FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1927, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

KANIEIU V. EXCELSIOR. The first game in the round for the Knock-out Shield hold by the Excelsiors was played on Cass Square on Saturday. The ground and conditions wore ideal for good football and the spectators were certainly favoured with one of the best and most interesting games of the season. The play was fast and exciting all through and in the end Ivanieri were victorious by 22 to 15. Although Ivanieri were the winners they certainly were the luckier team, a coupi'e of tries being given them, when infringements took place, but ttic referee did not enforce a penalty. A feature of tho game was the goal Inciting by George, tlie Knnieri full-back. Play was started by Excelsiors kicking off. Stephens obtained the ball but passed badly to Tainui. A free kick to reds saw King kick to the blue’s 25. Shortly after Kinloeh marked nicely and kicked to lmlf-way. The blues took play to Excelsiors lino and from a free kick George failed to add the points. Christenson and Houston put in a good passing rush ai'ong the line, but Montagu joining in spoilt a good chance by knocking on. Continuing to press, a nice red passing rush

between T. Tainui, Houston and King saw the latter boat George the blue’s full-back and score a try try. Nightingale failed with the kick. 3—P. Play was fast and furious, each side making great efforts. From :i loose rush T. Tainui gave Houston a good pass and lie put in a great dash up the field and then passed to White who scored in a. good position, but King failed, (>—o. The blues made a number of good rushes and H. Wells kicking along the ground beat Nightingale for the ball and was obstructed and a free kick to the blues saw George kirk a. goal’. o—3. Continuing ' press the bfues took play to the reds’ 2b and C. Fleming knocked on and the ball went over the line and AfcCleary scored a lucky try. George converted, fi—3. A nice red rush, led by Montagu, saw the ball go out at half-way. Tn another blue rush Bannister got offside and King knicked a nice goaf, making the scores: 9—B. Half time was called soon after. On resuming the reds set out to add to their score and a. nice passing rush by the backs resulted in Kinloeh scoring. King failed: 12—8. The red forwards put in good work, but George with a good kick, sent them back to huff-way. The blue forwards livened up and play was shifted to the reds line. The game remained in this position for a time and thou a red rush saw Staines pushed out near the blues’ 2b. A free kick to rods gave them three points more, King kicking a nice goal: 15 —8. A sudden change then took place, the blues taking play to tlie reels’ 25 and from a nice passing rush by McClenry, Pfnhlort, T>. Tainui and Wells, saw the latter score near the corner. George made a good effort to convert. 15—11. Play went up and down the field, changing very quickly. Numerous penalties were given against | the rods and from one of these George j kicked a nice goal: .15—Id. j The rods took tlio game hack and i White was well collared when looking | dangerous. Tn a red passing rush King sent on to Staines, who missed. Pfahlert kicked and followed through and scored near the corner. George kicked n fine goal and Knnieri led by 19 to 15. Further bine rushes were continued and in one Hutchison got the ball and scored, the reds apparently being under the impression the ball hit a. spectator on the line, not attempting to stop him and the referee allowed the try. George put in another good kick, but failed: 22—15. Shortly after the hell sounded and a fine game ended. Mr W. Kearns was referee.

ASTI BURTON BEAT BULLER. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WESTPORT. Aug. 20. In the presence of a large gathering, miller summer-like conditions, the Ashburton touring team this afternoon, defeated Buller by 25 to 19. Tho teams were very evenly matched. Tlie Buller selectors tried out some younger players, who shaped very well. The first spell ended 14 to 11 in favour of Buller. Sherlock (2),' MaeKeivde and Holder scored tries for Buli'er. Sherlock converting one try. Tho visitors’ score included two tries anil two goals. Day and Clarke scored for Ashburton, Mulhern converting one try, and also kicking a penalty goal. Buller added one try in the second spell, it being scored by Sherlock, and converted by the same player; while Day (2), Clarke and Bfopliy scored tried for Ashubrton, Mulhern converting one try. There was little to choose between the forwards, hut the visiting backs were always dangerous when they got the bail. Day, Carloton, Clarke and Eriedlander (backs), and Dalton. Rawson, Mulhern, Soryb and Burgess (forwards) were most conspicuous men for Ashburton. On the Buller side, M.cNeight, T. O’Neill, Gardiner, Stuart, McCabe (forwards), and Corby. Sherlock, Kearns (hacks) played outstandingly.

AUCKLAND V. MANAWHENUA. AUCKLAND, Aug. 20. Tho sloppy state of the ground at Eden Park to-day greatly detracted from the interest in the Rugby match between Manawhenua and Auckland, which was played in frequent showers. Auckland won by 17 points to nil. Tries were scored by Fletcher, Hook, Lucas, Porridge and Wanoa, one try being converted hv Berridge. The visiting team, mainly owing to good work by their forwards, held Auckland fairly well in the first half, which ended with Auckland leading throe to nil. However, in tho second spell. Auckland wore more fortunate in finishing off attacking movements, the game ending 17 to nil.

JAPANESE UNIVERSITY TEAM. SYDNEY. August 20. The Wnsetla University Japanese Rugby Union team played their first match in New South Vales against State team. New South Wales won by thirty-one to sis. WAIROA BEATS POVERTY BAY. WAIROA. Aug. 20. The Wa iron Sub-Union defeated Poverty Bay here to-day by 0 points to 3, after a good exciting game. Brownlie scored for the winners. Smith converting. while Harrison secured an unconverted try for the visitors. The play was fairly even, the Wnlroa forwards counter-acting fine play hv fhe Bay backs.

CANTERBURY V. SOUTHLAND. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 20. The Canterbury Rugby representa-

tires beat Southland to-day by 11 points to nil, in a liard-fought game, played in rain, on a ground so greasy as to afford the players a very insecure foothold. The Southland forwards controlled the game in tlie early stages by keeping tlie hall at the toe, but they ap--1 mjured to tire, and the Canterbury forwards improved, while the home backs' were always superior. Tho scores were three tries, scored by Scrimshaw, Steel and White, ono of which Lilburne converted. W.MR A RAPA CHAMPIONSHIP. MASTERTON, Aug. 20. Gladstone won tho Wairarapa Rugby premiership to-day, by defeating Carterton in tho play-off by three to nil. Wairarapa juniors defeated Bush by 15 points to 11, iu a poor display on a heavy ground.

TARANAKI DEFEAT OTAGO. DUNEDIN’ Aug. 20. The Otago v. Taranaki match was played at Carishrook to-day, in drenching rain, the ground being in tlie worst possible condition, making spectacular play out of tho question. The first spoil was evenly contested, neither side scoring. Tn the second spell, nice passing by the . Taranaki backs enabled Dinnes to score a good try, which Brown failed to convert There was no further score, Taranaki winning by 3’to nil. Air Eckliold was referee.