TARANAKI RUGBY GAMES

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1934, Page 9

TARANAKI RUGBY GAMES

START OF PROVINCIAL SCHEME. FIXTURES SET DOWN FOR TO-DAY. Old Boys v. Star at Pukekura Park. Opunake v. Tukapa at Pukekura Park. Kaponga v. Inglewood at Kaponga. Clifton v. Stratford, at Waitara. Okaiawa v. Empire Old Boys, at Hawera. Hawera v. United Old Boys at Stratford. Patea v. Eltham at Eltham. To-day the 1934 Rugby season will open in Taranaki for serious business. The change in the scheme of play from North and South Divisional to all Provincial has focussed particular attention on the teams this season throughout Taranaki. The public are looking forward to the interchange of visits between teams from both ends of the province with pleasurable interest. It is certain that the change has greatly increased public interest, and, provided the standard of football proves attractive, that interest should be sustained and will be reflected in improved financial positions for the clubs. Players certainly have been doing their part. They have settled down to solid training, and coaches have been busy planning out tactical schemes, whilst teams in many cases have had the advantage of several games, so that they should have developed combination. The games so far. played have proved very interesting, and augur well for the coming competition. After all it is not the winning of the competition that counts, but the way in which the game is played. As long as each team gives of its best and its players show that the game has not been lost through lack of training on their part, the public will be satisfied. It is hoped that, the playing of the king of winter sports on a provincial basis will do much to create a United Taranaki and do away with the parochial North v. South feeling. The first series of matches set down for to-day sees three on the new provincial basis, viz., Opunake v. Tukapa at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Kaponga v. Inglewood at Kaponga, and Hawera v. United Old Boys at Stratford. The visiting teams can be assured _of enthusiastic welcomes on their first visit into new territory. The other matches are between Old Boys and Star, who will play the early match at Pukekura Park, Stratford and Clifton at Waitara, Patea V. Eltham, at Eltham, and Okaiawa v. Empire Old Boys at Hawera. Waimate has the bye. There are thus seven fixtures in six centres, three in the north and three in the south, so that followers of football have a wide choice of interest. PRIMARY SCHOOL GAMES. SOUTH TARANAKI RESULTS. South Taranaki primary school football games yesterday resulted:—Senior A: Hawera Main A 14 beat Okaiawa 4. For Hawera tries were scored by Richards, Rowson, J. Oakes . and R. Oakes. V. Nickel .converted one try. For Okaiawa Wards scored a field goal. Senior B: Manaia 25 beat Hawera Main B 0. DRAW FOR CENTRAL GROUP. The draw for primary school Rugby games in the central group is:— Senior A.—First Round. First week: Eltham v. Stratford at Stratford, Toko v. High School at High School. Second week: Toko v. Stratford at Toko, Eltham v. High School at Eltham. Third week: Toko v. Eltham at Toko, Stratford v. High School at High School. Senior B.—First Round. Frst week: Stratford v. Convent at Stratford, Midhirst a bye. Second week: Convent v. Midhirst at Midhirst, Stratford a bye. Third week: Stratford v. Midhirst at Midhirst, Convent a bye. • The first round will be completed about May 25, after which the return matches will be played.