FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8129, 8 June 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

STRATFORD I. v. TUKAPA I. Tlio Stratford-Tukapa senior fixture, set down for the New Plymouth , Recreation grounds, was played ou the racecourse, Hie Recreation grounds heiii!s declared unlit for play. 'The weather conditions were bad at the commencement of the ga no, a high wind blowing from goal to go il, and there were frequent showers. Tukapa won the toss, and elected to play willi the wind, fctratfurd kicked oil, and their forwards soon secured an advantage, pressing the home team close on their line. Their backs, however, failed to make use of opportunities which resulted from the superiority in the pack, Frewin, Mynott and Hardbraves spoiling well. Mynott was responsible for a rapid change of the <cene, and play was taken to centre. An unfortunate failure by Mynott to rake one of Frewin's passes spoilt a ,'ood opening, and the Stratford forwards by good line work recovered the lost ground. Cameron essayed a goal from the field but the kick fell short and Mynott marked. Play shifted ajiin, and Stratford had to use their defeusive tactics, Tukapa having a strong wind at their backs. Off-side

play near half-way gave Hardgraves a chance to show his kicking powers, but be allowed too much windage and the ball went outside the posts, Stratford forcing. They kicked out, and Frewiu returned the ball over the line, another Force resulting. The next start was even less successful. Frewin marked at half-way, and Hardgraves sent the ball over the bar, notching first score. Tukapa ... 3 Stratford 0

Tukapa's followed up this advantage by strenuously attacking the Reds' stronghold. Scrums gav? the home team an advantage, the visiting backs fumbling badly. The Stratford forwards, however, were doing huge work, Harkness and Young showing out prominently. Mynott and Hardgraves put in good work, and Stannenng and Hooker were brilliant at times. Eventually, the ball was taken over the line, but was not grounded, and a scrum five yards out was given. The ball came out neatly, and McLean dived over. Hardgraves' kick gained the major points. Tukapa 8 Stratford 0

Resuming, Stratford forwards put more "go " into their work for a while, but their backs fumbled badly. Kivell and Fearon were playing a safe game, the latter asserting himself on more than one occasion. Wilson failed to take a ball in the loose, and Frewin snapped it, passed to who sent it on to Hardwares. Hooker handled the leather next, passed to Stannering, who missed, and Honeyficld dashed in, assisting to carry the attack into Stratford 25's, But Young, Dyne, and Osborne put in some fine work, and play returned to centre. Tukapa aggressed, until Tocker seized an opening and dribbled well up the field, the ball eventually go-ng out from Tukapa's ground. Cau'eron had an unsuccessful sbot at goal, and the whistle went for half-time. ' I

There was a good breeze in favour of Stratford on changing ends, mid Tukapa forced m the first couple of minutes. Then the wind fell, and was light for tho remainder of the game. Shortly afterwards McLean put in a splendid run and beat the bulk of the Reds, but Kivell levelled him, leaving Honeyficld to carry on. Lawson, at full, fumbled, aud Honeyfield booted the ball out of touch. Tukapa was soon put on the defensive again, and a rebouud brought them into difficulties, Plav wo-ked along the goal line for a while, Tukapa defending gamely, and securing a lucky touch down. Stratford continued tho attack, and Tukapa forced again, three times in quick succession, Stratford's efforts being rendered futile by too strenuous kicking. About twenty minutes of the spell had gone before the Stratford go il was placed in jeopardy. Hardsraves was guilty at this stage of some obstruction, which escaped the referee's eye, and souie glaring instances of un-

ncc • sary roughness liy a couple of Stratford forwards were noticed. Tho tricky back work and excellent line play of the Tuknpas, aud a lack of dash in the Stratford pack kept the yisitors busy. Seamark and Stoclc made themselves conspicuous in the Tukapa pack, and Frewin, Mynott, Hardgraves, McLean and Honeylield worked like trojans in the back division. Questionable tactics on the part of liarkness caused n l)Ostilo demonstration from the crowd. A minute later, the same player tripped Eidland, the Tukapa full-back, anij thp referee asked him.to take his place among tlje spectators. Mr Hopkins was loudly applauded by the onlookers for his firmness. Tukapa seemed well able to hold their own until the last few minutes, when, from an opening made by Tooker, Cameron secured Stratford's livst try. He kicked | a goal, and the whistle sounded " no. side."

Tukapa S Stratford a E, Young, in the Stratfor 1 pack, was the best forward on the g; 1 mnd. His colleagues, Dyne and Oslmrne, were also good. Kivell was the best of their backs, and the only good tackier in the team. For Tukapa, Kidland was an excellent full-back, Hooker, McLean, Mynott and Frewin were the pick of tho others, with Seamark, Steele and Smith in the forwards.

INGLEWOOD I. v. CLIFTON I. The senior match, Inglewood versus Clifton, resulted in a drawu game -3 points each, the former scoring a goal from a mark and the latter scoring a try. Inglewood won the toss and elected to play with a strong wind behind them, Inglewood having Clifton penned down in their twenty-five, (he wholo of the 40 minutes, but no score resulted. In the second half the general opinion was that Clifton would Uiave an easy win with such a strong wind behind them, but on resuming play it was soou ovident that Inglewood were to have a day out, and shortly after the start of the second half O'CarroU (Inglewood) secured a mark in front of the goal about the 25 yards mark. Owing lo such a strong wind it was by 110 means an easy kick, but Lawson placed a splendid goal, making the 3, Clifton 0, On resuming, Clifton seemed lo rally and the game became very fast, the ball travelling up and down the lield, and good work was [ml in on both sides. About fifteen minutes before the call of time C. Potior (Clifton) got possession ot the' ball and with a long kick followed up and from a scramble on Ihe line Abbott secured the ball and fell over the line, scoring a try, JNo goal resulting. From the kick-oil: Inglewood rallied and gave Clifton plenty to do in def"u'iug their line for the remainder of the game. Mr Kivell held the whistle.

CLIFTON It v. STAR IT. This match, played at Wai tara on Thursday afternoon, resulted in a win for -Clifton by 13 to 3. For tho winners Moko, Aubrey, and Pukcrc scored tries, two, of which were converted by Hasell and Run. Cut-field scored for Stars, but Bellringer failed to plan' a goal. The game w-is mostly a forward one, and Clifton had a big advantage in avoirdupois. Mr Griffiths was referee. CLIFTON 111 v. TITKAPA 111, Ruin fell throughout the whole of tills match, played at "VWtava, and a strong wind was blrwinf, '''lie home team won by 5 to nil, On Thursday morning the Tukapa Club communicated with the at rut ford Club and informed their secretary of the heavy rainfall and the consequent water-logged stale of the ground, and asked that they should, if possible, postpone the senior match. It was too late, however, as the team had gathered at tlic railw ay station,