FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7838, 2 June 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

FIRST GRADE. TUKAPA DEFEAT CLIFTON* In splendid weather, and before a I fair crowd of spectators, the Tukupa uud Clifton teams met on the Recreation Grounds on Thursday . afternoon.; Ilewpjto thu previous day's heavy raift the ground! was in Jairly good order, and after a close tussle victory rested with Tukupa l.y three l-o nts to nil. The teams were . Tukapa :—Ridtand (full-buck); Honeylield. Hnrdgreav..>», and McLean (three-quart.r-i) Morey (five-eighth) ; Freivin (hall) ; Smith and Howell bert, 1!. Standi hj, Flatt, Ma'colm,, and Seamark (forwards).

Cliifyon.—E. Sampson (full-back) ;| Stempson, Potior and Foremun (three-xruarleters') ; PartriJge illvceighlh) ; W. Jury (halt) ; Lnsh and Smith (wings) ;, J. C. Sampson, Mabin, Preston, 0. Foreman- Watson. Dring and Cowan (forwards). Tukapa had Iho initial advantage, and Hardgreaves hud two shots in (pick succession, both, however, go>ing wide. The visitors then asserted themselves, land kept the local men on the defensive for a considerable time. A free kick for goal failed, and continuing to force matters, Clifton rushed the ball very close to the line three times, but could get- no opening; to score. Play hovered in Tukapa's territory, Fitzherbertt and Jlai'dgreaves each relieved the pressure in turn. The latter put in a fine kick for goal, but it was) sni|uil|y returnedl. [Portier from a 'reo kick, and Mabin from a mark, had shots for goal, but to the chagrin of Clifton both missed fire by a very narrow margin. No score had resulted up to half-time, though up to this stage Clifton had made the better showing, their" forwards especially doing excol-

,lent work. On tho change of ends the play bocame very rough and willing, and during! the progress of the game the referee hud occasion to warn three or four men. There was not a great deal to choose between the two trains in this half, though the local men displayed rather better dash a nd combination. Clifjton were the first to show up with a smart dribbling rush on the left wing, a force down, however, resulting. Tukapa soon transferred the play, and Hardgreaves had another shot for goal, tho leather going under the bar. Harkgrenves shortly afterwards broke away, but was grassed in front of the goal, Clifton defending well. Centre play followed, and the visitors! were forcing matters, when TlwMand relieved well, and Tukapa got possession. From a scrum Clifton started a likely dribbling rush, which was cleverly intercepted. Give and iako play followed, both teams bait ling very strenuously. It looked as if the match was to end without any score, when about rive minutes before the call of tme a dribbling rush whs started by Johnson, und continued by Morey, Hardgroaves. and Smith. A brief struggle on the line resulted in Morey getting over, and a tri was registered for Tukapa. llnrdgreaves failed to convert from a good position. Tukapa were pressing their opponents hard when time was called, with the scoro : Tukapa a Clifton 0 Frowln, who acted as captain in Mynott's absence, kept his men well up to the mark. Haixlgrcaves played a dashing game, but his kicking was much below his past form. Mc-I-ean was very useful in his place, and Johnson and Flatt were conspicuous amongst the hard-working forwards. For the visitors, Sampson at full back played a nice game, und Poller's display was one of the bast of the match. Jury at half was noticeable and the forwards almost without exception put in very good work. Mr Hopkins was an able referee STRATFORD v. INGLEWOOD. These teams met at Inglcwood, when Stratford secured a win by six points to nil. SECOND GRADE.

Star v. Tukapa.—These teams tried conclusions at tho Hccreation Ground, Tukapa winning by six points to nil. Jcnkinson secured a try and Douglas a penalty goal. The teams wore constituted :—Tukapa—lt. Honeylield (full back) ; H. llullot, P. Douglas, R. Jenkinson (thrcetiiiurters) ; W. Stead (five-eighths); J. Finn (half); S. Glynes, A. llullot (wings) ; Allen, N. Perry, A. Klnni, D. Bwards, U. Trecby, 10. Ward, and T. Dullin (forwards). Star—lirown (full back) ; Itichurds, Carter, Ward (.tlirec-quui-tess) ; Ladnur (live-eighths) ; Weller (half) ; Duller and llrown (wing) ; Hoskin, Avery, Dockrill, Harding, Sampson, Setford and Sadler (forwards). thihd ghade. Star A. v. Inglewood.—This match was played at Inglowood, the Stars securing an easy victory by 10 to nil.