FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 19 July 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

FIXTURES FOR AUSTRALIAN TOUK, Julv 20, v. Australia at Sydney. - July 24, v. Queensland at Brisbane. July 27, v. Queensland at Brisbane. August 3, v. Australia at Brisbane. August 10, v. Australia at Sydney. THE DEFEAT OF THE ALL BLACKS. PRESS CRITICISM. Sydney, July 18. The Herald »ays: "The New South Welshmen fought like men possessed, but all the time played consummate football. They invariably got a maximum of effect." To the forwards belongs the honor of lowering the historic banner of the silver fern." Describing the New Zralanders' efforts to retrieve the position the paper .says: "If they played sirenuousiy lieforc they did so doubly now. They realised the task ahead, but also realised that the game simply had to 1* won. With all their glorious traditions to back them, they bent every ounce of muscle, used every iota of brain power, but they counted without tbeir hosts, and the crowd went well-

nigh frantic when it realised that the Blues were showing themselves the better team, that the dreaded second-half runaway of the mighty All Blacks was not to be, and thenceforward the match went on amid tremendous cheering. There perhaps had never been seen on any ground such enthusiasm as when the conquerors of the great Ail Blacks returned to the pavilion. The Telegraph says: "It was a sweeping victory. The Bines raked the enemy lore and ait. It was a coutest in which the strong man at last found his hold on his reputation weakening and his grip of confidence weakening as against his adversary, and the end of it all was that the spoils went the opposite way. The game was contested in an admirable spirit from the utset. Slowly but surely it went the way of the home team, whose combination was sound, tackling deadly, line-finding accurate, and judgment excellent. And what of the losers! They showed as much skill as the previous Saturday, and played as vigorously up to a certain point as every, but were out-generallcd—even as they had previously out-generalled others in the past —and out-played In ail departments of the game. The one thing that stood out in the visitors' play was the grit they showed in the face of adverse circumstances. That they lost was due to no want of energy or perseverance." llurnin, the New South Wales captain, attributes victory to their linekicking. Speaking at a subsequent reunion of the teams, Mr Edgar Wylie, the New Zealand manager, congratulated the New South Welshmen on their victory, which they honestly deserved. Hunter, the New Zealand captain, declared that every New Zealander would admit that the better team had won. Mr Wyiie, interviewed, admitted that the New Zcalanders had been fairly and squarely beaten at their own game. He had never seen such an exhibition of back play by a New Zealand or interprovincial team. The New Zealand backs were at six and sevens. The forwards did not last as long as* those of NewSouth Wales, and the backs did not support them.

THE RANFURLY SHIELD. WAXGANUI TO CHALLENGE AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. Wanganui, July 18. The Wanganui Rugby Union to-night decided to challenge. Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield. THE NORTH TEAM. Messrs Humphries and Malone last night picked the Northern representatives to play in the test match. They wish it understood tiiat there are no i *'certainties' for- the forward division of the reps., and every man playing In the trial will get full justice. Thoma? w,w not available for this game. The team, as it appears below, appears a, good one, particularly solid in defence:—

Full-back: Hardgraves (Tukapa). Three - quarters: Hooker (Tukapa), Potier (Inglewood), E. Kivell (Strutford). Five-eighths: Dive (Stratford), Caifieron (Stratford). Half: Atkin (Tukapa). Wing forward: Rothcry (Clifton). Forwards: "Allan (Star), ]l. Kivell (Stratford), J. Young (Stratford). I!.van (Star), Fearon (Stratford), Crowley (Tukapa), Storey (Tukapa). Emergencies Backs: Pike (Star), Fearon (Stratford). Forwards: McCrafcen (FJtham), Davidson (Clifton). SENIOR GRADE. IsTPvATFORD WINS THE NORTHERNPREMIERSHIP.

The greatest interest iu Thursday's fixtures centred in the Stratford-Clifton match at Waitara. Stratford was the leading team in the division, with Tukapa but a point behind. Close followers of form decided beforehand that the New Plymouth team would almost beyond doubt ho! 3 an advantage over El tham, but the Stratford-Clifton contest was more difficult to forecast. The Waitara team, on its own ground, might effect any surprise, for on the Waitara ground Clifton had performed some doughty feats. Should they defeat Stratford—an unlikely contingency—and Tukapa would hold pride of place in the northern division. A drawn game under similar conditions would place Stratford and Tukapa on even terms. This, together with the fact that the Waitara match was to give a "benefit" gate, drew , a fairly large attendance at the fixture. | The ground was in fair order, though a I trifle greasy, and the day was fine and bright.

The visitors played their full team, but vacancies in the Clifton ranks necessitated the inclusion of some juniors and the reorganisation of the team, with the usual resultant disintegration. Lash nn i Hoskill were noticeable absentees. The ■ teams took the field, as follows:

Stratford: full hack. B. Fearon: threequarters. E. Kivcll. A. Tocker, and J. Stnlir: _ fivoeights, Cameron: half, Bulloi; wing forwards. H. Masters and T •lames; forwards, B. Kivell. A. Osborne •I. Young. E. Young. It. Bo o , Vj r,, j W .' ville, and R. Fearon.

Clifton: Full Kick. Williams; threequarters. Jones, Scholefield, Stimpson; live-eighths. Samp-son: half. McAtpiiiej whig*, Rotherv and J'ulford: forwards'. C. Sampson, Davidson, Pukere. Lovcridgp, Sniilh. and Cain.

The game was. on the whole, fast and open. It wns a contest, for tin- most part, between sWence and muscle, !, ( .. J tw.vn brain and brawn, between two strong attacking divisions—the Stratford kicks and the Clifton forwards. The home forwards were perhaps better a!l----rotmd than the Stratford pack, but thev were unsupported. The Stratford forwards, a-heavy, strenuous and ea«or pack, were barked np by a good attacking rearguard, with at least two men really solid in defence. And it was due to the outstanding superiority of the Red and Black back division'that the visitors were enabled lo ra.ttlc up th» creditable score of 23 points ( 0 their opponents' nil.

f lifton s.-t the L'-mi,. moving, anil *fraij-ht«ay ■■ummcnml operations In llif-ir opponents' (piaitcr*. The ball went nut of touch, ami the line-out, ami more line play, enabled Stratford to clear. rSnllot kicked high. but did not find the linp, and Pukcre marked, the play workins hack toward the visitors' goal. With Clifton attacking Rothery missed a chance, and Stratford dashed thrmijrh, but the kiekins wa> too hard, and Williams eaujht neatly, ami piloted out of touch. Line play again favored Stratford. Bu!|nt heavinjr the ball out to C'moron.who. on the approach of Scholen°!d. transferred fo stolir. The ground 7.1s creaky, and Stohr mi«scd his fontiiiff. and .1 gowl chance was miined. Clifton forwards smart! v returnina to th» Reds' 2-i. where the full haek placed 11-.Fal „f,., y- (,-borne and Co. took ". «' IT", n ' Sh In,n " , " °" , Pr pr "' «f t..e fl-M lmt UotVrv obtained -inn. and th» Stratford im-n W *eem-ms-lv I»aten wh<- n off-.i,], p | nv |, v „ Clifton man pave Ynunir th» chane.'. to claim a scrum haek j tt (~., „,,„,,, (~.,„,•„ territory. Serum after scrum'cn/Mied "tli doivVrtfiil I'P.in eit',..r war. until Ttc'.'ot pii vi* Simpson a chance, 1,.,t I>n C:"**eron TPlleved l>v a ]<.**..» c«-n'ri..l,-.y , c •1 \Hliinm-. who ran out. T.inc p'nv '•-■V-.-.M J.l-V .-•-■. in to flifton oniric,'; -.-id Pdiot n-i-1 Kiveli «nt a pnstjn-r ••' ""'i-n. Imt the hall went forward. A line-ont c].»o to eoal (rave Bullot. n chance to pan fo Stolir. ond the latter

I crossed the line, but the pass had been faulty, and he was recalled. A serum

was given. The Ked puck screwed, !. Jliuilot grabbed the ball, and passed to I Cameron, who alter beating three men, I transferred to Tocker, who scored an easy try. Stohr had no luek with the kick. Stratford, 3; Clifton, 0. On resuming play was indecisive for ft ume. Then Jones, at wing three-quar-ter, waited too long for the ball to . bounce, and the Clifton backs were bustled. It was Stimpsou who relieved, and the Clifton forwards carried play to half-way, but the Stratford line umpire's flag brought them back to their line 1 flaying well together the home forwards . burst away again, but Fearon was too ' safe at full, and he booted into touch. • r,. Knell and Fearon, in the Stratford i pack, were largely responsible for plac- ■ in;; the home team again on the defen- •■ sive. The baft might easily have been ' forced, but Williams chose' the murc : sportsmanlike course of returning it to play. For a few moments only, how- . ever, he being compelled to force just afterwards. From a line-out Pulford scored, and made a headv run before booting out. A great forward struggle ensued, the ball eventually finding'Us way to 10. Kivell, whose' trickv and strong running ultimately brought (lifton to another force dowii. The visitors kept up their attack, and Smith was penalised for offside plav, Stohr placing H good goal. Stratford. 0; Clifton, i) lhe pace was now telling upon the Waitara men. With the exception of a couple of capital forward rushes by tilt tun, and a nice dribbling run by which Scholefield seemed likely to beat the Stratford full back, the 'remainder »t the iirst sped saw play in the. home j.o. On one occasion a very wild pass by Cameron j„ his <„vu --i and ~..,a Jn ront or the posts made the position ' look serious for the visitors. The second ' spell opened rather favorably lor Clif- ' ton. b. Sampson broke away with the •th'ith.s.toe. reached a handy ' pwiUon, Seholefield took up the rm- ' ""■ft and kicked over the line, .trcakZ ' eyes out" for a score. But Stohr out ' paced kin,, and, pushing him out of he ' way, kicked over the dead ball line Re ' owTtm'T C v tMl m ° re t,,aa Md iiir ; own til Joe loung cleared a passage ' Sf feri »gthel!ome fe 2 ! S , luvell ' Ca '^ r on and Tocker in- ' lulged m some neat passing, but a sin * 1* Tocker spoiled the chance. StaitoS ' « before and ] but K. K-aron dodged the ball thrum* ' , hc a " rhe score, however, was dis allowed a Clifton forward to. chit the ball m its flight. Clif ton foSTlfe" ' tacking forwards missing a dmpto chJt ( fa h \ home pack now. He marked and ™ t owing on the kick, rooted on oftot d 1 K \ounft Kivell and Fearo,. , lorw „. ' '

?,'.,, tac ball B ot among the atmu to withm a few yards 0 f t ] le l inc where he was thrown out. From the line Fearon secured, and by a lapmdash got over. Again Stohr's kicking was a t fault. Stratford, 0; Clifton, 0. g J! m L V n a °-T ,C VCT y solid plug-! gins, but the visitors completely out passed (heir opponents. C>s" r * •**>«* try, „ft,,- a clew, run work 'f™** °" Ca ™"-0"' *oik, added another to the list. Scarce a minute passed, when Bullot sent the 'Kill to Cameron, who passed to Ktvcll and he scored. 18 to nil. Kivcll, Stohr' Cameron, and Tocker got in some clever .passing am returns, and Cameron plantc the hall under the cross-bar. Stohr added the major points. Stratford, 23Clifton, 0. '

Clifton made a forlorn hope rush, and ponned Stratford down in front of the goal but the attack was not sustained; and the game ended in midfield without further score. Singling out players for individual .mention, it was the general opinion that ,1.. Fearon, E. Kivell (Stratford), ami IXividson (('lift,,,,) were the best forwards on the ground. Kivell, Cameron, rind It. Fearon were the best of the viei tors backs, though Stohr and Bullot played good football. For the losers Seholefield and Williams, with Rothcry on the wing, deserved special mention. *

ELTHAM I. (0) v. TUKAPA I. (23). This match eventuated at Western Park iu splendid weather. There was a good attendance of the public, who were treated to a fairly good game. Tukapa romped home winners to the tune of 23 points, though this big score does not represent the real difference in the (day or merits of the respective teams. The difference was iu the scoring ability of the teams and the ability of seizing'bold of the openings and opportunities and making the best of them. Kltlnun had opportunities, and frequent opportunities, but they played without cohesion ami threw away chance alter chance. Stohr, on the Tukapa three-quarter wing, made a name for himself, scoring three tries in brilliant fashion. His turn of foot gave him a material advantage and one he made the best of.

Tukapa kicked oil' against the siu which was fairly strung, as Old Sol Im just passed bis zenith at the tiiue of di commencement of the game. Klthar smartly returned, Stohr, through ovei eagerness, missing the ball, which th tisilors carried on to a point past Iml ray. From the nick, Atkins, playin. entie for Tukapa, passed out, but i ias a wild pass, and Eltham seized hoi nd kicked out in good position. Th 'lay was worked up to Eltham's 2; .-hove Atkins got possession and passe o Hooker who was upturned by Div rhen within n short distance of th oveted line, where Dive threw the lea her out of touch. Following the line ut the local hoys made a strong attael in the enemy's citadel. In a shor ime Tukapa were awarded a free kicli nd Hardgreaves made a good though nn uceessful shot at goal. Some goo, :icking amongst the respective team? meks ensued. 'Eltham started a pass ng rush, which nipped in th. ud. His forwards supported him ; teele being conspicuous, the player las lamed passing on to Frewin. who sho he leather out to Hardgreaves and tin iittcr to Stohr. who gal!o])ed over tin me in fine style and started the score '•lnch was not increased liv Haidroavcs ick at goal. Tukapa, :i; 'lOlfham. 11. (mod serviceable kicking on the pan f Hardgreaves brought fh c pl! , v „ fte] he kick out to the visitors' quarters •here 'Shaver" made an abortive kick a: ;oal ami in so doing lost a first-ri(< 'peumg The KUkam 'forwards, playin. pleudidly together, made things move ««tlm, l JnlKtnhrfwlldth(l ■ P..■»<■.! the pressure. A free kick (, I hapa. Clentworthy marked l,ut hi' übsequont kick gained little ground foi d ham who worked things down tin eld Here a free kick was given tl,e,„ "<1 Dive essayed n ki( . k fmi „ „„. ~.,,. >■>>' hue. K «•„« ~ ~,,,„,,;,, ~,,„, hoi.Hh ,! ,-,,U;\ ,„ ~„ ,„,„,,.,,„ „ K * s - -Wn.l ,-h.y followed. The ar, greaves K „i possess!,,,, allll whi . Jk ' u ; •'" , l ""''dgreaves, backin» it u» -»1 'he living bal! out of bounce Tl [ >lvapa lorwards took the play with 1 S '"" s ' Il.irdgrcavc; kicked dowr I . own men fro,,, l!l( , ~,d ;, mhm[ »/nil, punting out near the *■->. ■ie»iji |,„kcd out ,„' the s , n „ " j le i„t„,-s , u .re awarded a free kick "»"'■ •? li,,W ««»■ (o reach thei, on- :*" S f orhvoaftl '■"«- l»kapa reeved ~ ~,„, ki ( . k . and ■''" MH,i '»' l>"Nling ensued. From '"" ,mi »'»' passed lo his live ei-ht 111 »" on- supported him. He senUhe n, fre"- l r, I, \'.' f a , ''"W P"» to W« oi tides I.iit Crowley, the übiquitous '"l;ilKi lorward. intercepted and passed '■i>. who was -lopped and (lie ball ras sent oul. Ftewin attempted a pot. .nd f0110w,,,,, a ~,,„ k!d< (o " filer o„ I-.Hham fore,,,. ~-„„„ t ,„. f ~ "•ng play Frewin go! (he ba'l from •-rum and>*sed to Hardgreaves.who ■flit it on lo Hooker, who reached tic ''lt ha in full when his progress was looped, play for a lime hovering ne'ai '.'fham's line and lafer being transfered by smart work on Hie part of Elham to a safer position. Eltham press, d. and Tukapa'* full relieved by a kick ntn tniHt. Fliham v,as „ n 'the line nd harassed (heir opponent*, but they icked combinaHou and unfhmir crowned heir efforts. Frewin relieved. The 'ukap.i backs next indulged in a passing 'out. i"n which Crowley joined. The fiver named failed (o pass at the eritial moment and wliaf looked like a ffr . ■in *c,re was missed. The ball went ''' "-r FHlnm's corner. From a suc- "- ■""'-' '"""u. Tnkin.iV half whiowd ut fr, TT-cl.--■■-,•«: who pissed (o Stohr ■U. hnvevrr. cold not r,H- the "eilli-v I. O'lieMy e,.,.„..1, T> r „f;„ , nss ;„„ „„ h j - r.art „f (he T,,--..,,, ba-1.-s'«„„!,,■„,,. ■• ■cf.-l-,, ~„„„„ „ f) „„ F!fl,. ln , roark- '' ;?' ""•"' k-'ekin- ! , li,e ,dav ,lr. w „ o I "V.innV 2.-,. where nidl-nd marked i:d Hanloi-eaves kicked up field, but the

ball was soon returned and Tukapa were forced. For the next five minutes ElUwm had the upper hand, and the spell ended without further score. The second spell opened with give-and-take play, some good line kicking being done by the backs of either side. Near the half-way line, Hanlgveaves got possession and passed to Atkins, who smartly transferred to Stohv, the latter dashing for the line. Two men, however, stood between him and victory and so he punted softly, and, coming through like a rocket, he snapped the ball as it' rose and sailed over the line in inagni fieent style. Jlardgreaves failed to im-

prove the score, which stood—Tukapa (1, Eltham 0. Following the kick off, give-and-take play was {lie order. The loeal forwards got into Eltham's quarters, and here ITardgreavcs secured possession. Coolly taking his hearings, he drop-kick-I ed over the goal, making the score— ITukapa 10, Eltham I), .fust after this Atkins sent the hall on to Hooker, who scored a good try near the corner. Hardgraves was again unsuccessful with the kick a( goal. 13-0. No sooner had play re-commeneod Ui.m Stolir, taking a imss from Atkins, cork-screwed, his way through a host of EUhamitcs and scored between the posts, Hooker doing the necessary. IS-0. Crowley distinguished hiiii-elf a few minutes later. With the lia'l under his arm he sailed for T,ltham's line and nearly got over. TFe na<!sed to ITardgreaves. who transferred to Stohr. who kicked out. Eltham rallied, and made a descent on the Tukapa line, but Honker fielded and found the 'inc. Kltham continued to press, Dive "ctfing nicely away once or twice, but his backs did not support him, and his pissing also was not of the best. Tukapa forwards cleared, and the scene of operations was for a time in Eltham's 1 nlf, but Tukapa forwards slowly worked lo half way, where Tukapa received a free kick. Xful.ral play next took place, first on one side and then the other gaining the advantage. Eltham were playing with more fire, their forwards especially. They pressed hard, but without avail, though one time Dive and his left three-quarter went within an ace of scoring. Tukapa gradually worked out of their 2o and when in Eltham's territory. .Tull picked tip and tried to penetrate flic defence. Beaten at this, he kicked out to his own men, and the ever-handv fieorge snapped the leather up and hurled himself over the line. Ward converted. Plav of an even nature followed, Kltham missing several good openings, the match resulting—Tukapa 23. Eltham 0. Of the winners, the backs as a who'e play splendidly, and of the forwards (Jcorge (a consistently good player) and Crowlev were the most conspicuous. On the Eltham side, the backs were all offcolor, even Dive. 'Mnir at full, liowever, did fair wovk. Of the forwards, Burke, "W-Vab and 'McTTonald were the most successful, the wing players, Totts and McCracken, also showing to advantage. Vr Proctor made an impnvtial and capable referee.

IXGLLWW.UJ (ISJ V. SXAIt (ID). This fixture was played at Inglewood yesterday afternoon in beautiful weather. Both teams were short in numbers. Inglewooil played with 14, while Star only had 12, one of the latter retiring just after the game commenced through having the sinews of his righl leg strained. For the remainder of the game Star played only eleven men, several of which were substitutes. Ingle wood did not put in their strongest team. The match was of a give-and-taka order, the home team being the more aggressive. With the exception of flashes of individual play, there was very little display of senior class football. Pike, of the Star three-quarter line, played admirably throughout. His effective defensive work time and again blocked the opponents' back rushes, and on at least half-a-dozen occasions lie spoilt certain tries for Tnglewood. The try scored by this player was a (lever piece or wo*. The play was dangerously near the Star line when 1 ike cut. and intercepted a pass from Poiicr, and, breaking through, eluded man after man. When he reached just iicvnnd the half-way flag lie had beaten every man. and. although five or six of the home men tried to overtake him, Pike's fine turn of speed enabled him to place the ball between the posts. In the forward division Ryan and .Toe Ambary did Trojan service, the former being, as usual, always right on the bail, while his tackling was very elVccUve. For the home tea, Polier and' de Lauimy shone. One of {heir passing rushes ended in de Lannay scoring, and was a pretlr piece of work, as they traversed practically Hie whole length of the field. Tries were scored for Tnglewood by de Laun.'iy (■>). Putier. Hopkinson, and TownSend. Potior also kicked a goal from a free kick. Tor the visitors Pike „„<! Arthur Anilmry scored tries, the former kicking the goals. During the match Tiircbell. of Tnglewoon". was ordered off for much pl.iy. Mr Ceo. lirimths refereed.

JUNIOR GRADE. .STAR IT. (t!) v. INGLEWOOD 11. (0). ' litis match, which wan pkvod on the I Racecourse, and won by Star by six to nil, decided tiic contest for supremacy ' in the northern half of the province, ' the "All Blacks" proving their superiority and becoming the champion teun at this end. After defeating Stratford ' so signally last week their victory over Inglcwoort was almost a foregone conelusion, lint sometimes it is the unexpected that happens. Certainlv the team from the Moa district was' by no means to be despised, and their 'forwards proved themselves a solid and active pack. Where they failed was in defence, though they had plenty of experience in that department of the game before time was called, for the i home team kept their opponents at high pressure throughout the contest. The Stirs, however, cannot be congratulated on their play, which, though impetuous, was frequently very faulty, several good chances of scoring heing cither muddled or thrown away. Penalties were numerous. inglewood being slightly the worst sinners in this respect (though Klar ran them close), between 30 and 40 being the total for the match. With one or two exceptions the awards were thoroughly justified, but this frequenj/ breach of rules is to be regretted, asi !ij robs the game of its best features. The play was at times full of life, and there was an excellent spirit displayed lo both tenuis, not a trace of roughness being discernible. Nutt scored a try for Star in the first lialf, while Kennedy did the same in the second spell, neither attempt to add the major points being successful. Jnglewood kept the game open, Iml had no chance of showing combination in attack. Had the home team played with the same dash and confidence which characterised their victory over Stratford the score would have been very much heavier, (ireit credit is due to their half-back for bis capable handling of the team, and it is a pity Hut his immediate supporters were not so reliable as they ought to riavc been. The t n am well deserves the position it has attained, and there should be an ex.iHeg contest for the Oup in the phiy-mr with the Southern end. Mr Martin was referee. In the northern division the Stratford . has won (he seniors. Stars in first juniors, and Kilhain in (bird grade eompe- ' (ion.