FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1924, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S GAMES. SENIORS. Harihari 20, Excelsiors 3. Kiwis 0; Kokatnhi 0. JUNIORS. Kiwis G, Ross G. Excelsiors 11, Ruatnpu 0. Kokntahi forfeited to Arnhura. Rirnu 12, Harihari 5. 3rd. GRADE. Excelsiors G, School 13. EXCELSIORS V. HARIHARI

This senior name was played oil Cass Square, and resulted in an easy win for Harihari by 20 points (G tries, one converted) to 3 points (1 try).

The game was a poor one to witness though the winners held the upper hand throughout and deserved the points they rattled up. The play in the first half was brighter than the second half when the Excelsiors went to pieces very badly. Harihari, than';.-, to Coglan and McKay opened out the play, and soon had the game in their keeping, though faulty handling spoilt many a fine opening. In Die early stages the Exeelsiors opened out a nice passing run but Ross spoilt it> by hanging on. Then Harihari attacked with a passing run and from a

throw out near the line the ball went right through McKay’s arms and a certain try was lost, ft was not lor long that a score was averted, as a smart passing run saw the hall haiuiled by several players and .McKay went over scoring a pretty try, which the kick did not enhance though it went very close. Play went to the Harihari quarters and from a slow pass out the ball come to Alacftt. ivto .standing, who potted from right in front without success. Followin' the kick out. there was a serum near halfway and Coglan let MeKav away nicely. Freitas made i very bad miss, and the visiting captain opened out a pretty run, and alter some neat passing 1.. Robertson v-ent ever and scored near the posts. A mistake on the kicker’s part allow <1 the placed ball to lie rushed, o—o, and half time (10 minutes spell) cam 3 vithout anv further score.

It could be easily seen that the Excelsior position was hopeless after the second half bad opened, the team being very ragged and their collaring, with the exception of Henderson, being shocking. As a result Hariltari opened out the play and there were many passing rushes. Coglan aiul McKay wore opening out the game well, but the outside backs, and a number of the forwards were continually getting in front of the ball and olfside penalties repeatedly spoilt good openings. The play of the team, however, was quite good enough foltheir opponents, and soon after the lesuinption a try came from a cleanly executed run, Adamson scoring. Soon after from a high kick the ball was missed and a red rush took the ball to the Harihari line where -Maefarlane following no well managed to get to the ball anil score, a somewhat luckv try. From ibis out the visitors showed to advantage and scores came at regular intervals from passing rushes. The first was by G. Robertson, and this was converted by McKay. Then in the last quarter of an hour J. Cliiirehouse scored from a loose rush and soon after the easiest try- of the day was won by L. Robertson, who went over from a cleanly executed passing run and went round and touched down under the posts. Even this kick was missed and time was called soon after with Harihari the easy winners bv 20 to Mr li. Dowell was referee.

KIWIS V. KOKATATH

J iio above game took plate at Kokatalii and resulted in a draw, no score being registered. The game was liaril louglit throughout, being mostly of a I ora aid nature, die haeks on imtii sides with a couple of exceptions liuudhng very nooily. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, and only a couple of times did either side look like scoring. .Mr \V. 'Wilson had eharge of the game.

j fniors. The Ross-Kiwi game took place on No 2 playing field at 3 o’clock, the ground being wet and heavy after the rain, Honours were even for a short time when the Kiwis broke through from half way and White who was following ini very fast secured nicely outside the Ho and racing along the lino, heat several opponents, securing a well deserved) try, hut his kick at goal, which was at a difficult angle, missed. Kiwis went io tho attack again, and were in the ascendancy for a period, hut Ross were now beginning to find themselves. The Idue and blacks won* trying to combine, hut all their movements seemed to lie spoiled hv overeagerness. Just before half-time the blues had Tfoss rattled and if tho forwards had kept possession of the ball, instead of being too liberal with the boot, they may have increased their score. The spell ended Kiwis 3, lloss 0Tn the second spell honors were even for some time, a good dual of speculating going oil by both sides. Ross now began to gain the ascendancy, and had the Kiwis in the home territory, but the blues held them and gradually worked them hack, until the Ross forwards again broke through and carried the hall again within the 25. where, from a scramble, Hoiilalian secured and dashed through, scoring a neat try. Kick failed. Ross went at it again, Ire forwards carrying the ball again within the 25, and Ross securing the ball from a .serum it was sent out, and after being handled in a neat manner bv several of the hacks, a try seemed to he a certainty, hut olio player failed to let the hall go out to lus wing, who had practically nothing to stop him. From the resultant serum the Ross hacks again handled nicely but the movement was spoiled and perhaps another sure try lost 1 through again holding the hall too long. From the 25 kick the Ross forwards again carried play back to blue | territory and from a scramble they | carried the hall over, Emmett securing Ross’ second try. An easy kick missed, j

The Kiwis now began to push tilings and play was central for some minutes. until the blues got Ross inside the 25 when some five minutes before time Kiwis wore awarded a penalty opposite the posts and Breeze converted. With three minutes to go both sides attacked and defended alternatively until time was sounded. Ross putting the ball out. with the scores 6-6. Features of the game were the glhrI ing instances of off-side play and the absolute carelessness and bad judgment exercised by Ross in their place-kick-ing. two very easy shots being missed. Tlie tactics of the Ross team were far superior to those of the Kiwis, and the next time these two teams meet, if there is a fine day and a fast ground they should give a very interesting and iexciting display. Whilst it is difficult to single out the Ross players, the star performers for the Kiwis were the Breeze Bros who played a very solid game, and White and Morel were especially good in the loose. Mr Askew had charge of the game and controlled it admirably.

EXCF.I.SIOR. v. RUATAPU. Tho above game took place at Ruatapu on Saturday afternoon and resulted in a win for Excelsiors by .11 to. nil. The game throughout was of a very in-

foresting nature, the local team at times keeping tho visitors busy. For the winners tries were obtained by Kelly (2) and Aitken, while one was awarded by the referee for obstruction which Aitken converted. For the visitors Ogg and Kelly showed to advantage and for the losers Jones, Breeze, and IVillets saved their side on numerous occasions, Jones stopping the forward rushes in groat style. Air E. Hcenan had charge of the whistle.

THIRD GRADE. School and Excelsior B, met at 1.30 and after an interesting game the School proved the victors by 10 to 6. Half way through the first spell Tninui secured and went through the Excelsiors and registered the first try for tile School, but bis kick missed. Shortly* after Tninni again secured in front of goal, and taking advantage of a good opportunity be dropped a goal. Excelsiors had School in difficulties several times, hut Carter and Tninui saved. Shortly after, tho red and blacks broke through and Macfnrlnnc following over scored. The first spell ended. School 7, Excelsiors G. In the second spell the Excelsior forwards were now doing hotter and for a time had school playing their hardest, but hard kicking spoiled their chances, whilst failure to handle also lost them two good chances. From a 2o kick play was carried up into Excelsior territory, hut the red and blacks drove the whites to the half-way peg where tno ball went out. From the throw in the Excelsiors carried play down the field and from a scrum the reds broke through and carried the ball over, Herring, who was following up fast securing, tho red’s first try. T l ' next try came for the School when from a scramble Carter secured .and after bc'ating several opponents was floored near tbe line, but was up in time again to follow tbe ball over and score. From tbe kick out play moved up and down the field, when just outside the 2-", Tninui secured and racing up the field scored, lie being too fast for bis opponents, and tbe game ended School 13, Excelsiors G. Hughes, Maefarlniio and Herring played well for the Excelsiors, whilst for tbe School, Tninui and Cartel' were tbe star performers, but all seemed to be doing their Host with a few exceptions. If the reds had adopted the go-low principle they would have made it more difficult for the School. Mr l.on Hughes had control ol the game.

CANTERBURY COMBINED WIN. canterbury combined n v. OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND G. ["BY TKI.KGUAPII —T'ltU I'ItKKB ASSOCIATION.]

INVERCARGILL. May 24. A trial match between the combined Canterbury team and the Otago-Soutli-Iniu| loam was played here to-day in fine sunny weather. The attendance was from 7000 to SOOO. The ground was soft on top, after a heavy frost. Consequently forward play predominated, but there was some sparkling play by tile backs at times. It proved a terrific duel between two well matehml set of forwards, both sides excelling in great loose rushes. Canterbury kicked off. with a slight breeze at their •moles, but facing a strong sun. Four minutes after the start, a pretty cut-in by .McGregor paved tbe way for Canterbury to score, the ball going out to tbe wing and back in again to Lawson, who scored in the corner. Tbe scorer failed with tbe kick. Even play followed tbe kick off. and then the Canterbury backs got going again, McGregor loming round to take an in pass and score wide out. Lawson g’oa.led. Canterbury S -Otago-’.Snutß-lanil 0. Otago-Soutldnnd were now finding their feet, and their forwards swept down on tbe Canterbury twen-ty-live. From a. ruck under tbe posts, St. George whipped the ball out to Ilazlett, who cut a man out before passing to Jerry. The latter drew the opposition men and then passed to Stewart, who bad no difficulty in scoring wide out. Richardson’s kick missed. Ten minutes later a ..slashing forward rush bv Otago-Soutldnnd. ended in White brilliantly diving across for

a try in llio corner. Richardson’s kick missed. At half time combined Canterbury were leading by 8 points to 0. In the second spell. Bell ([{over) and Hazletf (first five-eighths) changed places in the Otago-Sonibland team at ibe request of the selectors, btii the change hod a disastrous effect with an already weak centre. From now on. Otago-Southland’s hack play lacked combination, and the combined Canterbury team held the upper hand till the finish. Shortly after recommencing, Richardson had a shot at goal from a penalty, but tlie ball Lit the post, ami bounced outside. Half wav through the spell, a passing rush by the combined Canterbury team mi the blind side resulted in Storey scoring a good try. Dailey’s kick went outside. Tn the (losing stages. Canterbury were passing strongly, and Klvy intercepted a clearing kick, and passed to Robilliard, who hopped off a neat hit of work with a trv in the corner. Dallev missed with the kick. In the last five minutes, Otago-Soiitldand attacked strongly, MacDonald being prominent on the wing, but the defence, particularly that of Fairbrother. was very sound, and full time sounded with the scores unchanged. Tho game was fast and strenuous, and there were several stoppages for injuries, despite tlie soft nature of the ground, and the match showed that magnificent material was available in tlie forwards. In this department l>oth sides were evenly matched. For the winners, Masters and Stewart ,wero a tower of strength, playing with great dash and determination throughout, while Richardson, White ami Williams were outstanding among the losers ’ pack. A feature of tho hack play was n brilliant game hv St. George, who. despite the fact that his side were not getting their share of tho ball, outplayed Dailey, who gave a very plucky display. McGregor. Klvy and Robil-lia-rd were very sound, while Storey, the ex-All Black showed something of liis old form. Fairbrother was splendid at full back. Next to St. George McDonald gave the best display on the Otago-Southlaiul side, considering that he had to make his own opportunities. Dr Perry was very sound and. Jiazlett also showed good form. ,

SOUTH ISLAND TEAMS. INVERCARGILL, May 25. The following teams have been selected for tlie South Island PossiblesProbables match at Christchurch on Wednesday next: Possibles:—Full-back, Harris; wing-three-quarters, Snodgrass and E. B. Stewart; centre three-quarter, Elrey ; five-eighths, Lawson and McGregor; half-back, Dailey; wing-forward, Woolly; front row, McClcary and Munro; lock. Masters; sides, Turpin and R. Stewart; back row, Snow and White. Probnbles:—Full back, D. Fair, brother; wing three-quarters, Steel and MacDonald; centre three-quarter. Brown: five-eighths. 801 l and Perry; half back, St George; wing forward. Ward; front row, Tunnicliffe- and Clarke; lock, Williams; sides, Richardson and O’Regan; back row, Bliek and J. Parker. The emergencies (to net for both teams): Backs: Reed and Davis; forwards : Fairbrother, Cliisnall and Matheson. .