FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 319, 5 June 1911, Page 7

FOOTBALL

THE MAORI TOUR, ~ s!> f By Telegraph.—Press Association. Palmerston N., Saturday. .', Mr. T. W. Pa rata, president of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, and promoter of the amateur Maori team which did so well in Australia last year, was interviewed at Palmerston to-day by a Times' representative respecting the telegram in reference to the New Zealand Rugby Union having refused permission to his team to visit England and held over the granting of permission for it to tour the North Island this year. Parata said he had found the groat bulk of the money necessary for the Australian tour last year. He stands at present £SOO out on the trip, hut experts that sura to be reduced to £250 when certain unions which have not yet settled up in connection with last year's matches do so. He is very anxious to keep the leading Maori players within the amateur ranks. He points out that nearly all the players in the first professional team to 'go to Australia were procured from the Bay of Plenty. They have since applied for reinstatement as amateurs on the ground that they did not realise what they were doing, but this has been refused, and they do not play football. The League, however, ia most active in endeavoring to secure a footing in the Bay of Plenty and restore them to football, as well as make a fruitful recruiting ground for the professional game in Australia. There are fifty teams playing in the Bay of Plenty, thirty of these being seniors. The Bay of Plenty Union was forced out of the Auckland Union by the formation of a South Auckland Union, and they can no longer rely on Auckland matches, which they formerly enjoyed, and this is a source of danger, as the League is always at work pointing out the advantages of playing the professional game. Practically al! the members of late years' Maori teams have been approached with inducements to join the League, but have refused. Mr. Parata considers it of importance in this regard that the New Zealand Union should place no oh' i stacle in the way of the contemplated North Island tour of the Maori team. It will be run on the same lines as ordinary amateur representatives. Mr. Parata and others will finance it, and any surplus over actual expenses will be devoted to some legitimato Maori object, while the New Zealand Union will be furnished with full accounts of the tour.

The programme suggested is as' follows:—Ha wke's Bay, July 22; Poverty Bay, July 29; Bay of Plenty, August 2; Auckland, August 5; Taranaki, August 9; Waiiganui, August 12, Mnnawatu-1 Horowhenua, August 10, Wellington, August 19; Wairarapa, August 23. Some of these dates have already been accepted by the unions named, and others are considering them. Mr. Parata only awaits the assent of the New Zealand Union to complete arrangement?. He is now going round selecting his men. STAR (20) v. UNITED (0). The above teams met on the Recreation Sports Ground on Saturday in ideal football weather. The ground was in first-class condition, and the wind was scarcely felt. Both teams played only fourteen men, and United played with thirteen in the second half, owing to one of their men receiving a bad kick and having to retire. A pleasing feature of the game was the deadly tackling by several of the United men, Skipper and Maxwell being particularly good. United won the toss and.played with a bright sun at their backs. For the first twenty minutes play was of a very scrambly nature, neither side gaining any advantage. A good rush by Star took play into United's half, where one of the forwards picked the ball up and set a splendid passing rush going. The, ball was handled by several of the forwards, and then went out to the backs, McAllum putting the finishing touch to a pretty piece of work by- scoring. Richards failed with the kick. From the kick-out the Blues attacked strongly, and had Star defending. Tito kicked down field, and following up fast, again got to the ball, but threw away an almost certain score by attempting to pick the ball up. United kept up the attack, and Kisky and Goss had shots at goal from free kicks, Goss' attempt going very close. Star gained relief from a powerful kick by Pfunkueh, and put United on the defensive. From a scrum near the line, Pilchcr got possession and scored, but no goal resulted. United again attacked, but were unable to score, and the first spell' ended with the score o—o in Star's favor. In the second half Star had much the best of the play, and were continually attacking. Shortly after the start, Dewar got across, but Richards failed to goal. From a. free kick in front of the posts, Dewar put the ball over, but it touched one of the United men in its ilight, and no goal was allowed. The Blues made several desperate attempts to shift play out of their territory, but were unsuccessful. McAllum next attempted to pot, but put the ball under the bar instead of over. A long kick by a United back shifted play to Star's 25, but the Blacks brought the ball' back, and from a scrum in United's 25, Dewar got the ball and beating several United men, scored between the posts, and converted the try himself. A sensational run by Jacob, wing three-quarter for United, made things interesting. He outpaced the opposition and crossed the line, but in falling lost the ball, and a 1 force resulted. The Blacks were soon at it again, and Simmers and Dewar scored in quick succession, neither of the tries lieing converted. There was no further score, and the game ended with the scores Star 20, United 0. Mr. Petty was referee. POST AND TELEGRAPH MATCH.

The Wanganui and Now Plymouth Post; and Telograph teams played a match at Hawera on Saturday, and after a fast and exciting gamp, ended in a win for Wanganui by 14 points to ii. For the winners Day dribbled the ball over and scored under the posts, McCarthy converting. The first spell ended in Wanganui's favor by 3 to nil. Early in the seaond spell, Stimpson picked' the hall up in the loose and dashed over near the corner. Loveridgc converted, and the scores were equal. Then Renner potted a good goal for Wanganui. Shortly afterwards Wanganui again scored after a lot of scrambling under Xew Plymouth's goal. McCarthy again converted. Time was called with'play in Wanganui's 25. Mr. Canton, of Hawera, kindly acted as referee. Wanganui were superior in the forwards and hooked the hall in the serums. The New Plymouth backs were superior to their opponents, had very few chances. SCHOOLS COMPETITION".

STRATFORD (0) v. WATTARA (0)

At Waitarn on Saturday Stratford and Waitara met in the opening round of the school championship. A good hard fought game was won by Stratford by 0 points (tries secured by James (2) ii,i ~ie\vart) to nil. 'air. .George

THE NORTHERN UNION GAME. . TARANAKI MATCHES. The Taranaki-Wanganui League match! is fixed for the 10th July at Wangamii. ! Taranaki and Auckland meet at Newf Plymouth in August for the League Cup, 1 donated by the English Northern Rugby'' Union. The cup is a very handsome one, and is valued at 40 guineas. The match should prove an interesting one, as Taranaki will put a strong team in the field. Taranaki and Auckland have met on four occasions, Taranaki winning twice and Auckland twice. It is probable that Taranaki will play five or six outside teams at New Ply. mouth this season. THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

(By "Queen's Park")

The Stratford team which defeated the New Plymouth team on Thursday last was the strongest combination that the town has provided. Wcller, a local back, misjudged the ground, and the ball often beat him.

Lcgg, in goal, was in no way responsible for the goals that were notched by Stratford, they being unsaveahle. Elliott got through a lot of work. His tackling and passing were very fine. Fcnton, the latest capture from the Rugby game, gave a creditable display. Ho was "shaky" at the start, but gained confidence as the game progressed. He was the only one who seemed to know where the goal lay. He should make a good half-back. The forwards were good in the oncn, hut erratic at close quarters. They skied the ball too much to make progress. McComish was not so successful as he was against Eltham, he missing his kicks at some critical moments.

Stratford's goal-keeper hadn't much to do, but should keep a cool head and not allow his temper to get the better of him so. often. Troubled waters may lie ahead if this is persisted in. The hacks defended well, the halves being very fair. The forwards' were good, the centre scoring the goals in brilliant fashion.

H.M.S. Cambrian's men have challenged Wellington to play a match to-day, the proceeds to go to charity—another act of "Jack's" kindness. China is far ahead of New Zealand as regards "soccer," no less than six nations taking part in an international game. Although a Rugby score was chalked up against "John*" he chased the leather with delight. Scotland won the championship, beating America in the final. A good many of the Glasgow club's juniors played for Scotland. In the final of the English cup, fourteen Scotchmen, five Englishmen, two Irishmen and ono colonial took part.