FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 103, 28 May 1909, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

YESTERDAY'S RESILTS. FIIiST GRADE. Stratford, lb; Inglewood, 11. Star, 18; Eltham, 12. Tukapa, 11; Clifton, 4. SECOND GRADE. Elthaui, 'J; Star,, o. Inglewood, 8; Stratford, l). Clifton, 5; Tukapa 3. TtllKD GRADE. Clifton, 1»; Tukapa 0. Stratford, "J; Inglewood JEltham, 9j Star, 3.

FIRST GRADE. STAR v. ELTHAM.

Star Brought'off a big surprise yesterday when they accounted tor the formidable Eltbain team, winning a stuu-1 borsly-contcfited game by 18 points to The result and the exccUm lorra dittoed-bv Star was totally ..expected. Eltham opened well ana tor the gitater part of the first spell neld the upper hand, but did not force their advantages home. The second spell. w-as determinedly contested, but Star s chance was not seriously considered until t'hey had crossed the "magpies" line. This encouragement seemed to infuse unsuspected life into the blaci-rs, who thereafter, by persistent, and sustained attacks, wore down the rearguard to exhaustion point. IV .ho last fifteen minutes Star were eo npleteiv masters of the situation, and really won on condition. Pike and Hill were unable to play for Star, and Eltham were minus two'of the usual .players. The teams, however, could not be said to liave been weakened thereby, all tlie substitute playing fine games. The game took place on the New Plymouth | B«C. , ' Star kicked off against the sun, and were soon on the defensive against Potier. Dive secured and had an almost pertain score to himself when he passed out and the chance was lost. Immediately after, however, J. W. Smith kicked an easy goal from a penalty. Eltham 3; Star 0. Eltham's game was to make play as fast and open as possible, the hacks kicking high and following. The result of the game showed these tactics to have been unwise, however, -is the• team was played almost to a Standstill half-way through the second spell. "Paddy" Ryan headed a rattling rush - into ElthamV ground and lan Grant marked 30 yards out, but Clow's kick went wide., Hard play at centre followed, till Dixon and Clow, ine»,ing the ball, let Osborne away, but Grant prevented him touching down, and a force resulted. ■ Eltham's back attacks were being kept fn check l>y tire splendid tackling of Whitaker nnd Grant on the wings, and Brown getting down to the Eltham forward rushes in fine style. A rally, headed by Ryan, Woods and McKoy* sent Eltham back to their line, which was hotly a&sailed lor a time, a force-down resulting. Principally through the off-side play of Eltham, the blacks were enabled to keep play in the visitors' territory, but the local backs' get- . ting out of position eventually let the magpie forwards awnv. and their prograss was only stopped close To Star's line by an infringement. Brown stopped another try-getting rush by Eltham, but immediately after Thomson secured and set his backs going, lloir, Dive and Potier handling in quick succession and th'e latter getting over locked in .Brown's arms. No goal resulted. Eltham 6; Star 0. The Eltham forwards were now in their 1 stride and with a swies of nippy passes nonplussed the local rearguard, Charters crossing. Again the ; kick was a failure, Kitliam n; Star 0. Partridge. Smith and Osborne burst through again, hut Clow was equal to the occasion, and Star retaliated with a fine rush headed by Rvan, Woods and wfiicll was oleVevlv stopped by the Eltham lull-back (Williams) in the nick of time. Boulton secured, and an . almost certain try was lost by Grant , lirissfng a difficult pass. Good "pfcy by "Brown kept Eltnam defending, and , Grant made a dash, but Dive" accomu- .\ ed tor liini. Again the local backs were caught, napping.-and Eltham swept through an opening down the centre of , the Jk'jd. a touch-in-goal getting Star ou£ of a tight comer. The blaclS were BPW-r getting the ball from the scrums, •)>ut instead, of utilising Grant's pace, most of the play was sent to Whitaker. . Thomson hipping round a scrum found an opening, Dixon and Boulton being . out of .position and Eltham raised the siege,' but were, penalised, and Hawkins Kicked a fine long-range goal. Eltham 9; Star J. A fine passing in-::, in which "the boll travelled through the hands of all the Eltham baekfi twice, was smartly on the line by Ciow, and ■ euccessive "infringements enabled Star to regain fife lost ground... Tlie blacks had three unsuccessful attempts at goal, but for tli6 rest of the spell were unable ic get withto sinking distance. The second spell opened in Eltham's lavor, and within three minutes Potier scored after a fast dash along the lino. The kick was resultle.-e. Eltham 12; Star 3. With a great rally llyan, supported by his forwards, broke* through ; the opposing vanguard into Eltham's territory, but the ball was over-run. Fine play by Grant kept Eltham's re- ' plying efforts in cheek for a time, but . slowly their heavier opponents drove . the blaeks hack, nnd Eltham had an . ttnsucoossftil shot at goal. Ryan was again seen at the hi»d of a strong rush, arid supported by Richards and Grant, . play was takeu right under the maguies' .; goal. Dixon scoured and dived across'. ;■ but lost the ball. Aften an abortive : pot bv Hawkins, Thomson, Partridge ; and Moil- shifted the scone of operations, but the Star forwards, nl.iving with dash, returned. Rvan broke away from the line on his own, but was un- .' supported, except by Grant far out, . and the long pass was Intercepted by Lewis, who lost a chance by not passing when blocked by Clow, who stopped ; his-progress. It was becoming evident that Eltham were tiring and t'he loeal ' backs essayed high kicking and fo'liowing up. By hot charges through the Eltham backs, SFar held play within Jtriking distance o*i the opposing goal. V From a smart heel out Brown sent to IJi*on, to Boulton, who gave Grant a • well-timed pass, and the Star colt gillloped across at the corner. Clow kicked a poster; Eltham 12: Star 0. Again ! ' Jjf?h centring tactics wore adopted by \\hitaker and ftrant, and one boating . the Eltham full-back. Boulton Secured and forged his way over the line at the • ■ corner. Clow kicked a splen.lM soal. klthinr 12; Star 11. piu V was now i fast and exciting, and the 'Stars were plaving as one man behind Rvan. Williams had scarcely got Eltham out of danger before Rvan, securing at the 23 .flag from a throw-in, beat off opposition and «eored. again at the corner. Clow . made another splendid kick, the ball hitting the upright and bounding back. .- Star 14, Eltham 11. The visitors play,,ed up vigorously, but the Star backs were taking no risks, and Boulton, improving..greatly in his play, closed the ~ avenue through whfch Eltham had oarPureed Star's' defence. A long kick : .b} W.ll,ams was taken by Brown near . half way, who potted a splendid goal j,from about 50 yards range. Star 18; / -Eltjiani 12. Ryan and Grant worr a=aociateil in another rush over Eltham's line, Williams saving by kicking out of bcnnid#. Th e visitors,' with a final rally, headed by Partridge, Osborne. vvJwrtere aru ' Potier," swept down the ...Jielq, and a couple of minutes hot plav ,gensiied on Star's line, but a penaltv - brought relief as time sounded. ./For the winners, Ryan and Grant stood nut as heroes of the match. Rvan being m a class by himself. Grant is a decided acquisition to the blacks, and j

played a brilliant game throughout. Clow was sate as usual, and Wluuikor, though in a now position, filled it _\v«I I. lioultun was the weak link in the ciiain, but improved greatly in"tlie second Spell. Dixon was also in a now position at iivoeighths, and acquitted himself well. 111-own is rapidly developing into a clever lmlf. solid in defence, and versatile in attack. The forwards played their best game this season, and there was not a non-trier in the lot. l'or the iosers Os'borne, Charters and Partridge stood out amongst the forwards. Thomson is a clever half-back, though porhaps not so tricky as Lewis. Dive played solidly, but.' was never brilliant, Potier being the best of the three-quar-ter line, but much of his usefulness was lost by ofMde play at time. Lewis played a safe game, but was obviously ;out of position. Williams at full re- | peatedly got his side out ot trouble with i his pace. Mr. Spurdle refereed.

STRATFORD v. INGLEWOOD, The result of this match, played at Inglewood yesterday, came as a pleasant surprise to even the most ardent supporter of the home team. An easy win lor the visitors was predicted, but Inglewood played the game of their lives, and Stratford had to do all they could to stave oil" defeat. The form shown by the Stratford team was not anything like their display against Tukapa last tveek. The game was as fast as has been seen in Inglewood for some time, the oval travelling quickly from one o.id of the paddock to tno other right throughout the game. For Stratford, Cameron put in good work, but has been seen in much better form. The same, applies to all the Stratford baeKs. Their forward division had plenty to do, Young, llarkliess and Bonner being the most prominent. The Inglewood forwards all play d a sterling game, Hopkin and Boldt being very prominent iu the loose. Brownwas the most noticeable in tlie back I division. Mr. Roch *aferoed.

Inglewood kicked oil" against the su and Cameron returned to iiait'-way. Fa? play between the 2;Vs followed, cac team attacking and defending in tun neitlier gaining any noticeable advaii tage. Tlie home forward then took th ball at their feet and worked into tli visitor*' territory, where a dangerou rush was saved by Fearon kicking out Stratford then reversed the order n things and carried the oval on to th home line. From an ensuing serun Bullot secured and passed to Tockei and the latter to Cameron, who afte a pretty feinting run crossed the Jin near the corner Hag. lie took the kid himself and landed a splendid goal Stratford 5, Inglewood 0. On Young secured the oval and, puntin, hard, sent the ball over the home lim H. Cameron, following hard, scored j well-earned try in a good position. J' Cameron failed to add the major points Stratford 8, Inglewood 0. Play was the] taken into Stratford's territory, andtli* home team, who were putting in ever ounce, worked 021 to the line, where the? were awarded a free kick for the visitor: playing the hull on the ground. tiuther land essayed a shot at goal, but the kicl although a good one went wide. Strat ford kicked out, and the iiome ten 11 again pressed hard. Kelief came U Stratford per medium of a free kick aud tiie ball was sent well down uu field. A good passing rush, initiated b\ Bullot, saw the oval taken into tin 1 home 25, W a bad pass to Kirkwood spoiled a good chance. The home team again worked into Stratford's' territory, and a forward rush resulted in lloskim snapping up the oval and crossing over, The kick failed. Half-time was called with the score, Stratford 8, Inglewood 3. The first few minutes of the second half .saw the oval travelling up aud down between the 2J's. A scrum in tii" home 25 gave Bullot the ball. He passed to Caiueron, who transferred to H Cameron, who after a smart run crossed over; but the ball was brought back, and a scrum under the home goal followed, Stratfdrd were now attacking vigorously, but the splendid defence of the home team was ton good. Another serum followed, and Bullot shot the oval out to Tocker, who tran>ferred to iCirkwood. who shot over near the corner. Tocker failed with t»ie kick. Stratford U, Inglewood 3. Again the order of play was reversed, and, the home team attacked the Stratfo/d line, where they were awarded a free kick, and Brown placed a beautiful goal from a difficult •jingle. Stratford 11, Inglewood fl. Shortafterwards the visitors again transferred play into the home 2.3. A scrum gave Tocker the ball, and he sent it on t<> I). Cameron, who streaked from the 2.l's and, dodging three or four opponents, scored in a haudv position, lie added the major points. Stratford Hi, Inglewood (». Hie home team kept up a strong attack, and play was now most willing. Brown secured the leather and booted in to Fearon near the visitors' I line. The latter player mulled out, and j Hopkins, who was following up fast, | secured, and. midst great excitement. ran round and placed the ball under | the posts. Brown converted. Time was j railed, with the score: Stratford Hi, I Inglewood 11.

TUKAPA v. CLIKTOX. A perfect afternoon had the effect of inducing a very large attendance of spectiitor* at the Tukapa-Cliftou match at Waitara yesterday, the crowd including a large contingent from New Plymouth. Tiie ground was dry, and therefore in favor of the visiting team, who. when they lined out, looked like a team' of boys in comparison to the tine samples of manhood who tilled the ranks of th; Waitara fifteen. The match resolved itself into a contest between the weight and .strength of th" Clifton pack and the cleverness and pace of the Tukapa hacks, although the splendid condition of the visitors' pack, and their determined fight ogsiuist the superior weight had also to he reckoned with, and the generalship of Myiiott was a factor that cannot he overlooked. The male!), which ended i:i a win for the visitors hy 11 points to 4. was controlled by I-Mr. (I. Hopkins. It was not productive I of a great amount of concerted play, the | scores in most cases being due to individual merit. Clifton won the toss, »-jd elected to play with the sun at their hacks, Tukapa kicking off, and initiating a smart attack, in which their footwork was superior to that of the defenders. Scholetield's line-kicking was responsible for keeping the blues out. Mynott kicked to George. who mulle - .!. and F. Loveridge had hard luck in missing a score. A free kick for ofF-shh : gave Stohr a splendid chance, but the ball went wide. was penalised for otl'-side, aAd >tohr had another shot, but the ball fell just under th' bar. George forcing. Then from a Ion? kick Clifton crossed the haU-way line for the first time. J. Stohr was penalised for ofT-side, and Clifton followed their free kick with a ifangerous solid rush, but Mvnott manced, and play returned to' Clifton cud. The ball crossed suddenly over, and a high kick bothered Clark. Sampsop picked it up and passed lo Seholefield in a nice position. A potted goal was registered, amids* great anplaus<\ Clifton 4,.Tukapa 0. A clever line kiek by Bert. Stohr broushi a scrum in Clifton's 2->. but Mynott's attempt to initiate a passing rush resulted disastrously, Jack Stohr running wildly ami causing considerable loss of ground. Clifton backs made the frei;ue it mistake of kicking to the visitor-' rear division, where the catching wa« vcy.* safe. The forwards ben- Mynott in a solid rush, and things looked serious fur Tukapa. Hut Clarke, the fullback. marked, 'vholeliehl returned to the line in the blues' end. am* Webster had! I nek in beating Tate, on the other win-i., for the ball. The Tukapas now had lo 1 defend, Stohr relieving with a free kick] off the line. Then for a time the gamwas fought in mid-Held, but there no noteworthy incident. A couple 'if splendid marks by Mvnott relieved th. 1 monotony, and Stohr found the line at i Clifton's end. but Vukcrc. (fciiit, and l)-| I lflois forced the visitors back. Clarke saving bv repeated marks. In the J serums the honors were fairlv 1 this stage, but Crowlev was b ' " Tukapa half. Sampson, at live-eighth for the home team, was spoiling much of Crowlev's work. In the lino-outs it i was noiiced that Allen gcwrallv aged to get (he ball to the Tukn:i:t backs, while Mvuott nipped frequent marks from the throw-in. In close plav. the weight of the home team stood them in good stead. Once, following up r ' short kick, thev came hard on t > Webster, who turned his back on Hr rush, but M.vnott cut in and saved

Al h.ilf-liiiie there had been 110 further! score, but Clifton was having the better | of the game. I Tukapa opened the second spell warmly, the forwards going at top, and shaping hotter now thai tliev had not to i face the sun. It was not long before Perry slipped over tile line from a i throw-in, the Clifton men not being tip 1 in time. Stohr kicked a goal. Tukapa 5, Clifton 4. The Tukapa's return wont out. From the throw-in Ward broke right through, and put: the ball out at the greens' 25, A long line-kick by S, George shifted the scene, and I'liker"? improved the position with a mark. From a line-out the Clifton forwards got ]dowu, and colljiirjbrt Clarke, Til kapa's full, with the ball near the posts. From a five yards serum the ban was sent to Sampson, who passed poorly, and Stnhr booted down the held, ami Tom .loncs followed iiard, interfering Willi Scholelield's kick. I". I.overidgo secured, and swerving through the opposings backs, scored. Stohr's kick went wide. Tukapa 8, Clifton 4. The visiting team held the advantage for some time, till D. George reversed the positions with a long kick. Clarke took it, however, and marked as Tate collared him. Stolir found the line well down tile field, but the green forwards returned. They nullified every advantage, however, bv long kicks to tlie Blues' backs, and the latter wore never bustle 1, Clarke doing particularly well. Do lilois took a pass 'off-side and, kicked, but IS. Stohr marked in front of the goal. J. Stohr kicked wide. Shortly afterwards he had a shot at goal from halfway, but, though he got the distance, the direction was just faulty. Eggleston, whose kicking was not up to his usual •form, sent a high kiek almost straight across the field at half-way. Jack Stolir chimed in just as Tate was about to take it, picked up, and scored, quite outdis ■ taneing Tate, who came in pursuit. Ward's kiek at goal was unsuccessful. Tukapa, 11, Clifton 4. Towards the end of the game play settled down in Tukapa's end, as the result of a piece of ' off-side play by the blue forwards. There was a lively series of scrum play, from one of which Scliolelield got possession ' iu front of the goal, but the blues took , all sorts of care this time against a pot. , Another rusk was staved oil by Clarke, i and the game ended with Clifton still attacking. It would be dill'icult to single out any of the winning side as , superior to the rest, but credit must be j given to the " colts," Perry, F. Lov*ridge, and C. Webster (who played in ' Barker's place). .Mason, at half, was . capable of considerable improvement. : For the home teanrScholcfield and Crowley were the best of a medium sot of backs, and Pukere, De Blois, and Ilicka were the most conspicuous forwardds.

SECOND GRADE. ELTIIAM v. STAU. This match was paved at Etham yesterday and resulted in a win for the home team by nine points to nil. Johnson scored two tries in the. lirst spell and Ellis crossed the Star line in the second half. Air. Perrett refereed.

INGLE WOOD v. STRATFORD. These teams met at Stratford yesterday. The game resulted in a win for Inglewood by 8 points to six. The only score in the first spell was a penalty goal for the home team kicked by Burgess. Early in the second spell the s'ame player kicked a second goal from a penalty. Inglewood then rallied, and from a throw-in near thv home line Bumball secured and scored. Smith converted. Soon after the visitors were awarded a free kick, and Smith placed a second goal from a difficult angle. Mr. Biunie had charge of the whistle.

CLIFTON v. TUKAVA, These teams met on the Recreation Ground. The game resulted 111 a win for Clifton by -~> points (a try by Excell, which was converted) to 3 (a penalty goal kicked by Kairbrother),

THIRD GRADE. STRATIfpRD v. INGLEWOOD. At Inglewood yesterday' the Stratlord second juniors defeated Jnglewood by 9 points to 3. The game was a willing one, but the combination of the visitors was superior to that of the home team. Mr. West refereed.

ELTHAM v. STAR. 'Ellham >eeond juniors defeated Star on the Racecourse grounds bv 9 points 'to 3. CLIFTON v. ITKAPA. Clifton ill. beat Tukapa TH. at Waitara by 19 point* to nil. Only six points were notched in tlio/»'ecgjul spell. The Clifton tram was a very weighty combination. ' SATt'IIDAV TEAMS.

The Guards 'team for Saturday is as follows:—Back*: Stanley, Drink water. Rogers, Bell, Hodges and Main; for-' wards: .T. Skipper. Burroughs.' Walsh, St-ccle, Ivowe, Coker. Allen, Blyde and •J. Shearer. Emergences: Back, Fincham: forwards. Smart and Boyd.

The following team will represent Civil Service:—Full, Shields; three-quarters, Irvine, PfankjiclT and Addison; fiveeighths, Mnlvey and Pearce; half, Loveridge; wing,' N. Me Isaac; forwards, Day, Watson. Ryan, Kilgour. Cox, Kennedy and Seldom Emergencies: Brabant, Napier, Copcstake; back. Boeoek. A practise will be held in the rooms Opposite the Red Mouse Hotel this evening at 7.30,