FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1919, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

FRANCE v. NEW ZEALAND. AN EXCITING MATCH. Paris, May 4. In the fotball match the French had the best of the first half and scored (five to nil. The New Zealanders played 'a willing game and in the second spell outpointed the opposition, whose passing was better than that of the New iZealanders. Ford scored one, and 'Stohr two.tries. Ryan failed to eonIvert one, but Stohr converted the 'ethers. Stohr scored a goal from a mark. NORTHERN UNION GAME. ENGLISH TEAM TO VISIT AUSTRALASIA. Received May 0, 10.10 p.m. Sydney, May 0. < The secretary of the Rugby League has received a letter from the Northern Rugby Union confirming the acceptance jof an invitation for a team to tour Australia and New Zealand in 1920, and requesting the despatch of the proposed programme. OLD BOYS' CLUB FORMED. A meeting of Old Boys of the New .Plymouth High School was held last j might, with the object of forming a j Rugby football club. There was an | attendance of about twenty Old Boys, and Mr. E. P. Webster presided. It was decided to form a club, to he j known as the New Plymouth High School Old Boys' Football Club. The following officers were appointed: President, Dr. E. Faber Fookes; vicepresidents, Messrs A. M. MacDiarmid, ;F N. Whitcomhe, E. P. Webster, A. Eewley, W. N. Ewing, W. H. Moyes, P. J H White, Lt.-Col. I. T. Standish, Lt. A. R. Standish; secretary, Mr. D. Saxton; hon. treasurer, Mr. R. Howell; ie<ocntive committee, Messrs C. H. Wvnyurd, S. Ewing, W. Ewing, R. A. Fox, H. Bayley, N. F. Little; delegate to the , li'.igby Union. Mr. C. H. Wynyard. It was decided that the first practice for Saturday players should be. held on j Saturday of this week, and that for Thursday players on Thursday of next IVeek. Both practices are to be held on the racecourse at 2 o'clock. The subscriptions were fixed at 7s Gd for playing members and 10s for honorary members. Those eligible for membership are Old Boys of the school and piasters. It was decided that the club color Jghbulcl be white. The matter of deciding 'what teams should be entered in the competitions was left to the executive. A vote of thanks to the chairtniui I concluded the meeting.

ELTHAM CLUB. The TCltliam club has been revived, and the following officers have been elected: President, Mr. H. A. Xuttall; vicepresidents, Messrs. 0. W. Taylor, ,T. fleoon. 11. flunt. K. Crabtree. J. Halpin, H. Jenkins. 11. Sliepard, J. Ileslop, G. W. Bennett, ,). 0. Lording, 11. 11. Judd, H. Vollui'il, ■!. Moil'ett, and C. Cooper, sen.; seerelnry. Mr. P. Creed; assistant secretary, Mr. G. S. Papps; treasurer, Mr. H. A. Nnttall: general committee. Messrs. J.'Scoon, T. Glcnlworth, J. Halpin, R. Free, (i, W. Bennett, •). Morgan, P. Reilly, C. Cooper; selectors, Messrs. T. Glentwortb. (junior*) and J. Swon (thirds),

with captains of teams. Mr. T. Glentworth was appointed coach. It was resolved to endeavor to arrange a match with Stratford ou Thursday afternoon next. "ALL BLACKS" PAST AND PRESENT. (By Lieut. E. Booth, 1905-08 Team, in the London Daily Mail.) Comparisons have been made between the original "All Blacks" of 1005-00 and the New Zealand military team at present playing in England. Several of these criticisms are rather unfair to the latter team, and I think, in fairness to them, I should point out one or two things which will help the public to form a true estimate of the military team. Possibly the greatest difference between the two is that the original "All Blacks" arrived here a complete team, while the present side is as yet m the making. The original team was selected from thousands of very fit players after a series of trials extending over the two seasons of 1904-05, including inter-island as well as inter-provincial games. After the team was selected it played against provinces throughout New Zealand and in three big "tests" in Sydney. Thus we arrived here a "tried out" combination of old beads on young legs, the pick of New Zealand football, and we travelled here in all comfort. The present military team, commonly known among the New Zealand rank and file as "The Diggers," on the other hand came over in transports, and some have been passed and have undergone the rough experiences of war. Before the end of the inter-army tourney, which I think they can win (they did, Sporting. Ed. T.D.N.), it is possible the team will have a better front rank than we had in 1905-00. There are more reserves available, the men are much younger and heavier, but at present they seem lacking in tactics. They are in reality A team of colts of great possibilities, which, under the leadership of such men as Stead. Wallace, and Gallagher would soon develop. • The average man in the street expects the present team to give pyrotechnic displays and cricket score wins the same as we did, but he does not take into consideration the great improvement English Rugby has made since then. English back play has improved immensely, teams are no longer sleepy, and paralysing them with Indipju and Maori hakas cannot be done to-day. The old football dictum that a team can only play as well as the other team lets it still holds good, and to-day the opposition is stronger than in 1905-00. especially in the general knowledge of varieties of play. The present New Zealand team's only weakness in attack is the centre, and this is being remedied. Personally. I. am proud of the side, and I do "not doubt that they will worthily uphold the best traditions of New Zealand football.