FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

PLAY IN TARANAKI.

TO-DAY'S MATCHES.

SENIOR FIXTURES.

The senior fixtures to be played in Taranaki to-day, and the referees who have been appointed are as follow:

A Grade.—Tukapa v. WaJmate, at Pukekura Park, Mr. A. F. Neilson; Okaiawa v. Opunake, at Opunake (southern committee to appoint) ; Stratford v. Kaponga, at Kaponga, Mr. F. Julian; Patea v. Clifton, at Patea, Mr. E. Burke. t

B Grade.—lnglewood v. Eltkaun, at Inglewood, Mr. W. Roch; Okato v. Star, at Okato, Mr. V. O. West.

TUKAPA CLUB’S TEAMS.

The following teams will represent Tukapa to-day:— Seniors v. Waimate at Recreation Grounds, 2.45 p.m.:—J. Prlar, R. Hooker, C. Brown, H. Oliver, Q. Hooker, R. Oliver, G. Ennis, C. McCallum, R. Morrison, F. Wilson, P. Allen, T. Crone, N. Mclntyre, R. Quickfall, J. Johnson.

First* Juniors v. Old Boys at Western Park at 3 p.m.:—D. George, L. Andrews, S. Quick'all Malcolmson, R. Pascoe, G. Boswell, Bishop, A. Hamblyn, V. Andrews, A. Worsley, C. Davis, N. , Davis, Hatley, M. Lind, E. Bedford. Fourth Grade v. High School D. at Western Park, 1.30 p.m.:—J. Boswell, J. Barndon, Evans, Bensley, M. Mofloy, R. Downs, H. Robinson, Moorehead, M. Kretsenmar, O’Dowda, Blackmore, Stagpoole, W. Short, Dixon, F. Carter, J. Sturmey, Clark, McKenna.

STAR CLUB.

The Star Club teams for to-day are as follow '— Seniors.—Jones, Tukl, Broughton, Falwasser, Eustace, Dewne, Cleaver, Metl Klngi, Pollock, Bowler, Way, Koea, Mills, Wolfe, Richards," Petch. Third Grade.—Webb, Hoffmann, Butler, Bishop, Hoskin (3), Sturmey, White, Kendall, Spenee, James, Ellis, Hill, Boon. Emergencies : Thomas and Crozier. Fourth Grade.—Morris, Maxwell, Russell, O’Callaghan, Loveridge, Smith, Hoffmann, Gillespie, Freethey, Nodder, Berge, Kinlock, McKenzie, Stroud, Feek, Emergency: Liveridge.

/ PROPOSED SOLDIERS’ .MATCH.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Dannevlrke, April 29. The Dannevlrke R.S.A. has decided that an effort be made through the Dominion headquarters to arrange a football match between ex-soldiers from all parts of the Dominion and the South African team when touring New Zealand.

INTER-ISLAND MATCH.

Wellington, April 29. The New Zealand Rugbj’ Union decided that there shall be one inter-Island match Ulis season, to be played at Christchurch on July 2, also that a British team be Invited to visit New Zealand in 1922, a French team invited for 1923, and a New Zealand team to visit Britain in 1924.

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. 9

ANNUAL MEETING.

At the annual aneeting of the New Zealand Rugy Union officers were elected as follow: Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Jelllcoe; president, Mr. J. McLeod (Taranaki) ; hon. treasurer, Mr. E. Wylie; auditor, Mr. O. G. Kember; English representative, Mr. C. Wray; appeal council (In Christchurch), Messrs. F. Cowlishaw, W. G. Garrard, G. H. Mason; management committee, Messrs. G. W. Slade (Taranaki), G. A. Howe (Canterbury), H. Paton (Southland), E. Little (Nelson), S. S. Dean (Auckland), A. J. Griffiths (Wellington), R. T. Bailey (Hawke’s Bay). On the recommendation of the management committee the school grant for the 1921 season was fixed at £3OO,

The following motion was adopted at the instance of the South Auckland Union:—“(1) That a commission be set up, consisting of one member of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union and one member to be nominated by the following unions, namely, Auckland, South Auckland, Baj* of Plenty, Wanganui and Taranaki, for the pirfposes following: (a) To rearrange the boundaries of the South Auckland Rugby Union and adjoining unions affiliated tG the New Zealand Rugby Union with particular reference to the topography of and means of access to the districts comprised In such unions, the consolidation of the various subunions therein, and the formation (if necessary) of one or more additional affiliated unions. (b) To hear such evidence thereon as such commission may- deem expedient. (c) To make recommendations to the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union within three months from the date of the annual meeting, as such commission may deem advisable, with regard to such re-ar-rangement of boundaries or the consolidation or formation of slick' unions as aforesaid. (2) That any recommendation as to the boundaries made by such commission be adopted at once by the management committee in terms of rule 21, but that any recommendation for consolidation of existing sub-unions or formation of any new affiliated unions be.held over by the management committee until the first general meeting of the union held after the tabling of such recommendation.” The commission was also empowered to go into the questions of boundaries for the North Auckland district.

The Inter-Island match was' set down for decision at Christchurch on July 2. On the motion of Hawke's Bay it was decided to recommend the management committee that the Maori Agricultural College be penmitted to compete for the Moascar Cup. The cup was presented by the Wellington Mounted Rifles Bigade for competition among secondary schools. The competition was. won last year by the Christchurch Boys’ High School. ,

It was decided to play the competition on the same lines as last year, and that the details be left in the hands of the management committee. Mr. McLeod explained that the management committee proposed that any profits derived from the competition should be “ear-marked” for the benefit of primary and secondary schools football.

Some discussion took place regarding overseas visits.

Mr. S. S. Dean moved that negotiations be opened for the purpose of sending a team to the United Kingdom in 1922-23, and that If the visit is not acceptably an invitation be extended to the English Union to visit New Zealand,

An amendment was moved that an English team be invited to visit New Zealand in 1922, a French team In 1923, and that a New Zealand team be sent to the United Kingdom and France in 1924.

The motion was rejected in favor of the amendment, which was carried ou a division.

NEWS AND NOTES.

SPIRIT OF KEENNESS.

The keenness that has been evidenced among players and officials this season was noticeable lai the opening games on Saturday. Every one was keenly and closely contested, and for the opening day real good football was shown, auguring well for the play later in the season, when teams have gained a little more combination, and are more seasoned.

In the A. grade the teams were very evenly matched, there being very little difference in the scores In any of th« -contests. Indeed, with

t’e luck the other way, some of . them niighi easily have been converted into harrow victories by the opposing teams.

That public interest is aroused in the game was shown by the attendances, despite the wet weather conditions, and it is certain that the close contests last Saturday have created additional interest. Given fine weather to-day, as seems probable at the time of writing, there should be large attendances at ail'the matches.

It is rathqjf unfortunate that unanimity has not been arrived at regarding the halt-holiday. It was hoped this year that Saturday would have been carried throughout the province, but the uncertainty of some towns as to what the others intended to do at the poll undoubtedly contributed largely to Wednesday's result. However, New Plymouth and Waitara have given the lewd in no uncertain manner, and, probably after another poll is taken two years hence, there will be a uniform half-holiday in Taranaki.

The result of the poll will not affect the decision to play all senior football on Saturdays. Under the Wednesday half-holiday, Hawera Club played Saturday football, so that would only leave Eltham, Stratford and Inglewood for a Thursday competition, and such a triangular contest would prove unsatisfactory to all concerned.

Congratulations to Mr. Jas. McLeod on having been re-elected president of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Since his election to the office last year Mr. McLeod has not been a figure-head, but has taken a very active par* in controlling affairs, and has gone to considerable trouble to affect a settlement of the difficulty with the Auckland Union over the playing of the amended rule in regard to kicking out to touch. Last year Mr. McLeod was not called upon to exercise the more ceremonial side of his office, as the year was a comparatively quiet one, but this year, with the visit of the South African team, this more pleasant part of the office will be called upon, and It is only fitting that Mr. McLeod, who has done so much to (make the way clear for the South African visit, should have been given tho opportunity of welcoming the team in the highest office it is possible for footballers throughout New Zealand to confer upon him. The appointment is, moreover, a distinct compliment to Taranak*.

Mr. Alexander Aitken, the Sydenham footballer, who met his death under tragic circumstances on Saturday afternoon, was 33 years of age. He was bom at Invercargill, and served his apprenticeship with the Southland Engineering Co. He joined the staff of Messrs. Cooper and Duncan, Ltd., nineteen years ago.- He went away with the 17th Reinforcement, and was wounded at Messlnes.

MANY REP. GAMES.

Taranaki will have a big programme of representative matches this season, so that there will be opportunity for quite a number of players to gain representative honors. It, therefore, behaves all players to get into form and keep there, as with tbe earlier start this season it will not be so necessary to rely on past season’s reputation In picking the team to represent the province in the opening imatch. Moreover, if Taranaki is to make a showing worthy of the past reputation (not the recent past) of the province against the Springboks, it is absolutely necessary that no stone should be left unturned to bring out a fifteen that is truly representative of Taranaki’s best, and that has been given every opportunity of obtaining the necessary knowledge of each other’s play, a factor that is usually absent from Taranaki representative teams. There has been considerable controversy as to whether the Springboks or the All Blacks are tbe better footballers, so considerable interest is being taken throughout the whole football world in the forthcoming visit. Okaiawa, who had a bye last week, will meet Opunake to-day, and are confident of justifying their inclusion in the A. grade. Rahotu are unable to get a senior team this season, and several v of their players will join Okato, a temporary amalgamation of the clubs having been agreed to. Rahotu is hopeful of having a rtrong fifteen next year.

It was pleas’,ng to note the Improved manner in which the majority of the teams took the field last week, there being little of the kaleidoscopic appearance as regards colors of jerseys that was so noticeable in the past on the opening day. Stratford is losing Coh >e, the clever ex-Wan-ganul back, who has been transferred to Petohe. Hampson, a very promising forward, is also being transferred to PHmerston North His place, however, will not be so hard to fill as Corvie's, for the club has a lot of promising young junior forwards, but there ap’pears to be a dearth of backs.

Kingston, ex-Auckland representative, and Hickey, ex-Taranaki and Waimate representative, were interested spectators at the CliftonOpunake match on Saturday last. They will don the Clifton colors as soon as they have fulfilled the residential qualification—fourteen clear days in the district. Kingston was a member of the Grafton Club, and played full back for Auckland. He is a brilliant player in any back capacity. As a five-eight he did excellent work for his club.

McDavitt, who earned representative honors last year, has been transferred from Waitara to New Plymouth, and will probably strengthen the Tukapa pack.

PROVED PLAYERS.

It is reported that C. Brown, Taranaki and N.Z. representative half, will again come to the assistance of his old club, Tukapa. “Charlie” captained the New Zealand soldiers' team through South Africa, and is anxious to renew acquaintances with the members of the Springboks. Practically all Taranaki's representatives In the team that toured South Africa are in action this year. Whittington and West are assisting Hawera, McCain has; donned the Clifton jersey, Kissick is with Kaponga, and Roberts will be playing for Okaiawa this season. Stohr, of course, is now a resident of South Africa.

Ross* the Auckland representative halfback, has been transferred to New Plymouth, and will be playing for one of the local clubs this season. An Auckland scribe states that he has proved himself a sound and reliable little player, and his services will be an acquisition to Taranaki.

“I may say that the fact that France is coming right to the front in the game of Rugby is likely to have very important influence on the survival of Rugby,” stated Mr C. Wray, London representative of the New Zealand Rugby Union in a letter read at a meeting of the New Zealand meeting recently. This fact will greatly help us immensely in our struggle with those who are trying to persuade the world that Rugby is a thing of the past. T. Campbell, of the Ponsonby Club, Auckland, will play for Clifton this season. He is a front-ranker of .considerable reputation in the/ northern centre.

Looks as if Clifton, with all their importations, will have a rattling good team this year. They are very keen on football in Waitara, and they will go to any amount of trouble to find a berth for a good man. In this respect they are like the Petone Club, whicli used to take its football very seriously, and scour the whole of the country for players of quality. A good footballer was always certain of a job, either in the meat works or the railway workshops, and there was never any difficulty In getting leave. At one period the club supplied a third, or more, of the New Zealand reps. Later a gymnasium was built, and the youngsters were taken In. hand ny the old stagers, and taught the game thoroughly. The school boys, under J. Lynskey, were also carefully schooled in football. The result was a standard of play that always ensured for the various teams a high position in the contests, and a regular supply of good material. This was more satisfactory than im* porting men.

GYMNASIUM SCHEME.

The proposal to build a gymnasium at Pukekura Park is a good one, and deserves the support of all sports. Really it is a reflection upon a town of the size of New Plymouth that a gymnasium is not provided for the physical training of its youth. There should be no trouble in regard to finance, for most of the men of the district have themselves indulged in sport of one kind or another, and will willingly dip their hands in their pockets to assist the younger generation to become sound in physique and prepare themselves for football and other pastimes. The building, however, should be one worthy of its setting, and of the town and district. It is to be hoped a' detailed scheme will soon be submitted to the public, and, if it is on the right line*, Were

can be no doubt of its reception. Mr. J. McLeod, President of the N.Z. Rugby Unloh, attended Thursday’s annual meeting at Wellington. It was largely through his influence, supported by Mr. Joe Slade, an old New Plymouth resident, who is now chairman of the Wellington Rugby Union, decision was come to to permit Auckland to play its amended rules, subject to the approval of the English Union. In the opinion of both the leaders mentioned, playing the amended rules will eventually "scotch” the Northern Union gam6 in that province. The Kaponga-Tukapa match, played at New Plymouth, was naturally spoiled by the miserable weather, in spite of this, however, a very open and bright exhibition of football was given. The Kaponga forwards were better than their opponents, and it is significant chat the only try of tte game was scored by Malone, who was ever a tower of strength to his side. The Tukapa pack, however, played a good game, but were lighter than their opponents. The, backs on both sides played well, and, in spite of the slippery ball and sloppy ground, passing bouts by the backs were a feature of the game. The backs also kicked with good judgment, though there was a tendency on both sides to line-kick the ball too much. On the day’s play Kaponga deserved their win by 5 to 3, though the result of the game was in doubt right up to the call of time.