FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 4, 23 May 1914, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY'S' h'iXILKiiS. Senior Division. - Stratford v Tukapa, at Stratford, Mr F. Spurdle. Cufton v Okato, at Waitara, Mr W. Roch. ,' y: , Star v Inglcwood, at New Plymouth, Mr J. Jtihiffioß. Juniors Star t Tukapa, at New Plymouth, Mr G. B, Sinclair* Waimate had a very close call <wiflT Opunake on Saturday, the southern champions only scraping home near the call of time by an unconverted try. The Opunake Timtes said that Waimate showed more science than Opunake in one department only, viz., making use of (he box thorn hedge near by to enable them ti idle away the'first spoil when the wind was against thenr. The Saturday junior competition opens to-day, when Tukapa plays Star at Western Park. Okato has entered a team also. Ancnt this competition, "Fair Play'' writes, suggesting that as last year's Rovers''senior team will form this year's Tukapa juniors on Saturday, tho junior competition will be very uninteresting, as it will mean a walk over for Tukapa, as he points out that the other teams will only comprise players of medioere capacity. This, he considers, is not the way to encourage the lads who wish to play Saturdays. In support of his contention, he shows that though Rovera amalgamated with Tujcapa, with the expressed intention of strengthening the latter's seniors, wio were weakened by the loss of several players that could not arrange to play Saturdays, only two Rover players have been included seniors, and the rest have been re- | instated juniors. Last, year Rovers put up good fights with the men who are playing senior now in Star and Okato, so what hope have the juniors from the latter clubs? j Certainly, it looks as as though Tukapa ■ will have an advantage this year, but j it is to be hoped that the other clubs wHI not lie downhearted, but put up the best possible fight, realising that it is no disgrace to be defeated under the circumstances. Moreover, it is not at all certain that Tukapa Saturday juniors will be comprised mostly of last year's Rovers seniors, as some of the latter will be found in the ranks of other cluba this year.

The senior competition opened on Saturday in atrocious weather. All the teams, however, fulfilled their engagements and the opening matches were distinctly encouraging. Aa already foreshadowed, the contest will be in the form of a double triangular one. Three teams at the top are points above the other trio. When two teams from cither section meet each «ther, some good games will bo witnessed, but when any of the last year Thursday division meet last year's Saturday division tho result will probably be disastrous to the latter. Last week's matches bore this out. The Star-Okato and TukapaClifton goes were as even as one could wish to see, but the .match between Stratford and Tnglcwood proved an easy win for the former. To-day Stratford and Tukapa and Star and Inglewood should put up great fights, and it is hard to predict the winners. Clifton should down Okato.

There was little brilliancy, though any amount of willing football when Tukapa met Clifton on Saturday last. Taken as a whole the team from the river port was the better, holding a distinct advantage in tight work, and not falling very far short of their opponents in the loose.

The Clifton pack, headed by the genial Cain, proved a solid combination. His generalship was i■:■■■nnmible largely for the superiority of his vanguard in concerted work. Tho rest of the Ciifton forward* were n - >' ! ' even lot. Tt'.-rnt-sen, Jiicks, and Clare all showing dash In the back division Hie country !<■•' -r was not so successful, although it displayed some good material. Good-win. on the wing of Ihe. thren-quarters line, was patchy, and on the whole disappointing. He iva.s inclined to strive after effect and achieved disaster.

Morshead was the life of the Tukapa vanguard. Ward and Perrv grafted hard, and wera always in thn *hH- „f the fray. Davidson playin" '"-V. shone, but infringement of the "off side" several times nullifipd his work.

Mi-Ailum and t.V "wingers."" were frequently cv7>s-ymio'.iH. Thov were opposed („ ac gnr'l a pair in Tavlor ;cid V. Tate.

Brown at half, pla-.-nd a clever •j.imc until an injiirv to V 'nee hampered his movements.

Tocker at five-: ! -;V« was not vcr startling.

Tlip t-livfi'-o".-"-!'" '>•" throw the hull about v-lir>n it jv.| ' ! < !'awo, but wnchow cnnlfl not, the finif.liiw tousli. Lovp-Ti.lL-.- v'-yrd a sterlin;.' p»mo with only - r-n V U: of mistake* Stobr ■shmvert <'■>-!'. fcijt, bavin" once newly pott-cl » ■vrnl was nther too "p.*-!- In try n.!j:>!i, ~-,-! by tti»w tactics spoiled a ijood opening *<«• a try. Web-

ster was decidedly weak, being often out of his place, and not unrreqtu'ntly tiding to take.» pass. Again Okato promise to have" a good team 01 forwards. Last wee.k.o. Julian. Narby and Hill played great games. The latter is a young player, who is improving in every game. Carey will be playing to-day. He was holiday-making last week. Among the. backs Eustace, Corbett and R. Julian were the main stays. The first-named did a lot of work. Ay]ward at wing three-quarter • 13 a young player who make* the most of his opportunities, '. For Star, Stanley at wing-forward played a great game. He was always im tihe ball and made fine openings. He had hard luck in getting injured. Ttui kill incapacitate him from several Snatches. McKay and Henry, also played Veil. Among the backs, il/.un, Tito, Carroll and M. Skipper conbined well and will prove a dangeroua combination later on. ' Congratulations to D. J. Malone on having been re-appointed one of the selectors of the North Island team. During the past year or two "Dan," who knows a good footballer almost n/y 'instinct, has not taken an active interest In football rap. selection. Fortunately n this all important year in Taranaki football he has been persuaded to anerge from his retirement, and this province will have the benefit of his wide experience and ripe judgment. He is a keen and enthusiastic follower of She game, who does not allow his judgment to be warped by any parochial ■ feeling. He will probably be one of the ' selectors of the New Zealand team to tour Australia. The personnel of the K*rth v. South match, which is fixed for June 20, at Wellington, will be a sure guide to the New Zealand team. Taranaki will be called upon to play , ftfairarapa and Canterbury during the libsenoe of the Dominion team in Aus;ralia. As Wairarapa has beaten Taralaki on the last two occasions on which he teams have met, local players will have to be up and doing if the shield is not to be removed from here at the first time of asking. Taranaki will probably be weakened by tihe absence of four or Ave of its star players, including the great Dick ' Roberts, whereas possibly Wairarapa may only be deprived of one player at most. However, it is aB part of the game. Matches had to fit in with the southern teams' tours, and, even under present circumstances our season this year will last well jnto September, as Auckland will attempt to wrest the shield—if it is still here on September 17, when next milking season is rapidly getting into full swing. F Cade is in great try-getting form this year. Playing for Merivalc at wing three-quarter, he has scored six tries in three matches. Writer would not be surprised to see him again visit Taranaki with the Canterbury reps, after the shield. Martin, of Southland, who spent the summer in New Plymouth and shaped I well in a fancy dress match here early in tho season, is in great form at Invoreargill, and is almost certain to reach the .Southland reps. The Auckland Observer remarks that Oil], who is now playing with College Rifles, played a very safe game on Saturday and showed himself quite at home in the mud. His kicking and fielding were very good, and he appeared to be looking for work all the time. Shechan, «. Stratford junior of two or three seasons 'tack, is playing for Marist Bros., Auckland.

Could not Tukapa Club hold a working bee and erect a shed at Western Park, or at least do something to improve the approach to (lie present shed in wet weather? On Saturday ln\st it was necessary to lay planks so as to get to the alicd dry sliod. A or two of graypl would obviate this. The Western Park Board is not strong financially, and no doubt would appreciate any assistance in this way. Western Park is one of the best grounds in Taranaki on a wet day, as its turf does not became a quagmire of mud, and it dries rapidly. Willi money to provide the necessary appointments it could easily be made,a.ground second to none in the province. Dick Roberts did not play for Okaiawa bust Saturday. Ho is now .back in Taranaki, and will <ion liisi old club's colors to-day. The junior match set down for to-day beffween Star and Tukapa has been postponed till next Saturday*