FOOTBALL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 25 May 1901, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Grey mouth y. Hokitika.

The first match of the season between these old rivals was played in Victoria Park yesterday afternoon before 1000, spectators, and gave strong hopes of a revival of the game on the West Coast, and notwithstanding one or two regretable incidents we think this season will see better play and more interest in the game. The Park, as could well be supposed, was sloppy; and the game as a consequence very much of a forward one. The day was fine, but during the first spell there was a high wind blowing that died away later on. The wind as one critic remarked was “as good as four men for the team that had it with them.” Hokitika won the toss and Butland very wisely elected to play with the wind at his back.

The first spell saw the hall nearly all the time in Grey ground, the local men, especially the forwards, making a splendid defence ; and the game would have ended in a draw had not one of the Grey men given their opponents a free kick in front of the goal, which was nicely converted, the spell closing with Hokitika 3, Greymouth nil. In the sedond spell, the Greymouth boys quickly had their • opponents in trouble, and in the first quarter of an hour got over the line, the attempt at goal being a failure. Again and again the Hokitikians were pressed, but too much “ cagerosity ” for kicking prevented scoring, the local men making exacting the same mistake as their opponents did in the first spell; and time was called Hokitika 3, Greymouth 3; the Hokitika team then pressing the Greymouth lines. The Grey forwards were by far the better, but the Hokitika backs were quite as much superior to their opponents. For the visitors Macfarlane, Bonar, Lynch, and Murray—the latter a mere lad—shone out, Butland also putting in good work. In the Grey team Kcttlety and Brown were the best of a good forward team, while M‘Kay, Dansey, and Drumm put in good, solid work. We must compliment both captains upon their generalship, and if the respective teams had followed out the advice given a much better game would have ensued, Butland, while he has

lost some of the dash of former years,, played with great judgment, and when, through bad temper displayed by one of the players, a row was likely to ensue, he acted promptly and as became a captain. Yesterday he gained much kudos. Of the Greymouth captain we can only say that he acquitted himself admirably and will, we feel satisfied,, bring on his team to a much better statei of efficiency.

The visitors were entertained at dinnerat the Wharf Hotel, where it is scarcely' necessary to state Host Lutz left no cause for complaint. We regret to have to call attention to a disgraceful proceeding on the ground, in whioh the police were required to interfere. A previous offender was prominent in the affair. The Eugbj Union, if it desires friendly contests to co ntinue must take action.