FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 30 July 1910, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

DOMINION REP. GAMES. August 11—.South Canterbury v. North Otiago. August 13—Taranaki v. Wanganui, at Hawera. August 13—Auckland v. Hawke's Bay. August 17—Hawke's Bay v. Manawatu. August "20—Hawke's Bay v. Wanganui. August 20—Auckland v. Wellington, at Auckland. August 20—Canterbury v. South Canterbury, at Christchurch. August 25—Taranaki V. Wellington, at New Plymouth. August 27—Wellington v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. August 27 —Wellington v. Marlborough, at Wellington. August 27—'Auckland v. Thames, at Thames. August .27 —Canterbury v.. Southland, at Christchurch. August 27—Otago v. South Canterbury, at Dunedin. , August 27 —Wairarapa v. Hawke's Bay, at Napier. September I—Otagol—Otago v. North Otaigo, at Oamaru. September I—Southland: v. Wairarapa, iat Masterton. September 3—Wellington v. Southland, at Wellington. September 3—Taranaki v. Auckland, at Auckland. September 7 —Otago v. Southland, at Invercargill. September 10 —Auckland v. Canterbury, . at Auckland. September 10 —Wellington v. Otago, at Wellington. September 10 Wellington v. Marlborough, at Blenheim. September 14—Otago v. Wairarapa, at Masterton. September 15—Canterbury v. Wairarapa, at Carterton. 1 September 17—Wellington v. Canterbury, at Wellington.

T/.-R ANAKI FIXTURES. August 13 •Tarai.aki v. Wanganui, at Hawera. August 25 -T irsra 1 ?: v. Wellington, at New P;\mcut!i September 3 —Taranaki v. Auckland, at ( Auckland. NORTHERN DIVISION. I to •P ! J "$ "o . .5 rt S cp d g, H ►2 0 O 5| e £ J Q <<6 SENIORS. Stratford .... 8 1 1 I'l7 32 17 Clifton 7 2 1 89 22 15 *Tukiapa .... 5 2 3 79 52 13 1 *Eltham .... 5 5 0 65 87 10 Star 2 7 1 89 89 5 Inglewood .. .. 010 0 24 116 0 *Won against Inglewood by default. FIRST JUNIORS. Eltham 8 1 1 65 26 17 Clifton 7 1 2 88 33 16 Tukapa 5 5 0 95 i3<) 10 Infflewood .... 4 3 3 83 n \\ Stir 2 6-2 32 110 3 Stratford .... 1 8 1 34 83 3 SECOMjJ JUNIORS. f Clifton .. .. .. 8 2 0 1&3 22 Stratford .... 7 3 0 03 51 14 "Tukapa .. . . .. '6 4 0 51 59 12 Eltham .5 5 0 33 44 10 Star ...... 2 8 0 25 93 i Inglewood .... 2 8 0 23 78 4

The result of the Clifton-Eltham match on Thursday came as rather a surprise. It was fully expected that the local team would .fully extend l Clifton, but the latter were expected to just about win, and the play-off match between Stratford and Clifton was eagerly looked forward to . However, Clifton were defeated and thus lost whatever chance they had of winning championship honors. The club must be congratulated on obtaining second honors, and it is I hoped that this will spur them to go! I one better next year. | What should have been an attractive! display was completely marred by rough | play. When two teams of solid forwards lineet, noted for hard kicking and brim ful of vim, the referee needs to exercise a firm 'hand to prevent the border line between strenuous play and rough play being crossed. Rev.' Scott, though undoubtedly a fair and impartial referee, certainly allowed the players too much l latitude.

Several players were temporarily injured. The game had only proceeded a few minutes when Sampson, the Clifton full back, received a kick, from the effects of wliich he suffered throughout the game. He wished to retire, but as the Eltham captain refused a substitute, j he pluokily played on. A little later Cooper, the Eltham half got hurt and had to retire, Eltham playing only fourteen throughout the game. Brown (Eltham) and Goodwin (Clifton) were 'also temporarily "hors de combat." The game was principally confined to the forwards. Eltham backs handled the ball occasionally very nicely,- but were handicapped by the loss of their half.

JBrowni, at five-eiglith, played a fair gaone. On one occasion, however, he let the ball go past him badly. He is also inclined to trip. The three-quarter line was a very solid one. Dive aaid Potier 'were 'in good form and were prominent in every rush. The try secured by Potier was a nice pne, but Dive and Moir had a big share in it. ...

Dive was also place-kicking beauti-. fully. One of his goals was a magnificient effort. He, however, was inclined to obstruct a little. McLeod at full was not a success. Moir, at wing forward, played a fine <rame. He was conspicuous throughout both on attack and on the defensive. Potter's try was the outcome of an opening seen and seized by him. I Among the forwards Osborne was to the fore in every rush. Salter, Horan, Narboy and Charteris also played well. " Sampson, at full for Clifton, evidently felt the effects of the bump he got. He had six stots at goal, some fairly easy, I but missed them all. 1 Goodwin and Tate at wing three-quar-ter played well. Goodwin did a lot of I tackling. He received a nasty bump, which it is aJleged, was an intentional 'punch. No one was within ten yards of him when he kicked the ball, so that those w<ho followed the flight of the ball ■wete much surprised to see him on the ground. Tate performed all he had to do very creditably. He is a young player; and if he continues to improve, gives promise of developing into a first class pl jones at centre three-quarter and Kyle

at five eilghthg were weak. The former was ordered off near the end of the game for answering back at the .referee. Players must remember that the man with the whistle is omnipotent on the "i'i of it*/ •• T r (Adams juaveq at naJ -i jie sdiajjtsd very: creditably 1 , that he had beenj il all the week and got nfi OUt of bed! to play. Crowley at wing forward played his usual due game. He puts plenty of dn.sh | into his work and is there a'll the time, j He had hard luck when he crossed the j Line in not being allowed a try, as he ap-1 peared to ground the ball before the El-j tiara forwards fell on him. The referee, however, could not see it and gave aj scrum.

l>. iJll ruuia 0,1 uu jjcinuouuil pui; cu niiv, games, and were very prominent, the latter'a try being a very good one. Cain and Thomas also played very solid games. < Stars no hope against tiio Stratford men on Thursday. The home team was too heavy, too fast, too confident. Of the winning team the man who took the eye as much as anyone was the fullback, R. Anderson, who took Dixon'l place. He lacks Dixon's "theatricals," and the gallery was ignored. But he got through his work well, fielding well and kicking with good judgment. He had little tackling to do, but he is said to be sound in this department of the game. Cameron was at his best, and put in some telling Wjork. He is not; always a good dub mian, but on Thursday no fault could fbe found, with his work. ;

Tocker did some good work, but was patchy, His passing is not a strong feature.

On the other wing was "Bunny" Abbott, a purely attacking three-quarter, and as Stratford attacked for the greater part of the match die had plenty oi opportunity. Bonner wa-9 very safe at half. The forwards were a sterling lot. I've come to the conclusion that Harkness either can't help playing roughly, or else that he takes a delight in getting in a slight hit at an opponent. It is quite certain that he rarely misses an opportunity. It's risky and hardly manly, to make a rush at a man' who has just kicked off his mark, jump at him as lie stands on one leg only, and catch iiim "biff" under the jaw> > If the Stratford pack is to ibe composed of the same players next year the public will welcome the adoption of the rule providing for rough play umpires. With this exception the forwards gave few chances of criticism, bunching well, and keeping the ball down. Possibly no other half-back in the division would have exhibited the same unconcern that Brown did on Thursday when snatching the bail from the toes of that line Stratford pack. '•Brownie" played a fine defensive game. It's a pity he doesn't go; a chance behind a winning pack, lie would show how to do it, and no mistake.

■He was ably seconded by Hill, as i centre. He played like a steam-engine, and did his share towards keeping out j the Red and Blacks, whilst he also initiated some good attacking movements. His wings were not of the strongest, Pike being out of form and Malone out ot place. The latter, however, did much better than in several of his previous, matches. > _ • j Whitaker, at played well, I going down to the rushes as though they 1 were Central School Vo.a coming, ana tackling well throughout. I Clow, as usual, wau very sound at full. , Hawkins '.wis the best of the Star forwards. He's a "goer," and no mistake, and he uses his brains. I Turn bull, Hopkins and Coker also did I fine work throughout. Roberts, of Okaiawa, was the most i prominent back on the Manaia ground | last Wednesday. O'Sullivan is described as the "hero" of the team, and Tamu ! and Ryan get most of the kudos on the other side. - (They are good sports down in the south end. During the Wiaimate-Okafawa match last Wednesday an Okaiawa man was hurt in the second spell, and a fresh player was allowed to take his place. The referee in this match took time off for torn jerseys! Pini, at centre three-quarter for Waimate, was out of hia place. 'He is without doubt a great forward. Bryan at full shome out wmorag the Waimate backs.

The meeting between Okaiawa and I Waimate at - Hawera next Wednesday ( will provide a "willing'' match. The j teams are old rivals, and their support- ; ers are very enthusiastic, and very ready to support their views with hard cash. j The rumpus telegraphed by the Preaa agent at Palmerston North docs not, seem _ to be countenanced by the Manawatu Rugby Union. Here is a copy of a letter received by the Taranaki Rugby Union on Thursday from Mr. D. McKenzie, secretary of tihe Manawatu Union:—"Will you kindily let me know as early as pospossible what arrangements you made for the accommodation of our team at Hawera—l mean as to tariff? Our manager is under the impression that the proprietor of the hotel where the team stopped is 'sticking it on,' and I would fee glad to know what rate you agreed to give. 'Some of your players collared our ball, and I would be obliiged! if you •will secure it iand post it on to me." The fuss made down at Palmerston started upon receipt of an intimation from this end that the Hawera Club secretary had been under a misapprehension when fee arranged to pay the Manawatu team's expenses. As for want of courtesy, the writer wa9 informed by Mr. Sikogktnd, tihe secretary of the T.R.U., i Dbaf the team was met by the secretary | of the Hawera Club, on the Union's be- •' half, that course being adopted because ■ there is no member of the management committee resident at Hawera. Later I in the evening, Mr. Skoglund met the ; team at their hotel. Arrangements could i not be made for a smoke concert, as none of the hotels would undertake it. As a matter of fact,' Hawera ihad to ac- ' commodate far more people that week than it had hoped for, even in the most ! flighty moments, and no one had any II wish to bother with a team of foot- ' bailers. It is a pity that the fuss has been made, and doubtless it is only the " result of the desire of someone in Fal- | meraton to pass into the glare of the limelight. At Tuesday's meeting of the management committee of the Canterbury ! Ru<»:by Union several members criticised ' the" match between the touring team ' from the Californian Universities and Canterbury. Mr. E. T. Harper bi ought the matter up by mentioning the publica- » tion of a letter by "Old Pkyer," who, he > said, had stated that the Canterbury forwards had had no scrum practices. Mr. 7 Harper said that he quite agreed as to J the need for scrum practices. It was impossible for the selection committee to , n i e ir U n a number of men and then expect - fcliem to pack well. Had there been f scrum practices, probably Canterbury i.' would not have given such a poor exlirbi--1 > tion against the Americans. Last year s 1 there 'had been no scrum practices. He t su°£e»ted that a number of the most pro--1 minent forwards should be got together the teams were picked and given 0 scrum and packing practices; then the • | selection committee would: be able to '. D i c k a set of well-balanced forwards. _ Mr. W G. Garrard said that the experience had been that the players would not attend such practices. Mr. Harper said

that if it were known that a mart's selection would depend on his work tie practices they would attend, Q. g. Matthews said , rK6 } i(U i.. g '^,~ ec { to just ft* mtifcli practice as the for- [ wards. Oil SiUiii'day one of the front- ! rankers had been injured, and the way j the ball had been placed in the serum ! luid had! & great deal to do wiui it. Hx, If. 6'oWlishaw, an old l':u>lvii,ury rep., saw?, fliat the tactics of the front-rank men m the American scrum and the mail j who placed the ball in for them through- ! out t!?H game had been most unfair, and jit had Keen practically impossible to get , the ball from them. The committee dej tided to accept Mr. Harper's Miggestion. ■ and the discussion ended, j Some of the Taranaki teams want some of this self-same practice. Clever

, scrummers give the half-back a chance to 'set his three-quarter line moving. Our •bacta?, given move opportunities, could | make football much more attractive. Good backs are good, but they get a ! Oqqi gliy w 'behind poor scrummers. * An enthusiast who W« in 'attendance at the Waimate-Okaiawa nn v < eanesday writes to the Hawera Star that the game wa9 of a fast and interesting order throughout. The first spell was decidedly in favor of the home team, but jtlie second portion was, if anything, 'slightly in Okaiawa's favor. The latter were playing two juniors as substitutes —McComisky and G. Luxton—and had the misfortune to lose "Pat" Luxton in the second spell. By previous arrangement with Waimate, King was allowed to take a-place in.the three-quarter line. Both packs were 'in'great McKay and Thmu being probinent for Waimate, and Milne arid O'Sullivan for Okaiawa. Milne in particular played a great game, continually breaking away by himself. Of the backs, Roberts, for Okaiawa, was the most conspicuous, and he was well supported by "Pat" Luxton during t.ae first spell. The home backs were a very even lot. Waimate missed two easy penalties in the first spell, and Okaiawa missed their chance of scoring from a mark in the second spell by a very narrow margin. PJay was chiefly confined to the (forwards, the backs seldom getting j on a passing movement. The tackling of both sides was very good indeed. Mr. N. A'Court made a very impartial referee, though he could have been stricter with some of the. rather vigorous play that went on during the match, which caused several unnecessary knock-outs. lA Stratford man who was there waxes eloquent concerning the display given by [Roberts. 'He also expresses the opinion that the Stratford forwards will get an eye-opener next Wednesday. Canterbury has not included Taranaki in the itinerary of its touring team. This, of course, is one of the penalties w r e suffer for being removed from the direct route between Wellington and Auckland. Canterbury owes us a visit, and their neglect to come along this year will doubtless be considered when the Taranaki tour is arranged next year. A Taranaki team passing through'Christchurch to Dunedin next year, and saying I merely "'how-de-do" to Mr. Garrard and | I the oth.-r RuuHy Union officials will be a bit uallinp to the Canterbury Union. And wi'Awmn a lo*s of over a hundred lovely sovereigns to their funds. Doubtless this was taken into consideration when Nvw Plymouth was cut out of the tour- ■ insr tenn ''. irogramme. The Taranaki j tram "takes'" in Christchurch, and a ' match between the Amber and Black -ml 'the Cardinal and Black representatives always provides a big gate. The Civil Service team for to-day will consist of the following: —Chamberlain, | Copestake, Honcvfield, Alexander, Pfanikuch, Loveridge, Broadmore, Brabant, .Cox, Kileour. Kennedy,' Allan, Broadmore, Giilett, Forward, Kent and Simpson. Gray is reported to have played a great jy-Tme for Canterbury against the Californian University team.