FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1926, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

WESTLAND MATCHES. [ The competitions under the Westand Sub-Union commenced on Saturlav afternoon under circumstances that were not all favourable to good remits. though the weather was line. 1 tn the first place in the senior game, * the members of tho Excelsior Club had 1 •esolvod tho previous evening not to * akc part in the senior game as part f if the Hokitika team to play Stars, uid as a result the announced team was "considerably altered by the inclus- ' on of a number of juniors. The re- '' .lilts of the various games were as fol- - lows:— | SENIORS. ! Hokitika 13. Stars (Grey) 0. ' JUNIORS. | Excelsiors 26, Arahura 6. ' THIRD GRADE. ’ Excelsiors 17, Kiwis 0. HOKITIKA v. STARS. As mentioned above the Hokitika team took the field considerably altered, while Stars came down with 14 men, and though Steel the All Black was playing he was reported a sick man, and did not put any vim into his play. The game was played on a wet field, and under the circumstances a fair game resulted. The Hokitika team playing in the old red and black colours were too strong in the forwards, while the backs handled better than the Star hacks, the latter losing some very easy chances by very had handling at the critical moment. In the first half, about half way through, which had lieott in Hokitika’s favour, in an attack, the hall was kicked across the field and Pfahlert picked up cleanly and made a smart dash, dodged the full back and scored a pretty try, which H. Steel converted. Stars then took a hand in the play and was more in their favour for a while, several (food openings being l>adl\ mulled next to the line. Then the play went to the other end. and shortly before half time, from a loose rush, Shaw crossed and scored, the spell ending in favour of the reds hy 8 to 0. In the latter part of the spell Stars were further handicapped hy tho retirement of Steel and another player till the interval. In the second half the play slowed down, the special feature being the bad handling on both sides though one or two players proved an .exception. 'the play went up and down tlm field, hut as the game wore on, the advantage was in Hokitika’s favour, ami several scores were narrowly averted, Taiuui on one occasion making a. line dash only to lose the hall as he was falling down to score. Ten minutes from time a forward rush proved suecessful, Griffiths scoring from a, rough j and tumble near tho posts, It. Steel j converted. At this juncture Nelson, a ' Star hack, made a remark to the re ! feree which the latter took exception to and at once ordered him off the field. The game elided soon afterwards without further scores, Hokitika winning hy 13 points (J tries, two con- j verted) to nil. Mr A. Cutbush was referee.

EXCELSIOR 11. v. ARAHURA This game took place on No.

ground, and as a result ol Arahura being several men short, the game proved a fiasco. After play had continued for about 40 minutes and the score stood at 26 to (5 in favour-of Excelsiors. the Arahura team cried enough mill play win, discontinued. Mr C. Gavlor was referee.