FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 163, 1 July 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

KXULISIt CAPTAIN'S GiUIiVAXCE.

Ity Telegraph.—Press Association. Kapicr, Tuesday. In the course of an interview*, Harding, captain of tin; English team, declined to express any opinion as to the alleged rough [day in the test match, He remarked that the tour had been badly arranged, loultmg in tiie team being compelled tu do much more travelling ilum was ]im*v>ary. WESTKILN DIVISION. (From Our Jiahotu Correspond ■ 111). On Saturday Kahotu .-seniors mot Pihaunt seniors ami sueeeeih'd in winning Lhcir iirst mateh ihis season, being victorious by 0 points to nil. i'iliama, howevor, did not have their best team and had to fill up with two Itahotu players. The game was not very brilliant, though at times both sides got on some goud forward ru-die-, and the loeal backs also threw the ball about well at time-a. The iirst try was obtained by (.'nrkill pieking the ball'up from a scrambling ru>h and beating ilie fullback. Tho second try was obtained by J. Uothery from a scrambling irush. .Martin and U. Uothery both failed lo convert. Kor the winners. Maker, Corkill, Phillips (forwards), Kaynor (2i, llothery (backs) were conspicuous, as were iSmith, Forsyth (forwards), Aik-jn and Hooper (backs) for t'ihama. On Saturday a trial match. OkatoRahotu junior v. Piltama-Opunake juniors, was played at Opunake, and resulted in an easy win for the latter by 27 points to nil. The junior reps, to play the southern juniors were picked jii'tur the match and the following local playlers obtained places: —11. 'Syuions, \Y. James, Pipi, and Leathcrbv. Kniergency, A. Baker.

A senior trial match will Ik* played shortly with a view to pit-king the Westem reps, tu play against the Northern reps. A football match was played here on Wednesday Iwtween the Opunake ami Bahotu Maori teams, ami resulted in a win for Opunake hy 0 points to nil. In the evening a dance was held in the hall. Music was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Conroy. Mr. \V. Kaipo made an eilieient M.C. During the evening songs wore rendered by Riki Kahui and Alt', and Mrs. C'ouroy.

The following team has been selected to represent Die Western Division junior tea in against the Southern Division juniors at llawera on Sat unlay: -- Fullback, ilohaia; three-quarters, Thompson, Pipi, (.iraham; live-eighths. McClelland: half, King; wing forwards, Pepperell, Runa; 4 forwards, Wilson, Andrews, lliekey, Carey, Simmonds, James, Molfitt. Emergencies: Backs, Baker and Poiner; forwards, Dic-kson and Fisher.

SCHOOLS' MATCH. OPUNAKE (3) v. CENTRAL (0). Teams representing the Opunake and New Plymouth Central schools met on tin; racecourse yesterday. Despite the wet weather and consequently the slippery ball, the game proved very fast and exciting, and the result was a victory for Opunake by three points to nil. Jn the lirst spell pia- was coni'iied to the forwards and play was even. In the seeond spoil Opunake opened up the play and their hacks threw the oval about in good style, although several good chances were missed owing to the greasy state of the ball. Central held a slight advantage in the serum work, but the wild passing of their half often placed them in awkward circumstances. The lirst spell ended without any score. About ten minutes after the commencement of the second spell. Parkos secured' near half-way, and out-pacing the opposing backs scored a pretty try between the goal posts. Wallace failed to convert/ This reverse stirred the Centrals, who set up a deadly attack, but the defence of the visitors was too safe, and (he game ended without further score. The Opunake. forwards played a solid game, while Parkes. Wallace, llahni and Mare were the most conspicuous among the backs. For Central Millington and Court iu Dm backs played great games, Whitcombe, Roberts and Sinclair being the most, noticeable in the forwards. .Mr. O. West controlled the game.

Arrangements have been made for the Opunake school footballers to play a match "with the West End school on Thursday. The Opunake b'Ovs are requested to meet at the Post OHice today at UwO a.m. A Stratford football enthusiast who witnessed the test match at "Wellington on Saturday considers that the English forwards ran all over the >\ k w Z",»landers. lie predicts a lively time for the Taratnki representatives, especially if it should happen to be wet.-—Post, Eltham seniors having forfeited to Tukapa, the latter team now secure the leadership in the northern division. There will be no senior game on a New Plymouth ground on Thursday.