FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 13, 10 July 1911, Page 7

FOOTBALL

STAR (17) v. ROVERS (5). H

I This match was played on the Rcceation Sports Ground oil Saturday, and resulted in a win for Star. Rovers Jfclayed a man short throughout tlie first | ( 4pell. The game was not partciularly brilliant, but was at times interesting, and there was not the difference between the teams that the score indicates.

From the kick-off Star attacked, and within a few minutes Hawkins lost a fine opportunity to score by hanging on to the ball instead of passing. Breaches of the rules by Rovers gave Hawkins and Dewar shots at goal, but both were unsuccessful. The Blues then invaded Star's territory for a few moments, but Stars were, quickly back /again, and Hawkins had another unsuccessful shot at goal. The Blacks itill attacked, and I. Grant failing to ijfiake the ball, McAllum, who was follow"ing up fast, scored. The shot at goal did not eventuate, as Jennings charged ball down. From the kick out Stars still attacked, and the Blues had hard 'work to keep them out. Good play by Thompson and Coker saw Pfankuch called upon to exert himself, but the relief was only temporary. A good run by Hill saw the hall go out close to .the Blues' line. Webster cleared temporarily, but from the ruck the ball came out to Hill, who parsed to Daly, but the latter was prevented from scoring iy O'Neill, and a scrum ensued. The Blue forwards now Evened up, and play wa,9 centralised 'for a time. Simmers, Richards and Hawkins, however, once more placed Rovers on the defensive, and Dewar, picking up from a loose rush, passed to Hawkins, who scored. Ilill failed to convert. From the kick out Stars set up an attack. Thompson intercepted a pass and kicked hard. Eric Grant followed up and booted over the line, where his brother lan scored. C. Coker did the needful with the kick at goal. Half-time was called with no further score.

On resuming Stars immediately got moving, and from a scrum close to the line, Whitaker secured and kicked with such vigor as to find the dead ball line. From the kick out Rovers attacked, and a nice rim by A. Grant, who was. unsupported, saw Stars forced. Stars in turn attacked, and a passing rush wits only checked near the line by Eric Grant. The Blacks still pressed, tiild Whitaker passed to Main, who put t in a strong run and passed to Hill, i The latter dropped the ball, but kicked it over the line and beating Pott for it scored. Hawkins failed with the kick. Lan G-rant was next instrumental in carrying play to Stare 25, but Main saved nicely, and Hawkins, Okey and ■ AVoods headed a forward movement that saw Rovers' citadel again in danger. A passing rush by Grant, Thompson and Webster saw the latter collared in Stars' 25, tout the Blacks soon came back' and had Rovers pressed. Some good chances to seore were lost, but ultimately Whitaker secured the ball from a scrum and passed to Hill, who got over. Dewar converted. O'Neill and ■ Ryder were prominent in a Blue rush ! I that carried play to the Blacks' 25, where Hill picked the ball up from the ODvosing forwards' toes, and broke away. A long kick by Webster returned play. The backs then had quite a long rally, interchanging kicks, the ball ultimately finding the line. From a free kick, C. Coker had a shot at goal, but the ball rebounded. Ryder, however, got going, but was checked by Main, and from the rssultfint play the ball went out at Rovers' 25. From the throw-in, Okev scored as the result of a passing rush participated in by Hawkins, Dewar. Richards, and himself. McAllum failed with the kick. From this to the end of the game phiy was fairly fast and interesting, the ball travelling up and down the field, and some (lashes of passing being indulged in by both sides. There was no further score, ami the game ended as above. Mr. A. Smart was referee.

OKATO v. UNITED. This match did not eventuate, but will probably be played at Okato on Saturday. July 22.