FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8150, 6 July 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL

STAR I v. TUKAPA I. The O'Brien Challenge Shield presented by Mr D. 0 IJrieii tor competition by the Star and Jukajia seniors, will be held for the next twelve months by the Stars, as the result of their victory over the blue and white champions yesterday, ihe Stars have not had the right to monopolise one of the plate* for a couple of years, so it seems ou'j fair that the pendulum should now swing in their favor. The decisive match, which was also interesting from its bearing on the Taranaki Cup contests, was played on the New Plymouth racecourse on Thursday in the presence of a large crowd of spectators. The ground was in good playing order, despite the continuous soaking rains of the past week. There was a high wind blowing, almost straight across the ground, and lukapas had the advantage of this in the first spell, The one score of the match was a try by Ryan, secured within a couple of minutes of starting play. From this on, the game was an even struggle by two wellmatched teams. The forwards seemed about evenly watched on the average, but Star had two brilliant men, Kyan and Courtney, who outshone their opponents, and were chiefly responsible for the failure of Tukapa to register a score. As usual when these teams meet, there was Borne willing play, hard knocks given and taken, but the game was contested in good spirit. Taken on the whole, the winning team played a solid forward game, whilst the Tukapas used every endeavour to make it open, and some splendid passing was seen, always nullified by a wild throw, a fumble, or the deadly tackling of their opponents, Kivell kicked off for Star, and in a few seconds a serum was fomcd, the ball coming out like greased heels to Tukapa. Kyan and liothery charged down, and liidland, at full, kicked into touch. With a good kick and a rattling follow-np, llyau shot oyer the line, and registered the first score within two minutes of the start. Pike s kick at goal was fruitless.

Star 3 Tukapa 0 Resuming, Tukapa was immediately placed on the defensive, the Star forwards getting in some lightning rushes. Kivcll broke out from the pack and | dribbled up through the Blue ranks, [Tukapa mulling time after time, and eventually forcing when Star richly deserved a score. 'The Blacks again assumed the aggressive, but Mynott relieved by a well-judged kick into touch. A couple of minutes later, seizing an opening, he got away and was making good headway wiien in dodging he slipped and lost the ball. Stars were penalised, and Hardgravcs had a shet at goal from half-way, the ball falling a little short, and Star forced. Tukapa now made a determined onslaught, Steele and Crowley showing out in front. Kidland put in some good work at full, taking the ball and kicking rinht up to the Star full-back, whom he lowered just as he got his kick in. Hardgravcs, Mynott, Frewin, and Stannering put in some good passing,' but Ryan smothered and once more put Tukapa on the defensive. Eleven scrums were formed in ((nick succession within five yards of the Tukapa line, and Stars made great efEorts to score. Frewin shifted play from this dangerous post by a squirming run through the forwards, and Steale, Seamark, and Crowley took the ball away up into Star territory, and the tcnsioi was relieved. It was then Tukapa's turn to attack, and some splendid passing runs took place, Mynott, McLean, and Hardg r . lvo s showing out conspicuously. llyan, Courtney, and Rothery were at the head of the forward rush that changed the complexion of affairs. Ryan n - as penalised for off-side play, and Hardgraves essayed a goal. It was a splendid effort, from about 05 yards, but the elevation was insutlicient. Star-forced. The Blacks now played with less dash than in the opening stages, and Tukapa assumed the aggressive again. McLean made for the line, and only had Pycroft to heat The latter, however, asserted himself, and McLean's chance of scoring faded away. Another free kick gave Hardgravcs a chance at goal, but the ball shot away off the side of his boot, and Star forced again. Opening out again Hardgraves tried a goal from a mark at half-way, the ball falling under the bar. Mynott made a splendid opening, hut failed to use his supports, and the chance to equalise the points was lost. Then followed a series of passing rushes in which all the Tukapa backs took part, slaved off by the splendid defence of the Star backs, and quashed by the sprightliness of Courtney, Ryan, Rothcy and Hooker. Hardgraves narrowly missed potting a goal, and Star forced. Resuming, a penalty against Star gaye Tukapa another shot, but the ball fell short, it being one of Hardgravcs' "off days." Then came the Stars' one good passing rush. Thomas initiated it, and the ball was sent in turn to Pike, Cook, and Knell, the latter transferring to l'yerofl, who galloped for the line, but was thrown out a few yards from the coveted mark. Play was at centre when halt-time was

called. It was confidently asserted that Tukiipa's would more than equalise Matters iu the second half, oil account of their superior eoudition, but the game opened rather inauspieiously for the prophets. Thomas burst through tin l pack, and after a momentary rebun, Stars set up another big attack on Tukapa's iroal-lmc. Mynott relieved with a tine kick, hut lliehords re-

lumed out of touch. Stannering got ( in a good run, but was alone, and had ' none to pass to when I'olier collared : him. The Stars were awarded a free 1 kick when a Tukapa deliberately knocked forward, Tukapa came again, and Frewin tried a pot, but failed, Star forced. Byau and Co. soon placed the Blues in difficulties, and Kidland was penalised for handling the ball on the ground. It was his only chance of preventing a score, but it gave Stars a chance at goal from an easy position Pike's elVort was a failure. Honeylield brought the ball back into play. Things looked dangerous for the 131ucs, but Frewin got the ball away neatly from a scrum to Mynr.lt, whose linc-kifk made a good doal of ground. From a passing run by L'rewin, Mynott, llardgreaves, anil .■simmering, Frewin got the bull grue'ided 011 the line, and a scrum live yards out resulted. Honker gol the hall at the toe, anil led Stars out of danger, putting Tukapa again on the defence. Steele, Crowley and Seamark pressed things along, however, and for some lime Stars were called 011 lo give an exhibition of tackling and smothering, that kept them busy. They did their work effectually, and all Tukapa's attempts to score came lo naught. There seemed to be something lacking in the Blue machinery, for in nearly every instance opporlmiilies were lost by mulling, Simmering being 1 lie principle offender. It was liothcry who relieved matters, and ihe Star forwards made things lively. (Men play, and sides alternately attacking ami defending, followed till lime was '■ailed, liothcry narrowly missing a -eon- for Star, al'ler carrying the ball right to the Tukapa. line. The result was received, Slur :) Tukapa ... . . 0 amidst great cheering. Mr George Grilliths was referee. The winners were best represented by Courtney and l.'yau, and Hooker, Kivell andliolhcry were also prominent; Hichards, at full, was very safe, closely followed by Cook and Thomas. I'ycrofl played a stronger game than usual. Fur Tukapa, Crowley, Steele and Suaninrk verc easily the best forwards, the following up of the first two being a treat; ill the backs, all played well, McLean being probably the most brilliant, whilst Mynoll and Frewin did the most work, making some line openings and stopping well. Stanneriiig was not ill form for taking passes. Stratford 1. beat Inglewood 1. by 1 ii to H. A Stratford forward was ordered off l'or play, Mr Petty yrii referee,

Star 11. beat Inglewood B 11. at Tariki by 9 (tries scored by A. Pearce, O'Driscoll, and W. Wliilaker) to 3 (try scored by Thrush). Mr Spurdlc was referee. Tukapa 11. beat Stratford 11. on the Xew Plymouth racecourse by 12 to nil. Stratford had a poor team.