FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1926, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAYS RESULTS. New South Wales 26, All Blacks 20. Buffer 17, West Coast 14. s JUNIORS. Kanieri lo,'Kokatahi 11. Excelsiors 9, Ross 0. THIRD GRADE. School 6, Kiwi 5. Riniu 6, Excelsiors 0.

The junior game in Cass Square between Kanieri and Kokatahi was not of a very attractive nature. Kanieri started off well and rail up two cries, before Kokatahi scored by means of a penalty shot right in front. In the second half Kokatahi -bv means of forward rushes scored a try by Baird, which Mark Wallace converted. The play generally was poor the handling being very indifferent. Kokatahi list ground every time they tried the passing game, hut in the loose forward rushes and on the line out they easily had the best of the play and there was lnd tactics shown in not keeping the hall down at their toes, as they non all their ground by this means end also their scores. On the other hand Kanieri wore trying to make the game open and if Pljhlert had not hung on so long so repeatedly their score must have been much larger. As it was the backs got tile ball often enough, hut. time after time the run ended with Pfahlert being taken with the ball. Before the spell was half way through Kokatahi added another try to their score, ami for n while they were in the lead. Kanieri however were able to come again and a couple of passing rushes working well added tries by means of How'at, Stooforth and Mason. Just, before time L. Robertson of Hariliari, who was playing for Kokatahi came down on his shoulder and broke his collarbone. While play was held up from this cause the hell rang time ,and no side was called ieaa ing Kanieri victorious by to points lo 11. M r Sumner was referee.

The School-Kiwi third grade game was played on No 1 ground but the play was not as bright as usual, the lads being hampered by tlie heavy ground. The School scored a try in the first half and in the second Kiwis opened their scoring with a. try which was converted. School made strong efforts to score as time, was running oiit, and managed to score ii further try which gave them victory by 0 t» 5. Air Tleenan was referee. At Ross the junior game Excelsiors v. Ross took place, Excelsiors winning by 9 points (a try scored by Staines and two penalty goals kicked by Nightingale) to nil. Tlie play was fairly interesting and tlie winners bad the best of the game. Mr, C. Gaylor was referee.

NEW ZEALAND v. N'.S. WALES

x.s.w. brilliant

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association,!

SYDNEY, July 10. In the Ail Black team to-day, Brown replaced Stevenson at full-back. -Mill went to live-eighth, while Dailey was half. Sheen was only slightly indisposed. Stevenson, Svcnsou and Robilliard have slight leg injuries. SYDNEY, July 11. The weather was bright and crisp yesterday for the Rugby match. New Zealand v. New South Wales. Tlie ai tendance was forty thousand, and the ground was in excellent order. Both teams received a musing reception'on entering the field. New South Wales won the toss, playing from the north end with a slight wind and the sun to advantage. Following a penalty against the Blues the Blacks began to attack, and they gained a good position, but the Blues’ defence proved sound. New South Wales then retaliated with sharp attacks on the Blacks’ line and the play for some time hovered in New Zoa-

land quarters. Intercepting a loose pass by Porter, Bowers with a great burst of speed, crossed at the corner, but be unfortunately lost possession of the ball when over the line. Ail exchange of kicks between Nicholls and Ross left the play in midfield. Up to this stage, the Blues' forwards had Leon showing wonderful form. Off side play by New Zealand gave Crossmail a .shot at goal, ifc which he failed. Following an electric run l>.v Elvev, the Blacks, for the first time, gained a position near the home, line, where, tint- of some loose play, Nicholls attempted to drop kick a goal, Ross getting the ball and finding tlie

line well down with his return kick. Boss, tile Blues’ full hack, was playing consistently, and safe,' and ho frequentfjv relieved dangerous positions by finding the line in good style. Out of a smart passing rush, Finlftyson

made a characteristic dash towards Ross, who proved equal to the Occasion, bringing down the Auckland giant in brilliant fashion. Immediately afterwards M. Brownlie gaining possession of the hall, ran well into position, and transferred to Porter, who scored, i Nieholls narrowly missed the kick. N.Z. 3—N.S.W. 0 The Blues retaliated by CVossman making a wonderful run and being pushed out within inches of the Black line.

Five minutes later, a smart passing rush saw Sheehan in possession. He beautifully dummied his way through the Blacks, and scored a try under the posts, hut Grossman made a lamentable attempt to convert. N.S. 3—N.Z. 3.

A.u offside infringement in front of the N.S.W. goal gave Nieholls an opportunity of adding three points to Hie Blacks’ score, iti which lie succeeded. N.Z. ft—N.S.W. 3.

Sjilcndid (lomhined play by the eight Black hacks almost put Elvey over, hut Crossman’s speed enabled him to haul the Black down. At Hostage both sides were playing brilliantly, and the pace was gradually increasing. Tho Blues now develnn ed a fine attractive passing rush, in which King finally passed to Bowers, who dashed over and scored. Boss making a good hut unsuccessful attorn nt to goal. N.S.W. O—N.Z. 6.

Tile Blues again rushed tlif 1 hall to the Blacks’ line, and from a scramble, the referee awarded a force down. Porter was Offside twice in succession; On the second occasion, it was immediately in front of the posts, where Boss kicked a goal, giving New South Wales the lead amid intense excitement. N.S.W. 9—N.Z. 6. Almost on half-time Grossman, who was playing a magnificent game, nearly crossed the Blacks’ line, hut lie put a foot outside, and the spell ended with the Blacks attacking, and the scores: N.S. Wales 9—N.Z. ft. SECOND SPELL.

Immediately on the resumption. Porter was caught offside- running round the scrum, and Ross, from forty yards out. placed a magnificent goal. N.S. Wales 12—N.Z. 6. The Blacks now began attacking vigorously, hut Boss marked on Ids own line, and brought relief. Sheehan and King were next prominent ill runs which placed the New Zealand line in danger, hut the forwards saved the situation. Bowers tlieii made afl opening for New South Wales. and the hall was passed to Bowers and oil to Ford, and then to Grossman, who scored in a good position, and RosS converted. N.S.W. 17-N.Z. 6. Bad handling by tlie Black backs

left tlie Blues in an attacking position, find from a forward rush, Woods broke away, and passed to Thorne, who dashed over to score, Ross failing to convert. N.S.W. 20—N.Z. 6. At this stage, tlie play was exhilarating. The Black forwards got away, but, with a magnificent left-foot kick, Ross found the line past half way. The Blacks now made a titanic effort, and Finlayson, Porter and Stewart almost ensured a score, but a forward pass stopped their onward career. Another attack then followed, Stowart forcing his way over at the corner. Nicholls missed liis kick. N.S.W. 20—N.Z. 9..

After twenty minutes’ play, Elvey was prominent in a brilliant run, and lie took the ball into the Blues teii;itorv, where a penalty was awarded, which enabled Nicholls to kick a goal. N.S.W. 20—N.Z, 12.

Much hard willing forward play and 4- lose rucking ensued in midfield, where Fox was temporarily injured. Following a good New Zealand passing rush, the best of its kind, Blake gained much ground. Ross and Dailey then exchanged kicks, the ball going out in New Zealand quarters. New Zealand was again adjudged offside round tlie scrum, which gave Ross a chance in midfield, and be succeeded in placing another goal with a magnificent kick. N.S.W. 23—N.Z. 12. With only ten minutes to .go, tlie Black vanguard, led by Finlayson and M. Broivifiie, made great efforts to retrieve ■ the situation. Finlayson almost scored, lint the Blues forced down. A splendid individual effort by Lomas and good foot work, resulted, in his driving over the line, ail'd scoring at tlie corner.’ Nicholls failed to add the major points. N.S.W. 23—N.Z. 15. However, a good effort hv the Blacks, in a renewed attack, resulted in Porter catching Ross on the latter’s line, the position being saved for New South Wales by tho ball rolling into touch. From a scramble on the lino C. Brownlie forced his way over and scored, anil Nicholls succeeded with a splendid kick. N.S.W. 23—N.Z. 20.

Play continued at a tremendous pace and as a result of superb work by Elvey, M. Brownlie and Cooke, tlio last-named almost scored, but be passed from the ground, and so saved tho home side.

Off-side play by Porter resulted in Ross kicking the ball out close to New Zealand’s line. From the line out Meagher marked off a knock-on, and Jie kicked a brilliant goal, time being called a few minutes later with the scores:— New South Wales 26 • New Zealand 20 The result created a profound sensation, exceeding the. most sanguine expectations. Tlie offside proclivities of tho visitors cost them a successful issue. Nevertheless, the home sido practically outplayed them in tlie second spell, and rose in brilliancy in crescendo fashion, both sides giving a dazzling exhibition.

Increased Black efficiency was met in the second half by an improved Blue defence, particularly in tackling. The result of the game remained in doubt almost to the close of tlie game.

The Blacks wore somewhat unlucky, particularly in the forward line rushing. The usual cohesion in the Black hack divsion was somewhat below par. until too late, whilst tlie Blues’ passing was consistently correct, though inclined to be lateral. The inside New South Whiles backs, and notably Sheehan, King and Meagher, were above their usual form, while Ross was the hero of the match. For New Zealand Brown served well as full-back, while Cooke, Elvey, and Nicholls were the. best of the New 'Zealand hacks. Of the Black vanguard, Lomas, Finlayson, AI. Brownlie, Stewart and Porter showed out.

Porter, apart, from over-eagerness, played most serviceably throughout. The Blacks were penalised eight times in the first spell and the Blues four times. In the second spell both sides’ penalties were almost equal. The Blues gained quite sixty per cent., of possession in the scrums, and about equal possession from the lineouts. The game was contested throughout in. an excellent, spirit. The All Blacks’ play was considered by experts to he below expectations, and below their reputations, hut the game throughout, was fully up to international standard. PULLER I'. WEST COAST. WESTPORT, July 10. In the first of the home and home Rugby matches of the season, played at. Victoria Squire to-day, Buffer deps..

defeated West Coast by 17 points to 14. The game was a keenly contested olio all the way. In the first spell, from a forward rush, McXabb scored for Haller. Watson goaliiig. A little later All Black Jack Steel scored for West Coast, Xelson goaliiig, and thus levelling the scores. A bout of passing from McCleary, to Nelson, to Steel saw Steel away for another try this try not being converted. Coast 8, Buller 5. Watson then broke away, and in a. rebound toff 'Goodall, Griffiths gathered in the ball and scored. The try was not converted. Buller 8. Const 8.

A passing movement by Griffiths', THivis and Caldwell enabled Caldwell to score. This try was not converted. Buller 11. Coast 8. lii the second spoil there was a passing rush from Watson to Griffiths and to Davis, who scored, making Buller 14 to 8.

From a further passing movement from Watson to Griffiths and O’Brien, tho last named scored, living Buller a lead of 17 to 8. Then n Coast passing.movement from McClChiry to Thomas and Steel saw the All Black score his third try. West Coast 11. Buller 17.

McCleary, soon after this, working the blind side of tbe scrum, got well away, and he passed to Reynolds, who scored an unconverted try. West Coast 14. Buller 17.

The game continued very keen, with the issue ill doubt unti Itlie finish, Buller winning by the narrow ilia rgiu of 17 points to 14. For CofJst, Steel played right up to the top of his form. Kinloeh, Goodall and Thomas (backs), and Freitas, Hahn; .Jamieson and Dougherty wards) were also very prominent. For Buller Watson, DmTs and Griffiths (backs), and Tunnicliffe, MoKnight, O’Xcill and Caldwell played outstanding games.

COAST BEAT IX AXGA HU A BY 26 TO 24. West Const played In angaluin yesterday and after a close game won by 26 to 24. The Coast score was made up of potted gcAl by Xelson and six tries, two being converted by Xelson. Inangaluin scored six tries and converted three. Dougherty scored a trophy for the first score of the match.