FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

PLAY ON SATURDAY. TARANAKI BEAT WELLINGTON. CLUB MATCHES CONTINUED. I HIGH SCHOOL S WIN IN JUNIOR. The Taranaki representative team’s tour opened on Saturday, when they defeated \\ ellingtcn by 16 point? to 14, , after an exciting game. For the first time Taranaki had a primary schools’ representative team in the field, the boys having gone to Wanganui to meet the school reps, there. Taranaki won a keenly contested match by 14 to 11. A match in Taranaki which aroused considerable interest was the meeting of New Plymouth High School and Okaiawa at Hawera in the final of the junior championship. After a good game New Plymouth were the victors by 21 points to nil. The provincial championships were continued in Taranaki, but interest has decreased. In the seniors Patea forfeited tn Opunake and Kaponga forfeited to Okaiawa. After a poor game Hawera teat Stratford by 3 to nil. while at Waitara Tukapa maintained its position at the top by defeating Clifton by 16 to 9. In the B senior competition the only game played was between Old Boys and Star, the former winning by 23 to 0. Fltham did not go to Okato, and Inglewood failed to appear on the Lepperton ground. . A SENSATIONAL FINISH. TARANAKI BEAT WELLINGTON. ON THE CALL OF TIME. A GAME FULL OF INCIDENT. (By Wire—Special to News.) Wellington, August 19. Taranaki played the opening match of their tour to-day against Wellington at Athletic Park tn the presence of about 12,000. The game, though not a brilliant exhibition, was brimful of incident, interest being sustained to the finish. Taranaki winning a sensational gam® by scoring a try just on the call of time and winning by the narrow margin of 15 points to 14. The ground, after the rain of the previous night, was somewhat holding, and thegame consequently was mostly confined to the forwards, the hacks on both sides failing to handle the ball with any precision. while Taranaki, especially In the first spell when playing against a strong wind and with the sun in their eyes, failed badly in stopping the Wellington forward rushes. Also Taylor did not feel too much at home at full-back, but improved later on.

Wellington tried to keep the game close, whilst Taranaki opened out whenever possible, though the bail was coming by no means cleanly out of the scrum. Even had Taranaki not won on the call of time they would have Heen unlucky to lose, as they had the better of the play, most of their tries being the result of good work. THE FIRST SPELL. Aided by the wind Wellington attacked, and Taylor’s kick rebounding. Thomas scored but failed to convert. Wellington returned to the attack, but the tackling was good. and. •ecuring frera the scrum. Court tried to set Taranaki going, but Coutts failed to take, and in the next couple of minutes Wilkinson checked two dangerous Wellintgon attacks. There was another period of defence. and Mark* broke through, but no one was with him. Mcßae. Shearer and Swain brought play right tn Taranaki’s line, where Taylor saved by and again forcing. Fogarty. Hunt and W»st led Taranaki into Wellington territory. where Tavlor trlefi to pot. the ball not i rising Wellington attacked. Udv failing in an i attempt, to pot. Marks and Malone cleared, but it was not for long, as after a Wellington passing bout ended a solid pack of forwards . ram® through with the ball at their feet, and I Swain scored. Wogan failing to goal:— Wellington 8 ' Taranaki 0

Both sides then tried to pass, but broke down. Gradually Taranaki worked down the field, where Fogarty headed a rush that ended in a force. Back came the locals, Taylor just lining in time. Taranaki came again, and Wilkinson broke through, as did Ennis a moment later, but slipped when he tried to pick up the ball clear of opposition. Again Malone was prominent, but kicked too high and the ball was forced. Siddells failed to take a high ball and let Taranaki attack, and Ennis, cutting through, kicked across to Malone, who secured and set Wilkinson streaking for the line. When collared he shot in-field, and Malone gathering in he scored a pretty try. Coutts failing to goal:— Wellington 6 Taranaki 3 Taranaki had the better of the concluding stages of the snell but were unable to score. THE SECOND SPELL. Turning round it was anticipated Taranaki would win They started b? attacking, but Siddell’ gathering up. b«*at several men to 1 mid-field where Swain* nicked up. and. outpacing the opposition, scored between the posts Thomas goaled:— Wellington 11 Taranaki 3 This roused Taranaki, and twice Ennis was nearly over, whilst from a mark and a penalty respectively Court and West failed to goal. Coutts broke away, but was collared. and then Taranaki forward* pressed hotly. From i» loose rush Malone just got over in front of 2 couple of Wellington men. Coutts failed to goal:— Wellington H Taranaki 6 Court and Fosrartv gained ground, and Taranaki forwards pressed, but Malone got offside. Siddells was badlv ben*en by the ball, hut cleared spectaculnrlv. Wellington again attacked and Tavlor fumbling bhdly. Shearer scor***. Wogan failed to convert: — Wellington ** Taranaki , 6 Again Wellington backs got going. Taylor collaring Jackson at the end of a passing bout, and after a period of defence Taranaki forced, foutts next «ecured with th® hacks nicelv in line. bu* kicked. and Wellington broke through. Taylor speculated to touch, and. Taranaki pressing, forced Wellington. Then West headed a forward rush, and Enn’s nicked on and raced across in the corner. Malone’s kiek was low: Wellington 5 J Taranaki Again Taranaki carried nlaT to the twentvflre. where Frydar essayed an unsuccessful not Taranaki forwards were now havinr the better of the play, and suddenlv Marks intercepted a pass, beautifullv cut in. and shot out to Ennis, who’streaked over, West failing to goal:— Wellington J’ Taranaki Excitement now ran high. Taranaki forward* Dres*ed hotly, and Wilkinson just failed to smother Siddells. who kicked to touch behind the line. From a scrum Wilkinson was orer.w «. »»ek. Well.njton forwards broke away, but Coutts ™® up the P»ee Hum sent the te. her to Wllkintott. fho ’"“"J*

Siddells failed to take the return. Hunt followed up fast, but was tripped. Hamunersley, who accompanied him, however, got possession and scored. West failed to goal, and the bell immediately sounded with Taranaki a point in Mr. King refereed. The team left by the Christchurch steamer to-night. THE CUP COMPETITiONSo SENIOR A. TUKAPA (16) v. CLIFTON (9). There was only a moderate attendance of spectators to witness this match at Waitara. Neither team was at full strength. The visiting team attacked shortly after the kick-off, and having the advantage of the sun. kept play in Clifton territory mainly through kicking high and fast following-up of the forwards. G. Hooker broke through- from halfway, but lost a good chance by passing forward. Clifton retaliated with a passing rush, but the tackling of the visitors was very solid. J. Taylor and Campbell came away with ball at toe, but R. Hooker Intercepted wlien the ball was passed out, and made a fine run down the touchline before being blocked by Young. Then H. Oliver kicked high, and by fast following up again secured, and beating two men passed out to Davis, who scored. G. Hooker failed to convert. Tukapa continued to keep on the attack, despite the fact that Clifton were securing the bail in the scrums. The Tukapa forwards, headed by Beard, Davis and Linn, were breaking away very fast, and Clifton backs were invariably smothered. Clifton forwards made a fine break right down the field, Campbell, Clare and Tanner handling the ball splendidly in a passing rush; but when in ojose proximity to the blue line McIvor was forced out. Priar made a great attempt to drop a goal from about half-way, narrowly missing. Following even play about midfield, the blue forwards came away in a loose rush, and Morrison picking up, sent on to Booker, McAllum and Walsh, the latter i scoring after a dashing run. G. Hooker I goaled. Half-time was called almost immedi- j ately with the scores: Tukapa 8; Clifton 0. Priar secured from a penalty kick and sent ; the ball back to inside half-way. where Davis ! secured, and after making a good run passed I to Board, who ran to the line before sending | in to Mclntyre, who scored. G. Hooker just failed with a difficult kick. Soffe replied I with a dribbling rush to near the Tukapa line, | where Bruce secured in the loose and potted a good goal. R. Hooker secured from q kick by Erewhata, and kicking high, the blue forwars, headed by Beard, McLean and Thomson, took play down to the yellow twenty-five. Here McAllum secured and passed to Walsh, who galloped over. Hooker converted from the touch-line. Clifton rushed play to Tukapa territory, and Priar being collared on his own line with the ball, Campbell secured and fell over. Young kicked a good goal. The game ended shortly afterwards with the scores: Tukapa 16 Clifton ; 9

HAWERA (3) V. STRATFORD (0). The match played at Stratford between Hawera and Stratford seniors was a poor exhibition of football. Both teams contained more than half juniors. Hawera won by 3 points to nil with a lucky try. The game resolved Itself Into a forward scramble, owing to the greasy natute of the ball. The ground was made very slippery by the recent heavy rain, and a shower fell during the game. The Hawera team met with a breakdown on the road, and the game did not start till 4.40

From the kick-off the Stratford forwards attacked, and had their opponents playing hard ln, their territory. From hard forward play McKenzie tried a drop kick at goal, but missed. Coulton, who was playing W?U tin to his usual form, made several good rtms, but was brought down when dangerous Fhr off-side play by n Hawera forward Collins had a kick at. goal, which just missed. When half-time sounded with no score Hawera were attacking In Stratford’s twenty-five.

On resuming the Hawera vanguard forced the pace. Stratford were playing their best stemming off the attack on their goal-line, when presently Sutherland (Hawera) pounced «n the ball and scored. lemm’s kick failed. The Stratford forwards now did better, and for quite a while held Hawera on their line defending. Coleman looked like scoring, hut he lost the ball. Time was called with the Hawera .-.-.-st. . .st. .. 3 Stratford 0 B SENrOR. OLD BOYS (23) v. STAR (0). At Pukekura Park, before a fair crowd of spectators and on a moist ground, the game Old Boys and Star was hardly an exhibition of rood football, and the score fair’y represents the respective merits of the two teams. Practically throughout the game the attack rested with Old Boys. Star being unable to either shift the burden or maintain anything like a solid defence. Fpur converted tries will perhanO give an indication of the nositlons in which Old Boys were able «o seore, their other try being a little way in fmm the corner.

Shortly after the commencement of play Boon secured the ball in a more or less Scramble near Star’s line, and. dodging in and out. scored near the posts. Dovle converted. A little while afterward* WVnyard snapped up a low kick and set his backs in motion, transferring to Penniall. the latter passing tn Sykes, who ran right around and scored under the posts. Doyle again adding the mainr points. The same trio again secfired the leather a few minutes later, and after a neat passing bout Sykes managed to shake off a couple of his opponents and get over at the corner. Just before half-time off-side plav gave Dunford a chance to have a shot at goal, but the ball went wide. Half-time saw Old Boys leading 13 to nil. It was expected ffliat in the second spell Star would do better, but not only was their tackling weak, but they were slow in picking un the hall, while the couple of times their hacks got a chance to g?t moving the possibilities were lost through wild passing, possibly. to some extent, due to the slippery ball. Dunford was given another opportunity for a penalty in an easy position, but his luck was not In. Shortly afterwards, when play had been removed once again into Star’s territory, Wynyard made a good run, and making a dummy pass, scored a good try. Doyle converted. Star then made an attack. and though there were a couple of scrums down near Old Boys’ line, they were unable to keep tin the pressure. A little before time Sykes added further to his laurels bv picking up. and with practically a«clear field in front of him. scored under the nbsts. Doyle converted. making the final score:— , Old Boys • 23 Star 0 Mr. W. Webb refereed. THIRD GRADE. STAR (11) v. OLD BOYS (fl). This match was a semi-final of the competition. and was played at the racecourse. Star winning by 11 to 9. For the winners Stroud scored two tries (one converted by Morris) and Sturmey one. For Old Boys McHardy kicked three penalty goals. Mr. L. Goodacre refereed.

JUNIOR PLAY-OFF. HIGH SCHOOL (21) v. OKAIAWA (0). The final in the first junior Taranaki competition was played at Hawera on between New Plymouth Boys’ High School and Okaiawa, the High School boys winning easily after a game which fell below expectations, chiefly because Okaiawa did not show th® form usually associated with division winners. , T'he High School team, however, by a good ; itll-rouond display of Rugby, rescued the game ; from drabness, rhe way in which their light pack of forwards stood up to the heavy Okaiawa vanguard, coupled with the bright snappy passing bouts the School indulged in. delighting the onlookers. Heavy rain had fallen during the morning. and consequently the gorund was rather sodden, but it dried up considerably during the game. An erratic wind was blowing across rhe field, but favored neither side-to any marked degree. The Okaiawa backs opened out almost immediately, but. the movement was slow, and lacked snapoiness. Some of the scrummages were indecisive, but Brodie was given the opportunity on many occasions to set his backs going. Five minutes aft<er the kick-off the ball came to Brown from a line-out. and he beat several men before sending out a difficult pass to Abbott, who missed, and a certain score was lost. However, Okaiawa were penalised, and Brown opened the scoring account with a splendid kick from an acute angle. Several promising back movements by the School just failed to- reach their objective, when the Okaiawa forwards swept down in a loose rush which came right to the School line, where McDonald picked up and passed to Rangi, who crossed the. line but was recalled for a forward pass. After an anxious period School pushed hack their opponents, Shaw and Abbott putting in good work. Brown took a penalty kick, the ball hitting the posts but failing to go over. Castles made a dash down the side line, nearly scoring, but after a hot tussle on the School line L. Christie relieved. Play hung round half-way, where Brodie put in a smart run before transferring [ to Fatterson. who in turn passed on to FoI den. and the wing three-quarter made a dash j down field, followed by Okaiawa pursuers, but I Foden maintained his l®ad and scored near I the posts. Brown converting. Half-time sounded with the score: Hlch School 8, Okaiawa 0. j Okaiawa took the initiative on resuming, but | the School backs began to monopolise the play. A kick by Taylor was not taken by i Castles, and Foden stepped in, beat the full- ! back (Cameron) and headed straight for the ! line, to score in the corner. A good effort by Brown to convert narrowly missed. Okaiawa momentarily revived. Wright stepping out near the corner at the end of a passing bout, and High School forced a minute later. The School forwards swept down, field, and two Okaiawa men rushed in to get possession of the ball when Brown swooped down, snapped up the hall, and ran quarter of the length of th® field to score a good try, which he himself converted. Manti started a back movement.. but the Okaiawa passing was very indifferent. Another loose forward rush brought High School back to the Okaiawa goal-line, where Eaves pounced nn the hall as it crossed the line. Brown again kicked a goal. The game ended with the score unaltered, viz:— High School ,®... 21 Okaiawa. 0 Mr. Guy refereed. PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ REPS. TARANAKI DEFEAT WANGANUI. A new era in school football was opened up ori Saturday, when a team of boys selected" from the primary schools of Taranaki met a representative team from the Wanganui district. On arrival at Wanganui on Friday night, under the supervision of ?,fessrs. Adiam (manager). Mason and Lyall, the Taranaki team was met by Messrs. Williams, Warden and Browning, of Wanganui. Excellent arrangements had been made by the Wanganui executive for billeting the visiting lads, eqch host taking charge of his guest upon arrival.

The game was played on the Recreatior Ground at 10.30 under splendid ground conditions, notwithstanding the heavy rain of th( morning. For the first ten minutes afte: the game opened Wanganui showed to greatei advantage, the amber and black lads apparently being rather nervous. The first scon

to Wanganui—a try by Parteger—was the result of the visitors mistaking the tnuch-line, which was duplicated. Shortly afterwards Gurney, who was playing a great game for Wanganui. scored two tries in quick succession, one of which Hartwell converted. Undaunted, however, the Taranaki boys, with a sweeping forward rush, carried the ball over the Wanganui line. Spiers scoring. Soon afterwards Rangi, from a penalty, landed a splendid goal, and the spell ended: Wanganui 11, Taranaki 6.

On resuming play the Taranaki boys, who were now warming up to their work, fought for victory like heroes with such success that towards the end of the game Wanganui had to strain every nerve to keep back the determined onslaughts. Crofts, Greenhill and Dalgano were conspicuous time after time with the characteristic Taranaki loose rushes, while McCallum. Davies and Taunt in the backs showed out both in defence and attack, the last-named scoring two tries, one of which Rangi converted. A feature of the game was the goal-kicking of Rangi (Pihama). who steered the ball between the posts on two occasions, and twice missed by the narrowest of margins. The end to an exciting and keenly contested game came with the score: — Taranaki Whnganui H

Mr. P. London refereed. An account of the trip would bo incomplete without reference.to the thoughtful action of the Wanganui executive in providing a bountiful supply of fruit, sandwiches and cakes for the boys on the homeward journey. This thoughtfulness, needless to say, was highly appreciated by the Taranaki boys and their masters.

ALL BLACKS AT PLAY. MAORI TEAM DEFEATED. By Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, August 19. The All Blacks defeated the Maoris by 21 points to 14. The All Blacks were the better all round. The Maoris never looked like winning, though they played a fast and vigorous game, which contained many casualties. For New Zealand tries were scored by Ford (2). steel (2), Shearer (1), and M. Nicholls converted two and Baddeley one. The bulk of the Maoris’ scoring was done in the second half. The score at half-time was 16 to 3 m favor of New Zealand. The Maoris’ tries 'were scored by Barclay, Mill. Bell and Gemmell, and Tangitu converted Mill’s try. The game was keenly contested, several players having to retire, and their places were filled by emergencies. The Governor-Genera was present, and the attendance was twelve thousand. Mr. T. Parata refereed. OTHER “REP.” MATCHES. OTAGO BEAT AUCKLAND. Dunedin, August 19. The weather and the ground were both perfect for the representative match between Auckland and Otago to-day. In the first spelt play was poor and of rather a ragged or< e . but the Otago forwards were more than hol<n their own. In this spell a try was obtn,ne ° for Otago by Milne, and it was converted ny Sinclair, making Otago 5 to 0 at haif-time. in the second spell Auckland opened tne scoring with a penalty goal by Ifwerson, bitt a goal by Sinclaim and an unconverted try >y Dickson made the final scores 11 to 3 in fa'.» r of Otago. Generally speaking it was a mcaiocre exhibition and not up to representative standard. HAWKE’S BAY BEAT CANTERBURY. Christchurch. August 19Hawke’s Bay defeated Canterbury by 29 points to 3. The visitors were superior departments, but Uieir passing lacked flnlsn. WELLINGTON BEAT NELSON. Nelson. August 19. Wellington defeated Nelson to-day »>’ 20 points to 13 after a fast and exerting Rame_ Tile weather was fine, though tire ground heavv The Wellington backs gave a fine ex hlbition, handling the ball splendidly, but U"d- -» tackling by NeUen kept the score *>”“■

Nelson lead at the end of the first spell by eight points to six, each two tries, one of Nelson’s being converted. In the second half the Wellington backs were constantly in motion and added four tries, one being converted, while Nelson secured a converted try. The Nelson pack was very fast, and it was anybody’s game up to the last few minutes. For Wellington, McCabe, Gibson (2), Rigg, McLeary and Carmody scored, and Snow, Reid and Brownlee scored for Nelson. WAIRASRAPA BEAT WANGANUI. Wanganui, August 19. Wairarapa met Wanganui here to-day. In showery weather, Wairarapa winning by 18 points to 13. The visitors had the best of the first session, and at half-time led by 12 points to 5. E. Desmond, Jury, Knowles and Carson scored for Wairarapa, and Collier scored for the home team, Delves converting. In the second half R. Booth and Desmond added tries. Wanganui rallied in the concluding stages, and Paranihi and Lockett scored. Delves converting one. THE MOASCAR CUP. AUCKLAND GRAMMAR v. HAMILTON. Auckland, Last Night In a Mbascar Cup match, Auckland Grammte School defeated HaTnilton High School by 14 to nil. The game was keenly contested, both sides playing with delightful zest and vigor. Play was fast, open and attractive, the finest phases of Rugbj’ being shown. Grammar was the superior scoring side, with the pick of the backs and finesse of attack. f The visitors, by splendid forward rushes, frequently got into an attacking position, but the backs lacked combination and finish. Cashmore, McLean (2) and Stewart scored, McLean converting SOUTH ISLAND FINAL. Christchurch, August 19. In the South Island final of the Moascar Cup competition, Boys’ High School defeated St. Bede’s College by 13 points to 6. THE LEAGUE GAME. CHALLENGE CUP MATCH. Auckland, August 19. A league match for the Northern Union challenge cup, between Hawke’s Bay and Auckland, was played to-day in fine weather. At half-time the score was 7 to 3 in favor of Auckland, and the final score was: Auckland 23, Hawke’s Bay 5. The first spell was hard and even, neither side having a decided advantage, and play was characterised by very Severe tackling, particularly on the part of Hawke’s Bay. In the second spell Auckland had the best of the game, as the backs combined better than in the first half. The visitors’ forwards played, up well throughout this spell and quite held their own. The disparity in the scores is no indication of the relative merits of the teams.