FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. NEW PLYMOUTH v. "PESHAWUR." An Association football match between New Plymouth and a team from the steamer Pestawur will be played on the Recreation Ground to-day at 2.30 p.m. The New Plymouth team is: Goal-keeper, W. Shepherd; left back, G. Lawrence; right back, J. Austin; half-backs, J. Muir, A. Findlay, J. Chandler; forwards, A. Woodhead, W. Palmer, A. Logie, J. Fitzgerald, A. Howlett. Emergencies: H. Fraser, Lewis, Mather, and Smith. Referee, Mr. L. C. H. Dawson. Linesmen, Messrs. G. E. Roper and E. A. Elliott. THE SCHOOLS COMPETITION. PRESENTATION OF SHIELD. Kapuni School last year won the Taranaki Primary Schools' championship shield, donated by Mr. J. McLeod, and on Thursday last it was presented by him. The event created a good deal of interest in the district, and was much enjoyed. In the evening a banquet was given by the settlers in honor of the visit of Mr. McLeod, who is president of the New Zealand Rugby Un!.on as well as of the Taranaki Union. In responding to the toast of his health, Mr. McLeod said that his close association with football, extending over a period of seventeen, years, had onAdo him well acquainted with the inner working of the Rugby organisation, and he could say emphatically that It was fair and square throughout. Its motto was "play the game.’’ and its actions were characterised by justice and fairness to all. For the last six or seven years football had been somewhat Wider a cloud, owing largely to the war. The aim of the union was to restore it to its former high standard, and this, he thought, was in a fair way to be realised. He nad first recognised the greatness of Taranaki football twenty-three years ago, when he had been a spectator at a very memorable match. Coming to Taranaki some years later, he had gt once become interested in football, and he had maintained his connection with it ever ; since. The new organisation which had been adopted was already bearing fruit; enthusiasm and interest had been aroused, emulation and competition stimulated. The excellent team selected this year gave brighter hopes for the future, though it could not yet realise the high standard of the old Mynott-Hunter combination. However, school football was the high starting point, and he was pleased to recognise that It was receiving the encouragement it deserved. Football was plainly going through a process of evolution, and the League game was going to uplift it by removing the stodginess and lack of enterprise which at present characterised it. The present tactics of kicking into touch as a defensive means was spoiling public interest, and was not in accord with the spirit of football. A new rule to counteract this had been brought in recently and put into operation at twenty-four hours’ notice. Its good effect bad been Immediately noticeable in the Tukapa-Okaiawa match, and he was of opinion that the rule would have to be adopted. Unfortunately the English Union, with which New Zealand was affiliated, would not support it. At a conference between New South Wales, South Africa and New Zealand the matter would shortly bo discussed, and if the adoption of the rule was decided upon it might result In a breaking of the affiliation with England. While he regretted this contingency, the union had to face the fact that Its primary duty was to make football better for the players and better for tho spectators. Mr. McLeod resumed his seat amidst loud applause.—Star.