FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 24, 22 July 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. (By "Queen's Park.") New Plymouth is likely to have the services of Sbeppard, late goalkeeper lor Portsmouth (England). Manawatu is the next team to try its* luck for the Brown Shield.

What has become of Taranakit They ' have the material to give the Brow* Shield holders a good shaking, and it only needs looking after. South Taranaki will likely And a resting place for the Championship Oup this year. They seem to he very strong at "soccer" down that way. On Thursday last the New Plymouth Club journeyed to Stratford to pit their strength against the locals. Owing to several of the local men arriving on the ground late a late start was made, and the game in semi-darkness. Stmt* ford kieke'd'* 6fT and rushed for the New Plymouth goal, but were checked by Goddard with a neat pass to the wing, which ended up by a flying cross from the left wing to the right, only to be spoilt by a weak shot at the Stratford goal. From the free kick Scholefield secured and passed to AHftn, who centred nicely, Holmes coming to the Rockers' rescue with a fine clearance. The game at this point was very fast, the Plymouthitcs settling down better. From a break away by McCormick, who passed to Wylie, the latter beat the local hack* and scored the first goal. From the start New Plymouth forced doim the i field, the locals' goalkeeper being called | upon to save numerous shots from all angles, Allan, making all the running I again got very near scoring a point fof \ Stratford, only to be checked by Elliott. From a melee in front of the Rockers' gaol Holmes cleared well up the field to Wylie, who passed to Startup, to .Goddard, and the latter ran through on his own, easily beating the goalkeeper with a fine shot. Stratford at <this> stags < were showing a very disjointed game, the players wandering out of their, places. 'Half-time arrived with McComifh well on his way to the Stratford goal < with a solo run. After the interval New Plymouth kicked off, and were getting well up the field, when a mis-kick by Gwillim let Schofield and Allen get away, Schofield finishing up with a wild shot Wylie, after a neat run, passed through the Stratford backs, and Gwillim, following up, secured and had hard luck in not scoring, the ball hitting the crossbar. Two or three corners to Stratford proved fruitless. From a foul for hands against Wylie, the Stratford back landed the ball well into the Plymouthitesf goal, Fargie, at back, clearing in good style. Towards the finish New Plymouth slackened down a lot, having the game well in hand.

For the winners Holmes and Fargie, at back, played a sound game, covering one another splendidly. Elliott, at half, was in his best form. Wylie and McOomiik were the pick ot the forwards. Evans, in goal, did all that was asked of him, only being called upon to clear two or three times. Goddard, at left-half, was more than a match for Allan and Schofield.

For the losers Allan was the pick of a moderate forward line. A substitute playing at right half was the best Julfr of the bunch.

Mr. East acted as referee, his decisions causing a little comment at times, but the players should remember that the referee's decision in every case is final.

THE NORTHERN UNION GAMS. PROPOSED TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND. By Gable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, July 21. The Rugby League is trying to arrange a. tour of New Zealand before the season eloses. PLAYER'S SELECTION UNCONFIRMED. Sydney, July 21. The management committee of the Rugby League declined' to confirm the selection of Nicholson, a Queenslander, for England. (By "Leaguer.") The Tnranaki representative team play Wanganui on August 10 in the Recreation Sports Ground, New Plymouth, and Nelson at New Plymouth on August 31, The Anckland-Taraimki match for the Northern Union Cup, which is valued at 40 giiinens, is fixed for Auckland for August 20. The cup, which is a very handsome one, was presented by the English Northern Union for competition amongst the New Zealand provincial Leagues. Tnranaki will take a very strong team ■ to Auckland, and, with practice, should go near bringing the cup home. Tarannki will have the services of DanTwohill, the crack Wellington threequarter. who is now stationed at Stratford; Gibson, the fast Wanganui crack, who is playing well at practice; E. Bvfckland, who has been showing good foTm in Australia, and who returns to Tare-* naki on Monday; and R. Pukere, who played so well with Hie native team in Australia, and was considered the best forward on the ground at Wanganui. Tnranaki League players were surprised to see that Woodward was selected for the English tour before E. Buckland and S. McDonald, the Aucklanders. A. liardgrave, of Tarnnaki, and now of Auckland, was selected for the Australian cup. but declined to go. Clews Moir and H. Tocker should have been selected on form for the New Zealand team, but the New Zealand League, seems to have a preference for the Aucklanders. Why weren't Twohill and' Barber selected? A little more judicious , selection would have been beneficial to New Zealand in Australia. It is to be hoped that the next New Zealand team will be selected by competent selectors, nnd not by the New Zealand Council of , Management. i

Negotiations are pending for a visit from an Australian team before the season closes, and in the event of their coming Taninaki will play them at New Plymouth. Taranaki in to bo asked to fix a day for this match. The New Zealand League expects to induce the celebrated Messenger to make the New Zealand tour. > THE RUGBY GAME. The match between Wainmte 3H. and Stratford ITT. teams, winners of the Southern and Northern third-grade championships respectively, was played at Kaponga on Thursday, and ended, after a hard-fought game, in a draw, neither side scoring. The following will represent Rovers against Star this afternoon:—Pott,Grant (2), Thompson, Webster, Stewart, Fnlvey. Reid, Gokor (2), O'Neill, Jennings, Patterson, Wa.imvright and Ellis.