FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1915, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

.NEXT WEEK'S MATCHES. Thursday, August 2b'—TarauaJd v. Auckland representatives, at Recreation Grounds, New Plymouth. TARANAKI v. AUCKLAND. On Thuisday next the only representative match that is to be played in New Plymouth this season will eventuate at the Recreation Grounds, when Auckland will pay a return visit to meet the Tannaki representatives. This is always a popular fixture, and despite the fact that the war is on, there is certain to be a big attendance. The public, judging by the exhibition when these teams met at Auckland, can rely on seeing an exciting and a game, too, in which football of a high standard will be played. A fortnight ago Auckland were victorious by a comfortable margin of points, but on the actual play there was very little difference in the teams, and as Loverjdge, Martin, Twomey, Colman, Robertson and others may b'e available this time, Taranaki s-hould have a ! much stronger division, and should succeed in turning the tables.

NOTES. Footballers have taken their part throughout the British Empire in assisting in the present crisis. In the Dominion, eveTy club is proud of the fact that several of its members have gone to the front, and some names that have made history in the Rugby world are now serving nobly in the wider field. A footballer can be relied upon to stand his share of hard knocks and to be right in the forefront when required. It would be hard to find a club that has not some of its members on the roll of honor. Many promising player's, and several whose names are renowned in the New Zealand Rugby world have given their lives for the Empire, whilst footballers' names figure prominently in the list of wounded.

Lieut. T. M. Grace, reported killed in action, was well' known in sporting circles in Wellington. He was about 25 years of age, and during 1904-5 was at Wellington College. '" He took a prominent part in football, cricket and.athletics generally. Until the Old Boys' Cricket Club was resuscitated he played for the North Club, and belonged to the Old Boys' Football Club until he joined the Wellington Club. He played a good, sound game in the three-quarter line. He was in the B. rep. team in 1910, and won his representative cap in 1911, after which he played several times for Wellington. He was also a member of Parata's Maori team, which visited Australia in 1912. He was the second son of Mr. L. (M. Grace, of Wellington, Parliamentary Native Interpreter, anil had himself been in the Civil Service for some years. Lieut. Grace left with the Main Expeditionary Force.as a sergeant in the oth (Hawke's Bay) Company of the Wellington Infantry Battalion, and received his commission at the front. Another well-known New Zealand Rugby footballer who has been wounded is Lieut. A. A. Adams, who was a,member of the C Company, 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, 11th Division, of the British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Lieut. Adams' parents reside at Greymoutli. Footballers will remember Lieut. Adams as a onc-tiine famous club player and Otago University representative. 'He began his scholastic career at Auckland Grammar ■School, afterwards going to Victoria College, Wellington, and proceeding to Otago University, whence lie went Home to complete his studies. Lieut. J. E. Cuthill, whose name appears in the latest list of wounded, is the well-known University, Otago and New Zealand representative. He was a fine footballer and a strong-scoring three-quarter, who was equally popular with the public both on the playing fields of California and Australia, as well as in the Dominion.

Len. Leary, who played for Tukapa juniors, lias been wounded in the head at the Dardanelles. The twenty-seventh representative match between the chosen of Wellington and Auckland footballers took place last Saturday, when a win went to the credit of the Km pi re City's team by 9 points to 5. The worst of weather conditions prevailed (remarks the Observer), for the wind was hard from the northeast, accompanied by rain.- The playing area quickly became very slippery and treacherous, and with the ball sodden and heavy, the players were severely tested. While the game did not provide the high standard of play witnessed in some of the previous great battles between the provinces fought under similar weather conditions, the play was of an interesting character. Winning the toss, the Wellington skipper elected to defend the eastern goal, which gave his fresh team the advantage of the wind and rain in their backs. The ball was dry, and, making, full use of these advantages, the players from down under took the steam out of the locals, who for the greater portion of the spell were on the defensive. The first spell ended with the visitors leading by 9 points to nil. Local supporters did not view with alarm Wellington's lead, for it was considered, the blue-and-whites would play the game to suit the conditions. They did not. Although meeting u very stubborn defence from blacks' back division, the locals resorted too much to the use of the side-line. The local ba. : ks also tried io handle the greasy bail, with the result that Wellington's forwards quickly smothered them, The better team won, although a victory could easily have gsne the other way. Auckland had plenty of chances, but failed to accept. Perhaps the worst piece of bungling was in the closing stages of the game. The local forwards were sweeping all before them, and when only about four yards oft' the line Campbell attempted to pick up the ball, with the result that he knocked on, and a certain score was lost. The weather was in no way a factor to Wellington's suoeess, and it is only regrettable that the visitors were not seen on a dry ground. Their backs are a fast, nippy set, very aggressive, yet possessing fine defensive qualities. They handled the leather better in every way than the locals. Next week tho New Plymouth High School team will journey to Napier to defend the challenge shield which is annually competed for by the Napier, Palmerston North, and New Plymouth High Schools. The competition, which is of a triangular nature, is held alternately at each of the centres. New Plymouth secured the shield last year, when th'j matches were held locally, and, as they have a fairly strong team, which has hail the benefit of practice games in the junior cup competition, should just about retain the shield. The fixtures are:— Thursday, August 26, Napier v. Palmerston; Saturday, August 28, Napier v. New Hymouth; Monday, August 30, Palmers!;® v, New Plymouth. The New

Plymouth team, which leaves for Napier 031 Wednesday in charge of Mr. A. 1!. Ryder, will comprise:—Full-back, P. Meuli (10.2); three-quarters, J. Tuohy (9.7), D. S. Svkcs (U.Oj, H. Bayly (8.12); five-eighths, S. V. McMurray (9.12) captain; half-back, P. S. Oliver (8.8); wing-forward, 0. Bayley (10.1); forwards, L, G, Eyre (10.7), L. Lovell (10.2), J. J. K. Terry 10.10), S. Borrie (11.2), «. M. Montcath (9.12), K. Kidd (10.3), M. Atkinson (9.0), Emergencies: L. Bryce (11.1), K. Murray (8.10), C. Yates (9.12), N. Quilliam (9.11), J. Wyborn (10.7). Previous winners of the shield; — 1909—Napier. 1010—Palmerston. 1911—New Plymouth. 1912—Palmerston. 1913—Drawn. 1914—New Plymouth.