FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 296, 24 May 1915, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR COMPETITION. On Saturday the opening matches of the senior cup competition for I!HS were played in weather which was decidedly unfavorable. Rain set in before the matches commenced, and after holding oil" during the first, spoil came down very heavily towards the end of the game. Of the tin ■ee games set down for decision in the northern division, only one, that between Clifton and Tukapa, which was played on the old recreation ground at Waitara, took place. Neither Star nor Stratford were able to get a team. The match at Waitara resulted in a draw, eight points each, and on the day this was a satisfactory result. Neither team was as strong as last year. Clifton, who were captained by Abbott, having eight last year's players, whilst Tukapa, captained by Loveridge, had but, four. Play was on the whole good for such a day, the game being fast and willing, and the prospects for the season's play, judged by the calibre of the opening match, look bright.

CLIFTON 8 v. TUKAPA 8. Clifton, winning the toss, took advantage of the slight wind. Ward kicked off. 'Early in the game King injured his knee while stemming a rush by Carroll. Play then hung about midfield, both sets of forwards working hard. Hicks broke away, but was checked by Coutts. Abbott made a nice opening, passing to Eggleton, to Goodwin, who was held up on the line after a fine dasli. Forward play by both sides, in which Thomas, Hicks, Reid, Baigent (Waitara) and Perry, Ward, Broughton, and Bacon took part, was responsible for each side having a turn at defence. Here Wliittaker got off side, and Abbott had a long shot at goal, which fell short. Clifton attacked hotly, and Ilieks had a "pot," which failed to rise. The local forwards kept up the pressure, and Tukapa kicked to the dead ball line twice, onee as Tate, was falling on the ball. Skipper transferred play to mid-field, where a long kick by Loveridge had the 10.-als defending. After a hot rush by Broughton, Ward, Perry and Co., Skippj - pbked up, and, dodging two or three men, passed to Carrol, who scored, and Loveridge converted. Tukapa 5. Clifton nil.

Clifton attacked hotly, and ltyde failing to stem the tide, Reid, Hicks, an.l Thomas crossed the line, but the ball was kicked too hard, and reached the dead ball line. Carroll' was caught oil' side, and Abbott had another shot, which failed. A passing bput by Crowley, Abbott, Eggleton, and Goodwin kept the visitors busy, and, Crowley taking a clever mark, Abbott again had a resultless shot at goal. Clifton were having the better of the game, and kept the Tukapa men defending, but their citadel remained intact until just on half-time, when, from a line-out on Tukapa's line, Abbott passed to Hicks, who was collared low by Skipper, but grounded ' the ball. Abbott then converted. Clifton 5. Tukapa 5.

Tukapa attacked on resuming, and Ward made a line burst, being collared just in time. Tukapa backs opened out, Skipper, Mana, and Loveridge. putting in some line work. A long kick by Waka transferred operations to midfield. Crowley here passed to Abbott, but the latter hung on a fraction too long, and Clifton forwards could not be denied, and gave the visitors a hot time defending until, from a scrum, Crowley passed to Abbott, who transferred to Tate and the latter streaked in at the corner. Goodwin made a fine but resultless attempt to convert.

| Clifton 8. Tukapa 5. A weak kick-off had Tukapa in difficulties, but. Broughton, Ward, and Fuller temporarily relieved. Next moment Goodwin was just thrown out at the corner. From a scrum Skipper secured l and passed to Mana. Loveridge obtained possession, and, with a dodgy run, gained considerable ground, butfV. Tate saved. From a free kick Loveridge just failed to goal. The game became very willing, and Tukapa, making it open, forced Clifton twice in succession. A dodgy run by Goodwin was instrumental in Clifton again attacking, and King jimt failed to* score. From a scrum Skipper secured, and Skipper, Mana, Loveridge, Coutts, and Webster handling the wet ball well, Goodwin just held the latter up from scoring. A little later Webster centred, but Coutts just failed to gather up the leather, and the local forwards cleared, play reaching mid-field. Tukapa's chances of averting defeat looked gloomy, when, from a line-out, Perry secured, and when collared passed to Ward, who, with a surprising burst of speed, eluded the opposition and crowned a thirty-live yardsrun by grounding the ball near the post. Loveridge failed to goal. Tukapa 8. Clifton 8. I'rom the kick-ofr Tukapa attacked, and Perry forced his away over the line, but lost the ball, and Eggleton saved. There was no further score. Mr. W. Roche refereed satisfactorily. i WELLINGTON MATCHES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. On Saturday the results of Rugbv football play were:— I Trcntham A licit Poneke, 17 to 12; Trcntham B beat Wellington, 11 to fi; Petone beat Selwvn, 18 to 3; Trcntham C beat Oriental, li to 3; Athletic won from St. James' by default.

Association game:—Diamonds beat Corinthians, I to nil; Thistle beat Y.M.C.A. A, 4 to 1; Y.M.C.A. B beat Swifts, 2 to 1; Wanderers beat Rovers. 4 to 1. League Football:—Athletic beat Ilutt 22 to 12; Suburbs beat Petone, 8 to 5. AUCKLAND MATCHES. Auckland, Last Night. Matches yesterday were played in a light rain. Results':— Rugby Union:—City beat Ponsonbv, 9 to 3. College Rifles beat Parnell, ill to nil; Marist Bros, beat University. 8 to 0. League:—G-mfton and North Shore drew (7 points each); Otahuhu beat City, 2 to nil; Ponsonby beat Newton, 14 to 2.

Association:—Tabernacle beat Adult School, 2 to 1; Brotherhood beat Everton, 4 to nil; Y.M.C.A. and North Shore drew (2 goals each).