FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

* A BENEFIT MATCH. CLIFTON v. TUKAPA. The benefit match between Clifton and Tukapa seniors was played in the Recreation Grounds on Saturday under fine weather conditions in the presence of a fair number of spectators. As was to be expected from a match so early in the season play was at times of a very ragged nature; and though the match was keenly contested throughout players on each side were glad of a breather at times. The Clifton team only comprised five seniors, viz., 'Ross, G. Taylor, Campbell, Soffe and S. George, but it included a number of young players who are fast and keen and only require to be given a chance to be well worthy of senior honors. The Tukap% team also was hardly up to full strength. ■The Clifton team won by 11 points to 7 and on the play deserved their victory, which was largely due to the generalship of Ross, the ex-Auckland half. In the' early stages play was up and down the field, the dashes of the Clifton team being neutralised by the fine line kicking of the Oliver Bros., Hooker and Priar, until finally R. Hooker landed a njee goal from a penalty. Clifton worked down and Ross and then Jones were nearly over, the latter being taken on the line by Crone. Finally, from a clever opening by Ross, the ball travelled via Young and Taylor to Jones who scored, Taylor goaling. Tukapa again shook matters up, and Andrews cutting -in nicely passed to H. Oliver, but the ball went low and was, forced. Clifton forwards, led by Campbell and Soffe, now set up a rush and off-side play enabled Tukapa to force. Almost immediately Jones was nearly over at the -other corner, being thrown into touch in goal. Then Priar, who had received a bump a little previously, failed to take the ball and Soffe following up fast scored, Taylor failing to goal. The sdcll ended soon after with the score, Clifton 8, Tukapa 3. Fast play marked the opening of the second spell Tukapa gaining the upper hand. Their backs were handling nicely, but a faulty pass 'at the critical moment prevented a score. Then H. Oliver had a shot from a free kick, the ball falling short. Clifton fortvards now rushed the ball back, and their backs taking a hand Ross passed to Pennington who was well tackled by Bedford, a force resulting. Then from a . scrum just at the 25, Ross obtained possession, and badly beating the opposition, scored. Taylor failed to goal. The kick-off was marked, George failing to goal. Here Ross was injured and wont to full back, where he did some valuable work. Tukapa set up a strong rush. Wilson in the van. but Clifton cleared. A. moment later Knuckey was just in time to prevent a score, but the local team were not •to be denied, and Priar securing the ball drop-kicked a beautiful goal amidst applause. Tukapa again pressed, and from a free •kick H. Oliver just failed to goal. Malcolm son was nearly over from a passing run, but Taylor saved, and then Cljfton again took a hand, but the Tukapa defence proved able to* withstand the strain, and,there was no further score, the game ending— Clifton . r 11 Tukapa 7 Mr. O. West refereed with satisfaction.

STRATFORD CLUB. The Saturday half-holiday in Stratford has given a tremendous fillip to football and the present season promises to be a record one for the club. A trial match was played on Victoria Park to-day between A and B teams, and the selectors (Messrs. R. F. Harkness, H. Masters and W. Thurston) had no easy task picking out the men for the senior fifteen which is to play Hawera next Saturday. It was noticeable that the'teams contained men who, owing to the two half-h/didays last year, were unable to play then but who now have excellent opportunities of proving themselves on the football field. • The game resulted in a draw, each team securing two tries, Colton scoring for A team and Wilson and McCullough for B tedm. Mr,. Clinchard was the referee. The names of the men selected for the senior fifteen will be announced by the selectors early in the week. REFEREES WANTED.

The inauguration of the new rugby football scheme next Saturday is going to tar. the available resources of the Taranaki Referees-’ Associations. The North Taranaki Association at New Plymouth will have to provide on an average fifteen referees for matches every Saturday afternoon, quiteV apart from any appointments the association might have to fill for matches south of Inglewood. , As all junior teams between Inglewood and Eltham inclusive are now playing in the. new central division, it is incumbent on supporters of rugby in that area to immediately find more referees. As the Rugby Union, and also delegates from the North and South Taranaki Referees’ Associations meet at Stratford on Tuesday evening, it has been suggested by the chairman of the union that those willing to offer their services as refereed will be welcomed at the meeting. Arrangements might easily be made to examine the candidates at once and enable them to officiate at the end of this week. If old referees and aspirants for membership between Eltham and Inglewood will get in touch with Mr. .lago, secretary of th°. Rugby Union at Stratford to-day or to-morrow, initial steps will at once be taken by the Rugby Union to assist in the formation of a sub-branch of the Taranaki Referees’ Association. The Referees’ Association meets tonight to appoint the referees for this week’s Junior fixtures. The appointment of the referees to act throughout the province in the A and B grade senior mat-'hes will be made at the meeting of the Appointment Board (consisting ofc two delegates from the North and South Taranaki Referees’ Associations respectively) to-morrow night at Stratford. It is to be hoped that there will be no hitch in the new procedure regarding the appointment of senior referees. At the moment it is understood there is some difference of opinion between the two divisions as to the constitution of the Appointment Board. However, there is no reason to doubt an agreement can be reached if the association will confer with the union regarding their differences. While it is the desire of the union not to interfere in any way whatever with the. working of the referees’ associations and the appointment of referees, the chairman of the union ha» made it dear that foot*

ball fixtures must have first consideration, and the playing of the games cannot be jeopardised by technical differences between the members of the associations. THE LEAGUE GAME. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, April, 16. Mr. Miller has received a cablegram from Mr. Oakley stating that the New Zealand footballers will be visiting Sydney. PLAY IN TARANAKI. FIXTURES FOR THE FIRST ROUND. The following are the provincial fixtures for the first round the B seniors:— B SENIORS. April 23.—01 d Boys v. (Eltham, at Eltham, 3 p.m.; Star v. Inglewood at Inglewood, 3 p.m.; Rahotu v. Okato at Okato, 3 p.m. April 30.—Eltham v. Inglew'ood at Inglewood, 3 p.m.; Okato v. Star at Okato, 3 p.m.; Rahotu v. Old Boys on Sports Ground, 1.30 p.m. May 7.—01 d Boys v. Okato at Sports Ground, 3 p.m.; Stratford v. Rahotu at Rahotu, 3 p.m.; Eltham v. Star at Eltham, 3 p.m. May 14.—01 d Boys v. Inglewood at Inglewood, 3 p,m.; Star v. Rahotu at Sports Ground, 3 p.m.; Okato v. , Eltham at Eltham, 3 p.m. May 21.—01 d Boys v. Star at Sports Ground, 1.30 p.m.; Rahotu v. Eltham at Rahotu, 3 p.m.; Okato v. Inglewood, at Okato, 3 p.m. THE JUNIORS. NORTHERN DIVISION. SECOND GRADE. April 23. —Tukapa v. Clifton at Western Park, 3 p.m.; Star v. Old Boys at Recreation Grounds, 1.15 p.m.; Lepperton a • bye. April 30.—Lepperton v. Clifton at Waitara, 3 p.m.; Old Boys v. Tukapa at Western Park, 3 p.m.; Star a bye. 7.—Star v. Clifton at Western Park, 3 p.m.; Tukapa v. Lepperton at Leppertdn, 3 p.m.; Old Boys a bye. May 14.—01 d Boys v. Clifton, at Waitara, 3 p.m.-, Star v. Lepperton, at Lepperton,'3 p.m.; Tukapa a bye. May 21.—Star’ v. Tukapa at Western Park, 3 p.m#,; Old Boys v. Lepperton at Racecourse, 3 p.m.; Clifton a bye. THIRD GRADE. April 23.—Star v. High School A, at Racecourse No. 1, 3 p.m.; N.P.H.S. (B) v. Tukapa, at Racecourse No. 2. 3 p.m.; Inglewood v. Okato at Inglewood No. 2 ground, 3 p.m. April 30.—Star v. Okato. at Ptacecourse No. 2, 3 p.m.; High School B. v. Tukapa at Racecourse No. 1. 3 p.m.; High School B v. Inglewood at Inglewood, No. 2 ground, 1.30 p.m. May 7. —Star v. Inglewood at Racecourse No. 1. 3 p.m.; High School A. v. High School B.; Okato v. Tukapa, at Okato.

May 14.—Star v. Tukapa at Western Park, 3 p.m.; High School A. v. Inglewood (at end of round); High School B. v. Okato (at end of round). May 21—Star v. High School B (at end of round); High Sclyol A. v. Okato (at end of round); Tukapa v. Inglewood, at Racecourse No. 2, 3 p.m. FOURTHGRADE. April 23.—Lepperton v. Clifton at Waitara, 1.15 p.m. ; Tukapa v. Star at Western Park?, 1.30 p.m.; High School C v. N.P. Technical College, Racecourse No. 3, 3 p.m.; High School D v. Old Boys, Racecourse No. 4, 3 p.m. April 30.—Lepperton y. Star, Racecourse No. 3, 3 p.m.; Clifton v. High School C. at Racecourse No. 4, 3 p.m.; High School D. v. Tukapa at Western Park, 1.30 p.m.; Old Boys v. Techni-caL-College, at Rececourse, 1.30 p.m May 7.—High School C. v. High School D. ; Tukapa v. Old Boys at Sports Ground, 1.30 p.m.; Technical College ,v. Lepperton at Racecourse No. 2, 3 p.m,; Clifton v. Star at Waitara, 1.30 p.m. May*!4.—High School D. v. Technical College; High School C. v. Star; Tukapa v. Lepperton at Racecourse No. 1, 3 p.m.; Clifton v. Old Boys at Waitara, 1.30 p.m. May 21.—High School D. v. Star; High School C. v. Tukapa; Lepperton v. Old Boys at Racecourse No. 3, 3 p.m.; Clifton v. Technical College at Waitara, 3 p.m. May 28.—High School C. v. Lepperton at Lepperton, 3 p.m.; High School D. v. Clifton at Racecourse No. 3,3 p.m.; Star v. Old Boys at Racecourse No. 4, 3 p'.m.; Tukapa v. Technical College at Western Park, 1.30 phn. June 4.—Clifton v. Tukapa at Waitara, 3 p.m. Lepperton v. High School D. at Lepperton, 1.30 p.m.; Star v. •Technical College at Western Park, 1.30 p.m.; High School C. v. Old Boys at Recreation Ground, 1.30 p.m.

CENTRAL DIVISION. The Central Division fixtures for the second grades, comprising Stratford, Midhirst, Inglewood, Toko, Strathmore and Tariki; the third grades, Stratford D.H.S., Toko, Eltham, Stratford; and the fourth grade, Eltham, Stratford, Stratford D.H.S., and Inglewood, have been drawn, but are subject to revision as regards grounds and time of commencement of matches. This is due to the fact that Inglewood has entered four teams, and so far only provided one playing ground. It is therefore absolutely essential that ‘lnglewood must provide at least one more ground. SECOND IRADE. April 23.—Stratford v. Midhirst at Midhirst; Inglewood v. Toko at Inglewood; Strathmore v. Tarikf at Stratford Park. April 30.—Stratford v. Toko at Stratford A. and P. grounds; Inglewood v. Tariki at Tariki; Strathmore v. Midhirst at Midhirst. May 7.—Stratford v. Inglewood at Inglewood; Toko v. Strathmore at Stratford A. and P. grounds;. Midhirst v. Tariki at Tariki. May 14.—Midhirst v. Inglewood at Midhirst; Tariki v. Toko at Toko; Strathmore v Stratford at Strat- . ford Park. May 21.—Tariki v. Stratford at Stratford A. and P. grounds; Inglewood v. Strathmore at Inglewood; Midhirst v. Toko at Toko. THIRD GRADE. April 23.—Stratford District High School v. Toko at Toko; Eltham v Stratford at Eltham. April 30.—Eltham v. Toko at Toko; . Stratford v. S.D.H.S; at Staatford A. and. P. atwnd*

May 7—Stratford v. Toko at Stratford Park; . S.D.H.S. v. Eltham at Eltham. FOURTH GRADE. April, 23.—Eltham v. Stratford at Stratford Park; S.D.H.S. v. Inglewood at Stratford A and P grounds. April 30.—Stratford v. S.D.H.S. at Stratford Park; Inglewood v. Eltham at Eltham; Ingigwood v. Stratford at Stratford A. and P. grounds. May 7.—S.D.H.S. v. Eltham at Eltham. SOUTHERN "DIVISION. SECOND GRADE. First Round. April 23.—Okaiawa v. Kaponga at Okaiawa; HAwera v. Palea at Hawera; Optinake V. Alton at Opunake; Waimate a bye. April 30.—Alton v. Hawera at Alton; Waimate v. Opunake at Manaia; Patea v. Kaponga at Patea; Okaiawa a bye. May 7.—Hawera v. Okaiawa at Hawera; Kaponga v. Waimate at Kaponga; Opunake v. Patea at Opunake; Alton a. bye. May 14.—Okaiawa v. Waimate at Okaiawa; Alton v. Patea at Patea; Hawera v. Opunake at Hawera; Kaponga a bye. May 21.—Kaponga. v. Opunake at Opu nake; Waimate v. Patea at Manaia; Alton v. Okaiawa at Alton;* Hawera a bye. May 28. —Kaponga v. Hawera at Kaponga; Waimate v. Alton at Manaia; Okaiawa v. Opunake at Okaiawa; Patea a bye. June 4.—Okaiawa v. Patea at Okaiawa; Hawera v. Waimate at Manaia; Alton v. Kaponga at Alton; Opunake a bye. THIRD GRADE. First Round. April 23.—Kaponga v. Okaiawa at Kaponga; Patea v. Hawera at Patea. April 30.—Okaiawa v. Patea at Normanby; Hawera av. Kaponga at Hawera. 1 May 7.— Patea v. Kaponga at Normanby; Okaiawa v. Hawera at Okaiawa. Second Round. May 14.—Okaiawa v. Kaponga at Okai. awa; Hawera v. Patea at Hawera. May 21.—Okaiawa v. Patea at Hawera; Kaponga v Hawera at Kaponga. May 28>. —Kaponga v. Patea at Hawera; Hawera v. Okaiawa at Hawera. FOURTH GRADE. First Round. April 23.—Waimate v. Hawera at Manaia; Hawera Technical School v. Kaponga at Hawera. April 30.—Kaponga v. Waimate at Kaponga; Hawera v. Technical School at Hawera. May 7.—Kaponga v. Hawera at Kaponga; Technical School v. Waimate, at Manaia. Second Round. May 14.—Hawera v. Waimate at Hawera; Kaponga v. Technical School at Kaponga. May 21. —Hawera v. Technical School at Hawera; Waimate v. Kaponga at Manaia. May. 28.—N0 games. June 4,—Hawera v. Kaponga at Hawera; WaimaM v. Technical School „ > it Muaia.