FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI DEFEAT WANGANUI. t A NARROW MARGIN. DISAPPOINTING PLAY. About 4000 people journeyed to Pukekura Park on Saturday afternoon, where Taranaki met Wanganui for the second time this season. On the previous occasion, at Wanganui, Taranaki were deefated by 12 points to 9, but on this occasion Taranaki came out victorious by 13 points to 7. Though Taranaki on the day were slightly the better team, their displaj’ was very disappointing, and much below that expected. Taranaki forwards, save at the start and towards the conclusion of the game, did not put the dash into their p ay. while their backs, owing to lack of cohesion in the centre, did not get going. The Wanganui rearguard threw the ball about on every occasion, making the game very spectacular In the second spell. Their work, however, lacked finish, and the}’ lost numerous opportunities. The game was played under conditions ideal for a good display. Wanganui opened with the sun in their eyes. Wanganui forwards, headed by Cox and Packer, charged down, and Stohr luckily found touch with a speculator. Next Stohr centred, but Polaka took nicely and put Wanganui in an attacking position. Robertson was beaten by the bounce, and matters looked bad until Wilkinson kicked high and followed up; but a knock-on by Wanganui checked and play hung about midfield. Again West, Fogarty and Brien were associated in a great rush to Wanganui territory, where Delves obstructed and Colman just failed to goal. Play now livened up, each team, taking a turn at attack. Johnson, Vaughan and Wilkinson were associated in a pretty bout, but Peina checked by marking. Taranaki came through, and while keeping up the pressure Colman had another shot from a penalty, the ball going under. Then Weir was smothered with the ball and Taranaki pressed hotly, but Baddeley snapped up the leather at the toes of the forwards and lined. Then Wanganui had a spell at attack and Taranaki were defending hard. Then after a series of kicks Taranaki had another free kick, which West failed to goal. Then Wanganui attacked, the ball travelling through the backs to Weir, who knocked on and a great chance went, as from tlie scrum Colman cleared. Taranaki then attacked and good kicks by Malone and West put them in an attacking position, where Johnson cut in nicely and Wilkinson, with a good run, carried the ball near the line. In the resultant play Scott, who had been injured a few minutes earlier, dropped a goal. Half-time immediately sounded with the score:

Taranaki 4 Wanganui u Scott, was unable to resume, and Hunt took his place. Taranaki at once attacked, but Fryday, who was not at home at five-eigths, dropped a pass, and Packer and Cox brought play back to Taranaki's twenty-five, where from an infringement Delves had a resultless shot, but the ball was forced. Colman tried is open up the game, but the visiting vanguard smothered the effort. Then Baddeley shot the ball to Delves, who dropped a beautiful goal, making the scores even. Taranaki at once invaded, Colman in the van, and Malone from a penalty had a shot, which went wide. Fast’ play ensued. Wanganui b r oke through, and matters looked dangerous until Vaughan lined. After Taranaki had pressed for a while Wanganui cleared, and being awarded a free kick, which through* a misunderstanding between Johnson and Wilkinson neither took, Delves secured and shot the leather to Weir, who handed on to Stewart and the latter scored. Head’s shot failed. This encouraged the Wanganui backs, and thev gave a spectacular display. A forward sent the ball to Brown, and it travelled via Peina to Polaka, back to Peina, who handed on to Head, but the latter knocked on close to the line. Wanganui kept up the pressure, Polaka cutting in, but from a scramble under the goal the ball was forced. Again the visiting rearguard got moving, hut Fogarty, Hunt, Campbell and West carried play past half-way. Here Stohr secured and streaked for the line, passing when blocked to Malone, who fell close to the line, but smartly lifted the ball over his head and grounded it. West’s kick just failed, making the scores seven all. Taranaki then attacked, but over-eagerness spoilt an effort. Taranaki were now having the better of the game and pressed. Soon the Taranaki backs brought off a great bout, the ball travelling via Colman, Robertson, Johnson, Vaughan to Wilkinson, back to Vaughan, who was collared. The forwards carried on the move, and West, following up, just beat Collier and scored. Colman failed to goal. Time was immediately called with the score: Taranaki Wanganui sirs! * Mr. F. Julian refereed.

TARANAKI v. MANAWATU. THE TARANAKI TEAM. At Stratford on Thursday Taranaki will meet Manawatu. The visitors are a fairly strong combination, and the local team will have plenty to do to avert defeat. The Taranaki team has been chosen by the selectors (Messrs. D. J. Malone, A. L. Humphries and W. A. Guy). It will be noted that there are several changes in the team as compared with that which met Wanganui, on Saturday, several being rested in view of the Auckland match, whilst others are being dropped as they cannot make the southern trip. The team will be as follows: Full-back: Coutts (Inglewood). Three-quarters: Ennis (Tukapa), Marks (Old Boys), Wilkinson (Hawera). Five-eighths: Johnson (Okaiawa), Robertson (Hawera). Half: Lynskey (Kaponga). Rover: Malone (Kaponga). Forwards.—Hammersley (Kaponga), Campbell (Clifton), Spratt (Patea), Birchall (Waimate), Brien (Okaiawa), Fogarty (Hawera), McCullough (Stratford). Emergencies.—'Forwards: Allen (Tukapa), Fryday (Clifton) ; back, Vaughan (Stratford).

• THIRD GRADE SEMI-FINAL. STRATFORD BEAT HAWERA. The Stratford third grade team, winners of the central division championship, defeated the Hawera thirds, winners of the southern division championship at Eltham on Saturday, by 9 to nil. The match was a keenly contested one, but the Stratford boys were too strong for the southerners. The score consisted of two tries by Davies and one by Payne. The Stratford team will meet Old Boys (winners of the northern division) at Stratford on Saturday. August 19, when the Taranaki third grade championship will be decided. THIRD GRADE. Star (10) defeated Technical College (3) - THE CARBINE SHIELD. WON BY TUKAPA JUNIORS. The annual match between Tukapa and Star juniors for the Camino Shield, held by B*ar, was played as a curtain-raiser, and proved somewhat disappointing, there being little concerted movement among the backs of either side. The game was very closely contested, and resulted in a win for Tukapa by 3 points to nil. For the winners Hooker, by fast following up, scored a try in the first spell. SCHOOL MATCHES. ' The Waitara team are continuing their un- ‘ beaten career. On Saturday they defeated Fitzroy by 16 points to 3, whilst the previous Saturday they defeated Central by 15 points to nil. Central sent a second fifteen to Warea to play a friendly game with the Warea schoo team, the coastal team winning by a considerable margin of points. The New Plymouth boys were moat hospitably entertained by the 4nastal reaideatSi

HAWKE’S BAY BEAT WAIRARAPA. • By Telegraph.—Pre'ss Association. Masterton, Last Night. Playing in fine weather and before 2000 spectators, Hawke’s Bay defeated Walrarapa at Rugby by 17 points to 3. CANTERBURY v. SOUTH CANTERBURY, Tiniaru, Last Night. Canterbury opened the southern four by defeating South Canterbury by 15 points to 11. Play was fast and exciting throughout, the home side doing a large share of attacking. t OHURA REPS. BEATEN. Te Kuiti, August. 5. The Maniapoto representatives defeated Ohura after a hard game by six to nil. Ohura were superior in the forwards, but lost tbe.. game owing to the inability of their backs ttr field the ball. Maniapoto were superior in this respect. MOASCAR CUP MATCH. Napier, August 5. A Moascar Cup match, Te Aute v. the Maori Agricultural College, was played to-day. It was a, very keen, open and even game, and resulted in a win for Te Aute by 6 points (two tries) to 3 (a penalty goal). PLAY IN THE CENTRES SATURDAY’S RESULTS. Wellington.—Petone 28 v. Athletic 14; Marist 8 v. Poneke 6-; Berhampore 24 v. Wellington 6; Oriental 3 v. Selwyn 0; University 14 v. Old Boys 6. Auckland.—‘Grammar Old Boys, with 18 pointe, won the championship, Marist Old Boys and College Rifles being runners-up with 15 each. Results: Newton beat Eden 11 to 3; College Rifles beat North Shore 17 to 5; University beat Grafton 26 to 17; Marist Old Boys beat Ponsonby 11 to 3. Secondary schools. — King’s College beat Grammar School 16 to 15.