FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 272, 14 May 1912, Page 8

FOOTBALL

THE SECESSION QUESTION. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, Dunedin, Last Night. At a meeting of the management committee of the Otago Rugby Union it was decided to instruct its delegates to the New Zealand Union to support the Hawke's Bay proposal in favor of secession from the English Union.

SOUTH TARANAKI RESULTS. On Saturday, at Okaiawa, the local seniors defeated Patea by 16 to nil. At Manaia, Waimate ran over Kaponga to the tune of 23 points to nil. At Opunake the home team put up a good fMit against Hawera, being defeated by 12 points to 5. In the second grade, Hawera defeated Opunake by 14 points to nil, and Waimate defeated Kaponga by 14 points to 3.

WANGANUI MATCHES. Glorious weather, a fast ground, and two well-trained teams made the only senior Rugby match—Kaierau v. Wanga-' nui—a good game to watch on Saturday. Kaierau kicked off, and immediately rushed the ball to Wanganui's line, where a forward bulloeked over and notched a try. Spurred by this unexpected reverse, Wangnnui backs swarmed down on the drop-out and kept Kaierau busy defending. Meuli relieved time and again with long punts to the line. The game raged up and down the field with startling suddenness, Kaierau forwards, led by A. Takarangi, and Wanganui backs, set in motion by Til yard, making a fast and pretty game. No damage was done, however, until just on the close of the spell, when a fine kick by Southcombe found the Kaierau goal, and the spasm ended The second spell was fast and willing. Takarangi was playing his best game, and he was well backed-up by a set of 'hefty forwards. Another try was registered by Kaierau, and Wanganui returned to the attack with unabated vigor. Tilyard made heaps of openings for liis speedy wings, but time after time they were up-ended on the corner flags. Both teams kept up the pressure until the day faded, leaving Kaierau winners of an "anybody's game" by 6 to 3.

Pirates forfeited to Waverley, and the four senior teams are now level, with one win and one loss apiece. A good crowd rolled up to witness the opening games under Northern Union rules. City defeated Eastern in both divisions, the seniors by 21 to 15, and the juniors bv 10 to nil. The big match was a fast and furious scramble, but want of condition was noticeable towards the end of the game. St. John's drew a bve.