FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 75, 20 July 1914, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

i NEW ZEALAND 5, AUSTRALIA 0. [By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] [United Press 'Association.] Sydney, July 18. The first Rugby Union test match between New Zealand and Australia was played on the sports ground in the presence of Sir R. C. MunroFerguson, Clovernor-General, and Sir G. Strickland, Governor of New South Wales, and a crowd of 9000 people. The recent rain had made the ground heavy and slippery, and constant showers during the afternoon did not improve the conditions. There was a strong, choppy cross wind, not favoring either team. Play opened with fast forward work, and the All-Blacks were twice forced. Half-time was called, with no score. The Black forwards came away yivitli an irresistible rush, line work by Francis enabling McNeece to score. Graham converted. (o—0). There was no further score. Throughout the game, the forwards of either 'side made all the play, the backs being unable to get moving owing to the slippery ground and ball. The New Zealand pack proved superior in scrum and foot work. TARANAKI v. MANAWATU. The following is the Taranaki team in the match, Taranaki v. Manawatu, at New Plymouth, next Thursday:— Stohr, Young, Whittington, Bertrand, Cameron, Brown, Taylor, McCallum, Dewar, Birchell, Kissick, Young, Robinson, Whittington, Patterson. Emergencies: Ward and Newton. Coleman is not available through injury. THE LEAGUE CAME. [Pun Pueiss Association 3 Napier, July 19. The Northern Union football match between England and Hawkes Bay was played this afternoon before about six thousand spectators. After a very interesting game England left the field winners by 30 points to 7. Auckland, July 19.

Tbe Auckland representative team to play tbe English team next Saturday is as follows Full-back, G. Gillett; three-quarters, Wooller, Ifwerson, Fox; five-eighths, McClymont, Hardgrave; half-back, Webb; forwards, Savoury, Bennett, Walton, Micbell, M. Hayward, Clarke; emergencies: back, Weston and Cioss, foiwards, Flicker, Williams and Seager. Wanganui, July 19.

The second Northern League representative match of the season was played here to-day in dull weather. The result was a win for Wanganui over Manawatu by 17 points to 8, after a fair game. THE ASSOC (AT! OH CAME. A correspondent of the Hawera Star writes: “Can you tell me why there has not been any annual meeting of the Taranaki Football Association this year? I have been given to understand that Mr»East, late secretary of the above Association, handed to the secretary of the Hawera Club all the goods (hooks, cups, etc.) until such time as the annual meeting should be called. If such is the case, why has the meeting not been called and the Ass°ci afc i° n re-orgamsed? It was a most hopeless muddle last year, but we were in hopes of seeing it put on a better footing this season. According to notes by “Hover,” Hawera are claiming a cup which they have not won. I don’t know “Hover,” but I hardly believe Hawera Club really think the cup belongs to them.” —S 4 I TARANAKI RUGBY UNION. At the meeting of the Management Committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union the secretary’s action in offering September 3rd for the Bay qf Plenty Hanfurly Shield match was confirmed. The venue of tins match will bo fixed later. The New Zealand Rugby Union wrote notifying that Horowhenua, Southland, Canterbury and Wairarapa Rugby Unions had challenged for the Hanfurly Shield. Wairarapa asked that an outside referee should bo appointed for the Wairarapa Shield match, and suggested Mr Williams, of Napier. It was resolved to ask the New Zealand Rugby Union to appoint a referee. It was resolved to transfer E. Leahy from the Wanganui to the Stratford Club.

A lengthy letter was received from the Waimatc Club In explanation of the reinstatements to which Kaponga objected. Hawera club also wrote drawing attention to the Kaponga Club’s unsportsmanlike action in having certain of their seniors re-instat-ed for the purpose of defeating Hawera juniors on the occasion when Kaponga seniors had a bye. The explanation of the "Waimatc Club was accepted, and a copy will lie sent to the Kaponga Club, as also will a copy of the Hawera Club’s letter. THE TUKAPA-STAR MATCH. Mr E. H. Snell, referee in the Tu-kapa-Star match at New Plymouth last week, reported that the Star team behaved in a disgraceful manner. It was resolved that the Maori members of the Star team be asked to' attend a meeting of the Fnion, to I be held at New Plymouth on the 23rd inst. Kaponga wrote pointing out that the Kaponga thirds had won the competition in the Southern Division and asking when the play-off would take f place. The New Plymouth High School were granted permission to play matches with Napier and Palmerston

North at New Plymouth in August. N. Chadwick, who was reported for disputing the referee’s decision in the Hawera-Waimate Junior match, forwarded an explanation; It was resolved to caution the player. AY. F. Cowper, referee in the Ha-wcra-Kaponga match, drew attention to certain dangerous features existing on the Kaponga ground. It was resolved to draw the Kaponga club’s attention to the matter. A handsome banner was presented to the Union by a New Plymouth lady supporter, and it was resolved to present it for annual competition for the primary Taranaki schools. CLIFTON, v. NORTH TARANAKI. At AVaitaraj on Saturday, Clifton met a team picked from the other North Taranaki clubs, the proceeds being devoted to the Tama fund. Despite tho fact that the ground was extremely greasy, tho play was ol an interesting order, both sides indulging in good back division work. Tire two sets of forwards were fairly evenly matched, but the AVaitara backs were superior in combination. In the combined team, Dive and Stohr were absent, being replaced by Smith (Inglewood), and IF Wood.

Soon after the kick-off, North Taranaki nearly scored as a result of good play by McAllum, backed up by Dewar and Carey. Bertrand made a good run, and' passed to Hicks, who scored Clifton’s first try just as ho was collared by Young. Abbott added the major points. The North Taranaki backs then put in some passing, and AVoocT was collared near Clifton’s lino. Clifton’s second try was scored by Birkett, Abbott again converting. Towards the end of the spoil play was in favor of tho visitors. Young had two unsuccessful shots at goal. Brown made a good opening, and passed to Stewart, who transferred to AVhittington, the latter scoring.

Clifton attacked strongly from the start of the second spell, and Birkett just missed scoring. AVhittington initiated a North Taranaki attack,,, and Brown essayed a dash on the blind side, but was collared. The home backs then invaded the visitors’ territory, but Brown, McAllum, Whittington and AVood defended well. North Taranaki cleared their line, and Brown opened play up and took the ball to mid-field. Dewar, Morshead, Knowles and AVood attacked strongly, and Stewart picked up the ball arid attempted a pot, which fell short. Abbott and Taylor raced for the visitors’ line, but AVhittington was too fast and fell on the ball in time. When time was called Clifton were pressing strongly.