FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7826, 19 May 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

♦ The Local Teams Meet

Ad Easy Win Fer Tukapa.

The meeting of (he Slur und Tii- ' kapa loams for U»e first time this season Was looked forward to wit'i considerable interest, and there ««:-. a big gathering of spectators on tlv Jracocour.se ground to witness the match. The erection of seating accommodation for about 150 pomms. for which an extra charge was made. was much appreciated. The weathn whm clear, but bitterly cold, and unfortunately a very strong moiiiitui.. wlnfl considerably marred Hie game, which under favourable circumstance, i would doubtless have proved a first class exhibition. Uoth teams wcie on their mettle, and though th . strong rivalry which exists was manifested the game, was contested in r. friendjv enough spirit. The support - crs of both sides were strongly in evidence'. The result of the watch, n win for Tukapa by 18 points to 3, I appeared to come as a surprise to the 'local football world. The teams were represented as follows :

Tukapa.—Midland (full-back). Morey, Fitzherbirt, und Hardgrenvcs (three-<iuartcrs), Mynott, Captain 1 {live-eighth!, Frewin (haif), McLean, S. Smith (wing forwards), Johnson. Jlalfe, Malcolm, Dyne, Flatt, Loveridge, and Seamark (forwards). I Star.—Richards (back), T. Smith, Abbott (captain), quarters), McOee (live-eighth'). Ladner (half), Pulford. McAlpine (wingforwards), W. Smith, Allan, Stroud. Murphy, Stokes, Kivell, and Kyan (forwards). Stars won the toss, and had the initial advantage of the stiff breeze I which prevailed. Play was very willing from the start, and soineoxciteling interchanges were witnessed Stars forced matters, and with tho exception of a few unsuccessful rushes on the part of Tupaka, play was seldom beyond the half or threo-qmtr-jter.linc. The ball, aided by th« wind, was forced several times, but [Stars failed to take advantage of several openings. The wind hamper,ed piny a great deal, and spoiled any back play on the attacking j side's part. Tukapa adopted a closa I game to prevent their opponents scoring, and consequently there was a good deal of line and scrum work. The magnificent defence of Tukapa under most adverse conditions was a feature of the play. About quarter .time Ladner made a nice opening, and passed to McOee. who in turn transferred to Abbott. The latter brilliantly circumvented Tukapa'v three-quarters, and amidst cheers scored iirst try for Stars. Stroud failed to convert.

Star a Tukapa 0 Tukapa played up well, but their passing rushes were ineffective. Just beforo the call of time. Stars looked like scoring their second try. Lodner passed to Abbott, who made n good opening, but the latter's pass to Tycroft right in front of goal km rajthcr short, and an almost certain ,try Just missed fire, the ball being again forced down. At half time the score stood: Star a Tukapa 0 On resuming, the tide turned in Tukapa's: favour. They attacked strongly, and the ball was forced down twice in quick succession. From a free kick near the centre Hardgruaves with a magnificently judged kick scored a penalty goal for Tukapa, thus equalising scores. Star a Tukapa 8 Tho Stars' defence work was weak by comparison with Tukapa'si tactics In tho opening half, and they suffered by giving away a number of free kicks, which they could ill afford to do with the wind in Tukapa's favour. About three-quarter thus Mo|rcy snapped the ball in a good position, and just managed to fall over (the line, registering the first try for Tukapa, which Hardgrcavcs converted.

Tukapa 8 Star a Tukapa kept up the assault, but failed to find an opening till « few minutes before the call of time, when Fitzhcrbcrt managed to get over the line, Hardgrcaves again convcring, amidst great enthusiasm on the-part of Tukapa's supporters. Stars* hardly looked dangerous at any period of the second half, the final scores being : Tukapa ... .., jjj Star '"_ a Though the weather conditions were not such as to make the test conclusive, there is no doubt that tho better team of the day won. Mynott, always a tower of strength to his side, showed specially meritorious play, as well ns captaining his team capably. Hardgruaves signalisedhis re-appenrance after a two years' spell by splendid plav, no man on the field putting in n moro sterling .game. His kicking « aH something, to marvel at, aud in this branch overshadows any other local man. Frewin and Morev worked very well, and the whole back line showed good combination. McLean on the wing, Dyne, Seamark, and Loveridgc were also prominent. The team showed excellent work in tho scrum. {

-Abbott played a really goefd game in tho three-quarter lines for Star but was not backed up enough. He made the mistake- of Hying to do too much work himself, and not superintending his men sullloienily. Midland (full back) played a strenuous gume as did McGce at five-eighths, and Ladner behind the scrum, Pulford worked hard, but was too much Inclined to offside play. Kivoll, Hvan. and Stokes .showed up best in tho forward lines.

Mr Spurdle, as umpire, was voro sound.

STRATFORD v. CUFTtIX. These toams met at Waitura. ami an interesting game, though marred by the wind, resulted in a win for Stratford by six ppjnls to nil. The score included ono try and a penalty JUNIOR MATCH, CLIFTON v. STAR. Clifton 11. met Star If. on the racecourse ground prior to the senior match. Clifton won by six points to nil, the score including a try and a penalty goal. Mr Hopkins was referee. ASSOCIATION GAME. NEW I'LYMOI TH v. WAITARA. The New Plymouth learn journovod to Wuilarn. to play tho newly-formed team at that centre. Waitara were thu first to score a few minutes after the «tart but though putting up a good fight they never succeeded in scoring further, and New Plymouth prevailed by three goals to one. The new team rather surprised the visitors by Ihelr sound play for their initial game, and they have evidently the makings of a really good team. Bullock played a very good gan.ua* full bark for New Plymouth. u »<! Hold also wus in lino farm, Hcholiold and Wilson, lw ft English phocra located, at Vwuiui. played a splendid Bft.lllo for Wultaru. and will rerlainl,\ be a vuluuble acquisition 10 As-oija-tlon football in Tarnnnki. M«l>in und Dring showed up to iiitvaniagv in the defence. Tho other members of the Waitarn loan, were Proswr, Cullughnn. Vuughnn. Hunter, Spiosca and Dugdale. Mr S. Clark wus an eflicient referee.