FOOTBALL NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16793, 17 July 1920, Page 6

FOOTBALL NOTES.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. RESULTS TO D4TE. Following pro the results to date of Taranaki representative matches: — Taranaki (11) v. Wanganui (8). Wellington (20) V. Taranaki (9;. Taranaki (6) v. Wanganui (O.i. Taranaki (0) v. South Auckland (0). The Herald and Budget will display the progress results of all representative marches in the window of Mr. Preece’s tobacconist's shop, Devon Street Central. FUTURE FIXTURES,. The following fixtures have boon arlanged for the Taranaki representative team;— July 22.—Hawke’s Bay, at New Plymoutn. • , August 5. —Manawatu, at Stratrora. August 11.—Hawke’s Bay, at-Napier. August 14'.—Wairarapa, at Carterton. August 18.—Manawatu, at Palmers ton North. • . August 21.—-Wellington, at Wellmgtcn.- , „ September 2.—Auckland, at New Plymouth. ' A match lias been nrrangea between a team from the Wairoa Sub-Union and a Taranaki B representative team to bo played'at Patea at an early cate. LAST SATURDAY’S ‘REPRESENT A- . TIVE MATCH. The represultativo match at Hawera last Saturday between Taranaki ana Wanganui scarcely provides a subject for notes! Drizzling rain all the morning, which increased to a steady downpour throughout the afternoon, together with the fact that the mterschools team had already h ccn °ver the ground, reduced the field to a veritable quagmire, and made anything in the nature of a display of football out ot the question. The game became a scramble -between the opposing forwards, in which it not only became dimcult to distinguish individual players, but at times impossible to say to which team a man belonged, so besmirched with mud were all the players. Taken on’the’afternoon’s play the better team won. The Taranaki forwards carried the game with them and were ji-st prevented from scoring on several occasions. Infringements on th| pgri of Wanganui players gave Taranaki the victory. The kicking of a heavy greasy ball by George in the manner be did, being particularly meritorious;. The Wanganui forwards made some formidable rushes qt times, but /off-side play caused in many cases by the uncertain foothold, spoiled their chances. The huge attendance of spectators on such a day, amply demonstrated the revival of interest in football. That several thousand people were content to stand out in the heavy rain all the afternoon should be encouragement enough for those who are seeking to foster the sport in this district, THE SOUTH AUCKLAND MATCH. The match between South Auckland and Taranaki was a stern contest and the fact that neither side was able to score shows that the defence of _ both teams vyis very solid. 1 Taranaki forwards again made a good showing, but they wore af times hard-pressed by the South Aucklanders. Taranaki felt the benefit of Roberts’ presence in the team. TO-DAY’S MATCH. The match with Auckland being played to-day is full of interest, though there are very few local supporters of Rugby sufficiently sanguine to expect a win for Taranaki. The absence of Sykes and Cameron from the team on account of injuries received at Hamilton on Wednesday, has considerably, weakened the side, though it is thought they will be sufficiently sound in defence to prevent so substantial a defeat as the local representatives suffered last year at the hands of Auckland. Following are the teams selected; — Taranaki.—Full-back, George ; threequarters, R. Ponniall, R. Roberts (captain), P. Hickey; fivercighths. J. Robertson and R. Oliver; half, M. Lynskey; rover, M. Malone; forwards (hookers), J. Johnson and A. Birchatl. (lock) H. Masters, (supports) A. King and R.’Fogarty, (back row) -R. Patterson and A. Kivell. Emergencies; Backs, H. Oliver and G. Taylor; .forwards T. Smith and-M'Davitt. Auckland. Full-back, Kingston ; three-quarters, Nicholson, V. Badeley, and Nixon; five-eichths, Grierson and E. Gasparich; half, Ross; rover, Singe; forwards, Lomas, Taylor, M'Lean, Alexander, Grenville, Somerville and Blucher. Emergencies: Good, Laxon, Early, \l‘Cullough, and Keane. 5 THE HAWKE’S BAY MATCH. On Thursday next Taranaki meet the Hawke’s Boy representatives at the Recreation Ground, New Plymouth. The visitors are to arrive in town early in the week and will he accommodated at the Imperial Hotel. The team chosen is as follows: Backs: Kirwan, F. Barclay, Price (Dannevirke), Mapu, O’Doruioghuo (Celtic), Thomas, Kivell (Pirates), De Castro, captain (Hastings). ’ Forwards: Batchelor,- Anderson (High School Old Boys), Bunker, Kirkpatrick (Hastings), M'Nab (Celtic), Davis (M ai; pawa), Johnsoa (Wqodville), Northe, Swain (Pirates). . THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR. REPRESENTATIVES OF 1914. The last tour to Australia was made in 1914, when the following were selected to represent New Zealand: Fullback, J. Ryan (Wellington); centre 'B. Roberts (Taranaki), J. O’Brien (Auckland); wing threequarters, G Lovcridge (Taranaki), 1Lynch (South Canterbury); five-eighths, R. Black (Otago), J. M'Kenzie (Auckland), L. Weston (Auckland); halfbacks, C. Green (West Coast), H. Taylor (Canterbury); wing-forwards, H. Murray (Auckland), Carroll (South, Auckland); front rank forwards, Vi. Francis (Wellington), M. Cain (Taranaki), W. Lindsay (Southland) ; look, J. Irvine (Southland); other forwards, A. - Wilson (Wellington), J. Bruce (Auckland), J. Graham (Otago), A. J. Downing (Auckland),™ J. M'Neeco (Southland), and T. -Fisher (Buffer). On the selection of this team much surprise was expressed at the non-in-clusion of E. Roberts, E. Cockroft and Stohr. Green and Carroll did not make the trip, and before sailing, E. Roberts, Cockroft and J. Barrett (Auckland) were included in the team.

Ton matches wore played, and all were won, the points scored being: For 246, against 60. Of those who made the trip, only throe are included in this year’s team— O’Brien, Roberts, and Cain. RUGBY FOOTBALL IN NEW SOUTH ' WALES. The following .paragraph from the Sydney Eefcrco docs mot make very pleasant reading in view of the visit to Now South Wales of the Now Zealand representative team:—“Apparently there is a falling away in enthusiasm ampngst the Eugby Union players. A number of leading members of the clubs have been absent from their teams during the past few weeks. ! ‘Seasonable ills,’ ns they have recently boon termed, are responsible, for some being unable to play, and tho league has gained some; but. after allowing for these, v there are defections, temporary ones, perhaps, but nevertheless not encouraging to the officials and not very pleasant in view of the early engagements with what will certainly be a'very torrid New Zealand team. ’Varsity always have fine reinforcements, and do not treat engagements lightly. It was said, during the last few years, that one of. tho reasons for unrest jmongat the Blue and Gold was the uncertainty of having organised and serious opposition each week. They have been fully extended on one or two occasions this winter, but a return to the olds state of affairs will not have a strengthening effect on the union.” Tho question arises whether this will her the last Rugby Union team to go to' Australia frorp. New Zealand.