order considering the state of the ball. There is no use in regretting the execrable weather, but the fact remains that on a dry ground the game would have been one worth going a long way to see. The main grandstand was completely'‘filled with spectators, and a good number were otherwise disposed about the ground, and it wa s noticeable that the majority of those present were visitors to the town. The “barracking,” which was of a strenuous nature, clearly indicated this fact. THE PLAY. Clifton defended the northern goal. Play opened with a little passing, but soon footwork became predominant. Five minutes after the start Clifton were forced, but within two minutes Clifton retaliated and the southerners were forced. Clifton continued to press and Abbott made a good opening, and after the hall had gone through a. number of hands in a succession of short passes Crowley scored. Abbott was a hit short with the kick.—Clifton 3, Waimate 0. This was only ten minute's from the kickoff. Clifton still kept up tiie pressure, and an opening by Abbott and a nice passing bout ended in Goodwin being collared in a dangerous position. Play was taken to mid-field and gravitated persistently to a space in front of the grandstand, where ithe ground had been churned up into the consistency of porridge, and slippings and slidings contributed more amusement for the children than scientific expositions for the Rugger enthusiast. Waimate took the hall well down to the opposite line, but found the northerners too tough a proposition on their own line. Play came down again to mid-field, and Waimate were forced again as a result of a too-hard kick. Clifton pressed, but, a passing rush being smothered, play was quickly taken to Clifton’s end, the .yellow and green men started to coast down the side-line towards the southerners’ (goal, but the difficulty of calculating what would happen to a ball when it was kicked kept play moving about quickly all over the field. hrom a free kick to, Clifton near the sideline, Abbott was again a little short. Waimate had to defend hard for a good time, but at last they took the. ball to the other end, where a kick by Colman from a mark in a good position wus uiiscccgssful. Half-time was called with the score unaltered, and with play working down to Waimate’s end. Towards the latter half of the first spoil the rain, ceased, and the wind wa s not so strong. With the wind in their favor, Waimate took the upper hand, and Clifton wore forced twice in a short time, and were saved a try going against them by the Waimate man who touched down being out of bounds. Clifton then set up a strong attack and gradually worked up the line. lint play changed round quickly and a "NV aimato rush ended in Daly scoring right in the corner. Colman failed with the kick, making a good attempt, however, considering the state of the ball.—Waimate 3, Clifton 3. Play was kept near Clifton’s twenty-five, and a nasty-looking blue rush ended in the ball going to the dead lino. After a short spell of play well in Clifton’s homo quarters, Waimate were awarded a free kick in an easy position, and M. Lynskey got the ball just over the bar.—Waimate G, Clifton 3. In a very short time Waimate came through again, but the ball was very difficult to handle, and a force resulted, another force being recorded within a minute. A few moments afterwards a scrum on the line was taken. Clifton pushed play out, and for a good spell kept the southerners out of reach of the line. Time was called with the score unaltered, and with Waimate pressing hard. Mr A.' Ncilson refereed. THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP. Previous to the big match, the Kaponga and Clifton teams met to decide the second junior championship The character of the play was very

similar to that in the later match. In the first spell, playing .with the wind, Kaponga put on four points (a potted goal), and in the second spell Clifton scored a try which was not converted. THE LEAGUE CAME, [Per Press Association.] .Wanganui, -July 30. The Englishmen met the Wanganui Northern League team to-day. The weather was showery, hat the ground was in good order. 'i ne attendance was about 2000. 1 lie result was an easy win for the Englishmen by 57 points to 12. BUGSY* I THE TARANAKI 1& TEAM, Meuli and Patterson are unable to make the trip to Auckland with the Taranaki B team this morning, and their places will be taken by McCook (Wnimate) and Daly (Waimate).) The following will make the trip:— George, Smith, Kupe, Stewart, Wells, Crowley, V. Tate, Rowlands, Bertsen, Reid, ( McCook, Ward, Carey, Paul, Hughes, Hicks, and Daly. The Stratford first juniors travelled to Waitara yesterday, but on arrival found that Clifton had decided to forfeit the match. THE EASTERN DISTRICTS. The trial match at Toko to-morrow afternoon,promises to be the most important fixture yet held in the Eastern Districts, The teams comprise the best players from all the clubs in the competition, and should the day be fine, a fast, open and exciting game should be witnessed. Furtheir interest is being added to tfio match since the teams are so chosen as to represent the combined districts of Toko and Strathmore on one side and Whanga and Tahora on the other. Players are requested to note that the colors of the former will bo amber and black and the latter black, , The representative team to meet Stratford Seniors at Stratford next Thursday, August -Cth, will be chosen at the- conclusion of to-morrow’s fixture. Following is the S.D.H.S. Junior football team to play New Plymouth High School on Victoria Park on Saturday, kick-off at 10.30: Full-back, Henry; threequarters, McDonald, Clemow; half, Borg; wings, Anderson and Paid; back row, Bonner and En-, nis; 2nd row, Wolfe, McWilliam, Johnson; front row, Kivell and Lehmann. , Emergencies, Harkness, Kelleher, Wilson, Crossley.