FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 55, 5 July 1915, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI v. WANGANUI. I

This match took place at Haueia on Saturday and resulted in Taranaki’s favor by live lo nil, a try scored by Loveridge and converted by Martin. The attendance was better than at the Wellington match, the gate takings being aumt IbU. The weather was perieet, and Hie ground in good condition. Wanganui was without the services ol the Leahy bruisers, and this fact weakened their forward division. Coleman was aoseut Irom the Taranaki team, but Skipper Coleman’s substitute played a good game. The refereeing was in flic capable hands of Mr Aormau A'Cmirt.

Wanganui won the toss and elected to play with the sun in their faces,

hoping to reap a greater benefit- in tile second spell. Taranaki kicked oil, and play immediately settled in Wan-

ganui's twenty-lives. had passing,' However, let Wanganui break away, 1 and for a while there was strenuous work betweVn the opposing forwards. Loveridge obtained possession, and with a good kick Jound touch in Wanganui twenty-live. Doth sides were putting in some good work, but Taranaki appeared to ue getting the belter ol both scrums and line outs, and only bad handling kept them from scoring, ine Wanganui oacks were also passing saleiy and collaring well. Offside play by Wanganui gave Loveridge a chance to kick a goal, but he failed. Skipper set Ins backs going again, but bad passing spoilt a good opportunity. Taranaki kept pegging away, but the Wanganui defence was sound, and when in midfield. Skipper picked the ball up, and made a splendid dash, he passed to Loveridge, who took the ball right to the goal line, but was pushed into touch in goal. From the kick out the Taranaki men returned again to the attack, and a free kick gave Loveridge another opportunity of kicking a goal, hut without success. Once again the yellows attacked, but over-eagerness let Wanganui in, and the Bine vanguard went sweeping up the held carrying all before them, until Martin stopped, the charge with a good kick to the touch line. The Yellows broke away from the line out, and Skipper obtaining possession, put in a good run, passing eventually to Twoomey to Loveridge, who dashed across and scored. Martin added the major pointes": Twomcy left the hold at tliis juncture and Dick Huberts, who had arrived late, took his place. Half time was sounded with no further score. The second spell opened quietly, a series of charges and counter charges eventually Jinding phiy settled in-the Blue territory. Here Tate obtained possession and made a sensational run well into an attacking position. A free kick gave Dick Roberts a chance 'to show his goal-kicking ability, but his boot was found wanting. , The Yellows kept up the pressure, Wanganui eventually iindiug relief by forcing. Robertson took the ball from the kick out, and sent back a high one. The Yellows followed quickly, but the ball was well taken by Clarke, who marked. His kick found touch at half-way. Another mark by Wanganui put the Blues into a good attacking position, but Ward headed a yellow rush to

neutral territory. From a tree kick the Yellows broke away witli a great rush, but mulling on the part ol the Yellow backs let Wanganui through,' but Martin sent back \ a long kick, which was forced. 'fhe\kick out was well fielded, and the ball sent on to Tate, who made another splendid run to the Wanganui line, where he lost the ball, and another force resulted. Roberts later found touch at the Wanganui twenty-lives. A scrufn and the Yellows again broke through, but Loveridge was caught with the ha if. Once more the Yellows attacked, but Atkins stopped them, and a free kick gave further relief to the Rlues. The Blues now took a turn at attacking, but offside play spoilt the effort. "Wanganui also made great efforts and were soon in dangerous proximity to the Taranaki line. Presently the ball shot out to the Wanganui backs,and a score looked certain, but the three-quarters were slow, and the wing was caught with the ball. Wanganui .still attacked strongly until Taranakai found relief by forcing down. Then the Yellows took charge from a fine out, and Dick Kobe rts securing the ball, made a good run before passing to Loveridge, who was well collared. Wanganui again attacked and again .''skipper came to the rescue. The .Blues were making strenuous efforts to gain the advantage, eventually forcing the play hack .to Taranaki’s twenty-fives. A mark to Wanganui gave Lockett a chance to goal, but the ball went w ide. Robertson took the ball, passed to Loveridge, who stalled off danger by finding tone!) at half-way. Play now became very slow and uninteresting, both teams showing signs of tiredness. A touch of excitement was added before the close by another good run by Tate. Roberts also mr.de a dash along the line to an attacking position, eventually passing to Lyuskey. who got over, but the referee ruled “off-side” and a free-kick to Wanganui was the result. A final effort by Wanganui ended in Roberts obtaining possession and making a rtni. Tate further improved matters and reached the goal line, but was pushed into touch in goal. The “no side” whistle sounded, and Taranaki bad avenged their defeat of did June.