FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 32, 27 June 1914, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

i .;>■•■- TO-DAY'S MATCH. fjvWfanganui v. Taranaki, at Hawera. SEinfttriy Shield match. £ NEXT WEEK'S'FIXTURh-S. THURSDAY, JUu)c 2, ' Juniors: N.P.H.S. v. lugluewood, at ,New Plymouth; Tukapa v. Strauord at iStratford; Star v. Cliiton, at N«w Ply- , JJaootb,- ■ J Second Juniors: Clifton v. Star, at .Waitara; Stratford v. Stratford Dis,tnct High School, at Stratford. SATUBDAI, JULY 4. Seniors.; Star v. Ingiewood, at Incle<wood; Stratford v. TuKapa, at NewPlT--mouth; Clifton v. Okato, at Okato. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. RESULTS TO DATE. v. Wanganui, won by 9 to 8. t. Wellington, won by 14 to 10. v. Wairoa Sub-Union, won by 8 to nil (B team). ITXTLRES ARRANGED. July 23—v. Manawatu, at Taraaakl. , Aug. 1— v. Auckland, at Auckland ' <B team). Aug. Wairarapa, at Taranaki. Aug. 20—v. Canterbury, at Taranaki. i Ails*. 2fc-v. Auckland, at Auckland, j Aug. 27—v. Southland, at Taranaki. ] Sept. 10-v. Wellington, at Taranaki. 1 Sept. 17—v. Auckland, at Taranaki. i The last named match will probably depend on whether Taranaki still re--v tains the Ranfuxly Shield. POSITIONS OF THE TIAMS. SENIORS.

JUNIORS.

Tukapa 6 6 0 0 84 11 12 Stratford 0 6 1 0 69 21 10 EQghSchl 6 3 3 0 65 49 S Clifton 5 2 3 0 31 42 4 Ingiewood 4 0 4 0 0 OS t Star 5 0 5 0 23 73 0

TO-DAY'S RANPURLY SHIELD MATCH. Taianaki will be called upon to-day to defend for the first time the Hanfurly Shield, which was won so brilliantly from Auckland last year. It is safe to predict that there 'will be a keen struggle and though Taranaki should manage to retain it against their next-door neigh- . bore, yet there are many who witnessed the Wanganui match earlier in the month who cannot see Taranaki win today. Taranaki, however, have a reputation for inconsistency, and past results can therefore form no guide. The team -to do battle for the province to-day is A good one. On last Wednesday's form mot one of the forwards could be omitted and if they play the same game to-day ifhe shield will be safe. The backs will he without the services of Roberts, but Stohr will be playing, and his goalkicking ability is no small asset, as Wanganui know to their cost. > Referring to the match for the Ranfurly Shield, Rev. W. B. Scott, ex-Wan-ganui selector and prominent referee, informed the Chronicle that Taranaki people, recognising Wanganui's splendid v display here on June 3, were unaniiji moos that it was going to be a keen Speaking of Wanganui's chances, _ Jfe' Scott was very optimistic.

NOTES. The match between Taranaki and Wellington at iiawera during show week proved very exciting, thoogbi the play was not so scientific as was the case in the two previous show week matches between theße two provinces. There was one point of similarity between the three matches, in that Wellington scored a try in the last three minutes on each occasion. In l!)ki, this converted a minority of one into a majority of two and gave them the victory, as it did last year by converting a similar minority into a majority of four. This year it only reduced their minority by 6 points, .and Taranaki, for the first time, emerged victors by four points. They deserved 4heir victory, which was undoubtedly -due to the great play of their forwards, who did marvellously well in the loose, and outclassed their opponents in scrum work. They kept the pace up to the «nc|, too, save for a brief spell, when -they lagged somewhat and allowed Wellington to score their second try. The Wellington team was not thoroughly representative. Absentees from the forwards included Francis and •"Rangi" Wilson (N.Z. reps.), Miller and : Bell, and from the backs, J. Ryan (N.Z. Tep.), E. Ryan and P. J. Ryan, whilst Taranaki's only absentees were Stohr (back) and Hawkins (forward). Had Wellington been fully representative the issue might have been different. Cain and Birchall combined well in front of the local pack, and hooked the iball consistently and cleanly, but it appeared to hang in the back of the pack and came out very raggedly. Cain was one of the best forwards on :the ground and was prominent in every rush. Indeed, all the forwards played well. Whittington, who had been left •out and only got in as emergency, showed that he is not a back number. 'Smith, Dewar, Patterson and Young all , did their bit well.

Taranaki played two wing forwards, Taylor and Colman, and fine gaineß they played. They were always on the ball and got among the backs like a ilash, giving Nuna very little chance. Taylor Bcored three good tries. Taranaki would be well advised to continue the two wing forward game if the shield is to remain long witiiin view of the mountain.

Coming to the backs, Brown was very solid in defence, and did a lot of good work, but he did not get his backs going as often as he should, and when he did S. Cameron and Roberts, by their hang-ing-on tactics, ■ invariably brought the movement to an end. Both played good games and made some great openings, often beating their vis a vis, but that did not satisfy them, and Loveridge and Young, two fine scoring men, were practically starved. "When the passes did oome they were badly given or else were too late.

Both Loveridge and Young played fine games, the former making a great effort when he intercepted a Wellington pass and dashed down field, the movement resulting in Taylor scoring. George, at full back, did not give a convincing exhibition, though it must not be forgotten that he had already played a. strenuous game immediately prior to this match. His place kicking, too, was not up to his usual form. In this department, Stohr was missed sadly. Roberts gave Brown a chance to convert the firs* try, but the Tukapa half failed miserably with an easy shot. MeFarlane was easily the best of the Wellington pack, particularly on the line out. Paton, Dent and Parker also shone at times.

| Gilchrist, on the wing, did well, but his i opponents carried too many guns, j Nunn, at haH, had a parlous time, I but he defended well, and the same applies to most of the Wellington backs, whose tackling was a treat. Tilyard [ tackled well, but was not at home with | the ball, dropping several passes. I The three-quarter line ,was a good one, , and if the backs could have got the ball would have kept Taranaki busy. On the few occasions that they did get going, they did things. McTaggart'B try was a beauty. From half-way Nunn set his backs moving, and the ball travelled via Tilyard and Beard to McTaggart, who streaked for the corner. He was nearly crowded out, but he cut in nicely and scored. Beard also showed that he knew how to seize an opportunity when he scored his try as the result of a badly judged kick by George. Twomey, on the other wing, showed great defence, his collaring at the corner saving several tries. The Rer. W. B. Scott, of Wanganui informed the Wanganui Chronicle that he was not very much impressed with the performance of the Taranaki team. Wellington, he said, had a very young team and lhad none of their cracks playing, with the exception of Tilyard and Paton. Taranaki were without the services of Stohr, and consequently the goal-kicking suffered. Cain and Young were the pick of the amber and black ; forwards, but the backs, with the exception of Brown, did not distinguish themselves. ueorge did well at full- ' back, as did also Young at wing three- ; quarter, but Roberts was selfish. ! A meeting of the South Taranaki Referees' Association was held in the Sduth Taranaki Club on Wednesday, June 34. Present: Messrs. Lees (in the chair), Neilson, A'Court, McLeod, Crowley, Grant, Foy, Cleaver, and D. Ryan (secretary). In regard to a letter from the Kaponga Club as to giving a referee power to fix the time of a match should : certain matches /be started after the specified time, it was resolved that a letter be written to Kaponga Club concerning the procedure. Mr. A. J. Bren- j nan was unanimously elected an active member of the association. It was agreed that the committee meet every fortnight to be arrange fixtures, the next meeting to be at Okaiawa on Tuesday, July 14. The referee in the junior match at Hawera last Saturday reported that certain players and spectators indulged in uncalled for remarks in relation to his capabilities and it was agreed to take action in the matter, as members officiating at matches must be protected, and have to put up with a lot without being abused l>y the spectators on the line.

The burty Cunningham iras seem out for Ponsonby last week against their old rivals City. The game resulted in a draw, and Cunningham, who played in liis old position as lock, is said to have shown glimpses of his old form. Really nothing but the old age pension will stop some of these youngsters.

\%r. •d e .& "i 43 * 4 1 a s '3 ■3 ' li L*4» -•/■■ (".- s * ■S 2 4T 5. Clifton ' 6 6 0 1 «7 12 m j Stratford « S i 0 1M 9 10 Tukapa 6 3 z 1 51 26 71 ; Okato 6 3 3 0 24 96 6 Inglewood 0 1 9 0 28 100 2 ; Star « 0 6 0 6 42 4