FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1923, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

SENIORS. KIWI V. UNITED. Kiwi 3, United 3. Tlie Kiwis and Uniteds met at 3 p.m., and about this time the weather was very threatening. At 'half-time it started to drizzle and half way through the second spell the rain came down violently and continued. The game in the first spell was fairly fast and even, but if anything the Kiwis had it slightly in their favour. Uniteds lost Diedrichs in the first spell, and a substitute took his place, while in the second spell Nancekivell, the United half-back had a msifortune and had. to be carried olf. The ball was carried up and down the field by both sides and a free kick awarded Uniteds in a nice handy position resulted in Gifford converting. United 3. Kiwi 0. Play was again fairly even when Aloytiihan who was playing well secured a mark for Kiwis, blit his kick failed. Just about one minute before half-time the Kiwis carried the ball down the field and following up very fast nearly succeeded in .scoring, but Uniteds were quicker and forced. After the interval the Kiwis livened up and their good form told against the Uniteds. The Kiwi five-eighths and inside tlneequarter played a good game considering the state of the weather, but one of their wings was a bit weak. The forwards were also doing good work and had United cornered and thinking hard several times, but Gifford saved the situation time and again. The only try of i-e match was scored by G. Ollivcr for the Kiwis, when they were pressing the Uniteds hard, lie scored nicely.—United 3, Kiwis 3. Excitement was now running high, and the rain did hot even damp the eagerness of the fair sex in watching every phase of the game, and although the Tviwis wore putting every ounce into their play, the Uniteds managed to hold them, and the game ended 3 all. For the Kiwi forwards, Devancy. Shannon, Perliam and Kearns put in some good ( work. Stephens played a clean and ■ safe game whilst Aloynilian got in somc**good nippy play as also did Dun- ' craft and Hoy. Ollivcr also gave

a, good exhibition console# ing he has just started playing again. For tho Uniteds Hagai- and O’Connor played their usual good game, although some think that O’Connor hangs on to tue ball just a trifle, too long at Limes, and Gifford was the shining light ol the hicks. The Uniteds seem to have the material to lick anything hereabouts, and per-

haps with practice, training, and a certain amount of control as to the tactics to lie employed against different teams they will do a lot bettci. Most of the hacks ought to cultivate quickness of perception, quickness in starting, and enterprise in Unloving up. Air A. Wilson had control of the game. EXCELSIORS Y. KUAIARA. Excelsiors 12, Kumara 5. Excelsior Seniors journeyed to Ivumarn on Saturday afternoon and after a fair game were victorious by 12 to 5. For the winners Thompson scored n try, Russ converting, Chctwynd potted a goal, ami Ross kicked a penalty. For Kumara, Alurel scored, the try being converted. Air E. Heemm was referee. The I lari Hari and Kokatahi teams met at Kokatahi on Saturday and the result was a. win for Hari Ifari. the scores being 6—3. JUNIORS. EXCELSIORS V. ARATH’RA. Excelsiors !>. Aralmra !).

Th,» Excelsior-Arahura junior match took place in Cass Square on Saturday afternoon at 1.30, the weather being ideal Horn a football point of view, though there was a little water on tho field. Although the weather was threatened, it hung tire for tin’s

match. Just after the commencement of the game A.raimra was penalised four times in succession, hut MacFarlane and Aitkcn, who were kicking for Excelsiors, missed their shots by had placing and the greasy state of the hall. The homo team had hy far the best of the play in the first spell, and from a break through hy the Excelsior forwards. Shaw, who was playing a good tackling and following up game, scored, but the kick at goal failed. Shortly after Arnhurn. carried piny into the Excelsior territory and threatened their line, hut were saved by the ha, 11 going out. From the throw in Excelsiors secured, kicked, and Taiimi marked in front of the goal posts and dropped the ball over the bar making the scores 3 all. The •Excelsiors again had the best of the piny in the second spell, and were again getting over the Arnhura forwards, and when down near Arahura’s line Shaw again secured another try in the corner, but the kick fit goal failed—Excelsior 6, Aralmra 3. Shortly alter Excelsiors wore given a I roe kick in front cf the posts and Afaeiailane converted —Excelsiors 9, Aralmra 3. The A.ialmrn backs now livened up and got the ball, taking it up into Excelsior’s territory, and from a scramble the .Maoris secured and gave a good exhibition of passing from one to the other, .). Tainiii finally securing and dashing over the line, but the kick at goal missed.— Excelsiors 9. Ar ah lira 0. The Excelsiors got busy again, but Aralmra pushed them back, the Maoris handling the ball fairly well again, until up near the line J. Afarshall succeeded in getting ever. —Excelsior 9, Aralmra 9. At the end cf the spell. Aralmra were pressing hard and from a line-out near the Excelsiors lioe were likely to get over again if the backs happened to secure the ball, but this phase of the situation did not eventuate, owing to time being sounded. The Excelsior forwards played well throughout, tackling and following up well, and those taking a prominent part were Shaw, Thompson, 'Preston and Davidson whilst the Afacfarlane Bros, and Aitken were prominent among the backs. Aralmra was saved time and again by the good generalship of their captain, and the junior captains of the Hokitika teams should take note and pay more attention to the control and direetien of their men, because it will often get them out of a. tight corner. On a fine day the Aralmra

arks ought to give a good display, hut the forwards will have to buck up a lot. Hard kicking is all very well for a fast and fit team, but if the hard kicking which Aralmra indulged in on Saturday in the first spell is going to cap their energy- they had better devise other tactics, because in the second half they were very inert.

The Hnri Hari Junior game played at Kokatahi resulted in Kokatalii securing a win, the scores being Kokatahi 9. Hari Hari 3.

The Rcss-Rimu match which took place at Rimu resulted: llimu 5, Ross

The Kiwi-United match which took place on Cass Square resulted in a walk-over for Iviwis, too score being Kiwis 37, United nil. United played several men short.

THIRD GRADE. The third grade match School v. Excelsiors took place on No 2 ground and after a very even game resulted in a draw, thero being no score. Air B. Gibbons was referee.