FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1917, Page 1

FOOTBALL

GREY V. HOKITIKA. Teams, repi'esonitinjl the Groymouth and Ilokitilui.'Distirict High Schools liiet on Gass' Square on Saturday afternoon to play a' game for the Wright 1 Stephenson Gup The game resulted in 4 a win for Groymouth by five points (a f goal from a try) to nil. f A considerable amount of rain fell I! in’ the morning making the ground heavy while showers fell nearly all through the game, which consisted . ol two half-hour spells. Play opened in favour of Hokitika, who tried t° open out the play hut the greasy hall nullified their efforts, and some had handling lost) considerable ground. A nice dribble was stopped by a speculator by Ruck, a visiting back and the play went to the other end. There', from a ljne out See beck kicked across'the field and let the Grey backs come right on to the line where there was some close forward scrambles, and in a break' through caused by the local backs fumbling the. Grey forwards went, over the line, a try being awarded, from which Baxter played a nice goal. For the ( balance of tile spell the visitors had somewhat the host of the play tho local , pack being somewhat hadlv beaten, their' opponents being a good deal heavier apparently, while had handling let the team do«’n badly several times. . i In the second half Hokitika attacked and on a couple of occasions looked dangerous but the handling of the Grey hacks was decidedly cleaner and some picky speculators came off, helping con- ‘ sidcrab'ly. A couple of nice runs by Williams and Stapleton were put in but they were stopped when getting dangerous.' Then the Grey bficks took •> hand Harrington putting in some good work, hut without success though they were nearly in on one occasion. At the dose of the game Hokitika cam© with a: couple of decided rushes, in which Winchester was prominent, hut the, defence wa s sound and the game ended in mid-field without further score. | On *>he day the visitors deserved their win, as they had the best, of the game, though their score was a lucky one. Their forwards were a better combination, Bromley being the host; while, their half and'five-eighth were far super j ior to their opponents. Harrington and j Dmnford each played good games, I Smith at full wa s safe, but .Buck and Bush did not use their weight and , speed, tho former spoiling his display by continually speculating, a had fault with a wing three-quarter. For Hokitika, probably the lightest player in the team showed ho most- advantage Winchester at wing forward being continaully on the hall and using Iris feet well. The forwards seemed overmatched, Stopforth showing out, above bis confreres, Williams was carefully watched and though he made- a couple of good runs, his handling at times was very faulty. Stapleton was the only other hack to do well .the half failing to get into it, wliilo had handling by the full, let the team down badly on several occasions, for which the greasy hall wa's mainly, responsible. Mr. Houston had control of the game. In’s position not being an enviable one in the rain and mud.