FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 270, 11 May 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL

TO-DAY'S MATCHES. Fitzroy v. Okato, at Western Park. Star v. Rovers, at the Recreation Grounds. FIXTURES FOR NEXT WEEK. THURSDAY, MAY 16. I Seniors.—Tukapa v. Clifton, at Waitara. J First Juniors. —Tukapa v. Eltham, at El--1 tham; Star v. Clifton, at New Plymouth; Inglevvood v. Stratford, at Stratford. Second Juniors.—Stratford v. Inglewood, at Inglewood; Clifton v. Eltham, at Waitara, 1.30 p.m. SATURDAY, MAY 18. Rovers v. Okato, at Okato; Star v. Fitzroy, at New Plymouth. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. June 3—v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. June 12— v. Wellington (special match), at I-lawera. June 15— v. Wanganui, at Hawcra. TO-DAY'S TEAMS. | ■Star v. Rovers, at the Recreation Grounds, at 3 p.m. Star:—McComish, Greatbateli, Pyecroft, Goudie. James, Gleeson, Packard, MeAllum, Mulloy, S. | Okey, Richards, Dewar, Hawkins, Evans, Pen'warden. Rovers:—Jennings, Grant (2). Webster. Thompson, Allen. Reid, Falvey. Tlore, Ellis, Monk, Mulloy, Llyod, Quilliam, and Crombi'e. Taranaki footballers have something to look forward to this year in the way of representative matches, so it behoves them to get into good condition early. In addition to the matches above visits are to be expected from Otago, Canterbury, Wellington, Southland, and Manawatu, all of whom will, no doubt, be

anxious to have their revenge for the defeats which our doughty representatives inflicted on them last year. Auckland is to be visited, when, if possible, the blot on our escutcheon caused by last year's defeat will be wiped out. Representative selectors have been ehos'pn, last year's selectors. Messrs. Malone, Mynott. and Hunter, having been re-appointed. The representative fixtures for the season should be known next, week, as a conference of delegates from the various unions will nwet in Wellington, at the time of the annual meeting of the X.Z. Rugby Union, to arrange dates. The annual meeting of the N.Z.R.U. should prove particularly interesting, • ami its result will be eagerly awaited, as various important proposals bearing on the game with a view to making it | more attractive will be discussed. In | addition to the Wanganui remits, which | we published a fortnight ago, the follow--1 ing remits by the Ha wipe's Bay Union are also to be brought forward: That by-law 2 be repealed and the following by-law substituted: "It shall adopt tlie laws of football as from time to time fixed by the English Rugby Football Union. but : shall not be affiliated to that body, and shall have power to modify that body's rules as to_ professionalism"; (2) that the existing i rules as to professionalism (being the

' rules thereon of the English R.FU.) be amended by inserting at ttoe end of rule 3 the following proviso: '"Provided that the N.Z.R.U. shall, upon sufficient cause being shown, have power to reinstate ! any disqualified player and accordingly I remove his disqualification. Upon any exercise of this power notice shall be given to all affiliated unions in the same way as notice of disqualification is required to be given"; (3) that any person who may have been disqualified for the substantive offence of playing football lin New Zealand under the Northern I Union rules be reinstated upon applica- ! tion by him to his district union: failing adoption of motion (3), (4) that any person under the age of twenty-two years wlio may have been disqualified for the substantive offence of playing football in New Zealand under the Northern Union rules, he. reinstated upon application by him to his district union.

The latter clauses will nof find favor. I as there are some players whom it might not be desirable to reinstate. In addition, the Taranaki Union's remit--"That the N.R.U.F.U. approach the Australian unions with a view to arranging a conference to discuss the question of the immediate adoption in Australia and New Zealand of already suggested amendments in the laws of the game of Rugby"—will also evoke discussion, and it will not bes urprisinsr if it is adopted. The Saturday competition commenced 011 Saturday last, when "Rovers met Fitzroy. The new club, though beaten, put up a good fight, and with experience will prove tough nuts to crack. Stars had bad luck in their match with Okato last Saturday. Owing to sickness, they could only muster ten men, who set out in two cars, one of which broke down, and only five men reached Okato. A scratch game eventuated, Okato finding ten substitutes, and the country team won rather easily. An attempt had been made earlier in the day to postpone the match. IThis, however, Okato would not agree to, as it was too late to notify their players, some of whom travel miles to play. With commendable sportsmanship, from which some other clubs might take example, the Okato committee decided, in view of the circumstances, t'hat the match should be played over again, if the Rugby Union would consent, and they wrote to the union to that effect. The members of the union acceded to the request, members expressing t'heir admiration of the spirit irf which the country club play the game. They arc evidently out for the game'and not for the sake of any 'honor or glory that may be attached to winning the competition, which seems to be the sole aim of some clubs, and cannot but have a detrimental effect on t'he game. Waimate are said to be particularly strong, especially in the forward division, and the Southern competition is looked upon as a moral for them. Their forwards are all said to be up to represenI tative form. Colman and George, who I played for Clifton last year, are among I (heir backs. Thurston, their 'half-back j of last year, is at present on the sidei line, his place being filled by Wells, a j promising junior. A proposal has been I mooted that Waimate should send their ' beam to New Plymouth at winter show | time to play a combined team from the i Northern Division. Such a match should I attract a big crowd, as Waimate have a great reputation and have not been 1 seen in action in New Plymouth for , many years.

' The N. 55. Rugby Union has forwarded [ a circular letter to all unions notifying ! that the following alterations have been made to the laws of the jxaiii'e. Tn glossary, etc. (section 2) read: "A tackle i is when the 'holder of the ball is hob' j !>y one or more players of the opposite ; s'de 80 that ihe cannot pass or play it." The last three words have been added ; to the law, as it was previously published by the English ilntrbv Football TTyiion. To the section dealing with free kicks by way of penalties, one clause ■ reads that a free kick cotikl be awarded if any player intentionally either handles the hall or falls down in a scrummage, or picks t'lie ball out of n scrummage, and to this 'has been added the words, "or picks it up in a scram - 1 mage either by hands or by legs." Players would be well ail vised to note ! these alterations carefully.

SECOND JUNIORS. \

— (j Owing to the defection of the Tukapa J S and Star thirds, it has been found neces- J j sary to re-arrange the fixutres in the i ,northern division, and the following I list has been drawn up. Clifton and J Stratford thirds are the only teams that have met so far, so that to avoid three teams having a byo on the final Saturday of the first round they will meet for their first match on the second round on that date:— May 10— Stratford v. Inglewood, at In- D glewood; Clifton v. Eltham, at Waitara, 1.30 p.m.; ITigli School a bye. May "23 —High School v. Clifton, at New Plymouth; Eltham v. Inglewood, at Eltham, 3.30 p.m.; Stratford a bye. May 30—High School v. Stratford, at Stratford; inglewood v. Clifton, at Inglewood; Eltham a byo. fl June 6—Stratford v. Eltham, at Stratford; Inglewood v. High School, at New Plymouth; Clifton a bye. June 13—Eltham v. High School, at Eltham, 3.30 p.m.; Inglewood a bye; Clifton v. Stratford, at Waitara (second round match). The matches between the High School 1 1 and Eltham and Inglewood and Eltham • have been fixed at d.30 p.m., to enable I the Inglewood and High School players 11 to journey by the afternoon train, and • so save half a day's travel! ing. Players j | must, however, arrive at Eltham abso- i lutely prepared to take the field immediately on arrival of the train. TARANAKI RUGBY UNION. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. A meeting of the management committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union was held at Stratford on Thursday night, 2 when there were present: Messrs .las. „ McLeod (chairman), Chalmers, .lames, Lees, Glenn, O'Dea, Garcia, and P. Skog- • lund (secretary). Reinstatements were granted as follows: —Seniors to first juniors: J. Glentworth, T. Glentworth, A. Cooper, D. Henry. J. Fitzgerald, W. Narby, Hunter, W. Cleaver, R. Ilarkness (Eltham). P. Martin (Tukapa), N. Tate, J. Hopkinson (Clifton), L. Young, C. Jones, P, Leedon (Waimate), W. Raynor, F. Nicliolls, R. Nicliolls, C. Miles, IT. Stimpson (Ingle-; j wood), E. Hancock, Dud Cameron, T.J .Tones (Stratford). First to second junior. G. Allen, J. Walker, O. Boldt, C. Kennery. J. Spiers (Inglewood), H. Whitting (Hawera), K. Broughton (Patea). Dive was given permission to play for Stratford, as his residence is only a few miles from Douglas railway station, and is about 30 miles from Kaponga, to which club the Eltham senior players were attached. During the discussion some doubt was expressed as to whether Matemateaonga, where he resides, was in Eltham or Hawera district. As the Tnglewood district was unable to put in a senior fifteen, it was resolved j that that district for this season should i be included in the Clifton district, but j that Inglewood first and second juniors j should be allowed to continue in the cup competitions . The headmaster of the New Plymouth High School notified that the High School j ground Mould not be available this year, j as it was being ploughed. Arrange-