FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1928, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS SENIORS. Kiwis 3, Excelsiors 3. Stars 15, Unitcds D. JUNIORS. Kokatahi S, Excelsiors 0. Ross 13, Kiwis 3. Rimti 19, .Arahura 0. THIRD GRADE. Arahura G, Excelsiors 3.

. KIWIS V. EXCELSIORS. This game, played on Cass Spiiare, ended in a draw three points each. Kiwis scored a try, Tainui getting over well out, while Stevenson kicked a penalty goal for Excelsiors.

There " as a good attendance present, but a majority of the onlookers must have left the field very disappointed. AA'hat had been looked forward to as the promise of a good game proved, very unfortunate. From the early .stages It was evident that some of the players did not have control of themselves aiul the result was disastrous as an exhibition of football. There were repeated incidents that should have been sufficient to have put the players interested on the side line. As it was, the first spell had nearly finished before one player caught the eyes of the referee, and was ordered off. Ho was an unfortunate offender as the opposing player whom he struck, had got a good one in before the eye of the whistle man got there. There were episodes before this where almost in 'front of the official seating the two wingers played a duet on their own, and the ball in the serum meanwhile. Then almost in the same place the onlookers were astounded to see. an Excelsior player on the ground and a Blue player standing over him striking with clenched fist. A further incident soon after happened when the Red man above referred to and another Illue man stood up to each other and exchanged blows. Those two latter had enough spirit a moment or two afterwards to shake hands. There were many other unpleasant incidents of the game, man handling being far more siiccessfuly done . than some of the catching, and onlookers were sadly disappointed at the want of snortsnvia,ship shown, and the unnecessary feeling imparted into the game between lho local sots of players. The second half, following plav'ers being warned by tlie referee before play was resumed did not show, tin? same amount of ill-feeling, though there were no “beg pardons” in tbe manner of tbe tackling, often when (lie hall was not in possession.

The play itself was not of an interesting nature, fu the first half the Excelsiors had somewhat the better of the play. Kiwis got the ball more often in the scrum, but both sides were very I unity in the handling of the hull which was somewhat greasy. There was no score in the first half, but both sides had missed good opportunities. Excelsiors lost the services of Freitas half-way through as the result of a damaged ankle, Chetwyed replacing him. while Kiwis strength was lowered by a forward being ordered off towards the end of the spell.

fu the second half the play appeared to improve somewhat, the ball travelling up and down without there being hardly one sustained passing

run. Fxicelsiors wore attacking strongly but they missed several line scoring opportunities. Then lor an infringement a free kick was awarded. and '.Stevenson piloted the ball over. Both sides made endeavours lo .score, and then from a break away at the 25 flag in front of the posts Kiwis broke away and Tainui managed to get over well out to score, White 1 , failing to enhance—the scores being evened. Each in turn got to iheir opponents goal lino, only to bo turned back again, time being called without further score, a draw resellt-

■Easily the best back for the day was l,Stevens who put in a. great amount of work and was always there when want'd. The display of the two teams was only very moderate and generally sneaking the

game was a very disappointing one. Air A. Perry was referee.

STARS 19. EXITED 9. At Greymouth Stars had an easy win over United, scoring 19 points (. r > tries bv Fell, Clarke (2), King, Brown, two being converted by Stevens) to 9 points (two tries by Jamieson and a penalty goal by "Walton). The play was interesting and evidence of combination was given by both teams. The game was more even than the scores indicate, but on the day’s play Stars were, superior and fully deserved their victory. There was a large number of spectators present, and it was plainly evident that more than the ordinary interest was taken in the clash between the two teams. Mr Mclntosh carried the whistle.

KOKATARI II V. EXCELSIORS 11. This game was played on No. ‘2 ground and proved more interesting to the onlookers than the senior game. Kokatahi proved victorious by 8 points (a penalty goal and a converted try) to 6 points (two penalty goals). ' Excelsiors opened play by scoring a.penalty goal in the first few minutes, Kokatahi opening their score a few minutes later with a similar success. Before the spell ended Excelsiors had added a further penalty gor.l and at half time the. score was (J to 3 in Excelsiors favour. The second half again proved interesting and the play was up and down, the country team having a. little the better of play. Kokatahi were successful in crossing their opponents line. Schist scoring and Mobster converted, making the score Kokatahi 8 to 6 when time was called. The penalty goal for Kokatahi was kicked by Fleming, while for Excelsiors goals were kicked by Hughes (2). Hr M. Wallace was referee. (From Our Own Correspondent). The football match which took place on the Ross Recreation Grand on Saturday between Kiwi and Ross juniors resulted in a win for the home team by 13 points to 3. N. Inglis scored two trios in the first halt, Best concerting one laud failing with the other. * It. Parker scored a try in the second half which was converted by A. Parker. For Kiwis, Nslson scored a try which La no failed to convert.

N. Inglis had the misfortune to meet with an accident early in the second spell, receiving a- rather severe cut near the nose through coming in contact with a hoot. He was conveyed to Hokitika for medical attention. Mr IV. Flaherty made a very capable referee. The well-known West Coast footballer, .Tack Steel, broke a collarbone pTavinjt for Albion narn.in.st Technical in Christchurch on Saturday.