FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 305, 17 May 1913, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

necu:-:si:xtative ejxtrres. June 3. v. Wanjraiiui at Wanganui. .1 uno 2.'), v. Wellington, at Hawera. .lime 28, v. Wanganui, at Hawera. August !1 of l(i, v. Auckland, at Auck- ' land. August 23, v. Wellington, at Welling ton. August 30, v. Australia, at New Ply mouth. September 4, v. Auckland, at New Plymouth. ) TO-DAY'S MATCHES. Okato v. Tngiewood, at Inglewood. Star v. Hovers ,at New Plymouth. THURSDAY. MAY 22. SENIOR. MATCHES. May 22 —Tukapa v. Stratford, at New Plymouth; Clifton v. Eltham, at Waitara. JUNIOR MATCHES. May 22—Clifton v. Inglewood, at Inglewood; Tukapa v. Stratford, at Stratford; Star v. Eltham, at Eltham. SECOND JUNIOR. Eltham v. Technical College ,at New Plymouth, 1.30. Star v. Stratford, at Stratford. 1.30. N.P. iI.S. v. Clifton, at New Plymouth, 3.0. Stratford D.11.5. a bye. | TO-DAY'S TEAMS. The Star team will he chosen from the J following in the match against Rovers I to-day: Hawkins, Eox, Bertraml, Newman, Jerrard, S. Okey. Penwarden. Deans, Hodgson, Ricklebene, Stannering, C. Ward, Mackiy, Francis Bowers, Tito, and Hunter. SENIOR RESULTS. THURSDAY COMPETITION. T3 a "l '" Ai I*s s a I l =• k £ nJ ft Ph < O Stratford 22 0 0 54 3' 4 Tukapa 2 1 0 I 17 13 3 Eltham 2 0 1 1 5 28 1 Clifton 2 0 0 2 11 43

From the list of representative fixtures published above it can be seen that Taranaki reps, have a busy time before them this season, and, in addition to the published lUt, touring' matches have to be arranged against Manawatu and Wairarapa, whilst there is also a possibility of home matches being arranged against Hawke's Bay during Xew Plymouth Show Week and also against the ' Maoris on their return from Australia early in July. The first round in the senior competition will conclude on Thursday next. The •j match between Stratford and Tukapa at New Plymouth should create much j interest. The men of the inland city [have indicted substantial defeats upon J both the teams they have so far met, their decisive defeat of Clifton by 28 points causing a mild surprise in local football circles, as also did the fact that Tukapa was hard put to it to make a draw with Eltham. Stratford heat Eltliam by 23 points, and Tukapa could only heat Clifton by 4 points. On paper it looks a good thing for Stratford, but the man who calculates football results . bv the rule of three, or any other arithmetical process from previous performances will find himself out of it. The Stratford-Tukapa match should be I' worth seeing. Dobson, of the Stratford team, is evidently a useful individual to have about | the premises. Of six tries scored by Stratford, he converted five and also landed a penalty, thus accounting for 13 out of the 31 points scored. l : There was no football in Xew Plymouth on Thursday A junior and second junior match were set down for decision, but neither eventuated, through one team in each ease not materialising. Eltham defaulted against Tukapa in the junior match, and High School, owing to the term- holidays, could not raise a team against Technical College. When a team forfeits a match common courtesy alone should impel them to.notify their opponents at the earliest possible moment. If common courtesy does not do so, some steps should be ) taken to compel such notification. The J Eltham juniors did not acquaint Tukapa of the fact that thev were not sending ■i team to Xew Plymouth, although Tukapa wrote'early in the week to ascertain whether a team was coming. The result was that the Tukapa team and the referee were waiting on the ground at the appointed time, and only the nonappearance of the Elthamites signalised the fact that the match was off. The referee and some of the players, had they known of this earlier, would probably have gone down the line to view one of the senior matches, or otherwise have utilised the afternoon. Indeed, several of tho, team lost an afternoon's work over the fiasco. There appears to be no excuse for Eltham's lack of courtesy, as they must have known shortly after S o'clock when the train left tint the team was not coming, and a collect wire would have conveyed the necessary information to their opponents. 1 Some very close games resulted on Thursday. Out of four games played no less than three were drawn, one in each grade, viz., Tukapa v. Eltham (senior). ."> points each; Clifton and Star (Juniors). 0 points each; and Clifton and Stratford High School (Third Grade). 10 points (two converted tries) each. In every case one side notched their total before the other opened a ncoring account, Stratford High School Second Junior? are to be complimented on the manner in which they took the field at Waitara. The fifteen marched on the playing arena in single file, spick and span in red and black jerseys—an example that other teams could with advantage copy .especially as regards the jerseys. Again teams are taking the field in motley array. From a kaleidoscopic point of view the effect may be enhanced, but even this is doubtful. The ever-changing position of the colors, however, must make it impossible for the referee to control the game satisfactorily particularly as some of the colors worn clash with those of the opposing learn, and at times the referee cannot decipher which side the 'ilayer belongs to. A referee has to give his decisions at once, and should not have to decide whether the red man belongs to the black side or the white side, liefcrees should take a firm stand and refuse to start the game unless each plaver is clad in the registered colours of his Club. The rules allow this, but the referee is a patient fellow and will put up with any inconvenience whilst at the same time ready to take anv abuse. Another item is the amount of language—bad and otherwise that is used during the progress of matches, particularly in the lower grades. A referee informed the writer that at the next match he will take firm steps to checkit. so a word to the wise should 1>" sufficient, X T o referee'likes to have to oriler any player off the field, but the liefcrees' Association intends to see lha< the game is kept clean, and they will be supported by the Rugby Union. Another matter players should bear in mind is that they are. under the control of the football authorities until midnight on match days, and that tlv ; v good behaviour must not cease directly

the "cease-play" whistle is blown. The Saturday matches opened in dreary weather. Okato and Star played on a ground which, however, was .surprisingly dry, though, of course, the ball soon got greasy, a disability which militated against accurate handling by the Rover backs, who are a smart lot.'Their line-kicking was perfect, Thompson, Stohr, Webster and Stewart shining', whilst at times they gave glimpses of their speed. Crant had hard luck on one or two occasions. The forwards held their own well, Cargo, Lusk, Xewe'l and Brown being very prominent. Carey played a great game 'for the Okato pack and was ably assisted by Hawkins, Xghaia, Andrews and O'Sullivan. The Okato backs were all at sea in the earlier stages; indeed', in'the first spell they only played five backs. Larsen, at wing three-quarter, was a. disappointment. Evidently he had a day off. Malone was not at home at fullback early in the game, though he put in some tine work in the second' spell. Surgenor played .finely, saving his team again and again. The Okato backs have been improved by the inclusion of Corbett. and should shape much better to-day. McKay, who was a tower of strength'in the forwards last year, was on the touch line. He may be playing later on in the season. Rovers displayed striking sportsmanlike qualities on Saturday. The referee being under the impression that the ball was over the dead ball line, though it was fully 10 yards oil' the Hag declared against them when a try had been scored. It was hard'luck, and was accepted philosophically, not one member of the team uttering a murmur against the decision. The referee at once noticed his error, but could not, of course, alter his call. Owing to the heavy downpour last Saturday afternoon causing many of the players and the referee to stay at home, the Star-Fitzroy .match did not eventuate. It will be played at a later date. This afternoon Star will make their first appearance this year, when they will meet their old rivals Rovers. Stars are confident of placing a good team in the field, and as Rovers are al- j so a much improved team forward, the i match should be brimful of interest. At Inglewood the local team, the latest addition to Saturday football, will be seen out against Okato. The personnel of the Inglewood team is unknown at the time of writing, but from the material available, a fifteen should be picked, that given the necessary combination, will go close to annexing the division premiership. Dive donned the Eltham jersey on Thursday, and played a rrreat game, it is hope that he will continue in the arena for the season. Should he he able to reproduce his old form, he will be a distinct acquisition to our representative team. j It was suggested that the rep. match, j Taranaki v. Wanganui. could probably be held the following week, Great difficulty was found in arranging matches so as to get. the first part of the season in smooth running. In July Hawera and Manaia have to meet twice, and then the long journeys will have to "be seriously considered.—Star. It is more than probable that Don Cameron will again don the Red and Black jersey against Tukapa next Thursday. R. Wood will be played at half, Spratt having been so seriously injured on Thursday as to make it improbable that he could stand the solid Tukapa game. The inclusion of the Xew Zealand rep. will materially strengthen the Stratford team, which at present looks good for the northern division championship, if not more. Tocker got a nasty injury to his thumb on Thursday in the Stratford match. The player responsible for the injury was playing with a little unnecessary vigor. That's the kindest way of putting it. The Stratford Club's new jerseys are attractive, and they are black, with a broad red waist stripe, and white col- ( lara. . i

ASSOCIATION. ' At a meeting of the executive of the Taranaki Football Association it was decided that a match be arranged with Wanganui reps., as soon as possible, and that it be played in Hawera. The fixtures were arranged as far as possible to begin on Wednesday next, the first-named team being the home team. Waitara v. Xew Plymouth, May 22, referee Mr. Watson. Stratford v. Eltham, May 22, Mr. Clark. Hawera v. Okaiawa, May 21, Mr. Vox. Manaia. v. Kaponga, May 22, Mr. Stent. Eltham v. Waitara, May 20, Mr. Harrison. New Plymouth v. Stratford, May 2!), Mr. Roper. Kaponga v. Hawera, May 28, Mr. Melville. Okaiawa v. Manaia, May 28, Mr. Stent. June 3—A and B match at Stratford. Mr. Clark. Reps, to be picked at match to play 11.M.5. Xew Zealand on June 17. New Plymouth v. Waitara, June 12, Mr. Watson. Stratford v. Kaponga, June 12, Mr. Clark. Hawera v. Eltham, June 12, Mr. Fox. Manaia v. Okaiawa, June 11, Mr. Stent, Waitara v. Stratford, June 10, Mr. Roper. Eltham v. New Plymouth, June ]!), Mr. Crossley. Okaiawa v. Hawera, June 18, Mr. Stent. Kaponga v. Manaia, June 18, Mr. Bctts.