SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 19 June 1912, Page 2

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

(By ALL-ROUND.)

Taranaki defeated Wanganui for the second tune this season. The visitors i-...y an attractive game, and with bettcx- »veather conditions than that oi wAiuruay, would quite likely have woii. Tney had the best of the play during moss of the second spell and the woik of their backs lead one to believe that on a less boisterous day tliey would make an excellent display, 'tney certainly have much more idea of the work of a combined back team than Taranaki. Neither of the Taranaki teams that have played this season in Hawera have given anything like so good a display as did the Northern team at New Plymouth against Waimate. It is not that their forwards are not heavy enough, for in each match they have been equal to the opposing vanguard and their hookers have got the ball as often as the other side. There is room for improvement in the way the ball is dealt with when the scrum has it. If they are out of their own twentyfives, it should come out at once so as to give the opposing wings as little time as possible to get round on the half. A suggestion is made that every team might with advantage to themselves give their forwards more practice and training in scrum work, aiming always or generally at the ball being as quickly as possible sent out of the scrum after the front rankers have secured it; then to break up with all speed. The days of the old tight scrum work are, oi should be over. Only when a team are fighting on their own line should the scruinmers hold it in. Even in such a case the Wellington team set a style that tends to keep the game open; namely, to pass quite freely and boldly even in their own territory. It is certainly a violation of the long-accepted rule—do not pass in your own twentyfives, and may be dangerous, but it undoubtedly leads to the making of an attractive game. The packed scrum should, as far as possible, be banished. Yet one remembers also the great art set by the late Tom Ellison and his teams of screwing the scrum, and also the wonderful effectiveness of that movement.

Then again, if tbe team is to play as a team and not as a number of units, the five-eighths must let their threequarter line see the ball. Time after time, in both last week's matches, McLeod tried to play the team, and of course spoilt any chances of good passing. What a contrast with the Wellington men, or for that matter, Wanganui. If he will not change his tactics, the selectors must make a change.

Both the wing three-quarters are speedy, clever and dashing, especially Loveridge, whose play at New Plymouth created a very good impression, and if they got the ball from their own men instead of having to wait till they could make an opening for themselves it would be better for the team and better for the sake of football generally, for play must be fast and open if the people are to be attracted.

Tiie back play of the Northern team shows that concerted passing can be carried out and well done in Taranaki. ls it too late, in view of the many important matches to be £)layed during the next month or two, to arrange one, if not two, North v. South matches so that Taranaki may be represented by a back team that will be a credit to the province and uphold the high traditions of Taranaki football? Only so can we expect to successfully meet the visiting teams and worthily uphold the honor of the nrovince. FIXTURES AND COMMENTS. The South team will meet in Wellington on July 17, and the North team on June 22. Nominations must be in by June 25. A correspondent lately raised an important point when he suggested more encouragement to school football. When it is remembered that the school is the cradle of the future rep. players, the value of the suggestion is realised. What encouragement is given in Taranaki, either to school football or cricket ?_ Not much, certainly. A little has been done at different times for the latter game, but practically nothing for football. In some centres there is a regularly organised scheme of matches for school footballers. The average young colonial does not need much inducement to play football; but he might with advantage be helped and encouraged to improve, and so form a valuable adjunct and drawing-ground for future senior football.

A very regrettable feature of Rugby that appears to have developed somewhat of late years is the tendency with some men to "play the man anil not the ball." This is iiot discouraged as it should be by the Unions, and a certain section of the spectators aids and abets it. v One hears sometimes, as was the case at times during the match at New Plymouth recently, "put the boot in," an expression which bears only one construction, most unfortunately. In so many cases the win is what is wanted; the means whereby the win can be got does not matter. There is no doubt Rugger football wants purging of an undesirable stamp of player. "Clean play, as hard as you like, but always clean," should be Jhe motto of every player.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. "Sideline" was not far astray in his remarks on the over-inclination of players to talk. I have heard the same since from other sources. He was a little flattering to Rugbj footballers when he rather put them on a pedestal for virtue in this respect. Frankly, however, there is, generally speaking^ not a great deal of irresponsible talk in a Rugby match. It is to be regretted that the remark does not apply to the spectators also. A Wellington writer draws attention to the same fault of "too much talk." He says that with the object^ of trying to nip this evil in the bud, it was decided to recommend the Referees' Association to instruct referees to do all in their power to stop talking on the field during the progress of a match." HOCKEY. The Taranaki Herald had the following contribution from 'a, correspondent : "1 cannot understand Jyhy 'ihe gains of hockey, which is getting such a big hold in the larger towns of the dominion, is so poorly represented in New Plymouth. What do the young men Ot fcew Plymouth do 'with themselves on their half-holiday Surely they do not wish to grow up like milksops! Hockey is a game which brings out all the <*ood qualities in a young fellow, teaches him quickness of eye, hands, and feet, and also, the most important of all, control of his 'temper. GOLF. Thfe number of members in the men's club Would justify closing the list were it not that the players are divided, some playing -on Wednesday and some on Saturday. The ladies, playing as they do mainly on one day of the week, and i having as many members as the men,

have closed their list, except to new members elected in proper form. The Stratford match at-Nga Motu on Thursday provided an enjoyable game. Mr Ritchie, who played top for Stratford, certainly played a fine game. He is an old Musselburgh player, and is an acquisition to the Stratford club. He has, however, little time for practice.

It is rumored (says the Field) that in the near future there is likely to be a shortage in the amount of hickory available for the shafting rof golf clubs. This particular wood is in great demand for all purposes which require a material combining strength, springiness, and lightness. Golf club makers have experimented with other5 woods, but no satisfactory- substitute has been discovered.

Players cannot be too strict in their observance of the laws and etiquette of the game. If they have, and who has not?—ambitions to play in tournaments strict observance of rules will be of the utmost use; in fact, a necessity. Mr Henry Leech, in the Sketch, mentions an important detail when he says that not many players know how very important it is that the wrists should be kept warm when playing. It is not so much for tbe sake of the wrists as because^ the arteries that feed the hands and fmgwrs are protected, and so the hands, themselves are kept warm. CRICKET. The Championship Shield for South Taranaki is now held by Hawera and was on view last week in*Pratt and Co.'s window. The first club name on it is the Star Club. 1002-3; then Eltham, thrice; Toko thrice; Eltham once, and last year, Hawera.

The South Africans have been having, nntil last week, a pretty bad spell in England. They have always been known as good sportsmanlike" players, always relied on to do their best 'and never to give up heart. Their play apainst Notts., who had their best team m the field, will serve to hearten them up. , Their tally of 203 for two wickets leaving only 51 to get to win, was very creditable. On the other hand, the Australians did not do so well in their last match, being beaten by Lancashire after a close''contest. Macartney, who v/as considered not good enough for the team in Australia, is easily the star batsman in England. His average is considerably above Bardslev's and these two are a good way before the r^st of thb team. If Whittv. Emery, Kellewav. and Hazlitt keep "their form tor the Test Match next week, the team should give England a good fight. The meeting will cause a large amount of interest, oerhaps more in Australia itself than in any other part of the world