FIRST ROUND ENDED

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1932, Page 6

FIRST ROUND ENDED

JUNIOR RUGBY FOOTBALL.

IMPROVEMENT IN STANDARD. With Thursday’s games the first round of the Central Division junior Rugby competition was concluded, except that Stratford and Celtic have to play the fixture that was postponed on May 12 owing to the wet weather. That game will be arranged in the near future. Stratford and Celtic thirds did not play on May 12 either, but they will play a curtain-raiser to the Country v. Town match next Thursday, so that the four town teams will soon be brought into line with the others in the first round.

In the juniors Toko have obtained a good lead and by virtue of their consistently sound play have remained unbeaten so far, their closest “shave” having been experienced on Thursday, when Celtic gave them a severe shaking. Pukengahu have won four games to bring them into second place. Inglewood and Midhirst share the honours of third place. Celtic and Stratford are running level and Cardiff have not yet won a game. During the last three fixtures of the round there has been a notable improvement in the standard of play, and if the teams continue to study the ethics of the game and to apply their theoretical knowledge in the field the competition will arouse among spectators an even greater interest than that now displayed. Two faults remain prominent. Inside backs will not pass quickly and accurately so that wingers will stand expectantly on the outskirts of the game -but rarely have a chance to demonstrate their usefulness. Defending players are too prone to imagine that their faces have the stopping power of a leg tackle. Even solid hand-offs and resulting bleeding noses fail to impress upon them the need for the desirability of tackling low. School thirds have established a comfortable lead of two points over Eltham, who in turn have a point advantage of Inglewood and Toko. Celtic and Stratford have yet to break their “duck.” The points table is:— FIRST JUNIOR.

GENERAL ITEMS. In reply to recent representations by the Stratford Unemployed Executive, the Hon. R. Masters advised by telegram yesterday that he had been told by the Minister of Employment (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) that the allocation for Stratford was in line with those of other similar areas and was the maximum which funds at the command of the Unemployment Board would permit. Mr. Masters regretted that his colleague was unable to give a more satisfactory answer.

“I think the Stratford Borough Council should Jet the horticultural society have the use of the town hall for shows at a rate sufficient to cover only the lighting cost,” said Mr. W. Harris at the annual meeting of the society last night. “The society, is doing a great deal of good, it is not run for a profit and it is of benefit to the whole community.”

The Cardiff hall was the scene of a successful euchre evening on Wednesday. The winners were Misses D. Hoskin and R. Rawles, Messrs. T. Richards and L. Wickham, after a tie with a table comprising Mesdames Cameron and Shrimpton, Messrs. L. Redshaw and W. Myers. Mr. H. B. Dimmer was in charge.

The gift of an eiderdown suitable for a baby’s cot has been made to this Stratford Plunket Society by Mr. A. Manoy for the winning candidate in tlig society’s queen carnival. Committees have been working assiduously in the interests of their respective candidates, and sales of ribbon are being made with remarkable success.

The dance held on Thursday at Ngaere by the Eltham troop, Legion of Frontiersmen, was attended by people from Whakamara, Hawera, Mahoe, New Plymouth, Midhirst, Stratford, Kaponga and Pukengahu. The attendance was £4O and a record sum of £l7 was obtained. The catering was by Mesdames Gyde and Murray. Mrs. Attrill played the music. . The first Monte Carlo was won by Mias Joyce Cook and Mr. Eddie Gray, and the second by Miss Potts and Mr. Crowe. Dance extras were played on the piano by Miss E. Mehrtens (Pukengahu), Mrs. Langley (Hawera) and Miss Sherriss, and on the accordion by Mr. Davidson and Mr. E. Richard. An extra for an “excuse me” waltz was played by Mr. C. Gibbons. The entertainment included classical and exhibition dances by Misses E. Peebles and M. Lawrence, Miss G. Briscoe, Miss L. Goble and Miss Dot Goble. Trooper W. Pratt was master of ceremonies. The following won prizes at the Eltham M.U.O.F. euchre party: Mrs. J. Taylor 1, Mrs. B. Burgess 2, consolation Mrs. Walker; Mr. P. Martin 1, Mr. H. Nuttall 2, consolation Mr. P. Leathern. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. Euchre and dancing will be the attractions at the Midhirst Hall on Monday. A function is being arranged by the Midhirst Basketball Club.

The monthly dance of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society will be held in the Parish Hall, Stratford, on Wednesday. There will be old time and modern dances.

An old-time dance will be held in the Lowgarth Hall on June 22.

W. L. D. p. Ch. Pts. Toko 6 — — 6 12 Pukengahu .... 4 2 —— 6 8 Inglewood .... 3 3 — 6 6 Midhirst ..... 3 3 6 6 Celtic . 2 3 —- 5 4 Stratford .... 2 3 — 5 4 Cardiff — 6 — THIRD GRADE. 6 0 School ..... 4 — 1 5 9 Eltham 3 1 I 5 7 Inglewood .... 3 2 —— 5 6 Toko 3 2 —— 5 C Celtic 4 — 4 0 Stratford - . - - »1 » 4 — 4 0