FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1929, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SENIORS. Blaketown 12, Stars 3. Excelsior 16, Kiwis 3. Magpie 11, Brunner 14. JUNIOR. Ross 19, Excelsior 3. EXCELSIOR V. KIWI. This senior game took place on Cass Square on Saturday alternoon nuclei perfect conditions, before a lair attendance. The game ended in a win tor Excelsiors by 1(5 points (4 tries, two being converted) to 13 points (a try). The game proved an interesting one to watch, especially in the first spell which was much faster than the second, and was more evenly contested though most of the scoring (*juiie in that'section of the game. The Excelsior forwards were the heavier pack, but the Kiwi forwards secured in the scrum by a substantial advantage and heeling cleanly gave plenty oi opportunity for opening out the play, but there was a lack of cohesion among the backs and the passing was very faulty the ball hardly going out cleanly to the wing during the whole game. Roth sides played a lot of ping pong, and of the whole perhaps the red five eighth was more at fault than anyone in this respect, quite a number of fine openings being lost hv punting into an opponent’s arms. Generally the handling of the long kicks was good, hut there was far too much missing of passes on both sides. The tackling generally was sound, on occasion it being very solid, hut the game nns ifairlv clean, though the handling at times showed just that little excess of intention that is not needed in a contest. The play was up and down the held in its early stages. Kiwis having some advantage till a red rush saw the hall go across the field from a scrum and the backs handling nicely R. King went over near the corner, the kick at goal failing. A Kiwi attack followed but Stopforth when looking dangerous was collared and a general melee followed from which a penalty gave relief. Play then went away in Excelsiors favour and a rush saw a knock on under the posts, and from an ensuiurr scrum Excelsiors scored, A. King getting over. Stevenson converted, and t..e game wa s B—o. Excelsiors continued to attack, ti.e hacks handling letter, while the defence was much sounder than that of the inside Kiwi backs. Opening out the play a passing run went across the field to R. King, who went over to score his second try, a rather good one. Stevenson failed to enhance from 'far out. Kiwis then took a hand hut though Plahlert went well along, lie hung on a trifle too long, and the effort failed. Then from a line out the forwards went through and a smart dash by Schist saw him score the best individual try of the day. The kick failed. A smart dash by O’Brien took the play nearly half the length of the field, and he passed to King, but Stopforth stopped a dangerous opening with a capital tackle. Soon after half time came with the score 11 to 3. The second half opened with a lot of interchange kicking and slow line out play, the quality deteriorating badly for a quarter of an hour, with Kiwis in an attacking . position, but the inner hacks were getting- badly rattled and passes went astray time and again. With twenty minutes gone Excelsiors changed the position to half way and after several attempts to open up play had gone astray by faulty handling, one rush went through, J. King scoring a neat try which Stevenson converted with a good kick. With the substantial score of 16 to 3 in their favour the Excelsiors opened out the piny, but there was always some one to drop the pass at a critical time or to kick when there was a good opening, ana time and again the opportunity was lost. There were bad tactics by the Kiwi backs, who continually kept finding the line instead of making for a scoring possibility, and they gradually whittled away their chances, as time kept moving on. With these tactics interest flagged and when time was called Excelsiors were the victois by 16 to 3. The score more than represents the. difference between the two teams. As it was the play m the first half was more even, though the Excelsiors ran up 1.1 points to 3. Mr Cutbusli had excellent control of the game.

MAGPIES AND BRUNNER DRAW

At Taylorville on Saturday afternoon, the Magpie and Brunner seniors played a drawn game, each side registering fourteen points. The match was cleanly contested and was interesting throughout. For Magpies, Waddel (2), Birss and Nash scored tries, one of which Waddell converted. Bell, Petrie and Dunn scored for Brunner, Bell converting one and Chamberlain kicking a penalty goal. BLAKETOWN BEAT STARS. At Victoria Park, l>eforo a good attendance, and under ideal conditions, Blaketown seniors registered their third successive win when they defeated Stars by 12 points to 3. It was a bright., open game. Blakctown’s score consisted of a try by McEnaney and three penalty goals by Pascoo, while Stevens scored for Stars. ROSS V. EXCELSIOR IT. This junior fixture took place on No. 2 ground. The southern team were a much heavier combination, and they wore able to keep a good hold on the piny, having by far the best of the game, though it was well fought out 1o the end, the Ross team winning by 19 points to 3.

’Phe. Ross score was made up of five tries, two' being converted, the Excelsior score being a try. Air D. Hecnan was referee.