FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8131, 11 June 1906, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The following shows the position of the senior teams in the Taranaki Cup competition, NORTHERN DIVISION. Stratford: Played 6, won 3, lost 2. Competition points 6. Clifton: Played 4, won 2, lost 1 drawn 1; points 5. Stars: Played 4, won 2, lost 1, drawn 1; points 5. Tukapa: Played 4, won 2, lost 1, drawn 1; points 5. Inglewood: Played 6, lost 4, drawn 1! points 1. SOUTHEAST DIVISION. Okaiawa i Played 6, won 4, lost 2; points 8. Waimate: Played 6, won 4, lost 2 ; points 8. Patea: Played 6, won 3, lost 2 ; drawn 1, points 7. Hawera: Played 0, won 3, lost 2, drawn 1; points 7. Opunake: Played 6, won 2, lost 3, drawn 1; points 6. Eltham: Played 0, won 0, lost 6, drawn 1; points 1.

SATURDAY'S GAMES. (By Teleohaph.—Special to Nbws.) HAWERA I. v. PATEA I. The meeting of those teams at Hawera attracted much attention, and, as was anticipated, a most exciting game resulted. Hawera won on the call of time. For Patea, tho full-back potted a beautiful goal from noar halfway. Hawcra's soore was made up of tries by Beamish and H. Gardiner, the latter after a great run by Greenbanki half a minute before the call of time, Hawera winning by 6 points to 4.

WAIMATE I. y. OKAIAWA I. The above was one of tho most stubborn and hotly contested games witnessed this season, Okaiawa had the best of the first spell, but half time was called without score. "Major' 1 Burke (Wnimate) and Cleaver (Okaiawa) were ordered off for rough play, The match was played for the greater part of the game in rain, and the ball was consequently too greasy to allow of any concerted back play, and the forwards accordingly fought the issue. In the second spell Waimate had if anything ttie better of the play, but it was not till just before time that they were able to register what proved to be the only score of the inatoh, Waimate winning by a try to nil.

ELTHAM I r. OPUNAKE I. The Eltbam-Opunakc match, played on the Eltham ground, proyed ono of the most exciting and keenly contested matches witnessed here for years. In tho first spell, Dive scored a try for Eltham, which was not converted. J. Martin scored for Opunake, B. Anderson converting. In the second spoil Dive again scored for liltham, but the attempt at goal was a failure. For off-side play by one of the Eltham players, Opunake was awarded a free kick in a good position, a goal resulting. During tho last 20 minutes of the game, Eltliam sorely pressed the Opunake men, but were unable to further add to tho score, the game resulting Opunake 8, Eltham 6. Mr Lees refereed in a very satisfactory manner. For Eltham Dive, Furrie, DeLaunay, A. Moir, McCracken, Weir, and McDonald played splendid games, whilst Anderson, Martin, Forsyth, Young, and A. Guy were most- conspicuous for Opunake.

HAWEEA II v. OPUNAKE 11. The Hawera juniors defeated Opunake by 21 points to 3. W AIM ATE 111 v. OKAIAWA 111. The above match resulted in a win for Waimate by 5 points to 3. PATEA 111 v. ELTHAM 111. Patea 111 forfeited to Eltham 111. It is rumoured that there was considerable dissatisfaction and disagreement with the referee in the InglewoodClifton senior match at Inglewood on Thursday last, and, but for wiser counsel prevailing, tho Clifton skipper would haye taken his men off tho field. This brings to mind an incident of a few years ago. The Inglewood team was making a big bid for the Cup, and occupied a good position. Clifton was hopelessly out of it, having the utmost difficulty in keeping its engagements. Being sports, however, tho Waitara club declined to forfeit, and rakod up a team which travelled to Inglewood and administered a decisive dofeat to the local team, thereby detroyingits chance of annexing the championship. This year, tho prooess seems to have been repeated, only on the other side of the ledger,

Who wears a halo round his head on the Waitara football field P Abbott. In matches, feed Abbott. In practices, watch Abbott when he gets tlie ball. No one Booms able, or sufficiently venturesome, to lay the "All black" three-quarter on the field. Clitton's great failing is a disposition to collar a man by tho head. If the head ducks, the " collar" doesu't come oil. But whafs the use of continually hammering on tho " collar low " business. The majority of players would rather aim high and miss. Referring to a recent match in the New Plymouth Recreation Grounds, " Telescope" asks if it is possible for a reforee to watch a game without following it closely. On the occasion in question, the gentleman with the whistle seemed mostly concerned about tho cleanliness of his footwear. Great interest is being taken in the Star-Clifton senior fixture of Thursday, each side appearing confident of its ability to emerge victorious from the struggle. The Clifton men are unable to explain how the Stars managed to beat them in the first round, and have set this down as a non-recurring item on their programme.