FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 305, 21 June 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL

SENIOR GRADE. CLIFTON (12) v. TUKAPA (3). The elements were kind to follower* of Rugby yesterday, in so much as the rain, of which we have had a surfeit latdy, held off, and the matches were played under favorable weather conditions. The senior match between Tukapa and Clifton attracted quite a largt gathering to Western Park, where tho ground was in ideal condition, its dryness, in the face of the recent wet weather, being a fine advertisement for Western Park. The match was keenly contested throughout, and a remarkable feature was the number of minor mishaps to players on both sides, stoppages being quite frequent. Tukapa were the more unfortunate, as two of their players had to retire, viz., Loveridge (early in the second spell, after playing a fine game) and Steele. The defection of the former undoubtedly affected the result of the game. Stohr, too, was playing out of his usual position, owing to an. injured leg. In the first spell Tukapa had all the better of the game, and could do everything but score, frequent opportunities being lost, the spell ending without any score. In the second spell, after the first few moments, in which Tukapa notched a try, the visitors proved their superiority by scoring four tries, the game ending as above stated. Clifton, winning the toss, defended the ! northern goal, with the sun behind them. For the first few minutes, play was of an even character, until Brown set his backs moving, Bertrand collaring McGiven when a score was in sight. The backs on both sides gave a grand display i of how to kick without finding the line, ' the rally ultimately ending by a rebound j from Jul), placing the blue forwards in an attacking position, but Goodwin saved gamely. Brown, Whit-taker Bros, and Loveridge were prominent in a passing j turn that looked promising until ended : by a faulty pass, not by the opponent's I tackling, which was very high. A nice cut-in by Brown almost let him over, and'; Clifton were compelled to find safety in the dead-ball line, and a little later they were forced. Crowley and Goodwin were primarily responsible for Clifton changing the venue, but McGiven retaliated with a short dash, only to be up-ended by Goodwin. A judicious kick by Lover-; idge neutralised another rush by Cain, ; Thomas and Crowley, but still the Yel-1 low vanguard attacked, only to be checked with line kicks by Whittaker and Loveridge, who also, by a dashing ran, carried play to his opponents' ter- i ritory, where Eggleston almost got into difficulties by unning back, but cleared nicely. Kape, Eggleston and Bertrand, and again Kupe, were instrumental in setting up an attack which was resultless. Even play ensued among the forwards. Gradually Tukapa gained ground. Brown beat several of his opponents and carried play to the line, where a scrum ensued. Again securing, he passed out to McGiven, who missed both the ball and a certain score. Clifton were next forced twice in succession. The Clifton half opened out the game, but Eggleston spoilt by failing to pass in time, enabling Loveridge to secure and find the line. .Stohr had a shot from a mark by Whittaker, but the rising ball struck Loveridgo's hand. Free kicks were awarded to Clifton and Tukapa in succession, and from over half-way Stohr made a magnificent but futile shot. Brown, Whittaker, Loveridge and McGiven were participators in a passing movement, which ended suddenly when the latter was collared. The Yellow backs now came with a rush, the ball passing through the hands of Crowley, Kupe, Eggleston and Bertrand, but the latter lost possession. The Yellow vanguard took a hand, and for the first time the Tukaka citadel was endangered. Whittaker, however, with a long kick relieved, and the whistle sounded half-time.

In the second spell there was plenty j of incident. Soon after the opening | Brown set his men in motion again, Whittaker and McGiven taking a hand. The latter knocked-on and hesitated, which enahled him to be collared. Morshead, by a brilliant forward rush, carried on the invasion, the ball being shot out to Loveridge, who was well collared at the same time, being slightly injured l , j Immediately on resuming, Tukapa scored.! Drown passed to Whittaker, who handed ; to Stohr. The latter cut in and beat I several opponents. When blocked, lie handed on to Loveridge, who put on the finishing touches. The effort, however, hurt him anew, and a few moments I later he had to retire. Stohr's kick j failed. Roused by this reverse, the Yellows pressed, Eggleston showing some ' nice footwork, but Whittaker saved. !

Stohr next beat the Clifton half for the ball and dribbled down the field, Blyde assisting. A mishap to fteele, who «1m had to retire, delayed play, and then a clever mark by Hicks checked a dangerous Blue rush. Clifton's first score followed Boon afterwards. Crowley kicked high, and following up well smothered Brown's return. Hicks centred, and Bertrand gathering up streaked through ' several opponents and equalised the ( score. Fuller's attempt to add the major points failed. Exciting play ensued, Stohr being held up just on the line by Eggleston. The ball came across to Bertrand, who streaked for the line but was overhauled by Loveridge. Like a flash the ball came across to Eggleston, who put in a grand opening, then shot across to Goodwin, the spe'dy wing losing no time in getting ac-Miss. Fuller's kick failed, as did a shot from a free I kick soon afterwards. Cliflon was now j playing a winning game, and a mark by j Kupe gave Goodwin an ineffectual shot. The Clifton forwards came at it again,, and Thomas got over the line but lost I the ball, as also did the Blue men. and | Lash scored. Fuller's kick failed. Failure by Kupe to take a pass let Stohr through, but Fuller stemmed the tide. White was very slow in getting to the ball, giving his supporters an anxious moment, but xiltimately found the line. Bcrnston, Cain, Du Blois and J. Crowley next headed a rush, which culminated in j the latter scoring. Cain's kick failed. ■ The game now became a scramble, Tukapa having for a while the advantage, and several likely openings were lost through faulty taking of the ball. Clifton, however, regained the upper hand, and at the call of time were attacking. Mr. (.!. Hopkins was referee. I

JUNIOR GRADE. TUKAPA (o) v. STAR (0). A very good junior game was played on the Recreation Grounds yesterday afternoon by the above teams, for the Dan O'Brien Shield. After a hard tussle Stohr scored a try for Tukapa, West convert])];,'. Although handicapped by a wet ground and a slippery ball, Star had the better of the, game in the first half, hut in the end condition began to tell, the Star hacks going completely to pieces. Brabant (a Tukapa player), for disputing the referee's decision, was ordered off the field. Mr. W. Roch was referee. CLIFTOX (23) v. INGLEWOOD (3). Playing at Waitara, Clifton Juniors defeated Inglewood by 23 points to 3.

[ THIRD GRADE. HIGH SCHOOL (0) v. ELTHAM (0). High School journeyed to Eltham and met the local thirds, a drawn game resulting. Neither side scored. CLIFTON (8) v. INGLEWOOD (3). At Waitara, Clifton thirds beat Inglewood by 9 points to 8.