FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 61, 2 September 1911, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

TARIANAKTS 1911 RBCOSD. Jupe.3.—v. Wanganui, at Wanganui; ] .. ,won by 11 to 3. Juty C—v. Wanganui, at Hawera; won *>y 18 to 3. August 3.—v. North Island, at New Ply- . .. mouth; won by. 11 to 6. ) August 10.—v. N.Z. Maoris, at Stratford; won by ,17 to 10. ' August 24.—v. Manawatu-Horowhcnua, at Palmers ton; won by 12 to 3. August 26.—v. Wellington, at Wellington; won by 23 to ,'t. August 30.—v. Southland, at fnvcrcargill; won by 12 to 11. i'" &KESENTATIVK [FIXTURES. J 'September 2.—Taranaki v. Otago, at Dunedin; Auckland v. Canterbury, ' ( . at Christeliurcb.. ■ September s.—Taranaki v. West Coast, ,',...at'Greymouth; Auckland v. Otago, , ,at Dunsdin. .September 9.—Auckland v. Wellington, at Wellington; Taranaki v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. September 14.—Auckland v. Taranaki, at ..Isew Plymouth} Canterbury v. South ~ ii Ca'nteribury, at Timaru. i ;,/EM' victory that our representatives 1 'over Wellington last week paused tlie hopes of local supporters to soar very; > l%h, especially as the vicJtory ,«as somewhat unexpected, and the opinion was. freoly expressed that Taranaki would come through the tour undefeated,'!: They probably will, but on they had a remarkably narrow shave at the hands of Southland, whom they were only able to defeat by ihe narrow margin of one point, a elevferly potted goal by Hill against an unconverted try giving them the game. ', The Southland forwards were cred- I jted with being a very hot crowd, and i a-pjiiear rto hav« .had the advantage of our j vanguard, The defection of Smith, the j burly,.Stratford lock, who had to leave the t-eam .at Wellington to return to his duties, would be seriously felt. The | combination of: tho backs, both against Wellington:,9.ud' Southland, has been re-j markably good, and has much impressed spc«tj»toFS, • This is very pleasing, particularly .as at Southland Mynott was apparently- off color, and the team bad also been changed a little, McLeod taking,; ai-^pflJl,,Roberts going as outside (ivereigl>ths,,nnd Prince taking his place i at, the..wing three-quarter. The .result: of to-day's representative matchqu will be awaited with interest. Taranaki are playing Otago, whilst Auckland;will be playing the first match of the tour at Christchurch against Canterbury. Auckland will be without the services of W. Cunningham and Wilkes, wko -are unable to make the trip, while, of, course,, Francis, who has been the leading Auckland forward for the past few seasons, is away Home with the Australian Northern Unionists. The lust occasion on which Taranaki and Otago met was in 1008 at Hawera, when the local team won an exciting match, which was described as a battle royal between' the Taranaki backs and the visiting forwards, by 11 points to 9. Tries were secured by T. Sheehan, Dive flint Hunter (Cameron converting the latter try), against three unconverted tries. Dive's try was a most sensational one. On bis own line Hunter secured, corkscrewed: through about half the opposition, and pawed to Mynott. who swerved, past all opposition, past the fullhack, a,ml then /passed to Hive, who put in a fast, sixty, yards run and scored just ta.ken." Five members of the present,, touring team took part in that match, viz., Mynott, Cameron. Sheehan. Whi.tl|)|gtou , (who retired injured) and i Cai,n M .Xl)p .Otago team will to-day have four '• )|'l»o' ,were contestants in that match, vi/.,. Casey, Paton, Pattisun (forwards), and Sutherland (half).

<).t.a«'(>'s record this season so far is ns f.ollcAyst—T/>st to South Tsland Oonn* t.ry : t«nn, -by 13 to S; defeated Wanfrnnui. by 18 to 12; and defeated the Maoris 1iy,20 to 8. After to-day match against Hill will have to return home, as pressure of business -will not permit of his going; across to the West Coast. With Colman probably disabled for the rest of i tbe tour it would not he surprising if

ITar.inalri had to send for reinforcements I before the Canterbury match next Sat- j \ urday. I Stohr was in great kicking form last ,' Saturday, and now appears in the lirma- . ment as the star kicker, Dufty having faded completely below the horizon. Jack's efforts with the boot evidently completely demoralised the Wellington backs, who were afraid to kick lest the bull might be marked, and thus give the demon kicker an opportunity to display t his art and increase the Taranuki total. Tamu, who was unable to make tho trip awing to domestic reasons, Hill and | Smith should be in good form against \ Auckland, and will no doubt be badly 1 needed, as some of the present members t are certain to be stale.

, Tho secondary schools tournament that was played here last week l>etween New Plymouth, Palmerston and Napier provided three very attractive displays of Rugiby. The lads entered into the game with whole-hearted zest, and as they are always together in the school grounds*, and practice at every available opportunity, they are enabled to secure the combination necessary for the fast passing evolutions that make the game so delightful. Palmerston North played «; more atraefcive game, but the local lads fully deserved their two wins, as they played a determined-, deadly defensive game, and also proved quite equal to the occasion in attacking movements. jThere are numerous lads among all the teams who should develop into firs-t----clasa 'players, providing that too much knowledge of theirown prowess does not materially check, their career. Swelled head', lias contributed to the downfall of ■nirifty ii rising young footballer.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. (By "Banger.") On Victoria Park, Stratford, on Thursday last New Plymouth met > Manaia play off the championship of TaojanaM ani| the H. ,T. Julian Cup, and after a keenly contested game Manaia were victorious by two goals to one. After a Seal of delay caused by the absence of f, ball, a very late start was made. Mavpaia .kicked off against the wind, and a ■Strong sunlight in their eyes. They were She first to attack, the New Plymouth «backs being called upon to clear. From a foul close to the cup holders? goal Manaia were very near scoring. After about five minutes' play the game had to be stopped for the ball to be blown up afresh. From the resumption New Plymouth pressed, and had hard luck, Goddard sending in a fine shot, which beat the Manaia goalkeeper and struck the cross-bar. Manaia broke away on the right wing, but were ably stopped by Lawrence at back. Again the game was stopped for ball repairs, and from a fresh commencement Sheppard passed well out to Gwillim, who took the ball down the line and scored for New Plymouth. Half-time arrived with the score standing at 1 goal to nil in favor of New Plymouth. During the interval the ball underwent a decided change, and instead of a soft ball a hard ball took its place, which made a decided change, and ; f Manaia were not slow to take the advantage. From the resumption of pity it could <be seen that Manaia were going to make a big bid for the championship" I and after about a quarter of an hour's > play their inside left scored the equaliser. ; | From the kick-off they were again round j about the New Plymouth yoal, and from a cross from the outside right Bae (New '■. Plymouth) cleared with his head, only to see the ball rebound off Holmes into hisi owe goal. Manaia 2, New Plymouth,] 1. New Plymouth rallied a little at this j stage with a good parsing movement of'] the right wing, but were stopped by Bullock (Manaia), who was playing a! brilliant game at full Wk?' Once more Manaia were back at the New Plymouth fort, and were very near scoring The New Plymouth goalkeeper, by sitting on the lm.ll. just cleared in the nick of time. The latter half of the second; spell saw Manaia doing all the pressing. It was only a lack.of a shootist from, the Manaia forwards that saved New" Plymouth from a greater defeat. For Manaia. Stupletoiv at half. . played a really fine game, keeping his men together in splendid .fashion. Bullock, a last season's New Plymouth full-hack, wasi the best lwck on the field. Father Bergen was a good back, although somewhat inclined to big kicking instead of placing to his forwards. The halves were a very even lot. For New Plymouth, Holmes, at Imck, played a good .game. Bae, at "Tight half, was solid. MeComish. on the outside right, got in some igood crosses. Eggleston, at centre, was not seen at his'best. Stapleton was on to him all the time, and did not give him an inch. On the day's play the Manaia were the better team, always on the alert for an opening and always quicker on the ball. The team generally are a fine athletic lot of fellows, and are to be higlily praised !for the excellent way they have stuck-together during tfee season, and especially as it is their first season at, "soccjer." It is- to be hoped their winning the cup will be the means I of fostering the grand old English game |in the southern end of Taranaki. Mr. Simpson (Hafrera), as referee, gave 1 every satisfaction. | On Thursday next the New Plymouth | team will leave by the 'boat for Auckland to play a friendly game against an .-VucMand representative team. The New Plymouth team will be picked from the following players: McComi-h, Goddard, Bae, Gwillim.' Holmes, Filiott, Sheppard, Smart, Legg, Bullock, Hedley, Malcolm, Lawrence. Several suporters will be travelling with the team.