FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1922, Page 4

FOOTBALL

SCHOOLS MATCH. WESTPORT V. HOKITIKA. The weather on Saturday afternoon was wet, there being light rain during most of the game. As a result the ball and ground was in a greasy condition. There was a good attendance to witness the game. The Westport visitors included some solid lads, theii weight being considerably more than that oi' the local boys. Ihe game proved of an interesting nature, but there was not much passing indulged in, the play being more of a loose forward nature, with occasional attempts at back play. The first spell was fairly even, both sides attacking in turn, the tight scrums and line-out play being to the advantage of Westport, though the play was very even In the second spell play had hardly started when'Westport had to defend, and from a penalty just outside the 2,5 line. Wogan placed a neat goal for Hokitika. Hokitika continued to attack for some time, but then Westport forwards with a fine rush badly befit the opposition, and the play came to the Hokitika l'»e. Here Westport had some fine chances ot scoring, but a certain amount of wild passing lost the advantage. Then a forward made a fine dash for the line, but was held up hv Wogan just in time. Westport continued to attack, and from n passing run across the field, Westport scored a neat try, the attempt to convert failing. Soon after Westport came to the line again and the local team had hard work defending. Ultimately play went to the other end and Hokitika attacked stromdv. Play continued in Westport quarters and was then held up bv a visiting playcir injuring Ins leg. After further attacks oil their line, Westport cleared and made a fine rush to Hokitika’s line, but the defence was sound, and the play went to the centre where it was when time was called with the scores even, three points each, a draw resulting. . r Sumner was referee.

UNITED V. EXCELSIOR. This senior game followed after the school match and resulted in a win for United by 14 points (two tries and a potted goal) to nil. Play ill the first half was tairly even. The backs on both sides did much mishandling and the whistle was continually sounding for infringements making the play slow. United were the first to attack, Hagar leadin., a loose rush to the line, but from the ensuing scrum, the United torwards were penalised for lilting the serum. Wells was penalised tor offside but Gifford relieved nicely- Then Excelsiors were penalised aiul Gilrord had a shot that failed. A reel opening was spoilt by Ross failing to take a sharp pass from Wild. A fine forward rush effort hv Willoughby was stopped by Freitas, but Twomey came a wav at the head of a loose rush to the Excelsior line. Freitas soon aftei made a weak effort to stop a rush and linear showed the way to the -o llag, a series of punting returns following during which Gifford made a fine attempt to pot which went a little wide. United continued to attack and a hue forward rush led by Kortegast saw the ball come close to the line where Lvneh pit,keel up and made a hard dive for the line, but was held up a yard away. A series of tight scrums near the line followed, and then from a scrum Freitas and Ross failed to handle and the hall went over the line the full-back being beaten by the bounce and Kortegast touched down and scored; Gifford converting with a

good kick. Half time came soon after with the score 5 to 0 in United’s favor. In tlit* second half the play was much slower, the United having by far the better of the play. After considerable play in mid-field without much individual or combined incident. United set up a smart attack from which the hall went out to Wells and after losing the had he recovered smartly and heating a couple of opponents scored a somewhat lucky though clever try. Gifford converted with a line kick. 10—0. The play continued in Excelsior quarters lor some Lime the next feature being a fine drop-kick by Gifford for which the referee promptly allowed a potted goal. I t—o. Erom this on with occasional Hashes by Excelsiors, the play was very slow, both teams appearing to have tired with United satisfied to hold their substantial leael and the closing quarter of the game- was of very moderate quality. Mr A- Cutbush was referee.

Easily the best player on the day was Gilford, his fine kicking being a decided factor, in winning the game. He handled well but did not give his associates much opportunity, and they did not combine well. The forwards led by Hagar, Kortegast, Willoughby mid Tivomev owed much -of their success in the loose to their spoiling efforts, following the repeated failures of the Excelsiors to handle successfully. The latter team as a whole gave a somewhat weak display, especially in the second spell when they appeared a badly beaten side.

CHAMPIONSHIP POSITION. As a result of the game the position of the teams is now;—Kokatahi 14 points, Excelsior and United 13 each, Kiwi 10, Hari Hari 5, Kumara 3. Of the leading teams Kokatahi and Excelsiors have now completed all their fixtures, while United and Kiwi are to meet next Saturday. A win to 'United (2 points), will give them the championship, while a draw (1 point) will let them tie with Kokatahi. Next Saturday’s game should therefore prove of special interest. [if TELEGRAPH— - EH PRESS ASSOCIATION]

OTAGO DEFEAT SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL; Sept. 2. Southland and Otago Rugby reps met here to-day. Neither province had previously been defeated. A great game was expected, and the anticipations were realised. Most of the play was made bv Otago, who won hv I 1 to 8. RANFURLY SHIELD. HASTINGS, Sept. 2. Some 4000 people witnessed the match, Bay of Plenty against Hawke’s Bay for tiio Ranfurly Shield. There was ideal weather, and both teams were in splendid fettle, and keen. An open and exciting game resulted in each going neck and neck from the start. At half-time the scores were: Hawke’s Bay 11, Bay of Plenty 10. On changing over, the play became very hard, and Hawke’s Bay were very lucky to retain the Shield, with the score, Hawke’s Bay 17. Bay of Plenty If..

WANGANUI V. GOLDEN BAY. NELSON. Sept. 2. Wanganui defenteci the Golden Bay and Motuckn team at Tokaka by 17 to nil. Wanganui opened up the game and threw the ball about freely, nonplussing their opponents, who fought every inch, but threw several tries away bv wide passing. E. Collier, Bnddeley, Hartley, W. Boss and Beilis £ scored for Wanganui.

CANTERBURY DEFEAT TARANAKI CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 2. 1 After a great game—the best soen here this season—Canterbury defeated Taranaki by 17 points to 13. JUNIOR REP. MATCH. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 2. In the junior representative match to-day, Wellington beat Canterbury by nine points to five. MOASCAR CUP. PALMERSTON N., Sept. 3. The North Island final for the Moascar Cup was played here on Saturday between Auckland Grammar School and Wanganui Technical College. The at, tendance was 5000. Auckland Grammar 14; Wanganui Technical (L ’VARSITY MATCH. NEW ZEALAND DEFEAT SYDNEY. DUNEDIN, Sept. 2. The second test match between tSydiiey and New Zealand Universities was played here to-day in dull weather, the ground being heavy. New Zealand won i by 21 points to 11, after a good game. Tries were scored for the Blacks by Stewart (3), Langbein, and Dickson. , Perry drop-kicked two goals from penalties for the visitors, and Foote scored twice and Black once. Hesslein converted one. There was an attendance of about 10,000. SOUTH CANTERBURY V. WANGANUI. WANGANUI, Sept. 3. In perfect weather, and before a large attendance. South Canterbury defeated Wanganui on Saturday by 11 points to 8. AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, Sept. 3 The match between Auckland ami Wellington Rep teams played under pleasing conditions, saw 5000 present. The play did not reach a high standard of merit. The game was won |,y Wellington by 19 to 11. The score was a fair indication of the strength of the respective teams. NORTHERN UNION CUP. AUCKLAND, Sept. 3 'Hie challenge match under League rules for the Northern Union Cup, Auckland against South Auckland, was won hv the latter by 21 points to 20.