FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY’S BIG MATCH. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. TG-DAY'S INTERNATIONAL. Taranaki ▼. South Africa, at New Plymouth, 2 p.m. MATCHES PLAYED: <. Wanganui.—Won by 6 points to 3. t. South Auckland—Drawn, 15 points each. MATCHES ARRANGED. July 28—v. Wanganui, at Stratford. August 3—v. Canterbury, at Hawera. August 13 or 20—V. Wellington, at Wellington. August 17 or 24—v. Manawatu, at Palmerston North. August 27—v. Wellington, at New Plymouth. September 3—y. Auckland, at Auckland. September 10—w. Otago, at New Plymouth. geDJemVer 24—v. Auckland, at New Plymouth. POSITION OF THE TEAMS. A GRADE

TO-DAY’S MATCH.

SOUTH AFRICA v. TARANAKI

PROSPECTS DISCUSSED.

Ever since the visit of the South Africans to Great Britain In the year following the tour of the original AH Blacks there has been great controversy in football circles throughout the English-speaking wo. id as to whether the Springboks or the All Blacks were the better combination. Hence the meeting of the representatives of the leading countries has been eagerly looked forward to by footbat! enthusiasts -everywhere, and no more so than in New Zealand. It is no wonder, then, that ever since it was definitely known that the visit would take place this season, interest has continued to increase until it is doubtful if any match has ever aroused such enthusiasm. In Taranaki the interest is very great, and it is safe to say that there will be a recurd crowd to-day, one that will tax the accommodation of the park to the utmost.

Quite a number of Taranaki enthusiasts visited Wanganui on Wednesday to see the famed visitors in action, and they were very pleased with what they saw, the majority coming awayconvinced that Taranaki have a hard task in front of them to hold the redoubtable visitors, but that Taranaki, with its traditional habit of always playing best when right up against It. will fully extend them there is no doubt Wanganui were only defeated by 11 points to 6 points, the difference being represented by a converted try. each side also scoring a try and a penalty goal. The closeness of the contest lend* additional interest to their matches with other teams. In comparing the visitors' performance on Wednesday it must not be forgotten that they have hardly •truck form yet. being affected by the coldness of the climate, that they landed from the steamer at Auckland oh Tuesday morning, and travelled all night over the Main Trunk to Wanganui, where they arrived a full five hours before the match, and last, but not least, that they lost the services of De Koch early In the game, and thereafter only played 14 men. Moreover, they were up against what is said to be the strongest team' ♦tiff Wanganui has placed In the field for very ■ *any years. NOTES ON THE SPRINGBOKS. The forwards are very heavy and powerful. They play the game hard', making the most of their weight. In the’ scrums, where they packed three-two-three, Snd occasionally first man down, they often pushed dean over the ball, or carried the leather with them. They handled well, taking part in passing bouts, and making great openings for their backs, whilst in the loose they handed the ball on from one to another in good style, and at limes badly fooled the opposition by feinting to pass. They are very difficult to pull down; in fact, it is almost impossible to do so without going low, and on numerous occasions one could see a big Springbok collared by the hips, holding the ball in the air. look around, then pass it. When downed they are up again in a flash, and have a tendency to piay the ball on the ground. They get off some smart scooping passes. In the line-out they are good. Van Booyen and Royal Merkel were the pick of the furwards in the tight, whilst T. Kruger, W. H. Morkei and Scholtz shone in the loose.

The backs did not appear to run straight enough, with the result that the wings were crowded on the line, and did not have much space to operate in. Van Heerden quite justified tia reputation as a wing, though play did not come his way much. His opening try was a beauty, showing his great pace. He is also a great side-stepper, and has a high action which enables him to evade a low tackle. Zeller, on the other wing, had a lot of work to do, and did it well. He is a fine three-quarter, possessed of pace and initiative, centring nicely, and passing infield .when

crowded oh the line. The centre men did not run straight enough, and their passing while clear was not always done on the move. During the time he was playing De Koch greatly impressed, as he runs straight and beats his man before passing. De Villiers is a very safe full back, his gang kicks being invaluable to his side. He Is also a very dangerous place kick, and a good tackler This latter, however, applies to all the team, as they make no mistake •bout bringing down their men. THE TARANAKI TEAM. Every attempt has been made to endeavor Co have Taranaki represented by the strongest team that can be got together, and the team as was published yesterday was only selected after very careful consideration of the claims of the various men that have been training here for the past week. It is a very different team from that which met South Auckland ten days ago; indeed, of that 15 only one back (Sykes) and four forwards (McAllum, Campbell, Kivell and Spratt) have kept tteir places. On the whole, it must be admitted that the selectors have made a good •election. The forwards are a good lot, solid and fast, and as they contain men like West Fogarty and Caln, who have been through South Africa should be up to all the dodges of the visitors.

Atkins, at half, is solid in defence, but rather siow to get the ball out. Coutts and Roberts replace Lynskey and Wynyard at fiveeighths. TTe former is playing better than ever, and is a great attacking player, whilst the latter, though making his first appearance in big football, shows great promise, and his play deserves his chance. Provided the ball comes its way the threeqnsrter line should have a say, as both wings are fast, whilst the Inclusion of Dick Roberts considerably strengthens the attack. Kingston at full Is the man for the position. He, of course, ha, been selected for the New gealand team.

THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ MATCH. A BRIGHT EXHIBITION OF RUGBY. Last Saturday’s match between Wanganui Collegiate School and Taranaki High School at Hawera provided ono of the brightest and must interesting games seen in the province for many a day. Wanganui won by a margin of five points, but the game could qilite easily have ended the other way about, for the New Plymouth boys proved themselves equal to Wanganui. In fact, but for a penchant for potting developed by two of the New Plymouth backs two almost certain tries would have been notched. They had but to l>ass to confreres who were awaiting the ball and to dive over almost without opposition, when they drop-kicked at the goal opposite—with the almost inevitable result. Both teams played bright and clean football, sending the ball out, and passing at every opportunity. They made an open game of it, and a "willing” one too. Both teams lasted well. Just after the beginning of the second spell New Plymouth boys, tow/ever, seined to flag and be nonplussed. During this time Wanganui scored two tries in rapid succession, after which New Plymouth recovered, and till the end of ttfe game fought with vigor if not always with success. In the first half the New Plymouth boys had easily the better of the game, and looked as if they must pull off the victory. They, however, failed afterwards to get possession in the scrum, and this proved fatal to their chances.

Wanganui had a fine lot of backs, strong runners they were who knew how to pass and take a pass, and kick with judgment. Their forwards were inferior in the Hue-outs and in the ruck, but they -seldom failed In the scrum in the critical part of the game.

The splendid kicking of the backs of both teams was a feature of the game. Seldom has better been seen in local senior foot-

New Plymouth has a good back combination. The half is a resourceful chap that has the makings of a fine player, and the same may be said of some of the others. They took the ball splendidly, but occasionally tteir passing was too low and difficult, some fine c-pportunities being missed in this way.

On the whole the New Plymouth boys acquitted themselves creditably, it being generally acknowledged, that they were quite capable of turning the tables upon their doughty opponents on another occasion.

The "boys" were hospitably entertained by the Hawera people, who provided them with refreshments throughout the day and generally "fathered" them. It was a kindly feeling for the boys and the school that prompted this fine exhibition of hospitality, which was gieatly appreciated not only -by the boys but tbeir parents as well.

LAST WEEK’S MATCHES. Clifton again had a narrow win over Kaponga, just notching the winning try on the call of time, and so retaining their position •n the championship table. Hawera also defeated Kaponga, and the issue now appears almost certain to be fought’ out by these two rivals, as so far each has won all its matches with the exception of one loss axid two; draws. Up -till last Saturday Stratford had a reasonable prospect of attaining championship honors, but Okaiawa again came to, ught and defeated them, thus practically putting Stratford out of the running. Opuhake scored their third successive win this round by defeating Waimate. The coastal team has now got well into its stride again, and should win more matches this round. Indeed, but for losing so many men by Injury in the first round, Opunake would probably’ have been well In the running. ■ A feature of the match was the goal kicking of Lusk, who scored the ten points, with two penal-

ties and a potted goal. "Lusk is worth a trial for representative honors. It now looks as though Patea and Waimate will meet to decide which is to remain in the A grade. Tukapa beat Star by a very narrow margin, thus showing that there is very little between the lower teams Ln the A grade and the B grade.

NEWS AND NOTES. J. Hunter and F. Glasgow, ex-Taranaki representatives and members of the original All Blacks, were among the spectators at the Wanganui match on Wednesday. "Frank,” who is stationed in the Ohura, still takes an active interest in the game, and is largely responsible for the visit tie Ohura reps are making to Taranaki next week.

It is probable that an endeavor will be made to have the Moascar Cup match between th New Plymouth High School and Wanganui Technical College played at New Plymouth. Such a match would draw u good attendance, as the local public have not seen the High Scnool boys in action this year. They're worth seeing.

The Ohura team, to the number of 25, arrived iu Stratford yesterday, and were met by Mr. ,D. J. Malone, president of the Taranaki Rugby Union. They will be present at, the Springbok match to-day, and on Thursday will try with a Taranaki B team at Stratford, and on Saturday will play Kaponga, at Kaponga. The Taranaki B team will be selected by Mr. Maione early in the week.

A match between the High School B and Central School B teams was played on the racecourse on Thursday, resulting in a win for Central by 9 points to 3. A converted try and potted goal were recorded for the winners, and a converted try for the High School. AUSTRALIAN RUGBY TEAM. PROGRAMME IN BRITAIN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 14. The Australian Rugby footballers begin their tour at Salford on September 17, concluding with a match at Paris against France on January 28. The dates of the tests are as follows: First, at Leeds, October ); second at Hull, November 5; third, at Manchester. January 14.

Among other engagements they play England in London, October 10; Yorkshire County, December 7; Wales, December 10; Lancashire County, December 14; Cumberland , County, January 7.

THE "SOCCER” GAME. NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. About thirty members were present at a general meeting of the New Plymouth Association Football Club held last night. Mr. G. E. Roper presided. The Taranaki Agricultural Society wrote approving of the club’s application for the use of the showgrounds, and it was decided to write thanking the society.

A match with Hawera will be played at the showgrounds Gn Saturday next, 23rd inst., commencing at 1.45 p.m. It was decided that no charge for admission be 'made to this game, but that the question of admission at other matches be left to the discretion of the committee.

A match with Auckland will be held in the near future, the Northern Club having written offering to send a team to play at New Plymouth to help along the progress o£ the game. The chairman reported that the club was making good progress; they had £l2 in hand from members’ subscriptions, and were considering the purchase of nets. “We have in some respects,” he said, "to prove to the public that we can produce the game, but I am satisfied when we appeal for support we will get it” The following were appointed club selectors: Messrs. G. E. Roper, L. C. H. Dawson, and W. Sheppard (club captain). It was announced that there will be two practices next week —on Tuesday and Thursday, at the Recreation Grounds. Following this the team to play Hawera will be selected. It was derided to hold no practice to-day, in view of the international aspect of the big Rugby game at the Recreation Grounds lent by the presence of the Springboks,

■g . g I “ K £ a 5 £ H Clifton 11 8 2 1 74. 42 18 Hawera 10 7 2 1 9-5 29 16 Stratford 11 5 3 3 81 74 13 Okaiawa 10 5 1 4 53 39 11 Kaponga 11 5 1 5 94 56 11 Tukapa 10 3 3 5 51 55 8 Opunake 11 4 — 7 50 103 8 Waimate 11 2 2 7 64 84 6 tfatea 11 2 1 8 59 106 5 B GRADE. Intlewood 9 6 2 1 45 16 14 BUr 9 5 2 2 45 38 12 1/ltham 10 3 3 4 64 52 9 Old Boys 9 3 1 5 63 53 7 Okatfc 9 1 2 6 30 68 4