FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1926, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT. The replayed seven-a-side tournament of the Shrimps took place on Saturday. It will be remembered that on Juno 3rd the winners weights in two instances was over 7 stone, and it was decided to replay the games. Thcso took place on Saturday under excellent playing conditions, and the several contests provided some capital displays in the various games. In a couple of instances time ran out without the teams having established a scoro advantage and play went on till one side added to tile score. Incidentally, two Hokitika school teams went out of the contest by this means. Rimu defeating School A, and Ross belating School B, both in the semifinals.

After a prolonged semi-final the Ross A team went out shortly afterwards to play the final against the Rimu team, but the latter at once showed their superiority 'and scored by means of Dale who gave a very promising exhibition of three-quarter lino play and scored three tries and converted one goal of the 14 points scored. At half-time of the senior game Mr A. A. Adams (President of the West Coast Rugby Union) /addressed the winning team congratulating them on the excellence of their play and their success, trusting that they would continue to improve and that they would continue to show improvement and always play the {Time. He thou presented the winning trophy, a football, with the hope that they would mayo good use of it. Cheers .for the winning team concluded the ceremony. The scores of the tournament were as follows: - I'TRST ROUND. School A 14, boat Excelsior A 0. Ross P, 12, beat School E 0. Rimu 13, beat School C 0.

School B 18, heat Excelsior B 0. Ross A 11, beat School D 0. SECOND ROUND. Rimu 17, beat Ross B 0. School B won from- Convent by default. SEMI-FINAL. Rimu 8. heat School A 5. Ross A 3. beat School B 0. FTNAL. Rimu 14, beat Ross A 0.

STARS v. HOKITIKA. There was a good attendance when this senior fixture took place on Cass Square on Saturday. The weather and ground conditions were good, the ground being dry and the sun clouded, with no wind. Hokitika, after a fairly fast game proved victorious hv 11 points (a goal from a try, a try and a penalty goal) to nil. From the kick off there was an exchange of kicks which lasted for several minutes without doing any good beyond giving the backs an opportunity to handle. The game was in the Grey quarters and the reds showed an opening failure of tactics by icpeated kicking, with the field well open to them. Play had hardly settled down when Perham struck trouble with his shoulder, damaged about a month ago and it again dislocated with the result that lie had to leave the field, Preston taking his place. The play hardly settled down on either side, but Hokitika forwards were proving a superiority and the play went to their opponents quarters. A penalty for offside gave H. Steel a shot which ijii’cd and then relief came to the opposite side from a similar cause. Hokitika tried to open up the piny but Kin loch and Pfahlcrt missed badly on several occasions, and some ground was lost. A run along the lino by Nelson eased the tension, but Gibbous relieved in good style and from a senna about the quarter flag the hall eaino to Pfahlcrt who- made a fine opening, but when trickled lie lost the ball, and McOleary and Shaw carried on a forward rush which went over the line and AfcCloary scored well out and 11. Steel failed to convert. 3—o. The olay did not open out. the forwards holding control for some minutes and then J. Steel gathered and set out down the line at lop hut King took him nicely when lie was in a scoring position. There was a hard fight on the red line for some time and Grey had sevenil shots from penalties within range but J. Steel failed to enhance. Then half time came with the Lome team leading by 3 to 0. The second half opened a little Letter with an attempt at passing by both sides, the handling being better but the tackling on both sides was sound. Pfahlcrt and Kinloch showed improved handling but the latter held on too much. Stnpfortli came into the limelight with a bright attractive dash and gives promise for the future, with a nippy style but lie did not get many opportunities. Perhaps the star feature of the spell was a fine effort by Shaw who took the hull at bis too throe parts of the field, only to lose

possession when within striking distance. .Most of the play was in the Star side cf the centre and there wore many penalties For breaches of tho rules. Occasionally there appeared to be too much undue force displayed. A forv.Drd rush saw the play go into the visitors quarters and there was some illegal interference by a Grey forward, i but Stnpfortli broke through and as < the whistle blow had his opponents < beaten for what appeared a sure try, ! but a penalty kick was given, which I had no result. Shortly after from i a penalty for offside Tl. Steel kicked c a penalty goal. G—o. i Play centred about midfield and then ] Grey attacked strongly and there were ] some hard tussling about the goal t 1 line and one or two close culls before i King relieved to half way. Here I in a loose melee two opposing players s came to blows and Carter and Bring t were ordered of! for striking each r other. The play went on with a dash A and the tackling was of a very hard t nature. Play was in Grey quarters when a penalty shot was taken at the a Star goal. The kick failed and the

hall went helllnet the line, two (jrey players were handy but they failed to touch down and Gibbons who followed up smartly dived in between the two opponents and scored a try, one of the softest possible and under tlie circumstances a- regular gift. PI. Steel converted and tho score was 11—0. With only ten minutes to go, Stars attacked and there was danger on the line for a minute or two but Dougherty broke aw,.v and the play went to tho centre. Then the Stars dropped out of the picture and after the concluding minutes of very drab and uninteresting play time was called with Hokitika winners by 11 points to nil. On the play, tho winners easily had the best of the deal. Both sides failed 'to take advantage of openings and there was far too much kicking, when capital openings presented. The Stars when they dill attempt passing always went to the left wing, and J. Steel was out of work practically all | the time only coming into the picture about a dozen times during the after- ( noon. His kicking was also not up to the usual standard, several chances ‘ vithin range being missed. The Hoki:ika forwards worked hard and gener- , illy tackled well. In the loose they * Lowed to advantage and they gained icssessioji in .the serums more often ban their opponents. The Star fnr-

rards had an advantage in the Hire ut play, and generally tackled well, chile they followed up well but they ;ave many offside penalties. Tlie Jrey inside backs 3id not appear too appy and when they did get going

spoiled fine openings continually by passing forward wildly. At least two fine' openings on the line were lost through this means. The game generally was a very hard fought one, both sides doing their best, but the football itself was not nearly as bright as it could have been with the opportunities each side had of making a far bettor game of it. Mr V E. W. Ilee'nan was referee.

CRICKET CROWD. [Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] WELLINGTIN, June 28. A notable feature of Rugby football in Wellington is the interest which is taken by the public in club games. Last winter notwithstanding exceptionally wet weather the attendances were so large that the local Union profited to the extent of j£l4of>. This year with a succession of fine Saturday’s, public patronago is larger still and culminated on Saturday in a crowd of ten thousand to witness the first meeting between Athletic and Petone Clubs, who stand at the head of tl-e list. They were rewarded by a game between two well trained teams as fast and exciting as an All Black side would give. • The Athletic which, is Porter, the. All Black captain’s club won by 18 to 10 and preserved an unbeaten record so far.

NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. SYDNEY, June 27. There was great interest and big crowds at the final try out of four Rugby teams from which the N.S.W. rep. team to meet the All Blacks will lie chosen,. The match between the first and second fifteens provided a hard and excellent game, the seconds heating the firsts by 19 to 18. Subsequently the following were chosen to train for the first match ngainst the New Zealanders: —

Full hack—A. W. Boss. Three-quarters— R. E. Foote, 0 V, Morrissey, A. C. Wallace, A. J Bowers C, Towers S. King.

Halves—T. S. Lawson F. W. Meagher and J. Duncan.. Forwards —31. Woods. J. G. Blackwood, .). Tailored, A. X. Finlay, B. Judd, W. Ives, 0. Fox. F. J- Thorn, G. Shaw, D. Telford, J. Ford. Training commences on Tuesday.