FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1921, Page 4

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S RESULTS.

Diggers 8, beat Kumara 3. Excelsiors 6, draw Kokatahi 6 Ross 9 beat Rimu 3.

. DIGGERS V. KUMARA

i The weather on Saturday afternoon ' was wet and squally, a northerly gale blowing at times. The game between Diggers and Kumara resulted in a win for Diggers by S points (two tries, one being converted) to 3 points (a try). The game was fairly fast and interesting, but the wet ball prevented either side make any show m handling. The game resulted into a even open forward game, mainly spoilt by the players attempting to pick up when a loose rush was on, and the repeated- speculating by most of the backs' instead of going down properly to stop a rush. The’ opening spell saw Kumara with the wind at thetr backs', and they had the best of the game. About half way through, Tainui picked up near the line and scored a neat try with a clever dash. The balance of the spell was generally in the favour of the visitors, who did not make enough use of the substantial breeze at their back, there being a terrible lot of unintersting line out play, due mainly to bad tactics. On changing ends, Diggers at first did not appear to have recognised the lesson, of keeping the ball in play apparently feeling doubt as to the safety of their backs. When nearly half an hour had gone, the ball went to the Kumara line and from a loose scrum the ball came out and P. Cutbush scored. Almost immediately the toll went back again and a lucky force resulted after several hands had tried for the ball. For a time the visitors appeared rattled, and then a fine dash up the field as a result of a clever interception, relieved the danger but a loose rush took play hack to the red line and B. Dowell scored a nice try. McManaway was successful with the kick. Up to this point Kumara had well held up their end, but now they seemed to tire in the heavy going, and they did not look like altering the position, time finding the home team busily attacking. The game as stated i before was completely marred by bad | handling, and the amount of specuj bating must have been a record for a [ senior game, one or two of the DigJ gers backs being the worst offenders in this respect, though it must be said that most of them came off. On the play the score about represents the strength of the team on the days play, the winners forwards having somewhat the better of the play Mr A. Cutbusli was referee, and controlled the game very efficiently.

EXCELSIORS V. KOKATAHI. The Excelsior team journeyed to Kokatahi on Saturday afternoon and after a very interesting game drew with G points each. Excelsiors kicked off with the wind behind them and from a lose scrummage, in which Robertson was prominent A. Wognn secured the ball and scored in the corner. He failed to convert. Play recommenced the bull travelling up and down, the field, there being no further score until half-time was sounded. Upon resuming Kokatahi began to push tho Excelsior forwards and one or two forward rushes looked dangerous, but were spoilt by too much speculating. From a scrum in the Excelsior twenty-live Wallace (Kokatahi) secured the ball and scored near the goal. Smith failed to convert. Excelsiors 3, Kokatahi 3. Excelsior forwards began to liven up and Robertson who was putting in some brilliant footwork, passed to Wogan who scored Ids second try. D. Fraser failed with tho kick. Excelsiors G Kokatahi 3. Play then became a bit scraggy ajid very uninteresting, the ball travelling up and down the field. Just before time was sounded Moynihan, (Kokatahi), who retired Hurt in the first spell came on, and by a nice piece of work by Wallace scored a beautiful try alongside the posts. Smith failed with the kick. Excelsiors G, Kokatahi G. Shortly after time was sounded. Mr M. Houston had charge of the whistle and controlled the game in his usual capable manner. JUNIOR COMPETITION. The Excellsior-Kiwi junior game took place previous to the senior game. The play was of a fairly interesting nature, the hall travelling up and down the field, the Excelsiors were returned the winners by 3 points (a try scored by Shaw) to nil. Mr Conning was referee.

(CHRLSTGHURCH GAMES. CHRISTCHURCH. May 7 The following are the result* of Saturday’s fixtures in Christchurch : Marist IG, Albion nil. Merivale 8, Varsity nil. i*Old Boys 16, Christchurch 8. Linwood 50, Sydenham 8.

WELLINGTON MATCHES. WELLINGTON, May 7. Following are the results 0 f to-day’s matches under Rugby rules:—Petcne 21, Varsity G; Poneke 10, Marist 0;. Athletic 9, Wellington 3; Oriental 19, Sehvyn 5. SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM. CAPETOWN, May G. T. Pienaar has been elected captain of tho „ football team for the tour of New Zealand. W. Morhel is vice-cap-tain.