FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 111, 1 May 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

MATCHES. Hit uon)i<'in ithi-i.>u clianipioush'ji tixtuics iii'iv toinnit'iii-i'ik in line noaiiTiye»teida> aKei in.jii. liir i were fairly iutciYsliii;;. aud Uic attendance- in ail ta-cs mk TlkAl'A |.'3i v. VIAK (U). Tiii„ match evcuuiateii on tin- rarc-cour-e ground, whim was in lir-t class order. There was a large attendance of sp- cUUirs. 1110 Tukapa Club placed 111 tlr-- Ik-Id almost tin* >.nne combination a- last year'.-, more particularly in tin 1 1 k division. The Stan-, however, li.nl .. Nt «i new blood in their ranks, some I 01 iheiu promoted lroin the junior guile. 1 1 (Ilia account it was thought in -■> 11 u■ • , .hums Uut the Tukapa bark- would lroin liie -tart take charge. lint the T iaoks' vanguard was superior 1.1 lil.it of the Tukii|iat, and the latter were Iheld at bay until, in the second cpell, the Star captain was disabled and lia.l to retire. Kobbed of the strength, weight, and direction 01 liyan, the forwards lost their combination, and from then to the call of time tlw game was all in favor 0/ the Tukapa team. At the outset Tukapa attacked, taking the ball from the first serum, and giving llardgravc- a chance to kick u;> the line into the Star territory, Haird lost a chance by kicking when the tield J was open for a run, and Stroud took advantage of this, but hit* kick was- re r called. From a scrum Jlynott gut tho ' ball from Frewin, who passed tu ' McLean, and the ball went out. then like a flash, it was sent over to Hookei in the other wing, and he snapped il ip and scored. Frewin's kick was 0 allure. —Tukapa 3, Star 0. The Stni orwards now got together better, am iept a solid defence, line-play givin; hem temporary advantage. llardgravc ■rag penalised for off-side, and Stroll' equalised the scores 'With a neat goal.fukapa 3, Star 3. Some -cratchy pla; followed, and Tukapas again assumei the aggressive. Davidson on the Stars wing hesitated, and was surrounded lie fore lie could get in his kick. 'Hi Tukapa forwards came strongly, lw; Dison got down to it and cheeked tin* rush. A free kick by Stroud from under the post came out to Hooker at the halfway flag- Mynott got a good mark at centre, and kicked out. Hardgraves stopped a ru6h and got in one of his fine line-kicks. From the line-out Frewin

passed to Hardgraves, who made a fruit- I less attempt to pot. Star marking on I the line. "Shaver" made another drop at goal, but a Star forward intercepted. I For offside play Star was penalised, an I Hardgraves placed a beautiful goal.- | luta.pi 6, Star :i. Tlie Tukapa backs mulled a passing rush,and Brown picke.l up and kicked well to thc other end of the field, where line play gave the Blatks a further advantage. From a good forward rush Ryan scored. Stroul failed with thc kick, and thc score stood 0 all- Hawkins at full was bustled by the Tukapa forwards, and things looked serious, but Smith Ixtoled the leather out of touch and altered the complexion of affairs. The ball came across and was rushed to the line, llaskil! sough' to relieve by a kick, but the ball rebounded from a Blue over the line, where Star forced. McLean nuapped up the ball in some loose play, and it seemed a sure score for Tukapa, but lie was grassed. Hooker failed to get his rather awkward pass. In the nex'. few minutes Hooker, Myuott, ant McLean dived for the line, but the Blacks' back lines were sound, and it was not until after a scrum that a chance came. Ilonevficld got the ball aHd had the softest chance to cross and put. but lie kicked to the side, and McLareu forced. Star forward- then started a rush, with Stroud and Ken nedy iu the lead, but Hardgraves saved. From a line-out McLaren took a neai mark, bat Stroud's shot at goal was (utile, l'fankudi and Haskill got in sonic good passing, and placed the Blue 6 iiard defending, thi., being the position of at halt-time.

I jx.'ii resuming the Blue backs got to work, but the hill went awry, and Honeyficld just had time to clear from Smith, interchanges of kicks, principally among the forwards, gave the Stars a slight advantage, when dynes and Seamark returned the operations to the Blacks' ij. Myuott cut in between the ball aud the scrum, taking the ball from Frewiu, and dodged out, parsing opportunely to Hooker, who -vorcd near thc corner. Thc kick went wide. —Tukapa tf, Star 0. When the ball again got iu motion Ryan got going, '.lll tin- ball was booted back amongst his lacks, and David-oil mulled badly, gning Tukapas aa opportunity. Frewin took a timely mark, Hardgraves making an unsuccessful shot at goal. From a lin '-out llrowii broke away and kicked, but Mynott marked ami sent the ball down in thc Star end agaiu. At this -tage Stars suffered the loss of their captain (Rraul. he having sustained an injury to shoulder. With him out oi tlie forwards the Star pack was disorganised, and the Utiles pressed, but a free ki.-k took the contest well awav troin their line. A fine passing ru= i among four of tlie "tukapa backs made some ground, the Stars attacking too high. From a iive-yardr" scrum the Blacks got relief, btn this was nullified by Hardgraves' tine kicking. A series of scrums in the comer followed, Mynof eventually snipping over. Hardgraves made affit.n t . kick at goal, but the scor" was not improved.—l'ukapa 12. Star 0. A couple of minute-' play, and then Mynott got going again, a pretty passing run ending in a score b. thc Tukapa skipper. Thc kick w;is a poor one.—Tukapa 1.5. Star fi. I'lay was lively upon the resumption of play, l'fankuch proving a tower of strength, his tackling being very effective. Stroud also assisted materially with his linekicking. and Brown and Dixon followed tiK' kill into the Blue territory, rigli: On to tlie line, where Hooker relieved by a fine kick. Ward was prominent now, heading a rush with the ball at his toe and entering the Blue territory. From inidfield Hardgraves passed to Hooker, who cleared everything, including Hawkins' ami held out as a hurdle in a feeble pretence at tackling. Hooker ran round an.l planted the ball l>etween the po ; t-. Frewin placed a goal.—Tukapa 20, Star 0. A Tukapa forward up-ended Mel/iren. who was fumbling, and Ward notched a score near tin' corner. Hardgraves' kick failed.—Tukapa 23. Star li. When the fflnal whistle blew Stars had jnst been forced by a long kick, th" game ending—Tukapa 23, Star tj. Coming to individual#, it is possible to -ingle out Ryan. Stroud, Kennedy. Brown, and Smith in the Star forwards, and Mcl>'an and Pfaukuch iu the r.-ar divi-ion. For Tukapa the backs were a very even lot. Mynott playing up to his I M -et reputation. In the forwards. Morri\. Seamark. Wal-li. and Ward were the U-t. The Star forward-. up to the tim,. that Rvan was hurt, were better than thc opposing pa'i. and kept the scores about even by thus balancing Tukapa'- marked sir pcriority in thc back din-ion. Mr. (I. Crilliths was referee, and the game was not overloaded with whistle.

CLIFTON <27» v.: JNC;u:\V(KH) on. Tlh"?c two t.-iiiiu |>lay<<l tluir ojh»hin;: jmhip at Waitara y<M»-nlay. |Vrfe<t weather n»n«liti<«n- |M''vail« «l. .»tirt a 2«>ihl nninUer of cnthii*i.i-U ' the match. The li-oltl of play \va* carry-' m« iii-t a lifflc to«. nniHi <rm». Th>* n•'ll"!w'.i- fair'v iiitri'i'-tinjr in tin- lir-i !m if. but rather !<•<> orm->i»]e.l. Clifton a <!;! V mil. ami uiimin** tinD'-' "J7 to nil. <*n two <»r thivi* i>iTa*ionpliit' *va- iojiK'wlisit "u tho r.'UL'h >i.l-\ Hit- koine kick division v;isrr«*ii* I v l>v tlm im-ln-itm or i\u> l«rothor«> Si.J fln»1 f);m Hi" hts»v tin* man «m tin- fml»I. V. Tiiit. on'* of tho Hiiro mi trf' -. turn of fo>i. am! four j "f tilO \T\v<. tin- »i<»rtltorn Tim pa«-.- \vaviL''»:"it- f<>r.« Ilr-t jrnnio. Clin.'n -<»< m i.rt'k.' through and lt.nl tin- Man-Mir-\.r<! on tho <!i>foii-iw. I'll 'Mi a linr-mi! i : •• homo i! . Urok.- away, ami th-' jialf whipped lln- oval out to I), t \\lm tmn-fVrrrd tn V. Ta It. tho !»! tor :;♦»! finer ovor. Tho l:i<-k \v;" futil.-. <"lif-i.n -l l«<:1ouood o. |*r■ itr«' ivi. . ~,11 lirofijrlit to ! >mr lit'-\T-ttor-, ,iwl fhov had -oinc diflifiiltr in rin;r. The next hit of ; '., v na> a ! I.r\ckv hut K. Snmp-on nullifm! i , ta*n try 1o m»t tra iiMrrriinr. Th- | !<•? >lkt \%.'rk",! .it r.-nin- for a Uriel .

?paee, lint C-liftoii boon returned to the eorner. where line work i"ll"ivi'd. Time anil again tin' ii'>llll' halt and live-eighths •sent the l>all liiitk. but Saniami Tail bad not sullicienl spare in work in ami were run out on tin' corner. Lnlev ; Sampson secured anil potted -t neat goal. —llitlon 7, Inglewoud it. A lot oi" Mii.ut play gave tin- visitor- liie advantage. Tin' Clifton forwards soon cleared. and trnm a loose ru-h Tail gut llic oval and notched rather an easy try. Tli** kirk was again :>i«iriivr. Clifton 10, lngle>wou(l 0. Anoliier Clifton rush with Tail in attendance gave this player another ehanee. lie vtiijmif.-l in like a streak, secured. anil. beating two or three men. landed bis third tr;-. The kick failed.—Clifton I:!, Ingleu 10. The nest sturi' was from a ~i-rutu. S.

(ieorge gol tin 1 leather mill elud ij on" (o lils brother Dun. A quick interchangof passing liy till' thre"-quaiter line gave Selioletiehl a« opening, which hi' seized and got over oil the rornor. Xo goal.--.Clifton 16. Inglewood 0. Tie' -pell ended without further score. The second spell was dull ami a!eo<- ; devoid of incident. Tim pace hud been swift, and the U-ailte were glowing a trille leg-weary. A nice passing ham m which Sch.defield, !*aiiip-uii. ano D(icorgo were th c participants relievo.! tlw tedium. The oval was juggled ban. and forth between these players in rare style, a titling finish to the Iwiit- being a score hv (leorge. No goal-( lifton HI, Ingicw'ood 0. Thc home team continued" to aggress, and were foiled several times on the cornels. Suddenly the Ingle wood forwards made a dasn for the scoring-liue. Starting from their own 255, they took the leather ng.it through, and were only stopped a tew feet from home. During the succeeding ten minutes the visitors made a lug bid for a score, but thc home defence wai ' too solid. Later on the Cliftonian threeouartcr line again were prominent, J a : scoring a try, which S. Oorge convcrl- > ed. —Clifton 24, Inglewood 0. -lust on 1 time S. George got the leather iioni .i ' seruiu. He scut il 01,1 t0 ? ■ Sclioleficld scoring. Tlie major points ' were not added. - Clifton it, lug" ' W 'rhe°gaine was controlled by Mr. ' I Proctor.

STRATFORD I. v. ELTHAM I. Last vear's champions started auspiciously by "downing" Eltham to the * tent of nine t name took place at Stratford, and the conditions could liardly have been more favorable. The exposition, as «a> be expected for a first season s j,. , was of the "ragged" order, and not paiticularlv interesting fffm the viewpoint of thc man on the line. The bit r team won on the days play. Stratford ■ started off with the sun and wind at their backs, and held the upper hand in the half spell. During this time, however, their only score was a potted •Mial. They should have got over the fine several times. Their weakness was in applving the "finishing touch tn their plav. Eltham's defence, it must be said, had a good deal to do with this failure to cross the line Tnoii backs played soundly, their collaring bein" a prominent feature. "\\ ait till the second spell and Eltham with their better condition and the wind behind them win shake up Stratford!" exclaimed a magpie partisan. But Eltham failed to "come to light" They did not run over the reds; their better (for they finished in better condition than the" Stratford players) did not avail. Thev certainly played up better, but Stratford more than held their own. Eltham might have changed tlie score had their backs played with a htt.e more combination and "got into iv' more, hv which writer means that >" getting possession, as they frequently did thev would have been more successful had they endeavored To beat their men and not ran right acioss 11 field and running into the wings of t i, boundary before getting rid of the ball. Eltham team —-J. Moir, Dive, lJuiKland, Totier. L. Jloir. Lewis, lbn-g<->,. JleCraeken. Burke. Smith, Charteris, Horton. Itobmson, .MeLeod. •Stratford —F. Collins. J. Brown, N. Kirkwood. 11. Came,on L. Bullot, Bonnor. Tichbon, Woods. .Tames, E. Young. Melvills., ' Boon ,\f a reliant. . I As has been said, Stratford lield the advantage in thc first half. A l'us.i initiated" by Cameron, who was in good form, took thc play shortly after the ball was set in motion to I'Jtnani s 2-), where plav hovered for a time, the forwards of both sides getting in solid, it uninteresting, work. The scene of operations was gradually shifted to neutral quarters, where more bulloekv play took place, the ball coming back to Eltham's territory. Stratford pressed and Eltham gained relief by forcing. From the kick-out, Stratford attacked with vigor, the magpie forwards coining to thc rescue and removing immediate danger. Kicking amongst the backs ensued. Cameron smartly intercepted a pass, and, gliding through, threw to Tiehbon, who failed to take it cleanly. However," he made a dive and grabbed the leather again and looked' for all the world as if he was a scorer, but. the Elthajn backs came at him and a serum ensued. The ball went out of touch. From the line Bullot passed to Cameron, who was directly in front of the goal posts. He potted, the ball going between the uprights. Stratford 4, Eltham 0. Collins (three-quarter) missed a good chance of making a nlftie for himself a few minutes later by not taking a likely ball, Potier kicking out at the right moitrent ano thereby saving his side. Eltham improved" their position by a passing rush. Brown nullyfving the return witfi a good, serviceable kick. Masters later dashed through Ellham's vanguard and pissed to Cameron, who was lying handy. The latter punted softly, and, chasing it, nearly scored between the posts. Scrum. Eltham cleared, the forwards carrying the ball with them, but the Stratford backs got possession, and in an ace Kirkwood was racing for the line. A few inches more, and he would have been over, hut Jloir stood between him and victory, and Moir did his duty. His confreres came to his assistance, and in a moment the rival players were fighting, the one set to cross and the other to prevent them crossing. Eltham secured a free kick. It came at an opportune moment, and saved their skins. Open play followed, Stratford holding the thick end of the stick the while. Cameron had two unsuccessful shots at goal. Stratiord had several openings about this time, but made no use of them. Kirkwood. wing three-quarter, went within an ace of scoring for the second time. Tlie lirst noticeable feature of the second spell was a pa-sing msn on the part of the visitor-, but their progress was stopped by Cameron, who, lew minutes later, marked and punle.l up fthe field, Eltliam finding Hie line i» their own 25. From the throw-in Klthani worked down to half-way, where play centred for a time, the forwards being responsible for most of thc work done. Stratfor d broke away. The Eltham full was hard-pressed, but he managed to find the line. Bueklaii'i and Potier were instrumental in snilting play to Slratford's territory, but the local backs, who were playing i neat, concerted game, soon regained lost ground and pressed on Kit ha in. who had thpir work cut out to defend their line. A series of scrums near the goalposts took place, and from one of these Cameron attempted a pot, but the ball did not rise, a nd the magpies got possession and eased the pressure. Stratford once again returned to the attack. From a line-out in Eltham's 20, Masters 'shot the ball out to Bullot, who quickly trau-ferred to Kirkwood. The latter look the ball cleanly and dashed over. Cameron «a« given the kick at goal, and though the angle was by no moanS an easv one. he did llie triek. Straitord 0. I-'ltiiam 0. Eltham livened np at lliis. The Itinvards slogged; for all they were worth and soon had Shut ford in trouble. Potier made an unsuccessful attempt to place a goal from a free kick. Stralford relieved by a line kick. From the ruck. Charteris (,1 forward of some ability) broke through villi Die ball at hi' feet. Tie naM eloselv followed by Potior and Smith. The latter picked up the ball wTi'en "near Ihe line and fell over. Police faied with the kick. Stratford !>, Eltham 3. Ellham continued to nltaek vith spirit, and it seemed as if thev

were going to pull the game out of thc fire, but Stratlonl were too many for them. .luil towards tile clone of liie game, when the ball was being tin-own about by Eltham, Robinson nearly got through. He passed wildly to I'otier. The ball went out of touch. It was Eltham's last chance. There was no addition to the scores. Mr Spurdle refereed. STRATFORD IL v. ELTHAM 11. Tlii- inaieh was played at Eltham, and resulted ill a win for the Eltham men by II to 0. - STRATFORD 111. v. ELTHAM 111. Played nl Slralford. this game ended in a win for Eltham by 12 to 8. For t he u inner- (who had mueh the better of tin* play), (iibsou, Thomson, AY. Glentworlli, and Peacock scored tries. Two were registered under the goal-posts, but Eltham's kicking was very poor. For Stratford, Wood* and Robinson notched tries. Collius converting one. Stratford scored in the last ten minutes.

IN'CLEWOOD 11. v. CLTFTOX 11. Inglewood was unable to get a team together, and forfeited to Clittou. STAR (C) v. TUICAPA (0). This match eventuated yesterday on the racecourse ground. The exhibit'" 1 of football was not exciting, and up till the middle of the second spell was decidedly mediocre, there being little or no combination. But then the plav improved considerably on both sides, and some good work was done. The first spell ended without score. The first score was made by Charteris, following upon a misjudged kick bv one of his own side. A little alter C, Harvey passed to O'Driscoll and he transferred in turn to Muldoon, who scored a pretty try after a good run. Tliere was no further score, and Stars claimed the victory by 0 points to nil. Mr. Hopkins was referee. The best players of the winners were Mayne, MuhThon. and O'Driscoll in the backs, and Steele. Charteris, Hopkins and Pearce (wing) in the forwards. For Tukapa McGiven, Allen, Olynes, McAlhnn, and Perry were the best in their respective positions. NOTES. The players will no doubt appreciate the liitie attention to the goal-posts oil the Star ground. Padded posts are more "eomfv" to knock against than the naked wood. The posts have also l>een extended considerably, and now easily measure any kick up to thirtv feet in height. Tukapa is unfortunate in losing another good forward, Morris leaving this morning for Peilding. STAT! 111. v. TUKAPA 111. This match iwas played on the Western Park, and was well contested throughout. The result was a win foe the Star- by 11 points to :i. For the 1 winners tries were scored by Croik.-'i (2) and Atua, Richards converting on-', i Bruce scored for the losers.

THE ASSOCIATION CAME. STRATFORD v. XEW PLYMOI'TH. 'Plie "Soccer" season wais opened iu Northern Taranaki by a match between Slralford and Xew Plymouth. The game was played at Stratford. New Plymouth appeared on the licld with four men short. Stratford' were good enough to |M'imit sonic of their reserve* to till the gap. Arthur kicked oil' for i\cw Plymouth in face of the sun. and the forwards were soon moving. A nir,, pass from Arthur was taken by Elliot!, who beat the home backs by a hard, Ia -1 shot, giving the goalkeeper no change. The ensuing play was of an even character. Stratford making deter mined cH'orls to penetrate their opponent*' defence. The ball was plac.' I in front of the goal for Miller, who drew blood for Stratford, llalf-spell cam" with the score unaltered —namely, Stratford I, New Plymouth 1. On resuming, New Plymouth made a game effort to increase this score. A good run by Smart was brought to an end by Urquhart. Elliott gained possession and passed io Smart, who scored a brillian; goal. A capital effort by Hartley equa l - ir-'ed the score, .lust liefore the whistle blew Bird placed the leather in front of the goal for Yainc, who registered the third goal for Stratford, the s ( .,ov thus -landing- Stratford ■{ goals. New Plymouth 'J. The Xrw* Pl\mouth forward- played a good game, lieing far ahead of the home team's quintette. Stratford lacked combination. They are, however, a very promising lot. They haw a gem in the goalkeeper, Clapham, who at times s aved brilliantly.