FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1926, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S GAMES. SENIORS. United 0, Hokitika 6. JUNIORS. Excelsior-Kiwi match was postponed. Knnieri G, Kokatahi 3. THIRD GRADE. School 25, Kiwis 0. Excelsiors 6, Rimu 0. UNITED v. HOKITIKA. This senior game took place on Cass Square under unfavourable- conditions. The; ground was a quagmire and the ball at once became heavy and slippery. The game resulted in a forward one, and was not of a very interesting nature. United who won by 9 points (three qonalty goals) to G (a penalty goal and a try) succeeded in adding their third penalty goal just before tim© was called.

11l the first spell the Hokitika team playing with a slight wind behind them had somewhat the better of the play and changed over with three points to tlie good, a penalty kicked by ‘Steel. There were a number of attempts on both sides to open up a passing game, but they always ended in failure, and the display of kicking also was not good. In the second half United had the better of the play and failure to <bserve the off side rule gave both sides a number of free kicks. United had several within range, and Warucs piloted two over the bar, both very good kicks. With three points Imvn Hokitika asserted themselves and after a couple of forward rushes had failed on the line another smart forward rush Look the ball over the visitors line and Freitas scored. Ihe kick failed. Play continued in the visitors quarters for a few minutes and two penalty kicks well inside the 25 flag were not used to advantage and then tho play went up to the other end and United attacked with the best passing run of the day, th© attack failing when the ball only lad to h© handled cleanly to ensure a try. The ball went hack again and then another line rush tried the defence and beat it blit faulty handling again lost ‘a sure try. Two penalty kicks were taken at long range which went near and then two rod hacks ill fielding a high kick got in each others way and Steel got oftsidc right uiulei the- posts, AVarnes kicking a nice goal and then time was called almost immediately with United 9, Hokitika 0. On the day’s play the winners deserved their victory, though neither side showed to any great advantage with the slippery conditions. Perhaps the. most noticeable failure was the kicking out from the 25 flag, of which there wore many Miul in which Hokitika, repeatedly lost ground, while the penalties were not taken advantageously, tho special motto tor such a day being to kick high and follow up, and this was not- by any menus availed of. The handling with very few exceptions on both sides was poor, but the tackling was good though in quite a number of instances the close up hacks failed to go down to the hall in the mud and the local captain did not give his team a, proper lead in this department. Air C. Gnylor was referee. SCHOOL v. KIWIS. In the third-grade game the School had a runaway victory over Kiwis, winning by 25 to 0. Mr Nightingale was referee. INTER-ISLAND GAME. [by tkleg it Am — pkii muss association. WELLINGTON, June 13. Twenty thousand people witnessed the inter-Tslaml Rugby match here on Saturday, when the North Island dedicated the South Island by 41 points t f , f). The Governor-General and party were present. The ground was in good condition and a fast game resulted. Though the North Island wore undoubtedly the hotter team, it may be said, in fairness to the southerners, that the scores scarcely indicated the winners’ measure of superiority. Nieholls won the toss and the North Island played with the wind and their hacks to the sun, which gave a distinct advantage in the first spell. Nieholls started olf by kicking two penalty goals. Then there was a try scored for the South Tslaiul (scorer s name not given). Nieholls next kicked his third penalty goal. Porter then scored a, try, and Nieholls goaled. North 14—South 3.

Svenson then scored a try, which Nieholls converted, and shortly before the end of the first spell Nieholls kicked another penalty goal. At half time the scores were : North 22—South 3. The second half showed no relaxation of the northerners’ offensive, their hacks now working in complete unison. AVhile the Blacks were getting the ball in the scrum, the South were showing prociency in line-out., play. Lucas started olf tho second half by scoring a brilliant try; which Nieholls failed to convert. The South forwards rallied, and from a splendid rush Oliver scored, hut ,Stevenson failed to convert.

Lucas and Cooke then came away with a pretty bout of passing, from which Cooke galloped over to score, Nieholls failed to convert. North 28— South 6. North were penalised and Kirby was successful with his place kick. North 28— South 9. This was tlie South Islanders’ last score. The northern team were, playing attractive football. Alii! and Kivcll wont over, tlie try being given to the latter and Nieholls goaled. North 33—South 9. Porter then broke away, Swain supporting him, but he just failed to get the ball, when Thomas rushed up and dived over. Nieholls failed to convert. North 36—South 9. Nieholls and Svenson then dashed off and amused themselves with the ball, until the burly Finlayson came on tlie scene and tonic the pass, and scored under the posts. Nieholls goaled.. North 41, South 9.

The Smith forwards played a hard game, and batted well, but the Northerners slipped into their places rapidly, and presented a much more effective combination than their southern comrades. Their backs were far superior. their display at times being little short of brilliant:

Arark Nieholls kicked eight goals from twelve efforts, four being penalties and four tries converted. Air R. Patou, Wellington, was the referee. ALL BLACK TEAM. WELLINGTON, June 13, The following team has been chosen to represent New Zealand in the Australian tour: Full back—Stevenson (Otago). Three quarters—Svenson (Wellington), Blake (Hawke’s Bay), Elvy (Canterbury), Lucas (Auckland), Robilliard (Canterbury). Five-eighths—M. Nieholls (Welling-

ton), Cooke (Hawke’s Bay), Sheen (Auckland). Ilalf-backs —Mill, (Hawke’s Bay), Dailey (Canterbury). Wing forward—Porter (Wellington).

Forwards—Lomas (Auckland), Irvine (Hawke’s Bay), Kirkpatrick (Hawke’s Bay), Harvey (AVairarapa), Alley (Southland), M. Brownlie (Hawke’s Bay), Finlayson (North Auckland), R. Stewart (South Canterbury), C. Brownlie (Hawke’s Bay), Knight(Auckland) and ITazlett (Southland).

POVERTY BAY, V. AVAIRARAPA AVAIROA, June 12.

Poverty Bay defeated AVairoa (holders) for the Barry Cup to-day. The game took plaoe in beautiful weather, before a record attendance. The local team included the All Blacks, Nepia, C. Brownlie and Corkill. The visitors were the litter, and showed better combination, eventually winning by 22 to 8.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL. GIIEYMOUTH, June 14. Coast League defeated Otago representatives on Saturday by 11 to 8. Yesterday Runanga defeated the visitors by 3 to 2. SYDNEY, June 13. In the inter-Stato League football Queensland beat New South AVales by 2G points to 11SOCCER. ALANCOUVER. June 12. The soccer tourists defeated Calgary reps, by seven to four on Saturday.