FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 19 August 1911, Page 4

FOOTBALL

. NEWS AND NOTES, Okaiawa are to be congratulated on annexing the championship this season. Two years ago the club was in a bad way, and was unable to enter a senior team in the competition. They were, however, allowed to retain their district, and tho following year made a marvellous recovery, being only ousted from the premier position of the Southern Division by Waimate after having played two stubborn drawn games. This year, with the assistance of Tamu and McLeod, two of Waimate's mainstays, they annexed the division premiership, and on Thursday set the seal on their fame by defeating Clifton and winning the championship of Taranaki. It was generally expected that the match would result in an easy win for the Southerners, but it was not so, for it was only after a .very stubborn contest that Okaiawa won. In fact, right up to the call of time the issue was in doubt, and there was every prospect of a djraw. The match was rather rough at times, and on some occasions it looked as if deliberate punching was indulged in.

The Clifton backs took the ball surprisingly well for a wet day, in marked contrast to Okaiawa. McLcod seemed to be the only one certain of taking the ball on the full. The game for Clifton to have played would have been to kickhigh and follow up. Colman's kicks, though high, covered too much ground and enabled his opponents to retrive any mistake before the forwards could get up. Colman. at half, played a great defensive game, and wont down well to the rushes. He also got the ball out well to his backs.

Eggleston was prominent in foot wor.k and following up. lie'did not take the ball too well.

Of the three-quarters C. Tate was the pick. He hardly ever failed to take the ball, and put in some great runs. He should be a future rep. Goodwin played much better than the previous Thursday. His goal was a neat one.

Of the forwards, none played better than Thomas and Fairley. The latter shows great promise. As a hooker he is also above the average, and, with Cain, got the ball on almost every occasion. Crowley, on the wing, played with great dash, but his off-side play penalised his side game. G. George, at full-back, was as safe as a church. On two occasions when pressed he kicked behind Hie line and saved. Okaiawa might have appealed and obtained a scrum, hut did not.

Of the Okaiawa three-quarters Roberts was the better. His pace stood him in good stead, and he certainly deserved a try on one occasion when the ball was kicked over the line, and he outpaced all opposition and fell on the ba'll, only to find that it had reached touch in goal. McLeod, at five-eighths, played right up to form. His handling of the wet ball was fine, whilst his defensive work was good.

McAllum, at half, also proved a capable player.

Luxton, at full-back, had a lot of work to do, and got through without many mistakes.

The Okaiawa forwards are a fine, powerful lot. Patterson shone out best, btit plays too strenuously at times. Tamu was not as prominent as usual, but did a lot of solid work, as did also Koru and Crowley.

The wing forwards, Toro and McCracken, were prominent in every attacking movement, though the latter has an off-side tendency. The rep. team to go on tour has now been selected. The following twentytwo men have been chosen:—Hill (Star), Cameron (Stratford), Stohr (Tukapa"), Roberts (Okaiawa)., Mynott (Tukapa), McLeod (Okaiawa), Brown (Tukapa), Column (Clifton), Prince (Waimatc), Taylor (Waimatc), Osborne (Stratford), Cain (Clifton). Tamu (Okaiawa), Young (Waimate), Dewar (Star), Hawkins (Star), Whittington (Hawera), Ward (Tukapa), Kissick (Kaponga), Patterson (Okaiawa), C. Shcclum (Patea), Smith (Stratford). '

All the backs, with the exception of Prince, were regarded as certainties, but many thought that Goodwin would have been chosen as the extra three-quarter. The Clifton player's poor game against the Maoris spoilt his chance. Of the forwards the new men are Patterson and Ward. The former well deserves his place on his game against Clifton, whilst the Tukapa player is of the active, fast type, who should prove successful on the tour.

The team starts on Tuesday, and plays Manawatu on Thursday. Hill and S4olir will not be able to get away for this match, but will leave on Friday and bo available against Wellington on Saturday. Taranaki will need its strongest fifteen if it is to defeat the elect of the Empire City, judging by the latter's performances against the North Island team and the Maoris. Hill will only be available for the Wellington, Southland and Otago matches, as he cannot obtain further leave.

The tour this year is the most extensive that the Taranaki Rugby Union has undertaken, including, as it does, a trip as far south as Invercargill and across to Greymouth. The trip will involve an expenditure of about £4OO.