FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 114, 18 May 1904, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

NORTHERN DIVISION FIXTURES. SENIORS : May 19.—Clifton v. lnglewood at lnglewood ; Tukapa v. Stratford at New Plymouth ; Star a bye. FIRST JUNIORS : May 19.—Clifton v. Star at Waitara ; Tukapa v. Stratford at Stratlord ; Inglowood a bye. SECOND JUNIORS. May 19.—Star A v. Stratford at Stratford ; Star B v. Tukapa at Tukapa ground ; lnglewood a bye. Repeat for second round, reversing! grounds. Tho following team will represent Stars ill the match Star 111. v. Tukapa 111. on the Recreation Ground to-morrow Full buck, Cleland ; three-quarters, Stockman, J. Johnston, Brown ; five-eighth, W. Lowe: half, 0. Hoskin'; wings, tiilmour, Wilson ; forwards, Wooller, Lowe, J. Hoskin, Woods, l'earce, Bond, Firmston, emergency, Hoskin.

Tukapa 111. will bo represented aa follows against Star 111 B Full, 'JI Alder ; three-quarters, Allen, Youngman, P. Hooker; live-eighth, J. Finn ; half, F. liullot ; wings, Autridge, Shipton ; forwards, Johnson Tipping, Mace, Edwards, Joll, Allen, Hayward. The following team will represent Star If. in the match against Clifton 11. at > Waitara on Thursday —Full, 11. Richards ; three-quarters, Hock, Elder, Richardson, live-eighth McLean ; half, Gabb ; forwards, 11. Ford, Carter, Hoby, lirown, Skelton, Parkins, Aroa, Rowan, Bullock. The referees for to-morrow's matches are Seniors : Clifton v. Inglewood, at Inglewood, Mr Kivell ; Stratford v. Tukapa, on the Recreation Grounds, Mr Hopkins. Second grade : Clifton v. Star, at Waitara, Mr Proctor ; Tukapa v. Stratford, at Stratford, Mr Spurdle. Third grade : Star A. v. Stratford, at Stratford, Mr Spurdle ; Star B. v. Tukapa, at New Plymouth, Mr Griffiths.

In reporting the Opunake—l'al-ea junior match played at Hawera on Saturday the I'atea Press says Opunake played a very rough game using their lists a great deal more than their feet, which is saying a lot because they were not at all particular who or what they kicked. The referee has a thankless task, but in the interests of footbail it is to hoped that the gentleman who officiated in this match will retire permantly to the line. Apparently he had no idea that the rules of the game provide for ordering players guilty of rough play off the ground. Had he been firm and made an example of a couple of players at the start the rough play would have ceased. It is this class of incompetent refcre# who encourage rough play and do more harm to the game than anything else. It is reported that some very offensive language was used at a recent match at Woodvilie, and at a meetheld on Wednesday night., the prevalence of bud language in the football field was discussed at some considerable length. The Union recognised that the language in question must bo put down at once, and to this end it. was decided to fix a minimum penalty of twelve months' disqualification for the first offence. It, was also decided to notify referees to litis effect, and request them to use their full powers to support the Union in their decision. The Dannevirke Advocate feels sure that the supporters of the game will cordially approve of the stand taken up by the Sub-Union in this matter, but thinks that a.ll ■" language" offenders should bo prosecuted.