FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 311, 28 June 1912, Page 3

FOOTBALL

SENIOR GRADE. STRATFORD 3 v. CLIFTON 0. This jnatcli was played on the Stratford A. and P, Association's ground yesterday. It should not have bsen played. But, as the two teams were cn the ground, and the referee had the necessary pluck, too, the teams t( ok the field in half a gale, ponds here and there, and a heavy driving downpour of rain It was cold, too, so cold that the usually electric Goodwin got the cramp in the sdpond spell and had, to be carried off. The attendance was larger than usual, hut the Stratford Football Club evidently thought that men enthusiastic enough to turn out on such a day deserved a complimentary ticket, and no gatekeeper was in evidence. The game defies description. It would best be referred to as a game of flukes. On very few occasions was a kick rewarded with the result aimed at., A high wind, greasy ball, and greasy field, made sure play impossible. Stratford had luck in winning the toss, and played with the wind. It was generally conceded that they would have to score from 15 to 20 points in the first spell to make good. But they played much better in the second spell thfeni in. the first, and won the match, with the three points scored in the first j few minutes of the match, a try scored by R. Fearon. The inclusion of Smith strengthened the Stratford pack, and the conditions seemed to suit.Crawshaw and Surgenor, who were the "heroes" of the back division in the second spell. Clifton . forced early. Then came! Fearon'3 try, scored after close play under the posts. Then Clifton shook matters up, but the two Fearons, Boon, and Smith carried play back to the' south end, and it was only because Bertrand was right on his game that a score was averted. A good, piece of work by Anderson, consisting of a smart run, kick, follow up, and tackle of tfye maii wlio took the ball, called for comment. The-forwards backed him up, and Clifton forced.. Two or three times thfe Stratford men got within scoring distance, but 'the gale upset the calculations of kickers, and the ball reached the dead ball line. In the second spell Kivell, at and Crawshaw, at full, changed places. B. Fearon went to five-eighths, f'and Surgenor to wing forward. The change made a tremendous difference, and in any future matches under conditions approaching yesterday's the club selectors should give Surgenor the wing' forward position. He played well, and played himself to a standstill, liis nearest attendant as a rule being Crawshaw, a promising young player. "Bob" Woods and Kivell were also good throughout. Clifton made things open, w tried to, at the start of j the second spell, but the Stratford forwards liked that, and dived in among the Waitara Lacks, spoiling every effort. One of the visiting iforwards should have | been warned for deliberating interfering 1 with players who had rid themselves of ] the ball. Crowley knew the game, and 1 took a mark; but, .even with the high 1 wind, ,goal:kiaking was difficult, and the ] attempt, was fruitless. ' Several " rushes' ; were instigated by Boon and Smith, and | Sufgenor and v worked like Trojans, Clifton on the defensive time and "again; Goodwin was seized with no doubt by a collision >vit)i Surgenor when both lashed together at the bail, and after a time he had, to leaye. the field. Stratford, forced two'or three times "and Crowley got the ball from a ; scrum in the Stratford 25, but jfooiishljV'kicked to the line, ( when lie had a.fiiear run in. In the last few minutes (Clifton worked hard, and had the Reds penned near their goal, but were unable, to 'score. Mr. F. Spjjrdle, was referee.' _ < \

JUNIOR . GRADE. CLIFTON.: 14 T. STAR 0. . ; At Waitara, Star Juniors went under to Clifton to' the tune of .14' points 'to nil. In the 'first lialf Star' failed to take advantage of the wind, which, after the change of- end's, their Opponents made good use of. Clifton ( scored four tries, one of was, converted. Mr. G. Hopkins- was referee.. TUKAPA J l2 v. EIiTIIAM 10'. . Tukapa t Juniors Eltham by 12 points to , 10. The , wjpner's score included a potte<l'''gbal. 1 The IngleW'ißd-Stratford junior game did not..eventuate. ~ . . >