FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1919, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

. OCPRCBENTATIVE FIXTURES. HATCHES PLAYED. t. Wellington, at Hawera, tost by 8 to 5. T, Auckland, at Auckland, lost by 42 to 8. v. Wairoa sub-Union, at Stratford, won by 32 to nil. v. Wellington, at Wellington, lost by 18 to 10. MATCHES ARRANGED. Sept. 11.—v. Auckland, at New Plymouth.Sept. 20.-7. Wangfthul, at Wangariul. TO-DAY'S MATCHES. Auckland v. Taranilii, at 3 pra. Stat v. Tukapa (Dan O'Brien Shield match), as curtain-raiser at 1.30. i MUTH AFRICAN TOUR. ! NEW ZEALAND DEFEATS WESTERN I PROVINCES. ' By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Receded Sept. 12, p. 35 a.m. Capetown, Sept. 11. In a return match. New Zealand defeated the Western Provinces by 20 points to 3. The play was fast throughout. Bruce, Cockroft, Storey, ,and Roberts scored tries Stohr converting them all. The Westerners got a penalty goal In the last minute. . TO-DAY'S 810 MATCH. -• 'The postponement of the Auckland-Tarahakl match last Thursday proved a, great disappointment to all football enthusiasts.throughout Taranakl, and particularly to many from the Opunake district, who motored through to New Plymouth before they ascertained that the fixture was oft Many In South Taranakl I were also .on the road, but found out In time. The news that the match was to be played to-day tempered their dlsapoplntment somewhat, and with the prospect of fine weather conditions and the ground In good order It looks as though the postponement has been worth while. There la certain to be a very large attendance, though, unfortunately, the dual holiday will mar this to a certain extent, but It is safe to say that Devon Street will be practically deserted by country people this afternoon, and possibly as many shop assistants as can be spared will bo glvep an opportunity of seeing the match. That the match will be Interesting there eon be no question. Taranakl are out to retrieve their reputation and after their display against Wellington on Saturday there are many who will not he surprised at seeing Taranakl win. It must be remembered that they now have the advantage of knowing what to expect from Auckland, and will not be so nonplussed, while they will he on their own around, though the previous heaviest defeat Inflicted on Taranakl was at New Plymouth in 1897, when the northerners won by 23 to ( htK : The Taranakl team Is as follows: Full-back: Oliver. [ Three-quarters: Hlckey, Gibson, Stewart. Five-eighths: S. Cameron, Courts. Half: Atkins Wing-forward: Tate. [ .Forwards: Burke, Norgate, McCook, Masters, dicing, Carlson, Soffe. f- Emergencies—Backs: N, Klvell and S. nfleorge; forwards: Taylor. ; .,iThe Auckland team, the personnel of which 'was hot available yesterday, arrives by the Utarnwa this morning. It Is, however, certain J». ibo the strongest available, became If transport can be arranged, tho northerners Intend journeying on to Wellington, with the 'DBieht-'of lifting the Rjnfurly Shield, which, ■prlojf to its removal by Taranakl In 1913, JjmL practically been a resident of Auckland. team during Its visit here will ! bet put up at tho Grosvepor Hotel. live . ■

v>-id THE CURTAIN RAISER. It is pleasing to note that with the revival of football, there is also a revival of that keen and friendly rivalry that existed between the Star and Tukapa Clubs In past years, and that the challenge matches for the Dan \o;Brtprt and Carbine Shields which produced toctt thrilling contests between-the seniors gfra'Juniors respectively, are to be reinstated. Wis to be hoped that to-day's match, which ■Jt.vtovbe- played as a curtain raiser to the big match' will be but the forerunner of many more annual contests. The teams will be ■'Ssfffollows:— ; vfcStar.—Morrison, Handing, Pennlall, Cope!siak.e, Loverldge. Hartman, Haldane, Spence, 'Way; Stanley, Sutherland, Francis Reynolds, »B»wler, Richards Emergencies: Tunbridge, •!U\m, Bedford, Sheppard, Tukapa—Prlar, H. Oliver, G. Hooker, Bnswell, Loverldge, It. Oliver, Lawson, Hurler, A. Oliver, Cocker, Ward, O'Grady, Johnston, Kirk. Early. Emergencies: Braeburn, Gush. Gardiner (forwards), R. Hooker, Hart (backs). In the event of the weathev causing a change of ground to the racecourse, a notice to that effect will be placed outside Messrs. McLeod and Blade's window before noon on Saturday. HEWS, AND NOTES. . The Taranakl team speak well of the treatment meted out to them at Wellington. They Were made honorary members of the Civil Service and Federal Clubs, were entortalnsd at Fullers' vaudeville, and were also the guests of the Wellington Rugby Union at dinner on Saturday evening. The officials of the Union especially Mr. Hornig (chairman), and Jones (secretary), were eager to do all they could to make the stay pleasant,. Mr. E. Ferry, Wellington's coach, also gave some valuable assistance at the practise prior to the match. The selection of Nlcholls, half-back to the North Island team. Is causing some comment la Wellington, where this player Is not considered wbrthy by the selectors of a placj la Wellington's A or B team, and It is said hu been .selected by Petone only on three occasions. There Is also a complaint that the smaller unions have not been considered. Horonhenua, has a forward, whom Wlnlnta, a well-known footballer qualified to judge, considers worthy of « place in any team. This forward. Jacob stands Oft. lin, weights 15 stone, and can do }OO yards In Usees, He can also handle the bqll like a bnck. He hns had considerable experience, having toured with Parata's team, played at the front and on his return with the Pioneers.

The news that Wellington and Auckland will probably meet on Wednesday next, la causing much interest, and the reault will he keenly awaited. Wellington appealed disappointed at the prospects ot the match fulling through, as they' appeared confident of their ability to withstand the northerner's chdii-ige. Ah Auckland paper commenting on the matte? a few days ago remarked:—The Auckland Rugby Union, owing to the restrictions imposed In connection with railway travelling, bad to cancel Us match with the Wellington Union this season.' However, there was every jirospect of the Auckland representatives hoing able to proceed to Wellington after they played the Taranakl team at.New Plymouth on September 11., and an application for a match was made, but the Wellington Imlon, which holds the Ranfurly Shield, r»i>ik-l that no date was available this season. The Aucfcland. Union has nqw got together one uf the cleverest teams that has been seen here, and,. If it hod a chance; It is almost certain the Banfurly Shield would once more find its way to Auckland. Perhaps some otlmr union Which has a match with Wellington might he persuaded lo allow the AUcklatii Union to play Wellington in. its place. Taranani Ims already had one unsuccessful attempt to lift the trophy, and, as It. has another engagement with Wellington, perhaps it cou.l'be approached on the matter, , The Taranakl men must know, after last Saturday's game that the Auckland fifteen have the better chances of securing the shield. At Auckland on Saturday, In the play-off to decide who should be runner up in the senior competition, Grammar Old Boys' settled the question by defeating Graftsn„ by 44 points to I. ...... "Poster," of the Wangauu|. Chronicle, relates a conversation with Mr W. .1 Williams, now a local resident,- wl|p played for Otrtgo several years ago, In the course of which was recalled the famous McLaren's try when Otago dofeated Auckland Ih 1896. "Was McLaren off-side?" Auckland football followers hare debated the point for the Inst 23 years, and to be candid they still think that the referee erred on that occasion. The McLaren try, as it was termed for years, came nbout thus; The late George Stovhenson, one of the best wing three-quarters Muorllatid has produced, picked up the art. of cross-kicking while playing in England, and elaborated upon It, with the result that In the AuciuaiidOtago game of ]BB6 It was decided to Impart the knowledge to the Northerners at the price of at Itaßt three points. There came a critical stage In the play towards Auckland's cor-rer-flag and then, wheeling round, kicked the ball into mldfield. By arrangement McLaren caiM ch(|r£lnß up the field, took tlurbnll cleanlv, nnd waltzed over the line, while hia astonished opponents looked on In bewilderment. So rapidly wa> the movement executed that the majority of the spectators averred that McLaren must have been at least ton yards offside • With this vlow Mr Williams,, who was plajlng for Otago ,on the occasion, does not held. THE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM. It was a happy thoußht on the part of the supporters, and friends of the gigh Softool to recognise the ochlevement of the school team in defeating the crack Grammar School representatives. The function took the form of a Hfftt runner, at Mav ind Arrows-i'lT* on

Thursday evening, at which the health of the team and of the school was enthusiastically toasted. _ In responding on behalf of tho leant, Mr Ryder, the coach, said the boys had responded splendidly in the matter of training and practice, and took the field in fit condition, eager and determined to win the game. In -the past they had received a good deal of advice from well meaning friends as to the disposition of the players, but he was afraid that had the advice been followed the team would not have been very successful. The headmaster, in the course of his reply, said that he could tell the boys he was proud of them. He could not say that in tho ccurse of their tralnipg he was always pleased with their work, which did not promise great success, but the boys made a real effort to get into form. He felt, and told the boys before the match, that the High School could never survive another defeat and hold any sort of a position among secondary school football. They responded well. They looked after themselves, even denying themselves the pleasure of participating in the Old Boys' dance given by Grammar the night before the match. Thoy had their reward by beating Grammar on rueir own ground, a thing that had never beon done before. New Plymouth had therefore regained Its laurels, and could Justly claim that tills season It was second la football to no other secondary school in New Zealand. Mr Moyes stated that on the evening of the match he received almost a hundred wires of congratulation upon 'the victory, many from men In different parts of the province that hn had no idea took an interest In the team or the school. It was a gratifying revelation to him to find such a friendly and wldesproau Interest. Atkinson, vice-captain, replied for the team in the unavoidable absence of Osborne, the captain, and acknowledged, in a little speech that did him and the team credit, the debt they were under to Mr Moyes and Mr Ryder, both of whom coached the team. Their success was entirely due to their coaches' efforts l anil v itdnnce, and the boys felt It wai up to them m back them up and do their besl, which they did. The team also,felt grateful to the citizens for taking such a kindly Interest In their, welfare and for giving them the dinner that evening. Music, songs and stories made up a pleasant evening. KEEPING RUGBY CLEAN. "Hal Berte" writes:—At first sight the decision of the Taranakl Rugby Union to disqualify the Eltham player, Bunn, for five years for assaulting a referee, appears rather severe. Yet after consideration those who ore anxious that tho popular winter game shouhj b» llftod above a brawl will admit that the Union has not dealt too severely with the offender. With the war a thing of the past there Is no question that Rugby will revive, and already In Taranakl the game has made rapid strides In recovering the ground lost through the enforced absence of those of playing ago. Hut the Union officials must be ever on their guard to prevent the hooligan element creeping In, and It Is certainly in the Interests of the game that the player unable to control his feelings should not partake In a fixture but rather view the game from the bank. Reverting to the Eltham Incident, It was regrotnble that Bunn committed the blunder, but the offence committed, ho must shoulder the responsibility and take his gruel. Time there was when players did not seem to mind so much which side of the fence they were on —win or lose—so long as they extracted a certain amount of pleasure out pf the game. And after nil, Is that not the real thing that has made Rugby the game It is? If a man plays the game for tho pleasure of playing you have good sport, men who can take and give hard knocks with a grin and smllo, and that has been' rugby in tho main. Because the decisions of a referee are disagreeable is no reason for a player to "fly off the hundle" and show his resentment In a forceful manner. Far hetter, and certainly more In the amateur spirit, for the player to recognise that referees do make mistakes, and If tho fault penalises a side, take it with the other Incidents of the game, always remembering that one bad-tempered man may upset the remaining 29 players There are two other matters that merit the attention of tho Union. One Is the use of bad language and the other Is the introduction of liquor on the field In several lenlor games at half time a few players fill la tho spare time with libera! draughts from a flask or bottle, until it is a wonder thev can see a ball, and besides this Is not. fair to tho abstemious members of tho club. The selectors of the teams should see to this, as there surely Is no call for refreshments of this class during the progress of the game. What Imppens before nr afler a game is no concern of outsiders. Concerning bad language, this has alwajs been more or less prevalent. I remember a schoolboy of about 11 advising a Tukapa back "tn give him —-" and no cheek made to atop tho boy, but rather amusement at his utterances. "Get even with the " stems a favorite expression on the field Referees generally sl.-:te that, tho conduct and remarks of players ore what thev should be, and I believe It. and that. Is all thn more reason why the foul.mouthed and foul-klcktaf Individual should be eliminated Once one of these gentry realised Mint, disqualification followed those offences things will dccldedW Improve. Menawhlle the officers of the Union deserve commendation for their determination I to keep rugby a clean, mnnly pastime.