FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 14 June 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

' FIRST GRADE. TUKAPA (22) v. STRA'iTOKD ('J). Tukapa and Stratford seniors met at Western Park, the ground of the former club, on Thursday afternoon, and provided one of the fastest games and one of the most complete surprises of the present season's cup fixtures. Stratford played practically its lull team, with the exception of E. Kivcll, who was injured , last week. Tukapa was without the services of Frewin at half, a very serious | matter when opposing such a pack, and I played a rather youthful half named Au'ken. When the teams lined out the I visitors were seeu to have a great ad- j vantage in weight, and the general belief was that they would have an ea.-y will. Others, remembering taat at | Stratford a few weeks ago the .New l'ijliiouth team was only beaten by six points (two penalty goals) to nil and noting that the back division had been considerably strengthened since then looked forward to a good game, wila the possibility of it win for Tukapa, despite the unbeaten record of their opponents. The ilcver passing of the 'lukaua backs, and an utter want of co hesiuu among the lied and IMacks gave the home team an overwhelming victory.

S " Stratford kicked oil', ami Hie ball " went over Tul>:apa's line, resulting in ;i force-down. In the loose rushes hum end l ; to end, neither side seemed able to s «ain any great advantage, Tukapa using '' the side-lines considerably. The first !S real advsir.o made by either team was when Hooker, by a flue line kick, brought p the Tukapas up to their opponents' ter--1 ritory, where the attacking backs disZ played some neat passing. Don Camerrl on," however, intercepted a pass from 1 Hooker to McLean, and galloped nearly n the whole length of the field, followed by H. Cameron in support. McLean chased, overtook, and collared him, and 11. Cameron failing to take a pass the score that seemed certain was missed. Tukapa now played 011 the defence for a while, the backs eventually clearing by a passing run, and a well-judged punt out of touch. Bullot marked near halfway, and Stohr landed a fine goal, scoring first blood for Stratftad. Stratford 3 Tukapa 0 Some more straggly play, and Tukapa was penalised for lifting the foot in the scrum. Stohr placed a good goal from near the side line. Stratford G Tukapa <5 On resuming play hung at centre for some time, the attack of both sides seeming without sting. The Tukapa half missed a ball coming from the serum, but sent it on a foot pass to McLean, who over ran it. Tocker snapped it up, and struck out for the line, well supported. There was only Honeyfield to pass, but lie was safe, and Tocker was grassed, having passed to Don Cameron, who had a clear run in and scored behind the posts. Taking the kick himself, lie failed to increase the points. Stratford 9 Tukapa Q Up to this time the local backs seem- 1 ed all at "sixes-and-sevens," but now an ' improvement was noticed, Hardgraves 1 had an unsuccessful shot at goal, and his J side held Stratford 011 the defence. From ■ a serum Hooker shot ou. for the line, 1 but about halt-a-dozeu of his opponents ( laid Ir n low. Offside play gave Hardgreaves another kies at. goal, but the leather went wide. Tilings were looking serious for Stratford, but Joe Young broke through and carried play to the Tukapa line, llardgraves, however, cut in, and stayed the rush just in time. A ' minute later Mynott turned his defence into attack, Hooker making a fine run along the line. J. Young was penalised ■ for offside, and following the free-kick • Storey rushed across the Stratford line, ' but the full-back saved by kicking over i the dead-ball liue. Tukapa persisted in the attack, and their efforts were at last . crowned with success. The ball came out of the scrum, and Aitken got it smartly away to Mynott, who disposed of it in a long pass to Hooker, and a clever rim made Tukapa's first score. Hardgraves t failed with the kick. The home attack , continued to improve, and some nice | crisp passing was witnessed. In one of these ball travelled from Aitken to My- [ nott, to Hooker, to Hardgraves, and to Mclean. who set out on a run, and passed to Hardgraves, who slipped and ' fell. The play was now near the Slrat- : ford line. Scrums resulted in favour of ! the aggressors, anil from one of these 1 ' Mynott secured and passed to Hooker, 1 who scored easily, Hardgraves convert- 1 ing. i

Stratford t) Tukapa 8 From the resumption of play Stratford again took the upper hand, the forwards charging down to the posts. ilviiott let the hall slip through his legs, and llarchant got over at the posts, hut he was recalled for forward play. The respite enabled Mynott to clear his line, and Hooker and 1 [ardgravos took piny well up the field, where the latter tried a pot, and half-time was called. The second spell opened badly for the visitors, who seemed to he going to pieces. Hooker marked near the sideline, and Mvnott kicked to centre, I'earson marking under the posts. 1 lardgraves received the-hall, and potted. Tukapa 12 Stratford I)

Stratford forwards, headed by Marcliant and the two Youngs made a desperate rush, but Hardgraves put in one of his best line kicks, and staved off the pressure. He booted about half the length of the field just afterwards, and ■ Perry (playing off-side) chased along after it. Fearson failed to take the ball, and Stohr was but little better, booting the ball back to his Own line, where j Perry and Joll scrambled in the nuul for it before the latter scored. Hardgraves' kick was unsuccessful.

Tukapa 15 Stratforif 9 Play shifted across to the other side of the field, and, after a lot of play among the forwards, McLean got in a tine run. losing the ball, near the line. In a general mix-up the ball was scrambled over the line, four Stratford men awl Joll rolling ill the mud for it. and •101 l scored. The kick failed to increase the score, which stood— Tukapa 18 Stratford !) Hardgraves tried a goal from a mark,

mt the ball went wide, and the lieds . 'urceil. For the first time ill the spell stratford forwards charged down their •ppoucnts. and it looked as though they ivere going to make one of tin- noted -ecoinl spell recoveries, but Mckean gathered ill and cooly went down to the rush, and saved his side, the ball eventually going out. From the throw ill ;'ameron got in a dodgy run, and kicked nver the line, but the ball rolled into "dead'" ground. Play went to centre, where a Tukapa man was penalised for tripping. From the hall-way line Stolir made a great attempt at goal, but tho ball fell short. Tukapas then gave a free kick for obstruction. Hardgraves, who was playing a slashing iraine at i-eiilre fliive-i|u:irfer, secured, anil ran up the field. The ball must have been hut or prickly, for he seemed most anxious to get. rid of it. and ho sent if to Joll. ,iiid be. too. didn't seem to want it, and whilst looking round for someone to lake it he was collared. and instead of a simple try being gained operations were once more centred. Stohr and I«ullot shifted play to 'Tukapa territory, but

Hardwares out-Wallaced Wallace. and landed th«j ball down lo the vicinity of 'he Stratfoi'd line, arid out. Strafford rallied. and took Iho upper hand, but ihe team was evidently outclassed and iTooker, [fard«rraves. and -Mynott shifted th<» scene of operation* <«» the other «'iid. when- ("ainornn hi-k"! (he ball nii-d«-r lii> :»r!ii. and iimde <'ll' back •Vi-ntualiy and !lon<'ylieiil mavkrd. f'rov.ley. Terry, and •foil s'M'ined to jn-t easily Ihe T»»*st of 1 he fnrwai'd pl-ty that followeil. o>borne and Co. bustled. Sior-y and Crowley race<l the leather into a ifood po-ilion. and a scnun followed.

s-;<vnred. and passed to Mynott whu h:tndrd oil flte responsibility io Har-iu'tavcs. and iho latter potted a neat jroal. And a lew minutes later "im side" sounded, with the scores Tukapa Stratford '•> }[r. On. (IrilHlhs was referee, and M..,„r». spurillc :tn<l Way line umpires. STAR v. KL'J'HAM. 'flic above mateti, played at WHkimi yesterday afternoon resulted in 11 win f'M- 11;-.- !,.\ni leam I>V 10 points [lw ll sr>.t!.i In B I two mifornvr; <ml li-i' -i. Kiu-H w«.i seen out. for Star, and proved ii Imver of stren;_'l!i to his . side. Dive ,'lll.l Morse. the mainstay of tie- l.lilrun baeks. were nolalile absentees. their plnccs liein« filled l>.v promotions from fli ; - junlov ranks. TJiejpmie was a pom- one. |>rol>:i!>lv the poorest; exhibition of senior football seen

J this season. There was an utter lack |of organisation on both sides. The ■ match was nevertheless fairly fast and jat times interesting. The lir„t spell was I keenly contested, and was nearly all in the home team's iavor, and only 011 a lew occasions did Star manage to endanger the Eltliam line. About midway through tlie first spell JleNub broke away from a line out, and initiated a good dribblng rush, McCracken taldn.r the ball to the line, where it was passed to .Smith (Ultliam), who scored. jf ay made a good attempt at goal. Hit ham .... .j *t;.r g For the greater part of the spell ]j|. ■ tl.Ku. pressed hard, but Iht, defence ! , ' !I ", U ' aml i'ke was hard to peneI ..ti, and the spell ended without fur- : !l lau ' passing rush, which ! ih'm.son smothered., ikCmckcn, cut- ! tny Oil u pass from Thomson, not awuv aiul passed to Way, near (ha plisls, but the latter threw the ball too far back, and a good opportunity was lost. Hi' than, kept up the attack, Pike twice Uing his side out of dilliculLies. From a hard forward rush in Star's -Jo, l'otta picked up, and sent a long pass to Lewis, on (he wing, and who badly bent several Stars, parsing to Thomson (101thani) on the line, the latter scoring. •May kicked a poster.

Kltlium (j , Still' u Eltham now made the fatal mistake »f "opening up"' the game, ami I!yau unil Kivcll were not; long in turing this development to their advantage. iiyan broke away, ami transferred play to "the home team's territory. Jioir cleared, but ltyan was shortly afterwards seen out ''on his own," the want of support losing a good chance. Pike made a good run, iloir relieving to half-way. After some desultory play, the forwards of both sides seemed suddenly to wake up, and a few lively minutes followed, the referee finding it necessary to warn the packs. From a loose rush in the Kltlmm 25, Ryan picked up, and throw well across the field to Kivell, who dashed across. Clow kicked a good uoal Eltham q star ; 5 Stars, encouraged by this success, infused more dasli into their play, and attacked strongly, though raggedly. Black and Pike headed a dash, .which Lewis nullified. After some give and take play a long pass was sent out amongst the Star backs, Tom Smith seeming and making a strong run, got over, though collared, at the corner. Clow landed a splendid goal. Star I 0 * Eltham p, The Eltham forwards swept the field with ii solid rush, but kicked too hard and Star forced. May had a shot at goal from a mark, but the kick was charged down. Though hard pressed for a time. Thomson eventually relieved Stars by a series of marks, changing play to the other end, wheie play was being conducted after a desultory'go-as-you-please fashion, when the whistle sounded.

Ryan and Kivell (amongst the forwaids) and Pike and Thomson (amongst the backs) were the most prominent amongst the winners. Tom Smith plaved well, Imt was not called on to do much. Moir, Brown and Lewis were the most useful of the Eltham backs, Mav McCiackeu and Poits standing out from a good pack of forwards. Mr. Hopkins controlled the game efficiently.

THE NEW ZEALAND TOUR.

Per Press Asso»iation. Wellington, June 13. -Ue New Zealand Rugby Union Ims appoointed Edgar Wylie manager of the New Zealand team to tour Australia. Mr Cralbraith, treasurer of the Union, and Jlr Wylie will represunt the Union at the conference ill Sydney of the Austidlasian Unions, when a new agreement will lie drawn up. It was decide to allow the members of the team tmee shillings per day, travelling allowance. If possible, a match will be arranged for July G between the New Zealand team and Wellington province. At a meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night, the disqualifications imposed by tlie Otago and Southland Unions were made general. In reply to the \\ ellingtou Rugby Union's request for a ruling explaining 011 what conditions an indiviilu il might receive monetary eii/i----sderation for services rendered to foolball organisation, mid still retain his amateur status, it was decided to reply that monetary consideration may be received by any sue 11 person without destroying his amateur status, so long as he does not play football.

Followers of football throughout Taranaki will regret to learn that the injury J Jive sustained during practice for the Xortli y. South match at Christehurch a fortnight ago, is much more serious than was generally understood. The muscles of his leg have been severely strained, and several months rest from exercise will lie necessary if he is to continue the game, t'ndcr the circumstances it is almost certain that he will be unable to make flic Australian trip with the New Zealand team. This is unfortunate alike for himself and the team, but with a youthful plaver of his stamp, lie should have no diiliculty in again ((iinlilyiiig for the honor in the football world that accident has this time denied him.

A football match, Toko v. Oliura. was played at' Whangamomona on the 3rd. The game was played in a friendly spirit, and was evenly contested, and resulted in a win for the home team by 8 points to nil. 3lr. V. .lackson gave great satisfaction with the whistle. In the evening the visitors were entertained at a smoke concert, and after an enjoyable evening the Toko players left for home. ..rent credit is due to the members of the loko team for travelling such a distance over a bad road. The Ohura team meet loko at Toko on June 20. 'the following will represent the X.'w 1 1 , '. vmo "th High School teams in their matches against Stratford D.H.S. U Stratford on Saturday:—

Seniors Bridger, Grant, Pott. Osborne, Laing, Sinclair, (Jrev, .\utlmry, Kibby. McTsaae, Cokcr, McAllum. Jfoni,-! n. Quilliam.

■Tunirs—Sole. Jlorev. Okov, WaegiMy Dimihlofon, Jlirlo, Patterson, CJnohv, Biiily, Glasgow. Dustow, 0, QniNjani! Adlnin. Matthews, Svkcs.