FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME, RESULTS OF SATURDAY'S MATCHES. SENIOR. Star (6) v. Old Boys (3). Clifton (8) v. Tukapa (0). Okato (17) v. United (6). SECOND GRADE. Old Boys (20) v. Tukapa (3). United forfeited to Star. THIRD GRADE. High School A (27) v. Okato (3). High School B (0) v. Lepperton (0). FOURTH GRADE. j Star (12) v. High School D (0). High School C (6) v. Technical College (3). SENIORS. STAR (C) T. OLD BOYS (3). Star v. Old Boys seniors met at the Recreation Grounds ,on Saturday afternoon In a well contested irietch, which ended in a win for the former by six points to three, Whin the teams took Hie field, which was somvhat behind time, as several of tho Star players did not put in an appearance and emergencies had to be called up, the Oil Boys looked to have all the advantage In both weight and fitness, and even their opponents expected they would have an easy win. Old Boys kicked off with the light behind them, and though play in tho early stages was In neutral territory, the Whites had the advantage and for so early in the season showed signs,of combination and an understanding of each other. From a mark well outside the twenty-five yards line, Hughes made an attempt at goal, but the kick was a poor one. Cross-field play ensued, neither side having any advantage for a time until' all of a sudden the Star forwards mad© a formidable rush which was only sared Just in time by Sykes, who overtook the agressors and gathered in well. Shortly after this, Old! Boys were punished, and from a kick right In front of the posts, Jenkins who was playing a sure game at full-back, registered tho llvst score of the game, by sending the ball squarely between the posts. After the kick off the ball was returned to Boon, at fullback, who showed a. tendency to hold on too long and in consequence imperilled the position of his side on several occasions and brought play In dangerous proximity to the White lino This was relieved by a splendid passing bout between the Old Boys threequarters, who took the ball from their own twenty-five right to the corner near the black line, where Macdonald was held just tn tiino to prevent a score. A little Inter Star had a splendid opening in a clear field, with eeveral of their players close on tho leather, but fumbling and indecision nullified their chance, and half time was called. Just prior to this, Tunbridge, who had been playing in/place of Hartman, retired, on account of having hurt his shoulder.

On resuming. Hart/nan filled the vacancy, and both sides attacked In turn- with some vigor. A series of scrums followed In quick succession, until -Sykes made another opening and was being backed up well when Jenkins saved splendidly, and brought the ball back to the twenty-five line. Star played much better than in the first half, and got themselves cut of a tight comer on more than one occasion. Old Boys' forwards however attacked with fine dash, and took the ball to their opponents' end of the field.' When It came back to mid-fteld, Jenkins had another shot from a penally, but the attempt was charged down. Sykes secured, and came with a great rush, and on being tackled passed to Whittle, w)\o returned to Ills captain, and tho attack was just arrested when dangerously near tho line at the corner. From the line cut Sykes secured again, ami drdged through the field to score a splendid try close to the posts. Hughes tool; the kick too easily, and the hall fell just under the bar. Prom the return after (he kickoff Star were obliged to force, but. shortly aflor they carried the hall well down the flsld. and Iran a penalty Jenkins dropkicked a splendid goal from just Insiile halfway. Time was called Immediately after the kicked off. .Mr. W. Roeh was referee,

CLIFTON' (8) v. TUKAPA (0). Clifton and Tukapa met at Waltaro, and n very strenuous and evenly contested game took place. Clifton were at full strength, with the exception of 51. Cain, but Tulcupa were without Brown, and also played some emergencies owing to sickness. The result of the match, which Tukapa won l>y eight points, was a surprise to enthusiasts, who fully expected the heavy Clifton team to run over the town players.. Prom the kick-off, the blue forwards attacked hard, and being well supported by accurate kicking from the backs, held the upper hand for the first portion of the spell. Clifton's weight gradually forced play into Tukapa territory, and pfter about, half an hour's play Hie ball was booted high towards the corner flag. Oliver and Burns both went to take the ball, and in consequence of the misunderstanding, the 'aucr player was collared and lost possession. P»r. nial promptly snapped up the -leather nnd got well over. Colman converted with a good kick. Just before haf-time, Coutts (Clifton) was heavily tackled by Crone, and fell, breaking his ankle. C. Stewart camo on as a substitute Play was of a very even nature until ha IN time, there being no further score. On resuming Clifton rushed play to the Tukapa twenty-five, and desperate efforls were made by Colman and Goodwin to get over The efforts were re3ultless, owing to the all-round splendid tackling of Tukapa, Taylor and Allen led the blue forwards back past half-way, nnd from penalty kicks, G. Hooker narrowly missed goallng on two occasions. Tukapa kept tip the pressure, and weak play by Goodwin .and S. George let Tukapa right on to Clifton's line. Bedford and Taylor both harrowly missed scoring With :i few minutes to go Clifton forwards, led by Puller and Smith, came away with an irresistible rush, and play was very strenuous on Tukapa line. Prom the ruck the ball was rushed over. Several plavers on both sides dived for It, but McDavlt't (Clifton) just got in first. Colman failed to convert. Clifton 8, Tukapa nil. After an Interchango of kicks, Atkinson (Tukapa) secured the-ball in his own twenty-five, and made a great run almost to the Clifton line before being brought down. The ball was brought back to half-way, when the whistle sounded. Mr. J. Johnson refereed.

OKATO (17) v. UNITED (6). United journeyed to Okato and suffered defeat by 17 points to C. after a fast game, which was mostly a struggle between the forwards. Okato were attacking practically the whole of the first spe.l, which ended with the snore six to three. During the second spell play was more even, but the country team made more use of their opportunities, and scored three, tries to their opponents' one. The game was very strenuous, there being several brief spells through temporary disablements. Okato at once attacked, good play by Eustace and V. Corbett gaining ground, but Harvey lined. Okato forwards pressed hotly, and a series of serums ensued under Unlted's goal, where Todd got off-side. Eustace landed a nice goal from the penalty. An Infringement by the locals let United to near halfway, but O'Sullivan, Corbett, Andrews, and Espin brought play back, Manu checking It. Corbett, McCarthy, and Eustace took part In a passing rush, which failed at the critical moment, and United were forced. Gush, Huggins, Koea, and Reed removed plav to near half-way, but a marifc.by Pox drove thorn back. Three free kicks to "United gave needed re- j lief, hut fumbling by 'their backs nullified, until Manu lined. Eustace, McCarthy audi Co. came to the attack • again, but'Tito checked. A moment lateifvileCarthy was nearly over, being held up onNthe line by Skipper. Okato continued to press, and United were forced twice. Then' Pollock, getting offside, Eustace landed another fine goal. Frances, Koea. Harvey, Manu, and Tito carried play back to mldfleld, whore Lealand made a dash, but. was collared by Pox. and Okato were back again, Eustace narrowly missing a score from a miss-kick by j Gush. Johnson was responsible for United getting within striking distance for the first time. Harvey attempted to pot. Smith did not forre, but returned the ball into play, and from an infringement, Harvey landed a nice goal on the call ,of time. Pollock and Prances led United to the Uventy-tivo on resuming, and Harvev, Gush, Zealand, Tito, and Manu, handling well, Okato bad an anxious time, but Fox secured, nnd streaking up Held, lined at the 25. Okato forwards then pressed, and Fox and V. Corbett were nearly over, two forces resulting. Ploy was now very fast. Koru, Koea, and Reed took play to half way, where Lcalnnd gathered up. and streaked for the line, but was well taken by Anderson. E. Corbett, Shotter, and O'Sullivan carried play to neutral ground, where Manu lined. From the line out Okato got moving,, and the rush ended in V. Corbett scoring at the corner. Eustace made a good but unsuccessful attempt to goal. After a bout of.'even play, Shotter Intercepted n United pass and sent the hall Oi t» EuitttOJ, who was collttid Mr Vtnnu,

L ?, v , asult '" B - A llttlc 'at"- McCarthy oioss kicked, and V. Corbett taking nlceiv, I imea over. Fix converted. Soon after i S\ m ? n nited set ~n a heft y rus1 '. which ' endedl in Tito scoring at the corner. Harty failed io goal. United came again, .' ut a speculator which rebounded let the iota! team through, and from a forward rusli l.orbett scored, Fox failed to goal The game ended soon after with Okaio 17, United •>• Mr. B. Petty referecd.