FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1929, Page 3

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES. The special attraction for Saturday afternoon on Cass Square Witt he the match betweeri the senior -teams, Excelsiors of Hokitika (winners of the West' Coast senior championship for the season 1929) and Old Boys of Westport. Tfie Excelsiors at present are playing in their best form and giving a good exhibition of Rugby. .It will be'interesting to see the Excelsiors in with the visiting Westport o}cl Roys team, and the game, should prove an attractive one. ' ; . dn No. 2 ground the junior game, •Rimu v. Excelsiors; witt j. be played, while the .Ross team journey to Arahura, where they play Araliura.

SENIOR champions. .... I , _. t . ■ . / , The excelsiors record. The decision of the., West Coast Rugby Union to, call the Senior Cup Competition closed and to award the senior championship to the Excelsior Club, of Hokitika, was made at the weekly meeting on Tuesday. . The Excelsior Club are to be complimented. on th© success they have achieved in this and past seasons.. They have gathered together a good solid team, and .at present are as strong as ever they have been; A fine heavy, fast pack have. been able to give their backs plenty of openings; and though at times their play, has beeri subject to considerable criticism, especially' jin their attack,- their defence, generally has been sound. ’ •

Since the seriior champioriships have been played under • the West Coast Rrigby. Uriion, the Excelsibis ha ve put Up a very fine recbrd. indeed, of which they hre deservedly proud. i Ih 1927, competing in the Knock-out competition, under the West Coast Rugby Union, open to all senior clubs in the district, they were ‘'successful, securing, the Citizens’ Shield, a feat that they again succeeded in doing in 1928. . .

For the West Coast Senior Championship arid the right to hold the MfciKechnie Cup for the year, the Excelsior Club have also been successful during the tWo years they were eligible to compete, winning the senior championship fob the year 1928, and being again ■successful this yedi- are also champions for 1929! For the past two years they have been defeated but orice when they were down to Blaketown at Greymouth in tlieif first gairie this season. it is a very gratifying record indeed; and Witt take a lot bf play before it call be eqriailed. Excelsiors Juniors v.. Rimu on Cass Square:—Preston, . GuWie,. Ferguson, Rowe, Sumner, Evans, Gillooly, Grojafsky, Hayward; O’Brien;vßutlarid, Dale, Schroder, Thompson, Hughes. ,Araliura team v. Ross at Araliura : Hamilton, LeiVis,.P. Iduir, Wakeiih, A. MUib, T. Tainui, -WttUamk,.’ Rriiyth, George, G. Muib, Routhan, Martin, ~J. Kelly, Olsen, ill. Kelly. Reserves: backs—G. Tainui, H.- Mason, H. George; forwards—W. Routhan, J. Ackers. —■ The following will. represent Ross v. ArahubU to-riibrrpw (Saturday) at AbaliriraMasdii * (2), Parker (2),, Johnson, Abfesbn, Hbiilahan, Head, Osmeys, lnglis (2), Jones, Mitchell, Martin; Wright; Emerg,: Parker, Muir, and lhglis’. Car sleave at 1 p.m. sharp. Rimu Juniors v. Excelsiors bn Cass Square : —Growcott (2), Comport, Gardyrifi, Barrett, Bfbadbent, O’Connor (2), Ogilvie (2), . Boyd (2), Walker, Dalq, Agriew, Hyndman. Emerg: Rroadbent and Stoop. THE WAIRARAPA TfIAM. (By Telegraph, Per Press Association. / MASTERTON, : Aug. 8. The following, is the Wairitrapa team to defend the Rarifurly Shield against Auckland at Carterton ort Saturday.: Roach, R. Booth, Sti-ingfellow, flitter; Cooke,. Crindy, Mill, j. Ronald, Irvine, Reid, Harvey, S. Willbughby, M. Willoughby, McGregor, Oliver, Resei-ves: Forwards, Fairbro ther, Walker, Le Quesne; backs Hart, jury, Corkill.