FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1921, Page 4

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

■senior". Kiwis 9, beat Diggers 0. Excelsiors v. Rimu drew 14 all Kumara 3, beat Ross 0

JUNIOR. Kokatahi 14, beat Ross 0 Kiwis 15 beat Rimu 4.

KIWIS V. DIGGERS

There was a very large attendance on Cass Square on Saturday afternoon to witness the above match. As the two teams were the leaders so far in the first round of the senior competition, this game caused a lot of interest. The game itself was rather scraggy and though some passing was indulged in it lacked finish. The scrums were always ragged and the forwards all seemed to think they were backs and got from the scrums sometimes before the ball was out, and this caused a lot of offside play, which was not checked, and it tended to make the play at times seemingly rough. The winners had the best of the play and got the hall the most from the serums and hut for the scraggy play should have scored more. The Diggers were handicapped by two or three of their best forwards being absent and when their Captain, Carley, had to retire through injury, they became a hit demoralised. The Kiwis were greatly strengthened by Irving playing again. Right through the game his heady play was responsible for good passing rushes and in defence he was a 1 wavs solid.

The game was started by Kiwis kicking off and the ball went out near the Diggers’ 25. .Moore for the Diggers, got the hall from a scrum and passing between he, Dowell and Perliam took play past half-way. Here from a free kick against Kiwis, McManaway made a very good attempt to score, the ball going outside the posts. The Kiwi forwards put in a determined rush and over eagerness on their part gave relief to Diggers by a free kick. The Diggers continued the pressure and good work by E. Breeze and Inglis made Kiwis force. Another rush from the kick out and the Diggers again forced the Kiwis, who seemed all at sea by the rushes of their opponents. After some up and down play, in which Irving was doing good work, the Kiwis were awarded a free kick in a good position, but Irving failed to score. From a good rush by the Kiwis Devaney obtained the ball, put in a nice run and when about to he collared, passed in field and Wilson obtained the hall and scored near the posts. Irving’s kick was charged hr McManaway. 3to nil. From the kick off the Kiwis continued to press and Irving got the ha 11 in the loose and gave Powley a chance to score, which he accepted. Wilson failed to convert. 6to nil. In a lot of loose, scraggy play the game continued in Diggers’ 25 and Carley here received a nasty kick <m the head and had to leave the field to receive attention. Sherlock took his place in the team. On resuming Powley obtained and essayed a pot at goal and though unsuccessful, it was a very good attempt: The Diggers put in a. determined rush, lmt a penalty saved the. Kiwis and in forward rallies by the Kiwis good work was done in’saving by Dowell and Inglis, the latter’s pace saving a sure try. Half time was then called. The Diggers started the second spell by kicking off and Steel returned into touch. There was some good loose play on both sides and good line kicking by Powley saved Kiwis. For an infringement in front of the posts against Diggers, Duncraft made a very poor attempt to add to the score. The Diggers seemed to he tiring very much and from the scrum Duncraft passed to Ross and the ball went to Powley and fill cm to Irving and from a nice pass Jones failed to gather the hall and a sure score was missed. The Diggers tried very hard to get going and put in some good rushes but Rutherford saved. Good work by Walker in following up took play to Diggers’ 25 and lie gave Duncraft a good pass, but the ball did not go much further. McManaway obtained the ball and when putting in a good run up the field slipped and a good chance was lost. Some good line kicks by Powley stopped the Diggers’ rushes and play went hack to the Diggers’ line and in a rush over the goal line the referee awarded Kiwis a try for obstruction. Irving failed with the kick. 9 to nil. The Diggers tried another rally, but only a force was the result and time was sounded shortly after. Mr Conning was referee. EXCELSIORS V. RIMU. The Excelsior team journed to Rimu on Saturday and after a very fast and interesting game drew with Pirates, (14 points each.) Rimu kicked off and Ross securing the hall sent it to touch in the Pirates twenty-live. From the lino out, Pirates got the hall and Nancekivell J. passed nicely to Wells, who put in a good run up the line being stopped by the Excelsior full-hack. From a forward rush the Pirates took the ball hack into the Excelsior twentylive and from a loose scrummage Willoughby scored a try in the corner. Nancekivell failed with tho kick. There was no further score until half time was called. Upon resuming Wells got possession and made another brilliant run, but lost the hall about 2ft off the goal-line, the ball going out. From the line-out Willoughby secured the hall and after a lit£le fumbling scored his second try, which was followed almost immediately by another try secured by Wright. Things commenced to look gloomy for Excelsiors, but after a clever piece of work Ross scored, the kick failing. From the kick off Wells following up very fast, dribbled the ball over 'the goal-line and scored. Pirates 14, Excelsiors 3. With about eight minutes to go, Excelsiors forwards, led by the veterans Wallace and Marker commenced to make tilings pretty lively and a good forward rush saw Thompson score. Ross failed with tho kick. Pirates 14, Excelsior o>. This try put new life into the Reds and D. Fraser scored

another try. The kick failed. Pirates 14, Excelsiors 9. With about half a minute to time, Wogan centred and Ohetwynd by a dodgy run notched another try. N. Wogan converted. Pirates 14, Excelsiors 14. Time was then called. Mr M. Houston capably controlled the game,

JUNIOR GAMES. The Kiwi juniors met and defeated Rimu juniors very easily on Cass Square on Saturday prior to the senior game. Right throughout the Kiwis were the masters. In the first spell Cutbush and L. Jones scored tries and in the second, R. Jones, L. Jones and S. Breeze scored tries, none of which were converted. Just on time J. O’Connor potted a nice goal for Rimu and the game ended with the scores, Kiwis 15, Rimu 4. Mr Irvine was referee. FOOTBALL IN. SYDNEY. [BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION) SYDNEY, May 21. The popularity of football during the present season is evidenced by Gig fact that 40,000 witnessed the Rugby League match. Eastern Suburbs v. North Sydney which was drawn, 8 all. NEW ZEALAND V. AUCKLANDAUCKLAND, May 21. The New Zealand League team defeated Auckland to-day by 22 points to 19, after a good game. Play was characterised by individual efforts rather than combination. The New’ Zealand hacks gave indications that with practice together, they would make a strong- team. In the second spell tho New Zealand hacks showed improved team Work and their forwards consistently obtained possession. Only good tackling by the Auckland men prevented a large score going up for New Zealand. Tries were scored for New Zealand, by Tailored, Davidson (3), Williams, and Saunders, Davidson converted, one and kicked a penalty, and for Auckland Newdick, Dalyross, McClymont, and Cargill scored, Ynrdley and McClymont converting.