FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 66, 27 June 1910, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY COMPETITIONS. WAREHOUSE (9) v. ROVERS (li). The Warehouse and Rovers teams played on the Racecourse ground on Saturday, in perfect football weather, and on a dry field, and, after having much the best of the game, Warehouse won by 9 points to 3. With a little luck the Rovers should have made a bigger score, but there was always a loose joint somewhere in their attack. There was far too much off-side play, and in this the Rovers were the greater offenders, one or two of the forwards evidently considering they had a license to wait between the serum and their opponents' goal. Knocks-on were too frequent for a game played under such excellent conditions. Nevertheless, the standard of play in Saturday football is distinctly on the improve. Warehousemen suffered very considerably from the selfish tactics of Stannering, who seemed to want all the back play for himsefl. Instead of beating his man and then setting his colleagues in motion, he almost invariably dived with the ball into the thick of it, leaving the three-quarter Jane standing still, and often within striking distance. This was the outstanding fault of the side, and Bollinger's off-side tactics were undoubtedly the most prominent feature; of the Rovers' display. Both of these players have their good points. Stannering is safe and swift, and Bollinger is a terror on the -lineout and in the loose, but these qualities 'are overshadowed by their, sins against the rules of good football. Mr. Mulvey was the referee.

Hawkins kicked off, and almost immediately Waller marked at midfield, Hawkins placing a splendid goal. The Warehouse (forwards got a combined rush on, and had the Greens in difficulties. Hawkins had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a mark by Jensen. Then Stannering fought his way through, but he passed too late, and Ryder and 80lUinger took the ball to the other end, where several lines-out occurred. From one of these Woods passed out to Grant, and Grant sent in nice time to Thompson, but it was a wild pass. Then Woods had a great chance of scorrng, but the wait for the bounce was fatal. The Rovers' full-back, who was very weak all through, nearly let the Yellows through, but Webster got there in time, and from the resulting line-out in Warehouse's twenty-five the Green backs attacked, Doughty forcing. The Yellows came along with a rush, and ■Webster missed the bail. A knock-on was given against him, and Ryder had all he could do to prevent McAUum scoring. Webster managed to force. Shortly after resuming, Stannering completely fooled the opposing team with a smart feinting run, and, passing to A. Grant, made the second score for Warehouse. Hawkins failed to goal. Warehouse was quickly forced, Doughty taking no risks. From a mark Thomson made a very nice kick, and landed the Rovers' first and only score. 6—3. This was the state of the game at half-time. Rovers were hard pressed almost immediately, and were forced. From a free-kick McAMum charged off-side, and knocked on. Webster fell on the ball, and was penalised, the two previous infringements escaping notice: Crockett, Jensen and Stannering had a hand in a dangerous-looking movement, but Ryder stemmed the tide for a while. Eventually Rovers forced; Smarter followingup by the Green forwards would probably have given tihem a score, for Doughty badly missed the kick, bannering, McAUum and Hawkins placed Rovers on the- defensive, and twice they were glad to fome. Bollinger,, nicking up the bajl from* a loose rush,, burst clean through trie opposing pack, but lost the ball. Then Waller, Stannering and Crockett got, a nice passing, run in. A. Grant intercepted, but McAUum brought him down. Thomson, at this stage, did some very neat line-kicking. A mark claimed by Ryder near the posts wasidisallowed. Then Hawkins marked,' and, taking the kick himself, goaled. Alf. Grant shortly afterwards secured a mark handy to the goal, and Rvder had a shot, but the ball was poorly placed, and drew wide of the posts. There was no further incident of note, and the game ended with the ball out at the half-way flag.