TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 192, 15 August 1931, Page 3

TAIHAPE

TO-DAY’S FOOTBALL Great interest is being manifested id the match between Pirates and Huia to day. If Pirates emerge victorious tney win the senior cup winch they have belu for the past three years. They are at present leading in the competition with 14 points, and a victory to-day will piace them in an unbeatable position. Huia have scored 12 points in the senior championship and a win to-day will place them on level terms with the holders of the senior cup. The Maoris have played a game less than Pirates and a victory over last year’s champions to-day will put Huia in a very favourable position for the championship. Pirates have a bye next Saturday and so to-day will mark their final appearance in the competition unless they have to take part ir a playoff.

A drawn game to-day between Huia and Pirates will in all probability necessitate a play-off for the cup, but it is possible (although extremely unakely) for Pirates to win the compe tition by drawing with the Maoris today. Pirates defeated Huia in the first round, but the Maoris had their revenge when the two teams met in the second round. To-day’s match will decide the “conqueror” (unless it results in a draw) and may also decide the championship. The Maoris are at their best on a dry ground, and at the time of writing the prospect of the ground being in the state preferred by the Huia team is fairly bright. The minor attraction to-day will be the match between Old Boys and Hautapu. Both teams have scored eleven points in the competition and the re suit of the game will be awaited with interest. It is still possible for either Pirates, Hautapu, Huia or Old Boys to win the competition. The following table shows how each senior team stands:—

On August 22 Hautapu play United, while Old. Boys try conclusions with Huia. Football Dinner After the Pownall Trophy match on vVednesday between Rangitikei and L'aihape both teams, together with officials of the Rangitikei Union, were entertained at dinner at Era’s Hotel by the Taihape Rugby Union. The president of the Taihape union (Mr J. Quirk) presided. The usua’ toasts were honoured. Proposing the toast of the “Rangitikei Union,” the chairman remarked that ho felt assured that the good feeling existing between the Rangitikei and Taihape Unions would continue. He was glad to have the opportunity of welcoming the Rangitikei team and officials. The game that day was a good, clean one, and the public thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciated the fine sporting spirit in which it was played. He felt that there was an element of luck about D. Thompson’s “potted” goal, and Collier’s kick from a mark. He felt proud of the Taihape team’s performance. He would not have felt grieved if Rangitikei had won the Pownall Trophy, as a victory for the challengers might have helped to stimulate competition. He congratulated the Rangitikei team on’ the good fight they had put up and hoped that they would challenge again next year. Mr Lloyd Hammond, manager of the Rangitikei team, said that it was always a pleasure for Rangitikei to visit Taihape. The two unions had a community of interest. Rangitikei would sooner win the Pownall Trophy match against Taihape than win the remainder of their representative games. The challengers were beaten by a better team. He understood that Wanganui had never challenged for the trophy and he thought it was a great pity that they had not done so. It was time Wanganui “pulled up

their socks’’ aud entered a challenge. Mr Crowley, sole selector to the Wanganui Union, had tendered an apology tor his absence from the Pownaii frophy match and had asked Mr Henwood to act on his behalf, so that the game had been played under the eye of a selector. “Moke” Beiliss had played a fine game for Taihape, aud the speaker wished to congratulate him. “The sooner ‘Moke’ gives up the game, the better will be our chances of winning the Pownall Trophy,” added the speaker, amidst laughter. Mr Hammond warmly thanked the l’aihape Union for the hospitality extended to the visitors.

Mr S. McKenzie, president of the Rangitikei Rugby Union, in proposing the toast of the “Taihape Rugby Union,” coupled with the names of Messrs D. McLennan and V. Nicholls, also thanked the Taihape Union for the hospitable way it had treated the Rangitikei players. “We came here to challenge for the Pownall Trophy with our hearts full of hope, but we are not returning with our tails down. We will try again next year when we hope “Moke” Beiliss will be absent. He spoils our chances every time. (Laughter). Mi Qau k had suggested that there was an element of luck in D. Thompson’s “potted” goal and Collier’s kick. Personally he did not think luck entered into the two cases at all. He considered it was good play and not luck. In replying to the toast, Mr D. J. McLennan said that he would have welcomed a victory for Rangitikei as he thought Wanganui might challenge for the Pownall Trophy if Rangitikei won it. He thought Wanganui had treated Taihape badly by only sending the Wanganui selector to Taihape once this season to watch the local games. He thanked. Rangitikei for sending a team to Taihape each year to challenge for the Pownall Trophy. “1 don’t think the sub-unions have had a very good ‘run’ as far as visits from the Wanganui selector are concerned. We don’t exactly blame Mr Crowley, but we do think he should have been here to-day for the Pownall Trophy match,” declared Mr V. Nicholls, who added that had Wanganui paid more attention to the sub-unions in this respect, Wan ganui might produce a better representative team.

Mr G. Hartley proposed the toast of “The Taihape Team,” coupled with the name of Mr “Moke” Beiliss.

In responding, Mr Beiliss said that he had thoroughly enjoyed the game, which had been played in the spirit in which football should be played. He intended to retire from active play at the end of the season. He had de finitely made up his mind on this point. He thought that Mr Crowley should have been present at the match to see the pick of Taihape and Rangitikei in action. “When Mr Crowley visits Taihape some time ago he only stayed for about 25 minutes. I think he should have stayed until the end. He should have been here to-day and although he did appoint a substitute, I still think that on principle he should have attended himself,” concluded Mr Beiliss. Mr D. Thompson proposed the toast of the “Rangitikei Team,” and Mr M. Waldin responded. He said that Rangitikei regarded the game as the best they had participated in this season. Mr A. Henwood, in proposing the toast of “The Referee,” congratulated Mr A. T. Moore on the way he had controlled the game, and hoped that he would advance further up the ladder. Referring to the absence of Mr Crowley. the speaker said that it was impossible for Mr Crowley to attend, owing to a council meeting. He was quite sure that one or two of the Taihape and Rangitikei players were worth a game in the Wanganui reps, and he intended to make a recommendation to Mr Crowley to this effect. Air Moore replied to the toast. The toast of the “Host and Hostess and Staff” was proposed by Air S. Abel and responded to by Air P. E. Wakeman. Speaking about football Air Wakeman remarked that he had been connected with the game for many years. He regretted the fact that Wanganui had never challenged for the Pownall Trophy. He thought it was up to Wanganui to enter a challenge. GENERAL NEWS “I kicked the best goal that wasn’t kicked,” remarked Mr G. Hartley amidst laughter at the football dinner after the Pownall Trophy match on Wednesday. During the match Air Hartley nearly landed a penalty goal from half-way, the ball hitting the cross-bar and bouncing back. He was evidently re ferring to this incident when he made the above remarks. Air Quirk took the opportunity at the football dinner of congratulating Mr “Alokc” Beiliss on the excellent game he had played against Rangitikei. This may be “Moke’s” last year, added the speaker. Air Beiliss: “Yes, I am retiring from the game at the end of this season.” A Voice: “You said that last year.” Air Beiliss: “I mean it this year. I have definitely made up my mind not to play again after this season.” SOCIAL EVENING The Taihape Returned Soldiers’ Association held a most enjoyable “ladies’ ” social evening on Wednesday. Euchre was played, the prizes being won by Airs G. Thompson and Air A. G. Dawson. Alessrs Stead and Eaton were in charge. A dance followed the euchre, the music being supplied by Air Carrington, Air Foxon and Airs L. Hall. Songs were rendered by Messrs A. G. Dawson, Seager, and F. Paradine. The R.S.A. Committee was in charge of the supper arrangements. Messrs RD. Wilson and G. Thompson acl cd as Al.’sC. for the dance. MAJESTIC THEATRE One of screendom’s best known blondes will be seen to-night at the Afajestic Theatre at Taihape. The blonde in person is no other than Constance Bennett and the film in whk-h she will bo seen is “Sin Takes a Holiday.” Constance Bennett comes of a famous family of actors and acting is therefore quite natural to her. She has scored many “hits” during her rapid career and the picture in which she wil] be seen to-night will undoubtedly be registered as another. The performance starts at 8 p.m. sharp.

P. w. D. For Ag. c. Pts. Pirates . .. 11 6 2 3 48 50 14 Huia .. . < , 10 5 2 3 114 63 12 Hautapu .. . 10 5 1 4 102 44 11 Old Boys .. . 10 5 1. 4 71 86 11 United . . < . 11 1 2 8 50 132 4