FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. TO-DAY’S FIXTURES. SENIOR A. Patea v. Tnkapa, at Sports Ground, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Papps. Clifton v. Okaiawa, at Waitara, Mr. F. Hooker. Opunake v. Stratford, at Stratford. Hawera v. Kaponga, at Hawera. SENIOR B. Inglewood v. Old Boys, at Sports Ground, 1.15 p.m., Mr. L. Andrews. Lepperton v. Oka to, at Okato, Mr. Len Goodacre. Eltham v. Star, at Eltham. SECOND GRADE. Star v. Tukapa, at Racecourse No. 1, 1.15 p.m., Mr. Q. Andrews. Old Boys v. Urenui, at Urenui, at 3 p.m., Mr. F. Webb. Rahotu v. High School, at Western Park, at 1.15 p.un., Mr. J. O'Grady. THIRD GRADE. Clifton v. Star, at Racecourse No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Page. Technical Sehool v. Old Boys, at Racecourse No. 2,2 p.m., Mr. W. Hughes. Okato v. Tukapa, at Racecourse No. 3, 1.15 p.m., Mr. J. Connell. High School v. Urenui, at Racecourse No. 4, 3 p.m., Mr. E. Gilmour. FIXTURES FOR NEXT WEEK. SENIOR A. Tukapa v. Kaponga, at Kaponga. Hawera v. Stratford, at Hawera. Clifton v. Opunake, at Waitara. Patea v. Walmate, at Patea. SENIOR B. Star v. Inglewood, at New Plymouth. Old Boys v. Okato, at Okato. Lepperton v. Eltham, at Lepperton. POSITION OF THE TEAMS. Senior A.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES PLAYED. v. Wanganui, lost 12 to 9. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES ARRANGED. June 3—v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. July s—v.5 —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—v. Auckland, at Auckland. Home matches have to be arranged against Wanganui and Wairarapa, and also possibly against North Auckland. TEAMS FOR TO-DAY. Tukapa 2nd Juniors v. Okato on Racecourse No. 3, at 1.15 p.m.:—Kretehmar, Barndon, Govern lock. McMannus, Harris. Pascoe, George, Way, Hill, Evans, Thompson, McLachlan, Stagpoole, Hay ter, McKenna. Emergency : Round. TO-DAY’S MATCHES. Given fine weather some very spectacular football should be seen on the. Sports Ground, New Plymouth, to-day, when Tukapa, who have not yet been defeated, will <meet Patea. who have not been defeated since their opening match. Both teams possess good backs who can handle the ball, and a fast game should result. Patea also is said to be strong in the forwards, so Tukapa will have to play all they know to avert defeat. As a curtain-raiser Old Boys and Inglewood, the leaders in the B grade, will meet. Waitara people are well catered for by the Okaiawa-Clifton match. The Clifton team has been improved of late, and should extend the southerners. At Hawera, Kaponga will meet last year's champions. Hawera has set to work since the Tukapa and Opunake matches and improved its team, but despite this the Kaponga men will prove a hard proposition. At Stratford Opunake will meet the local team, and an even game should result, as both teams possess speedy backs. At Eltham the local team will met Star, while Lepperton will Journey to Okato, and both gomes should prove interesting. NEWS AND NOTES. Taranaki representatives have played their first match, and to say the least, the result has proved frankly disappointing. Without wishing to detract from the merits of Wanganui’s victory, because they were, as the score Indicates, easily the better team, it must be conceded that Taranaki did not play nearly as well as was expected. Their forwards, while holding their own on the lineout, did not put anything like the ginger into their work that was expected and that they should be capable of, but they were also beaten in the scrums, of which, fortunately, there were comparatively few. It was, however, in the rear division that Taranaki failed so'badly. The backs had been selected with a view to combination, but they had little chance to show that combination as they seldom got the ball from the scrum, and when they did Brown got the ball away badly, being worried bj- the opposing pack, and particularly Bellis. Then when Oliver got possession he invariably ran into the ruck, and as a result the ball seldom reached the wing three-quarters. The backs atso failed badly in stemming the forward rushes, but they tackled well, with possibly the exception of Rye, who was not too reliable. Vaughan, at centre three-quarter, shaped fairly well, running straight, but he was inclined to run too far, and should remember that his wings are there to be fed. Granted that Hickey did not get the ball very often, this player did not show the same dash that characterised his play last year, but will , probably improve later in the season. Rye proved disappointing throughout, but Jenkins, at full-back, shaped well. The game had 1 hardly started before he got a bump frocn Bellis that nearly put him out of action, but after a few moments he was himself again, and his taking of the' ball and line kicking got Taranaki out of trouble on numerous occasions. Of the forwards Kissick, Masters and West were the pick. Malone was, of course, outclassed by Belis, who played a great game, showing what a wonderful player he is by the dash and Initiative he showed throughout the game. Wanganui enthus?* °ter his play,

as the remarks in the local paper reproduced below will show : Commenting on the match, the Wanganui Herald says inter alia:— “Every one had to admit that the better teaun won, but we must on no account exaggerate the victory, well deserved though it was. The Taranaki team arrived just before noon, having come overland by motor, the journey occupying a little over four hours. To sit in a cramped position for such a long time obviously affected the travellers, whilst another important factor in Wanganui's favor was the absence from Taranaki’s last line of defence, of Kingston, who, as full-back in the Test matches against the Springboks, proved himself to be almost the equal of Morkel of International fame. In fairness to Taranaki these facts must not be lost sight of. However, on the day’s play, Wanganui well deserved Its win. On no occasion was its exposition colorless; In fact, brilliancy characterised the operations of the team from start to finish. Taranaki came with the reputation of having a great set of backs, Vaughan in particular, being singled out as one of the finest backs Taranaki has yet produced. This young player, who Is a nephew of the great Alf. Bayley, graduated into the senior ranks from junior this year, and the Hawera Club, for whom he plays, simply idolise him. [Note: Vaughan plays for Stratford, not Hawera.] Neither Vaughan nor the good company he was keeping on either side or In front of him, however, could get properly going, by reason of the fact that Wanganui’s forwards were playing closely on top of the visiting forwards and backs, and tackling so tenaciously that movements did not get far before being crumpled and broken. When Taranaki did open out at all, they, showed that they had quality, but all through they were opposed to the deadily tackling on the home side. “The- tiger of the day was Moke Bellis, the skipper of the Wanganui vanguard. He came ripping and tearing through the whole time, the only occasion upon which he was quiet at all being for several minutes when he was laid out, through coming in contact with the goal post. He certainly was still for that short space of time, and it was thought that as he had got such a nasty knock that he would have to be carried off. Some one called out for the ambulance! That was enough for Moke Bellis. He had too much left in him to have it taken away in an ambulance waggon; so he was up and at it 1 again. Men who saw Bellis in international games and also saw him in action on Saturday aver that they had never seen this Rugby giant and glutton for work, give such a brilliant display. It seemed us if he had been surcharged with electricity, and not even in the final stages of the game, when signs of tiredness are excusable, did he evince the slightest signs of any depreciation of power or pace. To Bellis may be credited the main links in the chain of success forged on Saturday, and there is no doubt that other members of his team drew something in the form of inspiration from his unexhausted supply of energy. Smith, Abbott, Ross (2), Sinclair, O'Connell all gave valuable support in smothering any enterprise of the northern team i and. In consequence, Taranaki had to return home disappointed with their efforts."The local back division also proved considerable factor in the success of the team. Whatever work they had to do, they did well, and there was no one on the ground who rendered more valuable service to his Aide than Baddeley. While his vis-a-vis was ini variably smothered, Wanganui hookers ‘got the j ball to Baddelej' and away it went in great style. Baddeley played a really brilliant game, and it is questionable if there is a greater half-back in the Dominion. There might be bigger men, but none more brilliant. His head and feet are used to the best advantage and with corresponding service to his side. “Weir was playing a very safe game until he hurt his knee, and his removal from the scene of action was a loss to his side, though Head did well all that was required of him. “Two of the most spectacular players of the day were Peina and Potaka. The two Maori boys were like boxes of tricks, and it was truly remarkable the number of times the ball passed through their hands. Peina, however. z was very erratic with his passing at times, and made it almost impossible for Scott to take them. “Fogarty and several others of Taranaki’s big “guns” were obviously off color on Saturday. No doubt the long motor journey from Taranaki to Wanganui affected them. “Hooker proved himself a very fine place kick, and the production of the nine points for his province was a great achievement. He is a very finished player. "Jenkins, Brown, Malone, Vaughan and Hickey ail played good reliable games; in ' fact, the whole team did, but their great weakness was in the scrum. They were badly beaten for the ball nine times out of ten. In the line-out the Taranaki men showed to better advantage than Wanganui.” Taranaki football enthusiasts need not be dismayed by the showing of the Taranaki team, disappointing as it was. It must be conceded that they were meeting a good team, and under unfavorable conditions, as .many of the Taranaki men were in the motor 'bus about six hours on the trip, only arriving in Wanganui an hour and a half before the match. Consequently, there was some excuse for their evident staleness. It again shows that to do justice, the team should reach Wanganui, if the journey is made by 'bus, the day before. When the time for the southern trip comes along Taranaki should have a good fifteen. The regrettable happening at the sevenaside tournament on Saturday, which otherwise had proved so successfid, has formed the subject of much comment in Taranaki football circles, and, indeed, outside Taranaki. While it is generally conceded that the referee made an error in awarding a goal, it is unfortunate that the mistake had not beeh accepted,in the true sporting spirit and the game proceeded to a finish. Possibly, however, the Inglewood skipper regrets his hastj* action. A feature to be commended is the action of the High School team, not only then, but previously in the game, when the Inglewood skipper was awarded a mark though the ball, it was stated, had previously touched one of his own men, a fact which it must be admitted, he did not know when claiming the mark. Though this meant three points, against them. School never murmured, but accepted the position in the true sporting spirit and carried on. A. Bruce, who will be remembered as a member of the High School team a few years ago, when he showed great promise as a back, is now at Tongaporutu, and is still keenly interested in the game. The Tongaporutu team, as the result of his coaching and assistance, is leading this year in the triangular contest in which they take part with Awakino and Mahoenui, having beaten both teams by narrow margins. This is territory that in the course of a year or two, with good roads, should prove a useful subunion to Taranaki. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. VISIT OF THE AUSTRALIANS. NEW PLYMOUTH ARRANGEMENTS. A meeting of the Taranaki Association was held on Wednesday regarding arrangements for the visit of the Australians. Present: Mr. Adams (Hawera) in the chair, JMessrs. Gorringe, Roper, Vaile, Shepherd, Howlett, Woodhead, and Little (of the sports committee). A letter was received from Mr. C. H. Weston 'regretting that he could not attend. Mr. Dawson reported that he had been asked to make all arrangements by the Taranaki Association, and had also been appointed delegate by the N.Z.F.A. for the same object. He had arranged for the match to be played on the Recreation Ground, and tor the Australians to stay at the Imperial Hotel. He had written to the Chamber of Commerce, Employers’ Association, Education Board, and High School Governors regarding a. holiday for the match. He stated the Chamber of Commerce strongly recommended the business places closing for the duration of the match. He had arranged for the band to meet the Australians at the station. Three friends had promised cars for June 27. The Victoria League were willing for their rooms to be uSed for a reception if required. Mr. Dawson submitted a programme for the 'Australians during their visit. After some discussion It was finally unanimously decided to carry out the following arrangements, subject to the approval of the N.Z.F.A. and the Australians : June 26.—8.10 p.m.: Met at train by band and escorted to the hotel. June 27.—10 a.m.: Civic reception at the

Victoria League rooms by Mayor. Afterwards a stroll up Marsland Hill and then to Recreation Grounds and the racecourse, where a practice may be arranged if required. 2 p.m. : Cars to call for the “Aussies” at their hotel for a drive round the countryside; suggested calling ar the Meeting of the Waters. 7.45 p.m.: Everybody’s pictures, by kind invitation of the manager, Mr. Saunders. June 28.—“ Aussies” amuse themselves. 2.15 p.m.: Match. 6 p.m.: Dinner. June 29.—7.20 ajm.: Departure. It was decided that the match should start at 2.15 p.m., so that country visitors may catch the 4.20 p.m. train.

Ml S • g 2 s s CO § g 2 O ~ —■ £ £ a a £ o Tukapa .. 6 6 —• —■ 68 25 12 Patea .... 5 4 1 — 47 20 8 Okaiawa .. 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- €5 « 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 Eltbam ... 6 2 3 1 32- 42 5 Okato .... G 1 3 2 15 45 4 Lepperton . 6 — 4 2 18 44 2