FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 307, 5 June 1915, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY'S MATCHES. Seniors. —Tukapa v. Okato, at Oknto; Clifton v. Inglewood, at Inglewood. NEXT WEEK'S FIXTURES. THURSDAY, JUXE 10th. First Juniors. —Tukapa v. Inglewood, at New Plymouth; Stratford v. Clifton, at Stratford; Eltluim v. New Plymouth High School, at Eltham. Second Juniors.—Eltham v. Now Plymouth High School, at New Plymouth; Clifton v. Stratford, at Waitara. SATURDAY, JUXE 12th. Seniors. —Clifton v. Tukapa, at Now Plymouth (second round); Okato v. Ingle" ■ood, place to be arranged. Thursday's match resulted in a surprise victory for Wanganui, but on the day's play the blues deserved their will. The first spell was almost entirely in their favor, and there was little between the teams in the second spell. The display of football was not a first class one, combination between the yellows being entirely lacking, and when the TaranaUi forwards did break away the persistent whistle invariably called them hack. Wanganui crossed the yellow's line 071 three occasions, but their goal-kickers failed to improve the score, missing two shots from easy positions. Taraiuiki's score was made up of a penalty goal kicked by Loveridge and a good try scored by R. Patterson and converted by Roberts. The Taranaki backs showed individual smartness, but they lacked a controlling hand. Coleman hung on to the ball too long, and when it did get out every man was marked. If Robc.'ts had played five-eights instead of wing three-quarter a different tale might have been told. Kissick was the "piclc of tli3 forwards, but Wliittington and Rowlands also showed dash.

All the Wanganui backs played well, their line kicking being much superior to that of yellows, while their passing was surer. Atkins, at half, was ihe pick of an eveivlot. Takarangi held tho Wanganui pack well in the scrums, and thi 1 Er:ihy firns. shone in tin' iui'.se. The Trcntham team which defeated Wellington representatives is playing a match at Auckland to-day against Hie

representatives of the northern city. Could a match have bean arranged Between the soldiers' team (which comprises a number of Taranaki representatives) and the local fifteen for- New Plymouth during show week, it would have proved a great draw, and added ' considerably to the fund for wounded soldiers. There were no senior matches in North Taranaki last Saturday, though ■ the teams in South Taranaki fulfilled their engagements. The match between Ciifton and Okato did not eventuate, owing to the former team not making . the trip on account of the weather being boisterous in the morning. Okato did not receive notice in time to advise the members of its team, and consequently the Okato fifteen arrived prepared to play. As the weather was .fine at the time, they were naturally disappointed, as were a. number of •spectators, some of whom had (ravelled several miles t'o see the match, which was in aid of the Hospital Ship Fund. Okato have travelled to fulfil engagements in much worse weather, so have other teams visiting them. The Okato players are scattered several miles apart in the country, and, as the majority are away from the telephone, considerable time is needed in riding round to warn them of any postponement. In this case the secretary of the club did not receive notification until about an hour and a half prior to the ffme appointed for the match, when the majority of the players had, of course, left their homes. The referee, too, was not advised of the postponement, and spent some hours waiting for the arrival or the Waitara team in New Plymouth, so as to travel down the coast with them. Clifton advised the chairman and secretary of the union early in the morning that they considered the weather too boisterous, and the union officials agreed to the postponement. Evidently, through some misunderstanding, the co:"tnl club was not advised early eno-">h. 'ft is understood that Okato inten 1 claiming a forfeit. The coastal club, however, have a reputation for sportsmanship, and possibly will agree to the match being played later.