FOOTBALL.

Otaki Mail, 9 May 1923, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

I SATURDAY'S PIXTURES, Seniors: Shannon v. Wanderers at Shannon. Foxton v. Otaki at Otaki.. . /- iWcraioa v. Hoi Mai at Levin. /'.- Juniors; ij JHui Mai v. Hover at Manakau. ' * Ifraraparatunu v. Otaki at PniaparaiuulV 7e lloro v. Weraroa at Weraroa. Thirds: % i'araparaumu v. To iloro at Te Horo. Otaki v. liui Mai at Manakau. Kuku a bye. TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. Senior: —Tahiwi, D'Ath, P. Tahiwi, 11. Udy, Batchelor, Nicholson, 11. Ilaka:aia, Rhodes, Hakaraia, Bevan, Take•ei, Buna, Ropata, W. D'Ath, j. Robinson. Emergencies: P. Taipua. i. Webby, E. Clark.

Junior. —J. Lima. A. Young, M. diddens, C. Enoka, C. Batten, C. King, M. Mclntyre, G. Freeman.. W. Bailey, G, Grey. D. Tuna, E. Debreceny, W. Winterburn, E. Robinson, F. Lima. Emergencies: Ransficld, Satherley. Hart, R. Webby.

Third Grade: Marshall, Podjursky, B. Pot etc. P. Cook.-Cleland. W. Watts, Bennett, Mills, Cornish, Churchill, Gray, Riaki, E. Cook, P. Coutts, Debreceny. Emergencies: M. Royal. S. Watts, T. Hohipuha.

Those unable to play are requested to notify their respective field captains by Thursday evening.

This grand national game is the chief recreational interest of many thousands of young men in the Dominion, and it is appropriate that a feu- notes should be written in regard to this immensely popular pastime. The game is essentially a manly one. for the field between the goal posts is no place for weaklings. Football, being a hard game, induces hardihood in the players, appeals to their instincts of British fair piny and so better fits then for the battle of life. The successes ami reverses of the game teach men to take all that comes in a spirit of cheerfulness and fortitude, and f" give and take. It was no un-

common thing during the (treat War for soldiers to be following their beloved sphere of leather just behind the lines, and in a zone under shell fire. Indeed, at the Battle of Loos, they raced to the attack kicking a foot ball in front of them. There have, at times. been unfortunate incidents, and complaints of over, indulgence have on rare occasions been levelled, but while there is no occasion to try to dictate lines of '•onduct on extremist principles of any sort, it may be well to inculcate the wise and practical maximum. "Moderation in all things." Despite a stray blot on the escutcheon of the colours, none can deny that the intention of

the vast majority of the players is to do their level best for the sport and for their teams, tend to conduct themselves not only as men. but as gentlemen. One is sometimes inclined to the opinion that if the by-stauders exhibited qualities of fair play, generous sportsmanship, and self-effacement to the extent that many of the -players habitually do. there would be fewer grounds for complaint. However, the season is open, and we trust that at the close the various clubs in this di-rriet will be able o look back upon a record which will in all respects be one that they may justly regard with feelings of pride.