FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 116, 20 May 1904, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

STRATFORD I. v. TUKAPA I. Stratford seniors met the Tukupil team on the Recreation Grounds on Thursday afternoon, in the presence of a good number of spectators. The ground was heavy mid very slippery in places owing to the rain of the previous night, and the passing game was therefore difficult. Stratford played witli twelve men, including two or three resurrected ones, and Tukapa also had in their ranks four emergencies. The game throughout was not, a good display of first grade football, patchy work and scrambling blindly being the main features. Tukapa kicked off; und were soon in trouble, in fact; the greater part of the game was played iii their territory. There was a twelve minutes' kicking preliminary before any passing worth notice took place, and then Mynott secured the ball out of a loose rabble and sent it out to Woods, who beat his opposing wing-three-quarter cleverly and dropped over the line. Erewin took the task of piloting the leather between the posts, but though the direction was good the kick lacked force, and the ball fell short. Shortly afterwards A. Bullot managed to get over the line for Tukapa. Mynott failed to register the major points—6 to nil From a passing rush among the forwards liullot again got over. FookeS took the kick, and placed a neat goal, tho angle being easy. The spell ended—Tukapa 11 to nil.

The opening of the second spell was rather sensational. Stratford kicked off, and Duflin failed to secure the ball ; Masters made a smart run, grabbed tho -ball, and after beating the half-back potted a splendid goal. This was an excellent example in following up and its results.—ll—4. After this the result was no longer in doubt, though the Stratford men made some occasional brilliant rushes. They were altogether outclassed in the scrums,, owing to their short numbers. Woods got two more tries, l)r. Fookes scored one and Mynott one, tile kicks in every case being fruitless. The game elided—Tukapa 23, Stratford 4.

The Tukapa backs played a fair game, but the forwards were "only middling," lacking combination and condition. Of the backs Mynott stood, alone for clever and at times -brilliant football. Mr Hopkins acted as referee, and Messrs Autridge (Tukapa) aitd Ifivell and Pulford (Stratford) as line umpires.

TUKAPA 11. v. STHATFOItDII. Tukapa journeyed -to Sti v atford and after a good "go" managed to secure a victory by 8 points to (i. The winners' score was made up by a try scored by Alclsaacs, who placed a fine goal o(I it from near the scratch line, and a try by Broun. Stratford obtained a try w'liich was not converted, and a penalty goal. The game was a "willing" one, though Stratford had the best of things in the first spell, which ended Stratford 6, Tukapa 0. On changing ends Tukapa made tho game open, and soon had their opponents on their mettle, the game ending as above. Owing to the late arrival of the visiting team two half-hour spells were played. Mr Spurdle was referee and gave general satisfaction. STAB 11. 111. v. TUKAPA 111.

This third grade match on the Recreation Grounds immediately after the Stratford-Tukapa senior fixture was more willing and a much smarter game than the senior > exhibition. In fact, the game was at many stages extremely interesting and the exposition of football tactics was as good as has been seen in several senior matches. The teams were very evenly matched apparently, as far as the weight went, but taken all through the Tukapas had rather the best of the game. This is the field from which senior teams are to be drawn, and there seems no reason to think that New Plymouth football teams of the future will fail to uphold the present reputation. The opening portion of the game was confined to the forwards, and as the result of a combined- Tukapa rush the Stars were forced. Hooker made several ineffectual kicks at goal from penalties, the ball failing even to cover the necessary distance. After keeping play about (ho centre of the field for 11 while Tukapas again rushed for the line, and the backs were forced ;'guin, Shipton s! owing promin;:>!Iy in the attack Just before halflime a Tukapa -attempted to pot a goal, but though the leather passed between the posts and a cheer went up it was a punt, not a droplock. The first spell closed without a score on either side. Early in the second half the Stars were again put on the defence, and from a scrum in their twenty-five Bullot secured the bail and dashed for tho line. He was collared, and Shipton secured the ball, scoring between the posts. L. Bullot converted. Tukapa o, Star nil. Stars woke up a bit after tiiis reverse, and after some fast loose play forced the Hlues over the line. It was only for a moment, and soon Stars were again battling away in their own twenty-live, Gilimmr's neat taking and timely kicking standing them in good -stead, though lie made a few mistakes at times in not ■passing. An exchange of kicks resulted in favour of Tuk'upa, and Shipton got on a good run and crossed the line, though he had the misfortune to lose the -ball in falling. Then Bullot secured a free kick right in front of Star's goal, within the twenty-five. Instead of placing the ball * lie essayed a dropkick, and failed to cross the bar. Play continued in the vicinity of this goal for a while, until * Gilmour picked up the ball within a yard or two of the Star line and galloped tho full length of the field, scoring between the posts. I'll'- kick was u failure. Tukapa 5, Star 3. Another force-down against Tukapa was the only other happening of interest until the call of time. There were no "wasters " in either team, and to comment oil individual form is superfluous. But •>oth sides'"should pay more attention lo place-kicking. Mi- Griffiths had charge ol' the gome, which was fast and willing throughout.

STAB HI. A. v. STRATFORD 111. This game, played at Stratford, ended in a win for the home team by I) to Preshaw, a Star man, had his collarbone broken. TIIE ASSOCIATION GAME.. The New Plymouth team met the Star seniors 011 the racecourse. The ground being in very fair condition made it a. fast game from start to finish. Early in the lirst half the New Plymouth team were awarded a penalty kick, the ball being entrusted to Clark, who promptly put it. through, giving Maroons the lead, which they managed' to keep for some time, in spite of the desperate efforts made by the Stars to equalise. At ten minutes before halMiine the Star forwards, coming down with aline rush ended in a goal for Star. At half-time the scores stood at one goal each. The second half proved a very stubborn tussle, both teams playing a very willing game. The Star's determined rushes were stopped by tile Maroon's backs, both goal keepers having a fair amount of shots, deal with. The Maroons weri^f^pi •$ dangerous on several occasion»>tf"Kut the opposing backs were always' on the alert,. From a line 'oreaK-awuy the New Plymouth team looked very much like scoring tall the Star ,'goalkeepeil saved at the expense of a, corner. After the corner kirk some give and fake play ended in the Maroons being awarded a penalty kick, which was result less. A fine piece of forward work by the Maroon forwards ended by the bait being rushed through, registering the winning gonl for the team. Shortly, after the vUilstle called time, the game ending in a win for the New Plymouth team by. two goals .to

one. The exposition of the game by tho Star seniors was very good indeed, and their solid form carried them through. Mr Riddle, as referee, gave entire isatisfaction. Tho wholesale drapers will play a match against the wholesale grocers to-morrow afternoon on the Recreation Grounds. On Tuesday next, Empire Hay, a match will be played on the Recreation Grounds between teams chosen from the Town and Fitzroy Fire Brigades. A small charge for admission will be made, the proceeds being in aid of the funds of the now' brigade at Fitzroy. The New Zealand and Otago representative forward, I'orteous, whom it was feared had "intended folding up his jersey for all time and viewing littgby football from the bunk, is playing again.The proposal 11/ the' Australasian Conference of Referees that penalty goals should count two points only and any other goal three points should meet with general approval. It is ridiculous to place a penalty goal on a footing with a try in point of value. Thus "Cynic," ih the Sydney Referee It is generally believed that the British team now on its way to Australia will be more- formidable than that of 1899. If it be so, and if the representative teams of New South Wales and Queensland do not show great improvement on last season's form, tho Britishers should emulate tho achievements of the New Zenlnnders and go through unbeaten. In view of tho British Rugby team's visit to New Zealand this season, an early roll call of "availables" is necessary, says the New Zealand Herald. That the colony will be able to place a strong combination in tho field against the Britishers tliei-o is not much doubt, but the list of the missing is a formidable one, as see M. Wood, .1. Duncan, W. Wallace, H. Iviernan (uncertain), R. McGregor, I'. llarvey, It. Cooke.

Llewellyn, one of the three-quarters of the. English team, is tin ail-round athlete, a dangerous try-getter, and the pick of the Welsh three-quarters. In one season he scored tries, and in his international match got across the line four limes, lie is a teetotaller and a non-smoker, He recently gave an English paper his idea of some of the necessary qualifications of a three-quarter back as follows : "Well, if you wish to do well us a three-quarter you must have some pluck, I suppose, and, of course, some pace. That you must be a really good tackier goes without saying. Tackle low—just on the hips. Igo for a man's hips and 'never experence any difficulty. With regard to kicking, you ought to be proficient with both feet, and when you kick you should find touch. Then there is tho important question of combination. A three-quarter should adapt himself to the other men's play—he should do his best to combine with the halves and three-quarters. "It is a good plan for a threequarter to go out twice a week for a run," says Llewellyn, in dealing with the question of practice. " A littlo sprinting—say, a burst of 50 yards—can be recommended strongly. Long runs are not necessary. Then one ought to kick the ball übout every now and then. That, is what I do. I go out with a friend, and we practice together. In the case of a team the members of which are not at liberty during the day, practice on two evenings a week is advisable. In Wales the fifteens turn out on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for systematic practice. A scrummage is formed, the forwards heel out tho ball, and the threequarters pass to one another. A short, sharp pass is the best, and you should never pass to a man unless he is in a better position than yourself. Further, before you pass, see that your man is well started. With regard to defence, make a practice of going for the man with the ball ; little is to be gained by endeavouring to intercept passes. To these remarks I may add —don't wait for the man with the ball ; run up to him, as by so doing you put him off his game." In conclusion Llewellyn said he was never nervous as long as he was fit, and ho never noticed tho crowd. Indeed, he said, ho scarcely realised it was ever there.