FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. TO-DAY’S FIXTURES. Seven-a-slde tournament at New Plymouth Recreation Sports Ground, commencing at 11 a.m. Representatives fixture: Taranaki V. Wanganui, at Wanganui. FIXTURES FOR NEXT SATURDAY. A Senior. Tukapa v. Patea, at New Plymouth. Clifton v. Okalawa, at Waitara. Hawera v. Kaponga, at Hawera. Stratford v. Opunake, at Stratford. B. Senior. Old Boys v. Inglewood at New Plymouth. Okato v. Lepperton. at Okato, Star v. Eltham, at Eltham. POSITION OF THE TEAMS. Senior A.

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES ARRANGED. June 3—v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. July s—v. Wellington, at Hawera. Aug. 12—v. Auckland, at New Plymouth. Aug. 19—v. Wellington, at Wellington. Aug. 23—v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. Aug. 26—v. Southland, at Invercargill. Aug. 30—v. Otago, at Dunedin. Sept.—2 v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. Sept. 16—r. Auckland, at Auckland. Home matches have to be arranger! against Wanganui and Wairarapa, and also possibly against North Auckland. ASSOCIATION GAME. AUSTRALIA V. WELLINGTON. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The weather is more promising for the big Association match, Australia v. Wellington, at the Basin Reserve, to-morrow afternoon, and provided the ground dries off to a good playing surface, the game should be a first-class exhibition of Association football.

The Wellington team finished training last night, and the trainers consider the men are as fit as they can be.

The following team has been picked to represent the Australians: Goal, Cartwright: backs. A. Fisher (captain) and W. Mcßride; halves, A. Gibb (rice-captain), C. Shenton and P. Doyle; forwards, W. Dane, D. Ward, W. Maunder, J. Cumberford, and T. Thomp-

NJSWS AND NOTES. Owing to the representative team visiting Wanganui to-day, there will be a break in the cup competitions, which will not be resumed until next Saturday. There will, however, be much to interest followers of the game in the seven-a-side tournament, which is to be held on the Sports’ Ground at New Plymouth. Tukapa still maintain pride of place in the cup competitions, having played six matches in succession without suffering a defeat. They had a very narrow escape last week at the hands, or rather the feet, of Okaiawa, who, up till then had only sustained one defeat, and had victory gone their way would have been level with the leaders. Tukapa had their full strength in the backs, but the forwards were weakened by the defection of Davis, the lock, necessitating reorganisation, Allen going into that position. Okalawa were without Harris In the forwards, while Johnson, who is a very promising five-eighths, was handicapped by an injured leg.

The wind somewhat interfered with the play, and with its advantage in the first spell, Okaiawa had the upper hand. But Tukapa backs kept them out and by keeping the ball moving held them in check, so that at half-time Tukapa were cnly a point in the minority. Okaiawa, however, were not done with in the second spell and after Tukapa had gained the lead early in the spell, the local forwards dominated the position, and for twenty minutes had Tukapa worried, but they were unable to notch the necessary score, their backs giving little or no assistance. Indeed, once the ball got among the backs, it was either mulled, or else it was not thrown out to the wings and several chances were thrown away. Tukapa backs also defended with their backs to the wall and lined repeatedly with good judgment, but it is certain they were all pleased - when time was called. After they gained the lead early in the spell they appeared to take matters too easily and lost chances by essaying to pot instead of keeping their backs moving. Of a good pack of forwards of the hardy type none shaped better than Brien and. Hurley, whilst the veteran Johnson also showed out well, as did Taylor on the wing. Atkins filled his old position behind the scrum and defended well. B. Roberts was inclined to hang on too much, whilst Dick Roberts at centre has played much better. Guy and Laurent gave glimpses of speed, but had few chances. McClymont at full saved well. Of the Tukapa pack none were moie prominent than Allen and Linn, while McAllum on the wing was always on the ball. Brown at half did a tremendous amount of stopping and got the ball out well, though at times he was beaten by the wind. Oliver, Hooker and Ennis combined well, whilst the wingers. Hart and Stohr, showed their scoring abilities, the former scoring a pretty try from half-way and beating all the opposing backs. Kingston, as usual, played a sound game, gathering up the ball from the ground smartly, and his well judged kicks were heart-breaking to the opposing pack. The public do not appreciate his antics behind the line in appearing to run back on to the field of play and then forcing the ball, it is doubtful if it has the desired effect of tiring the opposing team and appears to savor of “gallery" play. Hawera only gained a narrow margin over Walmate, who always prove a hard nut for the neighboring club. Certainly the Hawera Club had a weak team. The officials of the Hawera Club are, however, using strenuous endeavors to get their house in order and when the team is again in action, it will be seen that the backs are much improved. A. Paterson, formerly of Hawera, and latterly of Cambridge, will be back at half, whilst Hodder, the ex-Manawatu rep., will be playing five-eighths and Robertson will probably be out on the wing. The appearance of the fifteen to do battle for Taranaki in the first representative match of the season created widespread interest throughout Taranaki and the work of the selectors was unduly criticised, being praised in some quarters and condemned in others. On the whole Messrs. D. J. Malone, W. A. Guy, and A. L. Humphries are to be congratulated. Their task has been a difficult one. It is early in the season for each selector to have seen all the players in action even once, and with several mien all on a par for some positions, their task has been a difficult one. There can be little- to cavil at in the forwards and the pack should be right up to Taranaki’s standard. West, Fogarty, and Kisslck are playing up to top Tfae last tyungd, admittedly the beat

forward in England during the war period, has recovered from the illness that kept him out of action last year, while Masters at lock has never played better than this year. Fuller as hooker has been under the tuition of M. Cain and is also a dashing forward. Spratt is another that is playing right up to form, though many would have preferred to have seen his club mate Hunt selected in his stead. Brien, of Okaiawa, Is a good type of young forward, who should make good. Malone on the wing possesses the necessary qualifications for this important position.

In the backs the selectors have aimed at obtaining combination in attack—a feature that Taranaki has always lacked hi its early matches—and to this end have selected Brown, Oliver and Hooker, of the Tukapa Club, a trio that has done some good work thi4 year, both in attack and defence. Vaughan, the centre three-quarter, is a new man, who played for Toko juniors last year. He Is said to be the most promising man Taranaki has produced for years. Of the wings no fault can be found with Hickey, who is as brilliant as ever, but whilst pleased to see Rye, of Opunake, given his chance, as he is very fast and a great scoring man, there are many who express doubts as to his defensive qualities, and would have preferred to have seen Hart or Wilkinson in that position. Kingston, at full-back, was of course the only choice, and he can be relied on to hold his end up. Taken right through the team should give a good account of itself, and given a fair share of the ball, the’ backs should make matters interesting. The match should prove a great one, as the Wanganui team is solid in defence and good in attack. In order to give players who are well in the running for representative honors (and there are many this season), a chance, arrangements are to be made to send a B rep. team on a short tour.

Next Saturday’s match between Patea and Tukapa, the two leaders in the cup competition, is evoking great Interest throughout the province. The New Plymouth public, with recollections of the fine exhibition given by Hawera and Tukapa a fortnight ago, will attend in crowds, and will be reinforced by visitors all over Taranaki, who will also be able to attend the winter show.

Kingston id not making the trip to Wanganui, owing to a. cold. His place at full-back will be taken by Jenkins.

3 U ’S “ •2 “ a S S 2 « a *»’ 1 .5 a P ® J? p "3 J3 c: Q cu &< o Tukapa .. 6 6 — — 68 ? 25 12 Patea .... 5 4 1 — 47 20 8 Okalawa .. 6 4 2 — 50 39 8 Hawera .. 5 3 1 1 50- 31 7 Kaponga . 5 3 2 — 35 33 6 Clifton .. 5 2 3 — 51 32 4 Stratford ..5 1 4 — 21-37 2 Opunake .. 5 — 4 1 23 -65 1 Waimate 6 — 6 — 20 90 — Senior B. Old Boys .. 6 5 1 — 54- -28 10 Inglewood . 6 4 1 1 43- -14 9 Star ..... 6 2 2 2 35.24 6 Eltham ,... 6 2 3 1 32- 42 5 Okato .... 6 1 3 2 15- 45 4 Lepperton 6 — 4 2 18 44 2