FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 97, 14 August 1914, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI (22) v. WAIRARAPA (3)

Taranaki (amber and black), and Wairarapa (green) tried conclusions at the Showgrounds yesterday lor the Ranfurly Shield, the result being an easy win for Taranaki. The weather kept fine for the best part of the game, only a few showers falling. The attendance was not extra largo, but the grandstand was full of spectators, who were in an impartial and, at times, jocular mood. The ground had been well soaked with rain and the ball was difficult to handle. The homo team was the better both back and forward. The visitors’ forwards lacked weight, though they played with dash, and their backs failed to handle the hall with anything like the precision of the home back division. However, play was not by any means one-sided, and the big score against the visitors was largely duo to their failure to maintain the defence on sound lines in their own quarters. McKenzie, the visitors’ captain, was the most prominent man on the side, playing soundly and kicking in fine style. Column took part in most of Taranaki’s operations, acquitting himself well as usual. C Young had a day out, scoring four of Taranaki’s six tries. The Wellington Methodist Mission boys’ band rendered selections before the match and at half time. Mr W. »J. Meredith, Christchurch, acted as referee. Taranaki won the toss and defended the southern goal. By line play the ball was taken dowm to Tsfranaki’s quarters, but open play sent it down close to the visitors’ line, the green full-back kicking to the line and safety. From mid-field play Taranaki set up a loose rush, Stohr racing for the ball, but the visitors forced. From the kick, play was taken to mid-field again, but Column picked up and gave a good pass to C. Young, who had no difficulty in scoring under the posts. Stohr’s kick failed. Taranaki 3, Wairarapa 0. On resumption give and take play ensued for some time, in which the visitors made a good showing. Stohr secured the ball w r ell- in Taranaki’s quarters, and kicked high. He followed up quickly and tackled the man wdro took the ball, but nothing came of the opening. After'a visit to the home twenty-five, the greens, in midfield, made a good passing rush, spoilt, however, by a faxdty pass, near the end of the line* The visitors worked down the line and began to look dike scoring, hfit a, good speculator byi Caiman sfeyed' the‘situation. iVom-ai solid, rush scored : Taranaki’s next'. try; near thd’qfbsfe. converted.— ' Taranaki'S, Wairarapja ft. ... < ;■ . 1

Play 'was very uninteresting for a. ]ong spell;, swinging I about mid-fiel 1, though once Whittington gained a let of ground with a good line kick. Play was taken close to the visitors’ line. Dewar got the hall from tight forward play, and after passing through the hands of Patterson and Brown it came to Young, who once again had practir, cally nobody to-beat, scoring in a bandy position. The kick failed.—Taranaki 11, Wairarapa 0.. .., The spell dnded sooil afterwards with the score unaltered. The play was in favor of Wairarapa after the opening of the second spell, who got the bhir from the.scrums on nearly all ocasions. Play was more often in yellow territory than in the green quarters, v and an ugly-looking green rush was only, stopped by a mark by Whittington. The visitors continued the- pressure, and when the ball came out from a ’ good spell of tight play, Taranaki was lucky to force But almost directly afterwards Eedinond .secured the ball and dashed over. The kick was not too easy and McKenz’e’s direction was not good.—-Wairarapa 3, yfaranaki 11. Taranaki missed a sco.e twice m quick succession. Play wrs tal-en to the green end and Stohr had a kick from a mark. The angle was not good and the goal was just missed. Just afterwards Taylor got the ball not far from the line, with a clear run in. but lacked - the necessary speed and was collared. Tarangki now had the best of the play for a spell, and the greens were forced twice. Thereafter play was shifted to mid-field, where it was, strenuous, though neither side could claim much advantage. Whittington had been playing football a good.deal below interprovincial standard all the game, but he 'made friends with the grandstand by getting Taianaki’s next score. The ball came bis way and it looked as if he would repeat the operation of mulling, but be held it and made a good run fiom near half-way, beating several men and grounding in a nice position. Stohr goaled.—Taranaki 16, Wairarapa 3. Soon afterwards Young scored, getting the ball at the finish of a good rush. The kick failed,— Taranaki 19, Wairarapa 3. In a few minutes Young scored again near the corner, Column failing with the kick.—Taranaki 22, Wairarapa 3. The game ended without further score, with the ball iu neutral territory.

NEW ZEALAND V. AUSTRALIA. ) [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] Sydney, August 13. The Australia-Now Zealand football match will be started early, to enable .players to catch the steamer homo.. V/ELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIPS CLOSED. [Phk Press Association ] Wellington, August 13. The Wellington Rugby Union now has decided to close all competitions for the season, as a result of the inroads made on membership of + teams in various grades. The junior championship goes to Sclwyn, third

class to the Old Boys, the fifth to Petone, and sixth to Petone. Selwyn and Berhampore arc leading in the fourth class, and the disposition of honors has not yet been decided. TARANAKI JUNIOR CUP TIE. At Inglewood yesterday 'iukapa and Stratford met to decide the junior cup tie in the northern division, Tukapa winning by 14 points to 5.