FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 204, 18 August 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL

KECOIt!) GATE TAKINGS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The takings a t the gates and stands on Saturday last totalled JCat)!. This m a^ ily Ti recol ' d for an iutc Trovineial match, llie previous host was £TSO, taken at the game between /the same two provinces in IUU4. AUCKLAND ITEMS. n.u , Au «Wand, Last Night, ihc Wellington rep. football team left for New Plymoutli to-day en route for lionre. A very large number assembled at the Auckland railway statjoii to bid farewell to tilic members of tile team, who, while accepting their defeat in a very sportsmanlike manner are naturally disappointed at the largeness of the" score registered against "them. ° ' Mr. J. Williams, of Dunedin, who rcfereed in the match last Saturday, also left to-day for home. . The representatives of tihe W. Wallace Testimonial Committee l_ Arnold and Brown), who came up to .Auckland last week, made a collection at the Alexandra Park gates oil Saturday, the Sum realised being about £25. Several donations have been made, so that the amount realised iiy the visit to Auckland must approach £3O. A .number of lists have been distributed in Auckland.

FINAL FOE IAKANAM CHAMPIONSHIP.

'l'lie final "for the championship of Taranaki was played at Opimake on Saturday, between Waimate and Okato and resulted in a win for the boys from the "City of the Plains" by 14 points to nil.

Of the nineteen mutches played between Auckland and Wellington, Auckland has won 10 and Wellington 8, the other being drawn. A New Plymouth enthusiast who saw the Auckland-Wellington match says that the defeat of Wellington by a big

margin should not- lead Taranaki people to think that our representatives have I "a soft thing on" against the Wellingtonians. I'p till half-time, he says, many of the spectators looked upon Wellington as having rosy chanees of victory, but the Northerners got a couple of "flukey" tries, and in the last twenty minutes simply romped over the visitors. He reckons 1 the Auckland backs are superior to ours, cleaner and more accurate in passing and handling the ball. "Wellington will beat Taranaki," lie said, "and as for.Auckland"— words failed him.

Hooker, who ylaycil for the Taranaki representatives against Manawatn a few weeks ago, scored a try for the Tukapa juniors against Ivia Ora at Napier un Saturday. "Xopikka" writes to the Editor: ''l have been much amused during the past few days bv the two 'stagers' who arc discussing the Taranaki team. I recommend 'Old Stager' to forward his name to Mr. Skoglund, secretary of the Taranaki- Rugby Union, and I will be greatly surprised if he is not forthwith appointed selector of Taranaki representative teams now and for ever. The man who would leave out the finest forward we have, and one of New Zealand's best, lest that player be hurt, is a refreshing sort of an individual who should not be allowed to hide his light under a bushel." A Taranaki representative was being barracked about the Amber and Blacks' display against South Canterbury. Quoth he: "Look here, my boy, if you've got) any money, and want more, back Taranaki- against Wellington." Thanking him for the tip, his tormentor asked, ''What about Auckland?" and the other j

replied, ''Wait a bit, but. we'll give /eui a run." Geo. Winters,'of the luiponga Club, has been selected to travel witfli the •Junior reps, in tlivir Auckland tour.