FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO TEAM’S TOUR. VICTORY OVER WAIRARAPA. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Carterton, Last Night'. Otago and Wairarapa met to-day. The first spell was marked by scriimis and tight forward work and ended with no. score. In the second spell Otago opened the game and scored 14 points. For Wairarapa James notched a try after a' forward rush. The game wa*>- remarkable for the number of penalties award- j to Wairarapa within goading distance, but Torrance failed with the kicks. Hawke, Sonntag, Ward and Davidson scored for Otago and Owles converted one. The match ended: Otago 14, Wairarapa 3. SOUTHLAND BEATEN AGAIN. HAWKE’S BAY’S EASY WIN. Napier, Last Night. An inter-provincial Rugby match, Southland and Hawke’s'Bay, was played here to-day, when a fast and fairly open game was won by Hawke’s Bay by 22 pointe to 7. The game was much more even than the scores indicate. The visitors frequently attacked, but the home tackling] and smothering was solid. The work of the Hawke’s Bay fullback (Yates) was very effective, his fine tackling preventing several scores. The Hawke’s Bay forwards were superior and there was more sting and good combination in their attack, resulting in the visitors’ line being crossed, live times. Tries were scored by J. Blake, Grenside, Batchelor, Ki veil and A. Kuira, two being converted by Yates. The visitors scored a potted goal by Coekroft and a try by St. George. NEXT SATURDAY’S MATCH. OTAGO v. TARANAKI. A number of Taranaki football enthusiasts are making the trip to Wellington to see the final test match lietween New Zealand and the Springboks, ' but those who stay at home will find an attraction at New Plymouth in the Taranaki-Otago match and the curtainraiser between New Plymouth High School and Stratford. It is some years since Otago has visited Taranaki and the southerners this year have a very I strong team, ae is shown by the fact ’ that they comfortably defeated Wairarapa. yesterday. The Taranaki team is stronger than that which played against Auckland on Saturday* and can be relied on to play a good game on its home ground. The Otago team will arrive in New Plymouth by the mail train to-night and will be quartered at the } Criterion Hotel.

ASSOCIATION GAME.

NEW PLYMOUTH (2) v. S.S. DORSET (0).

The New Plymouth Club played a team from the steamer Dorset at Pukekura Park yesterday and registered their first win of the season. Both were “scratch” teams and hick of training prevented the game from being a spectacular one. New Plymouth were slightly the better side, and the score was a fair index of the game. Fitzgerald scored both goals from individual efforts; in fact, he was the best forward on the field. Howlett also played, a good game, and Palmer in goal saved his side on several occasions. The game was free from rough play and the referee (Mr. Johnston) had an easy time and handled the whistle in a very efficient manner.

It is stated that a team representing Taranaki wi-ll play Auckland at New Plymouth on Saturday.

MAORIS v. SPRINGBOKS.

THE COLOR QUESTION.

Botorua, Sept. 14.

Consequent upon a statement that the Springboks expressed dislike of playing the Maori team on account of color prejudice, Kiwi Atnohau and Tai Mitchell, representing the Ara was, telegraphed to the manager of the team, regretting that the Maoris, who extended courtesy and hospitality to the Springboks in R;torua, did not know their' feelings in the matter, adding: “With that in your mind, to accept a w Icome. and break bread with our people, and then .ater to insult them as you have done is n t, according to the Maoris, the code honorable adopted by gentlemen.” LETTER FROM MR. PARATA. Wanganui. Sept. 14. Mr. W. T. Parata, manager and organiser of the Maori team which recently played the Springboks at Napier, expresses regret that the conduct of certain sections of the mixed crowd should have left room for complaint. Mr. Parata and the members of his team desire to state they feel very grateful for the privilege and honor extended to the Maoris by Mr. Bennett, manager of the Springboks, in agreeing to play this game, and also wish to say that the Maoris believe in playing a hard, keen game, but are just as interested in maintaining the best traditions of the Rugby code and are anxious not to depart from the niceties and beauties of the game.