FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1925, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY’S MATCHES. TARANAfCI v., AUCKLAND. FINAL GF JUNIOR COMPETITION. games at pukekura park. Football matcb.es listed for to-day are as follow: Representative match.—Taranaki v. Auckland, »,t Auckland. Junior final.—'Cardiff v. Star, at Inglewood at. 2.45 p.m. IPukekura Park,.—Tukapa v. Daily News, at 1 Jlvf> p.m.; Civil Service v. Banks, Law, Insurance, atr- 2.30 p.m.; Star v. Clifton, at 3.30 p.m TO-DAY’S REP. MATCH. Taranaki plays the final representative match of the season to-day, when they meet Auckland at the northern city. Despite the fact that Auckland were victorious here a fortnight ago and that Auckland will be represented to-day by a much stronger team, including probably Cooke, Lucas and Lomas, one quite expects. the Taranaki team to make a good showing. Taranaki is always a popular team with the Auckland, public, and generally plays best when it realises that it U up against it. Weakened by the defection of Ward and Robinson from the forwards, and opposed by a. very strong fifteen, the amber and blacks will 'be right up against it to-day. THE JUNIOR FINAL. The curtain will be (finally rung down on the Taranaki cup competitions today, when Cardiff and Star will meet at Inglewood to decide the provincial first junior championship. The match should prove a very interesting one, as the issue appears very open. '•Cardiff have shown in the matches already played that they .possess a vrey strong pack of forwards, who pla.y a hard game right from start to finish, whilst their backs are very sound. Star also possess a fairly well balanced their forwards being of the lighter, dashing variety, whilst their backs can combine well in attack. Both teams have been training for the final as. they are keen to win the championship, so that the public should see a great struggle. AFTERNOON AT THE PARK. Football enthusiasts and those who are not football enthusiasts can be assured of a good afternoon’s enjoyment at Pukekura Park this afternoon, and at the same time they will assist a worthy cause—the funds of the Tourist and Expansion League. An excellent bill of fare, comprising three courses, has been arranged for their delectation, commencing"" at 1.15 p.m. with a match between the Tukapa I Juniors and the Daily News team. This will be followed by a match between Civil Service and Banks, Lavr and Insurance, The final game, which starts at 3.30 p.m,, will be a return game between Clifton and .Star, There is keen, rivalry 'between these clubs and Clifton, will be eager to turn the tables on Star, who defeated, them a week or two ago. NEW’S AND NOTES. Pat Ward, the Clifton and Taranaki player, left this week for Australia, where it is understood he will follow up his occupation as a freezing works butcher. The ex-Canterbury representative -player will bo greatly missed by his club and by Taranaki generally, >ia he was a dashing forward, who at the same time played a very heady game and was a great leader. He was well in the running for New Zealand honours. Indeed, this season he just missed wearing the All Black jersey, as he was the next on the list to go to Australia. P. Hickey, the ex-Taranakl and New Zealand representative player, is playing right up to his best form in Wellington this season. In a recent match between* the Wellington and Auckland tramways, which the former won by 3il points to 5, he gave an exhilarating display. The game, in fact, was described as “Hickey’s match,” the Wellington wing three-quarter scoring three i tries in brilliant fashion by side-step- , ping and swerving his way through the ! opposition, and repeatedly coming with;in an aoe of scoring. His display was an outstanding and meritorious one, and ;at the conclusion of the game he was carried off the field shoulder high. Playing for Wellington representatives last Saturday against llorowhenua-Mana-watu he was also in brilliant form, scoring three tries.

Hawkins, another ex-Taranaki player, was also in good form on the other wing for Wellington in the same match, scoring one try and being responsible for at least one other.