FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 311, 26 May 1911, Page 7

FOOTBALL

I FIRST GRADE.

STRATFORD (11) v. TUKAPA (9). | Stratford mid Tukapa seniors met at Stratford showground yesterday. The ground and its generous appointments were a distinct improvement on Victoria Park, and the turf will be still further improved by rolling. A strong wind blew during the greater part of the first spell, and this was taken advantage of by the local men. When the time to change ends came the wind had dropped considerably. The game was characterised by a great deal of obstruction on the part of the Stratford forwards, obstruction that went unnoticed by the referee except en one occasion. A good feature was that not a single knock-out occurred, although the pace was very willing throughout. The Stratford men had rather the better of things on the whole, the Tukapa pivots not being successful in making openings for the three-quarters; but the home team was awarded three points for a penalty goal that slwuld not ltave been awarded, for the ball did not pass between the posts. Many prominent Stratford supporters were firmly of this opinion. Mr, F. Spurdle was the referee. Stratford won the toss, and played "with a strong wind behind them. The return was fumbled, and Honcyficld ran out. From a scrum the ball was scrambled over Tukapa's line and Fearon scored, Cameron goaling, within a couple of minutes of the start. Stratford 5, Tukapa 0. Resuming, the Reds continued the pressure, and soon Cameron punted over the bar. Anderson followed hotly, but G. Loveridge forced, the ball came out at half-way, and from the line-out Honeyfield got possession, but ran back and kicked wildly to the line. Then Stohr broke right away, but outstripped his fellows, and when stopped at the Stratford 25 flag, was without support, and a long kick brought play back to half-way, where ft. Loveridge capably stemmed a rush. Fearon was frequently penalised for off-side. The Stratford backs made two or three attempts at passing runs, but both Woods and Cameron held too long. Off-side play by Tukapa, and Cameron kicked a poster from near half-way. F. Loveridge got a fine dribbling rush on and, Jull and Charters assisting, play went to the other end, R. Anderson stopping. G. Loveridge made a fine save and lined. Woods marked, and kicked to half-way, a fine line-kick,, The eccentric bounces of the ball upset Tukapa's calculations, and .the Reds set up a vigorous charge, which Honeyfield stopped well. A rebound, and touch-in-goal ensued. The Blues were "putting the boot in" now, and doing better, A long kick by Anderson, however, put them on the defensive again, over-eagerness spoiling the attack. Stohr, by a fine piece of footwork, improved matters for the Blues, and Whitaker and Loveridge were responsible for an invasion of the Stratford quarters. The Reds were worried by a series of scrums near their own line, but relief came for off-side play, Cameron lining. The Stratford men, who had been paying an open game so far, closed up. Stewart, Cameron' and Woods took part in a fine dodgy run,' Cameron kicking to Anderson, who crossed the line, but he was recalled, as he was off-side when he caught the ball. Stewart attempted a pot, but Honeyfield forced. (From a mark in midfield, Cameron just missed the posts from a dropkick, Brown mulled a long kick bv Anderson, but Stratford was slow behind the scrum and missed the advantage, Honeyfield booting to the line at halfway. Off-side play by F. Lovcrid«e gave Cameron another shot, which just. t went wide. Honeyfield was badly bustled I in front, of the goal, missing an easy j catch, and Stratford swarmed down to the line, but Brown saved, and Charters and Ward took the ball right upfield, a remarkable recovery, Stewart spoiled most of his work by holding on to the ball too long. Cameron landed a coal from a free kick just before half-time. Stratford 8, Tukapa 0.

Loveridge made a run, passing to Stohr, but he was grassed in the 25, and the whistle went with the visitors on the attack.

An exchange of kicks opened the second spell, an over-powerful boost by 0. Loveridge causing Stratford to force. The wind by this time had partially subsided. The home team was penned in the corner, but a mark by Stewart relieved, and a free-kick for off-side play further assisted, the ball going out at half-way. Keeping it close, Stratford pressed Tukapa, but Young got off-side. Stolir spoiled a good run of Whitaker's by following too closely, and was interfered with. Brown got a mark in a good position, and Stolir kicked a fine goal from half-way, notching Tukapa's first score. Stratford 8, Tukapa 3.

Webster got a chance, and he made a good run before passing to Francis, who was smothered. Francis took the ball through, and should have scored, but was badly obstructed, and Kivcll forced for Stratford. On the next occasion that tlii-s obstruction was practised, the referee gave a free kick against Stratford, .Stolir failing with the kick at goal. Had there been no obstruction, it looked certain that Stolir would have scored, and the referee could fairly have given a try as a penalty. Cameron came away with a fine run and kicked to the line near Tukapa's Sto, the forwards carrying on from the line-out, and eventually forcing play at the corner, and when matters opened up Tukapa was penalised, Cameron taking a kick which tile referee gave as a goal, but it was quite evident to the spectators that the ball did not cross the bar. As a matter of fact, Stolir was standing on the goalline about ten yards from tile post, and caught the ball as it landed. Stratford 11, Tukapa 3.

•Burgess was penalis> r off-side play, and 'Stolir placed a goal. Stratford 11, Tukapa G.

From the kick-off Stratford charged, but Tukapa forwards came right, hack. A free-kick by Cameron was marked by Stour near the line, and lie landed an unmistakable goal. Stratford 11, Tukapa 0.

Cameron set the ball in motion again, and things got fairly brisk, some exciting charges being made. Stratford had an anxious moment, but obstruction of Ward by a Red forward gave them relief, and Anderson lined. Brown did some nice work behind the ruck, and the Blues' chances brightened, but all attempts by them to open the game failed, the Stratford men playing better than at any previous stage. Webster made a nice run and passed to Stolir, but he fell when striking for the line. Bonner marked in mid-field, and G. Loveridge mulled, letting his opponents in. As a result of a fine run by Cameron, the Beds kept the 'Blues busy on the line, a free-kick to half-way finishing the game, with the scores — Stratford 11, Tukapa !). JXOLEWOOD (17) v. ELTHAM (11).

At Tanmata Park yesterday afternoon Tnglewood secured their first win for three years, over which, it may be mentioned, the club's supporters are in great lieart. The win was a meritorious one,

both from the view of points registered I and fru.ii the standard of play shown. From the kick-off to the call of time, Inglewood maintained their superiority, and finished up with a majority of six points, the totals reading, 17 —11. Playing with a strong breeze behind them ill tlif first spell, Inglewood made u»e «f as Biany openings as possible, and knocked up 14 points. Within two minutes of starting, George Xicliolls, after following up fast, scored first blood, but the major points were not realised. Tile Reds (Inglewood) continued their aggressive movements, but the spell was well on before any further advantage accrued to them. "This resulted from a free kick, from which Li'ghtfoot put the leather between the posts. U—o. The same player, after twenty minutes' play, received a severe kick in the back, and had to retire. In the spirit in which the good old game should be played, the Eltham captain (Osborne) allowed L. de Launay to go to fill the vacancy. The next score was registered by "Hoop" Nicliolls, who secured the ball from a scrum near the Eltliam line, and Brown converted. Just before half-time, Smith picked up cleverly and scored again for the visitors, and the score read at half-time, 14—0, The second spell saw fortune favoring Eltham, and the hopes of their supporters ran high when, after a few minutes play, from a free kick aB the result oi picking out of the scrum, their first points were scored. 14—3. The light was fading fast, and play was confined to Inglewood's territory. Robinson, wing three-quarter for Eltham, very nearly scored after some exciting play, and then from a scrum on the line, before the defenders knew wliat had happened, Cooper ran over oh the "blind" side, grounding the ball near the corner flag. Inglewood were forced shortly after, and then they attacked strongly, G. Nicholls getting to within five yards,of Eltham's line. After relief came, play ranged up and down the ground, free kicks being plentiful. Then the seal of victory was set upon the game for the visitors by Brown scoring after a splendid Red rush. 17—6. In the semi-darkness Potier broke through Inglewood's defence after a good dodgy run, and scored, also adding the extra points . 17 —11. The whistle went for time shortly afterwards. Inglewood outclassed Eltham on the day's play, and with the improvement that will fellow with practice as the season progresses, the club should be well up in the final of the cup fixtures. Mr. W. Roch was referee.

1 ! SECOND GRADE. INGLEWOOD (3) v. ELTHAM (3). These teams met at Inglewood. The local team won the toss and played with the wind, but failed to score. In the second spell both teams put more life into their play. From a forward rush, Eltham ' carried play to Inglewood's line. The ball came out to Glentworth, who attempted to pot. The ball, however, went very wide, and the wing three-quarter racing over scored. Glentworth failed with the kick. Inglewood then forced play into Eltham's 25, where Eltham were penalised for off-side play. Julian took the kick and landed a good goal. From this out the game was very fast and exciting, but no further score ensued. For Inglewood, Allen brothers played sound defensive games, while Gernhoefer in the forwards was brilliant. For Eltham Glentworth was the best of the backs. the forwards all worked well, and their hooking was very clean. Mr. Petty was referee. STRATFORD (15) v. TUKAPA (0). This match was played at Western Park, and resulted in a win for Stratford by 15 points (five tries) to nil. Playing with the wind behind them in the first spell, Stratford secured four tries, and Tukapa, who were playing several substitutes, made tile game much more interesting during the second half, in which Stratford crossed their line once. Mr. A. K. Smart was referee.

CLIFTON (20) v. STAR (3). At Waitara Clifton juniors were ranch too good for Star, winning by 20 points to 3. Mr. 0. West controlled the game. THIRD GRADE. ELTHAM (17) v. IXGLEWOOD(3). At Eltham the home team somewhat easily defeated Inglewood by 17 points to 3. Mr. W. Koch was referee. CLIFTON (32) v. STAR (0). At the racecourse Clifton had a runaway victory over Star, scoring 32 points to nil. Tukapa lIT. forfeited to Stratford 111. TARANAICI v. WANGAXUI. The following team has been chosen to represent Taranaki in the match against Wanganui at Wangamii on Saturday, June 3:—Full-back, Hill (Star); three-quarters, Cameron (Stratford), Stolir (Tukapa), Prince (Waimatc); five-eighths, McLeod (Okaiawa), Beamish (Hawera); half, Brown (Tukapa); wing forward, Taylor (Waimatc); forwards, Shoehan (Patea), Whittington (Hawera), Hawkins (Star), Boon (Stratford), Ward (Tukapa), Cain (Clifton), Osborne (Eltham). Emergencies: Back, Goodwin (Clifton); forward, Kiseick (Okaiawa). It is understood that Stohr will not be able to get away.

The following will represent Okato] against Rovers at Okato to-morrow:—j 11. Corbett, IT. Martin, Malone, Sullivan, \ Kupi, Anderson, J. Rothery, Power, I Stewart, Greenway, Carey, E. Andrews,] C. Eustace, Poe, Rua, Rovers' team:—! Pott, A. Grant, T. Grant, Webster, Thompson, Rcid, Ryder, Evetts, Baker, C. Coker, O'Neill, Jennings, Monk, Ellis, and R. D. Coker. Emergencies: Clarke Molloy, Millard. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. NEW PLYMOI'TH v. ELTHAM. _ The "soccer" season was opened in New Plymouth vesterday by a match between the local team and Eltham, the visitors meeting with defeat to the extent of three goals to nil. Eltham made most of the pressing during the first bait', but failed to find the net. .Sew Plymouth livened up in the second spell and scored three goals. For the visitors, Carncross, in goal, played a nrond game and was not blameaide for the balls that passed him into the net. Haseltine was the best back on the field, his defence being splendid, and kicking was always sure and clean. Smart, at centre, was the only player of any note in the forward line. The local men were well served by Legg, as custodian, but he wasn't reall'v put on his metal, Elliott was the best of a moderate lot, of backs. Wylie was the hardest worker of a good forward line. Bowles often put the line out of jrear. Mr. ,T. Clark, a native of Scotland, controlled the game in a very satisfactory manner.