FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY'S MATCHES. 1 A GRADE. Tukapa v. Opunake, at New Plymouth. Mr. J. Johnston. Eawera v. Clifton, at Hawera. Mr. A. F. Neilson. Kaponga v. Patea, at Patea, Mr. G. H. Perkinson. JVaimate r. Okaiawa, at Okaiawa, Mr. J Kiley. JUNIOR FINAL. Joko v, Lepperton, at Walter*. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. MATCHES PLAYED. v. Wanganui*-Won by 6 points to 3. F. South Auckland—Drawn. 15 points each. F. South Africa—Drawn, no score. f. Wanganui—Won by 9 points to 6. Y. Canterbury—Lost, 14 points to 5. B REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. Taranaki B r. Wairoa Sub-Union—Won, 16 points to 6. MATCHES ARRANGED. August 27—v. Wellington, at New Plymouth. September 10 —v. Auckland, at Auckland. September 17 —v. Otego, at New Plymouth. September 24—v. Auckland, at New Plymouth. THE SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR. RESULTS TO DATE. F. Wanganui—Won 11 points to 5. F. Taranaki —Draw, no score. g. Walrarapa—Won by 18 points to 3. V. Wellington—Won 8 points to 3. V. West Coast—Won 33 points to 3. v. Canterbury—Lost 6 pointe to 4. F. South Canterbury—Won 34 points to 3. r. Southland—Won 12 points to nil. v. Otago—Won, 11 points to nil. i. New Zealand (first test) —Lost 13 points to T- Manawatu-Horowhenua —Won 3 points to nil. MATCHES TO PLAY. August 20.—v. (Auckland. August 24—v. Rotorua. August 27—v. New Zealand, at Auckland (second test). August 31—r. Hawke’s Bay. September 6—v. Nelson and Marlborough. September 10—v. New Zealand, at Wellington (final test). NEW SOUTH WALES’ TOURMATCHES PLAYED v. North Auckland—Won by 17 to 8. V. South Auckland—Won by 28 to 11. V. Poverty Bay—Won by 26 to 8. MATCHES TO BE PLAYED. August 20.—At Palmerston North. August 2L—At Blenheim. August >7.—At Westport. Augwu Bl.—At Greymouth. September 3.—At Christchurch (test) September J.—At Wellington. POSITION OF THE TEAMS A GBADF

TO-DAY’S CUP MATCHES.

MEETING OF CLIFTON AND HAWERA. In Taranaki chief interest will centre in the meeting of Hawera and Clifton, at Hawera, this afternoon. For the second year in succession these two clubs are fighting out the premiership of the province. Last yeat it will be remembered that Clifton, as the winners of the northern division, and Hawera, as the southern winners, had to decide the championship, and so evenly matched were the teams that three matches had to be played before finality was reached, Hawera eventually winning. This year the teams again appear to be evenly matched, as is shewn by the fart that -each has the same number of championship points, viz., 24 out of a possible 28, and also that mhen the teams mot at W’aitara in the first round tte scores were 5 pointe to 3 in favor of Clifton. To-day’s match promises to be equally close, and each Bide Will be represented by the strongest fifteen available. Kingsion (the New Zealand full-back) will be on hand to assist Clifton, -whilst West and Fogarty (the New Zealand forwards) will wear .the Hawera jersey. Both teams possess good forwards and speedy tacks, so thr.t a gon<l match should result. The match at Neu Flymnutb to-day between Tukapa and Opunake should also draw a large attendance. The Opunake team has shown considerable Improvement this round, and has the honor of being the only team to defeat Clifton this season, whilst Hawera only defeated Opunake by a narrow margin. The Opunake team is mainly comprised of keen, young players, who play an open game, their backs throwing the bail about in good stytle Aa Tttkapa play tte same type of game the match should provide some spectacular football. At Patea", Patea and Kaponga meet, whilst at Okaiawa Waimate will play Okaiawa. Neither of these matches will create much interest, except in so far as they have a bearing on whether Patea or Waimate Is to be the team to drop into the B competition next year.

JUNIOR PLAY-OFF. LEPPERTON r. TOKO. Lepperton and Toko juniors meet at W’aitara today to decide the junior championship. Toko is a junior team of the Stratford Club. Last year the junior championship was won by Midhirst, also a junior team <»f the Stratford Club, which in the course of a year or two should be able to put a strong senior team in the field, having so many promising juniors to draw from. Lepperton is also a junior team of the Clifton Club, and is to be congratulated on working its way to the final, a position that the Clifton Club during the past few years has always had a strong say in. Lepperton has a strong set ot forwards, whereas Toko is said to rely on its speedy backs, some of wlkhu are said to be equal to teniox form. LAST WEEK’S MATCHES. Tte match between Hawera and Tukapa last week proved somewhat disappointing. The Hawera team contained a number of juniors, put so did Tukapa, and the southern Will have to show better form to-day if they wish to defeat Clifton. However, the team to-day will be strengthened by the Inclusion of Whittington. Osborne and Fogarty. West whu played last week after an absence of three weeks through injury, played a great game. S. Catfier<jn and Robertson were the pick of the backs. The latter did a lot of fiCfensive work. €. Brown was behind the Tukapa scrum and Charlie showed by his play that he is still the best half-back in Taranaki. If he could be induced tn re-enter big football he would be an acquisition behind Taranaki’s pack this year, as that is a weak Spot. Stratford just beat Waimate, at Mantua. Whilst Opunake had no dlfficu’*y in defeat sng Patea at Ouunake. Kaponja also defeated jQkataWW

TOUR OF THE SPRINGBOKS* PLAY AUCKLAND THE TEAMS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland. Last Night. The teams for to-morrow’s match between Auckland and the Springboks are:— * Auckland.—-Muir. V. Badeley (Auckland), K. Ifwersen (Auckland), M. Grierson (Auckland), C. Badeley (Auckland), L. Weston (Whangarei). S. Crawford (Whangarei), Nickolas (Auckland), Lomas (Thames), Tresize (AuckFletcher (Kaipara), McHugh (Auckland), B. Fletcher (Kaipara), T. Finlayson (Whangarei), Milliken (Auckland). Reserves: t Maclntyre (South Auckland), Hughes (Auckland), Morris (South Auckland), M. Hayward (Thames). South Africa.—Full-back, S. Morkel; threequarters, Van Heerden, Strauss, Clarkson. Zeller; halves, Tindall, Townsend; forwards, Pienaar, R. Morkel, H. Morkel, Walker, Ellis, Duplessis, Kruger, Van Rooyen. A good deal of interest is being taken in tn-day’s match between the Springboks and the Aucklanders. The latter have a very good team since they hare drawn upon the country, and their supporters are confident of their ability to told the visitors It should prove a close and interesting match. THE FIRST TEST. THE LUCK ON NEW ZEALAND’S SIDE. Perusing the various reports of the big match at Dunedin on Saturday it seems clear ttat New Zealand were fortunate in notching a win and thus getting the first leg-in in the rubber. New Zealand’s first try apparently was no try at all. Meyer put bis hand on the ball and thought it a sufficient force, but Bellis, who was handy, imposed pressure mere effectually, and caught the referee’s eye. This score upset tte equilibrium of the Springboks for a time and affected their sprints. Up to this they tad been having the better of the

Steel’s brilliant effort that resulted in a try behind the goal posts put more ginger into the New Zealanders, who then began to show true All Flack form, and the third by Storey put the issue beyond doubt. Before this Henry Morkel, Van Heerden and Clark- ! son had possible chances of scoring, but were unable to put on the finishing touches to ttetr play.

The weakness of- the New Zealander*’ team were the middle backs. As five-eight, Mark

Nicholls was not up, to his Work, as many competent critics feared, and he must give way to Roberts, an infinitely better cnan. His brother, ’ Ginger” Nicholls, was more successful at half, though far from brilliant. That the selection committee are wedded to him was shown by the fact that they awarded him the prize for being the best back on the ground, a manifest absurdity when Steel’s rierformanees are considered. Steel was undoubtedly the hero of the match, his try being one the like of which may never be seen again In big mutches In a decade. The South Africans stated he was easily the best track they had encountered so fsr in the Dominion.

The story goes that the selectors were determined to read Mr. ’’Teddy” Roberts a lesson. He had intimated to them, 'tls said, that ho wanted to play half and not fiveeight. The selectors got on their "dig," and passed him over. Now to justify this judgment they stick to “Ginger” Nicholls and give him the medal for being the best back, on the whole field, mind you—better than Steel, Gerald Morkel, the great international full-back, and Kingston, an equally successful full-back who, by the way, played right up to form in the match, which Is saying a good deal.

Now the selectors will probably put out Mark Nicholls and bring in Roberts, which will strengthen the backs. Storey should not be In the team because of an injured shoulder, which sorely tried him on Saturday. Notwithstanding this disability, he literally’hurled himself over the line when he notched his try. The critics speak well of the work of Fogarty, the dashing Hawera forward, who shone in the loose. As a whole the forwards did not do so well against their adversaries as the Taranaki forwards. For one thing, they did not play to instructions, and were slow in changing their methods when they found they were being beaten. The Africans’ extra weight enabled them to push the All Blacks, and thus get possession. The Taranaki forwards, thanks to their Old General, provided an effective counter to this. Again, the New Zealand forwards did not get away clean in the loose. Evidently they were blocked. They also failed to follow up, until later in the day, when they spurted and finished in better condition than the Springboks, who were run to a standstill.

The All Black forwards were handicapped by Bellis and Donald getting smashed up early in the game, and this kept two very fast and willing men back. Hughes was not brilliant and Dunean was a passenger.

It is good to know that there is a possibility of West (Hawera) being in the next test. West is one of the |jest forwards in New' Zealand, and he would have been in the First Test had he shown Up better in the trial match in Wellington, when he was distinctly off color, and should hever have played. His exhibition against Tukapa on Saturday was a treat to witness, and if he can reproduce the same form in the Second Test he will strengthen the forwards materially and please the crowd. It has to b? remembered, In considering the All Blacks’ showing, that they had had little opportunity of playing together before the match and of developing the fine points of the game and securing combination. They should do much better in the remaining tests, especially with tte team strengthened in the backs and forwards. They were put on their metal on Saturday, and may be considered lucky in getting through as well. Certainly there was no eigh't points of a difference In the play of the two teams. All the critics agree on that point.

The Springboks developed no new points in their game, adhering to the game they played in Taranaki of trusting to the weight, height, and speed of their forwards to get possession and then to feed the backs, relying on the wings to get across. There was no side-stepping, cutting and in-play. Nor did the New Zealanders bring off anything of this nature.

We heard a lot before the match about the X tactics, but these can only be brought off by perfect unison and understanding on the part of the backs engaged. The half gets the bail, passes It swiftly to the five-eight, who moves along at top, drawing the opposite backs towards him and his three-quarters. Then at the right moment be turns around and hands the ball to the racing half, or other back, who sweeps past him in the inside and right from the opposing backs, except perhaps the full-back. Thus the X movement is completed. It is a movement requiring the greatest precision. Arttur Humphries and Sinjpn Mynott were perhaps the best exponents of it. until the All Blacks practised and i>erfected it in their triumphant tour In 1985.

A SURPRISE. The result of the match between the Man-awatu-Horowhenua representatives, and the Springboks, at Palmerston on Wednesday, came as a great surprise. Although the visitors tad not placed their strongest team in the field, it was fully anticipated that they would put up a fairly large score against the local combination. As events happened, they were fortunate, indeed, to resister a win (says the local Times). The game was not spectacular. Indeed, few opportunities were afforded the visitors' backs to distinguish themselves. It was a hard-fought forward game, in which the Manawatu-Horowbenua pack showed, if anything,’to the greatest advantage. The visitors had the heavier team, and their weight was manifested clearly in the scrums, but.when it came- to loose play '.he iocal combination morn than held lheir own The result of the match shows how evenly th.' game was contested, and the visitors were probably as much surprised as the public at smiwl. that was made for guprynaejr

THE B TEAM. NOTES ON THE MATCH, It te to be regretted that the fifteen originally selected to comprise the Taranaki B team were unable to make the trip to Waverley on Thursday. The object of having a R representative team is to give players an opportunity of coming before the selector’s ejes. Of the backs, Wilkinson, Roberts, Lynskey and Hart, for various reasons did not make the trip. The last-nauned tas given up the game for this season, but would be useful next year if he fulfils his present promise. In the forwards Harris, Fuller and McCullough ware absent. The vacancies in the backs svere filled by G. Hooker, R. Oliver, McClymont and Radford, and in the forwards by O’Carroll, McKenna and McKay. Though this necessitated considerable reorganisation, the team showed good combination, and had the forwards been able to get tie ball from the scrum they would probably have put up a good score, as the backs threw the ball .about well and showed .an inclination to take risks. They did most of the handling until the middle of the second spell, when the locals shook themselves up, and their centre men showed great possibilities.

The Wairoa forwards proved too heavy for the Taranaki vanguard, and often pushed their way right over the ball, which hung in the back of the scrum. Their half did not make the best use of his opportunities and was slow to get the ball out, in marked contrast to Berg, who shot tte leather out smartly on every occasion. Though beaten Ln the scrums, Taranaki proved superior in both line-out and loose work. Allen, Day, McKenna and Fryday were the best, though all worked well. G. Taylor, on the wing, did not play up to his usual form and was penalised considerably. Of the backs Hooker was the best, showing cleverness, especially at sending the ball in-field. Courts was also prominent, cutting in prettily, taking and kicking well. R. Oliver did a lot of good work. Dunford, at full-back, acquitted himself capably, though at times te was hard pressed. It is probable that another match will be arranged against the Wairoa Sub-Union. Thursday will be referees’ day. In the afternoon the northern referees will play their annual match against tho. southern referees at New Plymouth, and a great game is expected. At 6.30 p.m. the annual dinner takes place, to ho followed by a smoke' concert. Already 33 players have worn Taranaki rep. jerseys this season. With four more matches to go the number should be increased before the season closes.

THE WELLINGTON MATCH. NEXT SATURDAY’S GAME. On Saturday nett Taranaki will meet Wellington at New Plymouth. These provinces have met on 27 occasions, 15 matches being won by Wellington, 10 by Taranaki, and one drawn, while another was abandoned at halftime owing to rain, with the score 3 to nil in Wellington’s favor. In points Wellington has scored 198 and Taranaki 180. Additional interest will centre in this match, as it is tte first time for many years that Wellington have been seen in action in New Plymouth, the matches for the past ten years having been played at Hawera during winter show time. The Taranaki team will be chosen to-night.

TARANAKI REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. A READER'S IDEAS. Writes a “Daily News reader for 36 years”: Sir, —Being a keen follower of football in Taranaki for tho last thirty years, also a member of a League team in recent years, I take this opportunity of trying to give our sole selector (Mr. Malone), some Idea how the Taranaki reps, should be selected to do battle against both Wellington and Auckland. I have seen both the above teams in action, and- would pick the following to beat them: — Full-back: Kingston (Clifton). Three-quarters: Hickey (Clifton), Robertson (Hawera), Hart (Tukapa). Five-eighths: Courts (Inglewood), Cauneron (Hawera). Half-back: Coleman (Clifton). Rover: Malone (Kaponga). Hookers: Cain (Clifton), Fuller (Clifton). First supports: Campbell (Clifton), Masters (Stratford). West (Hawera). Back row; Fogarty (Hawera), Spratt (Patea). NEWS AND NOTES. Kingston (Clifton) is said to l ave given a fine exhibition as full-back for New Zealand last Saturday. Fogarty also did his share, and was said to be going as well as anyone at the finish. West, who is considered the best forward In Taranaki, is also to be given a chance In the next test. The team is to travel to Auckland by Sunday night’s express from Wellington, and as the Taranaki trio will be playing for their respective clubs today, it will be necessary for them to <motor through.

As all the Saturdays are fully occupied from now until the end of September, it is probable that the last week’s matches In the second round will have to bo played in the middle of the fcveek. Practically the only matches that will count are those between Clifton and Stratford and Hawera and Waimate.

1 £ s’ a c s 3 fa 2 C Clifton j 4 11 «» i 141 02 24 Hawera 14 11 * 148 46 24 Stratford 15 8 3 4 117 100 19 Kaponga 14 7 1 6 113 79 Okaiawa 14 € 1 7 78 86 Tnkapa 14 . 4 8 75 105 10 Dpunake 14 a 0 9 73 126 10 Pa tea 15 3 1 11 M 139 3 WaUuate 14 3 2 10 84 139 6