JUNIOR FOOTBALL.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 653, 26 July 1921, Page 4

JUNIOR FOOTBALL.

(To the Editoi\) Sir,—lt seems to me that somebody should reijly to Mr Graham’s letter published in Tuesday’s issue cf the Times, and so I venture tcf do so. The match referred to should have been Pukekohe South versus Tuakau Scholboys, which, according to the papers, has been so victorious this season. When we arrived at Tuakau, our team, the heaviest men of whom are _ about lOst, were told that Tuakau could not get a full team unless four or five juniors played, We, therefore, agreed to play for the sport of the game, I have also to reamrk that with regard to Mr Graham’s letter, besides the four or five juniors playing, some of the 'other players were outsiders 6r were over the weight of 7st 91b, which, I should think, was the weight of the lightest player. In a 'game of the type played round here as third grade, the addition of four or five juniors proves a tower of strength to the team, as shown in the two matches-—High School versus Tuakau Schoolboys. I think the report was fair and impartial, as it was meant to be. Perhaps Mr Graham would have liked the Tuakau team to win, and in that case, Pukekohe South will play the same team again in Pukekohe any suitable time, although it is significant that the team did’nt turn up last Saturday.' If Mr Graham communicated with Mr John Patterson, of Pukekohe, he will probably be- informed that all our heaviest players were weighed on a steelyard, and all went under lOst. Even if one or two of our team went one or two pounds over-weight, we have a limited number of players to pick from, and the weight of the whole team should be taken as the average weight. As to whether we publish" our weights, and lose, Mr Graham’s £1 remains in. the hands of each player. It seems to me a pity that people will , intervene in f'ootbal matches of this kind * The publishing of the report was a statement, .not a complaint, and I am sure all .sports took it as the former. Our team would comply with Mr Grahatn’s request if he published the correct weight of the team which we am, etc., - ONE OF THE FIFTEEN.