FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

INTERPROVINCIAL match. AUCKLAND DEFEAT TARANAKI. LOCAL BACKS WtEAK IN DEFENCE, Taranaki met Auckland at the Pukekura Park sports ground. New Plymouth, on Saturday In fine but dull weather, and in the presence of at least 5000 spectators. Auckland uun by 13 points to 8. The ground was tn good order, and there was no w.nd. The game, though a hard fought one, was somewhat disappointing. JThe Auckland backs were content mainly to defend, and this they did very well, leaving the attack to their forwards, whose work in the loose was splendid, aud as the Taranaki backs did not go down to them after Robertson had been injured, they proved the deciding factor. The Taranaki backs threw the ball about well, executing some splendid movements, and their two trjes were each the result of a concerted move. It was a clean game, but strenuously contested, and there were several delays through players being injured. McWilliams (Auckland) had to retire and was replaced by Somerville, whilst Robertson (Taranaki fiveeighths) had to retire, and Hooker went on at three-quarter, the other players being shifted in closer. Later Coutts had to go off, Fryday dropping to full-back and Brien going in to the pack. The Auckland team lined out as published, but in the TaranakJ team Court replaced Lynskey a.t half, and Ennis replaced Vaughan at wing three-quarter. THE FIRST SPELL. Taranaki forwards at once carried play to Auckland's twenty-five, but the Auckland pack, headed by Nicholas, got moving, and smothering both Stohr and Coutts, carried play to half-way. Nicholas and Helander headed a strong forward rush that got close to Taranaki’s line, after a local passing bout had broken down, and Marshall was nearly over, but an infringement brought relief. Auckland pressed, and Earl opened out, but Mattson failed to take and Marks broke away. Then from a penalty Ifwerson; just failed to goal. Soon the northern pack rushed down again, Stohr just forcing 'jn time. Good kicks by Malone and West let Taranaki to Auckland's twenty-five, but the northerners’ good footwork carried plaj’ back to neutral territory. Now Taranaki opened out, the ball travelling smartly along the chain to Stohr, who beat his man, but was called back for off-side. Then Coutts secured, beat several men and shot to Ennis, who was taken by Grant in the corner, and from a. scrum a forward was nearly over. The attack in Auckland's territory was continued, and a move by McCullough, West and Ennis saw the latter nearly over. kept play inside Auckland's half-way, but though their backs threw the ball about they were unable to penetrate the defence, and ultimately Ifwerson, intercepting a pass, carried play past half-way. Then Malone securing, hung on too long and gave a pass, which Ifwerson took and sailed for the line, Stohr collaring him as he got over at the corner. Ifwerson failed to goal: Auckland 3, Taranaki 0.

West then dropped at goal frouh a penalty, the ball being forced. Taranaki backs again tried to get going, but the passing was weak. McCullough brought. Taranaki to striking distance, where, from a penalty, Coutts made a great attempt, the ball going under the bar. Taranaki backs were attackmg as half-time sounded with the score:— Auckland 3 Taranaki 0 THE SECOND SPELL. Each side had penalties In succession, then the local backs failed to stem a rush headed by Helander and Nicholas, who swept over the line,- but Coutts forced. A passing move by Court and Johnson put Taranaki in an attacking position, but once again their backs failed to pick up, and Auckland forwards broke through. Malone tr.ed hard to score on his own, but was held up. Later Stohr marked and had a shot, which failed, Ifwerson lining. Then Stohr failed to take, and the Auckland full-back rushed over the line, but Johnson was able to force. It was a great effort that deserved success. Malone gave a weak pass, which Nicholas dribbled on, picked up and shot out to McDonald, who scored. Ifwerson gonled: Auckland 8, Taranaki 0.

This roused Taranaki, and almost immediately from a penalty West just failed to goal. Securing from the scrum Court sent out to Marks, who made a nice opening and transferred to Ennis, who cut ’.n, beat his man and ran round behind the posts. Hooker goaled: Auckland 8, Taranaki 5.

Play now rushed up and down field, Taranaki pressing until Ifwerson intercepted. Then Johnson centred, but Grant secured and passed to Ifwerson, who raced over the line and then added the major points: Auckland 13, Taranaki 5,

Taranaki started passing and set up a attack. Good kicking by Muir and solid tackling by the other backs, as well as occas.onal forward rushes, kept the Taranaki backs out. but finally Taranaki reached the Auckland line, where a. scrum ensued. Nicholas, Taylor and Marshall *nd company broke through, one after another of Taranaki's backs falling to stem until a knock on checked. Then Johnson kicked across field to Marks, who handed on to Hooker, who ran and then shot, out to Stohr, but the latter failed to accept and a. chance went. Twice in succession Hooker had resultless shots from penalties, one being just wide and the other being charged down. Then Fogarty made an opening for Marks, who drew the defence and sent the ball out wide to Ennis, who gathered on the bounce and scored. West failed to goal. There was no further score, the match ending: Auckland 13 Taranaki 8 Mr. F. Julian refereed. THE CURTAIN-RAISERS. STRATFORD WINS PRIMARY CHAMPIONSHIP. Prior to the inter-provincial match two curtain-raisers were played, and though the public interest was mainly centred on their anticipations of the big game, a considerable amount of enthusiasm was shown in the junior matches. By defeating Waitara, the premier team in the northern divis.*>n, Stratford has added further to its laurels by becoming the champions in the primary schools’ competition in the whole of the province. The game was keenly contested, and, without detracting from the merits of Stratford’s victory, Whitara had hard luck in not coming out. on top. The Stratford backs had slightly the better of the game in the first spell, and threw the ball about, but in the second spell Waitara forwards "came to light" and kept up a solid attack. They were down 10 to 3 at halftime, and they tried hard to even up the score, keeping Stratford penned down on their line for the greater part of the second spell. The Stratford defence, however, was solid, and though the attack was maintained until the end of the game, Waitara could not add more than another five points to their first spell score. Both teams are to be congratulated on their fine exhibition, which augurs well for future football in TaranakJ. Stratford’s score was two converted tries, and Waitara’s two tries, one of which was converted. HIGH SCHOOL DEFEATS CLIFTON. This match was'another good exhibition, and was keenly contested. The back play, such as there was, was mainly confined to the School, but it was not of a sensational order, except for a brief moment shortly after the start of the game, when a very pretty piece of passing ended in a potted goal. Though the score of 13 to 5 would perhaps indicate that High School had the advantage right through, th.s was by no means the case, for Clifton almost throughout the game maintained the aggressive and kept High School in their own territory. The School forwards, however, showed up in the loose, and it was from a good piece of dribbling and fast following up that they scored one of their tries. On another occasion their backs got the ball and sent it well out, enabling them

to run round and score near the posts. Clifton’s score was obtained during a period of hard pressure by the forwards on the home team’s line, and a good goal was kicked from a rafher difficult angle. Several times in the second spell Clifton caused the School to force down, and though they repeatedly came away, the defence was too solid for them. Just before time the School obtained a very pretty penalty goal, the ball, just soaring over the bar. The final score was: High School 13. Rifton 5. High School will now plaj’ Okaiawa for the first junior provincial championship. TARANAKI'S TOUR. « THE PLAYEIRS CHOSEN. The following have been chosen to represent Taranaki on the southern tour:—Backs : Ennis, Oliver, Stohr (Tukapa). Wilkinson, Robertson (Hawera), Hickey (Clifton), Johnson (Okaiawa), Lynskey (Kaponga), Coutts (Inglewood), Marks (Old Boys), Vaughan, Court (Stratford). Forwards: West, Fogarty (Hawera), L. Hunt (Patea), Brien, Harris, G. Taylor (Okaiawa), Malone, Hammersley (Kaponga), Masters, McCullough (Stratford), Fryday (Clifton), Birchall (Waimate), Allen (Tukapa). The team win leave by the mail train on Thursday. OTHER REP. MATDHES. OTAGO BEAT HAWKE’S BAY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, August 12. Hawke's Bay met Otago this afternoon. The conditions were ideal, and a fast, open game was staged. The first spell ended 5-0 in favour of Otago, Murray scoring. In the second spell Gemmell and Mailer scored for the visitors, Yates converting one try. For Otago Sinclair kicked a penalty goal and Stewart obtained a brilliant try. The final score was: Otago 11, Hawke's Bay 8. SOUTHLAND BEAT CANTERBURY. Invercargill, Last Night. On a holding ground, but. under perfect overhead conditions. Southland beat Canterbury by 33 points (six tries, two converted and two potted goals and one penalty) to 11 (three tries, one converted). Canterbury led in the first spell 11 to 6, but the forwards were beaten by loose rushes in the second. WEST COAST BEAT BULLEffi. Westport, August 12. Buller and West. Coast representatives met for the second time this season in home and home matches, the Coast winning by 5 points (a try scored and goaled by Russell) to 3 (a try by V. Goodall). WANGANUI BEAT MANAWATU. Wanganui, August 12. Wanganui played Manawatu here to-day in fine w>eather. Wanganui had the better of the game and won by 19 points to 5. Cox, Kane- and Smith scored tries and. Delves converted two and kicked two penalty goals. Leader scored for Manawatu and Swainson converted. PLAY AT WELLINGTON. Wellington, Last Night. Saturday's Rugby matches resulted: Petone 5 v. Poneke 0; Marlst 15 v. Berhampore 13 ; University 21 v. Wellington 6; Athletic 8 v. Selwyn 3; Oriental 17 v. Old Boys 0. Poneke and Petone are now level for the championship and must play a deciding game. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. HAWERA DEFEAT NEW PLYMOUTH. The New Plymouth "Soccer” team paid a visit to Hawera on Saturday to play a match against the teaim there, and after a fast, keenly contested game the home team won by 2 goals to nil. The New Plymouth-team were afterwards entertained by the Hawera players. BASKET BALL. INTER-SCHOOL MATCH. The annual basket ball match between the New Plymouth Girls' High School and the Stratford High School took place at New Plymouth on Saturday. New Plymouth won both games, the A match by 19 to 2 and the B match bj- I'7 to 2. HOCKEY. LADIES’ SEbiLFINALS The first of the semi-final games between the northern division winners was played on Saturday between Hawera (southern leaders) and Technical College Old Girls (northern leaders), the result being a win for Hawera by 4 goals to one. Next Saturday Stratford (central leaders) meet Hawera In another semi-final. Each team plays games against each of the other two before the winner is found. INTER-SCHOOL MATCH The Stratford High School A and B teams caime to New Plymouth on Saturday to play matches against the New Plymouth Girls’ High School teams. The result of the A game was a draw, 4 goals all, whilst New Plymouth won the B game by one goal to nil.