FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1920, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

EXCELSIOIiS V. ROSS.

• This senior cup fixture was commenc‘ed on Cass Square on Saturday afternoon, but before tlic first spell had concluded the referee (Mr Conning) declared the game off. At this stage the Excelsiors had scored 11 points (three tries, one being converted) to nil. The cause of the trouble was the attitude of some three or four members of the visiting team, who throughout were ' most talkative, and they continually questioned and referred in anything but polite terms to the referee, who at last after ordering a player off, who refused to obey bis ruling,.found the conduct of such a nature, tha t lie was losing all control, and lie toon declared the game oil - , and the players left the field, after giving cheers for each other. For Excelsiors Wogan, Wallace and Thompson scored tries, Wogan converting his own. There is no doubt that the referee t-ook the right course. The.players were getting out of control and though there was no unseemly display, a good deal of the language used by one or two special offenders, was far from parliamentary, and with the toucliline lined by a specially large number of young people in readiness for the school’s match, he is to be commended when he found lie was unable to control the players efficiently, to put a stop to the game. It is a great pity that the necessity arose, caused in the main by only one or two men, as the rest of the team, led_ by their captain endeavoured to quieten the offenders, without avail. , v .

WESTPORT V. HOKITIKA

The schools match Westport District High School against the Hokitika High School came on sharply at three o’clock, and the fairly large attendance of spectators were given an exhibition that was particularly pleasant and enjoyable. Victory rested with the local team by 6 points (a goal from a mark kicked by Wogan, and a try by Kelly) to 3 points (a try by Lutton). The visiting team were heavier than the local players, their forwards being considerably heavier. The light backs of the visitors were not given much show, their vanguard making their game a forward one, using their weight to great advantage. It was noticeable that the heaviest players of the visitors shone most, while it was Hokitika’s light weights that came out in great style. The play in the first half was very even, the advantage resting slightly with the home team, even though they played against a. light breeze. Though, the ball travelled up and down at a fairly fast rate, mainly by long kicking and loose open work, neither side got into a dangerous attacking position, the play, remaining almost the whole time within the two 25 flags. There was only twice that the visitors looked dangerous from loose rushes, while the local backs when they did get the ball from the scrum, failed to open the game, mainly by bad tactics by th'e outside five-eighths, who used his boot too often, when in the opposing quarters. Half time came without score.

In the second half the visiting forwards opened with great dasli and a good forward rush took the play to the home line, where after a liard attack was stemmed off, they cam© back with a fine dash, and Lutton scored a clever try, and first blood for the game. The kick failed—3 —0. The home team then put more vigor into their play and from thence on they had by far the best of the play, only on occasion, the visitors looking dangerous on their forwards breaking through, but it was only occasionally that they went far. The play settled 1 down past the half way, and the ■local lads opened out, their passing at times being fair, hut it generally broke down, the attack of the visiting forwards ancl their winger, in particular, being yery deadly. Half way through the spell from a mark Wogan kicked a nice goal, making the scores even, 3—3. The play continued in the home team’s favor, contrary to expectation, the visitors not lasting it out quite as well as their opponents, ancl the backs getting the hall out, looked dangerous. When near the end of the game a loose rush and scrum in front of the goal was only stopped after the ball went over the line, by a force down. From the kick-out the play came hack to the visitors end and from a loose mix up, following a line out at the 25 flag, Butland picked up and with a smart clash, cut through the defence and passed to Wogan, who went on a few yards and passed to Kelly,who scored a pretty try. Wogan failed with the kick at goal, 6—3. With only some four minutes to go Westport lost any chance of evening the scores by finding the line, though one loose rush was only stopped, when past the 25 flag, and the ball came hack to the centre as the game ended.

It was a fast an’d interesting game to witness, and on the play the best team won, though it was remarkable the very few occasions either side got into a dangerous scoring position, nearly all the attacks, by both sides being stopped by the defence. The visiting forwards bore the brunt of the play for their side.. They got the hall in the scrum and broke through time and again. Their winger Lutton, was their best player. He was very fit, was in every rush, and played a capital game, Iris weight giving him a distinct advantage. The backs all handled excellently, and their kicking was superior to their opponents, but they made no attempt to open up any hack play. The whole team tackled well.

Of the local team the forwards did well against their heavier opponents and it was refreshing to see how all, and especially the lighter lads, went down to collar, -repeatedly stopping dangerous rushes by their clean tackling. The hacks hardly did as well as they should have, the heavy forwards getting to them and upsetting their play. The half did well, playing capitally, but the inside five-eighths at times was overrun, while his mate spoilt a number of openings by kicking instead of opening out the game, while he did not go down to the rushes in the early stages, but as the game went on he showed his great capabilities. The three quarter line did well in defence, j but they did'not ha ve a great many op- \ portunities. The full back handled and kicked well, his tackling hardly being called for trial. As before stated it was the lightest players in the local team • who shone out most, and of these But- j land and Houston were perhaps the pick, but as a whole the team gave a I good exhibition. Mr D. Dowell had control of the whistle. (

KUMAIIA V. DIGGERS. This, game was played at Kuinara on Saturday, ancl in view of the outcome practically deckling the result of til© senior cup competition, it caused special interest. The game resulted in a win for Diggers by 8 points (a goal from a try and a try), to 3 points (a penalty goal). There was a large attendance, and tho game was a very hard one. Wells scored a try which Carley converted'and Askew also scored a try for tho Diggers. Tho Kuinara score was a penalty goal kicked by V. Lloyd. Mr Houston was referee.

(Per Press Association.)

MARISTS V. WEST COAST. GREYMOUTH, Sept. 0

Marists met the West Coast team on Saturday afternoon under perfect conditions and defeated Coast by 35 to 5. The first half was fairly even, hut once the Marists combination got properly going they romped over their opponents. The score was made up of nine tries, lour being converted. Coast scored one try that was converted. Stoppages were frequent throughout the game, Londrigali (who broke his collar bone) and Frame (whose leg failed him) having to retire from Marists, and Wylie from the Coast. A McDonald and McCormack went on for Marists and Walton for Coast.

WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND. WELLINGTON, September 4. In the presence of 15,000 spectators Wellington decisively defeated Auckland, as challengers for tho Ranfuiiy Shield toy 30 points to 3. The weather conditToi\s were ideal, and the turf was in splendid order. At half time the odds seemed fairly even with the score 8 to 3 in favour of the home team. Auckland were aggressive in Die opening stages of the second half, hut they quickly faded away before the slashing attacks of tho Wellington forwards. Neither team of backs rendered much service at any stage of the game and before very long the challengers were a badly beaten team. OTAGO V. WANGANUI. DUNEDIN, September 4. Before an attendance of fully B,QOQ spectators, Otago defeated Wanganui at Carisbrook to-day ffiy 34 points to 9. INTER-STATE, VARSITY MATCH. CHRISTCHURCH, September 4. The first test match between New Zealand and Sydney Universities was played to-day at Lancaster Park, over 6000 being present. The game was fast and interesting, particularly in the second half. New Zealand won bv 17 to 9. THE SOCCER SHIELD. WELLINGTON, September 4. Wellington ’ '(holders) defeated Wanganui (challengers) by 3 goals to 1 in an Association match for the Brown Shield.