FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL

fjCHOO L COM 1 ’KTITION. HOKITIKA AND WEST WET I*l. ’ Y DRAWN GAME. (Westport Times of Thursday) Splendid weather favored the juvenile footballers yesterday afternoon for their long-looked-for contest, which was played in the presence of a large nunibor of spectators, who were treated to a very good, open, and fast display of rugby by the liovs. There was hardly a dull inoent during the “whole of proceedings, and so warm was the pace set from the commencement t’

the lads were throwing out signals of distress towards the finish. Nevertheless. they all stuck gamely to t’u i guns, and when the whistle sounded tr “cciiise fire”, honors were even, much to the satisfaction of the onlookers, who were more than pleased with the interesting sport provided during Ihe afternoon. The Westport- boys had the advantage of weight in the pack, and pushed their opponents- about in the serums and held the advantage in ihe line-out a 1 though each side Ina fair share of the hall. In olose forward rushes, the Hokitika Ind.s held the upper hand and some of their attacks wore very severe. and only the sound defensive work of the local rearguard preventing scores being registered. The haul: play of each side was ol a high order and some very fine passing bouts were witnessed. Til these flashes Westport were more aggressive and their wings made hotter use of opportunities. but the tackling of the Hokitika hoys was splendid, and the lo< Iweiv nimble to penetrate the defence. After play had Ir'eii in progress some little time, the visitors made a rush for the local line, where they threatened danger but Taylor and Mitchell drove them hack. After a fow rapid ■ haimes the local forwards attacked, and Green getting the ball away saw Jenkins make a promising run, but a |,-id pass spoilt a good chance. Hokitika. mainly with the assistance of Womiii transferred play to a safer zone , .ample of neat passing bouts by the backs on each side met with the warm approval from the spectators who were being kept well interested in the proceedings. Wognn had a shot at goa Iron, a penalty which fell short and ~l*iv wjm suon shifted to the other t»wl of the field. Ilolritikn. set up a strenu,um attack ilist before hall-time but thev lacked finish, and when lemon time was called there was no score. Alter a short respite the boys boxed „„ ami Westport, using their weight, kept the visitors on the defensive for some considerable time. Failing to force a passage across with their forward' Green set bis backs ill motion ami the hoys, handling the oval m fine style, made a good attempt to break their duel;, but the defence was 100 solid. The Hokitika forwards then toms . hand and keeping the hall at their (l) e .mule a raid on their opponents goal, where Houston sent to Aitkeu. In liieeze. who made a fine effort io pet a.-ro's l)Ul was pushed out. Thon the oval travelled in Harney, who clapped en ill,, pare, raced for the visitors’s line, and iust as a score looked assured A it hell dived low and cheeked the progress of the local flier. West|M.rt fnr«nfs again took command, and Mcßae Knight and Hawes carried the *>va| danoernuslv close to the line, when an •ill-timed kick sent the ball behind The locals kept up t-lio pressure, hut Woga'n and Nightingale effected some verv lino isnvos. Ait ken and Breeze with a nice piece of work placed Westport oil the defensive and the visitors were making another hot attack when time was ealed.

Mr !L Ferguson as referee gave every satisfaction. Among the visiting backs till* skipper (Wo'cml stood out on his own. his work all round being of a first-class description. Aitlcen Bros, were also very sound. Mclntosh and Breeze, tlm wingers. played guild football, the letter ' displaying at times great dash. Houston, behind the pack, was clean and nippy, while the youthful full-back. Nightingale, played a sterling game, and got his side out of several difficulties Tin's forwards all nlsvecl a hard solid game. Rutland. Baird, and Wil Hants being portions tlie most conspicuous amongst a good pack. Tile brill backs acquitted themselves moslt creditably. Green being very smart behind the nark and also showing good defence. \\ bite and Jenkins worked well together and put m some good work, the latter at times being particularly nippy. Ik* threequarters wen* a fast trio. Mitchell and Harney displaying rare pace at times. Some* of the hitter's runs were splendid. but be iust lacked the necessary finish to top them off. Tciylor was a tower of strength to his side and proved equally good both on attack ami defoiin* Siililoy. tilt' ciistoiliiiTi. cot n busy afternoon in fine style. The forwards all justified their inclusion and tin'll 1 was not a slacker in tile* hunch. Halves. Mcßae. Knight, and Maylllill were perhaps the pick of a fine lot. ’ WIN AT REEFTON.

At Reef toil yesterday the Hokitika school team' played Recfton school. Hokitika winning by 19 points to (> points.