FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 255, 27 April 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL

THE OPENING OF TIIE SEASON. THURSDAY, MAY 2. Seniors: Tukapa v. Inglewood, at Inglewood; Clifton v. Stratford, at Stratford. First Juniors: Tukapa v. Inglewood, at New Plymouth, 3 p.m.; Clifton v. Stratford, at Waitara; Star v. Eltham, at Eltham, 3 p.m. Second Juniors: Tukapa v. Inglewood, at Inglewood, 1 p.m.; Clifton v. Stratford, at Stratford, 3 p.m.; Star v. Eltham. at New Plymouth, 1.30 p.m.; High School a bye. SATURDAY, MAY 4. . May • 4—Star v. Okato, at Okato; Rovers v. Fitzroy, at New Plymouth (Rovers match).

The gentle tootle of the referee's whistle will open the 1912 football season in Taranaki in real earnest on Thursday, when the cup competition in the Northern Division will start. There will be no senior match in New Plymouth, Tukapa journeying to Inglewood, whilst Stratford will meet last year's northern division champions ■ (Clifton) at Stratford. It is hard at present to forecast the strength of the competing teams, as none of them have been seen out so far, what practice that has been indulged in being in most cases of a desultory nature, without any concerted effort as a team. Last year all the competing teams felt their feet prior to the official opening, Tukapa journeying to Waitara to plav a friendly match, and Stratford and Eltham also meeting, whilst Inglewood played a successful scven-a-side tournament. This year, it is understood, Tukapa endeavored to arrange a match with Clifton, but the latter team had not* yet been organised sufficiently to enable the match to eventuate. It i.s said that Clifton will not be so strong as last year, and whilst the same remark applies to all the clubs, it will not be so noticeable in the case of Stratford and Tukapa, who should put up a good fight for the northern honors. Inglewood, of course, is an unknown quantity. Its young players should have benefited by last year's experience, and may effect a surprise.

Tukapa will be without the services on the field of Mynott. His place at fiveeighths will be filled by Geo. Loveridge, who possesses qualifications that should fill the bill well. C. Brown, the representative half, will be in his old position, whilst. Jack Stohr will also be at centre three-quarter. This centre line should be a solid one. C. Webster will. not be playing this year, and the wing threequarters will probably be A. McGiven and L. Whittaker. Hodge, a promising junior of two years ago, will be the. last line of defence. In the forward division Ward, Jull, Brabant, Geo. Lister and R. Davidson are again available, and, with Steele and Harvey (a weighty-forward), will bear the brunt. Whittaker and Loveridge will be on cither side of the scrum.

In the junior competition, six team« have entered, and in the second junior competition there are seven entrants, including a team from High School. This means that there will be eight matches to find referees for every Thursday, in addition to two every Saturday. No doubt the Referees' Association will be pleased to hear of any old players and enthusiasts who are willing to join its ranks.

Saturday football should be very interesting, and should provide keen competition, as the teams appear to be more even than was the case last year. Stars have lost Hill (tho Taranaki rep.), Pfankueli, Daly, Simmers and others, but have plenty of new blood to take their places., Hawkins and Dewar will still be among them. Rovers have lost J. Grant and Coker Bros., whilst it is rumored that Dan O'Neill will not don the jersey this year. Okato have most of last year s material, and will also include some players who have recently entered the district. Fitzrov are the dark horses in a dull sense. They are a new team, and are comprised mainly of Maoris and half-castes. They include Skipper (2), Tito and others, who played m the Saturday competitions last year, as well as several who have learnt football at To Auto College. They are enthusiastic, and should prove doughty opponents.

The enp competitions in Wellington and Christ church were opened last Saturday. In the former city there were no surprises, though some substantial scores were put up, notablv by St. James, who defeated Old Boys by 20 points to nil. This score was made up of nine, tries (live scored by King), only one of which was converted.