THE FOOTBALL SEASON

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1930, Page 5

THE FOOTBALL SEASON

OPENING OF COMPETITIONS TO-DAY’S FIXTURES REVIEWED. PROMISING MATERIAL IN SIGHT. Northern Division. Okato v. Old Boys, at Pukekura Park. Inglewood v. Stratford, at Inglewood. Tukapa v. Clifton, at Waitara. •Star v. Celtic, at Stratford. Southern Division. Kaponga v. Waimate, at Kaponga. Eltham v. Opunake, at Eltham. Hawera v. Okaiawa, at Okaiawa. Athletic v. Ptea, at Hawera. To-day will see the Rugby football season in Taranaki open in earnest. The ball will be set in motion at eight Taranaki centres' to mark the start of the 1930 McMasters Shield competition, and there should be some strenuous struggles before finality is reached. To both players and the public the present season is unusually interesting, and the early matches will be fraught with particular importance. The players will be keen to catch the selector’s eye and the public will follow the early matches keenly, criticising the various players and sorting out what they consider will be the best fifteen to uphold the traditions of Taranaki against overseas teams. They are great traditions, too, because Taranaki so far has never been defeated at Pukekura Park by an overseas team, though there have been some desperate struggles and closegames, particularly the pointless draw against - Bedell Siev wright’s team and the Springboks. The players have shown already that they fully realise their responsibility, as they have been training assiduously for some time. The union, too, has been doing its part. The sole selector, Mr. W. A. Guy, at the close of last season sorted out a number of the most promising players and these were notified to get into form early, but they will ■by no means have the field to themselves, for it has been decided to uee the elimination process so as to ensure that the best fifteen is selected. The early date set for the match—only four weeks from to-day —naturally adds to the difficulty, but the union has decided to play two trial matches—North v. South, chosen by divisional selectors, and then an A. v. B match. The final team -will be coached by Cliff Porter, All Black captain, than whom there is no better exponent of forward play, while the backs will probably have advice from Mark Nicholls, who is a clever general, whilst, of. course, A. L. Humphries, who proved invaluable in preparing the Amber and Blacks against the Springboks, will also be on hand. Another feature this year is the reversion to the old kick into touch rule. Some fear that this may slow the game too much, but the players realise that the public like. bright football and in club football they are certain not to overdo it. As the old rule has to be played against the visitors the players must become familiar with it.

Probably in the north to-day greatest interest will centre in the meeting of Stratford and Inglewood at Inglewood. Both those teams are in great form and promise to play a prominent part in the decision of the provincial championship. They met in a friendly game a week or two ago, when Stratford won. Both, however, will be improved to-day. Stratford has a very strong set of forwards, stalwarts in the game who will make the Red and Blacks as formidable a proposition as ever. Their backs, too, have improved. Inglewood has nippy backs and fast, if somewhat light forwards, and are well trained.

Clifton and Tukapa meet at Waitara. Since they have always beeii keen rivals to-day’s match should be a splendid contest. Clifton have been off the topline lately, but last year they showed they were coming back. Their forwards, led by Pat Ward, who is said to be at liis 'best again, are a solid lot and their backs are speedy. Tukapa, too, have also been on the improve and can be depended upon to put their best foot forward.

Star journey to Stratford to meet Celtic. Last year’s northern' winners are not quite as strong as last year, but they have some young players who will improve. Their forwards, led by All Black McLean, are a force to be reckoned with, and. their backs are more than useful. Celtic last year made a good showing for a new team and they are said to be much improved. At New Plymouth Old Boys meet Okato. Old Boys as usual have a speedy set of backs and their forwards i are said to be more solid. They have shown up well in the matches and tourneys so far played. Okato are an unknown proposition. They have lost several of last year’s players, but they are said to possess a better pack than last year, and some backs who only need experience.

In South Taranaki most interest will ■be taken in the meeting of Hawera and Okaiawa at Okaiawa. These old rivals are certain to have a strenuous contest and play a prominent part in the decision of the championship. Okaiawa have been well in the limelight for rears, and the team is as strong asever. With tireless forwards led by Ike and backs led by D. Johnson and Crawford, Taranaki’s two representative backs, they will be in the picture again. Hawera last year made great advances and at the close of the season defeated the champions (Opunakc). Hawera have practically all last year’s solid pack and their young backs with the extra year’s experience should be a force. It promises to be an even game and one would not care to forecast the result. Opunahe, the champions, meet Eltham at Eltham. The coastal team showed m the ten-a-side tourney that they are again a powerful force and it must be remembered that on Monday they were not represented by their full strength. In the morning it was doubtful if a team could take the field, but the versatile half, R. Hohaia, went into the forwards, and with the assistance of S. Goodwin, Okato, they duly annexed the trophy. Opunake have practically all last year’s team. They have been training hard and are confident of again securing the championship. To-day they will bo up against a young team in Eltham, which, however, possesses some

very promising material, and should do well before the season closes. They may even effect a surprise to-day. Patea journey to Hawera to play Athletic. Both teams are stronger than last year and they showed last year that they were capable of great things. Patea this year has a great pack and the backs are also strong on defence. As they are fast and possess combination they should be heard of in attack. Athletic have been strengthened by the inclusion of Palmer, the Old Boys’ lock, and one or two Inglewood men, whilst I their young players have had the bene- | fit of*an extra gear’s experience. Kaponga Seniors to play Waimate. — Free, Gargan, Murphy, E"pin, Benton, Gardner, Dew, Hammersley, Hall, Paterson (3), McCarrison, Williams, Twist. Emergencies: Tremaine, Dawson. Kaponga Juniors to play Opunake.— Pascoe, Shaw, Hodge, Divehall, Williams, Wilkes, Wilkins, Sadler, Behl, Noonan, Attrill, Hill (2), Plunket, Savage, Litchwark, O’Brien and Hanson. Okato. —G. Roebuck, S. Jones, W., Telford, R. McLean, W. Taylor, T. Goodwin, J. Okcroa,- W. Wineera, J. Lawn, D. O’Sullivan, A. Carter, John Goodwin, Bert Goodwin, Les Goodwin, Joe Goodwin, A. Andrews, E. Hoskin, L. Putt, C. Ashley, J. Bright. The Alton ■ junior football team to play Patea at Patea to-day at 1.30 p.m. will be selected from the following:— Hunt, Clarke, Gush, Walker, Kettles, Adams (3), Taylor ’(2), Hurley, Woller, Prouse, Furvy, Dixon, Kirk, Hodge, Parker, Robins, Moreland, Ward. Okaiawa juniors to play Hawera, at Okaiawa to-day at 1 p.m. —Bailey, Watson, Gray (2), Campbell, Wards, Scott, Rockett, Jackson, Tito, T. Guy, C. Blair, Hooper (2), Clarke, Jame*, Arkei. Okaiawa Seniors to play Hawera, at Okaiawa—Tippetts, Preston, Ike, R. Guy, Greenough, Barclay, Clarke (2), McCullum, Awahou, Johnson, Simons, Crawford, Cameron, Murdoch. Emergencies: Tamu, Ngaia. Athletic against Patea at Hawera today: Lay, Barker, Rutherford, Gudgeon, Clegg, Dymond, Dickson, Evans, Coleman, Tippett, Palmer, Phillips, McLean,. Herbert; emergencies, Hartlev, Lee, Smith and Tarrant.