FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1930, Page 3

FOOTBALL

SENIOR, United 8 v. Blaketown (5. Stars 21 v. Kiwis 3. Rivals 6 v. Excelsiors 3. Brunner defaulted to Cobden

JUNIORS. Excelsior 11 v. Kiwi 3 Ross-12-, v. Arahura 0. ( ,r .

RIVALS v. EXCELSIORS

On Cass Square on Saturday afternoon Rivals and Excelsiors met, when Rivals won a hard fought, but not a very clever game by: 6 points (a try and a'penalty goal) to 3 points (a pen,.alty goal). The play generally was not of a very -bright naturb, and mainly consisted of scrums, fline-outs, and a lot of interchanging of long kicks. Generally the handling'of the hacks in tak- ■ the high kicks was excellent, and on /many occasions the punters found the dine to advantage but there were many exceptions when the ball not finding the. line came hack, and often there 'was not much advantage to either side. The forwards were fairly evenly-match-ed, ' and iui.th sides had their opportunity jwiiii.. the ball,, but for some unaccountable reason the Excelsior half ■played back into the ruck, and hardly ever let the ball out, and then it did not. come- cleanly. As a result there waS a'dot of close in tackling, and in most instances this was of a very sound nature, men coining down on both hides' like ninepins when essaying to' : open out the play! The Rival close in backs made by far the best efforts to open out the game; and the scrum" half sent out the hall very smartly, but though there were many opportunities they were generally lost, by either a bad pass, or on a failure to take the pass cleanly. Only on one occasion in the game did a passing run 'reach its logical finish and that followed a scrum' near the Excelsior 25 line iii front of the goal, Webster get-tiiig-tlie ball away nicely to he handled Houston, Pfahlert, O’Brien, back to Pfahlert and then Houston, to score a well deserved try. On another occasion the backs got going and it .came,to the opposite wing, but with a clear opening It. King could not foot it fast enough, and was hauled down fr’prii behind.- One other effort worthy of notice was a sold one hv Deniiehy, who broke through in front of his own goal and went up field to the other 25 flag ‘before his long effort ended, when he let the ball go to a companion, who knocked on badly and again the clian'e went astray. Of incidents, there were not. many’ to note through the game, li was a hard fought one, as stated,' hut it was far from brilliant.

The. opening spell , saw .Rivals more -tli'am'hold their own. hut the play went up and down field for twenty before,from a penalty within range Pfahlert'?-kicked a nice goal. -Play dontiniled' up and down , there being a lot of penalties for offside, and mlaitiy scrums for knockons. Then Mai'tyn' made a fine line kick that gained 70 yards. Dennehy was prominent on the line out, but Frietas gained.-’much ground by punting. , Then the hall went to E celsior quarters and from- a scrum Rival hacks went away with the best passing 51111 of the day and Houston scored. Pfalilcrt failed to enhance 6 —o. Excelsiors attacked and for the rest of the spell had a little the best of the play. . Just .before the hell went from a; free "kick Martyh made a fine’attempt from the Touchline, hut just failed To score.

The second half opened without much advantage to either side for some time, and then the Excelsior forwards wen away with a loose rush but the ball came to midfield and Freitas broke away with the ball, and after making a nice opening passed, the ball going forward and Staines taking it whs penalised for offside, a decision that Freitas apparently questioned as he was promptly 'ordered off. Excelsiors continued to attack’ and when at the quarter flag from a scrum penalty Martyn kicked a nice goal 3—0.. With the approach of time Excelsiors/failed to open out, and though J. King gained much ground by line kicks, the opportunity to open out for attack was missed on several occasions. Rivals then responded and had the better of the closing rhoriients, and time came with play in Excelsior quarters and last year’s champions had gone down for the second time this season, this time by 6—3.

On the day one player stood out alone and that was M. Houston, who gave his soundest exhibition of the past year. He handled well, followed up fast and bis defence was excellent, making feiv mistakes. With the exception of the two full backs who both put in a good exhibition of handling and kicking, there was pot another back who’ was consistent. The scrum at most times appeared very ragged,, though on occasions the ball came out very smartly. Generally the tackling was sound and it easily beat the player with the ball.

On the general run of the play the winners deserved their success, and the score does not quite superiority on the play. Mr T). Heenan was referee.

UNITED BEAT RLAKETOWN

At Greymouth United beat Blaketowhtown by 8 points (two tries one converted) to 6 points (two tries), the game being a very even one.

STARS BEAT KIWIS. At Greymouth Stars had an easy win over Kiwis, winning by 21 points (five tries, three being converted) to 3 points (a penalty goal by Walker.)

Excelsior juniors met Kiwi on Cass Square.. There was no score in the first half and then Excelsiors ran up 11 points (tries by Schroder 2 and Hayward, one being converted by Schroder) to 3 points (a try scored by Stapleton.) Mr E. Keenan was referee.

At Arahura, Ross defeated Arnlnira bv 12 to nil. The score all came in the second half.

WEDNESDAY'S GAME

AGAINST MERIVALE

Oil Wednesday afternoon on Cass Square the Mcrivale senior team of Christchurch will play Westland SubUnion representatives. The visiting team are arriving at Greymouth tonight and play Grey district representatives to-morrow then coming to Hokitika next day and returning to Christchurch on Thursday. The visiting team is reported to l>e a good combination, and the game should prove an interesting one. Though an off day owing to the holiday tomorrow a good attendance of spectators is expected to witness th c play. The visiting team contains a number of notable players, including C. Olljver, N. Doreen, Brosnan, G. Rhodes, Serra and. Maginness. ,Thev have a strong forward set and indulge in open back play so that the game should be well worth witnessing..

The Westland team consists of:—

Full-back; Carter (Rivals). TlAee-quarters: R. King (Excelsiors), E. Pfahlert ,(R.), Martvn (E.).

Five-eighths; Houston (R.), J. King (E.). Half-hack: M. Davidson' (E.). Hookers: Moynihan (R.), C. Pfahlert (R.). Lock: Dougherty (E.). Side row: Freitas (E.), Hagai' (Kiwis). Back row: M. Kelly (K.), Hughes (id. . Wing forward: Dennehy (R.). :.Emergencies: Backs, La wry (E.), Webster (R.) : forwards, B. Kelly '(E), H. Fleming (R.) BRITISH TEAM. BEAT WAXRARAPA. fßy Telegraph—Per Press Association.' MASTERTON. .May 31. The British Rugby touring team notched their fourth win to-day. when they defeated the combined Wairnrn-pa-Bush team at the Memorial Park by nineteen points to six. Ideal ' playing conditions' prevailed ’both overhead and underfoot 1 , and there was an attendance of >er fen thousand people. Spang was tlie outstanding hack for the. .visitors’ team, and he was well supported by Novi?., Those two players fcepeaiedly .went-through by superior Speed, although the British -backs, a? a whole, Tacked penetration, many of their passing rushes ending up on 'tlm line • with tlinir winger blocked. ! Beamish,, in the British forwards, was in 'the thick of it all the way, and with Ivor Jones he was the best of thp visitors’ pack. THE PLAY. Britain won the toss, the Waira-rapa-Bush team kicked off- with the acjvaintage of a strong sun. The greens set the pace at the outset, but the blues found relief with? a free kick. With, this, Ivor Jones narrowly missed the goal posts. The o ace was soon set, at a cracker, the Wairarana backs'getting into action. Fuller had an iattempt to open the score from a free kick, but the ball 'fell short The Wairarapa-Bush team pressed their •attack to their opponents’ line, where a free kick relieved the Britishers. The visitors’ backs then secured from a sorum, Spong breaking right through, onlv to lie beautifully tackled by Roach. 1 m ~ A soi-um, infringement later, gave the greens a chance, .and Fuller landed a beautiful. goal from iv nr the half, wav; thus, opening Tie score Twelve minutos after the commencement.

Wairaraparßush 3; Britain 0.

Roach, in the ensuing play,. Handled and kicked splendidly, repeatedly gaining a. lot of ground along the side line for Wairara,pa with magnificent kicks. Black nearly opened the visitors’ account from a free kick. Soon after this Donald and Irvine broke away, dint Bonner lined well. Spong then secured, and. he cut right through, but he was forced out near the corner. From the ensuing lineout, the hall went to Welsh, who crossed the line for an easy try. Black missed with the kick.

Britain 3; Wairarapa-Bush 3,

Britain were now going better, but there was nothing between the two teams. Ail exchange of long kicks followed, in which Roach, the home fullback, again excelled , . and the visitorwere pressed until a frep kick enabled them to clear. J. Donald broke up the British rush, Fuller secured, and banded on to Corkill. who lined beautifully. Bonner mulled a kick, Corkill billowing un fast, was forced out, the referee ruling the ball dead and thus the expectations of a Wairftrapa-Bush try faded. Fuller then narrowly missed the goal with a penalty from near half way. Beamish received an r-jury at this stage, play being held up for a few minutes. Half time was sounded soon after with the scores three a ll

SECOND SPELL. Tn the second half, Wairarnpn-Bush team were facing a sinking sun, which was shining right into their faces. Three minutes after the resumption,

Ivor Jones headed a blue rush, sending the ball to Murray, and then to Jones and to Novis, who crossed for a great try to put Britain in the lead, lllack missed with the kick. Britain G, Wairarapa-Bush 3. Tne visitors were now playing a great game, and seven or eight minutes later they added another Try to their score. From a forward scramble "Spong whipped the hall out to his backs, the whole chain of them handling for neevc (the winger) to cross at the corner. Ivor Jones’ kick was charged uown. Britain 9, Wairarapa-Bush 3. Wairarapa now had a turn at attack and from a free kick, Fuller landed his second goal. Wairarapa-Bush 6,' Britain 9. The excitement was now intense, play continuing at a great pace. The olues came through with lightning rapidity, Ivor Jones sending out a pass that was fumbled when the visitors were in a good position. The green backs were Tackling well. Britain had an easy chance to increase their sconfrom a penalty, but Ivor Jones made a poor attempt at the kick.

The blues then came through again, but Roacli, the full bjfck, found the line in a hurry. The visitors now were attacking in great style, but the Wairarapa-Bush defence was sound. Wainirapa' theh had a turn at attack, but their movements broke down. The blues were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts, hut Black missed. Morley and Novis were associated in a great move near the line, tile former being tackled by Roach, who was in jured. In the last ten minutes, the' British hacks cracked on the pace, and they added ten points, placing the game beyond doubt. The hall went from Spong to Novis, who reverse passed io Knowles. The latter sent out a long pass to Morley, who dived across, Bar ker converting with a splendid kick Britain It, Wairarapa-Bush 6.

A couple of minutes later saw Jones run right through, and from an ensuing line-out, Spong crossed, Parker again adding the major points. Britain 19, Wairarapa-Bush 6.

The game ended without further score. Mr H. S. Leith (Wellington) refereed. WELLINGTON TEAM. WELLINGTON, May 30. Following is the Wellington Rugby team to play against Britain on Tuesday , June 3rd. FTeazlewood, Mackay, Ramson, M. Nichols, Oliver, Johnson, Kilby, Collision, Jessup, Peck, MacPliersoii, McLean- Barry, Cave, Porter! 1 " Emergencies; back, Balk; forwards Reid and Em'erson.

PRINCE OF WALES CUP. TAiHAUAUiiu team: ~Vr .. WELLINGTON. .May 30. '" • . The following is the Taihauauru team - for the Prince of- Wales Cup match at Christchurch 11 June 3s Full-back: M. Johnson (Mannwhenua). Three-quarters: R. Watson (Taranaki), W. Neera (Taranaki), R. Pelham (Wellington.) Five-eighths: T. Robinson (Taramki\ C. Holiaia (TaTranaki). Half-hack: W.Parata (.Manawfiemua). " - ? Wing forward: T. Parata Olanawhenua.) Forwards •„ W. Pine (Wanganuil, P. p urai (Wellington), H. Whaanga f Wairarapaß ■ D. Tatana. C\fa 11a when nal. C. Robinson, (MaiiawhenmO; R. W'Hiams (Taranaki), P. M. Smith 'Wairarapa). Reserves: P. Pataka (Wanginui), W. Tapa (Wanganui). HAWKE’S BAY v. POVERTY BAY. GISBORNE,, May 31, Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay played a drawn game (11 all) at Gisborne on Saturday, when the'' weather jyas fine? with little or., no wind.