FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 141, 12 June 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

FIRST GKADfc. IXIIIAM |ii| v. CLIFION (U). It ever an exhibition of football was Ulteiiy ~;..,iU'il in whistle, the ln.ilch at Kltii.im yesterday between Cliiton and. Kltham seniors can lay claim to the honor. What -honlu have been one ol the and fastest games of tlu' ■M-as4.ni degenerated into an aimless scramble, tor the .-ole reason that the players on both -ides became afraid to j open out. A battle royal between the Clifton forwards and the Kltham backs hail been anticipated, and there was a large attendance; but they reckoned I without the referee, who "whistled as he never piped liefore." It is understood that yesterday was the lil'st occasion on which Mr. Kivell had control of a senior match this season, and tor !'"■ sakv of the game and his own rcp.uatiou it is a pity his promotion was not indefinitely postponed. It would be no exaggeration to .-ay that during I lie eighty minutes i>t" play the whistle founded 120 times. |i must not be assumed from this that the main incidents of the game wore infringement.-; the contrary was the r.i-e, the game being time after lime stopped during interesting movements for no apparent reason, and on other ocva-mn- when the referee was; palpably in the wrong. The sound of tiie whittle eventually became -o tiresome to plavcr- and spectators as that .created by the small Imy alter emptying his stocking on Christmas morning. It is regrettable mat complaints of this nature should have to be made regarding a Uuly of men who get too little credit for their work, but there is no use denying the obvious, and that is, if players are to respect and Ibtc confidence in referee-, competent men must be given the control, at least of the senior games. The game opened with an interchange of kicks, ending in Kltham"- favor, hut tbe Clifton forwards, Cain anil I'nkere. shifted play to the Magpies - 2:>, whence the latter'cleared from a penalty. I). (ieorge returning. Sid. <"-orgo secured from an eii.-uing serum and sent to l>an. who-e pas- to Kggleston was mulled. J'oiier . cut in. and with McCraeken removed play to past halfway. I>ewis, securing, tran-ferred lo

Dive, who made for tin- open iU ,rt P-1 but a pass forward when his threequarter line was in good position lost the chance. Dive again secured and raced for the other Mile, but was grassed by Kggleston in the niek of f time. Immediately afterwards Clifton were penalised, but I'oticr's kick from 1 a handy position t'nilrJ. Hard forward play ensued, the Clifton men having I the advantage on the line. Elthfim wenpenalised three times almost in sir-ces-sion, hut play invarialdy relumed to midlield. Dan fieorge secured, and en deavored to break through, but was blocked, and. kit kin? lon hard, Kllhiim forced. A long ktek out saw play in Clifton territory, but the Maroons gradually worked it ln.k. till one of the forward* sent down a long kirk, from which Kltham again forced. I'-le kicking sitv Kltham again force within a minute. Following tin- kick out. the Kltham backs got going, and Lewi- initiated a fa-t pa-sing rush, the ball passing quickly to I'otier and K. Jloir. tJiclatter sending a pas- to Dive almost on the Tukapa line, which wan mi—ed. An infringement brought temporaiv relief to Clifton, but I). Moir lielded the kick. and. making a good opening. transferred to Dive., who was thrown out at the corner after a -trong dash. Clifton forcing. Ihe Kltha.m backs kept up tin- attack for hi time, but most of the rushes were stopped by the wlii-tle. The visiting forwards' now took a hand, and by -mart line plav had Kit hi in in dillicu'ltics. A long ki.k by HuckUnd sent the Maroons back, and from an interchange of kicks Mel.eod marked for Kltham near midlield. Potior made a line attempt to goal, the bail going a little wide, l'lay eontiniicu in Clifton territory, and both Dive and Hnxklaml on opposite wings made dashes, but were called back. From a line-out about halfway. Charters broke away, and put in a splendid run down the line, brushing aside ail opposition ti'd he reached the full-back, when he transferred to liurgess. but the latter wa.s pushed our near (lie Clifton line. The next incident of note was the steppmg of an attacking passing rush by Kltham to give them a mark which the fielder of the ball had not 'claimed. Kltham weie immediately afterwards penalised, and "tlillett" Sampson with a tine kick took plav to the local i".. where 'fait made a -trong run. but was blocked, and I'otier secured, relieving the tension. Itiieklnnd was mainly instrumental in shifting play back to Clifton territory, where some fast passing among the Kltham backs saw Dive with the ball almost under the Clifton goal. He took a ouick '"[Kit" from the ruck, Hie ball grazing the. outside of the post. Following the kick out. Kltham again returned, but Ptikere cleverly broke away OH the line with Ijuveridge. Thci KJthain back- retaliated with a passingrush, smartly intercepted by 1). IJenrge. He transferred to his brother, the latter sending a long pas- out to Kggleston. who an stronglr to the Kltham fullback, and punted over his head. but, I

unfortunately for Clifton, did not sue

feed in securing the ball again. ]•"! thani were pcnali-cd a ininute later. and Siil Ceorgo made a line attempt to goal, the ball ju-t niis-ing its mark. Half-time sounded shortly afterward-. The second spell opened tamely, an interchange of kicks ending in Clifton's favor, ljewis replied witJi a passing nisli. Clifton farcing a kick from Dive. Scrum after scrum followed, and the game l>eeanie very uninteresting till I'otier sent a liigli kick ti) Lash, and. following fast, blocked the return. Both teams were penalised in succession, anil play settled midlielil. I'Tom a long throw-in. Dive secured and out in like a Hash, but kicked too hard, and Clifton forced. After some desultory «(-rinn work. Dan George marked near the

centre, and with a line kick sent the ball out near the Kit ham line. Charters. IK'raekeii. and Mcleod were prominent in an answering forward rush that took play lialfway. Sid. George and Tail beaded a return rush, the ball reaching Dive. whi>-e kick rebounded over the line, but I'otier was on hand, and forced in the nick of time. The Clifton hacks now took a ha ml at the pa-sing game, their forwards securing the lull' for them with machine.like regularity. Tate was well collared by Huckland when in dangerous proximity to the line, and alnio-t immediately afterward- Div- wa- called on to •■lop a -oring run by Kggh-ton. wlii-h he did effectively. Keeping up a bri-k at- ! tck. marred by too many -c-ruiii-. Sid. (Ic'irge -cut a 2 ! pass [„ Dan. who transferred to Kgah-ton. and the latter to Tate, who came round, but I'otier L'ra-s.-d him in time, lTirlhcr progress wa- stayed bv a penalty kick to KlIh.itn. witich I'otier made tire best pus- j

j -ible u f. clearing to halfway. M<«'r.ieken broke away from the line and kicked hi»n. follow ing up. he secured the ball, but wa- penalised for otf-ide: Scrambling play en-lied on the Kltham -i-b- ,d halfw.iv. in which the home team bad to u-o their bo-t , tlort- t„ h„ld the Clifton forward- in check. Kveiitually I'otier broke through, bin knocked on iu a clear Held. Dan Ceor-.'e and Sanip-on made a dolor-ii-tii d nt-h. from which kill,am '■ and r.|i,f bv forcing. Nothing of bi M,-ul i.. ■ itn i,l for some tiitK', until "oi'i and I'.iickland -et out on a Hue dribbling ru-h. Lash -peculating to el k it. Tie Clifton forward- broke away solidiv. but were pcnali-cd and pl.iv centred. A penally ki-k was rightly onlered against Clifton I'or illegally putting the ball into the serum. »he kiik being '

turned bv Saiitp-.ui to ISuoklaiid. '!'■■■ latter ccuti-,1 high, da-hing down ■ htiel.l ami putting his men on -id, . but Dive wa- penali-ed immediately ho at teni|«ie.l to field the ball, and the crowd r,.; 1. The (ledge brothers were responsible for -o„„. good work, which cabled Tale t,, find the line near Kith,n,-- goal, but Lewis -ccllled from the throw in and cleared. I.overidgo wa- prominent in a ru-h that look play abuo-l under Mm- Kllliam goal, where the li'ter were awarded ;i free kick. |.„ ti ,.|. finding the line «v|l down the field. I'lav of an miinlcrc-t.'iig nature tollowcl. ■ .'It.Ml. if anv thing, having ,l„. advaiuaee. till the whi-ile sounded. ii- tin-.l pa.au. the game ending with-

|,,r I liftoii. ti.e 10-.i-ge brother- play we!! alike iu attack and defence.

Eggleston showed improved form. Amongst the forwards—all hard ami clever workers Ptikere, Loveridgo,, Cain, and I'lilford were prominent. For Kltham, Dive played a line gam?, aiiu Buckland on the other wing was always in evidence. J). Moir was also prominent. The opportunities of llie backs of Imtli teams to distinguish themselves were, however, lew, owing to the whistling instincts of the referee, allvady mentioned. Amongst the for wauls, Charters, Buigcss, McLoud, and MeCraekcn were generally to the fore.

Tl'KAl'A (13) v. IXC.LKWUOD (0). As indicated by the score, tin- Tukapa Inglcwood senior match, played yesterday afternoon at Western ['ark, was an easy thing for the lukapa team, the visitors at no stage, of the game causing the victors any great uneasiness. The Inglcwood men arrived late, and were heartily applauded upon taking the field, the spectators being ijuick to appreciate the true spirit of sport which impelled them to carry out their engagement.-, lliey played four emergencies, one of them being obtained on, flic ground, lukapa had two substitutes. Jlnio-t at the outset Tukapa took ilie iippc Hand, altbutign the lied vanguard now and again made determined attempts to break up their combination, lint their

scrums were very seldom solidly eon structcd, and the ball went out with great regularity to Frcwin, thence to be thrown aboiu amongst the clever sel of backs. iu.glewood aimed at keep mg the play close to give their forward* a chance, but .Mynott on the other hand made the game open in order to bring his rearguard into action. Despite the tall score put up against them, the unfortunate luglewood-iles never lost heart, and played a plucky uphill game in a thoroughly gentlemanly spirit right to call of time. Their play, whilst not generally of an organised nature, wallow and again clever, but there was apparent nil absence of boadwork, whilst the very ground itself was altogether favorable to 'J'ukapa's tactic-. | .Mr. Proctor controlled the game, to the satisfaction of both sides.

lukapa kicked oil' with the wind behind them, and the ball went over the | line. Inglcwood forcing. Karly in the | game lie Launay got a free kick from a Tukapa man playing the ball on the ground, and he booted to the Blues' end. where, the Hen forwards set up an 'attack. Courtney slipped when attempting a catch, anil llonoylicld just I saved the position by falling into touch. I-'roiu the throw-in the home ' team indulged in some passing, but a misjudged kick sent the ball over the I line t-oo far ahead of the Blues, and Inglcwood forced. The visitors attacked again, but Hooker and Stolir changed the scene. The fled forwards ! came Sgain with a. dribbling rush right through to il'ardgraves. who lined.

Mynott put nn his thinking-cap. and, getting the ball from Frewin, sent it 'along by passigram to Stohr, Hooker and Ifardgraves handling. Stohr gal-

•lo|n'd half the length of the lield, and easily silenced opposition, scoring first blood. Ilardgraves goaleil. 'J-uk.ipa • ."> Inglewood 0 111 a trice the ball came from the ruck to Frewin. thence in a nice passing run to Jfyuot.t. Ilardgraves. and Hooker, who galloped home. Ilardgraves made no mistake with the kick. Tukapa 10 Inglewood tl 'tukapa were pressing hard at the corner, and Frewin dodged round ;; scrum, screwing through the opposing pack with Mynott elose up. and, passing to him at the right moment, another try resulted. Ilardgraves failed to find the uprights. Tukapa 1:1 . Inglewood 0 The vi-itor.s were now being beaten at all points, and it was uot long before Frewin set. the backs going ag-iin. A passing run by himself, Hooker, and Ilardgraves resulted in Hooker skipping round to the outside again in time to receive a. second pass, from which he brought, the score to tukapa Hi Inglewood .. .. .0 Ilardgraves failing to goal. Three minutes later a loose ni.-jli. with Walsh in front, gave thill player a try, the kick again"proving futile. Tukapa .'. .. ..1!) Inglewood i) To vary operations. Frewin kjeked a goal from a mark bv Hooker, and made the score--Tukapa 11 Inglewood II A veiy line passing run. in which all Ihe Tukapa backs took pari, was spoiled in the la-l throw, and the KccN got a temporary respite. But from the very next serum, live minutes after opening the second spell. Frewin whipped theball out to Mynott. and again it was shot across to Stohr on the wing, Hoiieylield, Ilardgraves. and Hooker handling very cleanly, and Stohr Hutched another try, Hardgraves increasing the score to Tukapa 11 Inglewood 0

A minute later illardgraves kickcil through the nick and chased the l.:ill. blocking Nicholls and capsizing t lie Inglowond full-back, Catching the hall in the air. he scored, bub failed to goal. Tnkapa .'lib Inplowood (I Then followed a lot of vcrv scramblv play, high-wood getting relief l,y a free kick given against. Courtnev for putting the ball imfiiirly into the scrum. Tliey rallied, but the relief was -.hart-lived. The lied- had a. "life" at the hands of llardgravcs. Af tor some more line phi \ he compensated liv pottinsr a good goal. Tnkapa '.'. ..' .. :I4 Inglewood 0 liiglewunil forwards with Tichner leaijing. got. to the line, lmt IT'cvvin brought it out. passing to McLean, who was thrown out. Mynott snapped the 'bo 11 up. and cut in with a corkscrew run. passing in the nick of time to McLean, who scored, llardgraves made a good attempt, but missed the posts. Tnkapa ' 37 Inglewood 0

The ball had hardly rolled again l>efore llardgraves got over. Hooker making a splendid left-foot kick at goal, but without success. Tnkapa -10 Inglewood tl I Mviiott picked up the ball near the or,, and sent a beatitiftllly-liiueil pass to Stohr. win. galloped through. Hardgrave-' kick was unsuccessful. Tnkapa « Inglewood " The Inglewood forwards -.el up a rush with the ball at toe. but they had no hope of penetrating Ihe Tnkapa defence, ami the game ended without further -core.

Coming to individual cllort. every nun in the back division of the winning team wa- in good form, lloueyiield heitl" perhaps the least certain in his work. Mvnott plavod a good heady game, showing all hi- old re-oureeful ness. Hooker. Stohr. and llardgraves were always reliable. There was little defence reiplired; ill fact, some of the back- were never called upon to collar. McLean and Courtney played well, but the bitter bad to be pcnali-cd to make him put the ball fairly hit" the scrum. p.allo ~i„l Wal-ll «er,. I lie im.-t pr ,„.„l of a g 1 p.ok. I'or Inglew I. Cleave. Yidiolls. ami lie l-aunay were the most eoiispiciioii- back.- 1 , and lloldt ainong-t. Ihe forward-.

' STUATI'OUD 1-21 > v. STAR CI). This match eventuated •'* Oie lord ..i-iiiiliil. Lite home team being vic-i.o-ioii- bv :!l points to :i. 'laken on the whole' the gallic wa- evenly OOllle-t- ---,.,!. but the quick, smart work of Cameron was mainly re-pUiisihlc for the difference iu the' -cores. The Star pad., !ie|,l its own with the home vanguard !u ihe -.-ruin and 100.-e work. The visitors plavcil a junior man to make up (he team. The collaring of the visitors was :he poorest featurenf the game. On several occasions Cameron should have been' grassed vi hen he set. out on his gallop for the line, but eluded bis opponents iu a manlier that was ridiculous t„ witness. The visitors set the ball going, defending the northern goal with the sun iu their faces. After give-and-take play I lie red tluec-ipiailci line got pos--c-sion and a parsing rush took play inlo Star's Jo. a free kick to centre relieving. From the ruck the leather was kicked out to raniertui. who cut in and ii.in-icfcd to Kirkwoo.l .the latter being gra-sed right on the line. Star fore-

iug. iScruui and line work followed. From the line at mid-Held Stars secured | and kicked high. The home team did not get in his kick in time and was siuot'icred by T. Smith, who secured and dribbled up the held, iieing tackled, lie kicked the oval out to McLean, who raced to the corner and touched down. Stroud took the kick, but the angle was extremely awkward, and no goal rei suited. star ;s Stratford .. .. ... 0

For a few minutes the play was amongst the forwards in neutral territory. Willi n loose rush the home vanguard invaded and Slar were penalised in front of their goal. Cameron took the. kick and placed the goal. Stratford 3 Star 3 Play of an even order succeeded. A good rush by the forwards shifted the scene of'operations to Stratford's territory, where the visitors were awarded a free kick. .Stroud essayed a shot at tlio slicks, but the leather did u»t rise. F'roin tlio ruck in mid-field the homo half sent the ball out lo Cameron, who drew the defence and transferred to lxirkwood. The latter was tackled, but sent a pass to Brown, who secured and scored on the corner. Cameron's k'ic'; at a dilliculi angle just missed. Stratford (| . s t«r t

On the ball lieing again set in motion, the home vanguard became busy and l-y a willing rush took play right'down t'u the line. Tile visitors defended splendidly, breaking through and transferring the play to centre. Stratford returned to the attack and from a high kick got right under their opponents' goal posts where Brown secured and dropped oyer! Cameron added the major points. Stratford n Star o

An interchange of kicks gave the advan t age to the visitors, aml play hovered in tlie homo territory, at limes dangerously near the line. ' It seemed that the visitors would get over, lint they failed to press home (lie advantage. .Stratford cleared and with a good rush invaded the domain of their opponents. the latter relieving to centre fr a fre.kick. Line work of a dull order succeeded. Then the visitors made a sally into foreign territory, where Stratford' were penalised and Stroud had nn unsuccessful shot at goal, just liel'ore half-lime. i On changing sides the home team kicked off, W. Smith, of the Star team, fail--ing to take the oval and return, lie was ipiickly smothered, ;md the visitors had »u anxious time defending. A long kick sent the leather to the line. From the line-out, the home rear division „«- cured and a good rush ensued, Cameron being grassed at the corner, star forced. Just after Cameron snapped the hall from the ruck at mid-field, and dodging and feinting eluded all his opponents, and ran in behind the posts. Cameron placed A goal. Stratford .. ] G *t*r '' :t

l-'asl givc-aiid-luko play followed m centre. The home Uiree-quarUw line in stiluted a passing rush, Cameron seeming and setting sail. He was grassed Dr. the corner. Continuing the pressure the home team fought hard ist- u - wen penalised, Cameron's kick at -oal "oim wide. A scrum live yards Iron, the Jinlooked like a further score for Stratford Twice Cameron secured and essayed to pot, but T. Smith spoiled, anil with a good kick found the line. Time •»"l again the ],,,„„, team, were i„ close proximity to their opponents' line, but the solid ilelenee of the Blacks staved "H a -core. Eventually locker marked in front of the posts, and taking the kick landed a goal. Stratford .. ~ 19 Slar .. .. " i

Breaking through in a !00.-e scrum Ihe home forwards cleared to centre Cameron, who wasVloso bamlv. took n hand, and touching the bull'with his toe raced down the held. I'iittii,.. „„ pace he gathered up the ova] and beatnig his opponents, set. „ut. || ( , „-,,„ chased f„ r the hist 15 yards. I,„|, succeeded in touching down. Cameron kicked the goal. Stratford oi 'lhere was no further score.

SECOND GKADE STAK (ti) v. STKATFOKI) ( ;i). . '■These tcain.s met oil the lb miv ground yesterday, ami a dull and un inleri-iting game cinied ill a victory for the Stars by u points to 3. The Wlratford team were two or three men short, and substitutes were found. They were the lir.-t to score. J-Vom a scrum in the home 2a, the Stratford backs stalled a passing rush, and Cameron after a good run crossed the line. The kick at goal was altortive, ('lav in (he remainder of the lirsl spell was principally confined i„ the forwards, and was without incident. Marly in the second npcll Star opened up play and kept the ball in the visitor*' 2."i, where thee were awarded a number of free kicks, but missed several easy goal-kicks. From a loose rush ■MeLiren (Star) obtained the oval and (lodged over. Hawkins tailed to add the major points, stars held play iu Slral ford terrilorv. and just before lime was ended .McLaren again secured from a scrum and crossed the line. Hawkins again failed with (lie kick. Mr. Way controlled the game.

THIRD GRADE sti;atfui!o c!ii v. st.vi: (si. These tennis mi-1 at Stratford Yesterday afternoon. iJic homo team' bcinjf victorious liy i>l poinls to S. The visitors played three men short. Mr. Kpuiillo was referee. .

XoTKS. Tin' secretary of l!ie Star Club (jot a liit of a shook yesterday when lie was applied to for payment of call hire inenrred on the previous Thursday by a senior player who journevod in this luxuriant style (o Western' Park.

There is n Mrong and persistent ■rumor prevailing in football circles that n niimlier of senior footballers playeii llielr last amateur game on Saturday. Names are explicitly mentioned, ami include those of Mime of tlie most prominent exponent., of the gillie in trie district. It i. further declared l.v men who claim to lie "in the know" that two senior clubs will go over bodily to the professional game. What will'actuall.vocciir when the professional team arrives by the Warriinoo remains to be seen (.ays tin- Wellington l'ost), but surprises are anticipated.