FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1918, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The first of the series of football matches of the Southern Junior Division took place on Cass Squaro on Saturday ufternoon between the Kiwi and Excelsior teams, a draw resulting, each side flooring a try. The' play in the opening stages was all in favour of the Kiwi, who gave a very fair exhibition of passing, spoilt by a failure to cut in up the field. They pressed strongly and ultimately W. Stopforth scored, the kick at the goal failing. As the game wore on the attack steadied down, and the Excelsiors settling down better, the play was more even. Towards the end of the first spell, from a forward rush i*. Stopforh scored for the Excelsiors. The play of the first spell was fast throughout and the handling was very fair. In the second half both teams failed to keep up the standard of play, want of condition being responsible for a great deal of ragged play, the handling of the ball deteriorating to a remarkable extent. The play in the second half was not nearly so interesting, the play being of a ragged nature, interspersed with occasional brighter flashes of play. The gamo ended in a. draw, and that fairly represented the merits of the play. The Kiwi backs played a Yery steady game in the first, half, but the failure of the five eighths aud centre to cut in was responsible for the play going right across the field. The half gent it out smartly and did a good afternoon’s work. The forwards with tho exception of on© or two were not putting their heads down to it properly and the Excelsior forwards had by far the best day’s play. The Excelsior hacks did not got properly going through j there were one or .two solid instances of going up the field by the five-eights and centre that will mean tries later in the season if persevered frith. The full hack easily held his poai tion. Tho kicking wae generally good, 1 the gjatne on the whole being of a decidedly pleasing nature, whioh the onlookers decidedly enjoyed. Mr W. J. Pritchard had charge of the game efficiently-