FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL

CUP COMPETITIONS, SOME SPLENDID MATCHES, STRATFORD DRAW WITH CLIFTON. Tl:e football competition was continued in Taranaki on Saturday under tine weather conditions. Play generally was of a very open character, and reached a high standard, some of the games played providing exhibitions that have seldom been excelled in Taranaki. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. A SENIORS. Clifton 3 v. Stratford 3. Tukapa 10 v. Okaiawa 0. Hawera 8 v. Waimate 3. Kaponga 27 v. Opunake G. B SENIORS. Inglewood 6 v. Old Boys 3. Okato 3 v. Eltham 3. A GRADE. CLIFTON (3) v. STRATFORD (3). The game between Clifton and Stratford, which was played at Waitara on Saturday in the presence of a fair attendance of spectators, proved one of the best exhibitions of football that has been witnessed in Taranaki for years. The teams were very evenly matched, and as both were out to make the game open throughout, the play was of a sparkling nature that delighted the spectators. The result was a draw, and on the day’s play it about indicated the merits of the teams. It was early seen that Clifton were securing the ball from the serums, and fast up and down play ensued until Ross secured and passed to Colman, who was just in front. Stratford, both back and forward, took a hand, but Hicke~ and then Kingston saved. Fast following up saw Clifton forwards swarm over the line, but Hamnson was able to kick to touch in goal. Then Masters and company rushed again, but Hickey secured and centred. Stratford were all out of position, but Goodwin was unable to gather up. A moment later the Clifton wing sailed for the line and beat several men, but was ultimately downed. Clifton kept up the pressure, long kicks bj* their backs badly fielded by the reds ultimately ending in play near Stratford’s line, where Ross sh. he ball to Hickey, who streaked over ; corner. Colman failed to goal. Later k • cnade a great run, and the ball passed via Hampson, Lamplough to McKenzie, who fatted to take, and a chance went. Stratford backs now gave a taste of their quality, and all handling nicely. Penniail was just collared by Kingston at ti e corner. Stratford kept up the pressure, Kivell and Masters being prominent, but Ross and company were sound in defence and cleared. Fast play ensued. Kivell, Masters, Coulton and McCullough carried Stratford to Clifton’s twenty-five, where Kingston lined. A rebound assisted Stratford, and a passing bout by Berg, Gray. Lamplough and McKenzie carried play to Clifton’s line, and In the resultant scramble McKenzie equalised the score. The Clifton team were hot at the attack again as half-time sounded with the score three all.

On resuming Clifton forwards, led by Campbell, Soffe, and Fuller, at once pressed, but Collins, after fumbling. cleared, and the Stratford forwards again took a hand, Ross cleverly saving. From a free kick Collins had a shot which fell short, and Ross being smothered, Lamplough secured and shot to Gray, who kicked, a force resulting. Scene heady work by Campbell put Stratford on the defensive, but their backs opened out and Penniail was just collared on the line by Jones. Twice in a few moments Goodwin roused the Clifton supporters by dashing runs that gained much ground, but after a dangerous period Stratford were able to clear, and Kivell, Masters and company set up a counter rush to past half-way. There Ross checked, and Soffe, Taylor, Young and Campbell charged down again. Ross then set Hickey moving, and Taylor kicking high Wilson failed to take the ball. Clifton swarmed over the line, but Stratford were able to force—a lucky escape. Then Stratford attacked, and kept moving, and a strong rush by Hampson and Coulton culminated in Hickey forcing. Up and down play followed until presently a pretty bout between Jones, Hickey and again Jones saw the ball kicked over Stratford's line, where Wilson secured, and instead of forcing kicked

out, Clifton nearly scoring in the resultant play. A little later the whistle sounded with the score:— Clifton , 3 Stratford 3 Mr. G. Hopkins refereed. TUKAPA (10) v. OKAIAWA (0). The meeting of these teams at Pukekura Park produced a bright and attractive display : probably it was the best senior game seen locally’ this season. Okaiawa had proved themselves one of the best teams in the competition, and their chances of success over Tukapa, with an .Inferior record this year, wore generally acknowledged to be pretty good. But football matches often produce surprises, and this one did. Tukapa piayed a splendid game, surprising their most ardent supporters, and “got home" to the tune of 10 points (two converted tries) to nil. They well deserved their win, though it cannot he said there were ten points difference In the merits of the respective teams. Tukapa’s win may be ascribed to their tactics in making the game an open one, their deadly tackling, and their fast following up, and—perhaps most important of all—to their splendid condition, which enabled them to attack and play as hard in the last ten (minutes as in the first ten. Okaiawa, on the other hand, made a mistake in generalship. Four out of five times they got the ball from the scrum. It was not whipped out to the backs, but the half would endeavor to get into the ruck, and so obtain the support of the forwards. Ln other words, Okaiawa endeavored to make a forward game of it—the sort of game, by the way, which has been responsible for their success this season —but Jn this instance, despite the holding nature of the ground, it did not come off. Had the policy been changed, after Its failure was seen, the game may have had a different ending. For Okaiawa have some splendid and resourceful backs, and their individual work at times was quite up to senior standard, but there was no concerted play. The Okaiawa forwards were good both In scrum and line work, and followed up well, but the nippier New Plymouth boys lost no chances in the open', and were always there or thereabouts. The two tries scored were the result of pretty play, and Tukapa are to be congratulated on the form they showed, the effectiveness of their defence, and the spirit of their attack. Okaiawa kicked off, and Dick Roberts brought play into Tukapa territory, but Ennis regained the lost ground. Then the Okaiawa forwards, playing with great dash, swept down field and Tukapa had to force. Dick Roberts had an unsuccessful kick from a penalty. Then the Tukapa backs took a hand and invaded the visitors' territory, and H. Oliver was un successful with a penalty kick. Presently McLean was nearly over. The Okaiawa backs now handled nicely. B. Roberts and Feta were prominent, and Laurent looked like scoring, but Wilson forced him out. Later the Tukapa forwards, headed by’ McAllum, Mclntyre, Wilson and I*. Allen swept down field with an Irresistible rush which ended in McIntyre throwing himself over the line. R. Hooker converted from a difficult angle, and half-time sounded immediately afterwards with the score: Tukapa 5, Okaiawa 0.

Early in the second spell Dick Roberts again led Okaiawa to the attack, and good work by the forwards, led *by Iki P.', brought play into Tukapa’s twenty-five. McLean let the ball out to Oliver, who raced along the line before passing in to Atkinson, who put in a good run but was unsupported. Later Okaiawa were penalised, but Hooker's kick was too low. Prlitr failed to handle the ball cleanly, and Okaiawa forward* Mrarnuui round in dnnxeroiis nrotfn-

ity to the Tukapa goal line, till R. Oliver cut ?.n and kicked. After a hotly contested period Tukapa scored again. H. Oliver secured possession and, side-stepping through the opposition, grounded the ball oehind the posts. Hooker made no mistake, with an easy kick. Immediately afterwards the game ended: — Tukapa 10 Okaiawa 0 Mr. W. Roeh refereed. HAWERA (8) v. WAIMATE (3)'. Hawera journeyed to Manaia, and after a keen contest gained the verdict by 8 points Io 3. In the first spell play was very even, each side scoring three points. Sutherland scored a try for Hawera. In the second spell Wilkinson scored a try, which Osborne concerted. KAPONGA (27) v. OPUNAKE (G). As was anticipated, Opunake were no match for Kaponga. Opunake kicked off, and the Kaponga threequarter line at once got to work, and In a good passing rush the leather went out well in the Opunake twenty-five, and soon Mick Lynskey secured and got over. Malone’s kick went wide. Opunake attacked for a brief spell, and then Opunake forwards had to meet the attack of the Kaponga forwards, and were forced. Soon after the Kaponga rear division started a passing rush, and Malone scored, converting with a good kick. Kaponga at once returned to 'the attack, and Opunake were playing hard to defend their goal line. After keeping up the pressure Horgan broke through and Kilpatrick’s kick failed. Then pi gently Opunake attacked again, and Bowman scored between the posts for Opunake. The kick at goal went wide. Kaponga at once set up a rush, and Fitzgerald, after a tricky run, got over. The kfck failed. Hard play then took place close on Opunake's line, and Thoumine got over. The kick failed. A fine piece of passing now took plr.ee between the home backs, and Lynskey scored again aud Scott converted. At half-time the score was: Kaponga 22, Opunake 3. On changing over Kaponga attacked, and had Opunake vigorously defending. There was some hard play in mid-field, when gained a slight advantage. Kaponga were here penalised, and Lusk found the uprights. The opposing forwards were playing hara m the loose when Baylis was injured and had to be carried off the field. Kaponga forwards were holding the Opunake forwards in their twenty-five, when Dimmock broke through and scored between the posts and converted his try. The game ended:— Kaponga 27 Opunake 6 Mr. Neilson refereed. B GRADE. INGLEWOOD (G) v. OLD BOYS (3). Inglewood met Old Boys at New Plymouth, the game resulting in a win for the former by 6 points to 3. Shortly after Old Boys kicked off, Inglewood had them defending their goal, and were attacking in force. Coutts (Inglewood) headed the forward rush following a long kick. Old Boys defended gallantly, and were penalised Ln their own twenty-five, uoutts.’ kick falling short. Old Boys then set up an offensive movement and took play into their opponents’ territory, where Bruce had a shot and missed. The Ihglewood ■ forwards used their weight to advantage and forced Old Boys back again into their own ground, and Were granted a penalty near the twenty-five line. Coutts put the ball over. Old Boys then attacked, and drove their opiionents back, a penalty being granted them for off-side play. Dolle missed the goal. Play hovered near tne Old Boys’ line for several minutes, the reds attacking hard. A scrum followed, and Old Boys secured the leather and took it to their opponents’ twenty-five, where Sykes, just, getting away, was stopped by Coutts, who kicked it to the other end. A splendid passing rush was started by Sole (Old Boys) who let it out to Bruce, Sykes and Whittle, the latter losing it In an attempt to get It back to Sykes. Hard play followed about ten yards from Inglewood’s line, where Old Boys were granted a penalty. Wynyard feinted with a short punt, regained the ball and rushed over. H’s kick failed. This made the score even. Hard scrummages took place in mid-field until halftime sounded with the score: Inglewood 3, Old Boys 3. Immediately after resuming Old Roys made play fast and open, and the backs organised a passing rush to Inglewood’s line, the latter being forced. From the twenty-five yard kick the Old Boys made another gallant effort to get through, and Bruce was doing well, when through lack of Immediate support he was downed near the line. Further hard play ensued In mid-field, apd Inglewood forced their opponets’ team back to their own territory, where a scrum took place, a line kick relieving the situation for Old Boys. From a scrum Old Boys gained the advantage and took the ball to three-quarter way. but It was sent back immediately. A mark by Wynyard relieved another awkward situation. Another passing rush was stopped by Inglewood backs in their own territory, where DolJe (white) had a shot and missed. Inglewood gained the advantage from a scrum and carried play to the oppoosite area, where Coutts put a beautiful kick over from nearly half-way. Old Boys livened up and made 11 determined rush, but the superior weight of the Inglewood forwards told, and play was transferred back to their own territory. O’Carroll (Inglewood) amidst tense excitement, got away and fought hard for a tn’ near the corner, but without success. A penalty again saved Old Boys goal. Several further attempts to score were made by Old Boys, but with no result, and the whistle sounded with the score:— Inglewood . 6 Old Boys 3 Mr. F. Hooker refereed. ELTHAM (3) v. OKATO (3). Eltham and Okato met at Rahotu, wheje a very close and Interesting game resulted in a draw, each team scoring three points. McClymont scored a try for Eltham, while Okato kicked a penalty goal. Mr. Voullalre refereed. NORTHERN DIVISION. SECOND GRADE. Clifton defeated Old Boys’ team by 18 to 5 at Western Park. THIRD GRADE. Tukapa forfeited to High School A. FOURTH GRADE. Old Boys (19) defeated High School D (3). .Ugh School C beat Star 16-9. ) CENTRAL DIVISION. HIRD GRADE. Eltham and Stratford District High School ; met at Stratford, the game resulting in a draw, neither side scoring. FOURTH GRADE. At Eltham the local team defeated Ingle--1 wood by 15 points to G. Mr. H. A. Nuttall . refereed. SOUTHERN DIVISION. I SECOND GRADE. I 1 At Alton the local juniors defeated Hawera by 3 points to nil. 1 Opunake juniors defeated Patea by 6 points to FOURTH GRADE. Hawera defeated Hawera Technical College i I by 28 points to nil. » I At Kaponga, Kaponga defeated Waimate by r|B points to nil. For the winners Des Forges] 1 iscored and converted hl* *** "’’d also kicked] . 1 n penalty gcat.

DOMINION REPRESENTATIVES.

THE TRIAL MATCHES, L I*7 Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, June IS. Tn connection with the selection of the North Island team, it Is stated that players other than those whose names have been published are to be considered for places in the test match. Possibles v. Probables, to be played at Wellington after the inter-island fixture. This means there is a possibility that players who do not participate in the North v. South Island team may play against the South Africans. Messrs. G. Nicholson (Auckland), A. J. Griffiths (Wellington), and D. Stewart (Otago) have been appointed selectors of the New Zealand team. Mr. J. W. Stead (Southland), the well-known ex-All Black, has been asked by the New Zealand Union to act as coach to the New Zealand representatives. WELLINGTON MATCHES. Wellington, Last Night. Rugby results are: Marist 24 v. Selwyn 3; Oriental 16 v. Wellington 8; Poneke 6 v. Berhampore 5; Athletic 14 v. University 11. SPRINGBOKS PLAY IN MELBOURNE. GOOD COMBINATION SHOWN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received June 19, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, June 19. The Springbok footballers, a few hours after their arrival, met and defeated a Victorian team by 51 points to nil. The visitors showed fine combination and swiftness. THE LEAGUE GAM?. _ f QUEENSLAND BEAT NEW ZEALAND, A POOR DISPLAY. Received June 19, 5.5 p.m. Brisbane, .lune 19. At League football Queensland beat New: Zealand by 8 points to 3. In the New Zealand team Saunders and Bass replaced McElwce and I’aki, and in the l Queensland team Fraunfelder, Ryan and Kreutzer replaced Frewln, Bath and Johnson; otherwise the teams were the same as last Saturday. The attendance was eleven thousand, ancL the weather was fine. Promptly from the pack near the line Walters crossed over, but Davidson failed to convert for New Zealand. As the outcome of a passing rush Flanagan forced through New Zealand's lines, and Paten kicked a goal. A fast, strong game followed, but delay was caused by Davidson being outed, .and when l:e resumed he was shaky. Polson spurted, nut Mcßrian smartly intercepted. Broadfoot shortly after fumbled a pass and missed a sure try. Davidson grassed Paten, wJfifdailed to play the ball, and a certain try was lost. Laing was clearly the best of the blacks. Fairly even piny followed, no score resulting for nearly thirty minutes, and Queensland led at half-time by 5 to 3.