FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 77, 17 August 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. To-day—v. Auckland, at Auckland. August 22—, v. Wairarapa, at New Plymouth. August 2'J—v. Wellington, at New Plymouth. September 4—v. Otago, at Hawera. September 12—v. Canterbury, at Stratford. RESULTS TO DATE. June 3—v. Wanganui, won by 10 points to 3. June 12—v. Wellington, lost bv 12 points to 10. June 15 —v. Wanganui, won by 0 point* to nil. July 25—v. South Island country team, won by 31 points to 3. TO-DAY'S BIG MATCH. AUCKLAND v. TARANAKI. Taranaki has challenged Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield, and the contest will take place at Auckland to-day. It is exciting much interest in Taranaki, and also in Auckland, where a match between these two great rivals always draws the football-loving crowd. It is safe to say that there wil' be a big gathering at Alexandra Park this afternoon, particularly as the guardianship of the Ranfurly Shield is involved. So often has Auckland withstood attacks for this coveted trophy that its supporters are commencing to believe that it is impossible to remove it from its position, but it has had some very rude shocks', and it is safe to say that this afternoon will see a very bold bid made by the amber-and-black fifteen to transfer it to the land of milk and oil. Taranaki undoubtedly has a strong team, particularly m the rear division; in fact, it is questionable if the amber-and-blacks have ever been represented by a stronger set of backs. Both in attack and defence they are sound, and some of the men are brilliant; in fact, one need not look further than Stohr, Roberts and D. Cameron for the Dominion three-quarter line. The forwards, too, are very nippy, and if they can hold the redoubtable northern pack, who have the services of the veteran Cunningham, Taranaki should about win. The Auckland backs, however, must not be despised, for they combine grandly and are nippy. McGregor, indeed, on his present showing, is compared by one writer to the brilliant Asher, whose scoring capabilities are so well known throughout the Dominion and Australia. Stohr's kicking is worth a few points to Taranaki, urges an enthusiast, who cannot see how Taranaki is to lose. Possibly so, but in O'Leary Auckland has an exponent of the art not much his inferior. Each team has already played several representative matches, Taranaki defeating Wanganui (twice) and the South Island country team, and being defeated by Wellington. Auckland has defeated Thames (twice), South Auckland. South Island country team, and New Zealand natiye team, all by big margins. Taranaki supporters, and they will be numerous at the match to-day, can depend on the wearers of the amber-and-black putting up a big fight, and if they have their share of the luck it would not surprise the writer to see Taranaki defending the Ranfurly Shield against Wellington's attack on the Recreation Grounds on August 2'J. The Taranaki team, with the exception of Colman and Jack Kissick, arrived in Auckland on Wednesday morning. They were met at the wharf by Messrs M. J. Sheahan and T. Buxton, on behalf of the > Auckland Union and taken to the Thames Hotel, where they are quartered. Mr. J. McLeod accompanied the team as manager, while the veterans, A. Good and "Simon" My'nott, were also of the party. Soon after their arrival the team were accorded a Mayoral reception \ by his Worship the Mayor, Mr. O. J. P.irr. while Mr. A. E. Devore, president of the Auckland Union, welcomed the team on behalf of the Auckland body. Colman and Kissick were to arrive in Auckland this morning. It is probable that Mr. E. McKenzie, of Wairarapa, will be referee.

The competing teams will be as follows: TARANAKI. Colman. Stohr Roberts Don Cameron S. Cameron McLeod. Brown.

Taylor i/ iS' Cain, Dcwar. £mith. Hawkins. JrK-issick, Xawg, -Wirttrrrgtfni,, AUCKLAND. L ' O'Leary. UcGregor Stewart Maeky Weston Ifwerson. Webb. J. Hall. Sellars, Trcsize. Carroll. Cunningham, Bruce, Barrett, Wilson. A writer in AVednesday's Auckland Star gives some interesting reminiscences of the previous meetings between these teams, from which we cull the following:—"Away back in ISS7 word was receiTcd by the Auckland Rugby Union that the Taranaki Union would like a game with the representatives of the "Queen city," and they were graciously accorded a match. Of course, it was a bit of presumption on the part of Tara- ! naki. but still these country players had to make a start to learn things, and a good "walloping" would do them no harm. i They arrived in Auckland without any bouquets being showered on them, and so little were they thought of that the local authorities had the idea that any old team would do, and the fifteen chosen to meet them was certainly not the best available. The redoubtable Whiteside, was an absentee, but no great effort was made to secure his services, and the crack stood down. The. game under notice was the first interprovincial match played on the now historical ground of Alexandra Park, then known as Potter's paddock, and Auckland came down with a bump. The visitors showed surprising form, and when the bell rang to cease play had won bv one point (a try) to nil. It was a terrible shock to the hlue-and-wbites. and it is doubtful if an Auckland team has ever got, such a surprise in the history of football in the province. The try for the winners wa, scored by Hempton, a brother of the renowned sprinter, and I remember as well as if it were yesterday seeing him shoot over the line with '.Jimmy' Braund, Auckland's fullba k. hanging on to him. Auckland had a Lit of hard luck, for 'Charlie' Marshall got over from a pass by .lack Leeky. but if was adjudged thrown forward, and the -cure disallowed. This was Taranaki's •iehut into interprovincial football, in which they have taken such a prominent part since, and have produced such giants of the game as the Baylys, H. Oood. A. Humphries. J. Lambie, and others. Two years biter Auckland visited Taranaki. and won by six points to nil, the visit being repaid the following year, when Auckland scored eight points to nil. made up of eight tries, a try then counting a point, which is the highest number scored 'many one match between the provinces. Annual matches have -inee been played, and a number of mter- , I'fting games witnessed, but probably i Miat in 1802. at Epsom, was one of the most memorable. A howling easterl r gale blew down the ground, accompanied

I by .snaking rain, and it was one of the worst afix-niouiis on which football has ever been played in Auckland. Taranaki, with the gale behind them in the first spell, only notched two tries (four points), and Auckland's supporters were jubilant. On turning over, however, the big light against the gale had taken a lot of the sting out of the Aucklanders, and as time went on without any score being registered, the blue-and-whitc supporters were looking very glum. At last 'Bob' Bruce, a great "dribbler, came through with the ball at his toe, and taking it past the opposing backs, scored between the posts. I'oor 'Charlie' Pennaligan, one of the finest kicks that ever put on a boot, converted, and Auckland won by five points to four. In 1894 and 1890 Taranaki were at their very best, and though Auckland managed to draw in 18!>5, was beaten by 14 points to nil in 1804 and 10 to nifin ISOG. Auckland then retrieved her position, and out of the 17 matches played since, Taranaki has only won four, while one was ] drawn. In all 26' matches have been played between the provinces, Auckland winning 10 to Taranaki's 7, three "being drawn. , Auckland has scored 200 points and Taranaki 107.

The Wairarapa representatives, who will meet Taranaki at New Plymouth on Thursday, evidently know how to score, judging by their performance against Nelson on Thursday, when they notched 48 points against their opponents', five. The telegraphed report, too, gives Nelson credit of putting up a good fight. The brilliant passing of the Wairarapa backs was also commented on. The match, therefore, on Thursday next should prove very interesting, and if the backs can repeat their passing movement some very exhilarating play should be witnessed.

To-day the Taranaki B representative team will meet the Taranaki Maoris at Hawera. The team contains some promising material and should give a good account of itself. The idea of a B team

appeals strongly. There arc always a number of players for some one or other position in the rep. team who are nearlv the equal of the chosen ones, and it gives them an opportunity of displaying their prowess, and is incidentally an incentive to their keeping in form and thereby being fit to take their place in the reps, should they be suddenly called upon to do so. Moreover, it gives a number of likely players a chance of gaining knowledge and experience, and also shows the selectors what material is in view;. It seems, to the writer's mind, a far better way of encouraging players than by selecting a junior team. The tendency among players to remain in the lower ranks is already too great. Many : of them seem to have very little ambition. They would sooner shine in a I junior team than be among the ruck in I the first fifteen. It is, however, seniors that are required, and the selection of a ! second rep. fifteen should give them much encouragement. It is a pity that the financial position of the Union debars it from sending such a team on tour to play B teams from Wanganui, Wellington and other unions, as well as some of the smaller sub-unions. I note that Wanganui was much hurt at Taranaki's alleged suggestion that a B team should be sent to play their reps. This they regarded as an insult. The Taranaki 1 Union has evidently been misreported. They were asked to send a junior team to play Wanganui juniors as a curtainraiser to some big match. This they declined to do, but offered to send a B team to play the Wanganui B's, provided some financial assistance was forthcoming. The idea was that the match was to be a curtain-raiser. Even Wanganui reps, would find it rather a stiff proposition to have an hour and a-halfs gentle exercise with the Taranaki B team, and then go on the field and take on the serious business of the afternoon. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. On Thursday next. August 22. New Plymouth will play at Eltham against Kaponga for the championship of Taranaki and the Julian Cup.