FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7856, 23 June 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

■ *—- T FIRST GRADE MATCHES. I STAR DEFEAT TUKAPA. i The crowd of spectators re-j corded this season at' New Plymouth witmsexl the meeting of the Star and Tukapa. H'ams at the.Recreation Ground on Thursday afternoon. The weather was glorious, but the ground proved rather treacherous after the recent soaking rains. Great interest was manifested' in the match, in view of the locul rivulry, and a splendidly contested game resulted in a "in for Star by 3 points to nil. The icsult camo somewhat as a surprise, ns ou their last meeting Tukapa had won by 18 points to il. The teams were constituted .

Tukapa.—Full back, Hidlnnd ; threequarters, Ilurdgreaves, Moray, McLean ; live-eighth, Mynott (Captain) ; half. Frewin ; wings, Smith, Elms ; forwards, Italic, Johnsoil|.F)att, Fitznorjiert. Seamark, Malcolm, Dyne. Star.—Full back, Richards ; threequarters, T. Smith, Abbott (captain) and Murphy ; five-eighih. McGee • half, Alpine ; forwards. Wall', Allan, Ryan, Stroud, Mutphy, Stokes, Kivcll. Referee, Mr Skoglund.

Tukapas kicked off towards the town und. Sooninftior AblyoHhad a free kick which went wide. Frewin transferred play into Stars' territory but' a good bit of passing by Ladner and McUcc near the half resulted in Abbott getting possession. He put in a nice run, though hard pressed, and looked like scoring till he was grassed near the lino. Tukapas, working well, got the ball out of danger, but Stars got another free kick, which from a fair position Abbott placed wide. Smith was instrumental in getting the leather well down, but Mynott centred. The wearers of the black guern-

se.v continued to press matters for some time, when the blue and whitea turned the tables w th a forwurd rush. The lull back tripped and things looked formidable until Abbott relieved. Mynolt broke away from the half, but received no support and was collared. The 'lVkapa backs then- began to show superior combination, and .gave an admirable display of short sharp passing. The collaring "was very keen, however, and the blue and whites made several fulile attempts, Smith awl Abbott especially doing sound defence work. Hnrdgreaves foiled to make use of a free kick in a handy position, and centre play followed. Abbott put in a dangerous shot -from a free kick, but Storey marked nnd returntd smartly. Mynolt interccpti-d a pass to Abbott, but a promising forward rush which he stwltd was

stopped by Smith. Tukapasi kept their opponents busy with several [forward rushes, a likely one started Iby Seamark enß Fit/herbert b»ing stopped in line style. The. backs also took a hand, but Hnrdgreaves was

grassed before ■he could tuko advantage of an opening. On the whole the Tuieapas were showing to the better advantage when the irhjstlo sounded half tlmic, no score having resulted on either svde.

The second half was fast and exciting, both teams being on their mettle. Hard nttacksr by each Bide were as stubbornly ; defended, and the charges of venue were rather kaleidoscopic. Tuknpas were first down the field, with a mark by Morcy. A beautiful bit of passing between Frewtn, Morey, and McLean followed. The latter made for the right wing-, and ha*l almost got over the line when he was collared. Strenuous play ensued on the line, three scrums Iwing ordered in quick succession. Tukapas were smartest ■it scrum work, but Stars gave few chances away. At length Har3Kreuves held a pas«, and with a clover run succeeded! in, getting over the line between the posts. Enthusiasm on the'. part of tho Wuo and white supporters gave way to chagrin when tho try was disallowed on tko ground that it was a forward pass to Hardgrcaves. Tuknpas continued the attack until Smith got a run in, and put, the ball into thoir territory. Pluy in neutral ground, was succeeded by Stars forcing and keeping within tfio "25." Abbott, McGee, and Smith did line-wotk, and the latter, holding a pass, ran through tlio opposition, nnd got over.Wie,lino on the rigM wiStig.. Abr fiott failed to convert.

I Star 3 Tuknpa 0 With the deficiency to make up, Tuknpas rallied) well, and both teams were all out at Uie finish. On the kick-off Tlardgrcaves had a remote chanca, liut was cleverly beaten By Abbott and Smith, who placed the ball safe down the* lino. Kivoll made a bolt to add to Stars' score, but was soon grassed, and a similar attempt by Smith' was frustrated by -MysoH. Stars' forwards' werd doing great work at this juncture. 'Che ball travelled rapidly rapidly, and from near the tftree-truarter lino Mynott. ossaye<r a. shot for goal, which was well judged, and just went out. FiteKerbert and Morey !passed lo Handgreoves, who made a good effort, hut was borne down on the line. A smart transfer across the field and a promising rush by tho.TuKapas was" saved, by Stars Hading the boundary. Abott came ta the rescue when the pressure was on again, though Tukapa made things willing for a Spell. Stars adopted "close" tactics until they could get ouj; of tiangdr. They were still good for a Anal spurt, and' got the leather close to the line, llothery and Ladner in turn boing' collared none tod soon. Tukopng responded with equal vigour, and the result was in doubt, right up to the call of time, a a t hey were attacking in a good position.

On the whole the Star forwards showed to belter advantage than the Tukapa forward line, but in regard to the back div sion Tukapa had belter combination. Nevcrtlhe(W*i ths Stars' defence was very creditable.' ! Tukapa showed superiority in the scrum, and tihe line work vast fnirlv even. For the winners T. Smith gave a fine exhibition in Ihe hack ranks. Abbott had not his usual chances, but did splendid service when most reqjiited. Wall was easily the best of the forwards. Tukapas hud no luck, or they must have scored, as they played up to their customary' standard. Mynott was too w»dl watched to score, but put in a lot of clever play. Morey was very prominent all through, o nd Hardgrcaves was also conspicuous. Seamark did the best work forward, and Ladner at half played an excellent game 'throughout.

—Stratford v. Clifton.— TKie match was played at Stratford. Stratford were in good form, and won by 12 points to 3. TIUIU> GHADE. Tukup'a, v. Stratford.—This match played on the -Recreation <!< round, jxrulted in a «'in for Stratford by 8 points to nil. Murchant scored two tries, one of which was convcrud by ; Young. Inglewood forfeited 1 to Star 11.