FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 294, 15 May 1914, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

OPENING OF THE SEASON. THE JUNIOR COMl^nriON. Footballer* yesterday were favored with ideal wnailici' for the <">|juiiing- of the 11114 season, wliich was ushered in by the commencement of the junior 'championship. At Waitara, Clifton were defeated by Tuk-apa by 11 points to 3,' and at Stratford,, the local team defeated Ingluwood by 20' points to nil.

TUKAPA 11 v. CLIFTON 3. Play in this match was of a very mediocre character, even for an opening match, and on the day's play the difference in the play did not justify the wide margin in the points. Tukapa were strengthened by the inclusion of three or four of last year's' seniors, whereas Clifton had practically a scratch team, owing to several of 'th o original selection being engaged loading the Home boat. Tukapa were much superior in the backs, but if anything Clifton had the advantage forward and the blue and white backs were unable to get going. Only one try was scored, and that by Tukapa, right at the end of the match. The balance of the score was made up of goals. From the jump Tukapa pressed, but infringements gave the backs relief. After about ten minutes play Whaka failed to take a high ball cleanly and lying on it to avert a score, gave" Weston a shot, and a neat goal resulted. Tukapa 3, Clifton nil. Clifton forwards, headed by Tate, hotly attacked, and the ball coming out gave Fulton an opening, but he kicked and the ball was forced. D. George here went on .j u p] aee of Brown who was injured. A little later Whaka landed a fine goal from a free kick. Clifton 3, Tukapa 3. Tukapa forwards, headed by Harvey, Omaru and Walsh, kept Whaka busy, but the Clifton full-back was equal to the occasion, and phiy see-sawed up and down field until Weston had another shot v, goal from neiir half way. The ball landed fair in the centre' of .the bar and dropped 'over. Tukapa 6, Clifton 3. Clifton attacked early in the second half and the blues were twice forced, but at last Patterson cleared his line. Whitaker and Co. essayed to pas-, but the iball was thrown forward, and this [more than the defence of' their opponents, who were collaring high, cheated them. Free-kicks for infringements by either side had been and still were numerous, Whaka and Weston each having shots at goal, which fell short. Clifton forwards, headed by Tate, Cole and Roebuck, now shook matters up, and had the blues hotly defending, but they could not score, and Tukapa gradually wore them down and right on t'me Walsh and Wai Opai rushed the leather across Clifton's line, the latter scoring. Weston again goaled, the scores being as above. Tukapa 11, Clifton 3. Mr. H. Petty refereed impartially.

STRATFORD 20 v. INGLEWOOD 0. The above teams opened the football reason at Stratford yesterday, the match taking place on the show grounds in the presence of a fair number of spectators. Unfortunately, owing to a blunder in the advertising, six of the Inglewood players remained behind, under the impression that the match' was to be played there, so that the t?a;u which took the field aga-mt Stratford was practically a scratch one, and its defeat reflects no discredit on the club. Under the circumstances it would not be fair to criticire the performance of the team, who all •'worked manfully against superior players. The Stratford team contains some promising players, and possesses in Collin?! one of the nattiest and most accurate kickers iluut any team could wish. This was evidenced by his remarkable performance of puttiri" the ball between tne posts at every essay. The backs were a good useful lot, possesing dash and combination in passing, and the forwards, though not put on their im'ttle did solid, active and useful work. The selfishness of one of the tc::m in holding to the ball, prevented several additional trios being registered. This is a fault that needs eliminating. Alter a series of serums and line play Mime good pacing by Stratford enabled Rogers to secure a try, which Collins converted. In the play which followed Inglewood improved, but there was a great lot of fumbling over the ball. Stratford several times got near scoring, Inglewood being forced. From a scrum Stratford got possession, and, after some creditable passing, Fryday got over the line, Collins putting in a beautiful shot and registering the major points. Inglewood rightly confined their play as far as possible to the line, but their opponents were pressing them hard all the time, Inglewood being forced twice. At half time the score remained unaltered, Stratford 10, Inglewood 0. i

On" resuming Inglewood started well, holding their own, but were penalised in a dangerous position, Collins .scoring another goal.. Shortly afterwards the same disaster, was repeated, Collins once more being successful. Stratford once more pressed their opponents and from a confused heap close to the line Jones scrambled over, and Collins again goaled. Shortly after Rogers ran through the Inglewood rearguard and scored an easy try, which Collins converted, making the score at the call of time, Stratford 28, Inglewood 0. TEAMS FOE, TO-MORROW. The following will represent Star in their match against Okato at Okato tomorrow:—N, Skipper, Tito, Sorenson, Carroll, 11. Maua, M. Skipper, Mcintosh, Stanley, J. Skipper, Jury, Inch, Grey, Kayo, Haskell and Henry. Emergencies: Kopu, Mackay, Box'and Jacob. The following will represent Star first juniors against Tukapa on Saturday:—Drury, Curline, Boswell, C. Roberta, Partridge, Skipper, 11. Shirley, V. Mason. Curline, Hart, Tamati. .lle'llringer, Karena, (iuild, Scrivenor. Emergencies: 0. Ewe, Gillbanks. Carrick. Hooker. i";.-u !lot_ Watei- Bottles, .-yasoi b ;i , prices—Davica' Pharmacy.

IXTERPROVIXCIAL TOURING ITINJUIAUY. i FOUR .MATCHto .FOR TAR AN.ija. J'..v Telegraph --I're.in As.-,oci.ition. Wellington, r.ast Night, The New Zealand Rngbv Union tojday arranged the fallowing itineraries ji'or the various tours this"season: J Wellington against Auckland, Septem iber sth; against Taranukj, September ,10th; against Wanganui, September 12. Wairarapa against Manawutu, August 9th; against Taranaki, August llitli; [against Wanganui, August loth. I Southland against South Canterbury, ! August tilth; against Will'ngton August 22nd; against Taranaki, Angus!, 27th; against Auckland, August 29th; :against Wanganui September 2nd; [against Canterbury, September sth. ; Canterbury against Auckland, August ; 15th, against Taranaki. August 20th; | against Manawatu or Wanganui, August i22nd; against Wairarapa, August 27th; against Wellington!, August 2ilth. i Otago, against Canterbury, September 12th; against Wairarapa, September ,17th; against Wellington, September 19tk. i SYDNEY UNIVERSITY TFAM. j The following arrangements have been i made for the. tour of the Sydney University team:—Play Canterbury' College, August 22nd;'play Otago'University, August 20th; play New Z'ealand University, at Dunedin, August 29th; play Otago University, September 2nd; play Victoria College, September oth; [play New Zealand University at Wellington, September oth.

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES. THE SELECTION SYSTEM CRITICISED. Wellington, Last Night The nnnual conference of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held to-day, the president,' Mr 0. it. Mason, in the chair. The delegates were present from j Auckland, Poverty Bay, South Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Bush Districts, jTaranaki, Wanganui, Horowhenua, Waiirarapa, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, j Bullet-, West Coast, Canterbury, South i Canterbury, Otago, Southland,'.Hawke's ■Bav and Maiiawatu. : In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (a precis of which has already been published), the chairman said the year had been an ordinary one in certain directions, and an extraordinary year in other directions. They had bad the pleasure of initiating once more the annual matches between Australia and New Zealand. He thought they could congratulate themselves that I the trouble that existed had been settled, and they were on the way to a I very pleasant interchange of visits. A 'good understanding had been arrived at, and he was sure the advent of the Australian ieam last year had been productive of a great amount of good. So far as the Californian tour was concerned, he was sure that it had done a great deal of good for Rugby ou that side. The team had knocked a good number of obsolete ideas out of the heads of the Caiifornians, and the tour was a fine advertisement for New Zealand. The faet that a team could go there and play such football as the New Zealanders did without being attended by an army of masseurs and trainers had set them thinking. j Messrs I). Weir (Bush Union) and E. Little (Wellington) took exception to the. manner in which representative teams were chosen. The question: o' ; selection, said Mr. Little, was treated in a haphazard manner Players were not getting justice. He suggested that a selector should be appointed for the North Island, and one for the South 'lsland, and that each selector should choose a team for the island for which ho acted. Both selectors should theu meet at the North v. South Island match, and pick the New Zealand team. | Mr R. M. Isaacs (Otago) admitted I that the method of selection was not : as good as it might be, but it was the best the union was able to provide un- . der existing conditions. I Mr C. Ncilson, of behalf of Hawke's Bay, said his union had authorised him ■ to invite the New Zealand selectors to (Witness the Hawke's Bay v. Wairarapa [match, to be played on Juno 3 next. i Their expenses would be borne by some public-spirited men. Hawke's Bay would ,then be assured that the selectors ! would know what the Hawke's Bay j players were like. I ,Mr E. Wylic (Poverty Bay) said the I great difficulty was that there were ton many small uuions. They should amalgamate, and so be able ,'to have strong j teams for big matches That, he felt sure, was the best way of getting rid lof the inconsistencies that at present (characterised the selections. j Tho report and balance sheet were adopted. j The following officers were elected for 'the current year: —Patron, His Excellency the Covernor; president, Mr 1. Arneil (Auckland); vice-presidents, the 'presidents of the various unions; hon. • treasurer, Mr E. Wylie; management committee, Messrs W. Perry, N. Galbraith, ,T. H. A. Laughton, G'. H. Dixon, R. M. Isaacs, G Laurenson, I. llyams; auditor, Mr 0. G. Kcmber; representative on the English Union, Mr C. V. Wray-Palliser, ■lt, was decided that the Appeal Council be located at Wellington. The following were elected its members:— Messrs V. R. Meredith, M. J. Crombie, and A. Campbell. The next inter-island match is to be played at Wellington, on a date, to Be arranged A deputation from the New Zealand Referees' Association asked that the affiliated Rugby unions be instructed to alter their by-laws, if necessary, so that the appointment of referees for club competitions bo in the hands of local referees' association?. After some ilis-(.■!i:i.-:ion it we.s d<-ided t'lat the New Zealand 'llni.ni could not interfere with the alliliated unions in the management of local affairs.

Mr Woods (Southland) moved, that tho grant for the encouragement of school football be increased from £2OO (the amount voted last year) to £250. Mr Dixon (Auckland) said the union was not living within its means. While they should do all they could to further the game )» the schools, it should not he done by encroaching on capital. Mr O'Sullivan (Marlborough) said if there was any cheese-paring to be done it should not be done at the expense of the schools. Mr Wylie moved as an amendment, that the' grant 'he .£2oo—The' amendment was carried.