FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16795, 20 July 1920, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI v. HAWKE’S BAY. In connection ■ wifh the’ match between Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay representatives, which is to be played in Bukekura Park on Thursday of this week, “Wanderer” writes in reminiscent vein of the Hawke’s Bay players in the late 80’s and following years. After relating incidents . concerning many of the old-timers from the East Coast, “.Wanderer” continues: “And Taranaki was not a weak fifteen then, and it was a clinking good team that represented the province. One of the games I remember against Taranaki was whqn, “Skinny” Humphries was making his debut. When the team reached Napier it was understood that Humphries , was too ill to play, and the disappointment ..was great, »so much so that the visiting team bundled Arthur H. into a cab and took him to __ the, grounds, where lie opened the eyes of the spectators, and led to a Taranaki victory by his brilliant play. Taranaki has been very fortunate when playing Hawke’s Bay and I. cannot remember one instance in which theJlawke’s Bay players have scored a victory, though I ■ have seen many contests between the two fifteens. Regarding these games there were occasions when the Napier ground was so hard that the Borough Council had to' water the ground for two mornings before the match to make it a little loss hard than asphalt, and on another occasion, probably the htsfi in which Simon', Mynott participated, whfn the game lesolved itself into a swimming match, and after Taranaki had waded across a lake of water and slush two or three times and put up a respectable score the game was curtailed, players aud spectators being quite content to remove themselves to more genial surroundings.”

Interest in the match which takes place oir Thursday afternoon is growing rapidly. The good showing the Taranaki players made against Auckland on Saturday has inspired confidence in them among followers, of Rugby and a keen game is anticipated. The Taranaki men returned home last night, and the visiting team also arrived in New Plymouth by the same train and are staying at the Imperial Hotel. The match will commence at 2.45 p.m., and for the convenience of country visitors the afternoon train , has been delayed to leave New Plymouth at 5 o’clock.

' TARANAKI TEAM. The Taranaki team has been selected as follows. Penuiall satisfied the selectors in the recent tour, and has been left out merely to give H. Oliver (tbe previous emergency)' a game. Several changes have beefa made in the forwards owing to men who played at Auckland not being available. Cain (Clifton) replaces -Johnston, and Smith (Old Boys) replaces Pattesrson. Full-back.—George. Three-quarters.—H. Oliver,. Roberts, and Hickey. Five-eighths.—-Robertson and U. Oliver. Half-back Lynskey. Forwards.—Malone (rover), Fogarty and Smith (back row), Kivell and King (supports)? Masters (lock), Cain and Birohall (front row). Emergencies.—Back, Penniall; forwards, Spence and Fuller. SOUTH TARANAKI PLAY. At. Hawera on Saturday the local seniors defeated Okaiawa by 9 to nil—three tries scored in the second spell. Hawera and Okaiawa juniors met at Okaiawa, Hawera being defeated by 17 to 3.

Kaponga and Haw era thirds tried conclusions at Hawera, the visitors being victorious by 11 to nil. At Makahu on Saturday afternoon teams representing the, Makahu and Strathmore schools tried conclusions, which resulted in a win for the Strathmore team by 23 points to 3. Mr. R. Meredith was the referee. LEAGUE. ENGLISHMEN IN AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 19. The English Northern Union football team arrived from Australia by the Mnheno to-day. Tiro team will be accorded a civic reception to-morrow, and the first match of the New Zealand tour will be against Auckland on Saturday. The manager of the' ter.m, Mr. S. Poster, in an interview, said he considered the team was the fastest that hacf ever left England. Ho did not think they had produced their best form yet. England should have won the firstdost match in Australia, but played much below their true form. Epr their loss of tho second test thoro was no' excuse, and tho best team won.