FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 93, 5 September 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL

OTAGO (18) v. TARANAKI (11). MAGNIFICENT KICKING. There was no mistake about it: Taranaki were soundly defeated 'by Otago at Hawera yesterday afternoon. Not more than KIOO speetators witnessed the match, which was played on a greasy ground. Otherwise it was in good order. Light rain fell intermittently throughout the afternoon. In the first half, Otago, aided by a strong wind, completely overran the home fifteen. Eight from the kick-off. Stohr landed a beautiful penalty for Taranaki,; who after that scarcely had a look-in for the rest of the half. Not long after, Cockcroft landed a magnificent goal (from a mark), the first of a series which were a feature of the match. By half-time the visitors were in the lead by twelve points. After resumption it was expected that Taranaki would turn the tables, but, although favored with the wind (which had dropped very lightly), they failed signally where Otago had succeeded. In fact, the amber-aml-blacks were outclassed in all departments—line-kicking, forward rushes and back play. Otago shone in 1 combined work, whereas the local men scarcely gave a taste of anything worth the name of combination. They were palpably fagged in the latter half, and it was not until fifteen minutes before the call of tim* that they in any way asserted themselves. Summed up, the better team won. Taranaki kicked off, and from a lino out Brown marked. Stohr took the kick and landed a magnificent goal from two yards inside the half-way line. Taranaki 3 . OtaL'o 0 The kick-out resulted in a force, the i ball going behind the line.' Otago forwards came on with the ball at toe, but | S. Cameron saved. Otago were awarded a free kick for lifting in the scrum; and Cockroft essayed a further attempt at goal from the half-way line. .Shortly afterwards S. Cameron saved for Taranaki right in the corner. A line-out resulted, and Stohr saved by kicking down field. He followed up his kick and dribbled right to the the other end of the field to touch —a fine performance. Otago initiated a sharp attack, but one of their backs spoilt by attempting to pot. Then a scrum took place. Brown secured and punted high, Watson marking. Cockroft was entrusted with" the kick, goaling with fine effect. Taranaki 3 Otago 3 Taranaki woke up and Ryan led a hefty forward onslaught, but when a score seemed imminent one of his confreres spoilt by obstructing an opponent. For this Otago were awarded a free kick. They gained much ground, md Smith, picking up from a scrum, transferred to Cuthill. who simply galloped through and scored in a nice position. The kick was not converted. Otago C Taranaki 3 Otago still pressed forward, handling the leather in a pleasing manner. In attempting to clear, Dewar kicked into an opponent's hands, enabling him to mark. Cockcroft then had an unsuccessful shot at goal. A good kick by Cockroft put Otago in a handy position. From the resultant line-out Dryden took a nippy mark well inside the half-way line. Cockroft made no mistake with the kick. Otago 0 Taranaki 3 Cuthill returned the kick-out by lining in the comer. Taranaki were unable to extricate themselves from this fix, and then Bertram! foolishly centred into the arms of ■Chambers, who was well collared by Don Cameron. Otago swarmed down on Taranaki's line, and (ho ball was kicked out of touch. From the line-out Taranaki were penalised just over the quarter line, from which posi- | lion Cockcroft landed another magnificent goal. Otago -.. 12 Taranaki ~' 3 Brown. Young and Don Cameron wrre conspicuous in respective rushes, but the defence was too solid. in the attack j also, the visitors were getting all over Taranaki. Tn one of Otago's numerous invasions Sheenan bored himself over the line. Eckhold failed to convert. Otago 15 Taranaki 3 Taranaki were now hopelessly beaten as far as the first half was concerned. Sheenau's try cast him his place m his team, he having to retire hurt, McKellar came on in his stead. Taranaki were now "habitual defenders," and thus the first spell ended: Otago 15 Taranaki 3 Taranaki were faced with a big handicap on resumption. They were, favored, however, with a heavy wind, hut the question was. had too much been taken out of them in the first half? Taylor mulled the kick-off, but Brown secured and transferred to another hack, who found the line well down. Cuthill sained much ground for Otago, but the ball coming into the loose Don Cameron ran up and speculated successfully. Taranaki who were visibly fagged, were not following up sufficiently to take full advantage of the high-kick-ing indulged in bv their backs. At this stage Young had to retire with a twisted knee. Dryden and Eckhold put Taranaki in a tight corner, and Don Cameron, in endeavoring to save, could not find the line. Tinnev came on in Yountr's place, relieving S. Cameron at full-back. The latter played five-eighths. A free kick broke up a prolonged Otago siege, and Taranaki forwards swarmed on the line. S. Cameron hurling himself over the line. Stohr made no mistake with the kick. Otago .'. J5 Taranaki s Stimulated by this reverse. 01.-igo in iurn attacked.'but a free-kick on the line relieved Taranaki. Otago, however, were not to be denied. Cain cleared for Taranaki with a fine dribbling ru>h. but Watson picked the ball up I from his toe and lined. Kckhold foolishly kicked into Tinney's bands, enabling him to mark. Even this did not, serve to put them right. Taranaki now livened up somewhat, and Stohr had an ambitious penalty kick at goal from five yards the other side of'half-way. II was a good effort, but, the distance was too great. Play was now fairly even, but there was not much time to' go. Franklin. Stohr and S. Cameron made" a valiant, attempt to score, the lasi-men- ' tioned player crossing over, onlv to be ' recalled by the whistle so,,,.dim; for an infringement. Taranaki came on attain, and were awanb-d n free-kick. '< Stohr essayed a goal from a Fairly easy position, but his direction was sadly at fault. Tt was not lonu' before Oj ; ,rr 0 again attacked. All hopes of Taranaki even equalising was lost when Cockroft landed another magnificent penalty. Otago ; ]«j Taranaki g Hardly had play recommenced before

Taranaki were awarded a penalty, which Stohr sent skimming between the posts. Otago 18 Taranaki 11 With only a very few minutes to go, Brown passed to S. Cameron, who made a bold dash, only to be grounded. This was Taranaki's last flutter, and then came 'the end. Mr. Spurdle was referee. .