FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

fixtures for to-day. SENIOR. Rahotu v. United, at New Plymouth, at 3 p.m., Mr. J. Juhusou; Clifton v. Old Boys, at Haitara, at :j p.m , Mr. O. West; Tukapa v. Star (Tukapa match), at 3 p.m., Mr. B. Petty. SECOND GRADE. United v. Rahotu. at the Show Grounds, at 3 pra, Mr. W. Roeh.

THIRD GRADE. Lepperton v. Tukapa, at New Plymouth, at 130 p.m, Mr. T. Clare; CUt'ton v. Okato, at Okato, at a p.m., Mr. A. Walls. FOURTH GRADE Star v. Technical College, at 1.30. fixtures"for next week. THURSDAY, MAT 20. SENIOR. Inglewood v. Stratford, at Stratford; Tukapa v, Eltham at New Plymouth. FIRST JUNIOR. Inglewood v. Toko, at Inglewood; Star t. Midhirst, at New Plymouth; Clifton t. Toko, at Wflitara. SECOND JUNIOR. Stratford v. Technical College at New Plymouth; Stratford D.H.S. v. Star, at Stratford; Eltham v. Tukapa, at New Plymouth.

SATURDAY, MAY 22. SENIOR. Okato v. Tukapa, at New Plymouth; Rahotu v. Star, at Rahotu; Clifton v. United, at Show Grounds. FIRST JUNIOR, Star v. Rahotu, at New Plymouth, i SECOND JUNIOR. Tukapa v. Okato, at Okato; Old Boys v, Clifton, at Waltara, TOUR OF AUSTRALIA. NORTH v. SOUTH ISLAND MATCH. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, May 14. The New Zealand Rugby Union has accepted July 24, 31 and August 2 for matches in Sydney with a country fixture in the first weeic following. It has appointed as selectors Messrs. Nicholson (Auckland), Malone (Taranaki), Griffiths (Wellington), Wilson (Canterbury), and Harris (Otago). • The Sydney secretary wrote that the English Union had cabled saying that it was anxious no action should be taken towards playing the amended rules at present, as it desired n. universal code and was awaiting a reply from South Africa. The North v. South match is fixed for June 26, with the same selectors. . NORTHERN UNION VISITORS. ARRIVAL OF BRITISH TEAM. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received May 14, i>.s p.m. Fremantle, May 14. Twenty members of the English Northern Union football team arrived on board the Naldera. Wagstaffe, their captain, described their combination as a very strong one.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The result of the CHfton-Tukapn- match last Saturday proved a surprise to football followers in New Plymouth, and also in Waitara, as on paper the Clifton Club had a very strong team, and looked to have an easy victory in sight. The match, however, waa keenly contested throughout,, and Clifton had to be all out to win by eight points. Clifton forwards wore without the services of Cain, who had the previous day assisted the New Zealand Soldier team to defeat the Wellington representatives. "Mtek" is in , great form at present, and there is no doubt that his team missed him on Saturday. Tho heavy Clifton forwards had the advantage over the lighter Tukapa pack, but the Tukapa defence was sound, and their backs also essayed to make the game imore open. In this department Tukapa sadly missed C. Brown, who was also in Wellington, where he played for tho Soldier team. Puller played a great game for the Clifton forwards, being prominent In every rush. The game, though played In the friendliest possible spirit, was keenly contested, and was very strenuous. Coutts sustained an injury to his ankle, which will prevent him from playing again for a while. It is also prob* Able that Goodwin and Maiutgh will not be able to play for some time. Clifton back o , did not appear to have tho necessary combination. Colman should be closer to the pack than at centre threequarter. If he was shifted up to half It would improve the team's attack considerably, while he is also solid in defence. George did not impress in this position. Penniafl, at five-eighths, is a young player that will develop into a top-notcher providing he learns to run straight, and also remembers that an Important part of his work ts to feed his Hiree-quarters. C. Stewart, who last year represented the province, came , on when Coutts was Injured. It is understood that he is leaving Waltara soon.

Cliff Tate, always a, very useful back, Is said to have improved out of knowledge while playing in Egypt. He should bo an tcqulsition to Clifton, if available. Okato scored # second win by defeating United on tho home ground The country team had the better of the game, their forwards playing a great game, and beating Uie heavier tinfted pack, who lacked condition and combination. After a gaime of two, however. United should be a formidable combination.

The game was very strenuous, and there were several stoppages owing to players on either aide beJng put temporarily out of action. Okato also had the better of what back play was going. McCarthy and Eustace comblned well, while Fox and Corbett were also very safe. The latteri scored r. nice try. United backs were disorganised through the Absence of their best five-eighth. Manu, at half, played a fine game, until he had to retire to full-back owing to Injury. Eustace, the Okato five-eighth, has left for Wellington, on route for England The coastal club will also lose the services of lta halfback, Smith, who was Injured. It is understood that L. Casey will don-the jersey to assist the club in future matches. United looked sple and span In their new timber and black jerseys—a pleasing contrast lo their opponents, who presented a kaliedoscoplo effect, hardly two wearing similar Jerseys. Another addition to Taianakl's forward division la Orehardt who pflayed/ for tfiie Soldier team last week against Wellington. Orchard will don the Hawera colors this seaeon.

Eltham seniors, though only able to muster fourteen men, scored a win In their first match this season by defeating Inglewoodl, who arrived at Eltham with thirteen men, but found two substitutes. Playing with the wind In the first spell l , Ward and Des Forges scored tries for Eltham, both of which Cameron converted.

In the second spell, Stewart kicked a goal from a mark for Inglewood, and Ward scored for Eltham. Burkhardt brothers played good games for Inglewoodl For Eltham, Taylor, Ward and Cameron were prominent in the rear division, and Rowlands and Carlson in Ihe forwards.

The victory of the Star seniors orer Old Boys was also a surprise to most people, and to none probably more than the Star players themselves, seeing that they had to call up several emergencies before they could take the field. The game, however, proved nn exhilarating one, there being frequent flashes of excellent form shown on each side. One of the most consistent players among the Old Boys was Sole, who kept close up to tire scrum throughout, and handled the ball smartly, setting his backs In motion time after time. Sykcs appeared to be a marked man, and was given little chance of showing his real form. The try he scored, however, was well won, after dodging through nearly the whole of the back ranks of tho opposing olde. Boon did not show up well at fullback, and seemed much miore at home when transferred to the front rank in the second fcpell. Among the Stars, Jenkins, a young player, and an emergency, showed out well f»8 full-back, and was always safe. His kicking too was a feature of the game, being responsible for tho two scores registered for his side. Hartman, who came on in the second spell in place of Tunbridge, played a lively game at first five-eighths. Spence was tho mainstay of the Star forwards, and played ft great game, while Tuohy was conspicuous, and on one or two occasions he was within nn ace of scoring.