FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP. SHIELD RETAINED BY HAWERA. A FAST GAME. I The third meeting between Hawera and Clifton drew a crowd of 2000 spectators to the Recreation Grounds, New Plymouth, on Saturday afternoon, and after a keen struggle for the Rugby premiership of Taranaki—the two previous matches between these teams Having resulted in drawn games—Hawera won | by 14 points to 6. Mr. G. Hopkins made his re-appearance, with the whistle after several years absence, and showed that he had lost none of his old true skill In controlling the game. The "maw opened sensationally, Clifton opening w'i'- tiic sun against them, attacked from (he .-, line kick by Pennlail finding touch j|p. i> corner, and in a scramble their fir ere nearly over, and George being aw,., ', mark under his own goal, though the . • appeared to come from his own team, i Taylor landed a fine coal. Clifton 3 Hawera 0 West then led Hawera past the half-way, but Sheahan returned smartly, and Robertson fumbling, gave Hawera an anxious time as Clifton pessed,- but clever play by West and Wilkinson and Patterson held them in check until Wills and Robertson went for the ball together, and lot Waitara through, but Ca'meron came quickly to the rescue. Hawera backs then gained a. lot of ground with passing rushes, but Clifton forwards, aided by good kicking by George and Pennial brought It back to Ilawera'S: 25, where Taylor got away, ball at foot.,' George set his men moving, and Tate was crowded out at the corner, as was PomiUll a little later. Clifton kept up the pressure until Ryan marked, but Robertson failed to find the Hue. McDevitt then marked for Clifton, and G. Taylor landed a beautiful goal, amidst great applause from Clifton supporters:— Clifton 6 Hawera • Ffawera forwards with Fogarty, West, Day and Hunt in the van invaded Clifton's 25, but an Infringement lot Coutts line near ,raid-fleld. Whlttiogtoii then started a passing move that carried play across the field, where Robertson, kicking high, followed up fast and smothered Tate, and in the resultant scramble, Patterson scored in the corner, and West, with a magnificent kick, added the major points. Clifton „ 6 Hawera , 5 Cameron set Hawera attacking again, but the Clifton pack came back with a rush that could not get past Cameron, who set hlB back moting again, but K. George, who was playing solidly, Intercepted, and a hot forward rush led by Hicks, Fuller and Cain had Hawera defending ■'until a long line kick by West drove them back, as did Wills, and Robertson later. Hawera had the better of the closing stages, their backs throwing tho ball about in dangerous proximity as halftime was called. * On resuming, Hawera backs started to throw the ball about, hut Sheahan intercepted and streaking down field Clifton looked like scoring, but Sheahan' failed to pass out. Clifton now made tho game open, George breaking through smartly. Goodwin and Penniall in turn streaked for the line, hut were collared. Patterson, and Cameron putting in some solid defensive work. Clifton now swarmed round the Hawera goal, the ball being shot to Coutts who made a great run, but was smartly tackled by Wills as he crossed the line, losing the ball, n force resulting. Clifton were quickly back again, Taylor nearly getting over, whilst a moment later, from a passing move, Goodwin streaked, but was well taken. Fogarty lined near half-way. Again from the scrum, the ball travelled via George, Coutts, Sheahan, and Tate to Goodwin, who 1 failed to take cleanly, and then the scene changed as from the resultant scrum, Spratt shot the leather to Cameron, who lined and then a well-judged kick by Ryan carried play J to the corn ?r. where fraai the line out, Fogarty, Spratt, and Hunt rushed the ball over the line, tho latter scoring. West failed to goal.

Hawera 8 Clifton 6 Hawera hacks came again, Whittington being well taken by Jones, and the Clifton pack retaliated hotl", but were kept in check by good line kicking on the part of Wills, and Cameron. Tho Hawera forwards, pressing hotly, rushed the bull to the dead ball line, where Hunt was injured. Wilkinson placed his team in a good attacking position. Whittington just failed to .score from a passing rush, a force resulting. Spratt then made a nice opening, but Wilkinson could not reach the ball, and from a mark, West just failed to. goal. Good defensive play by George, Coutts. and Shei'.han kepi the southerners out, and then Clifton forwards gined the upper hand. Fast following up rinsed Wills to hurriedly line. Then a passing Itout by Clifton was intercepted by Wilkinson, who kick high, and Robertson spoiling Lash's return a great race for she ball saw Spratt touch down. West failed to goal. Hawera H Clifton 6 Almost on resumption, Ryan secured and cutting through, scored a beautiful try. West's was charged down. Hawera 14 Clifton . 0 Hawera now appeared to be playing all orer their opponents, and 0. Murphy was nearly over. Taylor being temporarily put nt action. The Clifton forwards, headed by McDevitt came again, but ltobertson checked and set up a counter move that ended in Wilkinson being collared near the comer. Taylor and McDevitt then headed a strong J Clifton rush that was not checked until within ten yards of Hawera line, and from a nice | opening by Fuller, Jones was nearly over. Coutts then smartly marked. Taylor just failing to goal. From then to the finish, play was up and down field, neither side increasing their score. THE CURTAIN-RAISER. CLIFTON (14) v. STRATFORD D.H.S. (5). The third grade match between Waitara and Stratford District High School to decide (he honor of meeting Kapouga for the provincial championship was played as a curtainraiser. The School boys were very light and nippy, but the Clifton forwards, who had a big advantage in weight broke through time and again. In tho first spell, play was very even, Clifton scoring a try, which Rackley converted In the second spell the School boys put up a great fight, but Clifton were too superior. A nico passing rush ended in Hartley scoring fr,r Clifton, which he failed to convert. Then, from a forward rush, Telfar scored, his kick also failing. Then Stratford too!: a hand, Symes secured and kicked up the field. He followed up fast, and smothering Pennington, he secured again, and afier a nice run, scored in the corner. McAllister landed a line goal. Clifton forwards came again. Southall secured, and after a good run, passed to Telfar, who cut in and transferred back to Southerly, who scored, Rackley adding the points. Play ended shortly after with the score: Clifton 14, Stratford 5. Mr. F. Hooker refereed.WELLINGTON' BEAT CANTERBURY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Sept. IS. At Lancaster Park, a crowd of 6000 watched a game between Wellington and Canterbury, the visitors winning, after a very even game by 16 points to 13. AUCKLAND BEAT BAY OF PLENTY. Auckland, Sept. IS. In a Rugby match, Auckland defeated Bay of Plenty by 37 points to 16. The Auckland backs outclassed the visitors, who played a good game, which, however, was lacking in science. The acore at half-time was 16 isouii* m all la AiutiUud'ft favoi,