FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL

OPENING OF THE SEASON. CLOSE CONTESTS IN SENIOR GRADE. WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. The weather conditions for the opening of the cup competitions under the auspices of the Taranaki Rugby Union on Saturday were decidedly wintry, heavy rain falling untill close on the time fixed for the opening of the senior fixtures. While this did not interfere with the games, except to make the handling of the ball more difficult, it certainly interfered with the attendance. All the senior matches, particularly the A.grade, were keenly contested, there being little margin between the teams on points, indicating that there will be a keen struggle for supremacy. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. A Grade. Hawera 6 v. Stratford 6. \ Clifton 10 v. Opunake 8. Kaponga 5 v. Tukapa 3. Waimate 3 v. Patea nil. B Grade. Old Boys 11 v. Eltham 3. Star 7 v. Inglewood nil. SENIOR FIXTURES. A GRADE. STRATFORD (6) v. HAWERA (6). At the Stratford Showgrounds Stratford met Hawera, the winners of the senior competition last season, and a hard fought and interesting game resulted, ending in a draw, both teams scoring six points. Immediately prior to the commencement of the match heavy rain fell, making the field slippery, but during the match the rain kept off. There was a splendid attendance of the public. Hawera won the toss and kicked off, fairly even playing continuing for some time. Then, after a free kick for Stratford, Robertson (Hawera), got the leather and commenced a good forward rush, Cameron (Stratford) (making a good save. The Hawera backs early showed themselves to be a tough proposition and succeeded in repelling several attacks by Stratford. Hawera soon got the ball into Stratford territory, and the red and blacks made, a determined defence against their serious onslaught. At one stage Whittington (Hawera) got away with the ball and looked almost a certainty to score, but when just on the line, Collins, with a bit of luck, saved his side. Hawera next got a free kick and made a bid for a penalty goal but without success. A good deal of scrum play followed, and in this the Hawera hookers had the advantage over Stratford, getting the ball out in nearly every case. A loose forward rush by Stratford got them well into the enemy’s territory, and on being awarded a free kick, Collins, from nearly the halt-way line, kicked a goal off a no-charge ball. This put new heart into Stratford, and they followed It up with some splendid rushes, but at half-time the score was unaltered. —Stratford 3, Hawera 0.

On resuming Cameron (Hawera) got clear with the ball and got right to the line, when he was cleverly caught by Lamplougf, a force resulting. Soon after Kivell made an opening for Masters, who carried the ball into the Hawera territory, but the backs were again too solid to get through. Stratford’s forwards made repeated attempts to break through the line of defence, but it was not until McCullough got the ball after a scrum near the line that they were able to score again, Berg, by a piece of clever work, crossing the line. Collins took the kick but missed.—Stratford 6, Hawera 0. Hawera now began to press hard, and after a general scramble Robertson got over tte line, scoring their first try. The kick did not improve matters.—Stratford 6 Hawera 3. Almost immediately afterwards Whittington broke way with the ball, and Cameron managed to secure Hawera's second try, the kick again falling.—. Stratford 6, Hawera 6 With both sides even the game resolved itself into a detenmined struggle to snatch victory, and some excellei t work was put In, more especially by the Stratford forwards and the Hawera backs. However, by the time the whistle blew no alteration was made, and the game ended in a draw. The game was an excellent one from the spectator’s point of view, and the Result was a fairly good indication of the relative strength of the two teams, although if anything the advantage appeared to be slightly in favor of Hawera. Mr. Roch refereed. CLIFTON (10) V. OPUNAKE (8). For the first time in the history of football in Taranaki a team from Opunake visited Clifton, and fully justified their inclusion in tte A grade by putting up a strong fight against the runners-up in last year's championship. Clifton gained the verdict by 10 points to 8. The game was mainly confined to the forwards, the light, fast Opunake pack proving equal to their heavier opponents. Ross, the Clifton skipper, tried time and again to get hir. backs moving, but the machine would not act. the opposing forwards getting down very smartly.

The opening stages saw the game move up and down the field, first one side then the otter pressing hotly, but the defence proved too good, and no score resulted. Campbell.. Soffe and Taylor were prominent for Clifton, and O’Rourke and Bayliss for Opunake. Radford (Opunake) had resultless shots from a penalty and a mark. Clifton forwards then compelled Opunake to force. Jones and then Goodwin essayed to score, but Rye, King and Walshe saved. Clifton kept up the pressure and Ross tried to get his backs moving, but without result. An opening by Lusk saw Opunake attack, and Radferd had another resultless shot. Clifton again attacked, and Brophy failing to take the ball, Tanner scored. Qeorge failed to goal. Almost immediately Brophy again failed, and McDavitt scored, George just failing to goal. Half-time: Clifton 6, Opunake 0. On resuming Clifton again attacked, and scrum after scrum took place on the line. Ross essayed to pass out, but a knock on spoilt the move. Finally Colman shot the ball to Ross from a scrum, and that heady player dropped a nice goal. A moment later Jones was well collared by Walshe just on the line. Opunake forwards cleared, and King placed them in a good position, and from a mark Radford just failed to goal. Opunake were now playing in fine style, and a passing bout by Radford, Lusk, King, Rye, Walshe and Duffy roused the enthusiasm of the spectators, the latter beinfe collared when dangerous. However, a moment later Radford landed a nice goal from a -mark. Play now ranged up and down field. Jones was over from a passing rush, but the ball had been thrown forward. Clifton kept up tte pressure, but like a flash the tables turned. Opunake forwards cleared, and Bayliss, kicking hard, followed up fast and secured, passing to Rye, who outpaced the opposition from half-way and scored under the posts. Radford goaled. Clifton made strenuous efforts to increase the margin, but the defence was able to withstand the strain, though Opunake were forced on a couple of occasions, once after a shot at goal by Colman. Mr. O. West refereed.

KAPONGA (5) v. TUKAPA (3). The ground at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, was we* - and sldppy' for the KapongaTukapa match, but the weather cleared just when th;- game was about to start. Considering the conditions both teams gave a good exposition of the game. The teams were fairly evenly matched, and tfough the game waa chiefly confined to the

forwards, the backs on both sides gave glimpses of good passing and kicking. Towards the end of the first half Malone gat over from a line-out near the line and converted his own try. Shortly afterwards H. Oliver kicked a goal from a mark. At half-time the scores were: Kaponga 5, Tukapa 3. No further addition was made to the score in the aecohd half. The advantage rested chiefly with Kaponga, but both teams were within an ace of scoring on several occasions. Tte match concluded: Kaponga 5, Tukapa 3. Mr. B. Petty refereed.

WAIMATE (3) v. PATEA (0), W’aimate and Patea met on the Waimate Club's ground at Manaia under fine weather conditions, and a closely contested and hard fought game resulted in a win for Waimate by 3 points to nil. Play was mostly confined to the forwards, though Patea indulged In some intermittent passing rushes, McKenna, Scully and Thompson participating. Half way through the first spell F. Wintei scored, the try not being converted. The issue was strenuously contested to the end, though in the latter stages lack of condition told its tale. There was no further score. Spratt played a great game In the forwards for the losers, whilst McKenna, Thompson and Scully were the pick of the backs. For Waimate, Birchall, McKay and the Winter brothers were prominent in the pack, and Badley, Hughes and Haynefc among the backs. During the game McKenna (Patea) and Birchall (Waimate) were injured and had to retire. Mr. A. F. Neilson refereed. B GRADE. f OLD BOYS (11) v. ELTHAM (3). The Old Boys-Eltham match was played at Elthaun in dull weather. Old Boys defeating tte home team by 11 points to 3 after a good game. The scores fairly indicate the differe ice in the teams. A feature of Eltham’s play was that the backs collared well. Old Boys opened the game, and after several scrums and loose play Eltham were penalised for off-side play. Soon after it was evident that the visitors had more combination than the home team, and this was demonstrated by several splendid passing rushes, which brought play close to Elttam’s goal line. After some hard play Boon scored for Old Boys, and the kick at goal failed. Eltham now played strenuously and pressed the visitors hard on their line. Old Boys were here penalised for off-side play, which gave Benton an opportunity to kick a good goal. The ball travelled up and down the field in quick succession. The open play suited the visitors' backs, and Boon broke through and scored his second try. Half-time: Old Boys 6, Eltham 3. The visitors relied on their combination and made the game willing, but the excellent collaring of, the Eltham team saved the situation on several occasions, Benton being especially prominent. Eltham were hard pressed defending their goal line, and presently Sykes broke through and scored. Hughes kicked a good goal. Both teams were now tiring, and showed want of more training, and some ragged play ensued. Soon after the whistle sounded with the ’scores: Old Boys 11, Eltham 3. Mr. A. H. Guy refereed. STAR (7) v. INGLEWOOD (0). The match between Star and Inglewood, at Inglewood, was a closely contested game, and the difference between the teams is guaged better by the details of the score, which show that Inglewood's lino was only crossed once, the other points being made up by a goal from the field by Tulni. The Inglewood team showed good promise, the forwards being particularly good, carrying more weight than the Star vanguard.

NORTHERN DIVISION. SECOND GRADE. STAR (5) V. OLD BOYS (0). This game was played at Pukekura Park as a curtain-raiser to the Kaponga-Tukapa match. The game resolved itself into a contest between the opposing forwards. Concentrated work between the backs was well nigh impossible. Near the end of the first spell Buttimore scored for Star from a passing rush, Sims converting. The score was not increased in the second half, and the game ended: Star 5, Old Boys 0. Mr. Johnson refereed. CLIFTON (9) v. TUKAPA (3). The match between Clifton and Tukapa at W’estern Park resolved itself into a forward game, and it was mainly on account of some superiority in that department that Clifton got the verdict by 9 points to 3. For the winners Telfar kicked a goal from a mark and H. Jury scored two tries. Tukapa's score was a penalty goal by Morrison. Mr. L. Goodacre was referee. THIRD GRADE*. At the racecourse the New Plymouth High School A team beat Star by 48 points to nil. The scorers were: Abbott, Foden and Barak each three tries, Brown two, Beattie and Taylor one. One try was converted by Foden, who also kicked a penalty goal, and Brown dropkicked a goal from the field. High School B had a bye, as Tukapa have withdrawn from this competition. FOURTH GRADE. Star won by default from Tukapa. High School D beat Old Boys by 9 to 6. The match between High School C and Technical College was postponed by consent. Lepperton and Clifton drew at Waitara after a good game, neither side scoring. Mr. E. Claire refereed. CENTRAL DIVISION. SECOND GRADE. Toko beat Inglewood by 17 points to 3. For Toko tries were scored by C. Vaughan (3), Mather and Chaney, Matter converting one. Inglewood scored a penalty goal. Mr. J. H. Thompson was the referee. Tariki beat Strathmore by 3 points to nil, Rumball scoring the try. Mr. Clinchard was the referee. At Midhirst Stratford defeated Midhirst by 3 points to nil. THIRD GRADE. On Tuniata Park on Saturday Stratford defeated Eltham by 14 points to 6. Grubb, Nolan, Wilson and Grant scored tries for Stratford, while Collins converted one try. Pays and Rogers scored tries for Eltham. Mr. Tyrer refereed. At Toko Stratford District High School defeated Toko by 14 points to 6. FOURTH GRADE. The match between Stratford District High Sctool and Inglewood was not played on account of the heavy rain which was falling at the time it was to have taken place . Stratford Cadets beat Eltham at Stratford, by 10 points to nil. Arnold Brooking scored two tries for the winners, which were both converted by F. Dodd. Mr. C. Jackson was the referee. SOUTHERN DIVISION. SECOND GRADE. At Hawera the local team defeated Patea by 14 points to 3. FOURTH GRADE. In the fourth grade competition Waimate beat Hawera, at Manaia, by 9 to 0. At the meeting of the general committee of th- Taranaki A. and P. Society on Saturday, a request was received from the Old Boys Football Club for the use of the show grounds for matches. The application was referred to tte grounds committee.

ASSOCIATION GAME. GREAT CROWD FOR CUP FINAL HOTSPURS NARROW WIN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrt. Received April 23, 5.5 p.m. London, April 23. The cup final trek has commenced towards the Stamford Bridge ground, and it is estimated eighty-five thousand will watch Wolverhampton and Tottenham fight out the final, despite the travelling difficulties. The King and the Duke of York are expected to be present to see the game. The money will be £17,000, and it is estimated ihat 30 per cent, of the stand money will be paid by women, showing the bold football has taken among women in recent years.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received April 24, 5.5 p.m. London, April 23. Seventy-five thousand people witnessed the cup final. The King and the Duke of York were present. It rained heavily firior to the start and the ground was flooded in parts and in a deplorable state at the close. Hotspurs all through -showed themselves a more skilful side, but nevertheless they had to wait until the second Tialf for a score. Within eight minutes Dimmock, their outside left, registered with a low, well-directed shot from fifteen yards range, the only goal of the match. Their forwards were well together and their halves strong, while their backs were always sound. Wolverhampton Wanderers worked hard, but were always the inferior aide. Hotspurs won by a. goal to nil. There was tremendous enthusiasm at the finish, when the King presented the cup, which comes south for the first time in twenty years. The gate realised £16,256. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.