RUGBY IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 429, 10 May 1937, Page 2

RUGBY IN TARANAKI

THE WEEK’S COMPETITIONS

STRATFORD LEADS IN THE NORTH Hawera And Opunake In South In the northern division the competition was continued in fine weather, and the position of the leaders was unaltered. Stratford has a point lead over Tukapa even allowing for the bye, which operates on the last Saturday in the round (May 22). The decisive win against Clifton on Saturday appears to make Stratford’s position very strong in the struggle for. the northern championship. In the southern division, there is no bye. The teams have played four matches, all of which have resulted in straight out victories, no draws being recorded. Hawera and Opunake are even in the honoiys list, having been undefeated. Following were the results:— Stratford 22 v. Clifton 9. Upunake 7 v. Kaponga 5. Tukapa I 1 v. Star 3. Eltham I 1 v. Okaiawa 6. Old Boys 3, v. United 0. Hawera 6 v. Patea 4. Athletic 5 v. Waimate 3.

STRATFORD v. CLIFTON Superiority Of Red And Blacks The large number of spectators at Victoria Park on Saturday to witness the Stratford-Clifton match were treated to an interesting display. The opening stages were closely contested ,and It appeared to many observers that Clifton were going to prove equal to the task of extending the -Red and Blacks. But after each side had scored a try Stratford’s being converted and Clifton had narrowly nttased .another . score, Stratford realised the danger and put marked vigour into their work. They rattled up another fourteen points before JtsTftfme, at'the same time defendSg their Kne from a breach by their opponents. The second spell was more closely contested. Though Clifton made several sorties to Stratford’s line they were unable to cross it, yet succeeded in adding to their score by kicking two penalty goals. Stratford on the other hand scored one try, which was not even converted, thus adding only three points to the halftime total. However, they gave Clifton many anxious intervals, especially when the game was opened up spectacularly and backs and forwards joined in snappy movements and drove all before them until someone blundered at the moment when success seemed assured. In the matter of . tactics, Clifton had the satisfaction of securing thee bail from the scrums almost without exception, but they could not bring the subsequent passing runs to fruition owing to the deadly tackling and good defensive work of the Red and Blacks. This phase of the play was particularly noticeable in the second spell, in which the enthusiasm of the crowd was held at a high pitch, as displayed by the liberal applause bestowed on good play irreepective of the colours. The Teams. Stratford (red and black). —Robson, Rowlands, Ross, R. Cuff, Lehmann, Collins, Sangster. Hinton, Smith, R. Clarke, Butcher, Young, L. Clarke, Bird, Pastier. Clifton (blue and yellow).—Young, Jetton, Courtney, Wilson, Potaka, Sangster, Fenton, Page, Olsson, Major, Arms, Calgher, Armstrong, Fowler, Longstaff. Clifton kicked off in bright sunshine, from the southern goal and worked down to the 25, when a penalty kick relieved Stratford. An exchange of kicks left play in neutral territory. Sangster made a dash tor the line, but his pass was swung wildly as he was collared. Ross marked in front of the goal at the 25 line, his kick missing narrowly. The forward work was strenuous, and the backs on both sides were given little opportunity to operate freely. A Red back passing rush broke down at Rowlands, the pass from Ross having been blocked. Young (Clifton’s full-back) marked near his own line, and play was carried on to Stratford’s territory. Ross made a poor attempt with a free kick near the 25 flag. Lehmann received a pass inside Clifton’s 25 and passed infield as he was collared. Clifton twice forced later after long kicks. Stratford went again to the line, and from a scrum C. Sangster dummied and ran across to score. Ross goaled. STRATFORD 5, CLIFTON 0. Clifton showed up in passing runs. Stratford 'was penalised for offside work 10 yards from the line, well out, a force resulting. In Stratford’s

25, Potaka kicked across the field, enabling Wetton to gather at top speed and score near the corner. Young’s kick failed. STRATFORD 5, CLIFTON 3. Clifton forwards bustled the reds, and there were several cases of muddling in Stratford’s 25; but the attack was repulsed, Fastier being prominent in following up and smothering the backs. Sangster and Potaka cooperated, and play was shifted to Stratford’s 25. Robson mulled, and Potaka, Sangster and Courtney passed well, but Wetton was given an impossible chance to go from the ten yards to the line. A penalty kick tor Clifton missed, but the attack was continued. A sudden movement by Stratford was successful. Lehmann got the ball broke through the inside backs, and passed to Ross, who sent on to Cuff, the latter going over fast at the corner. Ross goaled. STRATFORD 8, CLIFTON 3. Another paralysing rtm in which several forwards handled after Lehmann made a great opening, ended in Fastier scoring. Ross failed to goal. STRATFORD 11, CLIFTON 3. Again the red forwards went with a dribbling rush to the line, the ball being kicked into the dead-ball area. Not to be denied, reds attacked, and Cuff ran over to score after receiving a pass at the corner. R. Clarke goaled. STRATFORD 11, CLIFTON 3. Cuff scored his third try at the fin ish of a four-handed passing rush, the ball travelling across from a scrum. R. Clarke missed goaling. Halftime score: STRATFORD 14, CLIFTON 8. R. Young retired with a head Injury and B. Davey took his place. Line-outs in neutral territory predominated until Potaka pased out, and Wilson kicked to the corner flag. The siege was lifted with a passing movement for a moment, but Wetton found the line in return to the corner. Young forced Stratford with a long kick to the deadball area. A snappy passing exchange among the reds shifted play to Clifton’s 25 and Fastier carried Young over his own line in the collar. Clifton were kept busy with red attacks, a penalty for offside saving a dangerous movement by the forwards. Lehmann again did good work in a fast passing run, but Ross knocked on the pass ten yards from the line. Wetton broke away and the ball went out at the 25. Ross was forced to find the line at the corner| Potaka missed a long penalty kick in a favourable position. For some minutes the game was mainly a forward display on both sides, play alternating between the 25's. Potaka was the prominent Clifton player at this stage, showing good judgment all round. A penalty kick relieved Clifton momentarily. From a scrum, the ball passed across the line to Rowlands, who ran over well in from the corner. His own kick at goal missed. STRATFORD 22, CLIFTON 6. Clifton passed well in Stratford’s 25, but were penalised. Ross was collared in a passing run, and play went to Stratford’s line and back to halt way. A penalty kick in front ot Stratford’s goal was an easy one for Potaka. STRATFORD 22, CLIFTON 9. Ross kicked down the line and Cuff followed up fast, smothering Young near the goal. From Stratford’s 25 there was a snappy run in which Sangster broke into the open and Clifton relieved the pressure. Wetton was collared and threw the ball out of touch, thereby incurring a penalty kick for his side. Play was in neutral territory when the whistle sounded for time. STRATFORD 22 CLIFTON 9 Mr C. H. EVans refereed.