FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 28, 23 June 1914, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

BKRIIOX i'.Y "OFF-SIDE MAC,'' Offside Miic,' 1 tlie well known ex-New Zealand pla\ vr and critic, writing in the Sydney Daily Telegraph, gives the following interesting notes and hints: It is noticeable that the formation of scrums ill tlie senior grade games is not what it ought to be. A scrum should always pack parallel with the touch-line, so that the ball may go in as fairly and squarely as possible. Hut the scrums in recent games are wheeled and screwed anyhow before the ball goes in, with the nesult that em Tit does not al ways govern possession. One can quite understand referees wishing to make the game as fast as possible, but it appears they would do no harm if they would adopt a strong attitude and refuse to allow the hall to go into the scrum unless it is packed as it should be. If this were done, the referees would not have to put the ball in themselves so often. It is a cardinal principle of the game that referees should take part in the game as little as possible. The players cannot be blamed. It is only natural to find that if any latitude is allowed them by a referee tliey will play up to it. It is quite posslbic that some of tliem, finding that the referee allows the ball to go in irrespective of the position of the scrum—sometimes it is almost parallel with the goal, instead of the toueli-line—screw round accordingly before the ball goes in, in order to gain an advantage in obtaining possession.

? THE RANFUKLY SIIIEL-D. The Taranaki Union lias suggested to the Auckland Union that September 17 should be the date for the AucklandTaranaki match for the Ranfurly Shield at New Plymouth, The Auckland Union considers the date too late in -tlie season, and has asked the southern province to suggest an earlier date. Respecting this difficulty about a date, the Auckland Herald says: —"There is just a possibility that Auckland team will not no south this year in quest of tlie Ranfurly Shield; at least such seems to be the case if Taranaki does not suggest a suitable date for the match. The date put forward by Taranaki is September 17, but this is clearly too late for Auckland, as the winter locally is considered shorter than it is in the south. It is to be hoped that Taranaki will see its way to suggest an earlier date." . . , The Wellington Dominion comment-, as follows:—"One might not unreasonably gather from this that Auckland feels entitled -,o have things rather mu<-.. their own way. To suggest that sept, is too late in the season is absurd, and if a date rather later than acceptable was suggested, the Northerners should realise that So.pt. is by no 100 early for Taranaki. Auckland a action, : seems, to say the least, inconsiderate.

SOUTHERN RESULTS. At Manaia Waimate ran all over the Opunake seniors by 35 points to nil. Opunake were short handed and had the services of three Kaponga men. Tries were scored by'ljynslcey (2.), J. e " s (2), O. Menli (2), W. Meuli, M. Cook and Burchall. Tries were converted by Lynskey (2), J. Wells and Co'lman. '•At Okaiawa on Saturday, Okinawa seniors defeated Bawera seniors by !) points to 3. For the winners three tries were scored by Rye, one -after a great passing rush. For the losers Wieft't scored. No try was converted. In the junior fixtures, Ilawera defeated Kaponga by 9 points to 3, and Okaiawa juniors forfeited to Opunake.