FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1920, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S GAMES. Diggers 6, Excelsiors 0. Kumara 31, KokataJii 0. Kiwis 3, Ross 3. The weather on Saturday was again perfect for tho continuation of the second round of the Southern Division senior cup competition. The results place the Diggers in a fairly safe position for the championship. DIGGERS V. EXCELSIORS.

The weather and ground were perfect on Saturday for the above game which resulted in a win for Diggers by (i points (two tries, scored by Wells) to nil. Tho game was again a disappointing one, an unwelcome feature being the repeated playing of the man, instead of the ball, the Diggers being the worst offenders. There was a very unusual amount of whistle, and the penalties, freekicks or scrums must have taken up nearly one-third of the game, and so made it slow and decidedly uninteresting to watch. There were very few bright incidents, each side putting up a very poor display. The heavy Diggers forwards smothered up their opponents in the tight play, some of the latter not being too willing to take the medicine that a light team lias to take, which in this instance was made more nasty than necessary, by some glaring instances of unfair play. Withal the handling, with such fine conditions prevailing was poor, and the punting sadly lacked direction on many occasions. Both teams bad numerous shots at goal, but not one was piloted betweon the posts, and some of the shots were very easy, with the ball dry and no wind. In the first half Diggers at the opening held their own, till about half way through when Excelsiors who were being badly beaten in the scrums for the ball, got possession on the other side of half way. A nice passing run was opened up and Wogan prettily cutting in, carried the ball to near the line, where a pass went astray, a force resulting. Excelsiors continued tho attack, but a had pass lost the ground, and Wells taking the hall, broke through just outside his own 23 flag. An attempt to eollar'-round the neck gave him an opportunity and he continued Ids dash up the field, and a fine run saw him score a fine try. The kick at goal missed. A few minutes after, from a Digger attack the ball went out, and about the only hit of combined passing on their part during the game, saw Owens hand it on to Wells, who made a fine dash and scored at the corner, Ids speed heating Ids opponents. The play till half-time was of a fairly even nature, though without any special effort.

In the second spell it was expected that the condition of the Excelsiors would assist them, but they had no material advantage, and as the spell wore on they seemed to tire even more than their opponents, and whatever they did seemed to go wrong. The Diggers'head work at times got them out of some, difficulties and on one occasion, bqlf* a dozen Excelsiors were a dozen yards from the line with the ball at their feet, when one jumped into the fray offside, and spoilt an almost certain score. Then the Diggers took a hand and the play went to the other end, a score being narrowly averted by a force down. The play came back and an Excelsior rush saw the ball almost on the Digger line. A scrum followed in front of the posts, but a lucky speculator sent the ball down the field and the last effort of the losers 1 appeared spent. With a quarter of an hour to go the play got very ragged, and the game ended tamely with the score Diggers 6 to 0. Mr Hills was referee, and his decisions were taken with a unanimity that was pleasing and refreshing, though the game was spoilt by the large amount of whistle necessitated by the continued infringement of the rules by both teams.

win against a poor team, putting up the substantial score of 31 points to nil. Mr Houston was referee.

Tlic cup points now are: — Diggers 13 points, Ross 10, Kiwis 9, Kuniara 9, Excelsiors 8, Kokatahi 3. Kumara and Excelsior teams are each a match behind the others. At Greymouth on Saturday the Stars defeated MajJsts by 6 points to 3. This practically gives the winners ihc senior championship again for the season. TEAM TO PLAY MARISTS. • The following selection was made on Saturday evening for the team to represent Southern Division against the Marists (Christchurch) on Cass Square on Wednesday afternoon : Full Back—L. Ross; Three-quarters Wognn,"Owens, H. Dowell; Five-eighths Weils, Irving; Half, Hannan; "Wingfonvard, Johnson ; Forwards, —Carley, Nancekivell, ,1. Cutbush, K. "Wallace, F. Martyn, l’owley, Devaney. Emergencies—Backs— Bethune, Cherrie; Forwards—Askew, C. Smith.

' ATTPTUM.IAN N. 7, OAaI.K apsooiationl SOUTH ISLAND COUNTRY TEAM. ROTORUA, August 21. At Rugby football to-day the Bay of Plenty reps defeated the South Island Country Team by 25 to 15. The weather was lino, but cold, with a strong southerly wind throughout the game. There was a largo attendance. The winner’s tries Were scored by lies; Rick, Hearn, Borrell, Pini, and Geoffrey and Rodgers. For the losers tries were got by Goodall, (Motueka), 3; King (Greymouth), and Hall (Greymouth). Among the visitors backs, Nelson (Greymouth) and Johnston (Ladbroks) did especially well, while Goodall and Hall seemed the best of the forwards.

CANTERBURY V. WAIRARA PA CHRISTCHURCH, August 21. The Canterbury Rugby representatives defeated Wairarapa to-day by nine points to five. The visitors were slightly superior in the loose forward iwork, but they had no attacking combination among the backs. MANAWATU V. WANGANUI. PALMERSTON N., August 22. Tho representative match Wanganui v. Manawatu was played here to-day before a fair crowd and resulted in a win for Manawatu by 12 points to 8. The game opened rather dull, but tho second spell produced good from both sides. AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL. SYDNEY, August 22Playing the Australian football game, North Adelaide defeated New South Wales by 93 to 65.' The New South "Wales rep. soccer team defeated Queensland by two goals to nil.