FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE CUP COMPETITIONS, WINTRY WEATHER CONDITIONS. HAWERA DEFEAT PATEA. The first round of the matches in the A zrade was concluded on Saturday, when conditions were somewhat wintry, a cold wine accompanied by light rain making matters unpleasant for players and spectators. Hawera and Patea, two of the leading teanns, met at Patea, and the former winning, maintain second position, Patea dropping back into fourth place. Okaiawa narrowly defeated Stratford and maintain third position. In the B grade the three leading teams—Old Boys, Inglewood and Eltham—maintain their positions, though Inglewood had a close call. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIOR A. Hawera 8 v. Patea 3. Okaiawa 3 v. Stratford 0. Clifton 5 v. Kaponga. 3. Opunake 17 v. Waimate 0. SENIOR B. Old Boys 9 v. Star G v Inglewood 15 v. Lepperton 13. Eltham 18 v. Okato 3. POSITION DF THE TEAMS. With the first round concluded the position of the teams is as follows: Senior A.

SENIOR A, £AWERA (8) v. PATEA (3). Hawera and Patea met at Patea, and an Interesting match resulted, though play was somewhat marred by the wind and also by the rain that fell just prior to half-time and made the ball difficult to handle. The game was mostly confined to the forwards, and there were some good rushes in this department on both sides. Hawera backs handled the ball much better than their opponents, ana at times brought, off some good movements, but the tackling of the local team was good, and their defence was only successfully penetrated twice.

Playing with the wind behind them in the first spell, Patea forwards at once pressed, but Osborne, intercepting a pass front Cameron, was able to line. Then the Hawera pack took a turn and got dangerously close when Spratt marked. Patea kept up the pressure and compelled Jenkins to hurriedly line, and in a scramble Hawera forced just ahead of Spratt. Purcell set the Hawera backs going, but Cameron checked. Then for obstruction West had a shot which was beaten by the wind. Hawera returned to the attack and kept Patea busy, Robertson trying hard to force his way over on two occasions, once when two nrn were with him. After a series of scrums irnd a Hawera passing bout had broken down, Patea forwards were- able to clear, and charged down field. Jenkins fumbled the ball in the face of the Patea pack, and their backs threw the ball about, but a wild pass enabled Whittington to clear, 'men Wills sent the ball via Robertson and Wilkinson to Whittington, who was well tackled. Cameron then set Patea moving, but McKenna got in front of his man, as he did a moment later. Patea backs were making things interesting, and McLean centred, but the ball was forced. Play travelled fast up and down field, and some good work by Patea ended in F. McKenna getting over, but the ball had been passed forward and a free kick relieved. Hunt and Kerrisk rushed the ball back past Jenkins, and Robertson had to carry over to save. The Hawera forwards brought play to mid-field, and then Sullivan, Cameron and McKenna were associated in a bout of passing, but the transfer to Southcombe was wild. Hawera backs retaliated, Wilkinson being well ocllared, as was Robertson a moment later. Patea backs again threw the ball about, using both sides of the field, but the efforts lacked finish. Then McKenna and McLean did some good work, and the former essayed to pot, but the ball did not rise. Hawera forwards, headed by West, Murphy, and Sutherland, then transferred play to neutral territory, and Whittington carried it to Patea's twenty-five, but the local men had it back again. They were unable to score, however, and the spell ended without score. Hawera attacked on resuming, but like a flash Cruiekshank headed a forward rush that swept to Hawera's territory, where the Patea backs threw the ball about, and McKenna got over, but was again called back for offside play. A moment later Robertson just forced in time. Then fumbling by Thompson, the Patea full-back, let Hawera attack, and Wills sent the ball out to Purcell, who handed on to Robertson. The latter sent, it to Wilkinson, who ended a clever piece of play by scoring. West failed to goal. Crompton, Sullivan and Spratt removed play to Hawera's twenty-five, but the visitors came back. West had a drop at goat, the fuir-back lining. Then West came through, the ball at toe. to the corner flag, and in the resultant play Patea forced, but a little later Osborne, securing from the side of the scrum, dived over, and West goaied. Then followed a period of close play in mid-field, until S. Cameron initiated a hot attack, but Hawera defended well Here Hurley had to go off. Wills corning on. Murphy and Fogarty had Thompson lu trouble, but he was able to clear. Hawera pack, attacked hotly for the next few minutes, and were nearly over. Then West had another drop at goal, the ball being forced. Hawera backs again got moving, but Sullivan intercepted, and Patea kept play in neutral territory for a while. After as bout of scrambling play Hawera backs got going again but the tackling was deadly, and two .or three pretty moves were thus checked. Hawera tried hard to score, but over-eager-ness spoilt, the defence also being good. S. Cameron and Thompson were temporarily injured Again all the Hawera backs handled the leather nicely, Whittington being collared by McKenna. After a further Hawera attack, in which West, Fogarty and Sutherland were prominent, Patea set up a counter-attack, and headed by Spratt, rushed the ball over the line, but a scrum ensued. Then from a free kick Soufheombe goaied just as time was called, the score reading:—

Hawera •• ® Patea •••• * Mr. A. H. Guy refereed. OKAIAWA (3) V. STKATTOF.D (0)'. played at Stratford, the Stratford-Okai-awa match proved a fast, open and Interesting game, Okaiawa winning by 3 points te nil The teams were evenly matched. Stratford were unlucky in several shots at goal, which might have turned the score m u,eir favour. The work of the forwards on both sides was good. Okaiawa’s score was ab uncoevart?d tty by Roberts.

CLIPTON (5) v. KAPONGA (3), j The Clifton-Kaponga match was played a<t } Kaponga in wintry weather, a. gale mixed j with sleet blowing down 1 the field, which mill- ■ tated against good Rugby. There was little to choose between the two teams ou the day's play. Owing to the high wind the game was mostly confined to the forwards, and the rear I division of either team had little opportunity. , For the winners Coleman, Fryday and Shea- ' han showed to advantage, while Malone, Lynskey and Humphries saved their side time and again. The Clifton forwards were superior in. the scrums, but in the loose the Kapenga van had the advantage. Clifton kicked off against the wind, 7>ut the ball was returned to their twenty-five line, where th<» visitors played hard and forced their opponents back to mid-field. Here Kaponga attacked and Clifton were compelled to force twice in quick succession. From loose play Malone marked in front of Clifton’s goal and kicked a good goal. Kaponga continued to force play, and Clifton were sept busy defending. Malone was to the fore tn si forward rush and took play well mto Clifton's twenty-five. The ball went out to the Clifton rear division, and by kicking high and following up fast. Sheahan scored. Coleman’s kick hit the crossbar and bounced over. Scott broke through the opposing pack and took play into Clifton's twenty-five, where the ball went out and half-time was called: Clifton 5, Kaponga 3. On changing over Malone was again to the fore in a. good passing rush, but Clifton forced. The Kaponga backs indulged In a good bit of passing, but just failed to get over. Hard forward play for some time saw Kaponga gain ground, only to be forced back to the neutral zone. Malonej and Lynskoi’, in a passing rush, were collared on* the line. With the wind in their favour play soon returned to Kaponga's territory, and in loose play the Kaponga van forced play back, but the Clifton backs were collaring well and kepf Kaponga on the defence. Fryday marked, but his kick, fell short. From this out the Kaponga forwards made strenuous efforts to score. Time was called with play in neutral territory witli the score:— Clifton .-.'b...... 5 Kaponga 3 Mr. B. Fearon refereed. The game \vas played In four twentyminute spells. OPUNAKE (17) v. WAIMATE (0). Opunake secured their first win of the season when they defeated Waimate at Opunake by 17 points to nil. SENIOR B. OLD BOYS (9) v. STAR (C). Old Boys defeated Star at Pukekura Park by 9 points to G in a game which was interesting throughout, not so much for any unarked brilliancy oh- gither side as by the willingness with which the game was fought out and the closeness of the scoring. It was a game between a team which relies malnlj’ upon its backs and a team which is essentially a forward one, and the former just got. home by three points. The first five minutes’ play was indecisive., Doile took a penalty kick for Old Boys from just inside half-way, a. good kick falling short. Then Star took the initiative, setting up a dangerous invasion on Old Boys’ line, Valentine saving just in time. Star kept up the attack till Sykes cacne through well and kicked down field. Dunford fielded, but in getting rid of the ball an opponent blocked, and Wynyard, who had followed up fast, rushed in and headed for the line. He was brought down a yard from

his objective, but :anage.d to flick the ball out to Doile, who had only to fall over the line to score. Wynyard’s kick at "oal failed. From a scrum the >a!'. came out to the Star backs, but Wynyard cut in, making a good run till he was stopped in trying to. side-step two opponents who stood between him and a score. Star cleared, hut kicked the ball into the 1 hands of Bertrand, who streaked for the line, scoring in the corner. Wynyard’s kick was again unsuccessful. Dolle and Blundell were prominent a minute later, an infringement saving Star, who gradually worked their way back to mid-field, where Dowland came round the side of the scrum to get the ball and set sail for the line, but was recalled for off-side play. A minute later Dowland sent. Patterson away, and the latter made a bid for a score, but Valentine, the only man he had to pass, tackled him well routed the legs. Star remained in Old Boys' territory, and from an infringement Dunford had a shot at goal, being unsuccessful, but almost immediately after got another chance and sent a splendid' kick over the bar. An interchange of kicks, which slightly favored Old Boys, marked the kick off. Star bringing play back to unid-fleld as the half-time whistle sounded with the score: Old Boys G, Star 3. ■ Star began to force the pace early in the second spell, Patterson putting his side on the offensive, and Valentine was kept busy getting his kicks away. The Star forwards were playing with plenty of dash, especially in the loose, and quickly regained any ground made by the Old Boys’ backs. Patterson and Dean were associated in a promising movement, but were stopped in Old Boys’ twentyfive. Sykes broke away with Bertrand in attendance and punted over the full-back’s head, an exciting chase foi* the ball ensuing, but Cliff just got there in time to force. The Sfar forwards, led by Clarke, were playing with fine pep, and brought play back to uid Boys’ line, where an exciting tussle took place, till Little temporarily relieved. From resulting play near the twenty-fivo line Star were awarded a free kick, which was taken by Dunford, and he again landed a goal, making the score G all. Lively play followed the kick off. Eggleton, Wtynyard, Sykes and Lem indulged in a passing bdut which brought play into Star’s quarter. From a line-out there McGregor got the ball and headed for the line. He lost the ball, but secured it again on the bounce and plunged over the line. It was a really fine effort and again put Old Boys in the lead. Wynyard made a poor attempt to convert. The result w%s still open, and It looked as if Star might equalise the scores. Right to tho end the game was willingly contested by both sides, but score again they could not, and the teams exchanged cheers with the result:— Old Boys 9 Star 6

Mr. F. Hooker refereed. INGLEWOOD (15) V. LEPPERTON (13). This game took place at Inglewood on a dull though windless day, so that there was little advantage to the side winning the toss. The match was keenly contested throughout, and the issue hung in the balance to tho last minute. Inglewood kicked off and play became general at once. A faulty kick by a Lepperton back came to Lumsden, who set the red backs in motion, and they swept, right down to the corner flag. From the line-out N. Street secured and dived over, giving Inglewood the lead ’ after scarcely five minutes’ play. Play sea-sawed back and forth till Grayling, with a good kick from a penalty, equalised the score. Paul, the Lepperton full-back, saved from a strong Inglewood rush by a timely mark, and drove them back beyond half-way, where Grayling had another try at the goal, but narrowly missed. A scrum in Inglewood’s twenty-five gave the blue backs their chance, and after a pretty passing bout Barriball streaked over. The kick fell short. From the kick off the red vanguard took possession, and the ball travelled for some distance before Paul secured and found the line. Shortly afterwards Coutts received the leather, and beating four or five of the opposing rorwards, made a fine opening for his team by centring to the Red pack, who carried on the rush till awarded :u free kick right in front of the goal. The ball, however, failed to rise. Lepperton returned to the attack and battled their way to a handy position, where an infringement gave Grayling another chance to demonstrate what a fine place kicker he is from an acute angle. When half-time sounded a minute later the score was: Lepperton 9, Inglewood 3. Play had recommences only a short time before Coutts took a difficult mark, and good following up placed Lepperton in difficulties until Paul saved. Passing by the red baclcs was faulty, and several scoring opportunities were lost. They were driven back, but their forwards came again, only to be returned by a long ground kick from Barriball. Still they persisted and worked Into an attacking where Sutherland put in a great

run, and beating his pursuers, scored in the corner. Coutts’ kick went wide. Wien standing in the vicinity of half-way Rowe (Lepperton) took a high kick and placed a brilliant drop-kick, which just crossed the bar. Almost immediately Coutts. kicked a goal froun a free kick, making the score 13 to 9 in favour of Lepperton. The game from now on became very fast and willing, play travelling from one end of the field to tho other. Off-side play by a blue forward gave Coutts another kick, and amid great applause he placed a splendid goal right from the halfway, making a difference of only one point between the scores. Barriball cleverly Intercepted a pass and carried the ball to within a few yards of the line, where he was tackled. Atkinson gathered up smartly, but lost the ball again and Inglewood forced. With only a few minutes to go the red pack rushed play on to the Lepperton line, but Atkinson cleared. Dean, who had earlier been transferred from the wing to the forwards, was playing a great game, and repeatedly broke through. Mid great excitement Inglewood gained the line again, and although Lepperton put up a strong defence, could not clear, and the scrummage moved along until it was a scrum on the line and one minute to go. Out of the inevitable tangle a. try was awarded to Coutts, who seemed to be occupying most of the ball. The kick was a poster. A spirited and exciting game ended: — Inglewood 15 Lepperton 13 Mr. P. Page refereed. NORTHERN DIVISION. SECOND GRADE. High School. (1G) defeated Tukapa (9). For the winners Brown and Mackay each scored two tries, Brown converting two. Stohr, Yates and Malcolmson scored unconverted tries for the losers. The game was very closely contested. High School, who played three emergencies, .made the game open, and Tukapa, who have a good set of backs, played a similar game. Star (20) beat Rahotu (0). THIRD GRADE. Star (11) defeated High School (3). Old Boys (6) beat Rahotu (0). s, FOURTH GRADE. High School (9) beat Star (3). Tukapa (13) beat Old Boys (11). CENTRAL DIVISION. * THIRD GRADE. / , At Toko Inglewood defeated Toko by 13 points to 3. For the winners N. Roff scored two tries and L. Ross converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. Toko’s score consisted of a penalty goal. SOUTHERN DIVISION. SECOND GRADE. The Kaponga juniors defeated Patea by 8 points to G. Kilpatrick kicked a penalty goal and converted a try by Evans for Kaponga; Fitzwater and Beck scored tries for Patea.

NORTH v. SOUTH TARANAKI NEXT THURSDAY'S MATCH. On Thursday next a match will be played at Stratford between North and SoutW Taranaki with a view to selecting the team to meet Wellington at Hawera. on July 5. In selecting the teams an endeavor has been made to give some of the promising players a chance. The teams are as follow: NORTH. Sykes (Old Boys). Ennis (Tukapa), Vaughan (Stratford), Hart (Tukapa). Coutts (Inglewood), Oliver (Tukapa). Berg (Stratford). Fryday (Clifton). Soffe (Clifton), H. Oliver (Tukapa). McCullough (Stratford), Burkhardt (Inglewood), Allen (Tukapa). Fuller (Clifton), Campbell (Clifton). SOUTH. Lusk (Opunake). Wilkinson (Hawera), R. Roberts (Okaiawa), Robertson (Hawera). Jacobsen (Okaiawa), Greaves (Waimate). Atkins (Okaiawa). Malone (Kaponga). Spratt. (Patea), Fogarty (Hawera) Byrne (Okaiawa), L. Hunt (Patea), West (Hawera). Hammersley (Kaponga), Birchall (Waimate). Emergency forward: Crompton (Patea). Players in the North team who are unable to play on Thursday are asked to notify the Taranaki Rugby Union secretary (Mr. G. E. Jago, New Plymouth) immediately, whilst South players In a similar position are asked to get in touch with the selector (Mr. W. A. Guy). TARANAKI v. WELLINGTON THE WELLINGTON TEAM, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Wellington representative team to play Taranaki at Hawera on July 5 is: Full back: Brook. Three-qqarter backs: Siddells, Aitken, Jackson. Five-eighths: M. Nicholls and B. Algar. Half back: H. Nicholls. Wing forward: Fair. Forwards: Calcinai, S. Shearer, Troy, Moffitt, Thomas, Price, Duncan. Emergencies: F. Tilyard, Mcßae. ’

OTHER CENTRES. Wellington.—Poneke 30 v. Wellington 13; Petone 23 v. Oriental 11; Athletic 5 v. University 3; Marist 19 v. Old Boys nil. Christchurch.—Marists 11 v. Christchurch 5; 'Varsity 13 v. Old Boys'l3; Merivale 14 v. Albion 5; Linwood 11 v. Sydenham-Lyttel-ton 8. Auckland.—Grammar Old Boys 11 v. College Rifles 8: North Shore 19 v. University 8; Marist Old Boys 21 v. Tonsonby 9; Grafton 37 v. Eden 5.

THE LEAGUE GAME AUCKLAND V. AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES; Auckland, June 24. The second match between Australian Universities and Auckland League representatives was played in dull weather, rain setting in before the close. There was a large attendance. The first, spell was a good, tight "go,” Auckland on the whole having the better of the play. The forwards repeatedly bore down on their opponents, whose backs, however, were equal to the occasion. The Auckland backs seconded the forwards well, and if anything the visitors' vanguard was the better. In the second spell, the Auckland forwards were superior, but opportunities to score were lost through faulty handling by the backs. The visitors’ scores were due to good combined passing by the backs. At half-time the score was: Auckland 4, Australia nil. The game ended with the score: Australia 18, Auckland 7. At Christchurch, (7) beat Federal

MAORIS iN AUSTRALIA. NEW SOUTH WALES DEFEATED. AN EXCITING MATCH, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received June 25, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, June 24. The Rugby Union Maoris defeated New South Wales by 25 points to 22 (four tries, three penalty goals and two ■tries converted against six tries, two converted). The weather was fine and cloudy, and the ground heavy. The attendance was 15,000. The game was an even contest throughout. The advantage slightly favored the Maoris, who gave a splendid display of clever football; though lacking in polish and fine points. The scores were nine all at the interval. The last five minutes’ play was of a stirring character. The Maoris led by 20 to 17, when New South Wales scored and converted, assuming the lead. With a couple of minutes to go, the Maori forwards, infusing tremendous sparkle, in a rush down field overwhelmed Mayne, ’who 'fumbled. Broughton snapped up and literally galloped for the line and scored with several hanging on, amid great excitement. Jacobs converted. Time was then called. The Maoris’ play was excellent. Though it would be unfair to discriminate. Bell, Phillips and Jacobs were perhaps the pick.—Aus.N.Z, Cable Assn. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. TOUR OF THE AUSTRALIANS. SECOND TEST A DRAW. ONE GOAL EACH. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, June 24. Before a crowd of 10,000 people, including His Excellency the Governor-General and staff, the second soccer test match ended in a draw, with one goal all. The game was a fast and hard one, with many casualties on both sides, but not very good football. The New Zealand half-back line worked hard, though two were disabled, and held the team together. Brownlee, Jones, Cook, Campbell and Ballard were all prominent. Gibb was the best of the visitors, but there was fine play by Maunder, Bratten and B. Camberford. AustralW won the toss and played with the 'sun and a fair breeze at their backs. Jhey had slightly the better of the beginning and the end of the first spell, though the blacks were often prominent. For New Zealand, Cook scored from a fine centre by Ballard, who outpaced the opopsition, fed by J. Cumberford. Bratten equalised for Australia with a low kick, which just penetrated the goal. In the second spell play improved considerably by Australia, who attacked, but the fine work by the blacks’ halves saved and sent the forwards into a dominant position, which they held for some time. Australia defended for fully 20 minutes before clearing, and repeated shots at goal were made, many just missing, while others were stopped by the effective work of Cartwright and D. Curnberford; but Fisher’s kicking was erratic and gave the blacks some good chances. Bratten and Gibb were now the stars of the team, though the former was too well marked by the New Zealand left wing. At this stage New Zealand was much the better team, the visitors being constantly in defence. A long tussle in Australian territory was ended by Brown, with a brilliant solo sprint, but all Australia’s opportunities were missed by wild shooting, many shots flying yards over the crossbar. For New Zealand, Campbell put in a stinging shot which hit the crossbar, but the game ended without any further score —one all.

OTHER CENTRES. Christchurch, June 24. Christchurch. —Rangers 4 v. Western 3; Sunnyside 6 v. Villa 1; St. Albans 1 v. Nomads 1. Auckland.—Y.M.C.A. G v. Devonport 1; North Shore 3 v. Brotherhood nil; Philomel 3 v. Corinthian 1; onsonby 6 v. Everton 3. AUSTRALIA v. TARANAKI. WEDNESDAY’S ATTRACTION, THE TARANAKI TEAM.. The big "soccer’’ match, Australia v. Taranaki, will take place on Wednesday, at Pukekura Park. New Plymouth, the kick-off being' timed for 2.15. Programmes have been printed and distributed. with abbreviated on the back which supporters and others are asked to study so that all can follow the game with greater enjoyment. A further supply will be available on the grounds. The colors are: Australia, light blue and maroon; Taranaki, black and white. The itinerary for the Australians’ visit has been finally approved and Is detailed elsewhere. A trial match was played at Hawera on Saturday, Taranaki v. The Rest, and resulted: Taranaki 3 goals, The Rest nil. Davis scored the three goals for Taranaki. The Taranaki team to play against Australia on Wednesday is: Goal, Johnston; backs, Jones, Barker; half-backs, Worthington, How- # eth. Pooch; forwards, P. Thompson, Woodhead (right wing), Fitzgerald (centre). Freakley, Davis (left wing). Emergencies: Shepherd, Butler, Belchin, Piper.

P< § g o 1 Tukapa S 8 — — 16 .. 8 8 £ 9 12 8 5 3 - 10 Clifton . .... 8 4 4 8 ... S — 6 Stratford ..., ........ 8 2 4J ■ 4 Opunake .... 8 L 1 3 8 8 — _— Senior B. Old Boys ... 9 8 1 — 1G Inglewood .. 6 9 13 Eltham 9 4 2 3 11 Star 9 2 n G Okato ... 9 2 :» 2 « Lepperton .. 0 — C o ■>