FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1922, Page 4

FOOTBALL

UNITED V. KIWI

This senior game which decided the senior championship of the Westland Sub-union for the season Jwiis played on Cass Square on Saturday afternoon under very favourable weather and: ground conditions when the United proved victorious by G points (a penalty goal and a try) to 3 points (a try). The game was a hard fought one, and there it started and ended. Throughout there was altogether too much feeling shown by the players, and much playing of the man instead of the ball. On at least one occasion two players on the opposing sides came to blows, while one player, when near the touchline, made use of a disgusting expression of annoyance that would surely have resulted in his leaving the field, had it come under the notice of the referee. There was much feeling shown by spectators, and a lot of comment was warranted, the onlookers who are aide to see many points of a game giving notice repeatedly to their protest at “dirty” tactics that marred the play to n considerable extent. On the game the United team deserved their win. They showed out to better advantage and were more consistent in their general play, hut neither side can he complimented of .having put up a game worthy of the deciding of an important championship, and a majority of the spectators who had gathered to witness the play must have gone home sadly disillusioned as to the quality of local senior football as exemplified by the game that rang down the senior championship contest of the district. THE I’LAY.

Kiwis kicked off from the southern end; and from the return Devaney knocked on badly. A blue rush went to Wells who stopped it at the 25 Hag, where Duncan marked. Hagaibroke through for 25 yards and then broke away again, hut Dnndo picking tip found tlhe line, a force resulting. An off-side penalty to United saw Stopforth take the ball- and find the 25 flag. Wells relieved a forward attack by Walker and Devaney, and a Kiwi passing run saw Irving give a had pass that spoilt a nice opening. Hagar relieved the pressure, but should have been penalised for shoving an opponent, (a fault that many of the players followed the progress of the play). Then United opened out a passing run, hut Jones failed to field a nice pass. Almost immediately after Kiwis were penalised for. handling in the scrum, and Gifford kicked a find goal. 3—o. Ihe next incident was a nice break an aj by Duncraft, hut the opening was badly lost by a wild pass. Then followed much had handling and ragged play about the centre ; the hall going to United flag where a free kick for offside gave Kitvifc an easy chance right in front, hut Stevens failed with a poor shot. Play came hack to the centre and on a line out Kortegast and Devaney played a game on their own without any interference by the ■whistle. The Kiwi forwards were getting the hall regularly at this stage, but there was nothing like clean handling and the passing generally iost. ground. A mark hv Wells gained ground and then a United passing run went through four hands to Duncan, who had only to take the hall to score. hut missed. A free kick against Devaney was missed by Gilford, a long shot. and a penalty ngains! United relieved the Kiwi line. Then Duncan broke through nicely, hut was badly interfered with. and die hull came hack. Wright saving nicely. The Kiwi forwards kept up attack and Jones made a nice dash down tile line, nearly getting over. A poor kick by Wright saw Jones again get possession and he kicked over to the centre, a failure to take the hall lev Gifford letting down his end and the forwards took the had to the corner (lag just as the bell sounded, Hoes scoring from tjho loose rush. .Stevens failed to improve and the score was 3 all.

The second half had just opened when Gifford potted short. I lien Walker headed a hluo rush to the other .end. hut Duncan relieved. Following centre play a mark by Stopfortli was taken at goal, but went wide. Then Duncraft headed a rush which Ross carried on, hut Hagar stopped it. Stevens missed the return. and Gill orrl badly beat the hacks with a feinting run, a smart mark by Devaney stopping a, dangerous position. A United attack was smartly stopped by Duncraft and then further ragged play in the centre followed. A return by Stevens to O’Connor saw the latter break away hilt Stopforth stopped him neatly, and then Dnndo got away, hut hung on too long. Hagar relieved and then O’Connor took tho ball along niee-ly and then passed to Duncan who made a smart dash and just got over at the corner. Gifford failed to improve o—3. Kiwis then attacked, Irving. Duncraft and Dnndo being prominent but Gilford sent them hack. A passing run was spoilt bv Irving failing to field. Another blue rush saw the hall go to tllie line, but Wells stopped with a mark. A nice dash by Ross was countered by Weis from the other side, who ran out when looking dangerous. For obstruction Kiwis were given a free kick. Then O’Connor broke away, but Ross took him in good style, and then a Kiwi rush took play to the United line, a iorce resulting. A fine mark by Duncan followed, bur. Stopforth broke away to the line, a force resulting. Following tho kick out the hell went, and from the last serum of the day Kiwis got tho ball near the 25 flag. It went to Stopforth who made a nice clash and passed out, but a Kiwi player lost any chance of scoring by finding the line near the corner flag and the game was over, with United victorious by G points to 3 and the. winners of the Senior Championship. Mr E. W. Heenan was referee.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS. Points United U> TCoka tali i 14 Excelsior 13 Kiwi 19 I-Inri llari p Kumara 5

CURTAIN RAISER. Before tho senior match took place, the Marists Junior team of Greymouth met Westland junior representatives the visitors showing a marked superiority and winning by 14 points to 3 The visitors were a fast lot; and showed considerable combination in tboir baeks, the passing runs being well executed. The team got the ball in tho scrum and in the fine out, and broke away while tho backs passed and handled well. The local team were much the lighter, hut in loose forward rushes showed to advantage, hut they were yards slower than the visiting hacks and to this cause their defeat for due. For tlie Marists four tries were secured (two in the first spcTl and two in tho second the last try, under the posts being converted), while for Hokitika a try was secured in the second spell. Mr 1 B. Dowell was referee.

KANGAROOS SAIL AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SYDNEY, September 10. The steamer Ulimaroa which sailed at 1 p.m. for New Zealand, took the •League footballers, who tour New Zealand. LEAGUE CUP. NAPIER, September 9. The South Auckland Rugby League representatives (holders of the Northern Union Cup) were defeated by Hawke’s Bay to-day by 15 points to iS, in the presence of 1500 people. OTAGO DEFEAT WELLINGTON. ' DUNEDIN, September 0. The Otago and Wellington Rugby rep. teams met to-day in perfect weather, and on a dry ground, a fasfand open game resulting. In the first spell tries were obtained for Otago by Stewart (2). Dickinson (3), Knox and Owles. Two of the tries were converted by Bell. For Wellington, tries were obtained by Thomas and Mahoney, the latter being converted by Christopherson. In tho second spell tries were obtained for Wellington by Bi-ingle and Thomas, and Mahoney potted a good goal. For Otago, Stewart scored, Mathieson converting, and tbe game ended, Otago 27, Wellington, 18. Wellington failed in the main through lost Opportunities, ns the Otago backs made a great many mistakes.

WANGANUT BEAT WELLINGTON WELLINGTON, August 10.

In the rep Rugliy game Wanganui heat Wellington by 19 to 15, tho winning try being scored right on the call of time.