FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 70, 1 July 1910, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

FIRST GRADE. STAR (3) v. TUKAPA (3). As anticipajted, the meeting of the above old-time rivals provided an enlivening struggle yesterday afternoon, and was witnessed by a large number of spectators, who were regaled, if not with high-grade ffootbal'l, at least with a game full of exciting incident. Honors were about even; if one side showed to any advantage over the other, Star must be said to have had the honor. The pace set, particularly, in the first spell, was a cracker—too hot, indeed, to last, as the earlier stages of the second spell proved. Star set the ball in motion,' and Dixon following iup immediately invaded. Brown and Whitaker carried on the advantage, the Blues finding relief from an infringement on their Line. Star were again .penalised, Hill returning the kick too hard, and Tukapa forced. High kicking exchanges followed in midfield, and

then Webster, securing from a scramble, made a good .run and sent to G. Loveridge, who found the boundary with a good kick close to Stars' goal line. Smart play bv Ross from the thro.v-in and a neat line-kick by, W. Whitaker cleared for Star. Tukapa replied with a passing bout that went straight across the field, and Clow, securing, booted well into the Blues' territory. The Black forwards now: assumed charge, and, keeping close on the ball, penned Tukapa close to their line, Brbwn and W. Whitaker in turn endeavoring to dive across. Clow had. an abortive shot at goal from a penalty, and the Tukapa hacks, comI ing away with the ball, swept over the length of the field. From the succeeding scrum, however, Brown dodged ! round and cleared, but Whitaker got offside. C. Webster's attempt to goal I failed, and Grant returned to centre. The Black forwards, following fast with I Dixon in the lead, soon regained the lost ground, and Hill had a shot at goal, Tukapa forcing. Following the kick out, i Mulvey secured and sent to Thomson, [ who found the ■ line in Star's '25. Another Blues' back : attack was frustrated by the deadly tackling of Hill, Whitaker, and -Grant, and play went back to [centre, where an interesting but indecisive struggle ensued till Brown, securing, from a scrum, set his backs in motion. Whitaker cut in well and passed to 'Hill, who and Tukapa penalised. Clow's long shot fell - short. A moment later Hill took a high return and ran through nearly all the opposition before being grassed. Star* s subsequent jpassing rush was indecisive, and Clarke' cleared Tukapa's lines with a i good line-kick. ' Brown, W. Whitaker, l and Grant, got going again, and; catching Clarke with the ball, had the Blues !in difficulties. Clow had another fruiti less shot, at goal from a mark, Tukapa forcing. Ward and McAllum were very [ prominent in a hard endeavor to. break up the Star attack, but Wljitaker Bros, and Hill again invaded. Nothing came of it, however, and the Tukapa forwards at length broke away on a fine loose rush, which was only stopped close to the Blacks' line by L. Whitaker marking cleverly. Following up the kick, the Star backs worked their way within striking distance of Tukapa's lines. From a scrum Brown whipped the 'leather out to W. Whitaker, to Grant, Hill, and A. Whitaker,' jfche latter crossl ing at the corner and drawing first blood amid much enthusiasm. Clow's kick failed. Star 3, Tukapa 0. The .pace was still hot, Tukapa taking a turn at attack,' mainly throiigh Loveridge's instrumentality. Hill, Grant, and Brown broke through, and a moment later Hill was cautioned for interfering with Clarke, the Blues' full-back. Attempted tripping was, alleged, i)ut it was more accident than design. Keeping up the pressure, the Blacks soon had Tukapa busily Brown,' Whitaker, Hill, and Griant in turn made dashes for the line, Whitaker actually getting over and grounding the ball on one occasion, but was called back. Star were still hot on the attack when the half-time whistle sounded. The ipace was somewhat easier when [ play resumed, with Star in the ascendant, till McAllum stopped a rush and headed an attack by the Blues. Clow cleared temporarily, Webster making another dash on the wing, but his pa'ss was intercepted. From a loose rush following a throw-in near the Star line, Loveridge picked up smartly and dived over the line. No goal resulted. Star 3, Tukapa 3. A few moments later Webster had a shot at goal, which failed. Playing; better together and backing up •the offorts of Ward, McAllum, and Jull. the Blue forwards were now giving their opponents more trouble than they had previously occasioned them, and for a time Star was' busy on the defence. Good line kicks enabled Star to shift the venue, however, and Brown set his backs going from a likely position, Whitaker, Hill, and Grant handled the ball in quick succession, a speedy movement only being stopped five yards from [ the Blues' line. McAllum and Loveridge were mainly instrumental in stemming the invasion and initiating a counter movement which, aided by big kicking bv C. Webster, took play to Stars 25. Hard play of a very even 'lat-ure followed for a time, relieved at length by a wood left foot line kick by Hill into Tukapa's territory. The Star backs got in motion, but gained little ground, and an infringement enabled jthe Blues remove plav to a more neutral position. An exhibition of long kicking amongst the backs, the forwards "resting" meanwhile, ended with honors even. Both sides : in turn attempted passing rushes, but little hendwav was madde, faulty handling of the ball and fairly accurate tackling limiting the possibilities. A penalty kick to Tukapa took them within handv distance of the Star line, but the Black forwards responded finely and shifted the scene. The Blue backs again tried passing, and to some nurpose, Jones, Mulvey, Clarke, and Webster taking play almost to the Star line before an offside appeal went to Star, bringing relief. Jones again got going, and a moment later Webster put in a good dash, down the line. Dixon and Turnhull were prominent at the head of a counter rush, Hill. Grant, and Brown backing up well. Clow had another fruitless shot at goal from midfield, and Tukapa forced. In the gathering darkness the pace of the game appeared to increase, and both sides, in "turn set up likely-looking attacks. A wood passing bout between Brown, W. Whitaker. Hill, and Grant was replied to bv a o-ood run bv C. Webster, who passed to C. Jones. The latter kicked a little too hard, and Clow forced, time being sounded almost immediately. Mr. W. Koch refereed satisfactorily. ,

STRATFORD (12) v. ELTHAM (8). Played at Eltham yesterday in cold, drv weather, this match provided an interesting display for a good crowd, of onlookers. Keen rivalry exists between the two clubs, and the game was fast. Hard kndcks "were frequent, but there was'art entire absence of any vindictive element. The onlookers frequently crowded the sidelines, necessitating the refeTee stopping the' game' on several occasions to put the crowd off the field of piay. J k I l

| Eltham commenced the game with one i man short, tout after a few minutes the I full complement of players was secured, i The game was opened rath even play. Dixon for the. visitors secured and kicked high. The'Kiick was returned, but, Eltham failing! to get possession, Dixon secured and set off along the line. Being tackled, he sent on to Cameron, who secured rather, an easy try. The kick at goal failed. \ Stratford 3, Eltham 0. Give-and-take flay followed. Eltham was penalised for offside play, and Cam-, eron kicked a pretty goal. Stratford 6, Eltham 0. Fast play succeeded, and some nice work "by Potier and Brown took play to Stratford's 25's. The home forwards were over-eager, resulting in Stratford forcing. The visitors quickly invaded, the forwards carrying the oval right to the goal line, plentworth, however, got possession and saved with a timely kick to the sid'6 line. The attack was repeated, and Eltham had to force at the corner. Ruei after rush was headed by the visiting pack, giving Eltham a lot of hot defence work. The ball came out of the ruck to the Stratford backs in dangerous proximity to the line, and Cameron, getting the' ball, hurled himself over at tlie corner. The kick failed. Stratford 9, Eltham 0. The half-time whistle sounded, a minute after. The home team opened the second half very determinedly, and for three-fourths of the spell gave Stratford a very warm* time, the latter's best defensive* ; tactics; being called on to save the many, vigor-1 ous onslaughts. In this Dixon was i most conspicuous for the- visitors. • On I a line-out the home backs indulged in ] a good passing bout, but the tack'ling.j was just good enoiigh to keep them out. i Desperate loose play ensued at the cor-1 ner, McLean eventually getting across' i and notching Eltham's first score amidst some excitement. The kick was a very difficult one, Potier just missing. Stratford 9, Eltham 3. On resuming, Cameron, tried hard to make the game open. Hei was ably seconded by Dixon. The home pack, however, speedily swarmed through and nullified the attempts. In:| teichange of kicks gave a breather with'* out gaining ground for either, teatn. Then the Red forwards got nicely away and invaded. Dive, however, whipped in j and intercepted a pass and streaked for I home, but was run out at the cbrnev. On the line out a loose scrum ensuod, D. Moir scoring a very hard-fought try. Dive made no mistake with tie and the score read—Stratford 8, Eltham 8. Hard work succeeded in tM netitral zoae, the play being kept close. - This was relieved :by a smart bit of passing work in which Dive, Potier; and Brown took part, the latter .being run out at the corner flag. On lining out the saiie trio again gave a taste of good football by indulging in a fast passing bout. Dive got the oval right in front of his goal-posts. He was hard pressed, but took a fine pot shot/registering a ''poster." Eltham's .pressure was maintained, and the ball came to then; backs repeatedly. The visitors, however, 'tackled admirably, and kept the leather close, Dixon also relieving the pressure by good line-kicking. The rapid .pace began to tell on both packs,* and .the scene of operations was for a> spell in neutral ground. Once over the halfway mark, Cameron and Dive were keenly active for, an opening. .The latter sent up a high kick, and, '.-following smartly, prevented Dive returrflng. in the loose work succeeding Eltham were penalised for lying on the ball. [Cameron easily placed the goal. Stratford 12, Eltham 8. The remainder of the game was without further incident other than a couple of attempts by Dixon and Cameron to open up the game. The whistle sounded with play in Eltham's 25 territory. On the whole, Stratford may account the win a lu<?ky one. The ReV. Mr. McLean refereed.

CLIFTON (9) v. INGLEWOOD (0). There was a fair attendance at this match, which was played at Inglewood, and resulted in a win for the visitors after- a close but not particularly brilliant display. The ground was rather greasy after the rain, which, fortunately, held off -during the match, and the i ball was consequently difficult-to handle, 'greatly militating against back, play, and the struggle was thus principally confined to the forwards. The Clifton team was the same as thai which defeated Stratford, excepting that a new man from the Wairarapa, was -playing five-eighths, Kyle going tosving forward and Du Blois being absent from the pack. 1 ' Inglewood won the and played I with the sun behind them. -From the (kidk-off Clifton carried the bajl into the locals' territory, and got on. sojme passing rushes, Goodwin making a dijish for the line, but, he was nicely takeji by Jury. Russell and. Olsen came throyigh from a Bcrum and carried the ball ftack to the 25 peg; . Tait then missed a nice, pass from Jones, and with it jv chance of scoring., Inglewood worked, the ball bac®, but Crowley cleared. Amd made a nice opening, Jones throwiiig forward. Soon after Tait picked up fnW a scrambling rush and beat several Inglewood backs badly. He was col)ared. on the line, but fell across and scored. Sampson made a good but unsuccessful shot at goal. After the kickf-off . play hung about midfield until Taratty marked just Clifton side of halfway.' Jury made a magnificent shot, the .ball going under the bar, and Cliffton fffj-ff&d. On resuni- - ing, the ball was callejd back for man in front, and a serum! resulted, from which Inglewood weref awarded a. fr6e kick. Crowley passed |o Lash, who was; downed by Brown, kicked high, ami Olsen got up to; Jones before ?.e could get rid of the/ball, which went out at halfway. Clifton worked the ball down to; Inglewood',B line, where Jury saved by obtaining/ a neat mark right on the line. His/kiek, however, did not gain much groiiiwl. Soon after Goodwin followed up awl liearly scored through Jury not talcing cleanly, but 'Russell came round in time and forced. Halftime was sounded soon after with play in midfipld.

Soon, after the kick-off play to Inglewood territory and remained there some/ time, until, amidst excitement, Inglewood rushed Idown the field, and were awarded a fi'ee kick in a handy position. Jury rn.ide a poor attempt, the ball rolling on tjie ground, and Goodwin got in a nice "speculator." Interchange of Icicles ensu'ed, Clifton obtaining a mark near halfwatt, from which Sampson kicked a beautiful goal. Soon after 'Xieholls marked, Adluus mulled the return, and the ball found the line. Shortly after Inglewood were awarded a free kick, the ball going lout near Clifton's 25. Sampson soon afner missed the ball badly, but Adams saveld by kicking high. Cain an<l Crowley headed a forward rush, but Jury saved. \Tait made a nice run, and when tacklell passed out to Goodwin, but a scrum lensued. A little later Goodwin missed \a nice opening through an injury to his leg .preventing him getting up in time.l Inglewood forwards now played strenuously and ■brought the ball back, fcut offside play •gave Clifton relief. Sampson had a shot from a nice position, but no goal resulted. A nice passing rush ensued between Tait, Jones, arnd Kyle, who' dashed for the corner, bilt was thrown; out by Smith. Clifton still pressed, and Tait got over, but was racalled for off- : side play. Soon after Sampson fielded a leug kick, and, dashing lup the line,

passed to Cain, who. forced his way over. Sampson's kick was unsuccessful. From the kick-off Odin, Bernsten, and Loveridge headed a forward rush, Jury saving. Russell, Olsen, and Tokotawa headed a counter rush for Inglewood and cleared the line, Sampson saving by throwing out of bounds. Soon after the whistle went, the game ending as above. Mr. Spurdle was refjree. SECONI GRADE. CLIFTON ll.' (13) v. INGLEWOOD 11. (3). These teams met at Waitara, and after a hard, willing game the match ended in a win for the home team. During the first spell play was confined to, the forwards. In the second spell Clifton opened up the game, and their backs, playing with good combination, rattled up 13 points to -Inglewood's 3 points (a try by Kennedy, who intercepted a pass at halfway and ran in). For the winners, Sid George, Fitzsimmons, and C: Tate scored tries, two of which were converted by S. George with splendid kicks. Mr. B. .Petty refereed. TUKAPA (16) v.. STAR (0). Tukapa first juniors defeated Stars by 16 points to nil. ELTHAM (6) v. STRATFORD (3). At Stratford, Eltham first juniors gained /the. verdict over the home team by 6 points to 3. Mr. Woods refereed. THIRD pRADE. At InglewOod Clifton third defeated Inglewood third l .by 11 points to 3. Mr, D. George was referee. (Stratford third defeated Eltham third at Eltham by 19 points to 5. Tukapa third defeated Star third 'by 15 points to 3. SATURDAY FOOTBALL. The following will, represent Civil Service against Rovers at the Recreation , Grounds, to-morrow:—Kuriirangi, Hyde, Honey field, Copestake, Pfankuch, Loveridge, Gillet, Chamberlain, Boyd, Kent, Broadniore, Maxwell, Simpson, Cox, Forward.