FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. TO-DAY'S FIXTURES. SENIOR. Clifton' v. Old Boys, at New Plymouth, Mr. J. Johnson; Star v. Tukapa (Star match), Mr. W. Roch. THIRD GRADE. Tukapa v. Okato, at Recreation Grounds, at 1.30, Mr. T. Clare; Old Boys v. Clifton, at New Plymouth, Mr. D. Johnson. No High School matches this week. FIXTURES FOR. NEXT WEEK. THURSDAY, JULY 22. Taranaki v. Hawke's . Bay, at Recreation Grounds, New Plymouth. SATURDAY COMPETITION. SENIOR. Clifton v. Rahotu, at Rahotu; Tukapa v. Old Boys (Tukapa match) ; Star v. Okato, at Okato. THIRD GRJIDE. Tukapa v. Clifton, at Waitara; Lepperton T. Okato, at Okato; High School A v. Rahotu, at Rahotu; High School B v. Star; Old Boys, a bye. * REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. RESULTS TO DATE. Taranaki (11) v. Wanganul (8). * Wellington (20) t. Taranaki (9). Taranaki (6) v. Wanganui (0). Taranaki v. South Auckland, a draw FIXTURES ARRANGED. July 17.—v. Auckland, at Auckland. July 29.—v. Bay of Plenty, at Rotorua. July 22.—v. Hawke's Bay, at New Plymouth. Aug. 5.-7. Manawatu, at Stratford. Aug. 11.—v. Hawke's Bay, at Napier (probable). Aug. 14 —v. Walrarapa, at Carterton. Aug. 18.—v. Manawatu, at Palmerston North. Aug. 21.—v. Wellington, at Wellington. THE COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS MATCH.

The intar-Coliegiate schools match at Hawerc on Saturday was spoiled by the rain anc the sodden condition of the ground". (foot football was out of the question. The Wanganui team appeared to be much heavier than the New Plymouth boys. They wore white jerseys, and this may have imade them appear bigger than they really are. On the day's play the Wanganul boys deserved their victory. ,They had a dlsuiiee advantage, especially in the middle of tho game, and only the hard and sure tackling of their opponents prevented them from piling lip a bigger score. Their backs plnved with that combination and elan that distinguished the school's teams of long ago, and their line and place kicking, notwithstanding the sloppiness of the geoilnd and the heavy ball, were treats to wltn«s. Tho two goals kicked were magnificent effffts. Both were long kicks, and seemed quite fftnpcssible of attainment. The local boys did well in the ruck, and generally played a plucky game. They had a had gruelling right thTough the second spell till about ten minutes before the whistle sounded, when they suddenly appeared to gain their "second wind." More than once they wero all but over, and It is pretty certain :hat had the game lasted a little longer they would hare added another score to their total. Had the day been fine there would have been some good focibnll *?een. Whether the game would have resulted differently, is, of course, han! to say, but from the Wanganul's backs' display in the mud the.v would Imre taken some holding on dry ground. The New Plymouth team was weakened by .the fact that three or four of the host players were not 3n proper condition to play, having not qm> recovered from illness and accident. It is to be honed that a match between these Spools will now be a regular yearly fixture. School football is always interesting, for it is played generally in the right sp vi';, and with a keenness and enthusiasm highly commendable.

Ii was interesting to notice tho impartiality of the spectators. Each team had its supporters, especially New Plymouth, over tlrree hundred of whose pupils were on the line, despite the l-ain, but they were quick to recognise and applaud good pieces of play on the ' part of either side. Thp Hawera folk "did" the New Plymouth boys really well, treating them to a spleadld luncheon, ami generally fathering them during their stay in the town. The weather conditions could hardly hare been worse, hut they In no way dampened the spirits of the boys, who will long remember the kindness and hospitality of the Hawera people, and the day's outing. It is pleasant to see the interest taken by southern Taranaki in the New Plymouth High School, which they now rightly regard as much their secondary school as North Taranakl's. They are sending their boys to New Plymouth In ever-lncrensiiig numbers, which shows the ennflden-e they have in the school for the efficient training and education of their lads, most of whom, by the way, make their mark «'■ the school. It is unfortunate that tho school is not designated "Taranaki Colle«late School," Instead of "New Plymouth High School." for it is in fact a Taranaki institution, Is endowed by lands held In south and west, as well as North Taranaki, and has the same standing as Wanganul, Nelson and the other collegiate schools. Some years ago an effort was made to change the name in this manner, but It was found extremely difficult to do so, mainly in connection with the titles of the lands endowing the school. Some-day, however, the change will have to be made, for, after all, there's it good deal in a name, and, In this case, It should, be such as to embrace the province the school so worthily serves,

LAST SATURDAY'S REP. MATCH. 1 Nothing could more clearly indicate the great revival that has taken place since the war in the popularity of football, than the great crowd that visited the Hawera Show Grounds on Saturday last to view the Collegiate and representative matches, and remained throughout the afternoon, the majority standing in the rain. Given fine weather there would heve been a record attendance, and some good football would have been seen, Weather conditions completely spoilt Ihe representative match between Taranaki and Wanganui, as the ground, which had been cut up by the early match, soon cut up very badly, becoirftoig: almost a qungmirct. and rendering anything but a forward scramble an impossibility. In this respect. Taranaki had the advantage, the Wanganui forwards making some fine rushes, but someone would get offside, and the resultant free kick would ?ire Taranaki welcome relief. These cost them the match, as S. George, who was In good kicking mood, landed two fine goals, the only scores of tho match. > Taranaki had hard luck in not scoring on several occasions, but after working the b{\ll right down to the visitors' lino they were unable to hold it af the critical time. Taranaki forwards Listed out the game much better than on the Pt:vlouß Wednesday.

A feature of the game on Saturday was the fine goal kicking with the heavy ball. Of the 20 points scored in the two mutches, no loss than 14 came from the boot. Osborne (School) kicked one goal, Collier (College), one goal and a converted try, George (Taranaki) two goals. SOUTH AUCKLAND MATCH. (By Our Special Reporter.) The South Aucklnnd-Taranaki mateh on V'cdnesday proved a surprise to South Auckland enthusiasts, who fully expected to bo badly beaten, and the runurt of the match should do considerable pood, even If it is only to Imbue the northern players with a little imore confidence. Had they played the same confident game at the opening as they did In the second half the game might have resulted In their favor. * Taranaki forwards rgain opened wifh some solid rushes, and for the first twenty minutes the local team were kept hard" «t it defending. However, they could tackle well ami frequently intercepted Taranaki pnsslnjr movements, whilst, attempts at centrintr also proved abortive; T.tranaki also had the advantage of the next twenty-minutes, but this was not aulte so apparent. After half-time the local team decided that Taranaki were not as formidable as they thought, and they changed their tactics Their forwards, who wore very solid, pressed hard, whilst the hacks also threw the leather about, and Taranaki were nt their wits end to keen their citadel intact. Howe\cr, the defence proved equal to the strain and good tackling and line kicking saved the | , situation, thcuch there were some close shaves. , Tavanalii forwards ersayed to change the sit.ua- ! tirn. but their early efforts, combined possibly with the long twenty hours' trip on the i train had >ts effect, and though towards the j clA?,e of the game they improved, were un- ! able to cross the local line. S. fJerirro, tt full-back, played a great game. Time and aetata ho nicked the ball from his opponents' feet, ran in front of them, and lined. Dick Hoherts was a groat help to flte Taranalil team, heinp ahvpvs a thorn in the side of hi* opponents. H's trlckv lirt'c run often changed defence into n'tfpck, and once, had he gone one, ha would probably have AcrPAd.

Hickey ami Robertson put in some good runs, ami were both solid In defence.

Sykes, at second five-eighths, found the line In great style. Early iu the game he injured u Binew in his leg, and tills detracted a little from his play. Cameron played well, getting the ball away nicely, whilst his defence was of the test. In .stemming a solid'rushgit the finish, his ht'ttd was injured, necessitating medical attention.

Lynskey, at half, proved capabfe, though he was well watched. The forwards were unable to secure the ball, and thin prevented the backs from showing their attacking (nullities, Kone pfayed better than Masters, Malone, and Klvell, whilst, as rover, Fogarty was very clever. Taranaki is every prominent in the South Auckland Union, Mr. Chapman, the president, was a resident of Turanaki, whilst Mr. Cecil McDavitt is a well-known Opunake boy. A. 'A.'-PateTson, who played well at five-eighths, is oho of the Hawera. brothers, whilst C. Herd .Is r,n old Walmate player. Cleus Moir, of Elth;:m, was also picked to play. Blazer Wilson, N. B Lusk and others are also prominent', officials. TO-DAY'S MATCH.

TARANAKI MEET AUCKLAND, ffi£ TEAiiS. (fiy Telegraph.—Special Repo^er.) Auckland, Last Night. The Taranaki team arrived In Auckland oh Thursday evening, and were met at the station by several officials of the Auckland Rugby Union, including the secretary, Mr. Les. Hill, who, by the way, is nn old Taranaki boy, and was a member of the team that took the Ranfurly Shield from Auckland. The team, with the exception of R. Oliver, H. Oliver, and J, Taylor (Clifton), who are to arrive by Saturday morning's express, went out to the ground at Eden Park this morning, and put In some_useful work. Considerable interest is evidenced in fhe meeting of Taranaki and Auckland, which is always a very popular game here. Given fine weather there should be a good attendance, particularly as King's College and Grammar School are pjaying the return match as a curtain-raiser. It is generally expected here that Auckland will win, as they are said to be very clever, but Taranaki can be relied upon to put up a big flgbj, and there are many who would not be surprised to see them win, In view of the great struggles between the teams in the past, when Taranaki has on occasions proved a surprise. Indications are that the weather will be fine, but the ground should be on the heavy side, as the result of rain during the week. The mishaps fit Hamilton to Sam Cameron, who is still under medical attention from an injury to his head, and to Sykes; who strained a sinew in his leg, has necessitated an alteration in the Taranaki team, which will take the field as follows:—Full-back, George; threequarters, R. Penniall, R. Roberts (captain), P. Hlckey; fire-eighths, J. Robertson and R. Oliver; half, M. Lynskey; rorer, M., Malone; forwards (hookers), J. Johnson and A. Birchall, (lock) H. Masters, (supports) A. King and R Fogarty, (back row) R. Patterson and A.' Klvell. Emergencies: Backs, H. Oliver and G. 1 Taylor; forwards, T. Smith and McDavltt. 1 The Auckland team is as foltows:— Full-back, 1 Kingston; three-quarteTs, Nicholson, V. Bade- * ley and Nixon; five-eighths, Grierson and E. Gasparich; half, Ross; rover, Singe; forwards, 1 Lomas, Taylor, McLean, Alexander, Grenvllle, 1 Somcrville and Bhicher. Emergencies: Good, Laxon. Early, McCullough, and Keane. 1

TARANAKI v. HAWKE'S BAY, . Next week the Taranaki representatives play their first provincial match on the New Plymouth grounds, when they meet the Hawke's Bay fifteen. It is expected that by. that time the Taranaki players will be at the top of their form. At all events the Tecent. mimes against Wanganui, Wellington, and South Auckland should improve that combination of play so necessary to success, whilst to-day's match against Auckland should prove tho game of the tour. The team chosen to represent Hawke's Bay appears tn be a solid combination. Included in iho fifteen is N. Klvell, the ex-Stratford and Tarnnaki representative, now a member of the Tirate Club, Napier. Mapu and BarI clay were members of the Pioneer Maori team ' that toured the Dominion last vear. Mapu 1 was recommended for the North Island team recently, so with these three backs the black and whites should show up well. The forwards are a little on the light side as compared with other vanguards, but apart from this aro fleet and quite capable of putting up a good fight, In the match against Wairnrapa, the Hawke's Bay team had a comfortable win, and the touring players have been strengthened since then. Win or lose the visitors may be expected to play attractive football on Thursday, find if the weather is favorable a good attendance of the' public may be anticipated. The visitors arrive on Monday evening, and during their stay here will be quartered at the Imperial Hotel.