FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 90, 6 October 1911, Page 8

FOOTBALL

XORTII v. SOUTH MATCH. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, List Night. Owing to the Auckland members of the North Island team not being able to take part in the inter-island Rugby match, North versus South, on Saturday, the following changes have been made in the team: Kinvig (Wellington) will take O'Leary's place as full-back; Ryland ('Poverty Bay) will replace McGregor on the three-quarter line; F. Roberts (Wellington) will play fiveeighth; and Brown (Taranaki) takes Roberts' place at half. As Mitchinison (Wellington) cannot play, his place will be taken by Grace (Wellington).

NORTHERN UNION LEAGUE. COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET! Mr. A. .1. Mcintosh, honorary patron of the Taranaki Northern Rugby League, entertained the members at a banquet at the Grosvenor Hotel last night. There was a large gathering, the patron presiding. The menu provided was of the best, and the attendance was splendid also. The tables were relieved with runners of black and gold, the colors of the league, whilst beautiful aarum lilies were a conspicuous feature of the very effective decorations. The guests having enjoyed an excellent repast, a lengthy toast list was discussed, interspersed with songs.

The first toast was.that of "The Patron and President of Northern Union Football, His Majesty the King, and Earl Derby," proposed by the chairman. Dr. Home had been set down for the response, but in his absence Mr. Geo. Blanchard replied. Mr. Geo. Blamhard proposed. "Success to the N.R.L. Football." Mr. T. P. Smith, 'in responding, said there was no doubt that the Northern Union game was "catching on," and he hoped that next year there would be a larger number of League matches in Taranaki. He. declared that in the match against Auckland for the possession of the Northern Union Rugby Union Cup Taranaki had much the better of it, and next year, with more practice, Taranaki should just about bring the cup home. One great point of the League' game was that it made the forwards smarter. They were taught to handle the ball and to make openings like a back. There was no doubt that Taranaki produced the best footballers in the Dominion, and the Northern Union game was going to bring the best out of them.

Mr. 1). Twohill also responded, and referred to the growing hold of the game on the public, and said that the game was sure to prosper, because it was the game that the public wanted. In Taranaki. of course, there was difficulty owing to the players being scattered over a. large district. But still they hoped to have cup matches going next season, and he believed they could win the big cup for Taranaki next year. "Kindred Sports" Was proposed by Mr. Twohill, who said that when the sVirthern Union game became firmly established he felt sure kindred sports eould depend on every assistance. Mr. J. J. Stagpoole said he didn't intend to "go back on the old game," but he would compare the Northern Union game with the Rugby Union game as he would compare an up-to-date motorcar and a bullock waggon. Touching on the professional side of the new game, he said players who gave their time to amuse the public were entitled to pay for "time off." He hoped the amateur game would go on and flourish, for the rivalry between the two codes would do good to both. Football, he declared, was an excellent thing for young fellows, giving opportunity and inducement for the development of muscle. He advised players to stick to the game and the management of it after giving up the actual playing of the game, and to endeavor to keep it a clean, genuine sport. Mr. J. C. Webster responded, urging broad-mindedness on the part of all players, and the necessity for keeping all forms of sport pure and clean. Mr. H. T. .Toll proposed the toast of "The Ladies," and Mr. G. Salway responded.

Mr. J. ('. Webster proposed "Our Patron" in a highly eulogistic speech. The toast was greeted .villi enthusiasm, musical honors being sung in both the pakeha and Maori tongues, and loud cheering. Mr. Mcintosh, in the course of his reply, said that he hoped to be able to continue to assist the game. His own opinion was that the men who played good, clean football were entitled* to some little compensation for lost time, and he was sure no one would begrudge that. In concluding, he proposed "The Press." replied to by representatives of the Taranaki Herald and Taranaki Daily News; "Mr. T. P. Smith, the Secretary of the League," proposed by Mr. Twohill and replied to by Mr. Smith; "Our Host." proposed by the chairman, response by Mr. W. J. Williams. Songs were contributed bv Messrs. B. Joll, 1). Twohill and E. Clarke, and a recitation by Mr. H. T. Joll.

"Auld Lang Sync" concluded the proceedings.