FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. RESULTS TO DATE. Taranaki G v. Wanganui 3. MATCHES ARRANGED. *June 30—v. Manawatu, at Stratford. July 6—v. South Auckland, at Hawera. July IG—v. South Africa, at New Plymouth. *July 28—v. Wanganui, at Stratford. August 3 —v. Canterbury, at Hawera. August 27—v. Otago, at New Plymouth. Sept. 17—v. Wellington, at New Plymouth. •Arranged tentatively. TODAY’S MATCHES. SENIOR A GRADE. Clifton v. Okaiawa, at Okaiawa, Mr. W. Ro eh. Kaponga v. Hawera, at Hawera, Mr. F. Julian. Patea v. Tukapa, a* New Plymouth. Mr. G. Hopkins. Stratford v. Opunake, at Opunake, Mr. A. F. Neilson. B GRADE. Old Boys v. Okato, at Okato, Mr, J. Johnston. Eltham v. Star, at New Plymouth, Mr. D. Johnston. POSITION OF THE TEAMS A GRADE.

TITKAPA TEAMS. The following teams will represent Tukapa Seniors v. Patea, Recreation -Grounds, at 3 p.m—H. Oliver, G. Hart, R. Oliver, R. Hooker, G. Ennis, G. Hoower, L. Whitaker, F. Wilson, C. MeAllum, P. Atkinson, R. McLean, T. Crone, I*. Mclntyre. 11. Quickfall, F. White. First Juniors v. Lepperton, Western Park, at 3 p.m.—Hamblyn, Malcolmgon, K. Fury, D. George, S. Bishop, Cameron, Ambrose, Hatley, N. Andrews, R. Pascoe, E. Bedford, N. Davis, B. Worsley, 11. Todd, S. Quickfall. Second Juniors v. High School, Western Park, 1.30.—D. George, F. Stohr, E. McManus, F. Lepine, N. Brokenshlre, B. Way, E. Fury, A. Haimblyn, L. Williams, R. Allen, K. Allen, E. Governlock, Francis, Dunn, O’Dowa. Third Juniors v. High School, Racecourse, at 1.30 p.m.—George, D!.eksbn, Boswell, Molloy, Bensley, Barnden, Earley, McKinna, Stagpoole, Foote, Evans, Hill, Walmate, McLachlan, Carter. Emergencies: Forsyth, i Roberts, Robinson, Short.

MAORIS FOR AUSTRALIA. DATES OF THEIR MATCHES, By Telegraph.—Press Ar,sn.—Copyright. Received June 10. 5.5 p.m. Sydney, June 10. The dates have been fixed for the Maoris to play New South Wales at Sydney on July 23 and 00 and August 1; and a match at Mudgee on July 27. LEAGUE TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. A MATCH ABANDONED. Received June 10, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, June 10. The New Zealand League team were to have played a match at Toowoomba en route to Brisbane, but it was abandoned owing to rain. TO-DAY’S MATCHES. KEEN GAMES ANTICIPATED. The eyes of football enthusiasts throughout Taranaki to-day will be centred on Okaiawa, where Okaiawa, at present runners-up, will meet Clifton, who have not had a defeat registered against them this season. The match will draw a record crowd, ’’and is contain to be keenly contested. Okaiawa are to be commended on their fine showing so far, a showing that was totally unexpected by those controlling the game, as but for a strong protest from Okaiawa supporters, tte club would have been included In the B grade, and the southerners are confident that they will check Clifton’s career. Ciitton are equally confident of success, and, moreover, have in mind the narrow victory that Okaiawa gained over them when the clubs tmet previously some years ago at Stratford to decide the provincial championship. At all events it promises to be a stirring struggle. In New Plymouth visitors to the show have two matches. Star- and Eltham will meet at 1.30 p.m., and a keen struggle is expected, as both teams are evenly matched. Immediately following Tukapa and Patea seniors will meet, and as both clubs play an open game and are fairly close together on the championship list, this should provide a good exhibition.

Hawera and Kaponga are set down to play at Hawera. The latter team were, if anything, unlucky to lose last Saturday against Okaiawa, and can be depended on to keep last year’s champions moving. Stratford journey to Opunake, and though the wearers of the red and blacks defeated Waimate comfortably last Saturday, they will find the coastal men a difficult proposition on their own ground. Old Boys journey to Rallotu to play Okato, and though the coastal team has not earned a winning bracket, the town team will bo well advised to leave nothing to chance. REPRESENTATIVE PROSPECTS. NOTES ON WANGANUI MATCH. Though Taranaki only just beat Wanganui after a game in which the wearers of the amber and black had the better of the luck, one must say that the game as a whole seemed to indicate that Taranaki will be represented this year by a much stronger fifteen than has been the case for years past. In the first place, it must be borne in mind that the Wanganui fifteen is one that yould hold its own with most of the provinces, possessing solid forwards and safe, defensive backs, who are also resourceful in attack.

The Taranaki forwards pleased greatly. AU worked with a will, and at times swept tte field with rushes that were reminiscent of old time Rugby in Taranaki, but they did not last right through the game, and towards Its conclusion a lack of condition took the sting out of their work. However, there is no reason why this should not be overcome, as more attention is given to training. Their footwork was good. There was, however, something lacking in the front of the scrum, as Taranaki in the eirrly part of tire game, i when their forwards were dominating the'

position, did not secure the ball as often as was desirable. This was not surprising when it is considered that the two front rankers had not heen together before. With more combination the pack will be hard to beat. Colunan, on the wing, gave a satisfactory performance, though it must be admitted that his vis-a-vis, Bellis, was not up to his best form, suffering from a previous Injury, and also an injury sustained early in the game.

The backs proved very disappointing, their display, particularly in attack, being much below what must be produced if they are to have a chance of earning distinction in b’.g football. Their passing was slow and undecided, in marked contrast to the nippy work of their opponents. The absence of Roberts necessitated a re-arrangement of the backs, Cameron being brought in as second flveeigths, and Osborne going back to centre-three-quarter. Both were weak, though there is some excuse for Osborne, as he received a severe knock early in the game. Owing to this the wings got little chance to show their attacking capabilities. Of the pair Sykes was the better, though he is not used to the position, and has a tendency to get out of place, as, for instance, when Wanganui's try was scored. Robertson has played better games.

Atkins, at half, was solid in defence, and when he seciued the bail he got it away well. Lynskey, at first five-eighth, created a good impression, and will roenbine well with the team.

Kingston, as full-back, fully maintained the reputation he brought from Auckland, and his work enhanced his claims to selection as New Zealand full-back. He was always cool, and invariably did. the right thing, finding the line with precision, whilst his resourcefulness got him out of numerous tight corners. Of the Wanganui forwards none played better than Ross, Heeney, O’Connell and Dillon. Grogan did well at half. Svenson was the better of the five-eigths. Of the threequarters Brown played a fine game on the wing, showing pace and weight. Campion, at full-back, played a fine game, saving bis side time and again. He went down to the hefty rushes of the Taranaki pack in. great style, and invariably fielded the ball well.

Mr. G. W. Slade, chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, leaves Wellington on June 23 for Sydney in connection with the visit of the. South Africans. The South African team is due in Sydney on June 27, and Mr. Slade will reach there at about the same time ns the team. His return to New Zealand will be timed to get him here about a week before the Africans land in New Zealand.

In view of the probability that In 1922 a French Rugby team will visit New Zealand, some interest attaches to a letter received by the secretary of the New South Wales Rugby Union from Dr. L. G. Brown, London.

“I understand,” wrote Dr. Brown, "that all financial arrangements have been satisfactorily settled between you, and this chiefly In view of the fact that certain Government funds on the part of the Frenchmen are forthcoming. Mr. Rutherford iold me that, about thirty men. would comprise the party, that they will consist largely of army men who will be given special furlough, and that they hope to make it a world tour by visiting South Africa,/ tfien Australia, then New Zealand, and finally America.” A copy of Dr. Brown’s letter was before last night’s \ meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union Management Committee, at which it appeared that final arrangements for tte financing of the proposed New Zealand tour had not been made. Mr. H. E. Combs (secretary) stated that the New Zealand Union had originally suggested that it should pay the expenses of the visitors and take the profits of the tour, if there were any. The Frenchmen, on the other hand, wished for a share in the profits. A member of tie comqittee: "Apparently they have received a grant now.” THE ASSOCIATION GAME. New Plymouth followers of "soccer” have been contemplating the formation of a team in the town. It is stated that there are a fair number of prospective players available who would be willing to become active members of any club which may be formed. Enthusiasts recall the time when there were several teams in Taranaki, and the province possessed a good representative eleven.

g fl g £ g 2 Clifton G 5 1 — 39 28 11 Okaiawa 6 4 1 38 9 Stratford 6 3 9 49 36 8 Hawera 6 9 1 60 20 s Kaponga \ 6 3 1 9 44 20 7 Waimate 7 z 9 •• 39 59 6 Tukapa G 1 1 4 26 38 3 Opunake G — 5 30 70 2 • 1 R — 6 GRADE. 36 80 Star 6 9 99 20 8 Inglewood G 3 o 1 22 13 8 Old Roys 3 1 24 7 Eitham 6 9 1 3 5 Okato 5 — 4 9 45 —