FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 317, 2 June 1911, Page 7

FOOTBALL

FIRST GRADE. CLIFTON (27) v. INGLEWOOD (0). The Clifton-Inglewood match at Inglewood yesterday was a very disappointing affair. A week ago Inglewood gave Eltham a trouncing, and utter the light that the Magpies had put up against Tukapa at Western Tark on the previous Thursday, it was thought that the Inglewood fifteen must be a pretty good one. Yesterday the Maroons put a better team in the field against Clifton, who, taking a warning from the defeat of Eltham, brought their strongest team to do battle for them on the Inglewood ground. The spectators mustered strongly, and expected a close finish, but the home team went all to pieces in the second spell after a ding-dong fight in the first half. The secret of their defeat may be summed up very briefly —they did not know enough. First ot all, the front row men had no idea of hooking the ball in the scrums, and the backs were weak —very weak. The forwards held well together so long as it was possible to prevent the Clifton backs from getting hold of the ball, and in the first spell the Clifton backs got few chances. Then, and principally, the Inglewood men semed to have no idea of collaring a man, Goodwia's second try being attributable more to this than to ,his' clever dodging. As far as the play was concerned, there did not seem to be the disparity that the scores indicate. Mr. W. Roch controlled the game. In the first spell the home forwards more than held their own, and the only advantage scored for some time was when Goodwin scored a pretty try at the end of a fine passing rush, S. George kicking a good goal. The home team immediately rushed play back to the Clifton end, and kept their opponents busy. Cain was frequently penalised ior off-side play and for illegal tactics in the scrum. Late in the spell the Clifton men got the measure of their opponents, and made every attempt to feed.'Goodwin on the wing. Smith, at wing-threcquarter for Inglewood, headed off, several dangerous rushes, his safe catching and good kicking being of great value. Bert Miles, at full-back, was vflry weak, and long kicks to him requited, in Clifton getting well up to the goal. Goodwin got possession near the 25 yards' line, and dodged through, ever" attempt to collar him being ridiculously weak, owing to the disregard of the old injunction to collar low. An . easy try was scored, and George added the major poiits. Then half-time was sounded. In the second spell, with the wind in their favor, the Clifton men piled up many more points, giving few chances and making every post a winning post. The home forwards lost their dash, and the backs suffered as a matter of couree. Clifton had some anxious moments early in the spell and late in the game, but for the most part they were in the ascendant. Goodwin scored a third try, baffling the high tacklers, but George failed at the goal, the ball touching a man's hand before crossing the bar. 13 —0. A penalty goal by George brought the scores to 16—0, and then Goodwin got away again. This time Brown bought him low, and two others joined in to keep him down, hut the ball was cleverly passed to Tate, and he galloped in, George goaling. 21—0. A nice opening by Eggleston gave Goodwin' another chance, and he scored his fourth try, the kick at goal failing. 24—0. A really good rally by the Reds was spoiled by off-side play, and Colman changed the scene, Inglewood being put once more on the defensive. Tate registered it good try, but George's kick at goal failed. The match ended: Clifton 27, Inglewood 0.

• STRATFORD (25) v. ELTHAM (5). Taumata Park, Eltliam, was in splendid order yesterday afternoon, when the above teams tried conclusions. There was a moderate attendance of the pub-1 lie, many of whom grumbled at the price 'of admission, viz., a shilling, and turned on their heels to seek other pastimes: The game proved a hollow vie-1 tory for the Stratfordites, who played ] for the first ten minute* with thirteen men. Neither team was reputedly strong,' Eltliam, in particular, putting out the weakest combination that has represented the Magpies so far this season. Eltliam kicked off, and within a few minutes were twice forced, Mnlouc, playing on the Reds' wing three-quarter line, losing his hold of the ball. Then their full-back ran to within five yards of the line, and King and Cleaver headed a Black rush to the 25 and relieved. Stewart, who played a fine game for the Reds throughout, was stopped by Robinson on the line, but the defence \yas broken through immediately afterwards, Cameron making good after a dodgy run through half his opponents.' Then the Blacks were a'gain forced, the Reds' passing being wild and resultless. But eventually, after another good' run; Cameron again scored, and -Stewart followed suit within a few minutes. o—o. This was the state of affairs at halftime.

Potier marked Stratford's kick-off, but the rebound from a fine kick mfeed the players, and the ball being set going the Red backs, Anderson made a fine opening, of which Burgess took full advantage, scoring near the posts. Cameron was successful with the kick. 14—0. McLood (Eltham) got off-side a minute i after play re-commenced, and a goal was registered. 17 —0. Hot play continued on the Black line, and in a rush for the ball, Potier committed a glaring infringement by holding Anderson, and the referee awarded a try, as in his-opinion a score would have resulted. No goal was kicked. 20—0. Then Eltham "woke up" a trifle, and the play from this stage to the call of time was much' brighter. The Reds, however, attacked all the time, and Cameron obtaining the ball from a rebound, ran right behind the posts. Burgess piloted the leather between the posts. 25—0. Waking up a bit fresher, Eltham put more, vim into their game and were rewarded. From a scrum near the Red goal, Cooper secured the ball and beat the defence, Potier kicking a goal amid the local team's rousing cheers. 25—5. Fast play followed, hut no further score was made, the game finishing 25—5. Mr. Spurdle was a capable and impartial referee in both the senior and second junior games. SECOND GRADE. TUKAPA v. STAR. This game was played at the Recreation (iround yesterday afternoon, and a hard-fought struggle'resulted in a win for Star by IS points to 10. The first spell ended with bol.li teams oven, West having scored a try and Bullot potted a goal for Tnkapa, whilst for Star Stockman potted a goal and also kicked a penalty one. In the second spell Crockett scored a try and Stockman kicked a penalty goal for Tnkapa, the ball just getting over. Of the i'.\ points scored in the match, 17 were the result of kicks at goal. Mr. H. Petty refereed. STRATFORD (!)) v. ELTHAM (C). I Stratford defeated Eltliam at Eltham by 0 points (a try and two penalty goals) to 6 (a try and a penalty goal).

CLIFTON (10) v. INGLEWOOD (0). Clifton beat Tnglcwood at Waitara by 13 points to nil. THIRD GRADE. STRATFORD (0) v. ELTHAM (0). This match was played at Eltham and was won by Stratford by three tries (f) points) to nil. Connor, Marehant and Shechan were the scorers. Clifton beat Inglewood by L r > points to 8. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. NEW PLYMOUTH v. STRATFORD. Stratford visited New Plymouth yesterday and met the local team on the Tnkapa ground. The visitors brought in a verv strong team, being determined to make a bid for the championship. New Plymouth were two men short at the commencement of the g«me. Stratford made the pace and scored during the first five minutes by an individual effort on the part of the centre forward, and shortly after the same player added another goal. New Plymouth, being now reinforced to the full number, took matters in hand and pressed hard right up to half-time, but could not get within shooting distance of the goal. Stratford put up a very stout defence. New Plymouth had the better of the exchanges during the second spell, but their shooting was extremely weak, Fenton (the latest capture from Rugby) being the only one to shine in this respect. Legg played well in his position and could not prevent the ball passing him when the goals were scored. The left back got through a power of work. Elliott was the best half on the field, his feeding being all that could be asked of him. The forwards were all good, but were somewhat weak in front of the goal. The visitors put up a strong defence and were well served by their three inside forward. New Plymouth only managed to score once, this being the result, of a cross from the left to Wyllie (centre), who found the net. Mr. J. Clark was referee, and kept a firm command of the game, checking one or two for roughness. Stratford were ttie greater sin- ■«■» in this respect. The winners deserved their victory, thoir team being a well-balanced one.