FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8144, 29 June 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

STKATFOIiD I. v. STAB I The meeting of tiic Shir and Stratford first fifteens on the New Plymouth racecourse ground on Thursday afternoondrew a large attendance of the public. Despite tho soaking rain of the previous day and night, the field was in fair order for play, though somewhat slippery in places. Wlien the teams met in the first round at Stratford their big vanguard romped over tho Stars, who were very poorly represented. On the form shown since then by bath combinations, it was expected thill : ""'ime and even struggle would take jji-ee yesterday afternoon. The Stars, however, were handicapped by the absence of several of the>r prominent representatives, including llothery and McLean. This resulted in onsiderable changing of the usual formation, Thomas being moved up to wing-forward, Ladner playing half, O'Driscoll at three-quarter and Richards at full. Stratford, for the first time this season, had a half-back who could be reckonel amongst seniors, Ballot, late of the Tukapa juniors, filling the place behind the scrum in a creditable manner. The club had its best tsam in the field, and it was a far better combination than was pitted against the Stars at the previous meeting, or against Tukapa a couple of

weeks ago; in fact, it was probably the bost team that the club has put in the field this season. The display of football was not brilliant, though at times there were flashes of good play, particularly amongst the Stratford backs. The teams took the field shortly before two o'clock, Mr Proctor holding the whistle. Stratford had the advantage of the sun at their baoks, and started away with a rush into the Star 25. Things looked precarious for the home team, but the opportunity was lost and Stars cleared Iheline. In about tin minutes from the start, after an exchange of kicking, Stratford was vigorously defending its ?oal, Cameron doing some good spoiling the rushes initiated by Courtney, who was making a brilliant display. L'ike had a shot at goal, but the kick fell short, aid Kivcll caught tho ball md sent play again to centre, Osborne ind Joe Young were responsible for •ending the ball into Star 25, where Pycroft, by an unsuccessful and unnecessary speculative kick jeopardised the line. It seemed Stratford must score, but some bad passing amongst the backs spoiled the opportunity, and ■play returned to centre. Stars made desperate' attempts to score, Courtney heading every rush, but Cameron, Tocker, and Kivell in the backs, supporting a well-organised defence in the forward division, kept the Blacks it bay. Williams put ma fine line kick, and gained a good deal of ground Courtney started another rush, assisted by Ryan, and Stratford had to defend igain. Tocker received a-nasty knock in stopping a r jsh, but wai able to resume play after a few minutes' spell. Star was penalised for ofE-sido play, ■nd Cameron placed a beautiful penalty ?oa.l, the first score of the match. , Resuming, Stratford charged again, but Potier returned out of touch, and put the visitors on the defence once , more. From a scruui the ball came , out to the Star bacLs, Potier, Pike and Pycroft figuring in a good passing run, the latter running out. The scene was changed when Tocker broke through the Black ranks and Cameron, receiving tho hall from him, made up the field, but a bad pass nullified the effort. Courtney made another opening, but as usual was unsupported, and his work was almost rcsultless. The spell ended without further score.

In the second spell, Stratford took charge for a time, Harkness, E. Young and James playing a vigorous forward game that nonplussed tho defence. They got the ball away to the backs frequently, and Tocker, Cameron, and Fearon were given plenty to do. TLe next score was a penalty goal kicked by Cameron, after a long and determined attack on the Star citadel. Stars went to pieces. The formation had been altered for the second spell, Potior taking Thomas' place on the wing, the latter playing half, and Ladner retiring to three-quarter. This scheme had to be altered when Potior was partially disabled in a collision, and Pycroft replaced him as wing-forwarJ, where he played a more vigorous game than in his own position. Bullot stopped a Star rush, in which Courtney, Ryan and Kivell showed at the head. Quickly Cameron transferred the scene to the other end, and Star forced from a fruitless attempt at goal by E. Young. Then came as a surprise a rush by Pike. With the ball at tho toe he ran from under the posts to half-way, whore Kivell chimed in and, dribbling fast, crossed the line. The kick at goal failed. Stratford 0, Star 3. The Stars declined to take the lesson that open centre play suited them best, and they were gradually worried down into sheer comfusion, Fearson scoring. A good goal was kicked. Stratford J.l, Star 3. There was no further incident of 1 moment, and the game ended with the score unaltered.

There was little to choose between the Stratford forwards, lu the backs, Cameron, Bullot and 'i'ocker were the best. For tho losers, Courtney was far and away the best, and the most brilliant man on the field, evincing pace and a readiness to follow up that was lacking in the other members of the team, Thomas and Ryan being somewhat of exceptions. Pycroft was a 'failure at three-quarter, and Potior was not up to his usual form

TUKAPA I. v. CLIFTON I. The above teams met at Waitnra on Thursday afternoon. Pain fell at intervals during the match, making the field of play very greasy. The game was a very evenly congested one right through. The superiority of the Clifton forwards was counter-balanced by the clever handling of the ball by the Tu.kapa backs. From the kick 0.1 Clifton vanguard were vigorously aggressive and kepi the visitors hard at work defending for the first twenty minutes. The home team were generally successful in hooking the leather. 'The Tu. kapa backs defended effectively, and kept the play fast and r-ivino. From a forward rush down the line Samps ju scored the first try for Clifton. The kick at goal was futile. The play for a time was then of an even order until Frewin, tho Tukapa half, whipped the ball from the scrum, and streaked down the line, Standish took the pass, and equalised the scores, no goal resulting. In the second spell the play was mostly of a forward order, each side attacking in turn. With only a few minutes to go, Abbott got the ball and passed to Isaacs, the latter scoring at the corner. The try was not converted. Tukapa was attacking when time sounded. Final: Clifton (i, Tukapa 3. Mr F. Spurdlo controlled the game.

Our Whaiigiiiimmnna correspondent writes: —Tilts loiylalked-of match between Whangnmoniona an-1 ltohuratalii evenlu; t <1 here oil Saturday, and, as anticipate d proved to be of an exfiling el;a.'retei'. Being the iirst match played liere, probably helped to incite tlio interest taken in the game. It was keenly contested throughout, both icams slrning their utmost to gain the advantage. Eventually the game ended in a well-deserved win for lioliuratahi by H points to ii. The result was hailed with wild exclamations of delight by 'he supporters of the winning team. The icams are to be congratulated on the friendly spirit in which the game was played. Play had not commenced many minutes before it was evident that there was a number of members of both teams who had played the same lief ore, and were players of no mean order. As was to be expected, there vas not much combination on either side, but it is to be hoped that practice will remedy this defect. C. Tocker (captain) and F. Cleland secured tries for the winning team, and F, Dunlop (captain) obtained a try for the losers. Mr Worthmgton was re- •, force, and appeared to give general I satisfaction. The spectators rolled up ! in great force, a very large proportion i being ladies. There was a smoke conceit held at night,