FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1925, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SENIORS. ' Excelsiors 24, Kiwis nil. 1 JUNIORS. Harliari forfeited to Excelsiors. Kiwis forfeited to Kanieri. Ross 8. Kumara G. 1 TIILRI) GRADE. School 4-3, Kiwis 3. KIWIS V. EXCELSIORS. One of the most interesting exhibitions of senior football was given on Saturday on Cass Squaro at 3 o’clock when the two local seniors clashed, Excelsiors registering tlieir jsecond win in succession in the new competition. The day was cloudy and the field heavy, nevertheless the game was fairly fast. The Kiwis were outclassed in all departments of the game, whilst in the first spell some nice passing movements were witnessed, the handling of the Excelsior backs being especially good, but. the second spell did not produce such bright passing movements, although the individual play was good, some sparkling flashes being witnessed. Some players who always give a finished display spoiled their splendid work on Saturday by just being a trifle selfish. The Kiwi back movements in nearly every instance broke down at tlio wings, whilst the Excelsior wings were hardly ever caught, Wells and Wogan when cornered making for the centre of the field. The Kiwis’ power of resistance complete broke down near the end of the game, whilst the majority uf the serums went against them. | Wells and Houston demonstrated that they knew the finer points of the game, the tackling of the latter lieing a treat to watch. The. Kiwis kicked off and they had a slight advantage for some minutes when the red and black forwards led b v Bannister retaliated and brought play down the field where a penalty was awarded Bannister’s kick tailing. The Excelsiors went to the attack again the forwards now getting warmed up, when the hacks took a turn and the first try was registered by Wogan alter the most brilliant passing movement ■seen on Cass Square for some time, ft was bright, fast, snappy and finished. Wogan handling twice. Wogan converted. Excelsiors ft, Kiwis I). Preston broke, through hut the blues forced play up the field where an attempt at goal by Walker went under the bar. The bine forwards attacked again and after some kicking l 1 rcitas relieved with a mark after which McCleary secured and passed to Walker, to Duneraft, to O’Brien, to Xeilsen, who failed to hold, thus nullifying a rather nice piece of work, the hall going out, scrums and a, free kick ensuing, the hall going out near tlio Excelsiors’ goal line, play being gradually worked out uf the danger zone, a free kick resulting for the blues, hut Walker’s kick fell short, the ball being returned. Houston marking, Walker putting in a. short run, then attempting a pot, a. free kick resulting from the scramble for the Kiwis, Walker’s kick going wide. Baird secured and got in a. good run and passed to Dcvaney who was caught, a line out, free kick and line out ensuing when a nice piece of work was witnessed, MeCleary originating and letting out to Walker, to O’Brien, to MeCleary, to O’Brien, to Xeilsen who kicked. In the ensuing play the blues did the attacking, a penalty shot, by Walker again falling short and in the succeeding scramble the blues bad the host of if. until Wells received the hall and after putting in a run was caught about half way from where McMinn broke away and be. G reeves and Thompson carried play io the Kiwis goal line, a serum taking place, Mc- ( I vary passing to O'Brien, to Duncraft who ran from the 23 to half way being caught, Iroin where Dowell nicely carried the ball through, per medium of the dribble and then secured and passed to Wells, who missed, a scrum and force resulting. The red and blacks were now having the best of it, when MeCleary relieved and passed to O'Brien to Duneraft who got in a good dodgy run and passed to Xeilsen who missed. Wogan .securing and taking play back to tin* blue 2.->. The Kiwis forced the Excelsiors out., and then Wogan received the leather ami after a. splendid run. kicked, hut Walker failed to field cleanly, Wogan getting him, a scramble taking pace, the ball being kicked across to Wells who picked up and went over, Wogatt’s kick not rising. Excelsiors 8, Kiwis 0. In the ensuing play Henderson und McMinn were prominent in a rush which gained a lot of ground. Shannon broke through in a loose rush, Freitas stopping, shortly after Henderson again dribbling nicely along, Xeilsen outing. Wogan next got the hall and after beating several men, kicked, Walker just clearing in lime by outing, the first spell ending with the hall iu blue territory with the scores 8-0. The Excelsiors went to the attack and had by far the best of it, when from a fast follow up by McMinn saw MeCleary forcing. Shortly after from a serum MeCleary got in a nice run and passed to O’Brien, to Breeze who missed, a free kick resulting for the- Excelsiors, Bannister’s kiuk going out at the blue 23, when, from the scramble O’Brien secured, and dodged and ducked his way for some distance until finally caught Then Henderson secured and very smartly let out to Dowell who threw forward, serum and scramble ensuing from which Walker got away, being caught, l’lay remained in neutral territory for a while till Kearns broke through, Freitas stopping at tlio 23 his kick going out- at half-way, a serum resulting from the line out, Gibbons getting a lucky one out at the blue 23. Shortly after Houston secured a good mark. After some play in which Wogan looked a likely scorer, a line out ensued, with a serum anil scramble from which Dowell eventually secured and passed to Houston who dodged and forced his way through to score a splendid try, Dowell’s kick missing. Excelsiors 11. Kiwis 0.

The Kiwis went to tlie attack and took play to the- red and black line a free kick for the blues resulting hut .MiCleary's attempt failed and from the ensuing scramble a penalty kick for the reds brought play to the half-way peg. the ball going from the serum to (laylor. but Wells was too quick for him and a free kick resulted, Dowell kicking across, Houston going up and smartly securing let out to Wogan who raced along the line- and crossed, thus capping a heady piece of work. Bannister’s kick failed. Excelsiors It, Kiwis 0.

After some give and take play the ball went to Gaylor, who went up, but Dowell nicely stopped and passed to Henderson who relieved. The blues set up an attack which took play right down to the Excelsior line, but through the instrumentality of Wells it was brought out into neutral territory again, the hall going to Gaylor. a scrum resulting at half-way. Thompson was prominent in a loose rush, Walker stopping his race, a serum resulting from which the hall was kicked over, McCleary forcing. Walker was next prominent in a dribbling rush, a free kirk stopping, then McMinii and Bannister took a hand, but Devauey stopped, it serum resulting from which the ball went to Walker, Houston nicely grassing him. From a line-out at half-way, McMinn got away fast with the ball at his toes, Thompson carrying on, tlie ball going across the field, where Dowell whipped up

and passed to I’reston, who crossed at the post, McMinn converting and thus capping a very nice piece of play. Excelsiors 19, Kiwis 0. The Kiwi backs set up an attack, but the movement broke down, the ball going out at the 25, from where | Shaw got away and gained a lot of ground, some tight play ensuing near the Excelsior goal line, the ball eventually going out at tlio 25, from where , Wells kicked away and dribbled through tlio opposition, Thompson carrying on, serum stopping. Shortly after from a line out McMinn broke away with the ball at his toes and the opposition seemed paralysed for they could not stop him and he secured near the line and crossed, registering a well earned and deserved try, he capping it by converting and the game ended with the scores Excelsiors 24, Kiwis 0. Mr Wilson had control of the game. SCHOOL V. KIWIS. The School versus Kiwis game was played at 1.30. the School playing some players short, whilst the Kiwis were far worse off. The scores in the first spell were School G, Kiwis 3, the School rattling up 39 points in the second spell making the filial scores, School 45, Kiwis 3. There was nothing of much interest in the game, hut some of the dribbling by the School showed good control of the ball, which put far into the shade the attempts of the seniors in the three o’clock game. GREY Y. IX AX OAHU A. | Grey representatives played luniigaliiui at Reefton oil Saturday belorc a good attendance. In the first spell the score was Grey 8, Innngahua 5. In the second half the visitors had all the best of the play, the game ending 29 to 5. The try-getters for the winners were Steel (2), Tlmmns (2), M. Jamieson, Warnes and Bell; while those to convert were Steel (.2), Jamieson and Warnes. WELLINGTON REPS. BY TEMCCRAFJI —FRESS ASSN'., COPYRIGHT. WELLINGTON. Aug. 23. Ai Rugby on Saturday, the Possibles boat the Probables by 27 to 14. Though the, ground was not in the best condition a splendid exposition of the game was given. The following twenty players were chosen :—Walters. Hieke.v, Svonson. Bedell, Xicholls, Johnson. Warwick. Mansfield, F. Tilvard. Porter. Osliorne. B. Wilson, Shearer (2), Martinsmith, Sly. Young. Duncan, Crnltv and Smith. Malfroy would have been included in the twenty, but he had the misfortune to break a small Imne in his ankle while playing in the Possibles v. Probables match. HAWKER BAY v. TARANAKT. HASTINGS. Aug. 22. A large crowd turned out to-day lor the Taranaki-1 lawke’s Bay Shield match. Despite recent rains, the ground was in good order. Ilnwkes Bay won the toss. Before half time 1 Hinvkes Bay registered 17 to 3. On changing over Hawkes Bay continued ' the aggressive, and scored. Mill eon- | verting: the game ending Hawkes Buy 28, Taranaki 3. The visitors’ forwards ■ played good, hard football all through. ! but the llav backs were too solid. Hawkes Bay had also better generalship. making and taking advantage of opportunities. Nepia and Falwasser both played great games for Hawke's Bay. i WAIRARVPA v. MARLBOROUGH. III.EX! I F.IM, Aug. 22. The first match of the Mairnrapa team’s South Island tour resulted m their defeating Marlborough by 14 to (t. after a fast, exciting game, in the presence of a good crowd. The weather was fine, tint cold, with a strong wind 1 blowing clown tbc> field. Ibe spell cud- . ( ~[ |i qin tbi’ visitors' favour. fn tin’ second spoil Marlborough forwards ■ kept the visiting hacks quiet, and the spell was mainly in the home side's favour. hill they missed many opportunities through lin k of cohesion among ' the hacks. For Marlborough in ibis spell, .1. [ O’Brien scored a. try, and just; on time Frank Booth scored a penalty goal for the visitors, the game ending 14—(i in ■ Wairarapa's favour. ’ j SOUTHLAND BEAT OTAGO, i 1 DUNEDIN. Aug. 22. j Southland deleated Otago at Rugby _ ! to-day by 25 points to 15. Southland in the second spoil proved too good for ill,, borne It-aiu. and rattled on 20 points. WANGANUI, Aug. 22. ; ' The Rugby senior championship was • placed 10-dav between Kaierau and Old Boys, resulting in a win for Kaic- | rau. last year’s premiers, by eight to three. | N.S.W. WIN EASILY. | OYER COMBINED TEAM. | Palmerston n., August 23. j In (Tie first match of their tour, the New South Wales team on Saturday i achieved a hollow victory. The visitors : were much superior to the Wellington-llorowhonua-Manawatu combined team in all departments of the game, j The match was one of the tamest ' possible variety, and the New Zealand fifteen gave a display that was collourless, 1 lie team, absolutely lacking dash, cohesion or combination. No more uninteresting first spell was ever seen here in big Rugby. When the New South Wales men settled down, their three-quarter line gave the combined team plenty ot work, and line! Morrissey and Reid worked better together in the earlier stages, the margin would have been still greater. Snell at half got the nail away quickly, enabling Lawton (five-eighth) to make fine openings. The combined team opened the scoring account with a nice try by Brophv (M.nnawatu), which was well converted by Jacob (Hnrowhonun). Then the Now South Welshmen put on two goals before the interval, tries being got by Reid and Smith, and converted by Lawton. Two more tries for the visitors were scored later, both by Morrissey, Law* ton again goaling both. Bailey (Manawntu) scored the combined team’s final, unconverted try. and the game ended:— N.S.W 20 Combined Team 8 ilr F. Julian (Taranaki) was referee. The whole of the visitors’ four tries were scored by the three-quarters. Unless the fast nippy N.S.W. forwards are mastered, Lawton, Morrissey. Reid and Co will not lie beaten iqi to the test match at Auckland on September 19.