FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1926, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

EXCELSIORS V. UNITEDS (GREY)

The game between these two Clubs was played on Saturday afternoon, and the result a win for Excelsiors by 12 to nil, decided tho knock-out senior competition which was won by Excelsior Club with two wins and a draw. They were vastly superior all round to their opponents and tho score should have been larger as bad passing at the right time lost sure scores. The game was very fast and was a very open one. The passing of the winner’s forwards (a lost art for a number of seasons) was very fine and their rushes were overwhelming at times. Tno United team did not give such a display as was expected, considering their easy win the previous Saturday against •Kanieri at Greymouth. The score in the first spell was Excelsiors 3 (a penalty goal by Nightingale) to nil. In the second half three tries were scored by Best, A. King and Shaw but neither, of them were converted. Air E. ITeenan was referee. EXCELSIORS V. KIWIS. Tlie junior game between these teams resulted in an easy win for the former by 19 to nil. Air S. Moore was referee. KANIERI BEAT STARS. At Greymouth on Saturday Kanieri defeated Sfivrs by 19 to 16, tlie result being in doubt till tho finish of the play. Howat first scored for Kanieri and then Steel kicked a penalty goal. Soon after Griffiths added another try for Kanieri and just on half-time Nelson scored and Steel converted, the score being 8 to 6 in favour of Stars. Soon after the opening of the second half from a nice passing run Griffiths scored again, and then from a scrum in front of the posts McClcary got the ball and dived over, Thomas converting and bringing the score to 14—8. Stars then attacked and Fell scored, the try being converted. Stars continued to (attack and Steel scored in the corner, the kick failing, tho score being 16 to 14. Kanieri then attacked and 'Griffiths added his third try which Thomas converted and tho game ended soon after with Stars attacking and Kanieri victorious by 19 to 16. Air Winchester was referee.

WEST COAST REPRESENTATIVES. The following players have been selected to represent the AVest Coast in their tour of Canterbury this week Goods 11, Gibbons, A. Thomas, J. King, Powley, Mosley, Pl'alilert, AVnlls, AValtou, Shaw, Devaney, Bell, Jamieson, Dougherty, Freitas, Hahn, Burley, C. Fleming and Charteris. McCleary, Steel and Kelly were unavailable. The team play their first game agiiinst Canterbury B team at Christchurch next Saturday. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] AUCKLAND, Sept. f». For the third time this sdasoii, the Auckland Rugby colours were lowered on the homo ground by it visiting team. The loss this time was unexpected, for Poverty Bay canto without any flourish of trumpets,,, ami put up a brilliant game to win by 17 points to 14. NEW PLYMOUTH, Sept. o. Before an attendance of upwards of five thousand, Wanganui reps made a Valiant atteinpt to avenge their overwhelming defeat by Taranaki earlier in tjie season, the only dilferenco between the teams on the day’s play being a penalty goal. In a fast-scoring match, that never attained any brilliance, Taranaki emerged winners by 24 to 21. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 5. On Saturday, in the Rugby Union trial match, the touring telam. beat the B. team by 49 points to 13. DUNEDIN, Sept. 4. Otago and South Canterbury met at Carisbrook Park to-day in beautiful weather, tho game ended Otago 14, South Canterbury 11. NELSON BEATS BULLED. NELSON, Sept. 4. In glorious weather, and before .anattendance of about 4,000, Nelson successfully defended the Seddon Shield against Buller, winning by sixteen points to nine. The Nelson backs were brilliant, with McGregor, Snodgrass and AVallace at the top of their' form. Wallace gained Nelson’s first try from lan opening by McGregor and Reed, Snodgrass goaling. Just on half time, Malioney sent a pass to Snodgrass, who dived over.— Nelson 8, Buller 0. Buller opened strongly in tho second spell., Davis gathering and going over to score. Davis later kicked a penalty goal. Then Snodgrass ran from h)df-way, and when opposed on tho line, lie passed to E. Snow, who sent a long pass to AVallace for him to run over and score. Reed goaling.—Nelson 13, Buller G. Snodgrass, running from half-way, scored another try near the line. ' Kearns, the Buller full back, mpde a strong dash in the Nelson 25 and Tunnicliffe finalised it wth a try. The Buller forwards were superior in the loose. Kearns and O’Brien were the best Buller backs. It- was a bard, clean game.

MAORI FOOTBALLERS. TARTS, September 3. Leny (President) and 'Laurent (Secretary') of the French Rugby Federation, with many English and French sportsmen, including Mr Wray, welcomed the Maoris at Mai seilles. Bm clay, said the match arranged to be played at Marseilles on Sept. 1-th was not included in the original programme. The team needed two months bard training, and would play a fatd. open game and intended to play good football.