FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8107, 11 May 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TUKAPA I. (41) t. INGLEWOOD : i. (o).

The liiijlewonrt-Tiikapu senior fixture in tlio ftecrc.ition Grounds was disappointing;, except from the point of view of the enthusiast who goes into raptures over any kind of victory for liis side. Only in the first few minutes was it a match, for after lliut it seemed to develop into an exhibition game or practice for tlio liome team, who ended victorious by 41 points to nil. The Inglewood team was outclassed in everything but weight, and seemed to have not the slightest conception of combination. Tukapa. won the toss, and elected to kick towards the eastern goal, compelling Inglewood to face the sun's rays. Soon it became evident that the Tukapa backs were going to have a day out, and so it proved The forwards, too, secured tlio ball from nearly every scrum, and Frewin sent it on in good style ;o Mynott. Thou the Tukapa's seemed to have things all their oiyn way, and it was only diffi. donee or lazinoss that prevented the score from mounting up still higher, Mynott's unselfish tactics in giving opportunities to the other backs when a score was' a certainty for himself, cost his side several tries. The passing among the homo backs was very fine, except that Mynott gave difficult ones. The team was apparently- in the pink of condition. Tries were scored by Hardgraves (5), McLean (2), Honeyfield (3) and Mynott. Hardgraves kicked three goals, and Frewin one. Inglewood was only dangerous on a couple of occasions. The Tukapa team will take a deal of beating on a dry ground. Mr W. Proctor was referee.

STAR I. (8) v. CLIFTON I (2). The weather was gloriously fine for the above fixture, played at Waitara on Thursday afternoon. Clifton won the toss and played towards the southern goal. From the kick-off play centred, and a deal of line work followed. Clifton forwards broke through and darted down the line. Here they secured a free-kick. Stars returned, and, following up smartly, secured the leather, but Clifton's three-quarter line saved. Grossman, for Clifton, by smart work got awav and put in a dashing run. A score seemed inevitable, but the collaring of the Stars was very sure. J. Potier relieved by a screw kick, Clifton forwards continued to make' the play, out without avail, llothery (Star), who was doing great work on the wing, put in some fine play and saved on two or three occasions, Star hsul a shot at goal from near half way, the ball just falling short. Play centred for a term. There the ball went out to t.he Star backs, and a pretty bit of passing work was spoiled by C. Potier cleverly intercepting and kicking high. Serviceable kicking from Star backs centred the play. Clifton forwards swooped down again and again, but the defence baffled them every time. In a Joose rush Potier, who played brilliantly at five-eighj, secured and dodged, and by good judgment placed the leather in Clifton's 25's. A good chance was lost by hard kicking, and Clifton forced. From the line the ball went out to Star backs, Pyeroft getting in a splendid run, being bored out at the corner flag. Clifton secured the oval and relieved to mid-field, their forwards having (he best of it right down to Star's 25. Here C. Potier missed a groat chance of marking ten yards in front! of Stars goal line. Some fast work and the scene of action changed.] The Stars tore into the thick of it but the defence was 100 good. Then from the line the Star half-back shot the bull back. J. Potier took the pass and being tackled kicked lightly. Following up he again got possession and streaked over. P. Ryan placed a nice goal. Half-time was then sounded—Star 5, Clifton 0.

On resuming, it was expected that condition would win the tussle, as on the whole the teams were evenly pitted. Prom the kick-off Clifton aggressed and strove hard to equalise the scores. Potior got possession. and a great run ended by his being grassed by Rothcry. Play for some minutes looked dangerous for the Stars. Brown, who had replaced Courtney at half, got down to a rush, uud staved off the Clifton vanguard, and, passing to Smith, the latter by an excellent bit of feinting, crossed the line. The kick was a failure. Star 8, Clifton 0. .

Clifton soon had the play in Star's territory, where the battling was tough for a time. A line-finder from Roch (Star's full-back), eased things. Here Crossman had his knee hurt and had to retire, but Ciifton, though the scores were against them were not vanquished, as was shown by their determined and frequent rushes. Up and down and across the field the ball travelled, .frequently ending in the Stars having to vigorously defend. Play became neutral for some time, then Clifton spoiled a score by over running the leather. Play ended with the ball in mid-field.

Mr Hopkins made a most impartial referee. Messrs Abbott and A. Hum. phries were the line umpires. For tlie winners Rotherly on tlie wing, and P. Ryan and Hooker were the best in the forwards, Ryan especially distinguishing himself by fast play and excellent judgment. For the rear J. Potier was easily the pick. Smith also did good work. Hock at full was a success. For Clifton the best forwards were Grossman, ' Ruby" Loveridge, Old and Davidson. The pick of the backs was Matthews, C, Potier also showing good form on occasions,

TUKAPA II (8) v. STAR II (3). The second grade match on the racecourec provided some good play. It was a willing go from start to finish. For tli.e winners Mathicson played a good game on the fi'ing, and played a solid forward gamo. Stohr put in good work in the back division, and his try was well deserved. Douglas converted Stohr's try, and also . obtained a penalty goal. For the Stars Cutfield played a sterling forward game, and Wcllcrput in splendid wor'c. Pcarce, the wing forward played a solid game. Mr GriUitlis was referee,

CLIFTON II v. INGLEWOOD B. The above game resulted in a victory for Clifton by 14 to 3.

INGLEYVUOD 111. (8) v. TUKAPA 111. (6).

This game provided a rather mediere display of football, even lor third grade teams. Tukapa assumed the aggressive right from the start, and pinned the Itede well inside their 25 .yards !lag. Now and again, t]io visilors Iroke away, the weight of their forwards defying resistance when their concerted weight was put into the rush. Jut the tide was generally stemmed by the Tukapa baelcs, of whom Loveridge was about the best, putting in excellent work. His lac!; ling was worthy of ai} old hand, and liis kicking into touch showed he used his head to advantage. H. Bullot scored (lie ftr.it try for Tukapa, tlio kick at goal tailing. Inglowood put on more j aeo, and transferred play to Tukapa 25, where give and take play of an uninteresting nature took place, both sides offending frequently by lying on the ball. The Reds,however,were steadily borne back to their own territory, ami McDonald, grabbing the ball from a scramble, aided another try to Tukapa's score, Uie kick again proving abortive. Inglewood livened up, their heavy forwards seeming to thoroughly .ivei'power their opponents, but, an uui'ortunatc piece of bad handling prevented them gelling over, and touch, ill-goal resnlti.'d. Later Tu'.ijW. ermiiicaced to go fo pieces, and Ingle I ,vuod l;a:l a shot at goal from a penalty. Olf-sidcj play robbed the ft'(ls of their alvautage, but they came a;aiu, ai) l irow a meleo fciimpian slipped o\cr in a good position. King added the major points. l ? rom a penalty King put on another three points. Inglewood managed to maintain their lead, and the game closed without further ia;jde#t. Ingleivood 8, Tukapa 0.

STAR A 111. (13) v. STAR B 111. (6). A willing struggle resulted in a win for the A team by the substantial majority of 13 to 6. Bridgcr scored two tries, and Bleasdale one for th winners, Bleasdale converting two The A team's six points comprised a try scored by C Bellringer and a penalty goal secured by Harding. STRATFORD 111. y. CLIFTON 111. This game, played at Waitara on Thursday, resulted in a win for Stratford by 8 to 0.