FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1925, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

Excelsiors 3—Kanieri 0. Ross 23—Kiwis 3. j Kokatahi forfeited to Arah.ura. j EXCELSIORS v. KANIERI. | A game that was much debated as to the respective merits of each team was decided on Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock when Kanieri and Excelsior

.1 uniors clashed on a ground that was muddy in parts, the sun shining brightly overhead. On a previous occasion when tho above two teams met. Kanieri sulfered defeat. Staines potting a goal, and the match on Saturday again came their way, and it was Staines who originated the movement that allowed Dale to get away and score a well earned and well deserved try. Staines also made openings on several other occasions, one effort especially being brilliant. Dale also playing bettoi’ on Saturday than he has done in any game this season. The inline was fast, and tho first spell call best lm described as a game of scrums, free kicks, short rushes and Imo-outs in quick succession, the referee telling the teams before the commencement that he was going to adhere more strictlv to the rules than usual. Ihe first spell was thus devoid of interest, and monotonous at times. Kanieri team had a slight advantage, hut in the second spell, which was of much more interest, and exciting near Die finish than the first, the Excelsiors worked harder and with more confidence. tho running and tackling ol both teams being solid at times, Mmitaenc especially being a hard grattci. his work in the loose and tight being .mod and his display, if anything, was just as good as his display last Saturday in "the mud. His tackling was also solid. The rest of the red and (lack pack worked hard, whilst Fleming. Leslie and Free shone out on the Kanieri side, also C. Pfahlert until he was ordered oil. Rutland gave another good exhibition. K. Aifkoii, who has not been seen in action much this season was on his game, and gave

a better display than was expected. Konev wan tho best of the Kanieri hacks, hill E. Pfahlert did not get the chances he usually gets to shine out owiii" to the fast following up of the red and blacks and the doatlliness of (heir forward onslaughts. Stevenson went up very fast on several occasions, and got ' his man each tune. Both teams were alert to the impoitanco of t!ie occasion, and in consequence there was no shirking, this contributing to make the game ol a hard nature with consequential knockouts. I Tho Excelsiors kicked off, E. Pfahlert fielding and finding touch a tew yards over the lmlf-way peg. From the line-out and ensuing scramble Stevenson broke away with the ball at his toes, a scrum resulting and then for ' some minutes a great deal of desultory kicking took place, not being of much use to either side. 3he Excelsior torwards set up an attack, E. Pfahlert securing the leather, hut Rutland who ; went up fast, pinched the ball oft him, a scrum near the line and force by Kanieri resulting. Kelly next broke ' si wav. but Whiloy scooped up nud passed to E. Pfahlert who transferred to Glass, the latter getting a. very good run. a scrum resulting on the red and black 23 mark. From the line-out (lie ball went out again in the same place, a free kick resulting, and Aicken’s kick 1 runsferred play up the Held, Rooney i fumbling. Shortly after a Kanieri passing bout gained some ground hut a throw forward spoiled. From tho . scrum Stevenson, Baird and Montague j brought play up the Held lo over the half-way mark where Excelsiors were awarded a penalty, and although Aickeu’s kick fell short it was a good ' one. the Excelsiors following up kicking (lie hull over, Kanieri forcing. Free shortly after stopped a dangerous red and black rush by a nice mark. Then ensued a number of short rushes by both sides, these being interspersed with scrums, line outs and live kicks. Aicken gaining a good siii i* ol ground by one of the latter. Plahlevt let old to Rooney lo Wliiley who after a good run was forced out and from the scrum a free kick was given the I'.xseliors, another scrum ensuing and after some punting Nightingale- put it... 1... 11 i I, .iI »’ ini !• iril It •ri It 111

the ball out at hail-way with a goon kick. Kanieri went to the attack - , and after several red and blacks fumbled .Staines picked up nicely and outed, the ball going t i E. I’l'ahlert, who kicked, and after following it]) last Dale, the hitter j list Milling by a narrow margin. Emm a tree kick shortly after Aicken gained a good hit of ground. when from the ensuing scramble Baird scooped up and passed to Aicken to Staines, who was caught. Kanieri kicking away to Nightingale, who retaliated with a good punt, a free kick ensuing for Kanieri. Some minutes later lint land let out nicely I rani the serum to Baird, in Ailken. who was caught, a free kit k resulting for Kanieri. the return kick and Inline up ending in a serum. Attack and counter-attack ensued until AVhiley kicked out. Then Dale slopped a dangerous Kanieri rush and then kirkied out, Rooney being prominent in the play that followed. Then Kelly, I Montague and Blank brought play up the field when a kick by Kanieri, and a fasti follow up by ('. I’fablerl saw Dale in diflieulties near the goal line, he having to throw the hall out; to save the situation, a free kick resulting, Free not. lifting the hall Imm a wide angle. Emm the ensuing scramble a tree kick resulted for Kanieri, and Tlaussman’s shot at goal missed. After more forward attacks and counter-at-tacks, free kicks and scrums, Hnussinau had a shot from a penalty, hut his kick went short and wide. Sumo more desultory play ensued until C. Fleming intercepted a pass, and after gaining a good hit of ground passed to Rooney who was caught, a free kick ensuing, hut Boyd’s shot failed, a free kick being given to the red and blacks in the play which followed. Kanieri were now hammering away at the Excelsiors, but seemed to be spoiling their chances by over-eagerness. Kelly at this stage had to go off owing to an injury to his leg. he being replaced hv Palmer. From a serum Rooney got the ball and passed to O'Connor, who. after a nice run, lost possession near the line, a force down resulting, fn the last few minutes of the first spell the most, prominent features were two good kicks by Aicken which gained a lot of ground.

To the second spell Free kicked off for Kanieri, the ball rolling out at. the 25 flag. Rutland. Aicken, Baird Staines and Dale handled, but the latter .was caught by AV. Fleming, who eventually got the ball, and after fending off several of bis opponents lie ran nicely, until grassed bv Baird. Two serums and a free kick for Exseliors ensued, and Airken’s kick was a beauty, gaining a great amount of ground. A Kanieri rush, in which Leslie. 0. Fleming. C. Phnflert and T. Boyd were prominent was stemmed by Freitas and shortly after Rutland went down to another Kanieri rush. a scramble ensuing at the half-way flag, and in the play that followed Montague was very prominent. A kick bv O’Connor gained a good bit ot ground, but a scramble resulted, a scrum.and free kick for Excelsiors ensiling, but Nightingale's kick from near the haliwnv peg fell short. Kanieri rushed play tip to Excelsior territory but Nightingale relieved with a good kick. Next Rutland went to stop a Kanieri rush, hut be mishandled and Aicken dribbled the ball away when two free kicks for the Excelsiors resulted in ipiick succession, the ball l>eing outed. tlip nftnclv and parried

play into the red and black territory, where C. Fleming kicked over. Staines forcing. Aicken stopped a rush in which C. Fleming was prominent and then Baird went down to another attack. a free kick resulting for the red and blacks. After a couple of line outs one Excelsior player (Blank) and i one Kanieri player (C. Plalileri) re- I ceived their marching orders, ironi the referee. After the line out and a tree kick for each side, play was about the > uav mark, but Excelsiors forced Kanieri back until 0. Fleming broke away and transferred play again to the

half-way flag. Then AVhiley secured and went for it but was thrown out. Some hard play followed until Stevenson broke away with a kick, and following up very fast got his man. a scramble ensuing. Bonuey eventually kicking it out at half-way from where a red forward rush gained some ground, a free kick ensuing for Excelsiors, but Aieken’s kick fell short. Kanieri went to the attack and carried play up the field where a bad kick by Aicken gave j :

them a splendid opportunity to register a try, the hall eventually going out. After several scrambles and scrums, Rooney got the hall and sent it out to E. Phaflert who chopped out several opponents and after gaining ground gave a had pass, but O’Connor secured almost immediately and attempted a pot which failed. Some play in which C. Fleming, Leslie and Boyd were prominent saw operations in Excelsior territory, the latter being compelled to kick over and force, a scrum resulting. Freitas securing from I lie scramble and after a short run transferred lo Staines, who outed at half-way. Some long kicks by both sides and a red and black rush saw Kanieri force. In the ensuing play Rooney was prominent and Aicken relieved with a mark. In a loose rush in which Freitas was prominent, O’Connor kicked out. Then an attack and counter-attack _ saw Kanieri forcing. After the 2a kick a scrum look place and Leslie broke through and kicked. Nightingale outing on the full. Kanieri thus gaining a good amount of ground. Dale next got the hull ami transferred to Staines, who. after a short run, transferred to But! dnnhptouw 123310 12343 01234 a Rutland, who put in a good run. hut he had no support, Whiloy kicking out. C. Fleming got away and kicking went up fast, Dale going down, a five kick resulting, Free's attempt falling short, the distance being long. The hall went to Nightingale whose long punt ended in a scrum. Lrom the ensuing play Staines got the bull about the half-way murk and passed to Dale, who dodged several opponents and then ran for it. again heating another Kanierite, outpacing the rest for the goal-line to legislei a well-earned try. Stevenson’s kick tailed. Fxccismis 3-—■ Kaneiri I). Staines again got the hall shortly after ami after chopping out several players passed to Freitas, who made a good run along the line, and then kicked, following up fust. O’Connor just outing in time. From the line-out the ball went over and was forced. Another bit oi loose play in which But land and Freitas were prominent saw Kanieri again inicing, when play went hack lo neutral territory where it remained until the ban came aero.-- the field to Dale, who k ic.--ed to W. Fleming, the latter mulling hadlv. Dale just missing by a whisker in securing, the hall going out. Perhaps if he could have secured the hall another try might have come his way. The next sensational incident was when Staines cleverly c»t "lit several Kanieri tea and passed to Freitas who made a good run along the line, he living forced out near the corner. Irmn which a scrum and free kick resulted for Kanieri, thus relieving the -situation. Alter some tight, rushes by bolli sides, one of which Aicken stopped, a scrum resulted and from the scramble Montague very nicely dribbled away ■md gained a slice of ground, the hall coin."out. In the ensuing phtv. Ruthind’, Leslie and Aicken were prominent, some very lively interchanges tnkin"- place. Some of (he Kanieri lorwimls and hacks indulged in a passing hint the hall eventually being kicked across, and M’hiley had a splendid opening which was the best chance the day. hilt owing to having a ook behind at (lie critical momont sliiuihleil and allowed Nightingale to force, < • Fleming being in close atteiuouiee. Pfahlerl next put. in one ol his good Mvervv runs, hut Baird grassed him, and the hall going to Nightingale, he kicked out, Excelsiors proving the winners by 3—o. .Mr Cut bush had coni ml ol tho game.

SENIOR CHAMPIONS. STARS TV-IN AGAIN. The Stars and United seniors pi avid at Greyinoiltli on Saturday when stars proved successful by 1(1 points (I tries, two converted! to 8 points a penalty goal and a goal from a try). This game completes the senior championship which Stars have non easily. NEWMAN will ELD MATCH. Hokitika District High School team travelled to Greymouih on Saturday lo play the Grey Technical School team in a Newman Shield mulch, and were defeated by 17 points to 13. The \i inners. who were much the heavier, ran up 14 points in the lirsl spoil, hut in the second half ihe school team gave a line exiill i I ion of passing and nearly snail lied a victory. SKI)DON SHI Kid). .MARLBOROUGH JUST WIN. [Australia A N.X. ( able Association] BLENHEIM’. August 8. I'lio second Seddon Shield match of the season, between the Golden BayMotueka reps ami the Marlborough reps (holders i was played to-day in good weather, on a heavy ground. There was a record attciidamc including hundreds of visitors from the challenging district. The teams were very evenly matched until the last twenty minutes, when Marlborough assumed the ascendancy. The game was full of excitement: throughout. First one side was leading and then the other, and the spectators were moved to a. high pitch of enthusiasm. 1 hillips opened the scoring account by kicking a penalty for Marlborough but a few minutes later Foskott scored for the Bays and Bowers converted the try. Just on tho interval Foskett again scored, the kick missing. Half time found the scores S to 3, in the Bays’ favour. Ten minutes after resuming, Connolly scored for Marlborough, ami Hudson converted, making the scores level. Ten minutes later, J. Holyoakc potted a beautiful goal for the Bays. Then Dodson scored for Marlborough, leaving the score 12 to If in tlie visitors’ favour.

Alaribormtgli now .strained every nerve to overtake the handicap. They made repeated assaults on the Bays’ line but the defence held till, just on the call of time. Then Tim Smith put in a wondertul run, and he set Byrne and Phillips in action, a try being scored in a perfect pandemonium of excitement. The kick failed, leaving Marlborough the winners by 14 to 12. RAXFURLY SHIELD. NAPIER, August ft. A Runfurly Shield mutch the third of the season, was played yesterday, and resulted in another good win for the holders (Hawke’s Bay), Southland being defeated by til points to 12. A strong wind in the first half enabled the visitors to get a lead of twelve to eight at half time, hut in the second epell Hawke’s Bay easily rattled on the points, Alt lASCA It C UP. Napier. August- 9. In the Aloa.-car Cup match played as a curtain raiser to the Ranfutly Shield match. To Ante College defeated Whangnrei Boys’ High School by 40 to 8. The visitors led by eight to six at half time. COLLEGE GAMES. WELLINGTON. August 0. In the Rugby college semi-finals, the re-ults were: Wanganui 18 beat Christchurch 3. Wellington 11 beat Nelson 8.

GAME IN FRANCE. PARIS. August 7. Ibe newspaper “l.’Auie” discussed at length the question of the remodelling o" French Rugby football on the lines ol the All Blacks' play, in view of the mediocre results achieved h;. France last season. The paper says: ‘‘The New Zealand rule in regard to

throwing in from touch will be applied in France next season,." but it thinks that the rule that the halt can only be kicked straight into touch when the side attacked is within its own twen-ty-five is beyond the present level of French Rugby, on account of the physical effort needed.

LEAGUE TEAM DEFEATED. BY QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, August - On Saturday at the cricket ground, ten thousand people saw the New Zealand League team defeated by Queensland by 2‘J points to 20. The visitors showed improved form, hut the speed of the Queensland wingers won the day. The visiting forwards gave a line exhibition. Queensland kicked off in dull weather. The home team scored eight minutes from the start, when -McBrien broke through in the home 2">, and ran to the other end. The New Zealanders had been having tuc best of the play, and continued to do so, but through their losing the ball lithe scrums, the speed of the home backs resulted in two further Queensland tries being scored. New Zealand opened their scoring account, following on a prolonged pressure by them when Dorman mulled the ball, and Brisbane get across. A few minutes before half-time. New Zealand took control of the game ted linally Saunders (the New Zealand halo beat the Queensland full-back and scored brilliantly. Thus encouraged, the All Black iorwards pressed hard, and they.caused Queensland to save.

In the last twenty minutes of the first spell, the New Zealanders scored twelve points, and Queensland none at all. At half-time the scores were : New Zealand Tj. Queensland 13. Early in the second half, the Queens landers notched a try. Then, however the New Zealanders attacked brilliaidly. obtaining a try and a goal, 'vlii u put New Zealand again in the lead Then some daxxling play hy the Queensland wingers raised the ?rmv. I to a high pitch of excitement. Aynslov gave a wonderful exhibition, scoring three tries in succession.

New Zealand were unable to make il]> this deficit. The scorers of the Queensland iricwerc: Aynsley (four). Holder, .YuBrien and Rupinon, while Horder and lhmcau-Thompsnn each kicked two goals. The tries for New Zealand were secured by Brisbane. Saunders. Tho nas aml Delgrrsso. Unity converted two tries, and he also kicked two penalty goals. Brisbane played in plate of Webb