FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 11956, 2 May 1902, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

TUKAPA V. ELTHAM. The first game of the season was played in the Recreation Grounds on Thursday af ternoon between the Tukapa and Eltham Seniors, the result being a win for Tukapa by 13 to 3 The match was not a Cup fixtur), but was arranged as a benefit to Mr L. Duffiu, who was recently severely injured in a railway accident, and who had been at different periods a member of both clubs. A rather cold wind prevailed during the afternoon, and no doubt kept many people away, but the attendance did not represent *he interest taken in the -fllftefit, for a large number of persons purchased tickets but did not put iv an appearance at the match, and a good number of tickets were also sold in outside centies. The teanls were : — Tukapa (blue and white) : Full, Palmer; three - quarter, Smith, Power, and Honeyfield; fiveeighth, Mynoit; half, Jenkinson; wings, AicAra,»n-"! ) latt;forwards,A.loveridge, Sadkr, .« c Muight, O'Dowda, Staadish, Priar, and Seamark. Eltham (black and white) : Full, J. Moir; three quarters. Page, D. Moir, Lewis; five-eighth, De Launay: half, Nichol; wings, Itobinson and Dodd; forwards, Bright, Sullivan, Quinn, S. Moir, W. Robinson, Campbell, end Wilkins. Mr Hopkins refere^d, and Messrs W. Procter, and T. Coad acted as line umplros. In the first spell, Tukipp, assisted by a strong wind, made mobt of the attacks, and ran up 8 points. From a good piece of pas-sing Power scored the first try, from which O'L'owda registered an unmistakable goal. Smith notched the next try, but O'Dowda's shot failed. In the second half, Eli ham, aided by the wind, made a good fighc, but they Jacked scoring men. J. Moir kicked a goal from a penalty, but the country team were unable to cross the Tukapa line. Just before the call of time Power wound up a passing run by scoring another try for Tukapa, O'Dowda kicking a doubtful goal. The play does not call for much comment, as both sides were palpably green, although they played the game out willingly. For the winners, Smith, Power, Jenkinson, and Mynott were responsible for some good passing runs. Power, a last year'i junior, Fhnped well, but on one occasion when pacing it with an Eltbam man in the Tukapa 25 territory he deliberately kicked the ball into his own base in order to save although he had outpaced bis opponent at the time. McAra shaped well on the wing. The forwards worked hard, but will need a few p.actices to get into proper working order. Taking the match as a guide the Tukapa seniorx should be able to place a good Cup team ii: the field. The Eltham men who averaged lighter than their opponents, gave a very creditable display. They have a few speedy men, and the team as a whole played a gr>od game against a stronger team. 1 ht:ir backs need a good deil of practice, some of them taking the ball very slovenly, and making very poor return--kkks. Their forwards worked well, and and kept the opposing pack busy. A feature of the Eltham play was their sure collaring in most cases. With practic ! the team could be wonderfully improved. The match was played without undue roughness. J. Sadler got winded, and a couple of Eltham players were temporarily dijabied at other times. The cup fixtures in the southern division evidently start to-morrow, as Waimate and Hawera senior and junior teams, meet on that day. Ihe senior match will be played at Hawera, the teams being represented as follows : — Seniors : Bourke (3), W. Hill, W. Christie, W. Glen, W. Mellow, J. Young, Clealand, Bigham, Riddle, McKay, Tine, Carroll, Mellow. Emergencies, Christie, Lusher. - . Juniors : Hird, Glenn, McHugb, Young (2), Bearsley, Reid, Clealand, Penny, Hughes, Christie, Dailey, Campbell, Hastie, Rye, S lattery, NeilsoD. A reminder is given local and country clubs that the names of teams for Thursday matches will be published on Wednesday if secretaries will arrange that information is posted in time to reach this office on Tuesday evening or early on Wednesday. Instructions as to brakes, place of departure, etc., can only appear as advertisements. An endeavour will be made to form a Referee's Association for tha Northern Division und a meeting to consider the matter will bs he-Id in the Red House next Thursday night. It is uudorstcod that McGregor, the Thames player, intends settling in iVew Plymouth, and will play for the Star Club. Last year McGregor captained the uckland rep. team iv town. D. Watson, the ex Taranaki rep., was in town, to-day, lie is now residing at the Mmii, and consequently' will not be able to don tho jersey for Clifton this year. Hu states that quite a strong team could be raised in the Minn district, as there are several rep. men from different parts of Xt. w Zralatd, a Yorkshire halfbac*, and lesser lights in the football world grafting in the district. The I'ar naki Union w.ll meet to-night to draw up the Cup fixtures for the season. The following Old High Fchool Boys are requested to go into thorough practice: — Bewiey, Bill, coffee Coker, 1 hompson, Horrocks {£), Woodhouse, Cutfield, Leon, Whitcojibe, Fraser, ' Cailaghan, Reed, Bre .stcr, Bill Jones, W. Buttlegin.