FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 10 May 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR GRADE.

TUKAPA (8) v. STAR (3)

The meeting of the two town senior teams at Western Park ou Thursdav a tan ' crowd of spectators. The weather was Hue, I,tit a fairly strong Jieeze blew across the ground ui ail angle, diverting most of (ho play to the leeward side, which, fortunatelv,'was tile side on which the terraces wJre placed, the I ukapa supporters were eontident of wetory, manv of them "givim* in" six points, hut the result was scarcely so satisfactory from their point of view. Xo very brilliant exposition of football was given, though at times there were individual instances of good play. The Star forwards seemed to have the better rendition. and combination, but their bacKs were weak, and the opposing rear division's superiority enabled them to sjieil the Tukapa forwards, and to in the others "olf their legs." The winning team was practically the same as last veal's, .bilmson and* Storey new blood. Ihe Stars, however. Itt\e undergone considerable change, without much improvement. The backs neeiiied to lack cohesion, thus nullifying to a huge extent the ex.-vllcnt work of the for-

-ilvinjtt captained tin l Tukapus, and •J'an tin' Stars. .Mr. Hopkins acted as ■feree.

Tukapa kicked oil' a^iiu-.I the wind. Hid for thi' next few lliiliiilr.-, there was oose, disorganised play. The iirst strain iccurred almost on the cciitiv-line, and he Stars (trriwl it with a screw, Plav

as then mostly confined to the for

wards for a lime, except for some pretty kicking by Mynott. Tukapa was penalised for oil side, and Black made an unsuccessful shot at goal. Thompson and Xutt were responsible for takin" play hard up to the blues' line, but the forwards came with a dash and cleared

the line. It was here that, the Star -hip seemed to have listed and lost its lalaucc, the five-eights promoted from :he lirst juniors developing a nervous -urn that prevented his catching the nappy passes whipped out by Thompon, who was playing a clever game at lalf. Tukapa's first break-away run >rigiiiated with Frewin, and ended by 'ike intercepting and returning lu the ther end of the field. Mynott and Fre-

win came again; Btannering failed to take His pass, and George chipped in, but fell, the hall going out. Within a minute they were at it again, and this time the ball, after being passed through the hands of seven players, readied McLean on the wing, and he dashed over and scored near the corner. Ilardgravcs failed to add the major points. Tukapa 3 Star 0 Resuming, there was a succession of scrums and line-outs, then Krcwln made a ran, being grassed by Smith. Whitakcr at this stage collided with Mynott, and injured his nose severely-, necessitating a temporary retirement. Ilardgreaves seized an opening, and endeavored"to pot a goal, but the ball was carried off by the wind, and Star forced. Play was merry on resuming, the forwards running about a good deal, until Ryan and Courtney rushed the ball into touch, and Tukapa was forced, amidst great excitement. This seemed to give Stars an added impetus, and the kick-off opened up another phase of the game, Stars attacking hotly. Whitakcr, despite his injury, played up better than

at first, and the backs were given a little to do.- From a short kick by fcrewin, Smith marked, and some lively play followed in the Blues' 25. WhiUker marked, and Bellringer tried a kick at goal, without success. Courtney followed with a rapid run with the hall at iiis toe, but the ball went out, and the

whistle sounded half-time. The .second spell opened with a fine passing rush by the Tukapa backs, starting from the back of the scrum. The ball then got down among the fur-" wards, and was bandied about a good deal to no apparent purpose, except that play travelled across the field. Then Frewin snapped the leather as it issued from a scrimmage, and passed to Mynott, who ran round and scored without great effort, grounding the ball between the posts. Hardgraves' kick brought the score—

Tukapa 8 Star a

Loose rushes now predominated, Itvnn, Courtney, and Set ford for. Stars, "find Crowley, Steele, and Storey for Tukapa, doing good work, play being mostly in Tukapa territory. The defending backs, however, were very sound, and Jlvnott put ill some line line kicks and short, dodgy runs, the Stars failing to grass liim irom the simple fuel that they abjured all advice t<i "go lo\v.' J In a spleiidid rally by the Black forwards ltvan was disabled, and his team had to play short for some time, llis loss was severely felt, aud for the next few minutes the Xukapas pressed haul. Then Stars en me willingly, Mack aud Courtney rushing the liall along, Star eventually securing a free kick for oll'side play in front of the posts, llclhiiigcr failed to elevate llie bail sullieiently, and onee more the Star supporters were disappointed. The leam by this time had been slightly reorganised, Ntltt being sent to lull from the thive-tjiLiricr line, Smith taking the work of live-eighths. Wliitaker and McLean moving iniu the three-quarter line. The alteration was

beneficial, anil the backs made a better fight of it. From an opening made by Jlyuotc, McLean streaked for the line, but Pike grassed him near the corner. From it line-out a scrum was formed, and Mviiott. taking the ball from Frew-iii, cut in and reached the line, but the Stars prevented his touching down, and Smith relieved by a hard kick to centre. Smith .ltyan, and Courtney headed a rush into Tukapa'u "23. and plav hung near the corner Hag until Steele and Crowley relieved. The Blacks could not be staved off. Courtney made ai

au opening, anil chased tlie ball in, buL could not score, Bellringer just manuring to touch the leather, ami scoring the first try for Star. The kick at goal, was a failure. Tukapa S Star :)

As might be expected, play livened up, but the Stars' backs were mulling badly, | whilst the Blues' following up ami passing was good. Frcwin osaynl a goal from a penalty, but the ball was unsteady, .*uid missnd. 1 lie same player was almost immediately afterwards penalised for picking out of the scrum, and another free kick to Siar was given when about half a-dozen Tukapas were caught oil'side, llardgrave.s forcing, ('lore play on the line seemed to indicate a further score for Tukapa. but Courtney saved, and kicked out. Then "no-side"' sounded; leaving Tukapas the victors by 8 to 3. As already mentioned, tile game was mostly between the Tukapa backs and the Star forwards, the latter being easily the better pack. The best backs ml the winning side were Mynolt. Frowiu, and McLean, and Crowley. Steele, and Storec were the pick of t'|„> forwards. For Stars, Thomson, Pike, and Smith were prominent backs, and Cuui'tuey. Kyaii. and Set ford stood out in the forwards. Thomson and Jfynott were the two cleverest backs on the field, and Courtney the best forward.

IXGT.KWOOD (0) v. CUFTOX (.1). Tlic weather was fine, and (lie ground in ideal order for the above mntih at the Wniiara ground yesterday. A "ood number of spectators watched '"the same, the ''barracking" strength behv-t about evenly distributed. For n lir-I' match, the contesting teams were in fair fettle, and a willing go resulted, although there was a lack of the liner points of the game. Two spell- of -t,j minutes each were played, lnglewoud won the game by -the narrow margin of one point. Jnglewood defended (he western goal, their opponents Imvinir the advantage of a bi-i-k ' vly !. From the kick oil' a Ist of line work ensued. A hi„-e forward l-ii-li gave Clifton the advantage, a good opening being unbilled bv hard kicking, and Inglcwood forced. V'li.'l.m swooped down again by high kicking, and smart following, were :--,on within a few yards of the goal line. Inglcwood again forced. Clifton were determined, however, and. taking Ike oval alone- at n great bat. -ecnied a try. Smith <)• »I^-i■ ill behind the po.-t-. Nainp-ou added the

major points. Clifton o, Inglcwood ". For a term play cent red. From a lineout, a pretty bit of passing—the bc-l daring the game—ensued between several Cliftonites, the leather pa-sing rapidly through the hands of McAlpine, Pullfonl. Rolhcry. and Sampson, illlatter being grassed within two yards

of the line. Scrum and line work en-I-ned. from whir-li wore Ingb'wood were forced down on two or three occasions. I Inglcwood here a-sinned the aggressive. I and swept up the whole length of the : held with line dash, and by smart play i oi a loose order, registered their tlrsl. | score. ])e T.ntimiv securing the try. The I kick failed ov, inu' to the triekiness of I the wind. Inglcwood continued aggresj sive tactic.,, and for a while kept their I ppfoneuts hard pressed, and fy score

seemed inevitable at the comer Jb.g. Hie Clifton forwards, however, got light down to it, and by determined work

earried the play right down to Inglewood's i>, the latter subsequently forcing. Soon after Clifton had a shot at goal from a free kick on the line. The kick was a good ell'ort, but just missed. Ihilf-timc was called with play ia neutral territory. On resuming all interchange of back kicking gave the home team the advantage. i'lay centred, and the ball travelled twice across the field and back at a lively pace. Inglewood, who now had the advantage of the breeze, - pressed their opponents hard for a while, but a iree kick relieved the tension and centred the play. Inglewood returned to the attack, and were soon iu dangerous ground, where they were awarded a free kick opposite the posts. The kick, although not a diflieult one, was futile. Hard plugging 011 the part of the Clifton forwards changed the venue of play, and a lot of line play resulted, from a

inc-out, I'otier (fur Jiiglewood), who dayed a great j|aine throughout Hie day, ;ot possession, ami. dodging through, -'i>!v the leather right into Clirton2-Vs. Uif ton's bucks relieved l>y finding the line with long kicks, ami* play centred once more. Down came the visiting forwards with a good rush, the home (earn I»(-ing "all out'' to ?uicce»sfully defend Ihvir line. Loose scrum work followed. At this stage liiglewood scored a very easy try. The Imll went out nrar the corner, and from a smart throw in Olson secured and ran In practically unopposed. The try was not converted, inglewood (i, Clifton 5. After this the play was very fast. Jnglewood, steadily weaving down the liehi, Clifton forced. From the kick-oil Potier secured, and made a pretty drop kick at goal from near half-way, the l>al) falling a few inches wide. For the remainder of the spell the visitors had the better, although Clifton made some tine rushes in their endeavor to score. They were awarded a free kick at a good angle, lmt the wind swerved the ball just outside the post. Shortly after the whistle sounded, with play at mill-field.

For the home team, liothery, Sampson, JlcAlpin, Pulford, Loveridge, and Purdie were prominent, while for Inglewood, Potier, De Launay, and 11. Birkett stood out.

Mr. Geo. Griffiths controlled the game.

STRATFOKD (11) v. ELTIXAM (S)

Kltham signalised its debut into the Northern Division by putting up a good match against last year's premiers, oil the hitter's ground. The weather was cold and bleak, the attendance being somewhat meagre. The teams were constituted as follows:

Stratford: Full back, G. Brown; threequarters, Potts, Fearson, E. Kivell; liveeighths, Cameron; half, Bullot; forwards, Masters, Marchant (wings), B. Kivell, Osborne, Young (2), Melville, James, aud Boon.

Eltham: Full back, Moir; three-quar-ters, Johnson, Dive, Robinson; liveeighths, Morse; half, Brown; forwards, McCracken, Potts (wings), McNab, Weir, May, Smith, Wilson, Burke, and McDonald.

Stratford, kicking towards the town end, led off with the wind rather in their favor. The red and whites quickly carried the play into their opponents territory, and Eltham were 011 the defensive. Tt was soon manifest that the game was to lie mainly of the forward variety, both packs working strenuously. Stratford bore down with a dribbling rush, which Boon frustrated. This enabled Ihe ntagjie's to transfer the play, and after some close work a scrum was called near the 25. The ball was neatly heeled out and passed to Dive, who outgcneralled his opponents and crossed the line, also converting the try.. Eltham . 3 Stratford 0

Stratford carried the play down in stubborn style, and an attempt 011 the part ot the backs looked promising, but Kivell was tliiown out at the corner. A lot of even centre play followed, there being little to choose between the two packs. From a line-out the Stratford backs took possession, Cameron, Fearson. and Kivell taking part. The lastnamed made a bolt, but was grassed just in time. A force down, and then the magpies were in the ascendant. Morse, Brown, Dive, and Johnson handling the ball nicely. The fiftii man mulled the pass, and a promising opening was marred. Kivell and Cameron were again prominent, and an attackwas averted by Dive marking. The Stratford forwards, headed by Joe Young, came in lmll-dog fashion, but Eltham smothered the rush, the defence being good at this juncture. Cameron, who had designs 1111 the line, was laid low. and Stratford appeared to be out of luck's way, as a five kick in a good position narrowly missed the posts. The whistle sounded as the red and blacks had the Southerners penned down in the cornel'. Up to this stage Stratford had had slightly the better of the game, despite Ihe score against them. The prediction of a hot contest in the second spell was fully home out. Stratford started to make every post a winning post, hut had not. things their own way. yet, at least. Dive managed to mark well up the (i-ld, and. to the gratification of.Elthani's supporters, notched a goal. Kltlinni S Stratford 0

This reverse had 110 effect un the Stralfordites who kept up a strenuous feline. A llukey opening. and fumbling en the part (if filthani backs, enabled Kivell to bent them in a race for tiie ball and drop over the line. The try was converted. Kit ham S Stratford 5 IMayinj; with more combination. Slralford thenceforward hail the better of affairs. Dive did yeoman service for his side, but was not as well supported as the opposing backs. Morse saved an ominous rush, but the red and blacks were not to be denied, and by line kicks crowded down into the corner. A serum near the 25, and some passing, gave Votls a chance. The defence was too belated, and lie contrived to scramble over the line. Though unconverted, the try equalised matters.

Stratford 8 Kit liani S A couple of force downs, and Kit Imm cleared by line kicks. With ten minutes to play a dash across the field curled in (.'animal getting over near the far corner, the kick for goal again being futile. Stratford 11 l-:ii liani S

(In the kick-oil' Dive made a fine effort lint was overwhelmed, and Kltham's last chance, a free for an infringement on Stratford's part, failed. The play was in neutral ground as time was called. On (he whole, the match was well contested, and both teams appeared to be pretty tit. Stratford played right up to form, and Kltliam's display promises to add interest to the Northern competition this year. Mr. Spurdle made an impartial referee. SECOND GRADE.

STAII f5) v. TUKAPA (0). Star and Tukapa lirst juniors met at Western Park. A poor display of football was jiiven. even for the first mame of the seaxm. In the first spell Stars had the advantage of the wind, but it wa* in the >econd that they scored, MrKay jiettinjy over and licllringer kiikiuj* 1 a j;onil jjnal. <>nite a feature nf the *;niiie | was a very line run hy Hooker, who covered nearly half the field, and beat about a doy.ni men in his atteni])t to notch a try for Tukapa: but he was forced out at the corner. Tin* Stars ■VVnW^disorganized by the promotion of "Whitaker from their ranks, hut beat their opponents on condition. Tukapa \va< freely penalised for off-side play, and tin' Siar half for whipping too r.ipidly round tlie s."rmn. The game ended— Star f», Tukapa 0. Mr. Proctor was referee.

INTtld-WOOl) (II) v. CLIFTuX (til. I lilton and high-wood tried conclusions at Inglcwood. After a. good tussel victory i-i-steil wit 11 (he home team by 11 puin-s to ([. r i i*ies fur inglcwood were scored by Stanley, F. .Inlian. and T. Clark, one being converted by M. Julian, (lillons (ally wis made up bv two goals kicked by Scilotield. THIRD GRADE. STAii A (it) v. TI'KAI'A (fl). I ke-e (earns met on the liaeeeoui'-e ground, a very even game resulting iu favor of Star by 0 to I). L. Clow kicking two penalty goals. Mr. ,T. Way was referee. INiJd'AYOOI) v. CkIFT'OX. The match. Inglcwood Til. v. Clifton 111., was not played, the former team having forfeited for the season. This will allow of the team having a bve in each week's ilvtiires falling into line bv taking up the defaulting team's ti.vtures.' | Add Senior Crade. STRATFORD (j) v. KLTHAM (.-J). The match between Stratford and Klfham resulted in a win for the former , I)J sto 3,