FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1926, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

EXCELSIORS 10 V. STARS (Grey) 8. There was a very fair crowd of spectat< -s on Cass Square on Saturday afternoon to witness the meeting of the above teams. 'The ground was a bit heavy in places but the ball was dry and during the afternoon some good bouts of passing were indulged in by both sides. The inclusion ot Steel in the Stars team added interest to the game and lie made bis presence ielt bj scoring two tries in the last few minutes. The exhibition given by Ex-

celsiors was a great improvement on last Saturday and they should go on to greater advancement as they have the makings of a very line side. Stars started off with good passing runs but the defence was very fine, the collaring of King being the cause ot checking a number of runs. The whole side seemed to tire very much towards the end of the first spell and (lining a nortion of the second, hut they put in a great last effort near tlu* end and added eight points in a

lew minutes, the last try being obtained just be I ore the bell sounded. piny was started by Best (Excelsiors) kicking off and the hall was returned and Excelsiors took play to Stars 23. Steel here obtained the ball and put in a dasli until AN eils stopped him mid Steel had to leave the field until '-e obtained a new pair of pants. 'file reds continued to press Stars but Mosley and Crooks put in sonic

good kicking and stayed their efforts. A nice red passing rush ended by a bad pass by Henderson to Christiansen and the chance was lost. A free kick to Stars shifted play hack to half-way. Tito red forwards led by Hahn and Shaw were putting ill good solid work and had Stars defending hard. Nightingale had a shot at goal from a free kick liut lie failed to score. A nice rush by the Stars forwards was stopped by Nightingale and in the ensuing play the red forwards got offside and Steel had a kick at goal hut lie failed. Shortly after good kicking bv Nightingale and King took the game to the Stars line. Another passing run resulted in offside by Christensen and Stars sent play hack to half-way. I hey continued to force the game but the reds kept them out. Up and down play confined lor a while and here King obtained the ball in Stars 23 and dodged and eventually drop-kicked a goal—l to nil. From the kick out AA’ells put in good work and then the ball travelled through the red hacks and font aids and finally A. King scored a nice try. Nightingale failed with the kick—7 to nil. The Stars were now slackening and the reels forwards continued to hammer away but Steel got the hall and put in a good kick and hall time was sounded. On resuming Steel kicked off and Christensen returned to the centre. Play continued at the hall wav lor a time. Christensen then got the hall and running strongly across field gave the hall to King and he gave it to AYells, who set out at great speed for the lino. He was collared by Steel, who misjudged his pace, and he managed to score after a good effort. King failed to convert—lo to nil. Stars tiled to put more life into the their play hut the reds, both backs and IVirwards, were playing really well. Halm led another red rush hut Goodal! was equal to the occasion and shifted play past half way with a good kick. Steel had a s'Got at goal from near half waq. hut lie made only a fair attempt to score. Christensen amt Henderson by good kicking took play to the Stars line. Crooks marked and play went to half way. Steel here got the hall and when starting off' for the line was splendidly collared by King, whose play all through C’c game was of the highest class and should ensure his place in the West, Coast representative team. The game was continued up and down (lie field by both sides and it was finally stopped by Stevens finding the line near lialf-wav. The reds seemed (o he tiring and Stars put more vim into their play. A nice dim nee to

score was lost by Thomas making a bad pass to Steel. During a dangerous rush by Stars King obtained a splendid mark and gained relief by a good kick. Thomas put in a nice run up field and play shifted to rods line. Offside by the reds gave Steel what looked a very easy elm nee to score from, but lie failed badly. Christensen was next responsible for a good mark off a cross kick by Steel right ill front of the goal posts and play went back to half way. In the loose Pring picked up and sent on to Steel who raced down the touch lino. Nightingale collared well hut Steel readied over and scored. TTe failed with the kick—3 to 10. The Stars continued to press and Pring again picked up in the open and passed to Thomas who sent it on to Steel win raced by Kinloeh and Nightingale to score under the posts. He took the kick and converted—B to 10. The whistle then sounded full time. Afr Cutbush was referee.

KANIERT A'. KTAVIS. The junior game between these teams was played- on No. 2 Ground‘and afterKanieri had scored 9 points the Kiwis team cried enough. Mr Tlecnun was referee. KOKATAHI 6 v. EXCELSIORS 3. On Saturday Excelsior Juniors travelled to Kokatahi and were defeated by the local team by 6 points (2 tries) to 3 points (penalty). The game was not a- very interesting one, being of a forward nature in which the local panic used their weight to advantage, the points about indicating Kokatahi’s superiority. For the winning side Fleming was successful in notching both tries, while Hughes kicked a penalty for the .visitors. Mr C. Gaylor ably controlled the game. UNITED V. .KANIERT.

At Victoria Park, a senior match was played between United and ICnnieri. The name was of a ranged nature and resulted in a win for United hv 28 points to (i. Pell piled up United’s substantial total by converting no fewer than three tries in the second spell. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, hut the United hacks were superior in their tactics and their handling of the hall and passing movements were largely responsible for the big difference in the score. V ails, of the United team, was the outstanding player of the day. In the first spell Burley scored a try and Walton scored and converted his own try. In the second half Wylie opened Kanieri’s scoring account with a nice try, which was unconverted. This was followed shortly afterwards by Walls putting in a good run in. which ho covered nearly the length of the field and crossed Kanieri's lino to score. 801 l added the major points. Later AJerv Jamieson SCO red. Bell converting. Another attack hv United resulted in Paddy Jamieson scoring. Bell again adding the extra points. An infringement by United resulted in Thomas kicking a penultv goal for the visitors. Before the final whistle. Bunt opened up a nice movement, transferred to Merv. Jamieson, who scored behind the posts. Bell piloted the leather between the posts. Mr T. Mclntosh controlled the game. NELSON V. GOLDEN BAY. NELSON. August 20. At "Rugby Nelson defeated Golden

Bay at Moteuka by 30 points to G. Nelson backs gave a sparkling display, dominating the game. BULLER BEAT INANGAHUA. WESTPORT, August 28. Under adverse weather conditions, ami with the ground in a very slippery condition. Bullet- reps this afternoon defeated Inangaha by 2(5 points to 0. Tries were scored by McNeight, G. Stewart, O’Brien, Morris, Caldwell and B. Stuart (2). Kearns converting one try. and Davies kicking a penalty goal. PAYNE SHIELD MATCH. DUNEDIN, August 21). In the Bayne Shield match yesterday between Otago University and Old Boys, the premier teams of Dunedin and Christchurch respectively, the Uni-

versity team won by 14 points to 3. At Balclutha, Otago beat South O.ago by II to 5. WELLINGTON C( >LTS. BLENHEIM. August 29. Drisyding rain fell during the first spell of the match between Wellington colts and Marlborough to-day, making the ball somewhat heavy and elusive, but throughout the second spell the conditions were good. The game concluded with the score at 12 to 9 in Marlborough’s favour. AUCKLAND BEAT WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON. August 29. Though Wellington had the advantage of a score of !) to 8 at half time in the Rugby match against Auckland, they had the host of the game, and should 1 mvo scored more points. Wellington nlayed with the advantage ol a good wind in the first spell. Auckland’s defensive play was worthy ol the best traditions of llugby. In the second half, Auckland, assisted by the wind, were on. the attack most of the time. McManus sent the hall to the backs, and it went to C'animictv, who scored, and Lolt converted. Auckland 13. Wellington 9. After a spell of give and take play, Svenson had a free kick and was successful. Auckland 13, AVellington 12.

Towards the end Wellington ' were kept on the defensive. .McManus (Auckland) again secured and passed to Palmer, who scored, no goat resulting. Auckland 1(1, Wellington 12. VARSITY BEAT FIJI. SUVA, August 28. The Auckland University footballers well the second test match here by ten points to three. Stone and Carter scored tries. Jenkins converting them. Fiji scored a penalty goal. It was a good even game, hut was in the visitors favour throughout. Their hack combination was too good lor Fiji. ,