FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1920, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Stratford Cluli, owing to the holidays, lias not yet had its initial practice, but it is expected that the red and blacks will be seen out in strong force on Thursday next. This club promises to be particularly strong in the forward division this year. The pack, which last year was considerably above the average, comprising Masters (North Island and Taranaki representative), Carlson (2), and McCullagh (Taranaki representatives), all of whom are available again, will this year include King (Hawera and Taranaki representative), and Hogati, Murphy, and Hudeon (Wanganui representatives). In the back division the club may not be so strong, as it has lost the services of two laranaki representatives in Coutts, who will be donning the Clifton jersey, and N. Kivell, who has removed from the district.

Hawera Club, in common with most other clubs, elan hardly gauge its strength yet, though it is e.tnected that last year's Shield winners will be able to put in a strong team this season. Defections from the ranks of the amber and blacks are the representative forwards King (who has removed to Stratford), and Bishop (who has had to leave the district for health reasons, and all footballers will join in wishing that t!)is fine player may soon be restored to his usual health again). Thurston, who has ..rilled the responsible position " f half for some years past, has also decided to give up the game, while Gib son, rep. three-quarter, and Anderson, full-back, have also left the district.

The inclusion of "Torp" Whittington itfid West, two old member* of the club who performed so brilliantly for the New Zealand touring soldiers' team, would fully compensate for any loss In the forward division, but it is said to be doubtful whether- Whittington will don the Jersey this year, while the movements of West, who is at present nt Hurleyville, are uncertain. It is certain, however, that "Torp" will not permit his old love to take the field short if he ig within reach.

Among new comers to the district may be mentioned W. Ryan (the young Waiffiate back), and also a very promising junior from Dunedin. Given, of Otago, Who toured with the All Blacks to Australia about 1005, is also taking a keen interest in the club, and Will be available as a back.

Waimate will be represented by practically the same team as last year, and provided they get going early in the season, they will prove a hard nut to crack, as the team, which comprised a number of young players, showed considerable improvement during last seaeon, and should bo all the better this year. Anderson, the Hawera full-back. is now in the Waimate district,) whilst McCook, of Rahotu, who was last year selected for the North Island team, is also baek in Waimate.

Atkins, last year's rep. half and captain, has sold his farm in the Waimate district and purchased another in the Okinawa district, but as the sale does not take effect till July, he will still be avuilablc. for Waimate'

Kaponga should be strong again this year, especially in the forward division. as the club will have the services of fCissick, admittedly the finest forward in the All Bkck soldiers' team, and possibly also West. It is rumored that S. Cameron will also do battle for Kaponga.

Dick Roberts, another member of the d.ildiers' team, will also be seen out with his old club, Okaiawa, though there is a possibility that he may don the jersey for Okato, where his family has 'arming interests. Jack Stohr, whose kicking will long be remembered by followers of the game in Taranaki, is at present in Wellington. °

C Brown, TaranaH's remaining memoer of the All Black soldiers' team, is st'll in New Plymouth. It is understood that he intends to handle the tvhistle this season. While he would undoubtedly be an acquisition to the ranks of the referees, it is to be hoped that he will continue in active participation in the game for manv seasons, as reports show that the popular Taranaki half was right at the top of his form when a member of the All Black 6oldiers' touring team. flahotu will this year have the ser-i-'ices of Norgate, ex-Kaponga and Taranaki representative player. "Perc" is very keen to regain" representative honors this season, and is already getting into form.

Notes on the prospects of the various New Plymouth Clubs will appear next week. Among returned soldiers who will this year don the .jersey mav be mentioned ex-Taranaki' rep. threequarter, fi. Bertram!, and the brilliant ex-High School five-eighths, D. Sykes. It is expected that there will' easilv be a. record number of teams playing this year, as in addition to the 'new club in New Plymouth, which is entering two teams, Rahotu, Okato, and Inglewood are also entering additional teams in the lower grades. Club secretaries are reminded that all loams must be nominated before Thursday next, as the Management Committee will meet on that date to draw up fixtures.