FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 289, 9 May 1914, Page 17

FOOTBALL.

THE OPENING MATCHES. Thursday, May 2—Tumors: Stratford v. Ingle-wood, at higlowood; Clifton v. Tukapa, ;it Waitara. Saturday, May 10—Seniors: Star v. Okato, at Okato"; Clifton v. Tukapa, i.t New Plymouth; Stratford v. Jnglewood, at Inglewood.

TARANAKI RUGHY UNION. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING. A mooting of the management committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union was held on Thursday evening at Stratford, where there were present: Messrs Jas! McLeod (chairman), Jas. Garcia, A. Lees, F. Moore, R. Masters (treasurer) and P. Skoglund (secretary). THE WAIROA, MATCH.

The Wairoa Sub-Union wrote stating that while they would 'be able to visit Hawcra, their financial position would not permit of them, visiting New Plymouth, unless the Taranaki Rugby Union were prepared to assist with "the expenses. The members were favorable to this course, and it was resolved to communicate with the sub-union on the i question. '

REINSTATEMENTS. On the application of the'' Tukapa Club, the following last year's Saturday senior players were reinstated to juniors:—L. Leary, D. Newell, A. Jennings, G. Newell, R. Brokcnshire, F. Brown, J. Cargo and F. Loveridge. Discretionary power was given to the northern members of the Management Committee in the case of five other Saturday senior players, whose reinstatement may be applied for in the event of their not being required in the senior ranks.

The following Thursday players were also reinstated:—W. L. 'Whitaker, W. Harvey and J. O'Grady. STATUS OF PLAYERS. It was resolved that any Saturday senior team may draw on any of its junior players, whether operating in the Thursday or Saturday junior competition the qualifications as to status to be in terms of the present rules. No Thursday junior will he allowed to play for a Saturday junior team, or vice versa, except by transfer. The secretary of the Union also asks clubs to accept this as an official intimation. SELECTORS. Selectors were appointed as follows: Northern division: Messrs D. J. Malone, H. J. Mynoitt and Jas. McLeod.' Southern division: Messrs J. McLeod, C. Crowley and ,J. ,S. McKay.

MEWS AND NOTES. Next week sees football in full blast in Taranaki, for then the championship fixtures commence. - Club secretaries \ have been busily engaged in hunting up likely players who .have moved into the district to take the place of those who have gone to other parts. The personnel of the various' clubs throughout Taranaki has considerably changed this season, and in the southern division at least there is every prospect of a very open contest, and it is stated that four of the five contestants' have a likely chance of supplying the division winner. Upunake is the daik horse. The western club may produce a good fifteen, but then again it may not. This club during the last few years has been but a semblance of the club of olden times, when Opunake produced 'some giants of the game, notably the Lambies and Pihama. Opunake as a whole were formidable - opponents. Big, powerful, burly forwards made up in strength what they lacked in science—no featherbed players they! It was nothing for a player to travel 75 miles by horse and brake to fulfil an engagement—no luxurious motor-car to ensure comfort and annihilate distance, but the old crock released from the milk-cart for a time was commandeered to carry the players to the meeting-point at Opunake, sometimes twenty-five miles distant, and the, balance of the journey was undertaken in an open conveyance with the rest of the foam in wet weather or fine, but mostly wet. The old Opunake-ite says footballers are not the men they were, and so it appears. Nowadays most players want spoon-feeding. In the north matters are somewhat mixed, and from appearances it looks as though Clifton, Stratford and Tukapa, who have deserted Thursday ranks to enter the Saturday division,, will be much too strong for the three Saturday clubs of last year—Okato, Inglewood and Star. But one never knows. There may be some surprise, wins. Clifton, on paper, appear to have the best winning chance, but one must not sliout the name of the winner before the numbers arc up. The northern juniors will set the ball in motion on Thursday. High School, who are having their term holidays,have' not been drawn this week, and the match which they should play that day versus Star will he played as a curtainraiser to a representative match during show week.

On Saturday, for the first occasion in Taranaki football history, the northern ami southern senior matches will commence simultaneously.

The northern branch of the Taranaki Referees' Association will meet at the office of the secretary (Mr. A. K. Smart) on .Monday evening next. The Association will be pleased to welcome new members. It is stated that three gentlemen have signified their intention of entering the ranks of the whistle-toot-ors. .but more are required. Surely each club has one enthusiast who is willing to give up a little time for the advancement of the sport. A referee has a good deal of opprobrium to bear from supporters of the beaten team, but, after all, it is usually only a few of the onesided leather-lunged'vnriety who cannot, see their team make any'mistake that are troublesome. If »' referee has a knowledge of the rules and does his duty fearlessly lie may rest assured that he will have the support of all true sports. Cade, who played for Tukapa and who represented Taranaki last season, is back in Christchurch playing for Merivale. In the opening game against Linwood lie performed very creditably, and notched one try out of the four scored by the. winners. Les. Hill, last year's Hawera. Tukapa and Taranaki representative player, will don the College Rilles' jersey in the Queen City of the North. The death of Tumu,*and the removal of Hill, Cade and others will leave several vacancies to be filled in the Taranaki representative team. It therefore behoves all players to put their best foot forward earl,- so as to catch the selector's eye in time for the YVanganui match on June 11.

The fixtures as already published were confirmed by the Management Committee, on Thursday evening. Club secre-