FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

; I- JfHE CUP COMPETITIONS. t ? :i WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. - SOME CLOSE CONTESTS. 'rae. Taranaki cup competitions were continued on Saturday under wet weather conditions, the rain, which was general throughout Taranaki, having made the grounds verj’ heavy, and preventing anything like good displays of football. The games throughout were very closely contested, there being very little (margin between any of the teams. Principal interest centred in the meeting of Tukapa and Hawera, and the game, after a strenuous struggle, ended in a draw. Okaiawa defeated Patea, and is now level with Hawera in second position. The other games were very close. In the B grade Old Boys and Inglewood also had narrow wins, thus maintaining their position. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. > A GRADE. . i Tukapa 3 v. Hawera 3. Okaiawa G v. Patea 0. Clifton 6 v. Waimate 5. Stratford 0 v. Opunake (J. B GRADE. Old Boys 3 v. Eltham 0. Inglewood 3 v. Okato 0. Star 16 v. Lepperton 12. POSITION OF THE TEAMS. The position of the teams is as follows: Senior A.

A SENIOR. HAWERA (3) v. TUKAPA (3). The meeting of these two teams had been looked forward to with a great deal of interest throughout the province, as both teams possess fast back divisions, and after the display given when the teams imet in the first round the public confidently looked forward to a great exhibition. Unfortunately .the weather conditions, which could not have been worse, upset calculations. Heayy rain, which fell all the previous night and right up to the commencement of play, made the ground" very heavy, with pools of water in places. Tho ball soon became heavy and greasy and the ground very soft, making anything like good football impossible. The backs on both sides tried to open play out, but accurate handling was impossible, and the game was mainly a struggle between the forwards. Hawera had the better during the greater portion of the game, and sorely tested the Tukapa defence. Tukapa, however, withstood the strain well, and the game ended in a draw, each side scoring three points. Hawera’s score consisted of a try and Tukapa’s of a penalty, goal. Tukapa won the toss and played against, the wind. Almost immediately the Tukapa backs tried to pass, hut Stohr could not reacli the ball. The Ha.wera forwards then asserted themselves, and headed by West, Murphy and Osborne, were very dangerous until Hart marked. Linn was prominent in clearing, but Hawera came back, and. Murphy kicking too hard, the ball went to the deadball line. Hart was temporarily injured. Paterson slipped in a passing move, and Stohr just beat Robertson in a race for tho ball. A moment later Loveridge kicked well down field and Stohr followed up fast, but kicked too hard and* Hawera forced. The locals pressed hotly, and in a passing bout Wilkinson roused his supporters’ hopes, but lost the ball. Loveridge stopped a couple of dangerous rushes by marking, and then H. Oliver. Murphy, Allen, Beard and Linn headed a Tukapa rush that saw the ball out at the corner. Hawera cleared, and Robertson, kicking high. Wilkinson followed up fast. Loveridge failed in trying to kick to touch out of a pool of water, but Stohr got up in time to force. Murphy, West and company pressed hotly, but Hart lined. Then H. Oliver and Ennis broke through past mid-field, where Whittington saved, and a free luck let West line near the twenty-five. In the resultant rush Loveridge saved. Then followed a pretty bout of passing, all the Hawera backs handling, but Wilkinson was well taken by Stohr, and the Tukapa pack, with McAllum in the van, carried play to near Hawera’s twenty-five, where Hooker had a shot, which fell short. After a period of mid-field play Brown set his backs going, but the move broke down. Then the Hawera pack gained the upper hand. Their backs essayed passing, and once Wilkinson got moving, but he was upended by Stohr-. Tukapa had a hot period of defence, but Stohr and then Hart cleared by marking. Once the ball was carried over the dead-ball line, and again Loveridge forced. Hawera kept up the pressure, and the ball travelled smartly via all the backs to Wilkinson, who after a characteristic dash, scored amidst deafening applause. West just failed to goal. On resuming McAllum led Tukapa to Hawera’s territory, Where Hooker had a shot from a free kick. Then Hart tried to pot, but the ball would not rise. A moment later H. Oliver marked and just failed to goal, Anderson returning to half-way as half-time sounded with the score: Hawera 3, Tukapa 0. On resuming a rebound saw Hawera attack, and the ball was shot across to Wilkinson, who was collared. After an interchange of kicks Brown failed to hold a high kick, and Hawera were swarming round the line. The Tukapa half retrieved well, and the Tukapa pack, led by McAllum and Oliver, broke through to Hawera’s territory, where Hooker marked. He tried for a goal, but the ball was forced. Brown, Baird and Hart were prominent for Tukapa, but Paterson neatly marked. Sutherland and Murphy then headed a strong Hawera rush, which Stohr stopped near the corner. Soon after West had a resultless shot from a penalty, and then after Paterson had broken through the Tukapa pack carried play to Hawera’s twenty-five, where Hooker failed to goal from a penalty. Hawera again assumed command, and after Ennis had chocked a strong rush a second one reached the dead-ball line. Whittington then made a fine opening, and backs and forwards handling well, matters looked dangerous, until H. Oliver cleared. Tukapa then pressed. ' It was not long before Hawera were again hotly attacking, but the defence was solid, and finally the hall was forced. Then Stohr centring nicely put Tukapa in a good position, and from a free kick Hooker goaled, equalising the scores. Hawera now livened

matters up and made strenuous efTqrts to add the winning points, but though they got very close to Tukapa’s line the defence held out. Another series of scrums resulted in a force, and then Whittington made a great run, but was collared by Allen. West and Sutherland were prominent in a move that nearly ended in a score, but R. Oliver marked, and again Stohr lined. Then Robertson marked in a good position, but the kick at gaal failed.

From now to the conclusion, with an occasional break away by the defenders, Hawera pressed, but as fast as a man picked up the ball he was collared. The semi-darkness and bedraggled appearance of all made it difficult to distinguish individual players. Time was called without Hawera successfully penetrating the defence, the game ending:— Tukapa 3 Hawera 3 Mr. A. E. Neilson refereed. OKAIAWA (6) V. PATEA (o)’< The OkaiaWa seniors travelled to Patea and defeated the local fifteen by six points to nil in cold and showery weather, although the ground was in fair order considering the heavy downpour earlier in the day. With the exception that the Okaiawa pack was superior in tight play there was little to choose between the two teams. There was little opportunity for back play, owing to the greasy nature of the bail. The scores are a fair indication of the difference between the two teams. Patea kicked off and Atkins marked and centred. Rye made a good run, but McLean collared well in his twenty-five. Okaiawa continued to force play, and kept Patea defending, and eventually gained relief by a force. Johnstone marked and kicked well down the field. Sullivan followed up fast, but. an Okaiawa player infringed, Southcombe’s kick falling short. The ball then came out to the Okaiawa rear division, anti B. Roberts marked, but failed to find touch. Play continued in mid-field among the . opposing forwards, Okaiawa gaining the advantage and getting Thompson proved safe in his twenty-five. Atkins then looked like scoring, but passed forward, and he was again too eager in the scrum. The ball went out to Thompson, who found touch. Frank McKenna marked from loose play. Patea came again, and in a good passing rush Cameron passed forward. After desultory play the ball again came out to Cameron, who found the line in Okaiawa’s twentyfive. The Okaiawa van, however, soon broke through, and by good dribbling carried play into Patea’s territory. Southcombe marked in mid-field, but gained little ground. Patea continued to keep Okaiawa on the defensive, but a free kick relieved situation. Peta marked for Okaiawa in a good position, but failed with the kick. Okaiawa continued to force play in Patea’s territory when half-time sounded with no score.

On resuming Patea attacked, and Okaiawa were for a brief period on the defence. By combined play the Okaiawa van broke up the attack and carried play into Patea’s territory, with Dick Roberts in the lead. Okaiawa again got going, and from loose play on the line F. Atkins scored. The kick at goal missed. In spite of the cold shower which came on at this juncture play became hard and fast, Patea forwards trying hard to equalise the score. In fast play up the field* Dick Roberts was again prominent, the ball going out in Patea’s twenty-five. Patea forwards continued to attack, and from a free kick Okaiawa forced. In hard forward play, Harris, with the ball at toe, gave C. Rye an opportunity to score. Taylor’s kick missed. For some time the opposing forwards fought out a desperate struggle in mid-field, and eventually the Patea van broke through and Okaiawa were compelled to force. Patea forwards were pressing when time was called with the score:— Okaiawa 0 Patea 0 CLIFTON (6) v. WAIMATE (5). Clifton journeyed to Manaia, ahd after a game, which, on account of the state of the ground, was a scramble, defeated the local team by the narrow margin of one point. For the winners Colman and Strouds scored unconverted tries, whilst for the losers D. McKay scored a try, which Hughes converted. 1 STRATFORD (0) v. OPUNAKE (0). Tho Stratford-Opunake match was played at Opunake, for the most part, in pouring rain showers, and ended without a score on either side, the match developing into a mud scramble. Both teams were weak, about half of each being composed of juniors, and the game, though willingly contested, was, on the whole, a poor exhibition, the greasy state of the ground and ball spoiling many chances and making good handling impossible. Opunake kicked off and assumed the offensive. After indifferent play inside Stratford’s twenty-five line the latter were twice compelled to force. Stratford made a momentary attack, and Opunake carried the ball over the line. Opunake cleared from tho scrum and carried play near their objective, where Stratford saved by lining. Lusk (Opunake’s full-back) had a shot at goal from a penalty at half-way, the ball just falling short'.' The spell ended! without a score.

Resuming, Opunake again forced play and compelled Watford to force down. A long scramble at mid-field ensued, relieved only by a good pot by Vickers (Stratford’s fullback), the ball falling a little short. Opunake pressed strongly and were nearly over, but the defence was’ strong. Mcßeynolds marked in a handy position in front of the goal, but owing to the greasy ball the kick was a failure. Stratford then cleared and took play right down-field, Opunake forcing. From that stage there was no further incident of importance, Opunake probably having a little the better of the game, which ended without a score :■ — Stratford • 0 Opunake’ ® Mr. P. H. Holmes refereed. B GRADE. OLD BOYS (3) v. ELTHAM (0). ‘ Eltham, the only team to lower Old Boys’ colours in the competition so far, journeyed to New Plymouth to play the return match at Western Park, but this time were defeated by 3 points to dil. The game can be described in one word—"mud-scramble.” The ground had been churned up , by a previous match, whilst rain fell during the first spell of the senior game, and though the rain held off for the greater part of the second spell, the ground was slushy and slippery, and anything in the nature of a good exhibition of Rugby was impossible. Old Boys . kicked off and held Eltham inside the half-way line for most of the spell. The one and only score of the game was the result of a scramble on the Eltham line five minutes after the kick off, Bertrand and Dolle being prominent, and the latter touched down. Dolle's kick at goal was unsuccessful. A little later Sykes hurt his kpee and| had to retire, but resumed later in the game. Old Boys’ backs were giving a fair display with the slippery ball, but Eltham gained most of the scrums. Half-time came with the score: Old Boys 3, Eltham 0. The second spell was much the same as the first. Old Boys threw the leather about ■well when possible, but could not score again. Eltham’s defence proved inpenetrable, whilst they took their fair share at attack, a hot rally on the Old Boys’ line on one occasion being nearly turned to account, but Sykes got the ball, and dodging several opponents and making a break-away, ran threequarters the length of the field. He had a clear field, but his previous injury handicapped him somewhat, and Wilson, who followed up fast, brought him down ten yards from the line. The game became very willing towards the end, but no further scoring resulted, and the whistle blew with the score : Old Boys 3 Eltham 0 Mr. A. McLean refereed, STAR (16) v. LEPPERTON (12). Star and Lepperton met at Lepperton, a well-contested game ending in favour of the town team by 16 points to 12. Both teams gave a good display, but the ball was slippery and hard to hapdle. In the first., spell the Star forwards held the upper hand. Stan drew first blood, Ardern scoring a try, which Dunford converted. Hili added to Star’s score with a try shortly after, but Dunford's kick was unsuccessful. Star forwards were playing well, Clarke jTMiing tiM Use, Duaford'a kiok fall*

ing. Lepperton then took a hand, N. Sampson scoring a try. Grayling failed to convent, and half-time came with the score: Star 11, Lepperton 3. The rain came down hard in the second spell. Lepperton attacked strongly, keeping Star very busy defending. Feaklns scored for Lepperton. Grayling’s kick failing. Shortly after Grayling had a shot at goal, making the scores 11-9 in favour of Star. Towards the end Star once more took up the attack, Patterson scoring a try which Dunford put over the bar. Back came Lepperton, Kingi Ko pea scoring a try. Grayling’s kick was unsuccessful. Star were hot on the attack when time was called with the score:— Star ig Lepperton 12 1 INGLEWOOD (3) v. OKATO (0). iA keenly contested forward game was'played at Okato between Inglewood and .Okato. Inglewood soon attacked, and Okato were forced tvvice within the first ten minutes. Okato soon took the ball ;to the other end, where a strenuous scrummage took place. Inglewood presently returned, and from a kick- to centre Hobson put in a fln6 run and scored in .the . corner. The kick failed to reach the posts. Okato were pressing when Robison took a clever mark and essayed a pot, but the greasy ball was against good kicking, Shortly afterwards Tonga dried a drop-kick, and Inglewood forced. Working down the line Okato threatened again, but Coutts cleared, and his forwards dribbled to within striking distance, where Coutts had an unsuccessful kick from a penalty. Halftime sounded with the score: Inglewood 3, , Okato 0.

.More open play marked the second spell. Encouraged by improved weather conditions the Inglewood backs began throwing the ball about, but Tonga intervened and sent them back. A moment later Attril secured the hall and made a ground-gaining run, the ball going out in the corner. For a moment it seemed as though Okato would get away, but Sutherland took the ball from their feet and was only tackled when a few yards remained to be covered. A free kick relieved Okato from a dangerous position, but Andrews, who had been playing a safe game, had his kick smothered, and Inglewood advanced to a five yards scrum. Their chances were bright when off-side play gave Okato a free kick, and play reverted to the centre. A determined effort by the red vanguard saw the ball over the line, but Carey got there first. Almost immediately play swept up the field, but the Inglewood backs kicked hard and returned to the assault. From a difficult angle Coutts had a kick, which, though a good attempt, fell short. A succession of lineouts found Inglewood again threatening, but Carey headed a rush which was only stopped when Coutts marked in a hurry and found the line. Inglewood were attacking strongly when time sounded with the score:— Inglewood 3 Okato 0 Mr. Goodacre refereed. NORTHERN DIVISION. SECQND GRADE. Clifton (13) beat High School (6), this being School’s first defeat in the competitions. School led 6-0 at half-time, but in the last quarter of an hour Clifton assumed the lead by 8-6, later increasing this by another converted try. Brown and Mackay scored unconverted tries for School. Old Boys (6) defeated Rahotu (3). Excepting a game won by -default this is Old Boys first ftin of the season. Star (4) defeated Urenul (0) after a close game. THIRD GRADE. High School (20) defeated Tukapa (3). Clifton beat Lepperton. Star (8) defeated Okato (0). Old Boys (23) defeated Urenui (3). FOURTH GRADE. Old Boys won from Clifton by default. High School C defeated High School D on Thursday by 31 to nil. Tukapa (6) v. Star 0. SOUTHERN DIVISION. ‘ FOURTH GRADE. At Hawera Waimate drew with Patea, each scoring three points. SPECIAL MEETING OF DELEGATES. A special meeting of delegates of the Taranaki Rugby Union will be held at Stratford on Thursday evening to consider protests against the curtailment of the second round fixtures. The meeting had originally been called for Friday, but In the event of the meeting deciding to carry on the whole of the second round matches it was felt that Friday night would not give the club’s sufficient time to notify their teams for Saturday's matches. THE PROVISIONAL DRAVf. z A GRADE FIXTURES. Provisional matches to be playe4 In the event of Thursday’s special general meeting of delegates deciding to play the second round of the competition out are as follows: Tukapa v. Opunake, at Sports Ground, New Plymouth, at 3 p.mi. Kaponga v. Stratford, at Stratford, at 3 p.m. Patea v. Clifton, at Patea, at 3 p.m. Okaiawa v. Waimate, at Manaia. at 3 p.m. a bjhr

On account of the college match- at Hamra all other grade fixtures have been (till July 15. F In the event of the decision of the nanagenient committee to re-draw ’ the seeowdl round of the A grade competition being upheld, there will be no A grade unatciMa {tibia week. .< * _ ? TOUR OF THE MAORIS. - ’ \ —— ; Aj By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 2, 5.5 p.m. ''t.;' Sydney, July 2/ ' ; The Maori Rugby Union footballers defeated the Walcha district team at Walcha by 45.. points to 6. PLAY IN THE CITIES. *2’. SATURDAY’S RESULTS. Wellington.—Marist 11 v. Petone nil; Poneke 8 v. Selwyn 3; Berhampore 14 v. Old Boys nil; University 5 v. Oriental 3; Athletic 14 v. Wellington nil. Poneke is leading Jn the championship with 17 points; Petone, 15; Marist, 14; University, Athletic and Berhampore, 12 each: Oriental and Old Boys, 6; Selwyn, 4; Wellington, 0. Dunedin.—Pirates 9 v; Southern nil; University A 40 v. Union 9; Zingarl-Richmond 16 v. University B 11; Alhambra 3 v. Port Chalmers nil; Dunedin 6 v. Taieri Rovers 3. Christchurch.—Christchurch 9 v. SydenhamLyttelton 5; ’Varsity 9 v. Merlvale 5; Marists 22 v. Albion 3. LEAGUE GAME RESULTS. Christchurch.—Addington 21 v. Woolston 5; Federal 13 v. Linwood 8. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. Christchurch.—Nomads 2 v. Villa 1; St. Al-> bans 5 v. Ashburton 2; Rangers 2 v. Corinthians 2. AUSTRALIANS v. AUCKLAND. Last Night. The Australian "soccer” team defeated Auckland by four goals to one, in wet weather. The ground was slippery and the ball greasy, heavy rain having fallen early in the day. The visitors outclassed the local

« . . g * k 1 1 s e Tukapa 9 ® — 1 17 Hawera 9 G 1 2 14 Okaiawa 9 7 2 — 14 Patea 9 5 4 —• 10 Clifton 9 5 4 — .10 Kaponga 8 3 5 — 6 Stratford 9 2 6 1 5 Opunake 9 1 6 2 4 Waiznate ........... 9 —< — 9 0 Senior B. Old Boys 10 9 1— 18 Inglewood 10 7 2 1 15 Eltham ..... 10 4 3 3 11 Star 10 3 5 2 8 Okato 10 2 6 2 6 Lepperton 10 — 7 3 3