FOOTBALL IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1929, Page 4

FOOTBALL IN TARANAKI

THE SENIOR COMPETITION MATCHES FOR DECISION TO-DAY. Tukapa v. Old Boys at Pukekura Park Star v. Okato at Okato. Stratford v. Celtic at Stratford. Clifton v. Inglewood at Inglewood, Opunake v. Okaiawa at Opunake. Waimate v. Hawera at Hawera. Patea v. Kaponga at Kaponga. Eltham v. Athletic at Eltham. COMPETITION NEARING CLOSE.

THE PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY.

To-day will see the penultimate series of matches in the divisional senior com-

petition decided, for it marks the sixth series of the second round. Given reasonably favourable weather conditions

there should be plenty to interest the public, particularly in the southern end. In the northern division last Saturday’s matches clarified the position and, whereas prior to the referee’s starting

whistle-blowing three teams were still in the running, the position at the close was that one of the three—Star—- had a commanding lead of three points and unless the unforeseen happens it will be difficult to dispossess the New Plymouth club of the northern division premiership.

In the south, however, the position is still very clouded, and with only two more match js to be played, and two points separating the three leading teams, South Taranaki has this year had one of the most interesting competitions in many years, for there is every possibility that even after next Saturday’s matches two teams may still be level. Greatest interest to-day throughout the province will centre in Opunake, where Okaiawa and the local team meet. There should be no cause to complain to-day of languishing interest in the

south, for all roads will lead to Opunake and a record southern gate should result

—given fine weather. Both teams will put their best foot forward to-day as they realise how much depends on the result. Should Okaiawa win they will be a point ahead, and as they have an easy match next week, whereas Opunake meet Hawera, they will need that win. A draw will give Okaiawa a chance of drawing level with Hawera in the event of the latter defeating Opunake, Should Opunake win they will only need to draw with Hawera to annex the premiership of the south, whereas a defeat by Hawera would necessitate a play-off. When Opunake and Okaiawa met in

the first round they drew, each scoring an unconverted try, and to-day’s match should be equally strenuously contested. Provided each team takes the field at

full strength the match should be worth going miles to see. There was a doubt as to whether Okaiawa would have the services of Ike, the representative lock, who injured his leg last week, but it is understood he has made a good recovery and will take the field. Each team has been minus its star three-quarter, W. Hohaia and Crawford having been out of action since early in the Reason. The former certainly took the field again for Opunake last Saturday, but after a few minutes’ play again retired. Each fifteen has been training hard and will take the field very fit and prepared to battle out a hard game to the end. The Hawera. public will see the local team in action against Waimate, and though the plainsmen have not got very high in the championship ladder this season they have shown that they are not to be trilled with. In the first round Hawera won by 19 points to nil after a game that was very even till the closing stages. Hawera realise the importance of a win to-day and will take no chances, whilst Waimate will be keen to make a good showing, and with their dashing forwards will keep the opposition busy. The Hawera backs are a more even lot and, with forwards capable of securing the ball, should ajpout turn the scale again in favour of the men from the southern metropolis.

Patea and Kaponga should provide a good clash at the latter club’s ground, especially as in the first round Patea | could only prevail by 10 points to 8, each scoring two tries. A great forward [struggle should result, but Patea’s backs i need only to show the form displayed against Opunake to gain the victory. At Eltham the local team meet Athletic. In the first round a high-scoring game saw Athletic prevail, but Eltham have since improved and on their own ground will be hard to beat. Athletic backs throw the ball about.

THE NORTHERN DIVISION. By prevailing over Stratford, certainly by a narrow margin, last Saturday, Star have now a clear three points lead and unless the unexpected happens, Star have now the northern division premiership, thus robbing the competition of a lot of interest. Still there will be keen rivalry displayed amongst several of the teams for the honour of being runnersup, as well as the endeavour to turn the tables on their opponents. • Star meet Okato to-day. Though the coastal team so far have not been very successful they have given most of the opposition solid tussles, especially in the forwards. In the first round Star won by 19 points to 8, the Star, backs showing too much combination and pace for the opposition, and they will probably do the same to-day. However, Star cannot afford to take any chances as several surprises have been staged this season and the thirteenth Saturday of the club competitions may provide another. The meeting of Celtic and Stratford is being looked forward to with eagei interest at Stratford, as on the occasion of their meeting in the first round the younger club fully extended their older and more experienced opponents before suffering defeat by 11 points to six. Since then Celtic have improved greatly, especially in the backs, and. their rear division is now an attacking force that cannot be despised whilst the defence is as sound as ever. The players are all young and keen and have been training hard, as they are anxious to add the scalps of Stratford and Star to a belt that already contains those of Old Boys and Inglewood. The New Plymouth public should see a bright game as Old Boys and Tukapa meet at Pukekura Park. The meeting between the two teams in the first round provided a close contest, Old Boys just winning by an unconverted try. Both teams throw the ball about. Old Boys have been strengthened by the inclusion of Grant, the ex-Patea and Canterbury five-eighth, and this should greatly improve their combination, whilst Tukapa’s defence has been strengthened by the inclusion of Oliver at full-back.

Inglewood and Clifton should provide

another interesting game at Inglewood. At Waitara in the first round the visiting team defeated Clifton by 11 points to 9 after a ■very close contest in which interest was sustained till the end, and to-day’s exhibition should be as close. Clifton should hold the advantage in the forwards but Inglewood's superiority in the backs may more than counter-bal-ance that.

ALL BLACKS IN AUSTRALIA. Remaining Matcl j e s, To-day.—v. Australia (third test) at Sydney. Wednesday, July 31.—v. N.S.W., at Sydney. Results to Date. Games played 8, won 5, lost 2, drawn 1, points for 153, against 55. Detailed results are:— June 29.—N.5.W.. drawn, no score. July 3.—Newcastle beaten. 35—8. July 6.—Australia won test, B—9. July 10.—N.S.W. beaten, 22—9. July 13.—Victoria beaten. 25—4. July 17.—Country beaten. 27—8. , JJuly 20.—Australia won test. 9 —17. July 24. —Queensland beaten. 27—0.

No matter what the local interest may be, whether the fate of the club competition is to be decided or not, it is 'certain that the thoughts of most enthusiasts throughout New Zealand will be directed to Sydney where the All Blacks are playing the third and final Lest match of the tour. So far the All Blacks have not had the triumphal career usually associated with the wearers of the silver fern, as they have been defeated on both occasions they have met the elect of Australia—in the first match at Sydney by the narrow margin of 9 to 8 and in the second at Brisbane by 17 to 9. There is no need, however, for New Zealanders to be despondent over the matter and think that New Zealand football is decaying. It must be conceded that the 1929 team under Mr. J. McLeod has had the worst of the luck throughout. Starting with a very rough trip over, the team early lost the services of a great trio in Nepia, Dailey and Porter, whilst, the railway incident prior to the second test would also prove somewhat disconcerting. Though the All Black team was not published at the time of writing it is probable that at least two, and possibly all three, of those mentioned will be included to-day. Tho All Blacks now will be thoroughly on their mettle and will have left no stono unturned to take the field fit and well. The Waratahs, too, are certain to do their utmost to infiict another defeat on their redoubtable opponents and so gain the triple victory. If they do it is certain they will receive the heartiest congratulations from all true enthusiasts throughout the Dominion as an appreciation of the way in which the game has staged a “come-back” in Australia during the past few years, and after all that has been the objective of the New Zealand Rugby Union in arranging the tours, even though they disorganise club football to a great extent in some centres. It is certain that this tour has also aroused wonderful public interest on the other side.

TEAMS SELECTED FOR TO-DAY. Okaiawa seniors at Opunake: Blair, Simons, Camei'on, Lynskey, Johnston, McCallum (2), Hartley, Parslow, Preston, Tippett (2), Clarke (2), Greenough, Rangi Ruru, Ike. Hawera seniors, at Hawera: Cheevers, McCarthy, Anderson, K. Riley, Hunter, J. Poi, S. F. Riley, Guy, 0. Murphy, Goodger, R. Williams, E. Murphy, B. Murphy, W. Robinson, L. Robinson, Emergencies: C. Hammond, Malcolm. Eltham seniors versus Athletic, at Taumata Park, Eltham: R. Bourke, D. Gower, L. Cooper, T. Attrill, L. Casey, B. Nicholas, A. Cooper, H. Slocombe, J. Gower, R. Trolove, R. Campbell, R. Bocoek,C. Penniall, D. Jones, H. Potts, F. Bocock and H. Elliott.

Kaponga seniors.—Free, Gargan (2), Thoumine, Espin, Gardiner, Hammersley (2), Thorburn, Twist, McCarrison, Paterson (2), Collins, Williams, Jef coate, Eliason, Hodge.

Kaponga juniors—Dew, Pascoe, Murphy (2), Smith, Williams, Noonan, Kivell, Sadler, Hill, Madgewick, Betts, Dawson, Litchwark, Plunkett, Bickford. Alton juniors.—Hodge, Anderson, Hurley, Moller, Walker, Furby, Moreland, Gibbs, Kettles, Adams (3), Proffitt, Gush, Hunt (2), Huston, Ward, Clark, Barker.

Hawera juniors.—Busing, Jackson, Eaves, Woolford, Lander, Walker, Rawcliffe, Jordan, Guy, Tait, Roberts, Joyce, Standish, Clement, Matheson, Hodge, Spiers, Hawke.

Athletic seniors.—Tuki, Owen, Barker, McLean, Gudgeon, Lay, Dymond, Mundy, Smith, Thomlinson, Cate, Phillips, Pease, Coleman, Oliver, Ryan, Meyrick. Celtic to play Stratford at Stratford. —Dodd, Pryce, Richards, Kettlewell, Young, Baunton, Bublitz, O’Keefe. Hinton, Bilski, Johnson, Anderson, Robson, McGuinness, Beardmore; emergencies, Adlam, Grubb, Lindell, Fanning.