FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY'S FIXTURES. Old Boys v. Rahotu, nt Rahotu, Mr. W. Rocli; Tulcapa v. United at New Plymouth, Mr. J. Johnson; Okato v. Clifton, at Waltara, Mr. 0. West. THIRD GRADE. Tukapa v. CUfton, at New Plymoutli, Mr. W. Kupe; Lepperton v. Okato, at Lepperton, Mr. T. Clare; Star v. Old Boys. FIXTURES FOR NEXT WEEK. THURSDAY COMPETITION. SENIOR. Ingleworfi v. Eltham, at EUham; Tukapa v. Stratford, at Stratford. SECOND GRADE. Inglawood v. Clifton, at Waltara; Mldhirst v.. Toko, at Toko; Star v. Stratford, at Stratford. THIRD GRADE. Star v. Stratford, at Now Plymoutli; Stratford D.H.S. v. Tukapa, at Stratford; Technical College v. Eltham, at Eltham. SATURDAY COMPETITION, SENIOR. Star v. Okato, at Okato; Clifton v. Rahotu, at Waltara; Old Boys v. Tukapa (Old Boys' match); United, a bye. THIRD GRADE. Old Boys v. Lepporton, at Waltara; Tukapa v. Rahotu, at Rahotu; Clifton High School A, at New Plymouth; High School B v. Okato, at Okato; Star, a bye. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES ARRANGED. June 3.—V. Wanganui, at Wanganul. July 7.—V. Wellington, at Hawera, July 10.—V. Wanganui, at Hawera. POSITION OF THE SENIOR TEAMS. SATURDAY COMPETITION.

In the Saturday competition, Clifton nnd Uahotu won from Star by default, and United won from Old Boys on a protest. The tables above show the exact position of the coinpetition. TEAMS FOR TO-DAY. RKNIOItS, United v. Tukapa, at Western Park, at 3 p.m—\V. Higgins, YV. Gush, T. Rang!, J. Johnson. L. Francis, G. Koea, .T. Adams, H. Todd, A. Harvey, T. To Puni, 0. Kinselia, L. Lealaud R. Scrivener, S. Skipper, K. Tito; emergencies, A. Morrison, «T. Pollock, P. Arden. SECOND GRADE. Star v. Old Boys, at the Recreation Grounds, at 3 p.m. (all players are requested to be on the ground at 2.45 sharp).—L. Jenkins, A. Falwasser, H. Murdock, E. Falconer, J. Tuohy, \V. Deane, R.' Scrivener, T. Hurley, A. Boon, dare, A. Mills, S. Uncles, E. Hoffmann, G. Way. J. McKenzie, G. Mills; emergencies, E. Coleman, Therkleson, and Hoskin, NOTES AND COMMENTS. Tho Clifton-United tmatch at Fukekura Park was as disappointing to interested in the ?port generally, as it was to those concerned in the game. It was only with difficulty that the United Club was nble to put. a team in the field, and then they were hopelessly outclassed. No doubt there was some satisfaction to Clifton In that, as it gave them an afternoon's exercise wntch they would otherwise not have had, and for a visiting team to return home without getting a game Is one of the surest ways of killing ihe sport. Tho Uniteds played gamely against impossible odds. While Clifton had matters all their own way and displayed their ability to handle the ball, thoy might not hare appeared in such a favorable light in a more evenly matched contest. The splendid kicking of S. George was a considerable factor in raising their score of 81 points. The Star Club scams to be having a bad, time this season. In the opening match of! the season their senioT* had to default to CUfton in a home match, owing to the un-, certainty of the Prince's visit preventing them from getting their team together. Last i week only ten players were available, and , consequently the trip to Rahotu had to be I abandoned. This is very disappointing to the country clubs, who in past seasons have fulfilled their engagements often against overwhelming odds. However there were extenuating excuses last week, as a number of Star players were laid aside with the prevailing epidemic, whilst others could not get leave from their work. With all their material available, Star should be able to put a reasonably strong team in the Held, as was demonstrated by their flefeat of Old Boys, and it Is to be hoped that tho Club, which suffered more than any other Club by the forming of the new United Club, will soon return to the position It held in the days of "Skinny" Humphries and "Sn,ip" Allen.

The game between Okato and Tukapa last Saturday proved a surprisingly good one, and tho hcvne team were all out to win by the narrow margin that they did. They had rather tho better of the luck. Okato possesses a splendid pack of young, fast forwards. There is not a shirker in the pack, and they keep up the pressure from start to finish. With a good set of backs the Coastal team would prove a very stiff proposition. In the back division the team has suffered by the loss of Eustace, who has left for England. He would be a hard man to replace in any team, but was invaluable to Okato, who, with McCarthy as his colleague, had a pair of five-eighths that were equally solid in defence or attack. Eustace was also a valuable asset as a goal kicker. McCarthy played a fine gJspio on Saturday, and 1/ad particularly bad luck in slipping when a try was in sight. Anderson, at wing three-quarter, impresses favorably. He takes a ball well, and would probably be more useful if played closer up. D. Fox:, at centre, also plays a solid game. Want of knowledge in handling the ball after being awarded no charge cost his side a shot at goal.

The Tukapa team were not as well balanced in the forwards as their opponents, but individuals shone up at times. None impressed more than Allan, who played n great game. Taylor and Leary were also prominent.

Of the backs, ITooker was the most solid, lie made sevno great openings, and was also Round in defence. C. Brown, at half, jrot the ball away smartly. At times he found the opposing forwards hard to elude. Andrew, at. wing three-quarter, showed a considerable turn of speed, senrfng a nice try. Boswell was also prominent." his short dashes gaining considerable ground for his team.

It was. pleasant to watch the match on Thursday between Eltham and Stratford on the Eltham ground. Though keenly contested it was played in a very friendly spirit. In marked contrast to tho last occasion on which these trams met. Stratford, this year, have a very solid pack, but, their backs are hardly equal to last year, the team so far having »een unable to replace Coults and Kivell, who represented the province last year. Boh Woods, who has come to his club's assistance again, AIM one of the places very well, shootinrr the ball out nicely and playing a most unselfish ga.me. On one occasion, had lie gone on insiead of passing, he would probably have scored. Berg at half, played his usual consistent game.

Tho three-quarter line is fast and fairly dangerous, though Rogers failed on occasions to gather up tho ball. McDonald Impresses favorably. Collins, at full-back, was safe, though his goal kicking was very poor. Masters was easily the best forward on. the ground, being prominent in every rush, whilst his knowledge of the gaune stood his team In good stead. King also played a fin? game, though lit prttafely Ttmambtrod that h*

had to face the final In the heavyweight boxing the same evening. Kivell, Fryday, and Rich were also prominent, Eltham put lip a fine strong fight, but the Stratford forwards, combined with the fine kicking of tho hacks, proved too much fw them. Rowlands, as rover, played well for Elthain, getting in a lot of good work. Carlson and McGuiro were the pick or the forwards?

Mou* played a great game at five-eighths, taking the ball well and lining in his best style. He is undoubtedly a very solid defence player. S. Cameron is not yet the Sam of old. He is rather slow In getting In motion, but no doubt a game or two will overcome this.

Riley, at half, went down gamely to the Stratford forward rushes. He also got the ball away nicely. Eltham had to play three third grade men in their backs. The lads acquitted themselves well •

The value of smart following up was illustrated in the Eltham-Stratford match, when lite ball was kicked over the Etham goal line, and the local team, evidently thinking it would roach the dead ball line, did not bustle until nearly too late. A Stratford man rushed down, and In the opinion of many touched the ball down before S. Cameron reached it. The Tukapa-Inglewood senior mutch was far from being a first-class exhibition of Rugby football. Both teams lacked combination, and the backs failed to handle the ball well. Inglewood's chief ambition seemed to be to put the ball out of play as much as possible by continuous line-kicking. The best performance of the match was Stohr's try, in which the Tukapa hacks showed a glimpse of tnio form, the ball passing through four pairs of hands before the wing three-qVtarter scored, Oliver put over a. beautiful goal from half-way in tho courso of the game. Inglewood should hare the makings of a good forward division, for at times on Thursday they showed what they were capable of. On the day's play, however, the better team undoubtedly won, and Tukapa forwards, especially Cocker, Atkinson, and Hurley, were Invariably prominent. It will be generally admitted that, on the whole, tho solectors (Messrs. D. J. Malone, .T. S. McKay, and .T. Mtfjcod) have done their work well in the selection of the Taranaki team to play Wanganul at Wanganul next Thursday. In the selection of a representative team so early in the season, the selectors have to rely largely reputation as it is impossible for every player in such a scattered district to come under their eye until later in the season. Before meeting Wellington next month a North v. South match will be played, so the present- , representatives will have to fully maintain their reputation if 1 they wish •to hold their place against many promising aspirants. The team reads woll on paper and indicates that Taranaki will be much stronger next 1 season than was the ense last year. Wan* I ganul will And it a difficult proposition to the Taranaki team that they "put it all over" last year. Indeed, of that "historic" fifteen, George Is the only hack to Itnd a place, and there are many who think that I Moir. of Elthfwn. would All the bill better. ! whilst Kingwas the only forward. With the j possible exception mentioned above the backs j are as strong could have been selected i In Brown. Coleman, and Cameron, the team possesses a' solid defensive trio, who are also strong in attack, whilst the three-quarter line should also be stTong in attack. The forwards are a solid lot, and the onty improvement that, could jit present be suggested is the substitution of Spent** (Star) or Smith (Clifton) for Allan (Tukapa). Lynsky, as rover, will have to curb his tendency to off-Ride play. Tayror, of Clifton, would fill the bill admirably.

| a '3 B £ ■SJ g ■2 a £ o o 2 0 o £ A p ft Cm u Clifton _ no 3 8 Tukapii 2 1 •H 38 8 4 Okato 1 — 2(i 9 4 Rahotu 1 — 9 9 4 Star 3 — G 18 2 United 4 3 — 6 116 2 Old Boys ... 3 — 3 — 15 33 — THURSDAY COMPETITION. Tukapa 4 4 _ _ 35 9 8 Stratford 3 1 — 9 4 Elthum ?, — 13 18 2 Injjlewooc 4 — 4 — 6 50 —