FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

' THE MOASCAR CUP. REFEREE'S DECISION FINAL. ' By Telegraji?...—Press Association. Chriatchurch, Last Night. The Council of tha New Zealand Rugby Union has telegraphed to the headmaster of the Chriatchurch Hoys' High School tint the referee's decisoin !n tho Moascar Cup match is final, and the trophy Is definitely the school's until next season. This telegram relates to the Chriatchurch team's offer to meet the Palmerston North High Schools fifteen in another match this month in Chriatchurch. TO-DAY'S MATCH. THIRD GRADE PINAL Clifton 111. t. Kaponga 111., at Eltbam. NEWS AND NOTES. The football .' . l ason, as far as the Taranakl Rugby Union competitions are concerned, will be brought to a close this afternoon, when Clifton and Kapongu will meet at Eltham to decide the third grade championship of the. province. These two teams met in the final at Stratford last year, whtfn j the men from the River Port annexed the championship. The Taranakl Rugby representative team' cannot bo said to have covered itself with glory during the last season. An analysis of its record shows that of the eleven matches played, three were won, seven lost, and one drawn, 74 polntß being scored for Taranqki, and 116 against. Taranaki's points were made up of fifteen tries, five of which were converted, five penalty goals, and a potted goal from' the field. Their opponents scored 25 tries, of whicfci they converted seven, seven penalty goals, and two goals from marks. Individual points scored by Taranaki players were: Roberts, 11 points (one try, two penalty goals, and one try - converted) ; King, 9 points (3 tries); Robertson, 8 points (two tries, one converted try); George, 8 points (two penalty goals, ono converted try); Colman, 7 points (one penalty goal, two converted tries); Wilkinson, C points (two tries); Sykes, 4 points (potted goal), and Spratt, Day, Hlckey, Blrchall, McKenna, Brown, and Cameron, 3 points each (a try). Taranakl forwards again proved their ability to hold their own with uny team when extended k but the backs proved disappointing. However, there appears to be some material coming on, that with coaching should prove valuable to the province In a year or two. The main trouble seems to he to fill the half-back poaition, wtich 0. Brown will be vacating. No one seems to be in sight at preaent. However, tt is a long way to next season.

| The final between Clifton and Hawera on Saturday delighted the record cup crowM that visited Pukekura Park anticipating a great match, and they were not disappointed, for the struggle proved a keen one, quite worthy pf teams that had fought two draws already. Both teams imade the game open, and 111 this laudable object they were hindered by the referee, who did not blow the whistle for every trivial breach, but at the same time had both teams well under command. In this connection it must be pleasing to veteran G. Hopkins that both the victors aiid the vanquished left the fty>ld satisfied that the refereelng had not influenced the result. On ttie day, there Is no doubt tk&t the better team won, for though Clifton forwards were tlio heavier and held the advantage, the Hawera forwards stood up to them well, and at times had the upper hand. In the rear division, Hawera were far superior making bettor use of the advantage that ciime their way. Ilawera finally won by 14 points to (!, the score being represented by four tries to two goals. The lack of scoring ability on tho part of Clifton Is Illustrated b> the fact that of tho 15 points scored by them In the three matches, twelve jjfere from goals either for penalties or niar&i the other three points being from a try, "Bawera's 23 points on the other hand, consisted of seven tries, one converted.

Clifton wore unfortunate that for the final match.they wore without the services of Coltnan and George, the former owing to an injured hand, while the latter was Recovering from illness. Goodwin also was limpln™ badly, and should not have played. Ths absence of Caiman was particularly sevtro as lt enabled S. Cameron, always a dange» U s man, to make some great openings. C Tate who was making his first appearand" with the seniors since Ills return from'the 'war played well up to his old foriij, H ad he played all the season he wtfjd hnve been hard to keep out of the Tepfi On the day West was iiie best forward his team ' ' " WWCr ° f Strensth ,0

M. Cain and K. Gfeorge are retiring from (lie game after this season. The genial "Mickhas been invaluable hi the front of the scrum, and also took the lead in the stirring rushes that have made Taranaki so famous. The writer wishes to acknowledge with thanks an Invitations to the Star Footbal. ( libs smoke concert, which takes place tonight, and also to the first, annual dinner under the auspices of the Taranaki Rugby Referees' Assoeation, which takes place on Thursday evening.