FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 159, 26 June 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

LSOLISiI 1»K i' I»KS KX TAT IV K SUSPENDED. London, June 24. The Kugby I ni»»n Committee, alter an inijuirv intu of professionalism brought against V. Jack-on. of Cornwall, who i> wiili ihe touring team in XVw Zejland, deciiled to suspend hiui and forbid him to participate Inrther in the lour. Jack>on is to bo recalled by cablegram. Wellington. Thursday.

Seen by a L'oh n'pre-entative rewarding the of Jackson, both liartuett {manager), ami Harding (captain). of the visiting team, staled that they had no knowledge of tin* allegation* nude, but that the direction of the English l.'uion uould be loliowed, and Jackson will not play in any of the iviuaiuing ; matches of the tour. FIRST GRADE. TUKAPA (G) v. CLIKTOX (3).

A very hard match was fought out between these teams at the Waitara ground yesterday afternoon. The raiu cleared off just before the game commenced, and a good number of spectator! witnessed the contest. The victors were without the services of My nott, and Hardgravw played live-eighths. D. George did uot play owing to a strained knee, U. Sampson tilling the lire-eighths position in the home team. From the start to the conclusion of the match the pace was fast. I'lay was kept very close, however, and spectators were not treated to much play of an entertaining nature. Neither side elected to open the game to any extent, although had the home team tossed the leather about a bit more frequently in ™hc second spell, the chances are that the score-board may have read differently. Although the pace was very fast, rough play wag conspicuous by its entire absence.

Clifton won the toss and defended th southern goal. HardgTaves kicked oil ■nd as each team was playing with can tion, nothing of an exciting nature en sued for some minutes. The Blues wer penalised in their 25 territory, S. Georg having a shot at goal, the oval fallinj phort. From a loose scrum at centri Sampson sent the ball out to Eggleston who transferred to Tait, the latter beinj grassed by Hooker after a dodgy run A kick to the line centred, givo and tak play following. An interchange of kick gave the visitors the advantage, but pla; was too near the line for operations bi the back division. A deal of line am scrum work'followed, Frewin eventuall; securing. He whipped the leather mt to Hardgraves, who transferred t< Hooker. The latter got in his pass t Stohr as he was tackled. Stohr put 01 the pace, and, beating a couple of op ponenU. ran in behind the goal-posts Hardgraves missed the easiest of kicks. Tukapa .. ..' ... 3 Clifton 0 On play resuming the Blue forward worked hard and invaded Clifton's <!• main, but were penalised, and Sampso: kicked to the line at ecnt»e. On the lint out George secured and transferred t Sampson, who kicked high. The l'ed followed up suurtly, and Ifoneyfield a full missing the ball, the home tear rushed right up to the goal line befor the rush was stayed. A series of scrum here ensued, the visitors forcing, l'ia. went to centre, where Hardgraves pu up a high kick. Smart following saw th Blues hot after a score, but Scholefiel kicked to the line in Clifton's 2.Vs. Lin play followed, the visiting t»:iin uoariri down. The home team vriieved with- i lock which the visitors should, hav marked in good position. Both Hard graves and Hooker racnl lo take th lifell, with the result that neilher securei possession. Then the Reds took a bum. and a likely rush was iiullitied throug 1 Tail not being able to take an awk-wardly-delivered pass. ilcOiveii, a junioi who was playing on tUv Tukapa wing was conspicuous on many <i.-«isimis fni his «plemlid tackling and fast following up. A passing rush by the Blue backs, in which Frewin, Hardgraves, and McLean took part, ended fruitlessly through McLean being grassed by Scholcfield, and play went to midlield. Fast play ensued, the teams racing the leather up and down and across and back rapid ly. Eventually the home team were penalised in their 25 territory. Hardgraves took the kick and landed a beauty. Tukapa 6 Clifton '.. -.0

The spell ended without further score. The second spell saw the pace even hotter than the opening. The Reds pressed down and were awarded a free kick in Tukapa's &">. S. George's kick

went wide. The Clifton forwards rusb•ed down again but too innch impetus was given the leather, and Tuka|>a forced. For a term honors were about even, the hard toil of the home forwards being greatly nullified by the splendid linekicking of Hardgraves. The contest waged still more vigorous, but play was conspicuous by lack of concerted effort. Seamark, who was prominent throughout, broke away with a dribbling rush, but the oval went over the line and Clifton forced. An interchange of kicks intervened, Tait securing from a long kick by Honeyfield. Tait, who has plenty of pace and dodges admirably, put in

a fine run. being grassed bv llardgrave = near the corner llag. Clifton continued the pressure, but the game was kept Hose. Tait cut in on his own on two or three occasion, but was grassed aftesr putting in a likely run. Play went t» mid-field. Then the visitors took a turn at attack and a lot of line w'ork and 9crums ensued in Clifton's grounds Pukero here headed a rash and took play to mid-field. Clifton pressed hard for a score, and were awarded a free) kick in a ?°°d position. S. George took the kick and placed a neat goal. Tukapa .. .. .. Clifton 3 Anxious to equalise the score the Reds made fine efforts to break through, but Frewin got well down to each rus,li, and sending out to llardgravT's, the lat--1 ter found the line with faultless: precision. A likely bit of play between Hardgraves and Hooker was spoiled by being too close to the line to opera-te Tait secured from a long kick and cutting

in, wriggled paat several players and made a brilliant run before being grassed by McLean. The advantage was followed up. but hard kicking resulted in a touch in goal. The remainder of the spell was vigorously contested. but neither team got within striking distance. Mr.Ueo. Griffith* gave entire satisfaction with the whittle. Fur the home team. Pukere. Cain and Loveridge were eon-pieuous in the forwards, S, Oporge, Tait and Srholeti.dd •showing out in the rear division. Tnka-. pa vanguard did solid work throughout, Frewin. Hardgraves. Honker, and Me- ; Lean being the pick of the backs. j

KLTHAM (hi) v. STAR <:ti. Despite (he heavy rain* of yesterday morning and Hie day- previous the race eour*e ground win in fair order yesterday afternoon f*»r the Eitham-Star senior fi\hin*. There w;i* a fair attend ancf of Kitham played with three *ub*tituie-. The Star*, too. failed to product* the ream which had looked so well iu print, and when Kitham kicked I off ihey had but thirteen men. One or j the -elected mei; happened along some 1 minute- la t«\ and the other gap wafilled bv a substitute. Tile game was not of an interesting character. thi- fac f emitributed to by the disjoiute! style of play of the home team and the outstanding weakness of portion* of the back division iu defence. However, the home team was not favored by fortune yestenlar. two or three iieing lost by th* narrowest margin owing to an i dents. The Kitham men have been seen to greater advantage this season, a good deal of their work iieing spoiled by the good spoiling work of Thomas, Smith. Dixon. Brown, and MeToy. Tin* greasy ground, however, wa- vM mic on which to e.\p»'ct great brilliancy. Mr. T. Pettv ftih referee. Ahno-t a* the outset Kllhain eaugln the Star defence napping, and the Blacks, were !t;ckv iu forcing. Vpon the kick-out followed a good deal of clo-e play, the forward divi>ioiis being fairly well matched. Kitham had perhaps Hi:: upper hand.due to the presence of Char Irri-. Smth. and buf their breach of the »»tr>ide rule wa- >o frefpfiit that managed to bold them b,?ck. Dive contrived an owning, and the ball came out to Kmkland on the wing. He gall'jjß'd three-fourth* of the

length of the lield, and va.s not taekled until lie had crossed the line. There IJrown went high for him, but lincklani swerved, and coolly eanteied in between the post*. I'otier converted. Kltham .. •.. .. 5 Star o

Keaimiing, the Stars endeavored to keep tiie play amongst the forwards, but the viaitois jrenerally managed to open np the game. Lewis sending the ball out aumiifT't hi.- hack-,. Dive was fairly well watched, and lie generally parsed aoros-s to Bllekland on the other wtn«j. Hill was not eijiiiii to the task of marking Ituckland, and Stars forced twice in succession. Stars attacked vi»oron»ly led bv Thomas. Stroud, and- Ibiskill, hut the dribbling rush was spoiled by too much "i>ot»t." the ball lifting to Dive, who was splendidly grassed by Dixon. OfMde play gave Potior a shot at jjoal, and he sent the ball between the pu?jts. Kllham S Star u

Again the Stars set up a hot attack, ilaskiit and Thomas in the thick of it. Thomas sneaked the ball from Ijewis, anil set out for the line. l!ut he hud outdistanced his supports, and, these being lacking, he just failed to score, being collared on the , line. Eltham forced. Opening up the play, Dive ran to centre and passed to lloir, who trans ferrod to Buckland, who sprinted along the line and passed in (o Dive and cut round again to receive the ball. Smith slipped in his attempt to tackle, and Hill also failed, Buckland receiving and scoring a soft try. The kick failed. Eltham II Star 0

]!v dint of strenuous work the Macks contrived again to place Eltluim defending, McCoy and Dixon being in the lead of the attack. Stroud had a. kick n' goal, but the ball fell short. A series of scrums and line-outs kept, the home team in the ascendant for a brief space, lnif, again the defending backs turned the defence into attack and centred play, a likely run by Dive being stopped by a whistle for forward passing. Stroiiu again endeavored to place a goal from the field, but the ball fell short. Fast play ensued up to half-titne. In the second spell Smith (centre) and Hill (wing) ehauged places, ami Alc-Leaft took Evisun's place at live-eighths. This strengthened the rear division, partial larly in defence, and the Stars 1 tactics for the remainder of the game savored somewhat of cohesion as the players seemed to get acquainted. Early in the spell Dive and Co. had to defend, but a clever mark by Jiuckland altered the u>pcct of affairs. Lewis, at half, saved his side time and again by his alertness, and quite overshadowed the Star half, I who was not used to the position, •i'honias and lfaskill broke through repeatedly, but the two Moil's wer-; prompt in getting there, and, forcing Hill to kick in a wrong direction, forced Stars to touch down. A slip by a home forward let. Eltham in again to the z:>, Smith saving by centreing tactics and good all-round defence, h'rom one of his kicks tile Black forwards swept up the lield and played liard in front of the 5 goal for some minutes, till Lewis lined. The Blacks caine again, and Dive just . I missed a try by hard luck after a fine

dash. Stroud had another fruitless kick at goal. .Momentary hesitation by Moir gave Tom Smith an opening, and the Star supporters yelled jubilantly, but he was pushed out. The home tonvards again pressed hard with the ball at toe. but Bucklaml lielded it cleverly and kicked to Hill, who slipped out of touch when be seemed to have a good chance. F.lthain now took a band in attack, bn. bv serums they were again pushed back, till McCrackeu"secured in his own 25 anil charged up close to the line, enabling I'otier to snip a try half a minute late-. Dive converted.

Klthain J" Star •' 0 Sr.ir- attacked smartly, and ililt, inwi'ci'j'ting a pass, slrt'.ikcd for the line. It looked a sure try, but Old crossed like lightning. Tlie'tackle was deadly, and tlu> game stopped whilst the two pincers lilid their headpieces attended n,.' (lid was so atfected tliat lie had to • r o otl'. O'Driseoll broke through the ruck, but fell, and the hall went to Smith. A centre-kick would have given a chance to score, but he elected to kick at goal, and failed, the. ball rebounding from an opposing ranker. Tficii Hill cut along the line and crossed, but with out thi' ball. Elthain forced. Play went to centre, but soon came back to Klt ham's 25. anil the. ball went over tlie line. Wiiliams, instead of forcing, essayed to return the ball to the field, and a score was narrowly averted. Smith set up all attack and liill got the ball, dashing for the line. Ihit lie was tackled. The lilack vanguard held tilings tight, until McLean shot over, registering Stars' first and only wore. Kltham 1" Star 3 The visitors played a defensive game to tiiue, and the ball was behind t heir line w hen the whistle sounded no-side. SXUATFOKD (-U) v. JNGLEWUOD (.'!).

Played at Stratford yesterday, Ili i> match was dull and uninteresting. Stratford had not their full strenglL, several juniors being included in Iho team, while lnglewood played with tliirteeu men until near, tlu; end of the first spell, when they increased the number to fourteen. The wet ground and consequently the slippery ball put fast play out of the question, although the passing of the home backs was at times good. Young kicked oil' for Stratford, and shortly after Bullott initiated a passing rush which ended In Fearon crossing the I line. The kick failed. On resuming Bul- ' lott again secured, and passed to D. | Brown, who transferred to A. Brown, 1 the latter crossing the line. The kick ' was again a failure. From a serum on the lnglewood line Marchant snapped up and crossed the chalk line. Tocker : kicked a fine goal. Half-time was called with the score— Stratford .. .. ..11 f lnglewood The second spell opened with linework. neither side gaining auy noticeable advantage till the home forwards started a dribbling rush and carried the leather on to the lnglewood liue, where Brown touched down. Tichbon added tin* major points. The resumption of | play saw the oval again carried into the ; visitor*' territory, when' Ibillott obtained from a scrum and potted a neat ,goal. The same player shortly afterwards again secured from a scrum and potted a second goal. The lnglewood forwards now rallied and worked down the lield on to the home line, where Stratford were penalised for obstruction. l)e Eaunay look the kick and landed a good goal. The. remaining few minutes' play was confined to the forwards, and the game ended in a downpour of rain in lnglewood territory, with the scoreStratford .. •• -i ]

lnglewood SECOND GRADE. . ELTIIAM 11. v. STAIi 11. Played at Kitham, \Star wore defeated by 'A to nil. The ground was in a sloppy condition. and the game resolved itself into a mud scramble, Ju>t after the r-tart of the game Steele, of Hie had the misfortune to dislocate his -honider. and had to retire, the team playiug with fourteen men. THIRD GRADE. Star 111. and Kitham 111. met ai New Plwiiouth yesterday, the home team winning by (i to Ik In the lir-d rou.ndKitham was victorious by 4 7to 0. WESTERN' DIVISION. (Special to News.) Okato, Last N'igtit. A trial junior match is to be played at. opunake on Saturday next l>etwcen teams representing Okato and Rahotu on Uie one >ide and I'ihaina and Opunuke • ill the other. The following is the Hkato-Rahotu team:-E. Simmons (Ra-1 hotu). J. Power (Okaio). Rua. (Okato), A. Baker (Rahutu). Pipi (Rahotu), Sorren.on (Rahotu). K. Wooldridge lOkalo). E. fa rev (Okato), M. Andrews (Okaloj, W. FMicr (Okato), W. James (Rahotu). M. Coffey (Rahotu). H. Clark (Kalioln). and Webby (Okato); emergencies, Warhurlon (Okato). 11. Simmons (llaholu). and E. Eustace (Okato). The team was >elecled by Messrs. Power and Clark, skippers of tin- two junior team s . The Okalo ieam to phiv against Opnnake on Saturday at Okata will be: Leedom. O. Adlan'i. E. NarrUnn, Sullivan. l!ol»eit>on. P. Carey. A. Movie. T. Carey, F. Voy>ey, V. Julian. E. Corbel t, and f!.

The Swifts ami Kia Oras met on the racecourse yesterday, and after playing ,i very willing game the Swifts won by 12 to HI. Fur Swifts tries were stored by Millinglon. Sole, Allen, aiul Francis, none being converted, and for Kia Oras Tinchini and another scored and converted both.

SUUGEfcTED AMENDMENT OF HULKS. I ]}y Telegraph.-- Press Association. Am-kland, Thursday. At a conference between the Kugby I'lium and referees, held to-night, it was Miggested that the following amendments be made to the rules:--Fourtceu players instead of tifteeu; in the event df a plaver kunckintf-ou and catching the ball before it touches the ground this will not count as a knock on; that power 1)0 given to the oUicials of the Union, as well as the referee, to detect and report cases of mislK'liaviour or foul play; that games'be played in four quarters, with one spell, instead of two halves; that a goal fromji penalty or mar* count two points; "that charging b.> allowed in case of a free kick or a kV;k from a try; that a player shall be offside if lie advances beyond a line drawn through the back row of the scrummage; that a player is no part of a scrummage by merely placing his hand on the scrun (this is to do away with the wing forward); that the ball must be thrown in at least live, yards from the line; and a number of oilier minor suggestions.

MUTISII TEAM I'OK SATUKPAY. "Wellington, Thursday. The r.i'itisb team to play on Saturday will be selected from tin- following:--Jackett, (.Jibbs. .Tone* (2), McKvedy, Vassal), J. L. Williams. Pavey, Morgan (•2), Archer Pibble, Down, Hind, Harding, Kitson and Smith.

In his report of the North v. boutji fsland match, "Off side Mac," the '•Dominion's" football scribe, says: ''Mynoti; played most serviceably at five-eighths, and his exhibition proved that he is b\ no means a back number. Hunter also was da shy. but lie ran rather much before passing. Coleman played a fairly good game as wing forward. He is * very strong tackier, but has a weakness for holding on to his vis-a-vis. llis try when he was placed half-back in place of lioberts (who was injured in the later stages of the game and had to retire to a roving position) was very meritorious. The Taranaki boy is evidently _ the greatest utility player in the Dominion. In bis criticism of tile team for tee second test match ''Olt side Mac" writes: "The team is certainly a very strong one It is questionable, however, if it would not- have been further atrenßtliened if Wallace had been placed fullback, with Cameron in tlio fleDingtonian's place us centre three-quartei, while Mynott might very well have occupied Gray's position as live eighths. There is little doubt that on yesterday s plav Mynott is the better man; in fact, it is questionable if he is not at present superior to Hunter. Coleman is hardly

np to Xew Zealand form as a full-back, although otherwise he is a very serviceable plaver. Wallace is no doubt wort i his position as a wing-three-quarter, but as a full-back lie would have been a I,)-, at standbv for his team in lime of trouble. Heady and Murray are new to Xew Zealand representative honors. ' Thev are regarded generally as " n °(l 'pushers' and 'hookers.' Patterson, an 1 other new man. who replaces McDonald ' in the re»r rank, practically played himself into the team yesterday in the • \"„rtli v South Mand match. Hamil-

ton. who makes his initial appearance as a N'ew Zealand wing-forward, is a proper stamp of player, lie is a line allround forward and an excellent punt and place-kick. ___