The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-10
Clermonts Earn the
Honor at the Oval
Yesterday.
WEIGHTY BRADfORDS DOWNEO.
High School Men on the
Winning Team We're
Prominent.

With superior weight to contend
with, the Clermonts played so fiercely
against the Bradfords at the oval yes
terday afternoon, that they tore holes
in the line of South Worcester men,
and smashed them around as if they
were puppets. In the first half, it
looked like the Bradfords to the aver
age spectator but when the South
Worcester men didn't score, the Cler-
mont knowing ones felt as sure of a
victory as if it was in their grasp The
plucky little Clermont backs, aided by
good interference, tore around the
Bradford ends for big chunks of the
field. On defensive play, they slammed
the heavy Bradfords' back as if the
latter were a crowd of wooden cigar
store signs.
The game was won by a single touch
down made by Tom Dowd, who played
halfback on the high school team this
season. He was the star of the game.
He made his distance every time he
was sent with the ball, hitting the
Bradford line like tornado. He found
the proper hole as easily as if an index
finger pointed it out, and flung off tack
lers like a terrier shaking rats. His
mate, Billy Moran another high school
back played a magnificent game, also.
He possesses exceptional speed, and
skirted the end several times for good
gains DAILY, one of the high school
players who was in the line for the
Clermonts. tore through the Bradford
line as if it was paper. He was sent
only few times, but he piled up yards
when he went. Holmes was conspicu-
Gus on defense for the Clermonts
The game was a hot one. In the
first half, when things were going the
Bradfords way, the game was cleanly
played on both sides. and there wasn't
any smuggling. In the second half,
Richardson of the Bradfords started
dirty tactics, using his feet several
times when tackled. He kicked two
of the Clermonts in the mouth and an
other on the shoulder. His rough
playing developed similar work on the
part of the Clermonts, and there was
considerable smuggling on both sides
during the last half. Moran was
slugged when downed on the side lines
during the second half, and at once re-
taliated when he arose. Gearin and
Richardson had a lively miX-up in the
centre of the field, but neither was
put out. as neither side had any sub
stitutes left on the field.
The game was for the championship
of the city, which the Bradfords have
held for four years. Yesterday was
the first time that the Bradfords have
been beaten by Worcester team.
The day was a good one for players,
with the exception of the ground, which
was hard enough to break stones on.
Despite the rough play and the hard
ground, only one man was laid out
during the game, and time was called
for injuries only once, which shows the
gameness of both elevens.
The teams were fortunate in this re-
spect The Bradfords had only one
substitute while the Clermonts didn't
have any One of their men, Powers
sustained a badly injured ankle, which
would have put him out of the game
had there been a substitute. He
changed from centre to guard, and fin
ished, playing on his knees most of the
time.
The first half was all but fatal to the
Clermonts, due to lack of judgment
shown by fullback King. The Cler-
monts were demonstrating their ability
to hold their heavy opponents, and the
latter punted. King remained near
the line. and the Clermonts showed
wretched tactics in not sending any
BODY else into the back field The
punt went over Kings head. He
chased after the ball and got it and
kicked back. but the exchange netted
the Bradfords more than a dozen
yards. A few minutes later, the Brad
fords punted again, and again King
was near the line. The ball was, downed
two feet from the goal line. Daily
punted out of danger, and time short
ly after expired.
In the second half. the Bradfords
weren't in the game for minute. The
Clermonts used end plays, getting to-
gether a good interference. The backs
followed it well. and the Bradford ends
and backs were easily disposed of. The
Clermonts threw the Bradfords back
repeatedly. 7. Dowd's playing was
noticeable in the making of the only
touchdown. 1t was scored from the
kickoff Moran madesa run to almost
the centre of the field, aided by T.
Dowd's blocking off The latter took
the ball for repeated plunges through
the line to the 30-yard line, from which
he went the remaining distance for a
touchdown.
The Clermonts continued their good
work. but a few unfortunate misplays
at critical times prevented another
touchdown. Had the second period been
20 minutes as was the first, the Cler-
monts would have scored again easily.
When they lost the ball they quickly
regained it by throwing the Bradfords
back on every down. Just before time
ended they had thrown the Bradfords
back IS yards on three downs, and Rich
ardson had the referee mark the 20-yard
mark so that he could take the ball
back to retain possession of it.
Neither team had its compliment of
men according to the names given by
the managers when they met in The
Spy office to arrange the game. Hubbard
disappointed the Clermonts, and they
didn't have a quarterback. Fortunately
for them, Billy Burke, a clever player
who knew their signals, consented to
act as quarterback. He showed a game
spirit, playing on the hard ground with
out uniform or even foot ball shoes.
He ran the team finely and was guilty
of very little poor passing. Powers
never played center before and did fine
~ against Ernest Mott, who is regarded
as a good one. The playing of Smith,
who is better known as "Dutchy," was
magnificent. He threw Carney around
at will. Hagberg broke through nicely,
and the Clermont ends, M. Dowd and
Gearin, did excellent work. Gearin was