FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 314, 14 June 1915, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

TUKAPA 10 v. CLIFTON 0.

(Football was played on Saturday under winter conditions, rain falling nearly all the time. Consequently.though'both Clifton and Tukapa were represented by strong teams, the footlmll seen at Wca* tern Park was not of a very high order. The match throughout was strenuously contested: indeed, at times, it was rather more than strenuous, and two or three players were temporarily incapacitated. As a result of one incident near the end of the match, Whitaker (Tukapa) and Goodwin (Clifton) were ordered off the 'field. The game was mostly confined to the forwards, the greasy nature of the ball rendering it difficult for the backs to handle with any degree of certainty. The first spell was in the local team's favor, having the assistance of a good wind behind them, and ten points were notched by. Tukapa. ' (Perry, from near half-iVay, i dropped a magnificent goal. Later, Loveridge made a great run, and, when blocked, passed to Bacon, who fell over the line. Martin's kick just went under the bar. Towards the end of the spell, Whitaker followed up a high kick, which Clifton thought had gone out of touch, the lines being hardly discernible, and, racing nearly half the length of the field, he scored. Martin again failed to convert. The second spell was more even, both teams being within an ace of scoring on several occasion, but no further score was registered. Tukapa won by 10 points to nil. Mr, L. Humphries refcreed.

SATUEDAY'S PLAY AT AUCKLAND.

By Telegraph.—Press Association,

Auckland, Last Night. A football league seven-aside tournament was held yesterday by the Auckland Rugby League in aid of the hospital ship and war relief funds. Each of the senior clubs entered teams, but the final between City and North Shore was not played to a finish. It was commenced after live o'clock, and, with about a minute to go, a North Shore man was hint. His side was then leading by three points. It was so dark that play could 0 "ly be followed by the movements, of the white-clad referee. The crowd poured on to the ground, and the timekeeper rang the hell. The sum of .ILiS was taken at the gates, and an auction sale of the cup donated for the tournament "and several jerseys of historic value added a further £46.

No Rugby matches were played Association results:—North Shore and Talbernacle drew with one goal each, Brotherhood beat Y.M.C.A. three goals to two. Kvcrton beat Adult School by three goals to nil.

The Trentham Camp team casilv| defeated Auckland last Saturday by 15 points to 5. Auckland has "suffered

heavily from the war, and possesses very few of last year's reps., The Trentham team comprised no less than five who would have donned the jersey in Taranaki this year, namely, Roberts, Cameron, Taylor, flare (who'bails from Clifton) and S. Paul (Tukapa). The last-named scored one of Trentham's two tries. There was a large attendance at the match, and the hospital ship fund should benefit-to the extent of £3OO. If the team toured the principal centres of the North and South Mauds a considerable sum would be raised toward* tbe patriotic funds. Referring to tbe match tbe Auckland Observer says inter alia: In expectation of seeing a first-class exposition of our national game, and at tbe same time helping to swell tbe hospital ship funds, an attendance of about five thousand ' jougieyed to Eden Park last Saturday! to watch tbe chosen of the Trentham camp try conclusions with the Auck-1 land representatives. The game did not j provide the exhibition anticipated, but 1 developed, into a strenuous straggle in] which the physical fitness of Trentham gained a victory. The showing of ths local men came as a surprise, for they more than held their own -while condition lasted. Trentham were expected to give a splendid back display but their handling of the ball was" only of a moderate order. The same thing applies to the Auckland rear division. The local forwards at first beat their opponents in scrum and open work. The I hooker secured the ball ot'tener, but that advantage was lost through the faultv I handling of the ball. As a body the I Trentham backs were best, their line I kicking being much ahead of Roberts shone to greatest advantage, and proved dangerous both in attack »nd defence. He was the -best back on the ground. Keg. Taylor must have learnt some points: since he left Taranaki. Here he was always known as a hard, hut dean, player. The Auckland Observer, commenting on tbe wing forwards "says: Some of Taylor's methods are over the cdge_ altogether. 'Why bis tripping in midfield wa H allowed to pass unpunished is hard to understand. A. Stewart, Auckland wing forward, made desperate efforts to score. lie came, away in fine style repeatedly, and will, with

more weight and experience, be among the first flight in the position. His tactics were in marked contrast to those of Taylor.

In all probability the ball used during the Trent'iam-Auckland match will be sold by auction at a combined sports carnival to be held at Auckland. The

ball now has the autographs of all the Trcntham players on it. The Auckland Rugby League acted in a ven) sportsmanlike way in postponing all its fixtures in order to assist the funds of the match.