FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1924, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SENIORS. Kokutalii 3 Excelsior 0. Kiwis 0. llarihari 0. JUNIORS, Excelsior 41 Kokutalii 3 Kiwis 10, Harihnri 0. Arahura 17 Ross 3. Ruatnpu fi, Rimu 0. THIRD-GRADE. Excelsior A. 23, School 0. Kiwi B. 3 Kiwi A. 17. JUNIORS. EXCELSIOR 41 KOKATAHI 3. The above game took place at 1.30 on Cass Square, Excelsiors winning by 41 to 3, after a very poor exhibition. The field had a great many pools of water scattered about it, which made the ball very greasy. Excelsiors commenced scoring early in the spell, their better form telling against Tvokaiahi. some of whose players did not seem to he in their proper places at all. Both sides indulged in a good deal of unnecessary punting, there heini' also gin ring opportunities missed when near the line. The second spell was a repetition of the first, E.xcelsiois still pilling on points, although Ivokatahi wore playing slightly better than io the first spell.

SENIORS. KOKATAH I 3 EXCELSIORS 0. The Excelsior and Kokatahi senior met at 3 p. 111., the ground being (

great deal heavier and more slippery after the junior game. The Excelsiors took the field with the wind, hut they let it beat them more often than once. Early in tiie spell McEarlane (Bunny) received an injury to his leg and although badly handicapped he conlinitod until replaced by K. Wallace. Kufahi had the better of the play, both in the forward and hack divisions, the Excelsior hacks giving a very poor display. The first spell ended with no score, although there was much handkicking ii>id racing - which could have been avoided.

When the teams took the field for the second spell it was thought that Kokatahi would pile on imillts. hut the Excelsior hacks and forwards were now playing hotter, and things were fairly even for a while, .1. Duncan bringing oil' a few goad saves for Excelsiors; O’Brien. Orilliths, and Wright also doing go id work for Kokatahi. Out of 11 scramble GnuiUis carried I lie hull at his toes from over the twentylive mark, but just when near the goal line ho kicked a bit bard, but Baird who was following up fast behind got up to score in the nick of time 110:11 the corner, as there were three or four Kxioh-iors close by. Kick at goal mi.-.s-

, 'i be Excelsiors began to press feebly but the Blacks drove them hack ami they hung about the centre lor a while. O’Brien carried the ball from about half way down to the 2n mark when iie was seen to come down and it was thought that his knee had gone, liuf one of the players called for the doctor and O'Brien was removed to th,. Hospital. When play was resumed (.' rifilths went up to ball' and carried mi O'Brien’s good work. It was thought that Kokatahi’:. defence would niw weaken, leu aith.ovg.i the 1* xcel-

sinrs got into Kokatalii’s territory, tbey were driven back, and time sounding, the ball was kicked out. thus eliding one of Iho biggest scrambles seen lor some considerable time.

Mr Cutbii-li controlled the game admirably.

When O'Brien reached tile hospital it was found that the small bone of the leg had been broken above the tinkle. All bis friends and patrons of foot ball w ish him a speedy recovery.

KIWIS V. IIAIMMARI. The Ki" is journeyed to Hariliari oil Saturday end played a match with the Holm- lea lit. The day was fine, bill the field was a regular quagmire from the heavy rains of Eridav night, and the game was a forward one throughout, neither teams indulging in any back play, which was impossible owing to the greasy .stale of flic hall. The match was bard fought throughout, the Kiwis winning by nine points (two tries by Shannon and UaUiday. and :• penally goal kicked by llalliday).

The junior game resulted in an easy win for Kiwi Juniors by 1G points to