FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1923, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

WESTLAND COMPETITIONS. Ihe competitions under the Westland Sub-Union took plnco on Saturday afternoon in perfect weather and with the grounds in capital order. Considerable interest was shown in the games at the various centres. The play at Hokitika, though of a willing nature was not of a very high standard, though there were several incidents that kept the interest of the spectators throughout, one being a- line run by Wogan for more than half the length of the field that ended in a try under the gaol posts. The results were as follows:—SENIORS. United 11 beat Excelsiors 8. Hari Hari 12. beat Kiwis 7. JUNIORS. Excelsiors 22 beat Kokatahi <j, j Kiwis 3 beat Hari Hari 0. Araliurn 13 beat Rimu I). UNITED Y. EXCELSIORS. The above match took place on Cass Square on Saturday afternoon in perfect ueather and rc.-niled in a win for United by 1-1 points to 8. The game was a very poor exhibition of football, hanging on too long being a feature of both sides, while the tackling leaves room for a lot of improvement. There were one or two good individual dashes, one especially in which A. Wogan obtained possession in his own twenty-live and badly beating his opponents scored under the posts. For I’niteds tries were obtained by Duncan, Willoughby (2), and O’Connor, one ol which was converted by Gilford. The Excelsior points were compiled by a penalty kicked by Ross, and a try by Wogan A., which Boss converted. For Uuitcds Gilford was easily the best back, while Jiagar and Willoughby played well in the forwards. Boss. Wogan A., and Best were the besL of Die losers. Mr AY. Wilson was referee.

The junior match Excelsiors v. Kokatahi resulted in an easy win ior Excelsiors by 22 to 0. For Excelsiors Marfa rhino. A. Aitken and Shaw scored tries. Maefarlano and Aitken potted goals. Maefarlano converted one try and Aitken kicked a penalty goal. For Kokatahi Fleming scored a try and also kicked a penalty goal. Mr Askew was referee. KIWIS V. HARI HARI. Tho above match took place on Satur day when the Kiwis journeyed to Hari Bari in excellent weather. 'There was a large attendance present, most ol the'male spectators taking to the inside oT the paddock, wliilst Die excited fair supporters viewed the match from the roadside.

The Kiwi juniors were the first to play, and after a good, willing game, a feature of which was the handling liv tlie Kiwi backs, succeeded in defeating the home team by the narrow margin of 3 points (a good try by S. Breeze) to nil.

The Senior game took place soon after the junior game. The Hari Hari team took the field with a strong team, especially in the forward division, ami their backs were also safe and sure. The Kiwi team was the same as played the previous Saturday. Hari Hari kicked off. and made it- very willing from the outset, but the visitors held them, and had them on the deiem-five most of tlie first half, but the Hari Hari backs handled the ball cleanly ami well. In this half, faulty handling

by the Kiwi hacks, lost some very good chances. In Hie scrums Hari TTari seemed to have the advantage in hooking. AYficn in the home 2-5, the ball came from a line-out. and passed through the Kiwi backs’ hands to Boss who was right in front of the goal, and he potted a goal, the ball touching flic cross-bar and bouncing over. Bari Hari then made an attack, but with no avail. Soon after half time was called.

In Hie second lJari Hari had the bettor of the opening stages, and Hie fa lilt v handling of the Kiwi backs, which was very poor, soon saw them endangering the ' isitors line. From a serum Hari llari secured the hull, and working the Mind side, saw Mimic ay pass to Robinson, who alter a tricky run scored a good try, which, was unconverted. From the kick out If a; i l lari d-niti-nued to press, and

soon alter the same thing was repeat, soon alter, from a five yards serum. Mackey secured tho hull and scored a gimd try. which was unconverted. Kiwis then began to attack", but the sure handling by the llari Hari fullback, sent them back, and soon ageoi Llicy were in the defensive, from a line out the ball, passed through a! the borne hacks bands, to Robinson, the winger, who badly heat the feeble attempts to collar, anil scored his second try which was also unconverted. Ihe handling ef Hie Kiwi back time and again got their side into dangerous positions, speculating by Die outside backs. letting flari llari almost over, and in a loose rush, one of the home forwards, secured, and passed to Ford who went ovc-r near Die corner. !hi> made the score 12 to 1. Ihe visii-T----now livened up. and from then Hi the finish, had the home team always on the defence. A free kick in front of ii,,-- goal, saw Boss make an attempt to goal which went wide, fust following up Taw W alker charge down the return. and seeiire a try which was unconverted. .Soon after time called with tlie home team in their -■>. Hie (inlll scores were 12 to 7. m favour ot llari Hari. Mr A. Cut hush was referee. Hi;EYMOUTH R ESULTS. ,\t Greymouih on the senior match Marists with 12 points (tries by Mouatt. Kennedy (2) and a penalty b\ Mouatt) defeated United 3 points la try by David).