FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 88, 2 April 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THE PROFESSIONALS. Writes our London correspondent:— The New Zealanders showed really good form in their last two matches against representative Northern Union teams, and by winning the added considerably to their reputation. Their tour has certainly ben a financial success, as the total receipts amounted to £14,743, of which over £ISOO was taken at Wigan. One direct result of the tour has been to encourage Northern Union football, which now has a hold in South Wales, while steps are about to be taken to form a club in London. The tourists took part in 34 matches, winning 18, losing 14, and drawing two, while they scored 393 points, as against 284 by their rivals.

It is expected the Kugby Union ground at Twickenham will cost £lO,000, of which .tWWO will go for building two stand-, (coverad), which are to be 110 yards long, with are-sing rioms. committee and luncheon rooms, kitchen. offices, bath rooms, etc. When completed, the ground will probably be the finest Hugby enclosure in the country, and ought to prove a valuable asset to tin- Kugby Union. Touching on Kugbv matters, 11. 11. Vassall, the brilliant centre three-quarter, will lie included in the British team which is going on toif in tbes pring.

ASSOCIATION'. That there is something wrong with the management of southern footbail looks probable as so many prominent teams have gone into the English League (says o«r London correspondent). Bristol City, Woolwich Arsenal, and Chelsea are in the first division 01 the League, while Fulham and Clapton Orient figure among the second division club?. The latest move is that Tottenham Hostpur and Queen's Park Rangers intend applying for admission to tlie second division of the League. With seveu such important teams as those named standing outside the Siuthern league it is not to be wondered at that the latter does not rank so high as it ought. The improvement in southern football goes steadily on and this in time must lead to one national league, divided in to northern, midland, and southern groups, and with two or mora divisions in each.

ENGLAND BEATS IRELAND. Belfast was the scene of the first international of the season under Association rules, and once again the Irish team had to put up with defeat against the Saxons, writes our correspondent on February 21. It is a long lane which has no turning, and Ireland will no doubt score eventually, In all 27 matches have been decided between England and Ireland, and the best the Celts have done is to draw twice, while England's representatives have scored 137 goals, as against 14 by the Irishmen. A feature of Saturday's game was the good form of Hilsden, who scored three goals for the winners, whil c Ireland's goal was netted by llannon, of the Bohemians, an amateur of distinct promise.

THE KIVAL BLUES. Another big match on Saturday was tlie thirty-fifth encounter between Oxford and Cambridge. The dark blues were able to place a powerful team in the field, the backbone of which was G. N. Foster, K. IV. G. Hunt, E. L. Wright, and W. C. Jordan. The best of the Cant.ibs was P. H. Farnficld, of the New Crusader-, but unfortuuatnlv he went lame in the early part of the match. It was not a Very exciting or scientific game, the Oxford men final, ly winning by 4 goals to 1. This brings the r<-,,.rd to dale to 17 win, all, with oued r.i«. Cambridge having scored IK goals to M by Oxford.