FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1918, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

j STRATFORD (7) v. OPUJTAKE (0). Cold, wintry weather prevented njany from witnessing the play-off for the Taranaki championship between the above teams. Opunake won the toss, but elected to play against a fairly stiff wind, and throughout the first spell the Greens were continually on the defensive, and it was only the determined tackling of Hic&ey, Brophy, and M'Sweeuey that prevented Stratford from piling up the score. As it was, Stratford obtained 7 points through the agency of N. Kivell's boot, the first score, a potted goal, being very smart. A loose Green rush carried the ball to Kivell, who gathered it from the Opunake men and sent it fair over the uprights. Later on, the s'tratford captain had a successful shot with a loug-range kick, and deserved the points. Whilst Stratford backs , showed a fair amount of combination, Opunake were woefully deficient in this respect, and in the second halE some changes were made, but without result, the game ending in Stratford's favor by 7 points (potted and penalty goals) to nil. Throughout play was interesting, hut undoubtedly the better team won, and were unfortunate on two other occasions in losing tries, Clemow being thrown out at the corner flag. Opunake had two solid tacklers in Fergusson (half) and Brophy (five-eighth) and a Maori, Tawhaku. M'Cullough was probablv the best forward on the ground W. Kivell, Terry, Butcher, and Canute were also conspicuous at times. Mr. Nielson was referee, and Messrs J. H. Thompson (Stratford) and J. Colman (Opunake) acted on the line. j ROVERS v. CLIFTON. A very interesting match was played at the Recreation Ground, Pukekura Park, yesterday afternoon, between the Rovers and Clifton. In the first spell, TO Skelton kicked a penalty goal and lioana scored a try for Clifton, and for the local team H. Cocker scored a try which was not converted. In the second half tries were scored for Rovers by G. Way and 0. Boswell. the former's score being converted by Oliver. Fuller scored for Clifton, but the try was not converted, and the game ended: Rovers 11, Clifton '9. Mr. X. Howell was referee. GRAMMAR SOFTOOL BT2AT 'PAtMERSTOX NORTH HIGH SOHOOL. The match at. Palmerston North on Wednesday between the Auckland Grammar School and Ralmerston North ITich School resulted in a win for Grammar by 12 points to nil.