FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 109, 4 June 1909, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS. FIRST GRADE. Eltliam 13: Clifton 5. Stratford 28; Star 4. Tukapa 17, Inglewood 6. SECOXD GRADE. Clifton 12, Eltliam 8. Inglewood 23; Tukapa 0. Stratford forfeited to Star. THIRD GRADE. Eltliam 11; Clifton 0. Stratford 51; Star 0. Tnkapa 19; Ingiewood 3. FIRST GRADE. CLIFTON v. ELTHAU.

The meeting of the Eltliam and Clif- , ton teams was looked forward to with , considerable interest, the game being j expected to produce -perhaps the best ' t forward game of the lirst round. Th! Clifton pack was reputed to be a strong , combination, and the local men are re- . ported to have beeu doing solid training during the week, lest their lack of condition should tell the same tale as was told in the match against Star a week ago. On the performances so far the general opinion was that Eltliam would win ou account of the superiority of its back division, and so it proved. The I score of 13 to 5 by no means presents i a fair idea of the merits of the teams. I Clifton played two emergencies in place of Cain and Uillett Sampson, both of whom are on the cripples' list as the result of the Tukapa match. And on top of that, Hicks and Daniels miesed the morning train, and the team batted two men short for ten minutes or more, during "which the Eltham backs' rattled up ten points. After fifteen minutes' play the score stood at thirteen points to nil, but Eltham was unable to improve the position. On the whole, the match was of a mediocre order, the back play •weak, and the forward work rough and at times foul, in Which resipect the home team appeared to be the principal offenders. Hicks, of the visiting pack, was ordered off for rough play, his misdeamor consisting of an alleged kick at one of tho opposing team. Those ivlio saw the incident were of opinion tliat Hicks was honestly playing the ball. There was a good deal of obstruction and interference, in which the backs at times did their share. It was not a healthy exhibition. The visitors showed a better condition, but their following and backing-up of their leading forwards was a noticeably weak feature. The Eltliam Club officials, whose rosettes were a noticeable feature of the landscape, utterly failed to keep the spectators within hounds, even when requested by the referee to do so, and as a result of some "words" between a Waitara barracker and a line umpire, the barracker will be reported to the Rugby Union. Mr. F. Spurdle was referee. At the start Eltliam made the game open, and Clifton were soon in trouble. The vigorous onslaught of tlie Magpies s'eemed to utterly nonplißs them, and it was not long before L. Jloir scored blood after a clever run. Smith added the major points. Clifton forwards got the better of the next rally, and from a mark George made an unsuccessful attempt at goal. The Eltham backs got possession, and Clifton spent a hot time on the defence for a few minutes. Charters burst through, and scored another try. Smith agaiu converting. The score stood at 10 to nil for eleven minutes' play. Almost immediately Eltham agit'n invaded Clifton's territory. D. Moir secured at the 25, and passed to L. Moir, who transferred smartly to Dive on the wing, and the latter scored, Tate being out of position and S. George lacking in pace to catch the Eltham flier. 13—1). It was just between the second and third tries that the Clifton team was,brought to its full number. Dive again got away from a nice pass out from Lewis, but the line umpire's Hag went up. George , brought Dive dmvn, and it was' easily seen that the latter strongly resented . the tackle. Eltliam kept up the attack, and Brown came through with the ba'l at toe, but, over-running, he lost his | chance close to the line. Scholefield took a line mark at the head of a strong Eltham r iish, and play returned to centre, staying there for some time, whilst tlie forwards engaged in some desperate tussles. Clifton made a move, and ScholeOeld attempted a goal from a penalty, but the hall did not rise. W. J. Smith caught the ball, and initiated a. fine rush to the other end, where Pukere got possesison. He and De BlOis, with Hicks and Loveridge backing, went at headlong pace for the Eltluun goal, and l'ukere was well within striking distance when his side was penalised for off-side. The greens were now putting .plenty of vigor iiito their work, and Eltham was kept penned in their own 25. The visitors were lacking in the lack division, however, and they failed to follow up the advantage their forwards gained. Gibson, who was playing as wing forward for Eltham, got away twice, but rash kicking renders' his efforts abortive. .Just before half-time, as the result of a fine rush by Smith) Brown, Gilison and Charters, Clifton was forced.

The opening of tile second spell saw Clifton hotly attacking, ami S. George made a futile kick at goal from an easy position. There the home team, as the result of a fine opening by Lewis', transferred pla.v to Clifton's end. Eltham was getting all the best of tlie scrums, Clifton being without the services of their "hooker," a-.id l'ukere being lost In that position. The scrum was further weakened by playing Loveridge at lock, and sometimes the whole scrum toppled over as a result of its fearful packing. From a scrum near Clifton's line, tile ball came to U'wis, but Hicks' cut in and relieved the pressure with a long kick. Play at this stage travelled rapidly from end to end. and the visitors were taving rather the better of it, although the I'Jtham team shone out individually. A feature „f this spell was some i pretty footwork by Eggleston, who, with Hicks and .Stimpson, came more than half the length of the field with a dribbling rush. D. Moir interrupted their progress, and play went to centre. Ellhaiu was doing a fair amount of pas'sing, and several likely opportunities to score were , lost by faulty passing at the critical moment. The tackling of 11. fleorge. Scholefield and Eggleston was verv safe. About half-way Ihrough the spell Tficks was ordered off, and Clifton played on with only fourteen men. And now the centre backs commenced to feed Tate, for the onslaught of the home fnr.wards was losing its sting, (,'eorge sent out a difficult pa»'s, but Tate scooped in at full i-peod and galloped over the line lesult of a tricky run.' S. Oeorge added the major points, and made the scoreI'.ltham 1.1. Clifton 5. There was no further score up to the end of the .game, the latter stages being plaved in the deovemnjr dusk. On the play as scon in the rest of the game. Eltham was luekv in gaining a lead while the opponents were short anil out of condition. Their best backs were Dive and L. Moir, who plaved well together. Lewis, at half, wa*'also In fairlv i-ood form. Of a verv willing packs Smith. Charters. U'vick and .Partridge were the most prominent. Cibson played a rattling game at wing forward. Of the losers. Seholelield and Tate were the most pioiiiine;it of the backs D f;eOige did bis work cleanly, anil S fieorire was fairly safe at- full.' Crowlev. at ha:t. is showing uo improvement. J'-gglcston 15 too fond of the ball to make a cood five-eighths. Vukere, "Dc lois. and LovcrMge were the bes't of the forwards.

KTJUTI'OHI) r . ,STA]!. Hi is match, played at Stratford. r resulted ia an easy win fur SuuU'uiil l>y 28 points to 4. fli" home team outclassed their opponents in all departments. although tln-ir .jilsiv was not IjrUliant. flic Stai - team played piiif'' ' • lint their hacks were without tion. Stratford kicked oil', ami plav was taken into Star territory, where Toeker through holding the hall too hms. s:io : i. oil a good chance, and Star forced down. Resuming, the hlacks livened up, ami smart hack play saw Whitaker thrown out. in Stratford's' 25. The Stratford pack then got in motion and transferred play i.Ko the blacks' territory, where from tight play near the goal-iinc Marchant broke away. He wan tackled on tin* line by IJ ill. hut fell over and touched down. Stratford li, Star (I. Stratford maintained a strong attack, ,r,id play was held on the Star goal-line, the ldacks being twice forced. Whitaker tlicn secured from loose play and streaked up the field, evading his oppoii";its m gooil style. On heing tackled, he transferred to noultou. .who mulled, and the halt was sent out in the reds' 2.). Stratford soo-i reversed the order, and pla.y was again taken to Star territory. A loos'e rush i„ the blacks' 2.) rt a'w I'lil ot m possession. He attempted to pot: ami the lv.i'l went wid" |o Dixon, who snapped up and scored ai ca;y i;y. Canu'ron failed with the kick. Stratford i; S| nr I). \ few niV utes afterwards, flic lied ril t,H ' M »»•'• Hip star line, and darkness touclrwl down. Dixon f;iile<l : "Use the score. Stratford <t. St.ir 0. J-iom the kick-out. loose nla.v f01,0..ed, ,o..ed, „nd Toeker snapped ui> the oval, and sPTit it on to Kirkivood, who A fQurtti.tr}'.. Cameron, again failed to S&f Uvb,l/I>. "■ I -i*

convert, Stratford: 12, Sttif 0, Tim homo team were now having the better of tho game and ulay was Sept In Star territory, when hnlf-thne was called. Star opened strongly in the second Jmlf and were soon on tJu; lioiuo line. Cameron swurcd from a line-out, and kicked up the Held to HilJ, who potted a splendid goal from outside the reds' 25. He secured again soon afterwards and agaiu attempted to pot, but was unsuccessful, and the red forwards carried the ball on to tjie Star line. Melville secured from the line-out and crossed the chalk-line. Cameron's kick went wide. Stratford 15, Star 4. Stratford agaiu charged down on the home line, where Young obtained tlie oval from the line out, and touched down. Cameron kicked a good goad. Stratford 20, Star 4. The blacks then took a turn ut attack and worked on to the home line, but the defence of the home team was too sound. A dangerous rush was staved off bv Cameron marking. He kicked to Brown, who attempted to "pot," and play was returned to near half-way. The best try of the day followed. From loose play in the home 25, iJarchant secured, and sent the oVal out to Cameron, who set off up the field, and evading a number of opponents, after a splendid run scored in a good position, locker's kick failed. Stratford 23, Star 4, Dhe continuation of play saw the blacks attacking the home line, where they were awarded a free kick for ofl'- !! dt \ Clow attempted a kick, but the ball went wide and Stratford returnto half-way. where Dixon secured, and after outclassing several of the blacks reached the goal line, where he passed to Harkness', the latter scorra». Kivell added the major points. Time was sounded soon after without further score, l'or Stratford Feuron at fullback played a safe game, but the other backs have played better games. r n the forwards, hivell, Marchant, Smith and louiig were the most prominent. On rv St fU " ™ S BatisfMtOty, while Whitaker and Brown played fine games. Clow's line-kicking was of great service to his team. Ryan was m great condition and did splendid work . 111 0l ? loose, while McKoy and Turubull fereed" "'° rk ' Ho » ,kiw r °-

TUKAPA v. INGLEWOOD. Yesterday's weather conditions were perfect,. and there was a good attendance at Hie Recreation Grounds to witness the football match between the lukapa and Inglewood seniors. The game was quite devoid of expert play, and although the pace at times was merry enough the exposition was not what could be termed senior football—

a good -Jiard scramble" would perhaps more fitly describe the contest. 'lukapa's lack of combination in each division was marked. This was relieved somewhat by several good openings made by the veteran Mynott, iunl the sharp clever work by Jack tftolir. Tile liMevood vanguard—or a part of it—played a sterling game, and if they had been backed by a rear line capable of making openings and taking advantages, the score lor the reds would have, been in creased. With the exemption of the centre three-quarter and the full back, Inglewood's back play was poor; lukapa kicked oil with a bright sun ill their eyes. Following up :,tnaiuy, Jt. Stohr got the oval and had a pot siiot j at goal, the ball going low. The visiting 1 pack got under weigh and took play to 1 the home 25, where line work ensued. From a mark the visitors attempted a kick at goal, the ball falling a little short. The red fore-rankers continued the pressure, the blues being all out to avert a score at the corner. Inglewool marked in the home 2->, iirown shooting a pretty goal from a difficult angle. Inglewood 3, Tukapa 0. Just after the ball was put in motion Inglewood was penalised,but Jack Stohr's kick from halfway went a bit wide. With a sweeping lush the visiting pack went into i'ukapa's 25, a free kick easing the tension, i The blues headed a rush, which put play m the red's territory, but a penalty gave Inglewood a free kick, enabling them to send the ball to mid. Just I after this Tukapa wore Inglewood down, t but a force resulted. From a scrum Mason whipped the ball out to Mynott and a bit of decent passing followed. Mynott sent the leather to J. Stolr. who iu turn passed to liert, the latter'..: I fine turn of speed carrying him across. The kick failed. Tukapa ,1 inglewood 3. For a while the pa it was much easier, vach side apparently being short of condition. Mynott opened the game and sent the leather oil' to Bert -Stohr, who was grassed as he passed out to his brother. The hitter galloped over at the cornei'. J. Stohr's kick failed. Tukapa 0, Jnglewood 11. Give and take play ensued. From work on the line the blues' rear division got away, and a score seemed certain. Cleverly handling the ball, and with sure footwork. .Sutherland, Inglewood's full, nullified the attempt. Continuing the pressure TnKapa kept the play in the red's territory, hut a free kick to the vistors sent the ball to centre. On two or three occasions Tukapa backs opened out for a score, but Sutherland's defensive tactics provided the necessary check. Just before •half time sounded Tukapa julded to their score by Allan gaining a "flukey" try, which J. Htohr converted. Tukapa 11, Inglewood An interchange of kicks opened the second spell, the blues having the advantage of the bout. Twice the blues wevtt within striking distance, when the ball was kicked too hard and forces resulted. Fast and loose play succeeded but was confined mostly to the neutral zone. J. tStolir instituted a passing rush, hut Webster was run out. Mason got the leather from the ruck and seat it hack to Mynott, The latter urew the defence and sent a puss to 11 .Stolir. who. transferred to his brother, Jack notching a try on the corner. The kick at goal just missed. Tukapa 14, Inglewood 3. Undaunted, the red forwards broke through almost to the coveted line, and J. Stohr sent the hall to centre with a useful kick. The visitors returned and the ball was kicked over. MeAlluiu touched down the hall "on the. bounce." and an Inglewood man, following, fell on the hall and secured their second score. The kick was a failure. Tukapa 14, Tnglewood (). A lot of scrambling play followed. Iv.icli team had shots at goal without adding t». the tally. In the middle of loose play J Stolir gathered in the oval and set sail. He was beset on all sides, but feinted admirably, running right through the field and touching down between the posts. Again the kick failed. Tukapd 17. Jnglewood (>. The game ended witll out further incident. Mr. J. Way controlled the game.

S2COND GRADE. STKATI'OHI) 11 v. HTAIt 11. Th«» Stratfnrd team failing to make the jouniev to pluy this fixture nt the Recreation (Jronud. thy jriune went by forfeit to"' the Stnj\ ) CUM'oX I! v. ECU IAM if. Clifton ami ICltham first, juniors played at. Waitara yesterday afternoon, when Kltham sull'ered their first defeat, the home ten in whining'by I*2 points to 8. miUvWOOI) II v. TI'KAPA If. Ttikajm first juniors'fell disastrously to lnjrU')vooil at hijdewooil, tlie scores being; fbglewood 2'i, Tukapa nil. THIRD GRADE. CLIJ-mV 111 v. KLTIIAM IJL Clifton and Klthaui second juniors met at Kltham. and tiie liuiuo team won by 1 II points to nil. Wliitiiifr, Morison, and Jlayward scored, and llayward kicked a goal. STUATKORI) x. STAi:. Stratford had a runaway victory over Stays, at Stratford, ye-'lenlav, defeating tin- visitors by .">1 points to nil. >Slars wen* >everal men short and played with substitutes. TL'KAI'A v. INCLKWOOI). Tukapa 111 defeated liitflewo"d HI by I!) points to