FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 295, 16 May 1914, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY'S MATCHES. Seniors—Star v. Okato, at Oka'to, referee. Mr. J. Young; Stratford' v. Inglewood, at Inglewood, referee Mr. F. Spurdlc; Clifton v. Tukapa, at New Plymouth, referee Mr. W. 'Koch. NEXT WEEK'S FIXTURES. Thursday, Miiy 21.—Juniors—N.P.H.S. v. Inglewood, at Inglewood; Tukapa v. Stratford, at New Plymouth; Star v. Clifton, at Waitara. Saturday, May v. Inglewood, at Inglewood; Stratford v. Tukapa, at Stratford; Clifton v. Okato, at Waitara. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. The following representative fixtures have so far been arranged.— June 3—v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. June 11—v. Wairoa- Sub-Union, at New Plymouth (B team). June 24—v. Wellington, at Hawera. June 27—v. Wanganui, at Hawera. Aug. 13—v. Wairarapa, at Taranaki. Aug 20—v. Canterbury, at Taranaki. Aug. 27—v. Southland, at Taranaki. Sept. 10-v. Wellington, at Taranaki. NOTES; The Saturday fixtures open .to-dav. I lie main interest will centre in tlie meeting of Clifton and Tukapa. Both Clubs contain some new material, and nre much stronger than last year. The Sole Cup, which has been competed for by Saturday teams since the inception of the Saturday division, will this year be open for competition among last year's Saturday clubs, viz., Okato, Star and Inglewood. The lastnamed are the present holders. This should encourage these clubs to continue on with the game, even though over-whelmed by the inclusion of the Thursday clubs in the division. Aucklantlers are very interested in the doings of our Dick Roberts. The Observer remarks that "he is in town, and lias been .training with the Marist Bros. It is, as yet, uncertain if this fine player will take part in the Auckland competitions, or whether he will return to Taranaki." The Herald says that "a week-end visitor to Auckland was R. Roberts, the famous Taranaki centre-threequarter, and the 'star" hack of the All Black combination which visited California last season. It was popularly supposed locally that Roberts would remain in Auckland, and would help to swell the ranks of the Marist Brothers Club, but he states that it is quite impossible for him to take up his residence here. Roberts, who is a farmer, will probably he loeatsd in Taumarunui during the coming season." It is pleasing to chronicle that his name appears among those selected to do battle for Okaiawa against Hawera in the opening matches to-day. He will appear in the Taranaki rep. colors again tins year, and will certainly help to defend tlie Ranfurly shield. Roberts has a farm near Tatu, just over the Tangarakaii Gorge, about forty miles from nowhere.

By the way, southern papers assert that Taranaki will be called upon to defend the Ranfurly Shield against Wellington on June 24. This, however, is not so, as the match on that date is a special match by arrangement between tlie two Unions, and is not treated as a challenge match. Wellington match on September 10 will certainly be a challenge match, provided the shield is still here. Wairarapa will probably have tho honor of making the first attempt to annex the coveted trophy. Prospects for Rugby are particularly bright this season, especially in the -.orth Island, and there is no indication of the decline of Rugby; in fact, rather the reverse. In Auckland 44 team* have entered for the various competition? under the Union, and the problem of finding 22 grounds is a big one, which, however, wiil be overcome. The Union is not using Alexandra Park this season, but is making its headquarters at Eden Park, its new ground, where three matches can be played with comfort. Tlie Agricultural ground will also be utilised. The number of teams entered is an increase of about 10 on last season. At the Thames two extra senior teams have entered. In North Taranaki this year there will be six senior teams, nine junior teams and live second junior teams; in all twenty teams competing, wh urn is as many as started the season last year, but the defection of Elthanii and others quickly reduced this to fifteen. Star having entered a junior team for the Saturday competition, the fixtures will he drawn up early in the week. The competitor; will be Star, Tukapa and Okato. A practice match will be played this afternoon between Star and Tukapa juniors. Colman, Pini, Young and Bourke will he seen out again for Waimate. This Club has lost about seven of last year's players, including Tamil, Taylor, and George. The last named will be p'.aving for Hawera. Willy and Ongley, of Eltliam, have thrown »i their lot with Okaiawa.

In addition to the rep. fixtures published above home and home matches'' will be arranged with Auckland. Matches with Wanganui B and Auckland B have also to be, played. A reminder is given of the adjourned meeting of the Referees' Asoi'jation, which is lixed for Monday evening at the office of the secretary, Mr. A. K. Smart. Several new men have joined the Association, but others are urgently required, as in all some ten matches will he played weekly. That means that to put the matter on a sure lusis and to avoid making too frequent calls on the same men, fifteen should be available. Surely with six senior clubs competing it should not be difficult to obtain that number. It only means that each club should nominate two men. And clubs should and mostly do support the referee*. A referee cannot see everything. He has thirty players and a, ball to watch, ami would indeed be a marvel if he did not miss some infringesports —indeed most of them are—and meut during a game. Player, .should be uphold the refereei, even when they think the decision has gone against them, unfortunately there are some leaflicrliuigcd barrackcrs, too tired to lake on the game tbcniseives.'without brains or ballast sufficient to control a game if they had the whistle, who hurl nasty insinuations and imiucndos throughout the game at the unfortunate referee's head when he penalises their team. If clubs could only refuse such a man admission to their grounds, the difficulty would be overcome. Club officials as a whole deprecate such conduct. One or two examples would have the required eiieet.

At a meeting of the Star Club last week, one of the younger players touched on it mitter that is of vital importance at the present time if the good old {fame is in the future to uphold the glorious traditions of the past, lie referred to the fact that the juniors and third.!, sometimes to the number of thirty or forty, assembled for practice, and that there was no one to tell llienj whether they were playing the game on the right lines. Keenness such as this is a healthy sign and certainly deserves encouragement. It is, of course, impossible for local dubs under present financial conditions to provide a coach, however desirable such an appointment

limy be, lmt surely there should bo some senior available who could lind timju for an hour <oceasiona]ly to give to the lads the benefit of his experience. The lads are there, willing and ready fo learn. Surely now that the matter has been , brought forward some one will come for- • ward. Who knows whether the result may not be the ultimate discovery of some ■ brilliant "All Blaciv''? It is "surprising that Toronaki has been such a shining light in the Rugby firmament when one .considers the disabilities that local players have labored under in the lack of gymnasiums and other facilities for concerted training. This does not apply solely to New Plymouth. Indeed, one o'f the local clubs, Tukapa has been particularly fortunate of late in having Simon Ifynott as its coadjutor and friend. Simon's "word in season," as well as his excellent examjple, has been the means of bringing out several young players and placing them, ion the highest pinnacle of New Zealand football. Seven schools have entered for the public schools competition, which opens to-day. Teams have entered from the four local schools and also from Stratford, Inglewood and Waitara. Owing to the travelling difficulty only one round will he played and* the matches will be played at intervals of a fortnight. Owing to the intervention of the winter holidays the next match will not eventuate until oune 13. As we wish to give every encouragement to school football, which may be regarded as tlie nursery of the game, we would be pleased to receive any notes of interest, and particularly the result of all matches played, from club secretaries. The following team lias been chosen to represent Tukapa Juniors in their match against Star Juniors at the Western Park this afternoon, commencing at 1.45 p.m.:—Lepine, K. Stohr. Snell, Fowler, Gordon, Bowman, G. Fuller, F. Loveridge, D. Newell, Brokenshire, Eggleton, Newton Keg. Quilliam, Laery and Belcher. Emergencies. G. Newell and Guild.