FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1919, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY - LEAGUE GAME, Sydney, May 26. The following dates have so far been arranged for the New Zealand League team:—June 7 and 9, play Sydney; June 14, play Newcastle. June 21 and 23, at Sydney, the first and second .matches against New South Wales will he played. Details of the others will not be fixed till the team arrives.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Auckland, May 26. The League team sailed for Melbourne on Saturday night. It will go overj land to Sydney. M'Gregor Teplaces G. I Davidson, M'Clymont replaces Bradley, Williams replaces King and Herring replaces Haddon. NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. Wellington, May 26. The annual report of the Rugby Union congratulates players on succeeding in carrying on under the difficulties caused by the war and hopes to see the game fully restored by returned soldiers. The claims of the Rugby game are universally favored by the military authorities, and it has become a generally recognised part of international athletics. In view of this the union considers it unwise to take any steps calculated to interfere j with the existing international uniform-': ity. The question of the reinstatement! of the Northern Union players and alterations in rules, already partly discussed, will come up for consideration. I

SATURDAY COMPETITIONS. At a meeting of the Clifton Football Club Committee last night it was unanimously decided I that Clifton was unable to play in the Thursday senior competition, and that their nomination of a Saturday team will stand as originally sent in. It is understood that Tukapa may not be able to enter a team in the Thursday competition, in which, therefore, Stratford is the only entrant. This is very much to be regretted, but is due to the dual holiday. It is to be hoped that Stratford will bo able to raise a senior team to. play on Saturdajs, when possibly it would be found expedient for that club to play in the southern division on account of tho travelling. The following is the rc-draw for the senior competition: June 7.—Tukapa v. Star (Star match); Okato f. Rahotu, at Okato; New Plymouth Old Boyß y. Clifton, at Waitara. June 11.—Rahotu v. New Plymouth Old Boys, at Rabotu; Star v. Okato, at New Plymouth; Tukapa v. Clifton, at Waitara. June 21.—Tukapa v. Okato, at Okato; Old Boys v. Star (Old Boys' match); Rahotu v. Clifton, at Rahotu, June 28.—Rahotu v. Tukapa, at New Plymouth; Okato v. Old Boys, at New Plymouth; Star v. Clifton, at Waitara. July s.—Tukapa v. Old Boys (Tukapa match); Rahotu ». Star, at Rahotu; Okato v. Clifton, at Okato. SECOND JUNIORS. The Waitara Club has nominated another second junior Saturday team which will play In the name of Lepperton, the home ground being meantime at Waitara. These fixtures have also had to be re-drawn as follows:

June 7.—High School "A" v. Clifton, at New Plymouth; High School "B" t. Stratford D.H.S., at Stratforu; Old Boys v. Star (Old Boys' match); Lepperton a bye. ■Tune 14. —Lepperton v. Old Boys, at New Plymouth; Star v. High School "A" (High School match); Clifton v. Stratford D.H.S., at Stratford; High School "B" a bye. June 21. —High School "B" y, Lepperton, at Waitara, H1gl« School "A" y. Old Boys; Star v. Stratford D.H.S., at New Plymouth; Clifton a bye.

June 28— Clifton v. Old Boys, at Waitara; Lspperton v. Stratford D.H.S., at Stratford; High School "A" v. High School "B"; Star a bye. July s.—Star y. Lepperton, at YValtnra; High School "A" v. Stratford D.H.S., at Stratford; High School "B" v. Clifton, at New Plymouth; Old Boys a bye. July 12.—Clifton v. Star, at New Plymouth; High School "A" v. Lepperton, at Waitara; High School "B" v. 014 Boys; Stratford a bye. July 18.—Stratford D.H.S. v. Old Boys, at New Plymouth; Lepperton v. Clifton, at Waitara; High School "B" y. Star, at New Plymouth; High School "A" a bye. RAHOTU v. OKATO. A Rahotu correspondent wriies that the newlyformed Itahotu Club has had two practice matches with Okato, and secured a win on both occasions. . At Rahotu the local team defeated Okato by C points (a try by Waiwiri and a penalty goal by Kupe) to nil. In the return match at Okato Rahotu won by 9 points (two penalty goals by Kidd and a try by Unndin) to 'A (a penalty goal hy Manu). Both games were fairly evenly contested, itahotu having the advantage of two or three superior backs. WAIMATE v. KAPONGA.

Another benefit, match in aid of S. Mynott was played at Kanonga on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Kaponga by 16 points to C. Waimate's score comprised a try and a penalty goal, whilst Kapougn scored three tries, converted two and kicked one penalty goal. Several of Waimate's best men did not play.

At Wellington on Saturday large crowds watched the continuation of the rugby championship series. In the Poneke-Sehvyn cjniest the Inst-meiuioned club was continually on the defensive, the final scores being: Ponekc, 2(1: Selwyn, 3. There was only a margin of 2 points between Oriental (11) and Wellington (!)). Each team scored three tries, one being converted by Oriental. I The annual meeting of the northern committee lof the Taranaki Rugby Jteferees' Association Is to be held on Thursday cvenln;:. With the undoubted revival in football that is taking lilare this year a considerable number of referees will be required each week, and unless there is an accession to the ranks of the referees it will be difficult to fill all the engagements All old footballers, therefore, who desire to show their interest In the game would render valuable assistance by joining the association, and to them, as to all old members, is extended a cordial invitation. • lis connection with the orst junior competition on Thursdays, play«rs will note that Stratford has not entered a team in the name if its own club. Jlldhlrst plays under Stratford, and also Toko. Wherever "Stratford" appears In these fixtures it .should read "Toko." The home ground will be Stratford, as already arranged. Tickets for tho Mynott benefit matches on Thursday and Saturday next were on sale in town yesterday, and met with a splendid reI sponse.