FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 39, 6 July 1914, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

Results at a glance— Tukapa 0 v. Stratford J. Clifton 30 v. Okato 3. THE SENIOR COMPETITION. CLIFTON NORTHERN CHAMPIONS.

The senior competition was continued on Saturday, after a break cause,.! by the Rani'mly shield match Ji. previous weeic. " Weal weather co.uliUons prevailed. .Stratford's ilef.at b, Tukapa gives Clifton the noriheu championship. /U.ifton had ;,u> difficulty in defeating Okato. The Si.ar Inglewood match did not evciiiiMic.

TUKAPA fl v. STRATFORD 3. In many respect* the meeting of Tukapa and Stratford on the Western Park on Saturday was disappointing. The status of the two teams, and tile fact that ideal weather and dry ground augured a good exhibition from both the back divisions drew a good attendance, but the game fell short of expectations, i In the first place Tukapa was not able to put its usual team on the field. Loveridgc, Perry, Morshead Kay and Gilchrist were all absent, and I the home forward division had to (.be replenished with substitutes. Thin !eft the local.* in a poor position to face so good a pack as the Stratford <team possesses, but, oddly enough, the "scratch" pack held its own well, though mostly on account of the shortcoming* of the Stratford pack, which did not play up to its reputation .until well on in the game. Stratford notched first blood with a try by Rogers, the wing three-quarter, while for Tukapa, Eggleton and Brokcnshire each crossed the line. All scores were in the first spell, and no tries were converted. The first .spell was move evenly contested than the second, and the advantage by far the most part with Tukapa. Stolir had a day off as far as kicking was concerned, for although he had the chance to add at least nine points to bis team's score he failed to land ft single goal. He put in some beautiful kicks, but faulty direction nullified his work. During this spell Stratford was considerably penned Up, but guick rushes kept the situation interesting, and on more than one occasion'Tukapa had all they could do lo avert a second score against them. Gtohr, who played five-eighths, Brown at half, and A* C. Thompson at full, saved promptly in many a lively corner. The Tukapa forwards played gamely, Paul, Egglcton and McAllum (the winger) being'prominent. The handling by the Stratford backs was not brilliant. but towards the close of the first spell a very pretty movement, in which all | participated, set up a situation from I which the locals eseaped only by the ' skin of their teeth, a. mark by Paul I in the nick of time saving the Tukapa 1 l'ne.

The second spell was less evenly contested than was the first, and on the whole Tukapa was exceedingly fortunate, in holding the lead. Soon after <*e opening both teams appeared to die right away, Tukapa apparently electing rather early to play for safety. Then the visiting team woke up and the forwards, under the leadership of that hardened veteran, Dewar, made a strong attack. Tocker, at centre three-quarter, showed up well on defence, but the i locals cleared only with great difficulty and pome good luck on several occasions. Tukapa at times retaliated. McAllum . on 'the win;; of the forward line, and Paul and Kggleton of the pack playing with some dash. started some promising rushes hut was unsupported. J Brown, at half, played a sterling gam,.. Play was willing and temporary disablements frequent. Then Stratford rallied and swept on to the home team's line, where thev were reversed by what should have been their advantage. Trom a serum in the corner it looiced -l'tain that Stratford would score, but ••iishire—lfcAllum's colleague on - v.lio had been playing an off- !:,- some time, infringed, and '.l \ a shot. Bive, hovreier, .■■l refusing several good chancel ' throughout the spell, and !.; ! :uu. thus allowing Tukapa to ..-1..-,t M.-med a certain try. From t!u. li Tukapa. except for occasional mnnts, defended hard. Right on time Dive, missed another easy chance at goal and the game ended with Tukapa defending. Mr. W. Koch ivfcreed.

OLII'T'JX 3!) v. OKATO 3. «f,ifl.uii •tc«'!: their strou-.'ed team tc OWnto. The local tram was without, its half. Corl.-H. who had met wit., an aeei.U-.i!. l-Vo'.a I Ik- -whistle tin Cifl-m team made the |"«r and old uot M up. i- Hk-v were anxious »" male, t.ljc mo-t <>' t.be i-'- 1 " 11 ' "W!?' o c the (ivob.il'h- .-I'l'iiiioiiJ" hnitl" with Stmt ■■'.'! the followin" ™t unlay for (!.«• |ir-n>i-i-hip lrOkato men foiuiht pluckdv to th.- b.l- ---(,.,• end .1.-fr:!.-:'!!!-.' we'd, and il was not until the last <ii'. i-tcr of an h»m; Hint the elusive *!(«-' lv.-iii broke thc;r d--few" down and. -corinir three rapid suix-inn. complete!; routed ttem, Fvni th- pimp the Clifton for-■wfti-.b preyed, hist it was only m footwork that tl.cv excelled the coa-tal vaneuanl. IVlor. of course-, bainfr a past master. The Clifton kicks threw tfce. Kail about wel'. but tb<- l" c - ,ls . w, ' ri : toe Wing well, ami often at a -ritical lime the ba'l »onM be forward. rtkato -were f.'iv-Kl on numerous oewxions in the first spell. Clifton scored foiir trie-., one of which Wiv* eouTrtted by \ r . Tat.--. Kupc s-owd the. first try 'as the result of a tone handed rush, ami Tut.- converted. Soon after Goodwin elided a fin- passm? movement ip which Hicks. Crowley, Knpe, Abbr.tl an.', himf-i'f participated, bysromi! in *ho corner, and Bertrand repeated I the trick at tin- other corner. Okato | rtorfd their onlv try in this spell, as the result of Julian picking np from an . opennvr made V Oarev and running down the line, jnmi- of the Clifton men , bring under the impression that he bad , tone into lom-h. lOustaee just failed to convert. Taylor, after bo me nice, footwork, scored another try, which V. Tate failed also to convert. .Tost before the end of the spot! Okato .«<+ up the best rush t{ the da v. Play wn.-- riahl on tJlieVr I'm-, wb.-n. with a roii'in,!,' rnlly Hle forward- swept the length field and Clifton bad to kick to VOueh-iu-gdal. Ihirinß the f-cond «?ell .p'ay was seldom berond the hiilf-uny. and Okato nearW at! th- time dcfend'mj;. Occasionally 'one or two of the forwards w»iild make a w.rtie. tat a. Ion? kick br Tate would drive them back. After a'Clifton i!■.''■■• ; '. which backs and forward* parli'ip't-d. Tnvlor -cored, Abbott failim t» I'oal. ami a little later Unh scored iii!"[!i'-r try. which Abbott tlit«. time converted. Hicks and Hoodwill iniidc -Iv>ive dn'hc* which near.y »nfc|-ede<l. but I'icv were nltimatelv m .-ended, (",!■■..iV. next score bTlicVa <ame f-.--i :< powerful forward rush. Olw'to inarmed to keep Ih-m onl f„v a (inie. ll:.'!"b on various, occasions l!crli-!i-!. Abbott. Hicks and Goodwin were n-arlv over. The Inst named was to score with ilo.U'y run-\ but though

'••'; beat ievu_; „ rl -..., its some om vvai' sure to bring hi on down, liowtvcpr, ailer a brief invasion of tliieir twentylivv by Hid, ,'iuiian and Oarey, his persistency wag rjwa-V-d, and' in quick s<i.'i.'es=;on he sc-oriii three trios'—one after a -dash on his on account, the next from a pass by Kupe, and the last after a tnilian: pas:-)iug movement in which the whole ji M Clifton backs took part, Non, of these was converted. From a p.t.sieg rusa V. Tate tcorcd Clifton's '.ast try. .

TARANAKIRUGBY UNION. A meeting of the Management Committee of tli", Taranaki Rugby Union was held at .Stratford on .Friday night, when there were present: Messrs. Jas. McLe.od (chairman), A. L. Humphries, F. Moore, A. Lees, Jas. Garcia, R. Masters (trcas.), and P. Skutdttnd (sec).

PLAYERS KEPORTED. 0. West, referee in the Tukapa-Clif-ton junior match, reported Spurdle, of the latter club, whom he had ordered off for questioning His decision. The player was cautioned.

0. West, referee in the Star 111. v Clifton 111., reported that he had ordered off J. Utigcr, of the former club, for disputing hisGlecision and having used bad language.—Suspended pending receipt of a reply from the player, when the matter will be dealt with.

J. G. Grant, referee in the Kaponga v. Hawera junior match at Hawera, on June 20th, reported that after the match Andrews, of the former club, had made use of abusive language to him, and also with threatening behaviour. He had also reported Wm. Grant, of the Hawer* team, whom he had put off for retaliating on an opponent. Both players were suspended pending an explanation, when the matter will be dealt with. Tnu referee also reported two Kaponga barrackers for inciting the Kaponga team not to take the field again him and for abusing him., Had the occurrence taken place on the Kaponga ground, the Union would probably have disqualified the Kaponga ground. It was resolved, however, to write and draw the Kaponga Club's attention to the class of supporters that are following their junior team, and that if it is not discontinued the Union will take steps to prevent the practice. It was resolved to suspend A. Standard, of the Inglewood juniors, reported by Mr. 0. West, for striking an opponent, for one month from the date of the offence. REINSTATEMENTS.

A number of applications for re-in-statement to a lower grade were received, but as none, can lie dealt with after the conclusion of the first round, the action of the secretary in refusing them was confirmed The follow'ng reinstatements, applications for which were made prior to the conclusion of the first round, were granted:—Kaponga, senior to first junior, M. Syran; junior to second junior, T. Mellow and 11. Espiner. Stratford: Senior to first junior. F. McDnvitt; first junior to second junior, A. Cameron. Clifton: Senior to first junior. W. Fisher. Hawera: Senior to first junior, J. Burke.

J. Carmody was granted a transfer from the Kaponga Club to the Hawera Club. The secretary of the Star Club asked the Rugby Union to discuss the question of reinstating as an amateur P. Allen, a youth at present playing Northern Union.—Resolved that the Management Committee has no jurisdiction. The Kaponga Club wrote protesting against the unsportsmanlike action of tlie Waimatc Club in reinstating a batch of several senior players to first junior for the purpose of defeating-their first junior team on Saturday, June 13.—1t was resolved to forward a copy of the letter to the Waimate Club and ask them for an explanation of the reinstatements referred to. TIIK COASTAL UNION.

The secretary of the Kaspcr Cup competition wrote asking if it would be possible to play a match with a town team at New Plymouth after the club fixtures. He suggested either a representative town team or the champion Saturday team or the champion Saturday team. He also asked that a return match should be played later on at Kahotu, and that the proceeds of one of the matches should be donated towards the Tamu fund.

It was resolved to ask Tukapa and Star to pick a team to play the coa.stal representatives home and home matches, the proceeds to be donated to the Tamn fund.

A PROTEST. The Clifton Club protested against the match wim by Tukapa first juniors against Clifton on the grounds that Tukapa played L. Wliitakcr who represented the province against Wairoa SubUnion, wliie.li, under this rules of the, liiion, debarred such a, player taking part in any lower contest during the season.

Mr. D. Malono, one of the selectors, rXated that he had chosen Wliitakcr at the last moment to fill a vacancy, and had given him to understand that it woiild not iill'eet his status as a junior. - It was resolved to explain this to Clifton, and not to uphold the protest.

THE PLAY-OFF MATCHES. The secretary of the Clifton Club "irrote. forwarding a resolution to the effect that two matches should be played to decide the Xorth-South championship, viz., home and home matt-lies, and one on neutral ground if necessary. —lt was decided to thank Clifton for the suggestion, and to regret that the. scheme could not be put into effect this season ow : ing to so many representative matches.

ft was decided that the executive have power to arrange the play-off between the northern and southern division grade winners as soon as the result of the competition is known. In the event of Stratford winning the north end the match was fixed for Hawera, and should Clifton win, it will take place at Stratford.

CENERAL. The secretary of the Southland Rugby Union notified thai the match against Taranaki on August 17 would be a cluillenge match for tlie Ranfurly Shield. Mr. F. Spurdlc, referee in the Star 'II. v. Tnglcwood 11. match, reported that owing to the heavy downpour of rain he had decided that the weather was unfavorable, and accordingly postponed the match.—Tt was resolved to play the match after the conclusion of the second round. The New Zealand Rugby Union forwarded £l2 for the encouragement of school football.—Tt was resolved to vote £(] to the executive in each division. The Eastern Districts Sub-Union wrote agreeing to the Unioin's terms of affiliation and forwarding boundaries of the proposed districts. Votes of thanks were accorded to Messrs J. Coodwin, L. Beamish and W. Cowpcr for their assistance in the Hawera matches, and they were granted complimentary tickets for the rest of the season.