FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1921, Page 4

FOOTBALL

WESTLAND 'V. INANGAHUA

The above sub-union match for the Dittmun Shield took place on Victoria Park, Greymouth on Saturday The ground was in very good condition Considering the heavy nuniall of Friday and Saturday morning. There was no wind blowing and the sun was nice and warm, although it was troublesome to the players at times, especially in judging high kicks. Although the game was not a good exhibition of nice passing which should have been the case, as the ball was always dry. both sides indulged in it, but it always kicked finish. With one or two exceptions the backs on both sides had a day off and it was left to Lhe forwards to make the game spectacular. Right well did they do it and the forward rushes of both sides and especially the winners were a. treat to witness. The collaring of the forwards was of the highest standard, and some of the dribbling rushes and individual forward work was very fine. The exhibition of football given by Osbourne, the Innngahua full hack, was splendid. His kicking, collaring and stopping of rushes was the best seen for many years. Without him Tnangnhua would have been severely beaten. He stayed rushes by the Westland forwards which seemed impossible, and the scores that were obtained against him were got through two or three men while passing, coming to him together

and ho could only collar one. Among the Innngahua forwards, Ranks, O’Rcgan and Dawson showed out prominently.

The winning team’s baei-cs did not play well on the whole. The passing was very wild and on the ground. They improved considerably in th? second half, but they failed to keep their positions. At times the full-back had to stop charges and the rest of the backs were up among the forwards. This sort of thing will not need to happen in the match against Greymouth next Satur. day. L. Ross was the surest of the backs, but Irvine, Moynihan, and Hannan did well. Of the forwards Rutherford (the best on the ground), Hagaiy Willoughby and Wright were the pick, but none of them performed badly. Their work was always good .heir rushes were splendid and it was hard luck for them that they struck such n full back as Osbourne. . On the whole the winners bad the best of the game and deserved their win. They hold the Dittman Shield and and as the Shield is for sub-unions Westland should bold it for some time as football is certainly improving in this district. Any challenges for this Shield will have to he fought out on Cass Square. The following were the players: Innngahua: Racks—Osbourne, Twomev, Hannah, Guthrie, Meharry, Rowley, Coghlan ; Forwards—Dawson. Banks, O’Regan. Larry. Meibom, Wylie Hiiidnnirsh and Roberts. Westland: Backs—Seebeck, Wogan, Ross, Wells, Irvine, Moynihan, Hannan; Forwards—Rutherford, Devaney. Cutbiish, Hagar, .Scott, Willoughby, Wright and Walker. The Innngahua captain won the tos s from Irvine and played up bill with the sun at his hack. Scott started tingame and Guthrie returned the kick to half-way. From a free-kick Westland took play to the do and Osbourne with a fine kick shifted it hack to the centre. A rush by Tnnngahun forwards was Hayed bv Irvine kicking out. Hagar put in some good work and when things looked serious the defenders were given relief by a free sicK. Guthrie obtained the ball, put in a nice run and kicked and Seebeck returned into touch. From a high kick by Osbourne, which Moynihan failed to sight, Ranks picked tip and scored near the posts. O’Regan failed in the attempt. .3 to nil.

From the kick off the Wertlend forwards put in some fine work, and following up Irvine obtained the ball and when about to be collared by Osbourne, passed to Wright wlio was in close attendance, and he had a clear run in. Seebeck took the kick but failed. 3 all.

Inangahua forwards aided by good kicking by Osbourne, took play to Westland s 20, hut a free kick relieved and play went to half-way. Here a passing rush among the Westlasd backs was stopped by Wogan failing to gather the ball. The Westland forwards headed by Rutherford made a great effort to score, but Osbourn’s sure taking spoilt the effort. Ross put in a nice run but a penalty and then a good run by Guthrie took :h game to the centre again. The Westland forwards were doing good work, but Banks and Rowley by individual efforts shipped them. Here Moynihan by a nice dribbling rim in the centre looked dangerous but another free kick to Inangahua saw the game passed half way. Ross and Wogan made a nice run down the ground, but the Inangahua forwards with O’Rogan in the lend rushed the hall to near Westland’s line. Trvine obtained the ball and while attempting a pass, was knocked, and the ball fell short and Dawson coming up nicely was able to score easily? Osbourne, failed to convert—6 to 3.

A passing rush by Hannan aud Irving was the next item and from u free kick near the half-way, Wogan made a splendid ollort, tlie ball falling under the cross-bar. Osbourne caught it and kicked to the centre. The Westland forwards came once' more and from a great effort by them, Osbourne just forced in time. Inangahua changed the scene and Larry put in good work. Wright and Hagar, playing well, made another attempt but Osbourie was the stumbling block. Irvine got the ball in Inangahua 25, but a rather bad pass to Ross and Wogan spoilt what looked like a sure score, and the play went to half-way. Half-time was then called with the scores—lnangahua 6, Westland 3.

On resuming, O’Regan kiemd off, and Seebeck returned into touch. A splendid rush by the Westland forwards, who were, much faster than their opponents was against stopped by Osbourne. Flay was now fast up and down the field, and a nice mark by Rutherford stayed a determined rush by Inangahua. Continuing the pres-

sure, the, Inangahua forwards were stopped by a splendid mark by Ross while surrounded bjy opponents. From the kick Westland put in another effort but Meharry ended it by marking. Offside play again saved Inangahua. Devaney put in a nice run but his kick wfnt, too far and Coghlan marked. A good rush

by Inangahua forwards, headed by Larry was saved by Ross in !:■« own 25. Inangahua looked dangerous but overeagerness spoilt the chance and a free kick relieved Westland. Play continued in Westland’s 25 a?id Ross obtained the ball- and passed to Hagar who was off-_ sjde right in front of the nests and' Inangahua had an easy chance to add to their score but Dawson made a poor attempt. These checks seemed to take the sting out of the Inangahua team and their play fell off. The Westland forwards continued fast work and Devaney from a mark shifted play to the other end and once again Osbourne was the master. A nice run by Hannan took the game under the posts but offside saved Inagnhun. Moynihan (Westland), and Coghlan (Inangahua) by good marks saved their sides. A rush to Westland’s 25, in winch Banks shone out, was stopped. Up and down play ensued and from a passing rush Wright obtained the ball and scored his second try in a good position, but Seebeck could not convert. 6 all

From the kick out play returned to Tnangahua’s end and a great rush by Rutherford was checked by Osbourne. Willoughby and Scott continued the pressure but Osbourne was always there. Offside by Hagar gave Dawson another chance, but the effort was poor and Westland forced. From the kick out the ball went to Wogan and lie took the ball along the line at his toes and then a kick by Ross saw the game once more in Inangahiia’s 25. A nice massing rush started by Moynihan, went lo Irving and he threw a long'pass - Inch Ross obtained and when supported by Wells side-stepped Osbourne and fell over the line and scored. He took the kick and though it was a good one he failed and Westland led by 9 to 6. Further good efforts by Osbourne and Guthrie prevented any more scoring and time was then called.

Mr Williams made a very capable referee and never had to cauUon any of the players. WEST COAST TEAR. TO PLAY HOKITIKA. The West Coast selectors, Messrs Wilson, Heffernan, and O’Donnell have selected the following to represent Greymouth against Hokitika next Saturday at Hokitika: Backs—Coodall, O’Callaghan, Russell, Steele, Ryan, Nelson, Walton. Forwards—Armstrong, E King, Moult tt, Hall, Deere, Bowman, McEnaney. Mclntosh. Emergencies,—Backs—Rrosnahan, D. King; Forwards—Wallace, Mcßrauty. CHRISTCHURCH RUGBY RESULTS. CHRISTCHURCH dune 17. The results of to-day’s senior rugby matches were as follows : diarist 6, beat Albion o. Christchurch 17, bent Old Boys 3. Merivale 16, beat Varsity 4. Linwood 25, boat Sydenham 3. WELLINGTON RUGBY RESULTS. WELLINGTON, June 19. The following are the results of Saturday’s Rugby games: Ma l ists 21 beat Selwvn 3. Orientals 16 beat Wellington 8. Ponoke 6 beat Berhanipore 5. Athletic 14, boat University 11. pmiNGROKS FIRST GAME. MELBOURNE, June 19. The Springbok footValleis, a few hours after their arrival ni°t and defeated a Victorian team by 51 to nil. The visitors showed fine embinntion and swiftness. QUEENSLAND BEAT NEW ZEALAND. BRISBANE, June 18 Queensland again won by eight to i three in their second match with Now Zealand.