FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8119, 25 May 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THURSDAY'S GAMES. Tukapa I. 3—Star I. 3. Stratford I. 27—Inglcwood I. 0. Tukapair. 8-Stratford IT. 3. Star IT. 12-Inglcwood If. 3. Clifton ITT. 11 -Tnglewoocl TIT. 0 Tukapa ITT. B—Star TIT. A. 3. Stratford 111. 10—Star 111. 13. 3. STAR v. TUKAPA.

The meeting of the town senior clubs attracted a very large attendance at the Recreation Ground yesterday, imongst which |thc "fair" bari'ackcrif the respective teams were very pro •innent. The game, although exciting enough to the partisans, wis aiiylhin? but a good exposition of tbe popular game, and might most. a;-.''v be described as a scramble. The forwards on both sides played milling games, and were very evenly matched. The l-a-k play was patchy in the extreme, and of collective effort there was practically none, the few altempts that were made be'ng so full ol mistakes as to scarce be classed above fonvlh rate. Individually 111" 'Tukapa backs displayed superior judgment, and by judicious

line kicking "nursed" their forwards, while the Star rearguard, with the exception of Thomas, and Pike, who a full-hack is a great acquisition, simply ran their forwards off their legs. On the day's play Stars were probably fortunate to make a draw of it. The game was fairly fast throughout, and there were a few brilliant rallies mainly, credited to the Star forwards, at the head of whom was "Paddy" llyan. There was little or no show of dash amongst the backs however, and the passing on the whole was poor. In short, the standard of play will have to be raised considerably if the high position held by New Plymouth footb IIL is to be maintained. Each of the teams has the makings of first-class combinations, when a little more ' head' had been infused into them THE PL AX

Stars kicked off, Tukapa playing wi:h the sun at their backs, For a little time there was a seemingly resultloss series of scrums aud long kicking, until Potier was penalised for picking up the ball ia tho scrum, and Tukapa assumed aggressive tactics. Thomas temporarily relieved, but the next line out gave the Blues an advantage, and Star played again on the dofensivo. Star was penalised for offside play, and Kardgraves had a fruitless attempt at goal, Stars being forcod. From tho kick-out Tukipa again invaded Star territo-y with a forward rush, and the line wis in imminent danger whon Pike rcli. wd by a smart kick out of touch. Some hulty passing among the Tukapa backs s,niled several capital openings. Hcneylield marked right in front of the posts, and Hardgraves taking the kick, placed a neat

goal. Tukapa, 3. Star, 0. s Prom the kick-out, the play was mostly among the forwards about halfway, until Thomas and Courtney, from an opening made by Potier, took the ball for the first time into Tukapa territory, and made things lively for a while, until Hardgraves relieved by a \ splendid kick, and following up smartly, forced the Star full-back to run out. Tukapa again assessed, and a strong kick by Hardgraves crossed the line, Star forcing. Opening out, tlu Star forwards com- > menced to put more life into their play, ltyan and Perry showing conspicuously. Play was rushed into Tukapa 25, where Stars secured a free kick, and, failing to put the ball out of touch, Tukapa was forced. On resuming, Stars still penned tho Blues in their own territory, aud the spectators grew excited as the play was anain and again forced back from the Tukapa line. A splendid rush in which tho

full-back (Pike) took a prominent part, assisted by Smith and Potior, was stopped by Mynott, who kicked out to centre. Stars returned to the attack. Potier secured the ball in a handy position, and passed awkwardly to Thomas, who kicked oyer the lii'o, and Ridland forced again. The next few minutes were lively, the forwards forcing play from end to end, and Star was once more called upon to defend their goal. Failing to pass promptly, Potior gaye the Tukapa backs a chance, but their passing was again very wild, and Thomas relieved the pressure with a timely and well-judged kick out of touch. From this, Courtcnay, Thomas, and Ryan carried play inio the Tukapa "25. Oourfenay broke through, but lost , his chance by hard kicking. Some good kicking and a lot of fumbling followed, and for lifting the foot in the scrum Tukapa was penalised. The kick was taken by Pike, who registered a neat goal.

Tukapa 3, Star 3. In the second spell the play was a little more interesting. The Stars made some changes in their formation. Potier, who had been plainly out of his element at half, took his place at. five-eighth, Oourtenay (wing forward) coming back to half, whilst Thomas (five-eighth) played wing-forward. The forwards had the bulk of the play for some time, though there were patches of work from the back division, and the Stars were kept strictly on the defence, Potier, Thomas, and Courtney showing up. A feint by Frowin, and a dash into the " ruck'' when he could with advantage have passed, gave Stars an opportunity, and next moment Tukapa were exerting all their powers of defence. Ryan, Allen, Crowley, Johnson and Perry were shining lights in the Star van, and they were met by strenuous defence, Frowin and Mynott relieving by well-judged line-kicking. Then Crowley and Johnson seized upon au opening made by Frowin, and carried the ball at the toe right up to the Star posts, where, for an infringement a scrum was formed five yards from the line. Tukapas were pressed back to the 25 line where Hardgraves had a shot at goal, but the elevation

was insufficient. Jn the next live minutes the ball was hustled about the field without any side gaining much advantage, until a scries of scrums favored Star. Hardgraves made a fine run through the Blacks, and got clear of the Tukapa pick. Pike missed him, and Hardgraves set out for the line. He was only a couple of yards away when Pike overhauled him and brought him down, and what looked like a certain try ended fruitlessly. Star broke away, and Pycroft

got in a good run, the Star forwards taking the ball right to the full back, but jiidlaud proved equal to the occasion, and play again centered in Star territory. There was little more of interet, and the game ended without further score, although proper use of opportunities should have resulted in at least three tries being registered. Mr Hopkins as referee giye complete satisfaction.

STRATFORD I t. INGLEWOOD I. This fixture, pUycd at Inglcwood, provided a runaway victory for the Stratford team, who outclassed their opponents in every department, and rattled up 27 points to nil" The home forwards made a decent showing occasionally. For the winners, trks were scored by D. Cameron (3), H. Masters, Stohr, Hnndrup, three of them being converted, and Cameron lacking a penalty goal. Mr Griffiths nas referee.

TUKAPA 11. v. STRATFORD 11. These teams met at Strafford on Thursday afternoon, when the visiting team proved viclorions by K points to 3. The winners' score was made up of tries scored by Hoolier and L. Bullot, one of them being converted by Doughs. Stratford's three points were obtained from a penalty goal. The home team consider that the victors arc the best team they have met in this year's competition.

TNOIEWOODIII. v. CLIFTON 111, The only match played n Waitara ycstcrhiv was between Tng.ewoocl and Clifton thirds, the result being a victory for the home team by 11 points to ml! Clifton had all the host of the contest, and in the first spoil, with a fairly strong sun in their faces scored, Callendar getting over after a forceful run. Una kicked a lovely goal. In the second forty-five the attack was continued, and after a strenuous run by Cole, Hernsten goi the ball but he had hard luck in falling before ho reached the line, and 11. Cole came to the rescue by obtaining the try. Kua made an abortive shot at goal. The

score then stood at c i,dit points, added to shortly afterwards by another three, 11. Cole taking a clean pass and getting through several opponents over the Inglewood line. Una's kick was a good one, the ball travelling just outside the posts. Mr Martin referced.

TUTCAPA 111. v. STAH 111. A. The Tiiknp-i team won this match by s points to :!. For the winners tries were scored by Gilbert and Ward, and 1. Bullofc converted. STAH 111. U. v. STUATFOKD 111. The Stratford I earn secured an easy victory by 1(1 to ;i.