FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1919, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALANDERS m AFRICA. Received August 17, 5.5 p.m. By Telegraph.—Press Assu.—Copyright, Johannesburg, August 15. !he New Zealand Rugby team beat the Miners' team by U to 3—Aus.-X Z. table Assn. AUCKLAND DEFEATS THAMES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Auckland Rugby representatives defeated .Thames by ao to 11. The result was in doubt right up to the closing Stages. The visiting team played a fine game. At half-time, the score wais Auckland 11, Thames 8.

NELSON v. BULLER. Westport, Last Night. The first match for the Seddon Shield since pre-war days took place at Westport to-day, when Nelson and Duller Rugby Unioilß' lepresentative teams played a drawn match, each'side scoring a try. For Buller, P. Ryan was a try-getter, and for Nelson, Bennett scored. The game was very strenuous, but the ground was greasy from the heavy overnight rains. Buller retains the Shield.

AUCKLAND'S STAND.

TALK ABOUT "COMING TO GRIPS."

Auckland, August 13. The question of the amended Rugby rules came before the executive of the Auckland Rugby Union to-night, when a telegram from the New Zealand Union, advising that the amended rules must •)ot he played, w«s considered. Frost asked how on earth the Zealand Union expected referees »nrt players to cease playing the amended rules at a few davg' notice?

The chairman said the legal opinion Tas to the effect that the rules of the !:sw Zealand Union in no way governed the committee in its local competitions. Mr. McFAwain: The sooner we come to grips" tho better.

The chairman: Personally, I would have, no further communication with the New Zealand Union I would simply put the matter before our delegates. Mr. Frost said the latest telegram was "a lot of tommy rot." It was reselved that tho adjourned meeting of delegates be called ito consider the matter.

SATURDAY COMPETITIONS. CLIFTON WINS CHAMPIONSHIP. At the Recreation Ground, New Plymouth, on Saturday there was a large attendance to witness the game between Clifton and Stars, a match that practically decided the Saturday competition and ended in the defeat of Star by 9 points to 5.' Mr. VV. Roch was referee. The yellows immediately swept into the Star territory, and after 12 minutes had gone Soffe scored. Goodwin scored the second try after 25 minutes' play, and half-time arrived with Clifton having 0 points to Star nil. It was expected Star would shake things up in the second half, and so they did, for a while; but the yellow defence was solid, and after 16 minutes' play a scrum on the line saw Clare, the Clifton hooker, awarded a try, and this was Clifton's final effort. The remainder of the plav was generally in Star's favor, and a't the close of SG minutes' play Copestake scored, Sutherland goaling. Clifton were palpably tiring, the heavy ground anchoring forwards, so the visiting backs made the most of the side line and won the game by a margin of 4 points. Compared with their opening game with Tukapa the Waitara players have shown a wonderful improvement, and on the day's play were the better team. Two factors of this success were that the yellows were a stronger fifteen and possessed a better knowledge of the game. Their forwards wore much better in serum and line-out work, and the backs securing the hall, their opponents had plenty of tacklisg. Star's wore a youthful combination, particularly the backs, and if they keep together' they ghould do well next year. Their try was the gem of the match. In the yellow 25 a forward mis-kicked, and the rebound went to Mann, who beat a couple of men and transferred to Loveridge. The latter sent in a neat pass to Penniall, who ran to near the Clifton line and transferred to Copestake, the latter scoring. Clifton scored three tries, two by the forwards Clare and Soffe, and the" third was the outcome of a strong defensive run by Goodwin, who shook off several blacks. Syd. George's attempt, at converting were all good, but reaultless. Sutherland converted the Star try with a fine kink. In the defeated black rearguard, Manu, at half, impresses one as the makings of a fine player. He is smart }n kicking and a tricky runner. Penniall was sluggish, though some of his work was very effective, and if he trains should become a first-rate player. Hamling was responsible for very fine field>ng, his taking of the leather being reminiscent of Simon Mynott, whilst he made several fine runs. 'Hughes, at fullback, lacks experience. On one occasion ho ran through his field, and then into the arms of a yellow back. A short punt would probably have caused trouble if not points against Clifton. On the winners' side, Goodwin played a solid game. If the selectors are looking for an extra back, here's the man' he is powerful, heavy and fast, and can kick like a mule. He outplayed Stewart, who lias pained a representative cap On Saturday's play Stewart is lucky, as Goodwin and Hamlin were much superior. George was safe at full-back. Ins lmc-kickintr repeatedly gaining 'territory, whilst he wont down to several nromising black rushes. Lash, just hack from the war, played a fine game it half, and later on should do well. Fuller. Soffe, and Manu appeared the host, of a "-ond pack. When Clifton meet Stratford, the seMors should note tho plav nf Soffe and Fuller in the forwards, and Goodwin and George in the hacks, as this quartette .ire really worth a trial. OKATO DRPEAT OLD BOYS. Old Bovs journnved to Oknto with fourteen men, and suffered defeat by the narrow margin of 3 points to nil. Smith kicking a nonalty goal for the winners in the concluding stages of the game. Mr. 'O. West was referee. SECOND JUNIORS. "JTKAPA DEFEAT HIGH SCHOOL A. At the Racecourse, on Saturday, Tu'■nna gained their first win this season, defeating High .School A by S points to "i. All the scoring was dene in the first spoil. For the winners, Gush scored a try after a great run, and 'Qu.inW*JJ bias «amd. ' G«tA»sJs CAfr>

verting one try. For the losers, CKHalloran scored, and converted. Mr. Hooker was referee. • HIGH SCHOOL B. v. LEPPERTON. High School B. forfeited to Lepperton. CLIFTON DEFEAT STAR. At Waitara, Clifton defeated Star by 0 points to 3. Mr, D. Johnson was referee. AUCKLAND-TARANAKI MATCH. On behalf of the executive of the Taranaki Rugby Union Mr. J. McLcod, on Saturday night, telegraphed the secretary of the Auckland Rugby Union stating that Taranaki would only play Auckland next Saturday under the old rules, in conformity with the request of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The same will apply to club matches played in Taranaki. SATURDAY COMPETITIONS. • SECOND JUNIORS.

Owing to the term holidays starting this week, High School A and High School B teams have been compelled to withdraw from the competition. The following matches have therefore been set down for Saturday next: Tukapa v. Stratford D.H.S., at New Plymouth. Star v, Lepperton, at Waitara.