FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES PLAYED. v. Wanganui, lost 12 to 9 v. Wellington, lost 13 to 3. y. Wanganui, won 10 to 7. v. Manawatu, won 22 to 6. v. Auckland, lost .13 to 8. v.. Wellington, won 15 to 14. v. South Canterbury, lost 11 to 3. v. Southland, lost 6 to 3. v. Otago, lost 17 to 3. B TEAM. v. Wanganui, won 18 to 13. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES ARRANGED. Sept. 2—v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. Sept. 16—v. Auckland, at Auckland. TARANAKI TEAM’S TOUR. THE FINAL GAME TO-DAY. MATCH AGAINST CANTERBURY. (By Wire—Special Reporter.) Christchurch, Last Night. The Taranaki team arrived at Christchurch last night from Dunedin, and play the final match of the tour against Canterbury to-mor-row. This morning they indulged in useful practice on Lancaster Park, which is in firatclass order and gives promise of a fast game to-morrow. The Taranaki team is: Full-back; Coutts. Three-quarters: Wilkinson. Vaughan, Hickey. Five-eighths: Johnston. Oliver. Half: Lynskey. Forwards: Malone, Harris, Hammersley, West, Masters, Fogarty, Hunt, Fryday. Emergencies: Court and Stohr (backs), Allen and McCullough (forwards). The Canterbury team is: Full-back: Stills. Three-quarters: Fleming, Ford, Mullins. Five-eighths: Evans, Page. Half : Kerwan. Forwards: Carnegie, Greatbatch, Rutherford, Cummins, Henderson, Petersen, Anderson, Turpin. Ennis was not available for to-morrow’s match, owing to an Injured foot. Mr. J. McLeod went on to New Plymouth by last night’s boat. WAIRARAPA MATCH OFF The Wairarapa Rugby Union are unable to send a team to play Taranaki on September 9 at Hawera. and the match has had to be abandoned. Taranaki's only rep. match after to-day’s fixture against Canterbury will be that against Auckland, at Auckland, on September 16.

THE COMPETITION MATCHES. Interest in the competition matches has been practically lost, as though a few matches yet remain, it is doubtful If they will be played, for the winners, are already assured. The revival in football among the New Plymouth clubs is reflected this year In the fact that all the provincial championships have come to the town clubs. Tukapa are at the top of the senior A grade competition, Old Boys have a commanding lead in the senior B grade. High School have won the second and fourth grade competitions, whilst Star hold pride of place in the third grade. THE MOASCAR CUP. The Wanganui Rugby Union has Received advice from the New Zealand Union that Wanganui Technical College will play Auckland Grammar School for the North Island final for the Moascar Cup. This, the semi-final of the Dominion contest, will be played at Palmerston North to-day, and the winners will play Southland High School on Wednesday, September G, at Christchurch. SOUTHLAND DEFEAT CHRISTCHURCH. Invercargill. Last Night. The honor of contesting the final for the Monsear Cup was secured by the Southland Boys’ High School to-day, when Christchurch High School was defeated by eight points to three. Both teams were tired after the strenuous tournament play, and the ground was holding. Nevertheless, a good fast game resulted, the teams being evenly matched in both backs and forwards.

Christchurch opened the scoring early in the game. Brown feliding a random kick at halfway and passing to Mortlock, to Hindemach, to Cromb and to McMillan, the latter ending a splendid movement with a score in the corner, which was not converted. Half-way through the spell the Christchurch full-back was penalised for lying on the ball, and Morgan kicked a good goal. Shortly afterwards, the Southland half (Kilby) secured from a line-out, and sent a low cross-kick to Morgan on the wing, the latter securing and, after beating two opponents with a splendid swerving run, scored under the posts. Harrington goaled. Christchurch made strenuous efforts to equalise in the second spell, the forwards securing the great majority of the ball feeds, but the back attack lacked finish.

THE WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIP. GREAT INTEREST SHOWN. Considerable interest was displayed in the final for the Wellington championship, between the redoubtable opponents, Poneke and Petone, decided last Saturday. A crowd estimated at 16,000 encircled the playing area, with the densely packed tiers of the western bank as a striking set-off. The attendance was a record for club football • in facts everything, according to the Post, was worthy of the occasion. Feeling was in Poneke’s favor, and when the game was under way the Red and Blacks, playing against the strong sun, indicated that there was reason for the confidence placed in them. That, however, was only up to a point. Condition toid its tale, and in the second spell Poneke’s dash faded away, although a strong defence was maintained. Petone played .above the average of their performances during the season, and. although they did not succeed in penetrating the Poneke defence, goal-kicking gave them a victory to which they were justly entitled. The game was keen and fairly attractive during the first spell, but the quality of play depreciated in the second half, when kicking was rather overdone. There was also a regrettable termination to the contest, the referee having occasion to order the Poneke captain. B. Algar, from the field. Special praise tor Petone’s success Is due to H. E. Nicholls who played one of his best games of the season, and "Doc.” Nicholls, who was a’ways a thorn in Poneke’s side. Mark Nicholls added to his goal-kieking achievements by contributing the major portion of Petone’s score —a fitting finish to his association with the game in Wellington. Wellington Is concerned regarding the loss to that province of Mark Nicholls, who s going to Auckland. It was only a tew years ago that Mark Nicholls -was captain of the Wellington College fifteen. Last year he was one of the few players who represented New Zealand in each of the tests against the Springboks, and this year he again found a place in the New Zealand team. His achievements on the football field include a notable goal-kicking performance this season, in all matches to date this season he has scored 128 points, of wttlch goals made up 119 points.

TARANAKI ON TOUR. THE SOUTHLAND MATCH. A HARD AND CLOSE FORWARD STRUGGLE. THE TEAM HOSPITABLY ENTERTAINED. (By Our Special Reporter.) Saturday’s great match at Invercargill was the fifth occasion on which Taranaki and Southland had met on the football field, and on the four previous occasions Taranaki had proved victorious, chough mostly by narrowmargins. In rhe first match, played in 1899, ai Invercargill, the scores were 5—3 ; in 1900. at Hawera, 14—6; in 1911, at Invercargill, 12—11; and in 1914, at New Plymouth (Ranfurly Shield match). 6—o. all in favor of Taranaki. On Saturday the margin was small (6—3), but it was in the Southerners’ favor. The Southerners thoroughly deserved their win, for there is no question but that they take their football seriously, and have trained hard to advance the reputation of the province. All along the line Taranaki was warned of the great powers of the Southerners, who had already won several matches, and so far had an unbeaten record. Their forwards were credited with being a doughty pack, and so they proved, but the Taranasi vanguard played one of their old-time games, and were fully equal to them. Indeed, at the finish Taranaki was putting great vim into their work, lasting right to the very end, and the supporters of the local team ware pleased when the bell sounded.

The team visited the ground on Friday to view the games in the college tournament. It was raining, and the ground quickly got churned up until it looked like a quagmire. In fact, so bad did it become that che Rugby Union officials changed the second match to another ground. Pew of the visitors at any rate expected anything but n very heavy ground for Saturday’s match, but a warm sun, assisted by a drying wind, effected a transfonmation, and when the match started the ground, though not perfect, was in good order, and improved as the match went on. Th«* conditions suited a fast game, and as the Southland backs were considered a good combination and Taranaki had selected its best combination, an open game was confidently expected. A FORWARD GAME. As events showed, the game was mainly confined to the forwards, and a great struggle it proved between two splendid packs. The visiting forwards were superior in the lineout, in which Masters, West and Malone shone out and they made some good openings. Although the ball did not come too cleanly from the scrum, Taranaki got its share, whilst in both loose and light work the visitors more than held their own. The backs, however, let them down badly. Recognising that Taranaki is weak in inside men, the team was selected with the idea of making it as strong there as possible. Accordingly, Court was placed half, Lynskey and Marks five-eighths. Ennis centre, Wilkinson and Hickey wings, and Coutts full-back. The backs were instructed before they took the field to get the ball out to the wings as smartly as possible. Instead, both men were starved. Court played a solid defensive game, especially in the second spell, and got the ball out fairly well, but neither Lynskey nor Marks could take or give a pass, though they were each tried at first and second five-eighths. Ennis also failed' badly in fielding the ball, though perhaps there was some excuse for him, as his foot was injured early in the gaune. Wilkinson showed his quality by scoring a brilliant try on the occasion of the only chance he got, whilst Hickey improved as the game went on, and towards the finish was looking for work. Coutts, at full-back, played a very sound game, kicking. fielding and tackling well.

Recognising the failing of their backs, Taranaki forwards kept the game close, and a fair criterion nf the game would have been a draw. Tn fact, on the day’s play, Taranaki had the better of it. Southland’s try was the result of a nice piece of work, but it originated from a breach by Taranaki, and while one recognises the advantage rule must be considered, on this occasion it seemed almost as though it was stretched too far. Lynskey was collared about mid-field, and accidentally threw the ball forward several several yards, when a Southlander picked it up, kicked it across field, and it finally reached Diack, the speedy winger, who scored a fine try, the only score of the spell. Taranaki got within an ace of equalising later, when Masters, West and Friday with a fine passing rush carried play to within a few yards of the line. Fryday appeared to have the full-back beaten, hut unselfishly passed to West instead of going on, and a certain score was lost. In the second spell, playing against the wind, Wilkinson got a chance from a passing move by Lynskey, Marks and Ennis, and scored a fine try. Taranaki had the better of the concluding stages, but unfortunately, in a 'critical position Malone was adjudged off-side and Diack landed a penalty goal, which produced the winning points, much to the delight of the spectators, who had assembled in large numbers. No fault can be found with any member of Taranaki’s pack, all giving of their best. Possibly West, Fryday, Masters. Fogarty, and Malone were the pick. The backs were a disappointment.

WELL ENTERTAINED. The treatment accorded the team on its tour has been splendid. Passing through Dunedin on Thursday en route from Timaru to Invercargill, a case of fruit was placed on board the train by the Otago Rugby Union. At Invercargill the team was met by Mr. Meredith (chairman of the Southland Union). Mr. Geddes (president of the New Zealand Rugby Union), and several officials of the Southland Union, and taken to supper at the "Haereunai” (it was 10.15 p.m. when the train arrived). On Friday morning they were taken to practice, and in the afternoon to the college tournament, where ' Timaru defeated Christchurch Boys’ High and Southland defeated Otago Boys’ High. Though difficult to make comparisons, the day being so wet, one would expect the New Plymouth Boys’ High School team to beat any of the quartette Saturday morning was taken easy, and then there was the match in the afternoon and dinner in the evening. On Sunday afternoon the visitors were taken to the Bluff by train, and then on the oyster dredger Despatch, for a cruise on the harbor, oysters ad lib being provided and appreciated by several. One of the Okaiawa forwards set out to beat the record of 11 dozen put up by Cummins, the Canterbury forward, and is credited with beating it by one, a performance of which he may possibly be proud. On Monday morning the team was taken to the property of Mr. Hunt, a noted Friesian breeder. One feature that impressed the team was that the horse has not yet been ousted by the motor waggon in Southland. When ready to proceed to the ground on Friday, instead of the customary motor 'bus, a splendidly equipped four horse dray was at the door, and was utilised throughout for any entertainment the team was given. It is said that at race and show times the four horse drays are a striking feature of the local landscape. At 1.40 on Monday the team left by express for Dunedin, taking, with them a case of apples that had unostentatiously been placed nn the train by the Southland Rugby Union. They were met on arrival by several officials of the Otago Rugby Union and conveyed by motor ’bus to the Crown Hotel. On Thursday morning they indulged in practice. In the afternon they were taken by the Otago Rughy Union for a trip, by motor car to Portobella and the various bays along the harbor, and in the evening to Fuller’s Vaudeville. Next morning the Roslyn woollen mills were visited.