FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 335, 23 June 1911, Page 2

FOOTBALL

FIRST GRADE. TUKAPA (20) v. ELTHAM (3). The score is no indication of the contest between these team ( s on Taumata Park, Kltham, yesterday, for a very interesting and showy exposition of Rugby was given to a large gathering, the majority of whom remained on the ( ground after the Coronation ceremony. The Magpies had a very mixed team (at least five were juniors), so Eltham's reputation has been somewhat recovered. The main features of the game were the clean and sportsmanlike tactics of both teams, the superior passing of Tuxapa, and the (at times) irresistible rushes of the Eltham forwards. The day was dull, but the ground was in capital order. Tukapa kicked off, and as the result of the first scrum Potier made a prominent opening, and play rested at the visitors' twenty-five tlag. The leather waa worked up to Eltham's territory, where a free kick (taken by Potier) relieved. The fine kickiig of Tukapa backs was nullified by fine forward work on the part of the home team. A dangerous piece of' open play by Tukapa followed, Stohr being the by all the visiting backs was stopped last to participate. Then a passing rush by all the visiting backs was stopped in Eltham's 25. Hard pressed on the line Eltham kicked hard in the loose and the full-back marked. Stohr's kick from about the half-way flag went high and fair between the posts, for which he received much applause. A few minutes after play had been set going, J. GlentWorth (Eltham's full-back) kicked in the, centre of the ground and Stohr marked. The essay was successful only for the leather touching an opponent is its fligkt. Stohr made a splendid run on his own and play settled in Eltham's territory, from where Narbey, Robinson and Henry carried play to centre. Robinson tumbled Webster on the touch line, and Potier was instrumental in shifting play to the visitors' territory. My not t marked and the leather went out at the 25 flag. Stohr fielded well in front of the goal, and the ball being passed out to Loveridge, he potted an undisputed goal. (7—0.) McLeod headed a rush to Tukapa's territory, and from a scrum Telief came. Line-out and scrum work followed. Eltham's fullhack (Glentworth) made a fine recovery with a kick that landed out below the 25 flag. Mynott secured a clever friark in an Eltliam rush in which Robinson led the van. At this stage the Magpies were playing with lots of dash, and' had the best -of the play. Mynott broke up the forefront, but the two Glentworths came to the rescue, with a fine bit of passing. "Boot!" "Boot!" was the advice of the barraekers for Eltham, and profiting by it Tukapa were kept busy. Then from a scrum in the centre, the leather went to Stohr, to Loveridge, and back again to Mynott, who ran in between the posts. The kick made the points 12—0 in favor of Tukapa. Cleaver was injured, and left the field! Riordan, Robinson and Narbey, in the van, rushed the ball over Tukapa's line, and a force resulted. O'Sullivan went o» in Cleaver's place. Potier broke away with the leather, and at the twenty-flve flag wa<t lute in his kick. Cooper got the ball from a serum, and Workman failed to get the pass. From the scrum that followed .T. McLeod scored in the scramble, but Potier's kick, although a good one, was slightly wrong in the focus. 12—3. And half-time was called. Tukaka attacKed strongly, and within a couple of minutes, as the result of a miskick by an Eltham player, an easy try was scored. Stohr's kick was unsuccessful. 15-3. An attack in which all the Tukapa backs joined was turned; into defence by smart play on the part of Glover. But this was only momentary, as they were attacking again shortly. Whitaker made a splendid opening at the twenty-five line, beating two or three opponents, and after against tho referee got into the open 1 . But through hanging on too long lost the leather, and it went out at half-way. Breaking away from this point the visiting forwards went right through to the line. Whiltaker scoring. This time Stohr's lucky star was in the ascendant, and the points read 20—3. Stohr got an opening, and ran to the twenty-five Hag, where he kicked, but the full'-baek marked. For off-side play Eltham freekicked, and the next incident of moment was a pass from the scrum to Mynott, whence the ball went across to Loveridge on the wing. Faced with the difficulty of beating two opponents he succumbed, and play went back to neutral territory. With time drawing to a close and play on the home line, Eltham wakened up. and although a scrum was formed on their line by a supreme effort, amid the collected enthusiasm of the crowd, they were soon on Tukapa's line, where an infringement provided relief in the shape of a free kick. Play was very exciting, although no score was registered on either side, first one side "a.ttaciv.ng by passing and the other (retaliating with footwork. In one of . these Workman fielded well, and beat his vis-a-vis, afterwards passing to Olentworth, who got to the line, but a force resulted. The last, few minutes provided several' incidents. Eltham was again forced across their line, and Potier ran round behind- the posts and kicked to safety. Time found no. further score. Mr. W. Roch refereed. I

CLIFTON (3) v. STRATFORD (3)

An evenly contested game between the above teams on the show ground at Stratford resulted in a draw. The rain held off during the match, the ground was in good order, and a fas°t and oftimes brilliant game was witnessed by a large crowd. The game was vigorous, and there were sereral slio-ht mishaps. °

Stratford kicked off, finding the line at the 25. A good kick by Coin! an removed play to Stratford's 25, wh.re Stewart saved nicely. Colman got a nasty kick on the head, which delayed the game for a few minutes. C. Tate went to half-back, Colman playing centre three-quarter. Stratford forwards pressed for a while, but a nice rush by Kyle, Hicks and Thomas relieved. From a free kick George had a no charge shot, but the ball fell short. Anderson mulled the return, but recovering well found the line at the 25. Clifton forwards were still pressing, but Cameron with a heady kick found temporary relief. A good kick by Colman neutralised the advantage. Yoiin<» and I'earon were next prominent, 0 but (.corge was there. The Yellows were obtaining the ball, and Tate set his backs in motion, but V. Tate failed to take a pass and the' movement ended. Woods obtained a clever mark, and a high kick by Cameron was safely held near the line by George just in the teeth of a mob of Red forwards. Cameron next tried to goal from a mark, but failed. From a rebound Burgess had liard luck in not scoring Goodwin kicking the ball to touch-in-goal as he was about to fall on it. ' I'iom the kick-out the Reds returneu to the attack, and high collaring nearly [let Cameron through. A free k?ck gave Clifton relief, Colman. lining at halfway, Crowley headed a rush, and the ball was kicked to Egglestone, who with the ball at his feel, beat Jones and |siteU badljr, gatlwfsd pjj jh e .

scored. Ceorge made a fine attempt to convert. Clifton 3, Stratford 0; Play continued fast, attack being meu by counter attack, varied by an occasional mark, neither side gaining much advantage until the Stratford backs by a passing rush carried play into the Yellows' territory. Off-side play and its resultant penalty gained much ground for the defenders. Smith and ; Boon parried play to Clifton's line, where Woods was too anxious, and taking the ball before it left the scrum, | Clifton obtained the usual relief. Stratford forwards then came down the Hold as one man, but George forced, and repeated the operation next moment. The Beds still pressed, and iCameron looked like scoring, but waa unsupported, and the opportunity waa lost. Half-time was then called.

Clifton attacked on resuming, and Stewart failing to take a pass, the Reds supporters had an anxious moment, but lie retrieved himself. Clifton kept up the pressure until Egglestone missed a nice pass which let Cameron and Burgess through with the hall at their feet. Cameron raced for the line, hut Tate saved. Colman next took two clever marks. The Reds were : playing with great heart, and theft backs got moving. Cameron was well s taken by Colman, and a little later r again headed for the line at top, but s Goodwin collared him. Cameron soon I after landed a magnificent goal from i half-way, a drop-kick from a penalty. [ Stratford 3, Clifton 3. The Stratford > men were playing with vim, and [ over eagerness spoilt some nice oppori tunities, Clifton forcing. Cameron next [ had a shot at goal, but the ball fell . short. The Reds were now throwing i the leather about, both back and for- . ward, and Goodwin was just able to , save by kicking to touch. Speculators • hy Eggleston were useful. Clifton then , came with a iburst, uut Crowley spoilt ; by getting off-side, as did Fearon a few ! moments later, when the Reds attacked. , Hicks, Thomas and Jones next headed j a rush which compelled Stratford to force. Clifton were now having the | better of the play. C. Tate made a ( nice run, but held on too long. Kivcll put in a useful kick, and a scrum took place at the 25. Goodwin missed a nice opening by failing to take a pass, and Stratford took a turn at attack. Goodwin marked and lined at centre. V. Tate made a nice dodgy run and passed to Crowley, who was collared in Stratford's 25 by Anderson. Cameron took a good mark and Crowley marked the return. Clifton were still pressing, and Stratford defending. George had two shots at goal from free kicks. Kivell, at. full-back, had a lot to do, but he played solidly, taking and kicking well. The game ended without further score. Mr. F. Spurdle was referee. SECOND GRADE. CLIFTON (3) v. STRATFORD (0). The above teams met at Waitara, the home team winning by three points (a penalty goal) to nil. Ruin fell throughout the game, the ground and ball being greasy. The Clifton forwards played a hard clean game. Stratford put a good fight, and were unlucky not to score. Waka, full-back for Clifton, played a sound game, taking the ball clean and finding the li»e. He saved his team time and again. Mr. H. Petty was referee. STAR v. INCLKWOOD. Star defeated Inglewood by eight points to nil. Mr. 0. West referecd. Elthain juniors forfeited to Tukapa. THIRD GRADE. STRATFORD (22) v. ELTHAM (3). Stratford defeated Eltliam by 22 points to 3. Mr. L. de Launay was referee. Star forfeited to Inglewood. The Star thirds have now withdrawn from the competition. Star forfeited to Inglewood. A proposal is on foot to play 'the Star v. Tukapa Dan O'Brien shield | match on Thursday next as a benefit , to the family of the late Mr. J. Way, who died at the hospital yesterday morning after a prolonged illness. A joint committee meeting of the two clubs will be held this evening in Messrs. Gilmour and Clarke's office at 7 p.m.