FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 123, 15 May 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

EXOLI-11 TEAM AT HOIJAKT. j Hobart, Jlay 14. file English t'j 11 L11;111 |ila\ers who are to tour New Z.„1..,:d passenger, by the Allien;.-. They w ,Te welcomed here by the h»cai lliigt'y Union. SEN lUU GRADE. I TIKAI'A (llj v. STItATFOUI) (10|.

Considerable intcrc.,t centred in tiie fuk-ijui-StrunoMl -enior match which c\ei..uated yesterday afu moon at Wester; Park. The weather conditions were i'h . and the ground, though a trille IK '. was tine and dry. The visitors phi . d a couple of substitutes, Burgess, a ;.inior, playing wing-three-i|ii:irler. I

I Ili apa was without the services oi Me- 1 iLc'ii, Bert Stohr taking his pln.e in I '!• three-, junrter line. As was expected a.* game was last and open, and some very fine back play was witnessed, whilst the meeting of the noted Stratford pack with tile supposedly weak Tukapa forwards was also lull uf inter est. There was only a -moderate attendance. Mr. F. spurdlc was ill charge of the whistle, and kept the game interesting. Stratford nun the toss, ami gave Tukapa the kick-oil", the Blues playing with the origin sunlight in their eyes. From the kick-oil' Tukapa took the play inlo the Stratford eim, but it was only a Hash, tor alter a Scrum or two ami some line-play, Cam eron made an opening, and the Stratford forwards rushed the ball down the field. Melville was penalised for oli side play, but Uardgraves' kick at goal was ordered back for '"man in front." A scrum gave Dullot the liall, and lie set the visiting backs in motion. I'.iiigess being forced out over tile sidc-liiic. From the throw-in .James sent a long pass which was gathered in bv lion Cameron racing at full. He held uie ball too long, being light on the line when he was .tackled. His attempt to pass was foiled, aud it was a [;lue !e. ward who toueiicd llie ball down over the line. Some even plav followed, .'.ly nott showing all his old-time brilliancy in creating his own openings, mid feiniing and cutting ill, thu~ transferring tiie scene of operations to the other end of ' the field. The Tukapa forwards now took the upper hand, and rushed the ball up to the posts. The line was frequently in danger, but the Beds" tackling was a treat, and it was some time beiore the opportunity came. Tticu, from a scrum near the line; the lilue:healej out. Fiewin transierred to -\l.\noit, and he sent the ball on to iiardgraves who lost it. Myuott cut in and grabbed the leather, and had it over in a twinkling. Hardgraves made no mis take with the kick. Tukapa a Stratford 0

ilidlield play followed, the two sets of forwards doing some fine work at "times, though there was an element oi individualism noticeable. Cameron v. i - given a chance, and he streaked for the line, feinting cleverly. Hooker went in hot pursuit, but it seemed a sure tiling that the Stratford man would score. But, losing his stride as he swerved to dodge the full hack, lie was grassed l>y Hooker. Shortly afterwards Cameron misSed an easy shot at goal from a penally. Stratford continued the attack, but Cameron, when starting o ut ou a run, was muzzled by the Tukapa skip per, and the Blue raced the leather down the field. The backs were passing weir, when Melville gave a free kick for obstruction, but Ttikapd's attempt at goal failed, the visitor, foreing again. Play continued to lie lively in tile Stratforil end. From a scrum Frewin set the backs in motion, Jlynott. llardgravc.-, an Stohr handling, but Cameron overhauled the latter and threw him near the line. Stohr lieing penalised for fn ie'■rabbit" over tile line. His run was a game one, anil deserved a belter linisii. Again the Blue three-quarter line got moving, but Hardgraves held tt)o long and pinned Hooker on the line before fending him the hall, and a good chance was missed. Cameron agaiu overhauled Stohr in a sprint for the line, and an awkward nioin.-nt ensued for T:i :i' the opposing forwards taking the ball at the toe. Mynott saved the situation with a kick into touch at half-way. Tukajia attacked again, but near tiie line a chance was spoiled by Frewin endeavoring to wriggle through the forwards when then- was a good chance for his Kiel-- li> operate. Aft<-r a lot of line u»rk near 111.- hit a breach caused ■■■ -enini in front the Stratford goal, (-renin whipped the ball out to Jlynott, and this time Hardgraves transferred smartly to his wing man, and Hooker nipped a (lever try at the corner, Hardgrave-' kicking making no alteration in the score. Tukajia 8 Stratford .. 0 \erv willing forward play followed, rush after ru-h taking place.' .limes. lbAllum. ISalie. Ward, and Seamark were playing a great game and beating the visiting forward-, of whom at this stage the most prominent were Boon, -lames, Marehant and Young, the latter heading most of the rushes. Stratford forced. The Red forwards made a combined dash far the line, but Stohr went down gamely. and Hardgrave3 relieved with a speculative boost. Disorganised defence met a ru-li headed hy Cameron and Brown, who were working in with the puck, but Myimtt's head brought the Blueout safely once more. Tiehbon was responsible for a long line kick vJ gained ground for the visitors. The tall now began to hang in the back of the Tukapa scrum, and the Red for wards pressed hard. Several attempts to =core were foiled hy ineffective passing. but at last Cameron got possession in a handy situation and made for the Mdc. He lost the ball, hut Boon carried On. and passed to Melville, who scored first blood for Stratford, Cameron landing a neat goal. Tukapa 8 Stratford 5 Half time sounded with the ball behind Stratford's line. Mynott made a lot of ground from a return kick. From a throw-in the ball came to Kirkwood, who failed to take it. and accidentally kicked it backwards, tin- ball going out as Hooker bore down "ti it. Solid defence by the kept the home backs at bay, and Cameron and Brown shifted play to centre. A penalty kick at goal by Cameron failed, and fukapa forced. MeAllum and Jones were in the van of a great rush that looked dangerous, but .Tames Mocked the way. Hardg raves spoiled a chance hy a misjudged attempt to pot a goal. Kmm the n-hound Cameron cleared the line. and Tieiibon kicked out in safer * territory. Tukapa wa- now placed vitr-"tou-U- on tiic defence, th:'ir oppom in---triving hard lu ■"/ ore. Cameron look the Ijai! from tin* ground and Jot in a eh-vcr run to a good position, then passed neatly to Brown, and lit*. alter beating his man. pave Kirkwood a chance, 'A which h«* .nailed hinwlf, scoring a try a-- thf rc>ult of clever play. Cam- j d'oii gnalcd. j

I Stratford 10 Xukapa .. .. .. $ With the vi.-ituis in the lead Tukapa. iorvanU bccaim- id. and C:h: <j»>n made anotb'T determined run. Inn jioiit*vjifld fullap-ii him low. 1 in- • r«»L tin* Blues lasted ojilv a few 'minute-, and then they #>t * together U'tt«*r than ever. Play ik'cauu* very j determined, principally tin- f»-i I uanK the ball tra\ellin« rapidlv ip»;u end i .j end. Mynott managed to I up play by a kick the'iieid. 1 11. u J «» line passing run in which

I J renin, and llard-jraves figured. iv-ul;*■; in the hitler to H"»ker. ||.- a ra«v for t li*> I in**. Cameron ea'chinir Jiim. but failing to jjia'-s him brfore '"* the line. The kick at ;« liillir-ult aiigl<» failed. Tukapa || Stratford 10 K"r tin- re*t of flip panie the play \\u* very fa-t, and there were -everal minor injuries Seamark had hi* n»-e broken ami .had to retire, and Cameron. V-'imL'. and Ifardprares each had a «pell mi a'.-ount of knock*. But there n»» intentional r"iii.'hne>-,. Tnkapa held j lit" ad\;«nta'_'" till call nf time, when til' 1 j ball Mil- elo-r 1!|» t,, the vi*it°r- T line. i

1111 the winning backs it is dillicult to single out any one player, hut Hooker land Mynott made no mistakes. Stohr, I who was not in the best of health, was 1 not always reliable in taking the ball. (•Tones, oil the wing, McAllum, Balfe, Luv- I

cridge and Seamark were the pick of the forwards. Fur the winners Cameron stood out alono among the backs, although Jirown and Toeker (full) played tfound games. Among the i'>nv;ii\ls Boon, Maichant, Bouner, and James were tin- Lest. CLIFTON (!)) v. ST AII lU)

The above trams met at W'aitara vestcrday afternoon. A large mi of spectators witnessed the game, each side having its (piota of lusty-lunged barraekers. A good contest was hioki:d for. As the teams took the Held it needed only a glance to see that the home team was by lar the heavier, especially in the forward ranks. A good hard match eventuated, hut without a doubt the victors were superior in near-

ly all departments. The biilkiwss of llie home forwards does not seem to in any way interfere with their pace and they are, perhaps, the fittest, and fastest pack in the northern division. T screwing of the cnims was a feature id the game. Rothery did ti..i |>»iy.

place being taken on the wing by Stiinpson, C. Sniiipson filling llie I.ream i-i the forwards. The three-i|iiar!er line i:i-

cliuled Scholelield. This player s best ell'orts are undoubtcrly given at Jnvei|iiarters. his splendid liue-kieking and deft handling of the liall being admirable. The Star pack fought out a plucky game, while the defence and collaring of the lack division was very solid. 'J'lie visitors' chances of holding their own would have been enhanced had the for sards broken into open plav from the scrums, instead of attempting to hold their own against the heavy opposing pack. During the first spell ,M<Ko.. of the Star forwards, was disabled through a knock on the head and had to retire, his place being filled from the ranks of tile third team. Clifton kicked off with the strung glare of the sun in their faces. Interchange of kickings opened the play, linework in neutral territory following. I'roui a line-out, Pukere and Stitupson put in some smart passing play, tli ( . leather going out on the corner. Scholelield screw-kicked from the line out to llie centre of the field, where Eggleston marked, but the kick failed. The Clifton forwards were putting line vim into their work, and backed up by their I backs some dangerous rushes were in-

stituted. Tin" visitors cleared to midfield, where scrum and line work were indulged in. On the line-out Sebolelield secured the oval and sent it across to D. George, who in turn transferred to Sampson. The latter gave the pass to Kggleston, who notched lirst score. The kick failed. Clifton 3 Star 0 The home forwards soon broke through to Star's 25, but I). 'JeOrge punted too hard, and Star forced. l'lav continued in the visitors' territory, where is. (ieorge marked, .mil placed n splendid goal. Clifton 8 Star 0

For a term play centred. There was a good rnsh by the forwards and the leather was in Clifton'* &j, but the home vanguard st)on reversed Ihe order. Star returned to the attack and a likely «m>portunitv was nullified by . too lnrd kicking, and Clifton f'orceil. Play wen! to the centre, whore from a mark Stroud attempted a at goal, the ball failed to go over tile bar. l'lay worked along in nil''ton's fv, "i. and the home team were awarded a n - I kick. The kick by S. (leorge w:? =

-plendid effort, and just missed. Hal; time was sounded without furl her {;c<uv. On play resuming, Star made the play, taking the leather right in Ihe go:i. line. Here they wen- penalised for offside play,' the kick taking the oval U> the centre, where line work continued for a whiic. The home vanguard*, were now in for another turn, and Stars got ease from a free kick. Clifton attacked again, but the solid defence of the visitors was invincible, and always succeeded in clearing. A likely looking rush by the Star forwards took the play up to the coveted line, but th-ever-prominent "Pukere broke through with the leather at his toe. operations in Mtar territory beiug removed by a mark, which cleared to half-way. An

interchange of kicks gave the home team the advantage. S. Cenrge marking at a nice angle. Tile ki< k w.i- a !<>ng one and George landed a beautiful goal. Clifton y Star o

Tin- visitors were responsible for some fine efforts, lmt advantages gained were short-lived, I'ukcie invarialilv breaking through and changing the scene of action. The pace a t this stage of the game' was particularly willing, and the play at times was more or less of a scramble. Then the home forwards got together with a good rush up the field. The Still- full-back eased with a useful kick, and the ball went back to Seholelield. who ran up and liad a shot for a pot. the oval being intercepted while on a very promising journey. ,Serum work lollowed. The Stars were playing ycrv determinedly, and a smart bit of work in which Haskell was prominent, ensued. The home forwards soon cleared and the whistle sounded with the play in star territory. -Mr. (ieo. tirilliilis controlled the "anic. 1-UtIA.U (2(1; v . LMiLKW'ouU (II).

Xhis game was played at luglewoo.l under most favorable weather eoudiiuns. Iho result, as was predicted, proved an easy victory for Eltham bv -I points. inglewood, however, made the game very interesting, and their lailure was more due to want of a couple of scoring men than inferior play. The forwards were very evenlv matchod, but the Eltham backs .ver'e fai superior to their opponents. .Mr. George Hopkins controlled the game! Ingtewood won the toss and defended

the northern goal, Eltham having to tace a very trying 6 uu. Charter? set the ball rolling for Eltham, and play was taken into Inglewood's 2j's. I'rom a scrum Lewis obtained the ball and passed to Dive, who transferred to 1 otier, the latter after a brilliant run being collared near the corner llag. Dive .got possession on the line-out, and initiated another passing rush, but the ball was thrown forward on Ihe lnglewwd line. I'rom the scrum Lewis whipped the leather back to Dive, who potted a pretty goal, thus drawing lirst blood. Eltham 4 Ingle wood 11

I "n the kick-out the Maroon,, stalled .a loruard ru-.li, lmt Eltliam soon relumed into tlie home team's territory. Lewis oblnineil a good mark from a foruard i'u>li, and t'otier essayed a shot at goal, but the hit 11 went wide. Inglewood Parted a vigorous rush, but .\loir saved uith a good line kick. The klUiaiu forwards began to press hard, and pinned Inglewood on the line, but the home team's defence was good, lie kuiinay being very prominent. KlUiaru continued lo press hard, and Inglewood forced. (In i'"-uiiiing, the Magpie,, continued to hul l the Maroons ill their own 2-Vs, tin' parsing of the Eltham back- being very loiliiant. I'lay u,i-. shortly afterwards "•anii'd up tln> field, and the worked oil to Eltham's line. What looked like a certain ncore was spoiled by lie Liunay overrunning the ball, A good line kick by i'otier relieved El-

11 ham. From a line-out Dive got I mou, and attempted auollicr pot, hut I 'ln- hall went wide. Half-time was called without further score. 11l the second spell the Kltham hack* immediately jjM to work. and opened up the play considerably. From a lineMit the hall was h ent to the Injjlewood back*. who mulled, and Kobin>on, snapI'liiir up the oval, m-ored in a handy posi'hoi. Dive iiiih'd to add the major poiuK FJtham 7 lllL r N'\Vfiod .. ~ o [ Following the kick-out Kltham ajrjiin I preyed on Hie home line, and Robinson. Kji'ttinjf po~etisinn. obtained Ids seeom' ! I ry. I'otier placed a neat *.'oal. j

Kltham 12 fn<;lewond .. .. (i <Mi resuming. Dive the leather ne.ir the half-way. and after a brilliant inn \va- near the higlcwood

line. The Inglewood forwards livened up and took play on to the Elthani line, where tliey held play for some time, J)e Laiiiia.v putting in some useful work, l'oticr' relieved with a good kick intJ lunch. From a scrum in (he corner i)» Lauuay made a great dash, but w»» held up on the line, anil Elthani forced. Play was again taken into luglewood's 25's, where i'otier got possession and tl'alibf erred to Dive, who, after dodging three opponents, .scored in a good position. -Moir added the major points. Ell ham 17

high-wood .. .. .. II | On the ball being brought into play Uw Elthani forwards again carried the ball to tiie Maroons' line, and Burgess, after a short dodgy run, scored near Liu corner ihig. The kick failed. Flthain 20 Inglewood • • ■ • ■ - 'I Time v.as called shortly afterwards, with the 6 core unaltered. SECOND CiIiADE. STAB (IB) v. CLIFTON (3).

This ganio was played on the Racecourse, and wa„ not a very interesting exhibition of football. Play was very willing at times. Muldoon, Boulton, Steele, .McLaren, and Tippins scored tries lor the winners, and two of these were converted. Clifton scored a try. TUKAPA (4) v. STRATFORD (0).

These keanu met at- Stratford, aud after a good game Tukapa proved victorious by 4 points to nil, Slaiidriiu; potting a neat goal from the quarter way. ELTIIAM v. IMiLEWOOD (Forfeit). Inglewood were unable to get a team to gether, and forfeited to Elthaiu. THIRD CRADE. STRATFORD (3) v. TUKAPA (31. Stratford and Tukapa thirds met on the Tukapa ground aud played a drawn game, 3 points each. CLIFTON (3) STAR (3).

Played on the Waitnra ground ye<; tordav afternoon, this match ended ii a draw, Clifton scoring a try and Star, a goal from a penalty. Mr. G. flriftitlu was referee.