RUGBY FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1928, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

OPENING OF THE SEASON SATURDAY'S PLAY REVIEWED. .PROMISE OF GOOD SEASON. Stratford, last year’s champions, again look like proving a formidable proposition, and it is certain that the team that beats them will win the championship. The Stratford club selectors have again adopted the practice of picking* 18 or 19 men from whom the team will be selected, each man being given his game in turn. Stratford have all their old forwards available, ineluding Walter, Kivell, Bond, Coleman, Hinton, O’Keefe, and Pennial, w’hile R. Fryday is again playing rover. Their backs, too, look like being stronger than last year. Owen the representative five-eighth, has struck form early. Wynyard, on the wing, is showing more dash, and the inclusion of Carter, a speedy junior, among others, will also increase their scoring strength. On Saturday they met Eltham, who were somewhat disorganised by the loss of Tiplady and several others, and had SB easy win. Eltham have good forwards, but their backs need re-organis-ing, and they expect to step out much improved this season. 6tar and Old Boys put up a splendid fight on a wet ground in which, while honours must be regarded as even, the dash Infused by the Star pack in the second spell proved the factor that decided victory in their favour, and showed the advantage of being properly fit. It was a bright exhibition that with a little luck might have gone either way. BROWN STRIKES FORM. Hunt, the Manawhenua centre, did Hot get too but he did what came his way in workmanlike style. Brown, hie vis-a-vis, has struck I form early and potted a splendid field goal. Star forwards, though light, are fast and full of dash, and will prove a tough proposition for any team. Hoffmann, as rover, has plenty of pace too, and is always on the ball. When their I inside backs get more cohesion, their three-quarter line will be dangerous. Morris at full-back is safe, and has a useful boot. Old Boys forwards showed a lot of dash in the early stages, and with condition look like being a better lighting force than last year, while their backs will always be daugerous. Priar, the ex-Tukapa junior full-back, made a reliable custodian until he retired injured. Tukapa appear to have a team of about the same strength as last year. McGuire looks like making a great leader for a pack that will improve, w’hile R. Oliver is very fit again. Their threequarter line, which includes Brittenden /centre), Medley and Evans, gave evidence that on a dry day it will be dangerous. ■ L. Petty at full-back will compensate The club for the loss of his brother, whom all will be pleased to hear is making good recovery from the accident sustained in camp.

CLIFTON IMPROVING TEAM. Saturday’s play shews that Clifton, Who have fallen on evil days during the past few years, are a much improved team. Despite the absence of Pat Ward, en route to South Africa, their forwards are a powerful force, none going better |han Williams, the Hawera forward. Their backs, too, showed that they are capable of putting up solid defence and are also speedy in attack. Sutton, back to top form, is a five-eighth that can make a lot of openings for the men behind him. All will be pleased to see .Clifton once again on the up grade. The match between Inglewood and Okato provided a better display than was anticipated. Inglewood have a dashing set of forwards, but they met with solid opposition from tire local pack, who held the upper hand in the met spell while condition lasted. Inglewood backs are all speedy. Gudgeon gets the ball out like a fiaeh, but McKay at first five-eighth is on the elow pide. Corkill, the second five-eighth, shows a lot of promise. His games in Hawke’s Bay last year improved him, and if he get* the ball he will give the speedy three-quarter line, Ross Bros, and H. Brown, plenty of opportunities that will lead to scores for his team. Chard at full-back is safe. The Okato backs all tackled well, but their handling of the bail was shocking, and gave away most of the tries. Even J. Goodwin, the representative threequarter, wae not free from blame in this respect. He has not struck form yet. Bob Fletcher, the ex-High School boy, was a tower of strength to his side in defence, but the weakness of McDonald at half gave him little chance on attack. Coutts, who is playing rover for Inglewood, is invaluable as a general. PLAY IN SOUTH TARANAKI SATURDAY’S GAMES REVIEWED. The opening of the Rugby season in Taranaki last Saturday saw some really good games, and the fitness of the teams at such an early stage showed that training had been taken seriously by a majority of the players. The hardest fought game of the day in South Taranaki was that between Hawera and Waimate. Waimate fully fully extended a good Hawera side, and although the better won, had Waimale' the extra finish possessed by their opponents they might have proved the victors. As it was, honours were easy and the attack was equally shared by both sides. Hawera, through better combination among the players, were able to push their movements to better advantage. In defence, the Hawera men tackled better than their opponents, whose tackling was noticeably weak; The Waimate backs especially will have to learn to tackle low. Of the Hawera forward* Dick Patterson did useful work, aid his generalship was invaluable to l.i- - ile. B. Murphy, W. Robinson, and M Us ai.-o piayed veil, in fact all the Back were triers. Hawera was unforJ. ante in ic.-ing Hunter and Hulbert, w o were lioth playing well. It was al th - end of a splendid run of almost lift, v: tbs collision occurred in v I > j H ilbert was injured. Pa.t r-ui played a great game on etta t the best of the backs in , :-v department was Riley. Riley, v b.n-ned bis first football st the L'< w I v mouth Technical College, has (•-<adv n-iiile a name for himself in I 'i.'r ; ■ «. 1.. ..g selected to represent ' ‘a-’ 1 .-...tith against the SpringI 1 - a'si represented the Bush as

half, and although young he starts in Hawera with an excellent record. On Saturday he lived up to it. The Waimate forwards are young, but they made up for their lack of experience by the dash they put into their 'game. In getting among the opposition | backs and spoiling openings Griffin and Hughes were always prominent. Wineera was not given many chances, but lie did all that came his way in a convincing manner. The best of the Waimate rearguard on the day was McDonald at full. His gathering the ball and finding touch was faultless and. he appeared quite cool in stopping formidable rushes. He is [young and light but if he can tackle as he fields a ball he should make a name for himself. OKAIAWA MISSES DAVY JOHNSON. The defeat of Okaiawa by Patea came as a surprise to some but to those conversant with the change in the personnel of the Okaiawa team the surprise was not great; in fact, in some measure the Patea win was anticipated. Okaiawa are without Davy Johnson and Aif. Birchall, leaders in both back and forward divisions, and although most of the present side have played senior before, they are young and require a (good leader. The men from Patea were superior and deserved their win. Baldwin, with his old team once more, played a great game and inspired his comrades wonderfully. The Patea backs were more solid than brilliant, but each man did all he was called upon to do. In the forwards, besides Baldwin, Owen, Murphy and Crompton were always prominent, and Cooper at half and W. Crompton at first five-eighths were probably the best of the rearguard. Ike was Okaiawa's leading forward, while the hookers, Clarke and P. Tippett, also played sterling games. Tippett, though young, has size in his. favour. One can see that Maurice LynIskey has had enough football. In fact it was difficult to persuade him to don the jersey again. Nevertheless, he is still a most useful man and is not likely to be allowed to rest yet. ATHLETIC V. KAPONGA BRIGHT. The Athletsc-Kaponga fixture proved a bright game, although neither team showed its beet form. Athletic’s weakness was in the inside backs, otherwise the team was equal to Kaponga. The best forward was Phillips, who, although not often prominent, is a worker. Buckeridge and Tippetts also did good service. The pack is a young one and will prove formidable as the season advances.

Mick Owen was the best of the backs but was not given enough attacking to do, the ball rarely coming out to him. IE Athletic can overcome the inside back problem they will develop into a good side. Kaponga has an even lot of forwards, who worked together well on Saturday. Guy in his place at wing forward produced his old form and was around the scrums among the Athletic backs continuously. From the side-line it was noticeable that when the home side placed the ball in they secured an even share of the hooking, but when Kaponga placed the ball Kaponga invariably obtained possession. Murphy, Purvis and B. Hamcrsley gave pleasing exhibitions for Kaponga. The rear division was solid in defence. TO-MORROW'S MATCHES. SENIORS. Northern Division. Star. v. FEtbam, at Eltham, Mr. H. C. Johnston. Clifton v. Old Boys, at New Plymouth, Mr. J. Kiley. Tukapa v. Inflewood, at Inglewood, Mr. E. Gilmour. Stratford v. Okato at Okato, Mr. F Webb. Soithern Division. Waimate v. Kaponga. at Kaponga, Mr. I H. Whittington. | Opunake v. Patea, at Patea, Mr. F. Atkins. I Hawera v. Okaiawa, at Hawera, Mr. T. J Badley. . - SATURDAY'S PLAY REVIEWED TO-MORROW’S MATCHES. The second of the series of matches n senior competition will commence tomorrow. In New Plymouth Clifton will meet Old Boys. Possibly the greater ©peed and experience of the Old Boy® rearguard may prove the deciding factor, but they will find that the Clifton backs are solid in defence nad are also capable of mustering up considerable speed. Star have to journey to Eltham and, on the latter's showing at Stratford they look to have an easy task in front of them. They, however, can be relied upon to leave nothing to chance, as Eltham are always a hard team to beat on their own ground. Tukapa and Inglewood meet at Inglewood. Both teams appear to be evenly matched with light, faet forwards and s-pcedy backs that can handle the ball in good style. Stratford journey to Okato. Last | year’s champions should win, but they I will find the coastal forwards a force i that ie not to be despised and as Okato I should have improved as the result of i last Saturday’s game. I The three southern games should be | full of interest. Probably greatest interest will centre in the meeting of Patea and Opunake at Patea. The men from the river port showed by their defeat of Okaiawa that they are strong this year, and moreover that they have got into form earlier than has been the case in the past few years. Th© inclusion of Baldwin has strengthened i Patea. Their backs are also showing i better combination this year, Cooper I the half being able to set them going i quickly. Opunake, however, have been training steadily, and they expect to get I even closer to championship 'Jionoirre than they did last year. They have the i same backs and in addition they have | made a find in Sinclair, the ex-High School back, who is said to be a capable I first five-eighth, iust what the club has I lacked. Okaiawa and Hawera meet at HaI wera. The meeting of these old rivals I always arouses very keen interest. Okai- | awa will realise that another defeat so early will seriously jeopardise their chances of attaining premiership honours, and they will exert every effort to avert defeat. Hawera, too, will be keen to win and though they will feel the loss of promising players like Hulbert and Hunter the inclusion of Collins will strengthen their defence. Kanonsra are certain to take no

chances in their match against Waimat© at Kaponga. The plainsmen, as their match against Hawera showed, are a much improved team this year, aad each Saturday should eee further improvement. Kaponga, however, have a well balanced team again in the field this year with dashing forwards and speedy backs, who are equally sound in defence.

There have been quite a lot© of casualI ties early this season. At matches in ■camp Petty (Tukapa). Collins (Stratjford) and'Tiplady (Eltham), among ; others, sustained injuries that kept them i from playing last Saturday, and in the case of Petty for a longer period. Sat- ! urday saw L”. Hulbert (Hawera) sustain 1 serious injuries to his bead, while Huni ter (Hawera), McCarthy (Athletic), [Wills (Patea), M. Roberts (Okato) and Priar (Old Boys) sustained minor injuries. TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW.

Star eeniere to play Eltham seniors.— Morris, Sands, Hunt, H. Wolfe, Court, McLean, Moorhead, Hoffmann, James, Stroud, Ardcm, Clarke, F. Wolfe, Kendall, Thomae, Titter, Phillips, Isaacs. Star first juniors to play Tukapa.— blackmore, Russell, Jenkins, Hart, Billing, Loveridge, McCartney, Ennis, Lander, Harris, Harvey, Capon, Penman, Ford, Ardern, Morgan, Puhi., Higginson. Stratford senlore v. Okato, at Okato. —Collins, Bonner, Robson, Wynyard, Carter, Owen, J. Sangeter, Fryday, Hinton, Smith, Walter, Coleman, Kivell, Bond, Young. Emergencies: Moore. Kilpatrick, Penniall, Beadmore. Tukapa seniors v. Inglewood, at Inglewood.—Petty, Medley, Brittenden, Meuli, Evans, Oliver, Blincoe, Sullivan, McLean, McLachlan, McGuire, O’Dowda, Taylor, Hill, Sleep. Emergencies: Southcombe, Evans, Hooker, Pope. Tukapa thirds v. Star, at Tukapo at 3 o’clock. —Fenwick, Parkinson, Lobb. Morris, Dickson, O’Dowda, Meredith, Boswell, Jury, Horne, Gilbert, Pope, Sole, Speeding, Sorenson, Mackay, Reid, Knott. Stratford third juniors v. Tukapa, at Tukapo (3 p.m.),- —Clegg, Kinsella, Lcaland, Wilkins, Sampson, Crapper, Hoskin, Shaw, Early, King, Sanger, Taylor, Eva, Knight, Lawrence, Fitzpatrick, Black, Brooks, Brooker. Star fourth juniors v. Tujkapa, at Tukapo (1.15 p.m.).—lieslop, Taylor, Kinsella, Early, Lash, Tatnell, Harvey, Sheehy, Hegarty, Rothery, Webber, Slyfield, Hartley, Sampson, Clark, Beasley, Hopkinson, Bier. McLean. - Okato seniors to play Stratford, at Okato.—Dickson, L. Goodwin, A. Goodwin, Fletcher, Taylor, Roebuck, Jones, Whenare, Evans. F. Goodwin, Okeroa, Coffee, J. Goodwin, W. Julian, W. Ruthford, L. Julian. Okato first juniors v. Rahotu, at Rahotu. —Bright, Horgan, Hick ford (2), West, O’Sullivan, Ngiha, Ashley, Broom, E. Julian, Sullivan, Hinga Eho, Smith, Deacon, Hoskin, Waihu.

Tukapa first juniors v. Star, at Tukapo (3 p.m.).—Smith, Godfrey, Spending. Hutchen, Ninkie, Ferrier, Thomson, Gayton, Finnigan, Moorhead, Murray, Stewart, Plowright, Des Forges, Rothery, Thorpe, Bithell, Seniors v. Old Boys: Cooper, Purdie, 'Williams, Kawe, Barriba], Sofi'e, Petersen, McAsey, M. and T*. Jonas, Carey, McFarlane, Tate, Watson, Pepperell. Emergencies: Puke, Halcombe, Bristol. Second grade v. Lepperton: L. Whitmore, McAvenue, Kapa, Muir, Ogier, Brown, Waldin, Keith, F. Olsson, Rowe, Tottey, M. Taylor, 0. Foreman. Pratt, M. Ewens. Old Boys seniors: Baily, Dinniss, Brown, Thompson, Fookes, Cobb, Morey, Smart, Campbell, Riley, Luxton, Deader, Adams, Brewster. Bendall, Stevens, Allen. First juniors to pity Clifton: Kopu, Turner (2), Wallace, Irvine, Hunt, Pratt, Tamati, Missen, Body, Andrews, Gaskin, Openshaw, Giddy (2), Wilson, Muir, 0. Foreman, Sampson, Colson, Clark. Inglewood v. Tukapa, at Inglewood: A. Chard, S. Chard, E. Chard, N. Ross, L. Ross, Hy. Brown, G. Atkinson, B. Atkinson, Fussel, Clegg, Gudgeon, Coutts, Devereux, Corkill, McKay, Scanlan, Gyde, Taylor. FORMER TARANAKI PLAYERS. A number of ex-Taranaki players are donning the jersey in other centres and are showing good form. Jeffries, the ex-Tukapa and Taranaki half, is playing for Marist Brothers at first fiveeighths behind Wright, the Auckland representative half. Playing against College Rifles, Marists gained a runaway win by 38 to 6. Besides making some great openings, Jeffries scored a try. Webber, the ex-Inglewood forward, Gibson, the former High School player, and Fogarty, the Taranaki representative, are playing for College Rifles. Falwasser and Sturmey, one-time Star players, are this year playing in Auckland for Manukau Rovers, who have just been raised to A grade. They won their opening match against North Shore by 16—12. Of the 16 points Falwasser with a try and Sturmey with two conversions and a penalty goal accounted for ten of the points. Julian, the Star half, playing for Wellington against Old Boys, is credited by the Wellington papers with playing a great game at half. Playing for University at Wellington, Mackay, and Foden, formerly High School wingers, each scored two tries.

L. Matson must be accounted an unlucky footballer. He represented New Zealand in 1925, but was injured in club football early in the 1926 season. He had not played since then until he turned out for Ponsonby on Saturday last. Ho was unfortunate enough to break his collarbone in the first few minutes of play. . , , Darbv, the Wanganui full-back who filled that role in the Wanganui-Tara-naki combined trial team for the selection of the All Blacks to tour South Africa, will be playing in Hawke’s Bay this season. Last Saturday at Wanganui he played up to Ids best form. ALL BLACKS DELAYED FIRST MATCH MAY BE CANCELLED.

I-.j Telegraph,—Press Assoeiation. Wellington, Last Night. Ae a result of cabled advice from Mr. W. F. Hornig, manager of the New Zealand football team now en route to South Africa, that the boat will be two daye late in arriving at Capetown, it wa® stated at the New Zealand Rugby Union meeting this afternoon that the firet match of the tour, at Capetown, would probably be eliminated from the -nroirramro*