FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1926, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

WESTPORT V. HOKITIKA. There was only a moderate attendance on Cass Square yesterday afternoon, the ground and weather conditions being good, when the Westport Technical School team defeated Hokitika High .School by 11 points (3 tries, one converted) to (> points (.2, tries). The game was not as bright and interesting as could lie expected. Roth sides made many mishandles especially when the ball was near the ground, and though there were many forward loose rushes they were not successful though they were not stopped cleanly. The Westport, backs handled better than their opponents, kicked much bettor, and kept in position to a greater advantage. Though they passed well, many times they did not gain much ground, but their three scores came from good runs, in which the wing three-quarter did the lion’s share. Early ill the first spell Westport opened their scoring account and this was followed shortly after with another good try. One was converted and the score stood 8 to 0. It was not till nearly half an hour had gone before Davidson, getting the ball near half way made a fine dodgy run-to w ithin five yards of the line, when he passed to Blank, who managed to drop over. Soon after the local team attacked and King made a hard forcing run that enabled him to push his way over a number of opponents to score. Both kicks failed.

The second half did not show as good fool ball as the first half, the play on hot!* sides being ragged. The visitors had the hotter of the play, though .Hokitika attacked for n few minutes in the centre of the spell. The visitors however, came away with the ball, and on two occasions at least were almost over. From a line out at the centre the ball went, well out and was handled and kicked to the visiting wing threequarter, who picked up and made a slashing run that ended over the goal line near the corner-flag. The kick failed and then lime was called, with Westport the victors by 11 to (5. Undoubtedly they had the better of tlie game and deserved their win. The home team though lighter got their share of the ball in the serums, but there was some slackness around the hack of the serum for their opponents renentcdly got to the Hall before the half got possession. There were also numerous cases of wild passing; the ball going to no one. The visitors appeared to he faster, and the forwards had a lot of running. The kicking was also not nearly as good, being weak in comparison, but the tackling generally was fairly sound. A failure by the three-quarter line to keep their position also gave away considerable ground, and led to at least one try, and a narrow escape from several others. AVithal it was an interesting game to watch but the play was hardly up to the combined standard expected from two such teams after a season’s play, which should have given much hotter combination. Mr (". Gavlor was referee.

QUESTION OF RULES. Onlooker writes—'When is a player offside? Twice- yesterday afternoon, once on either side, a player was penalised for being offside fn almost the .same circumstances. They were ill cue : The attacking side had the ball in a passing run and bad gone up tlie field, when the hall was passed to a fellow player, who missed and an opponent who had lagged behind handled, some dozen yards or more behind the last man (his opponent), who had passed. A whistle and offside penalty was allowed—Why ?

The decisions were decidedly incorrect. A man who is offside (this man was not offside at all) is placed on side when ail. opponent has run ten yards with the ball etc. . . . The same point has been raised several times during the season owing to penalties being inflicted. The main off-side point that is allowed to go by default is during the taking of a kick from an opponent, where the forwards are constantly allowed, without penalty, to get within tlie ten yards limit of the player taking the ball. This is a rule that should he very rigidly enforced.

HAWKE’S BAY GRIEVANCE. WELLINGTON. August 31. “ Should we take any notice of the criticism about the Hawke’s Bay match?” queried a member of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union at to-night’s meeting, when the controversy relative to alleged unfair tactics of the Rnnfurly Shield holders was mentioned. " Gentlemen, T think not.” said the chairman, .Mr Prenderville. He pointed out that they had a telegram from Hawke’s Bay regarding the published statements of a Wellington player, but he thought, the information they had should bo read in committee. A brief discussion in committee followed. It was decided to defer further consideration until a letter regarding the complaint was received from Hawke’s Bay headquarters.