FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1915, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

NEWS AND NOTES. The return match between Canterbury and Otago furnishes another instance of the uncertainty of football. A fortnight previously at Christcliurch, Canterbury had scored a decisive win over the southerners 'by 32 points to 9, and probably their most sanguine supporters would not have expected them to do more than even up the scores at most in the return match. At Dunedin, however, the Canterbury men scarcely got a look in, and Otago turned the tables completely, utterly routing the enemy to the tune of 30 points to 3. Canterbury were the first to score, notching a penalty goal. This seeming inconsistency of running appears hard to explain, but it will be remembered that, in the first match, though a big score was piled up against them, Otago did not give in, but kept moving, and in the concluding stages of the match were getting all over the northerners, against whom thoy scored two tries. This time Otago had an improved team, and their forwards after the first few minutes dominated the situation, enabling their back division, which proved too fast for the visitors, to get in some fine play. A gTeat exhibition of football was given in the first spell, but in the second half both teams tired. Cade, who represented Taranaki a couple of years ago, and afterwards captained the B team, is now playing fullback for Canterbury, When here, he was played five-eighth and wing-three-quar-ter, where he showed considerable pace, scoring five tries against Wanganui at Hawera. Wellington play home and home matches with Canterbury, the first match taking place to-day. A strong Wellington team has been chosen, and on paper form the southerners do not appear to have a look in. A ChristelTurch writer remarks that if the Canterbury men desire to have a look in against Wellington, who appear to be playing stylish football, even in this impoverished season, they must settle down to steady training. Several of the men are carrying too much tissue and they are lethargic and slow in consequence. Pctone created a surprise in Wellington by defeating Athletic, who had hitherto been undefeated, by 24 points to nil, A close game was expected. E, Ryan was a big factor in Petone's success, two tries, converting three and kicking a penalty goal, in all 15 points. These two teams are now level, each having been defeated once. A play-off will be necessary. The Olcato Football Club, which has given the whole of their gate money to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund this year, intend to donate the profits from their annual ball, which was held on Thursday night, to the same fund. It is expected about £lO will be netted. Technical College are to oe congratulated on bringing the second junior championship to New 'Plymouth. This is the first time it has come north for years. It is the only championship to come north this season. The Technical College team has come on wonderfully this year, and the fine open game that they play tends to popularise them with the public, and those who saw t'iem play the curtain raiser with Eltham second juniors a week or two back will welcome the school's success and hope to see them do equally well in a (higher grade next season. (The match on Thursday proved a close tussle. Kaponga, who were the heavier team, had the advantage of the wind in the first spell and notched three tries, neither being converted. In the second speil, the New Plymouth boys playing with the wind turned the tables, and with two tries and a penalty goal equalised matters, a final try giving them the advantage, which they held to the finish. Among the list'of previously reported missing now believed to : Je dead, appear the names of two more local footballers, viz., Messrs. S. Okey and W. Surgenor. The former, who Is a son of Mr. H. J, Okey, M.P., was a wellknown Star player, where he generally played in the front row of the scrum, He was a quiet unassuming young fellow, and he was the same on the football field, where he did a lot of good work without always attracting the eye of the spectators. He was always working, not waiting for a chance to shine out. It is hoped that the news of their death will prove to be false. W. Surgenor who left for the front from Rahotu, learnt his football with the Waimate juniors, afterwards playing for Stratford, Okato arul Opunake, It was with the northern division coastal club that he came' into prominence. Being a versatile player he was the mainstay of the Okato backs for a season, when he earned his place .in the Taranaki B reps. A letter received from W. Surgenor under date of July 3 j is written in a cheery tone. He stated that things were still jogging along though movements had "been steadily realising. They had been fed fairly well of late, though at first they were not so well off. They had been prodding away at these Turks all along, and ihe thought they would he glad to shake hands and cry quits. They had, he said, taken a tremendous lot of prisoners, and had lost in comparison practically nil. The boys were still anxious to see the game through, and from the way things were going the end ought soon to be in sight. The boys who liad been wounded and returned to the front spoke highly of their treatment at the various 'hospitals. They were anxiously waiting to see some football news. Referring to his club mates, he remarks that Burrowes, since reported dead, was sick, but Reg. Hill was well.