RUGBY FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1928, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL IN TARANAKI. TO-DAY'S MATCHES. Representative. Tainni v. Whangamomona Sub-Union, at Stratford, 2.45 p.m. Seniors. Star v. Okato. at New Plymouth. Mr. Badley. Old Boys v. Stratford, at New Plymouth, 1.15 p.m.. Mr. Atkins. Eltham v. Tukapa, at Eltliam, Air. F. Julian. Inglewood v. Clifton, at Inglewood. Mr. H. Whittington. Waimate v. Opunake, at Manaia. Mr. 8. Kibby. Kaponga v. Hawera, at Kaponga, Mr. C. Gernhoefer. Okaiawa v. Athletic, at Hawera. Mr. J. O’Grady. SECOND GRADE. Northern Division. Clifton v. School, at Waitara, 2.45 p.m. Lepperton v. Urenui, at Urenui, 2.46 p.m. Western Division. Okato v. Tukapa, at Okato, 2.45 p.m. Star v. Old Old Boys, at Racecourse No. I, Lio p.m. THIRD GRADE. Old Roys v. Clifton, at Racecourse No. 1, 2.45 p.m. Star v. Lepperton, at Lepperton, 1.15 p.m. Tukapa v. School, at Racecourse No. 2, 2.45 p.m. FOURTH GRADE. Tukapa v. School A, at Racecourse No. 2, 1.15 pin. School B v. School C, at Racecourse No. 3. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. A Grade. Waitara v. Inglewood, at Waitara. Central Excelsior v. West; End, at Racecourse. Fitzroy v. Westown, at Tukapa. B Grade. Moturoa v. High School, at Racecourse, (tonvent v. Vogeltown, at Racecourse. C Grade.’ West End v. Westown, at Tukajx>. Fitzroy v. Central, at Fitzroy. , PROSPECTS OF CLUB MATCHES. With only ifiiree more matches to complete the second round of the eenior cup competition, interest in the matches in both divisions still confines strong. Last week's matehes considerably »ar.a* Uie uonwevition ovratford’s defeat of Star having eliminated the latter and given Stratford a tbree-point lead over Inglewood. In the south, Okaiawa defeated Opunake and thus obtained a two-point lead. The leaders, however, have -some hard matches to play before finality is reached, and though it looks likely at present that last year’s finalists, Stratford and Okaiawa, will again battle of the provincial championship, there is still a possibility of a change taking place. In North Taranaki the fortunes of the two leading teams will be followed with the liveliest interest. Stratford meet Old Boys at Pukekura Park and, though in the first round Stratford defeated Old Boys by 21 points to 3, the leadens will not need to leave anything to chance. Old Boys are a team capable of doing things, providing their backs can get a share of the ball, whilst their forwards, though net the same force as the Stratford vanguard, are by no means a negligible quantity. Stratford will be keen to maintain their unbeaten record, and they will be a hard combination :to eheck. As a curtain-raiser, Star will play Okato. In the first round Okato, thanks to fine goal-kicking, nearly defeated Star, who just won by 14 poihte to 12. While forward the teams should be evenly matched, the Star backs should prove the deciding factor. Inglewood, the runners-up, will meet Clifton at Inglewood. Those who witnessed the game at Waitara in the first round, when Inglewood ran out winners after a hard fight by nine points to five, ' will have lively anticipations of seeing a great game. Both teams have young and active packs that see the game through to the end, whilst their backs are also fast and combine well in attack, and their defence is very sound. Possibly the advantage of playing at home may turn the scale x in Inglewood’s favour.

Tukapa meet Eltham, whom they easily defeated in the first round by 27 points to 3. Eltham forwards should do better on their own ground, but probably tire pac-e of the Tukapa backs will prove the deciding factor. SOUTH TARANAKI GAMES. In South Taranaki greatest interest will centre in the meeting of the leaders with Athletic at Hawera. When the teams met at Okaiawa the home team won by 31 points to 18. Okaiawa, however, have been improving with each game, whilst Athletic, though the}’ have shown promising form, have on the whole been disappointing. They possess backs that handle well, but the Okaiawa men are a better balanced team with solid forwards and backs that are quick to seize any opportunity, and are also very deadly in defence. They should maintain their position. The runners-up, Opunake, meet Waimate at Manaia. In the first round, at Opunake, the coastal team overran the plainsmen to the tune of 25 points to nil. Waimate have shown improved form of late, and on their own ground are likely to prove a force to be reckoned with. They are a capable team of young forwards and some useful backs. Kaponga and Hawera meet at Kaponga, and this should prove a solid struggle. In the first round Hawera drew with Kaponga, who thus received their first cheek. Both have good packs, and they also have backs quick to seize scoring opportunities.

To-day football enthusiasts wiL have the opportunity of seeing in action the representatives of the Wliangamoniona xainui Sub-Unions at Stratford. i’iie men the far outposts of Taranaki have paid an annual visit to Taranaki since the sub-union was first formed three years ago, and their keenness for the game and the sporting way in which they play has made them

general favourites with the public of New Plymouth. Some of their players have come to other parts of Taranaki and imqle good in football circles. The team is said to be a strong one with forwards of the rugged type. The Whangamomona Sub-Union is the latest addition to the ranks of Taranaki football. The game is played seriously, too, out east where the railway construction camps have given it a big impetus. Included in the eastern team are some well-known Taranaki players, including C. Coulton, ifiie ex-Taaanaki representative three-quarter. Selector W. A. Guy will be present to wateh the game, so that any players worthy of representative honours will not be overlooked. The game commences at 2.45 p.m., and, as the charge has been fixed at Is for adults and 6d for children, there should be a large attendance.