FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7898, 14 August 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE TARAKAKI CHAMPIONSHIP. Hawera Defeat Stratford. Owing to Opunake losing one match on a protest, the play-off for the Taranaki premiership was left to Haweia and Stratford. The match took place at! Stratf.ord, on Saturday .afternoon 1 under auspicious conditions. The match was a splendid exhibition and alter a close finish Hawera secuied the premiership by two points. Tlie Stratford team were minus the services of Masters, .lames and Kivell.

The teams were constituted Haweia :-Full-back, Blytlie ; thrcewuarters,. Coleman, Grcvilic, Nicholson ; five-eighths, Beamish, A. Hunter (captain) ; half, Tocker ; wing, Glenn ; forwards, Turn-bull, Cowper, Greenbanks, Greig, Johnson, Whittineton, Goodwin. Stratford : Full-back, Colhns , three-quarters, Tocker, Fearon (captain), Potts n five-eighth, Joe Thomas ; half, Dymond; wings, Jack Thomas, Webb ; forwards, H. Masters, Osborne, Harkness, Young, Wilson, Dci'er and March-ant, The first half was very fast, btratford greatly pleased their supporters by their willingness from the start, and a force-down was quickly recorded. They continued to attack lor some time, -but failed to get an opening, and Hawera transferred the playNear the 25 line Blytfcc obtained" a free kick, but the shot for goal far - ed, and then Stratford got the ball away. After some interesting play near the line Tocker succeeded in getting over, Collins converting. » Stratford ... ... ••• jj Hawera ... ••• ••• The ball travelled rapidly, but the Stratford men had the advantage. A free kick was awarded in a handy position, but- Delict was unequal to placing a goal. Hunter relieved the pressure for, Hawera, but the Stratford men were not to be denied. After a force down, Joe Thomas picked up the ball from a forward rush some 20 yards from the line, and 'beating Nicholson and Blytlie he was overwhelmed almost on the line and ' thrown over. Collins failed to con--1 vert. .

Stratford ° H&wcrd> .»• •" From thence up to half time the play was fairly even. On the change of ends Stratford s supporters were on good terms with themselves, and with the team's advantage of kicking with the sun and wind, looked on victory with pleasing anticipation. A change came over the scene, however. Stratford took the offensive for some time, after which Hawera came to light in an unexpected fashion. Some scrimmaging took place within the 25, and then Goodwin secured the leather almost on the line, and was carried over. Blythe converted the try, from a difficult angle shot. Stratford - 8 Hawera 5 Both teams renewed the struggle with vim, the play being fast and furious. Stratford lvad a good opportunity to score from a free kick, but Collins had the chagrin of seeing the ball narrowly miss the goal. Hawera realised that it was now or never, and adriotly transferred'.the attack. The backs showed their ability in passing, and from a. rush Nicholson got. over, the line. Amidst a scene of enthusiasm, Blythe converted .the try, which put Hawera two points in the lead. Hawera _ ... 10 Stratford ... ... 8 With the premiership in the balance the home team rallied in great fashion, and put forth strenuous efforts, but Hawera thenceforward played a safe defensive game, keeping the play '■' close." A chance presented itself when a free kick was awarded Stratford. The kick was a fair distance, and Joe Thomas only failed by Inches to put the ball through. Stratford were unable to make up the deficiency, and time was called with the score—

Hawora 10 Stratford 8 There v/;is lit lie to choose between the forwards, the comparison being rather in Stratford's favour, but the Hawera l acks played an admirable game, which, combined with their (rood kicking, turned the score in 'h-'r favour.

AUCKLAND BEATS HAWKE'S BAY. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 12. The Auckland-Hawke's Bay football match, played here was won by Auckland by 28 points to 3. The winners scored six tries (three of which were converted) and a goal kicked from a mark, and Hawke's Bay kicked a penalty goal. CANTERBURY DEFEATS MANAWATU. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 12. The football match between Canterbury and Manawatu was played at Lancaster Park this afternoon in fin.weather, and resulted jn a win for Canterbury by six points (two tries) to three (one try). The game was not a very brilliant display* of football, and though Manawatu forwards had the advantage in weight, the visitors failed to make the best of their opportunities. \ In the first spell Drake scored for Canterbury, and Finley equalised matters by scoring for Manawatu. In the closing stage Canterbury Med, and Guthrie secured the trv Which gave a win to the home team."

NEW SOUTH WALES Y. QUEENSLAND

(Received Aug, 18, 7.30 p.m ) SYDNEY, Aug 12 New South Wales beat Queensland at football to-day by 22 points to 6.

THE AUSTRALIAN TEA 1 !. (Received Aug. 13, 4.42 p m ) SYDNEY, Aur. 13. Among the passengers by lli ( . Wai-_ nmoo, which sailed f or Wellinßton footbal? tcam Cre NcwSou ™-