FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 323, 9 June 1911, Page 8

FOOTBALL

NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM IN HAKE FETTLE.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Deceived 8, 8.35 p.m. Sydney, June 8.

Judging by the New South Walesteam's dashing and vigorous play and their fine and unselfish combination in the two matches against Queensland, some interesting and hard fought contests are promised when they meet the New Zealanders. Messenger is in great form.

. FIRST GRADE. TUKAPA (3) v.CLIFTON (0). Played at Western Park yesterday afternoon, this match ended in a lucky win for the home team by the narrow margin of three points to nil. Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, a liirsre number of spectator.? attended. Rain fell at intervals, making the ball very gnasy and difficult to play. Little or no brilliant form was shown either individually or collectively. For the greater part of the match the game consisted of fast loose rushes, with a good deal of dull line-out work, In the first half of the game honors were evenly divided, but in the second spell Tukapa held pride of position for the greater part, although at times there were some fine loose rushes initiated by the visiting pack. In the scrums Clifton got the ball more often than their opponents, but Colman. the visitors' half, was very tardy in getting the oval out to bis fast wings. In the second spell Colman was temporarily injured and retired, the Tukapa skipper graciously allowing his place to be filled by a fresh man. During the latter half of the match M. Cain was ordered off the field for tripping.

Clifton set the leather in motion and play quickly centred. From penalty kicks both sides had unsuccessful shots at goal, J. 'Stohr and Sid. George getting in some good boosts. Line play followed, interspersed with short forward dashes that were spoiled by the back division play. ' After considerable play the Blues got a free kick through a Ycilow holding the ball on the ground. Tho position was favorable and Stohr took the kick, but the fish-tail wind prevailing carried the leather to the post. Each pack in turn instituted vigorous rashes that caused some anxiety, but on each occasion the back divisions were able to stem the pressure. When in a good position Goodwin, for Clifton, unfortunately slipped, and the ball went out at the corner. Had he'got a f-iir hold of the oval lie must have got across Ihe line. From the line-out the Clifton backs tried to open out, and a passing dash was nullified by Stohr intercepting n fiulty pass from Eggleston *o Tait. ' The home team then changed the scene of action, and with a loose rush gave the visitors a merry run at defence work. The attack went right up to the goal line, but Goodwin marked and sent the leather to safe quarters. Even play continued for the remainder of the spell. On changing ends fast loose play was the order. The visitors worked play to the home 25 territory, where Cliff. Tait tried an unsuccessful pot-shot at goal. The Yellow pack made several good rushes, but the home backs always got to work and cleared their line. Shortly after a strong Tukapa attack was made and Stohr was looking eagerly for a store, when the greasy ball slipped from hia hands a few yards from tho goalline. Clifton secured and kicked to safer territory. Fast loose scrum work ensued, from which the Tukapa backs secured and the ball travelled in rapid success from Brown to G. Lovegrove and on to Stohr and Webster. The latter was streaking along at top and just missed tho pass when he had a clear run in. A rush ensued and the Blues were forced. Tukapa backs tried hard to open out, and, working close to the pack, swept the play to Clifton's lines. On the line-out from the corner Stohr secured and tried to wriggle through. l»i was held up right under the posts. The visitors, by a good effort, sent the scene of action to midfield and took a turn at attack. Eggleston got in a fine kick which put the ball out at the corner flag, where, from the line-out, play went to the neutral zone. Stohr took'a nice pass from Brown, and a good opening presented itself. Stohr's pass to Chartcris was wretchedly poor, and an almost certain score was lost. For a while play grew very fast, and the ball had a lively turn all over the field. Although the pace was merry there was a noticeable lack of concerted effort, Each side in turn got to the coveted line time and again, but there seemed to be no one handy to supply the finishing stroke for a score. Just on the call of time the Blue attacked strongly, and from a loose rush Brown sent out to G. Lovegrove, wlio, being tackled, passed to I'erry. Tho latter dropped the leather into Stohr's arms. Stohr, only a few yards from home, put some leg into it, and dashed across the line. The kick at goal was simple, but Stohr missed, and the game ended: Tukapa 3, Clifton 0. Mr. W. Koch refereed.

STRATFORD (0) v. IXGLEWOOD (3)

Inglewood and Stratford met at Inglewood yesterday and provided an interesting exhibition. Tho ground was as could only be expected after the heavy rain—very wet; in fact, in some place there were pools of water, through which the players often splashed, much to the amusement of the onlookers, who were numerous. The weather, too, was unpleasant, rain falling at intervals. Nevertheless, the contest was followed very closely by the spectators. IngleWood, though beaten, were certainly not disgraced; they played a good, solid'game throughout, putting up a fight that looked as though they would stave off defeat. In the first spell they more than held their own, and in the second half they played equally as well as their opponents. In the loose the local forwards were much better than Stratford, and honors were oasy in hooking the bail. Both sets of backs took the ball well, and kicked well, but Stratford had Don Cameron, who knew what to do and when to do it, and it was to this feature that they owe their win, as his cross-kicking was most effective, and quite nonplussed his opponents. The game was very fast. Infringements were numerous, Stratford being the main offenders. Mr. F. Spurdle was referee. (

Inglewood won the toss and gained the very slight advantage of the"\vind,

which was blowing nlmost .straight across tin; ground. From 1 lic kick-off Stratford invaded the Maroons' territory, and a try was .spoilt by a knock-ou at the critical moment. From the resultant scrum Inglewood cleared, and a nice line-kick by I°. Nicholls carried ])lay into the Red-and-Black territory. Here Brown secured, but hanging on to the ball too long gave Anderson a chance to find the line. Here Bonnor and Boon headed a rush, and matters did not look pro7iiising for the local team. Burgess, however, got off-side, and a free kick resulted. Cameron then centred nicely, but one of his men were olf-side. This gave Inglewood relic' which they took such advantage of t' it Stratford had a taste of defence. A free kick was then awarded Inglewood for trippfcig tactics on the part of a Red-and-Black. Jury took a shot at goal, making a gaod but fruitless attempt. From the kick-out Inglewood forwards continued to press, and Stratford were forced twice. From the kick-off Stratford set up an attack, Bonnor, H. Cameron and Boon heading a forward rush. Jury mulled badly and nearly let his team down, but Smith was handy and found the line with a speculator. A little later Jury mulled again, but Miles was there. Jury was then transferred to the forewards, Miles playing at full-back. Inglewood still pressed and off-side play by Burgess helped them considerably. Cameron was saving time and again, but ultimately the Maroons men were rewarded. Chapman charged down Cameron's return and enabled Jury and Russell to hrntr •> forward rush, which carried the tall over the line, where Russell fell on it, amidst applause, though hotly pursued by Cameron. Brown's kick failed. This reverse livened Stratford up, and following the kick-off the Red-nnd-Blacks carried play to the Maroons' 25, where Don Cameron secured, his side-stepping tactics drawing the Inglewood defence, when he at once, with a well-judged kick, centred the ball. Woods secured, and when tackled by Smith passed to Jones, who ran in unopposed. Cameron's kick failed. The scores were now equal, and foB. the rest of the spell the play, which was.very fa.st, was> practically confined to the forwards. Inglewood had the better of the play, and though they compelled Stratford to force on two occasions were unable to score. Jury also i had a kick at goal, but failed. In the second spell, Stratford forwards jumped away very strongly, but a nice mark by Allen checked them. Russell, i Karalus and Hopkinson headed a fori ward rush, which was neatly stemmed i by Boon, Melville, James and Britt. Play then hovered about contre, till Smith with a fine kick found touch in-ide . Stratford's "25. From the line-out Stratford were placed on the "id kept there for a few moments till Woods i and Cameron cleared the air. Interchange of kicks between the backs rei suited in Stratford being again forced. ; From the kick-off play travelled straight , down the field and Inglewood were com- , pelled to seek relief in forcing. Anderson received the ball, and with a dodgy ; run and a useful kick found the line at the aorner. Smith and Brown were then instrumental in getting to within striking distance, but Jones clsared and broke i away on his own. Miles, however, provi ed equal to the occasion and downed ; him. Woods, Cameron and Jones then . took part in a pressing rush, which look bad for Inglewood, but Miles again did ; the needful b. checking the rush. Hop- • kinsen, Karalus, Chapman and Russell i were responsible for removing the seat of danger to Stratford's '25. Kivell took the ball just as Russell took him, and a five-yards scrum ensued. From this i Cameron and his men secured and set up an attack, but Smith lined at the i critical moment. Later on Inglewood had a free kick. Anderson and Kivell between them mulled tho ball, Only one ■ Maroon had followed up and he over- , ran the ball, and a chance went begging. . The play was now thrilling, the ranid : movements of the Kail being difficult to follow. Cameron had a shot at goal in an easy position, but he failed, and Inglewood forced. Stratford were attacking hotly, and a nice movement, in which Jones and Cameron participated, saw the latter run across the lino at the corner, only to lose tho ball, which went into touch in goal. From the kick-out Stratford came again. Burgess put in , a nice run and handed to H. Cameron, who crossed the line and scored in tho opposite corner. Burgess failed at goal. Within two minutes 11. Cameron repeated the performance, and Burgess did the same just afterwards, making the score —Stratford !), Inglewood 3. There were still 15 minutes to go. Inglewood played pluckily, and were within an ace of scoring on several occasions, but wero unable to press their advantage home. However, they had the better of the game. In the last minute Jury had a shot at goal for a breach of the rules. Tho kick, though good, wag resultless, and Stratford forced, the game ending without any further alteration.

SECOND GRADE. STAR (G) v. EMTIAM (5). Those teams met on a fairly dry ground at Eltham and provided the fastest back game seen on that ground for some time. Mr. IT. Nutiall, of Eltham, refereed very satisfactorily, filling the place of Mr. 11. de Launay, who waa unable to officiate. The Star backs were superior to their opponents, and in the scrums their forwards seemed to secure the ball when it was wanted. The score stood at (I—o till near the finish, when a determined onslaught by the home forwards ended in a score by McLeod, converted by Glentworth, who played a good back game throughout. Star's score was made up of a "try in the first spell by Penwardcn, and a penalty goal by Stockman in the second spell.

Inglewood juniors forfeited to Stratford juniors. THIRD GRADE. STRATFORD (36) v. INGLEWOOD (0). At Tnglewood Stratford thirds defeated Inglewood thirds by 36 points to nil. Mr. F. Spurdle referecd. SATURDAY COMPETITION. Okato will bo represented by the following team in the match against Star on the Recreation Grounds to-morrow:— If. Corhett, H. Martin, Malone, Sullivan, Kupi, Anderson, Rowe, J. Rothery, Stewart. T. Carey, L. Carey, E. Andrews, R. Julian, Run and C. Eustace.