FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 307, 22 May 1911, Page 7

FOOTBALL

OKATO (14) v. UNITED - (0). There was not much interest taken in this match, which eventuated on Western Park on Saturday, and the attendance was very poor. The presence of Anderson and Martin considerably im proved the rear division of the Okato team, whilst United were able to muster fifteen men. The country team had] much the advantage in weight, and' proved too superior for their lighter opponents, who nevertheless put up a good fight, and in the second spell made equally as good a showing as the Okato men. The game was not altogether uninteresting. At times Okato made it fairly open, but off-side play on the part of a back nullified any advantage. The forwards are a good solid pack, and with coaching would, be very hard to beat. Over-eagerness and want of knowledge,' however, spoilt some fine individual efforts. I

United won the toss, and played with] the wind and sun behind them. Soon after the start, Kisby headed a dribbling rush which carried the ball over the line, and a fercc resulted. Give and take play followed, Okato forwards gradually taking play to United territory, but good kicks by Skipper and Tito relieved matters. A pass from Kisby to Tito was intercepted by Martin, who, when collared by Blanchett, passed to Anderson. The latter was well taken by Skipper,.and a.serum ensued. Anderson broke away and dribbled over the line, where E.. Andrews fell'on the ball and scored first blood. Martin's kick failed. From the kick-off, Okato attacked again. Kupi secured and made a wild pass to Malone. Martin, however, was there, and, beating two men, looked like scoring until he was well taken by Goss. Two free kicks to United temporarily gave relief, but Carey broke away from a line-out, and compelled United to force, a feat which they .performed on two occasions soon after. Capper and Goss were now prominent in carrying play to Okato territory, where Kisby had a free kick which compelled' Corbett to force. A little later, Kisby passed to Tito, who made a nice run, but was downed by Anderson. From the resulting scrum, Kisby marked in a nice position. He took the kick himself, but make a poor attempt. Maxwell and Bacon were next prominent for United, but Anderson with a fine kick found the line at half-way.. Soon after Martin,, from a fine pass by Kupi, made a. dashing run and crossed, the line. Malone failed to convert. Several free kicks ensued, Okato being the worst offenders. Play, however, remained in United's 25, and Eua obtaining the ball dashed for, the line, which he crossed. A blast from a whistle—not the stopped several United men from chasing, him. Anderson converted with a ■ nice kick. Half-time was called with Hlie score. Okato 11, United 0. ■'."■;• With the wind behind them, Olfato were expected to considerably increase their total, but United proved 'to be able' to hold them in check. On kickirigbft, Okato pressed. Kupi obtained, ft good mark in a handy position, but elected 1 to run, and was grassed by Kisby, From the scrum United's forwards, headed h)' Bacon, Capper and Skipper, carried play into'Okato's half. 'Soon after, Skipper tried to pot, and a force resulted". 'Trie" Blues were now taking a turn at at-" tack, and play remained close to Okato's line until Andrews, Carey and GreenwaY removed play to centre with a good rush.' Here Kupi marked, but a powerful return by Kisby put the ball out at Okato's 25. From the throw-in Sullivan, Kupi and Martin got moving, the latter •being stopped by Martin (United), who was pluckily playing with a cramped leg. Up and down play followed, Kisby, Skipper and Tito on the one side, ari(r Kupi, Anderson and Martin on the other doing most work. Soon after Rua obtained the ball and passed to Malone, who made a grand opening before transferring to Sullivan, and the latter player beat two men and scored. Anderson failed to convert. A little later Mar' tin stopped an Okato rush in fine style, and a force resulted. Tito was next prominent in a lone-handed rush, *but Carey, Power, Martin and Malone retaliated with a nice passing movement, which was stopped by Kisby. Play ended with the score' Okato 14,' United 0 •

STAR (20) v. ROVERS (3)

The above match was played on'the Recreation Sports Ground on Saturday! m ideal football weather, and before a lair crowd of spectators. Both te'a'mW' threw the ball about in good styV»,'aiifl' made the game fast and interesting.'' The score does not given a true indlca-' tion of the game, as Rovers, especially" in the second spell, did a good deal'of attacking, but they failed to press their 1 ' advantage home. Star started with' 1 fourteen men, Ward going on as fullback after the game had been in pfd' gross for about fifteen minutes.

Star won the toijs, and played.with sun at their backs. ' Rovers set the 'half in motion, and after an interchange of kicks, play settled in Rover's 25. IVdm a scrum Gleoson set his backs goirfg. MeAUum failed to hold a pass from Hill, and I. Grant lined with a good liick! Pfankuch picked up neatly from a forward rush, and sent the ball out to Hill, who was well tackled near tire line, and a force resulted. From the kick-out, Dewar brought the ball back iit his feet, and Daly almost got over. Rovers forwards came away with a loose rush, but kicked too hard, and Pfankuch marked. Hawkins had a shot at goal, but failed. A few minutes later, he had another attempt, which also failed. Play still hovered in Rovers' 25. Glecson got the ball from a scrum, and a passing rush by Star's backs was spoilt by Hill holding on too long before passing to Daly, who was pushed out at the corner. A free kick -against Star gave Rovers temporary relief, but the Rlacks were nut to lie' denied, and from a forward rush started by Hawkins, Richards scored. Hill converted. Rovers set up a strong attack from the kick-out. and penned Star in their 20. A nice bit of passing started bv Thomson was spoilt by I. Grant sending a bad pass to Webster. A forward rush by Rovers was spoilt by over-eagerness. Star forcing. Dewar was instrumental' in shifting play to .Rovers 25, where from a good mark by McAllinn. Hawkins kicked a good goal. Hawkins next broke away from a scrum and kicked to Pott, who kicked to centre, 'where Pfankuch marked. Hawkins n.'jain put the ball over the bar. The first spell ended with the score 11 to nil in Star's favor.

Tlic second half opened with fust play, both sets nf forwards playing vigorously. Rovers were now having a bigger savin the game, mid the hall travelled up and down the field, neiiher side gaining any advantage. Olcesoii scoured 'from a scrum and sent the hall to Pfankuch to Hill, hul the latter failed to lake the hall. A. Grant set his hacks going in a good passing movement, and took (he hall right up lo the line, where Salwav attempted lo pot. Rovers still kept up the attack, and Star had to force. Passing amongst Hovers' hacks brought „la.y to Star's 23. where YVehstcr failed to take a pass from A. Grant. Evans led a Star rush, and Tlill getting possession cenlred, hut a good- chance was lost bv Hawkins being off-side. Evelts next led Ttovcrs in a ffood rush. Good work by Pl'ankuch put Rovers on the defensive, and from a scrum near the line, Pitcher

broke away with the ball at his toe, picked up, and scored a good try near the corner. Hill failed to convert. Kovers now livened up, and a good kick by Coker took play to Star's 25. A passing rush started by A. Grant looked dangerous, but Ward took a splcndia mark right under the posts. Daly then put in a good run to Kovers' territory, but was not supported. A good mark by Webster and a short kick bv Thomson had the Blacks in trouble, but their forwards rallied, and took play well down with a good rush. From a lineout Dewar threw in to McAllum, who sent the ball back and again received it, eventually passing in to Simmers, who with Evans, took the ball right to the line. From a scrum near the line Glcson sent the ball out to Pfankuch on the blind side, and £he latter wtfs nearly over. Star still pressed, and froin. a scrum Gleeson pased to Pfankuch, to Hill, who made a grand opening for Daly, who scored near the corner. Hawkins failed to goal. Another passing by Star was checked by good tackling. Monk led a loose rush by Rovers, and took play into Star's 25, where C. Coker kicked a splendid goal from a penalty. A big kick by McAllum had Rovers.defending again, arid a passing rush started by Hawkins, saw Hill put in a good run j before passing to Daly, who' was well tackled near the line. From a mark well out, Hawkins attempted to goal, but failed. Hill was next prominent 111'% j good swerving run, but~lie tried to beat I too many, and was Smothered. Goo'd kicking by Rovers carried play down,the field, and Stars forced. A loose rush j by Simmers and Richards took the ball to Rover's 25, where Hawkins picked upVl and beating two mem dived across. Hill; made a poor attempt to convert. The? last few minutes were a series 'qk amusing scrambles, and no further score was registered. Mr. W. Roch was referee. . ; ,j