FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 55, 23 July 1912, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

LEAGUE REINSTATEMENTS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 22, 9.30 p.m. Sydney, July 22. I There is a stir in football circles owing S to the Queensland Rugby Union reinstat-1 ing a number of League players who, becoming dissatisfied, applied for re-en- : rolment in the amateur ranks. It is ' stated that the New South Wales Union 5 opposed the reinstatement, but had no ■ voice in the matter, as Queensland is under a different constitution. CALIFORNIAN ASSOCIATION. New York, July 21. The Californian Rugby Association has been reorganised with the object of raising funds to bring New Zealand and Australian teams to California in the autumn. SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM. Capetown, July 21. The Rugby Union, after twelve trial ■matches, has selected a team to tour Britain in 1912-13. | AUSTRALIAN TEAM FINED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night... The Rugby League representatives returned from Australia by the Wimmera to-day. The Council of the New Zealand Rugby League held a meeting this afternoon, when the team's refusal to return to the Dominion on the evening after the last match with New South Wales was discussed. An effort was made to locate the ringleaders in the affair, but as the whole team had signed a paper refusing .to play it was decided to fine each player £'2.

IN OTHER CENTRES. Dunedin, July 20. The senior Rugby matches were played to-day in fine weather, and resulted as follows: —University, 9 points, v. Zingari Richmond, 8; Southern 7, v. Dunedin 0; Port Chalmers 9, v. Taicri Rovers 3; Kaikorai 3, v. Alhambra 0; Union 4, v. Pirates 0. Christchurch, July 20. The competition for the Rugby Junior Cup concluded to-day. Higli School Old Boys proved the winners, beating Sydenham by 12 points to 6. OTAGO'S REPRESENTATIVES. Dunedin, July 21. The following team will represent Otago against the North Island combined country team at Dunedin next Saturday Full-back, Scott; three-quar-ters, Fortune, Cockroffc and Alexander; five-eighths, McDougall and Williams; half, Eckhokl; forwards, Casey, P. Williams, Irvine, McKellar, Patterson, McDonald, Douglas and Smith. WANGANUI MATCHES. (From Own Correspondent.) Fine weather and dry grounds made Saturday's football fast and interesting. Kaierau surprised themselves by beating Pirates (8 to nil) after a strenuous game. The former put a strong team in the field, and had all the best of the first spell, leading by 8 to 0. There was j no score in. the second half, but the

game continued fast and open, back play and pretty passing making the contest good to watch. Pirates, Wanganui and Kaierau are now all in the running for the Cup, and the issue looks very open. Another surprise under League rules saw City up-end St. John's. The latter commenced smartly with a field goal and try, and City could only muster up one goal in the opening spasm. Both teams showed lack of condition, the forwards loafing throughout. The second spell was all in favor of the City-ites, who scored twice and converted once, winning by 10 to 5. The concluding stage 6of the game were very exciting, but the St. John's were outclassed. City have now won the League Cup. TARANAKI v. SOUTH ISLAND TEAM.

The South Island touring team will arrive from Auckland this morning, and I will probably remain in New Plymouth ! until the afternoon. If so. they will be taken to the oil works and other points of interest. For the match on Thursday j at Stratford complete arrangements have i been made. The midday train from New Plymouth will stop at the ground, whilst a special train will leave Stratford on the return journey at 5.33 p.m., arriving here at 7.28 p.m. Excursion fares are also available. An interesting game I should be witnessed, as tlie South Island j team possesses some good material and the match at Auckland, when they came together for the first time, should have given them combination, which will incalculably improve their play. THE PLAY-OFF MATCHES. The play-off between Clifton and Okato, winners respectively in the Thursday and Saturday competitions, will meet at New Plymouth on Saturday afternoon next to decide who is to contest the premiership of Taranaki with the Southern champions. Waimate. Patrons of Saturday football should thus have an opportunity of seeing a good game on Saturday. If the weather continues fine the match will be played on the Recreation Grounds, and if wet on Western Park. The junior play-off between Clifton and Waimate to decide the championship of Taranaki in that grade will be played at Eltham on Thursday next. If the necessary arrangements can be made the match will eventuate at 12.15, so as to enable players and spectators to journey up to Stratford and witness the big match there.