FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 293, 3 May 1913, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME THURSDAY COMPETITION. Seniors. May B—Clifton v. Tukapa, rt Waitara; Stratford v. Eltham, at EUliam. First Juniors. May B—Clifton8 —Clifton v. Tukapa, at New Plymouth; Stratford v. Eltham, at Stratford; Star v. Inglewood, at New Plymouth. Second Juniors. May 15—Clifton v. Inglewood, at Waitara, 1.30' p.m.; High School v. Technical College, 3 p.m.; Stratford v. Eltham, at Eltlmni, 1.30 p.m. SATURDAY COMPETITION. May 10 —Okato v. Rovers, at Okato; Star v. Fitzroy (Star match); Inglewood a bye.

The sudden cold snap reminds us that summer cannot go on for ever, and that winter is right upon us, bringing in its train sports appropriate to the season of the year, of which perhaps football has the greater number of followers. Next week the tootle of the referee's , whistle will be heard in real earnest throughout the province, for Thursday will see the opening of the cup competitions in the northern division, and Saturday will also see the "kick off" both in the southern division and the northern Saturday competition. The dual half-holiday will still continue to interfere with sport of all descriptions. Through the petitions for the poll in other Taranaki towns not being in order, Inglewood in the north, and llawera in the south, were the only ones to take a poll on the question, and the present half-holiday was adhered to in each case, and rightly so, too, for the position would not be at all improved unless there was unanimity on the holiday question in the six towns. Next year those organising the movement will probably see to it that the petitions are, in -order, unless, perhaps, Parliament' takes the matter in hand and gives an opportunity for voting on the question of the half-holiday to residents in'the country as well as in the town, and so Jet us have a true universal half-holiday ' ,on whatever day is chosen by the majority throughout the Dominion. , Teams have been busy putting on the finishing touches during the past few days, and perhaps for. this reason players., have confined themselves to light work. The practises have not been too well attended of late, though, of course, the ■ Territorial camp interfered greatly with training operations. The teams who compete next week were to have had practise matches on Thursday, but for various reasons these did not eventuate.

, The competitions should be very interesting this year. The fact that four teams will be entering the lists in the Thursday competition, obviating the bye, will do much to enhance and sustain the interest. In the Saturday competition the inclusion of Inglewood will have a similar stimulating effect. The Welsh Rugby Union are making efforts to improve the play. Following the circular issued to referees early in the season they have now issued another, in which it is pointed out to referees that what the Union objects to are the far too frequent scrummages, and it is their opinion that the referees have it in their power to make the game faster and more interesting. It has also been pointed out that there is no need to have a cast-iron rule that-the ball should be thrown out with mathematical precision at right angles to the touch-line, but that referees shoukk.usa. their discretion by allowing a few inches one way or the other. The Union further says that in most cases players are under the impression that a line-out must necessarily be followed by a scrummage, and in this way the real effectiveness of line-out work is fast becoming extinct. Welsh referees have been advised to watch for a player pushing an opponent off the ball before he actually receives it. The practice of bouncing violently on an opposing full-back or three-quarter, in most cases after he had caught and kicked the ball, is strongly condemned, and referees are asked to put down this form of foul play with a strong hand. Welsh referees are also asked to agree that a fair definition of a knock-on is when the ball is propelled either by the hand or by any part of the forearm. The French Rugby team made a fine fight against Wales at Paris, and were only just beaten by the margin of a try. Wales led at half-time by a try to nil, the try being got by A. Davies after a forward rush. In the second half the Frenchmen played up splendidly. Clem Lewis got over for a second try for Wales, but five minutes before the end the scores were level, three points each. Then Lloyd got over for Wales, and that decided the match. Plans have been prepared for the grandstand to be erected at Eden Park for the Auckland Rugby Union, and tenders are to be called for its erection immediately. The structure is to be some 2000 ft in length, and will give seating accommodation for about 3000 people, and the seats will be so arranged that everyone will get an unterrupted view. In addition, provision is to be made in the basement for committee's room, ambulance and dressing rooms, each of the latter being provided with a separate shower bath. The building will be a handsome one, and is to be built on stone foundations, at a cost of about. £3OOO, and the work is expected to be completed about the end of June. The personnel of some of the teams in the Thursday competition appears to be rather doubtful at present. Tukapa will be something on the lines as published last week. Clifton will be without the services of Thomas, Du Blois, J. Crowley (wing forward), Bertrand, Eggleston and others, and, as far as can be gathered, their only acquisition is a Wairarapa player named Gordon, who played against Taranaki last year. Cain is again in great form. The team should give p, good account of itself. Stratford will be without cither of the Camerons. They have gained Dobson, who played five-eighths for St. James' last year, and Dewar, the Star forward. They promise to have a good set of backs, with fair forwards. EUliam, of course, were not in the competition last year, and so are an unknown quantity. They have several new players, with a leaven of the old ones, and should acquit themselves creditably. In the Saturday competition all the teams will be strong, with the exception of Star and Fitzroy, who may possibly amalgamate. With the inclusion of Inglewood an amalgamation would probably benefit the competition, as it would obviate a bye, besides giving four good teams in preference to three good teams and two weak ones. Inglewood should have a very good team, and will probably include Ivaralus, Smith, Hughes (Tariki), Russell, Boldt (Kaimata), Nicholls Bros., Grant and others (Inglewood), Eggleston, Chapman, Bullock and one or two natives (Tarata). Plenty of material will be available, and, with practice, they should prove a formidable combination. Rovers have a real good back division, and their forwards, too, are improved. Okato have also improved in their rear division, whilst in the forward they are little, if any, inferior to last season. If Star and Fitzroy amalgamate anv one of the four contest- | ants may be looked upon to provide the winner.