FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1931, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

WEST COAST V. MAORIS.

Before a very large attendance at Victoria Park yesterday, tile N.Z. Touring Maori “All Diack” Rugby team defeated the West Least repiesentatives by ,26 points to eight 111 a game in which there waa little spectacular play. The day was an ideal one ior football, with bright sunshine, although the ground was rather 011 the heavy side alter the recent rain. The visitors were impressive, but showed some lack of combination, in the early stages. Coast played a hard wil.ing game, their forwards being overworked. The backs were unimpressive, and fewpassing rushes were witnessed, too much kicking being indulged in. In the. early part of the second spell, Coast looked as if they would give the visitors a good game, but their movements lacked finesse, and they faded out, tiring badly over the latter stages. AV. Hughes again proved the mainstay of the Coast back play giving a fine exhibition.

In the first spell the Maoris scored two tries by Reid and Watford, the latter being converted by Reid, while .or Coast, Rimmer scored a try. In the second half Leach scored for Alaoris, Ruru converting. Then Deere scored for Coast, Bell converting Then the Alaoris took charge aid Alorrison, Ruru and Jones *•«•••«! mu' . ihe first two being converted b_j Guru :,|! 1 Alorrison, the game ending -'Vlnori 26, Coast 8. Air T. Mclntosh wa.: referee.

AUSTRALIANS V. SOUTHLAND. yisitorFbeaten. (By Teleoraph—Per Prets Association) INVERCARGILL, August 26. No Rugby combination from Austin, lip. has yet beaten Southland, and this record was maintained to-day, when Southland defeated Australia by fourteen points to eight. The match Was played in bright sunshine, without wind, and a very large crowd was treated to some attractive football. The ground was heavy after rain yesterday. Alalcolm got far more of the ball than the Southland half, and lie repeatedly sent out clean passes, but he did not get adequate support froni In's inside backs. Late in the second spell the Australians launched attack after attack, and they succeeded in scoring twice. The fit and virile Southland pack played a great game, but they were beaten for the ball in the scrums. Although given plenty of opportunities, the Australian backs seldom looked dangerous on attack, faulty handling being mainly responsible. Australia Avon the toss, and played with the sun at their backs. The visitors wore the first to attack, and a short punt found a gap near the linehut the. ball went across the line and the maroons forced down. Cerrutti then had to leave the field, owing to an injury to his leg. He was replaced by Boris. The Australians were attempting to open up the play, but hustling tactics were used by the home forwards which held them in check. The visitors then rapidly changed defence? into attack, when Tojhurst smartly gathered In a ball that was allowed to hounce, touch being found near the Southland line. Metcalfe headed the home pack in a great rush to the other end, Malcolm was sending out plenty of the ball to his supports, who were unable to make any headway against the opposing backs, who were closing in quickly, AUstakes in handling were alone contributing to the Australians’ failure to break through. . A well directed kick by Porter found the line deep in Australia’s territory, where the visitors were called upon to defend strongly. A free kick relieved the pressure, but only momentarily, for the maroons gained possession and after in and out passing, Townsend touched down near the posts. Niven goaled. A passing rush in which all the Australian rearguard took part, ended with a short punt by Tolhurst, which Porter" missed, and |>la% settled in Southland’s 2d, the > 1< 1 !< n<!<■ 1 forcing after a penalty kick by Ross fa it'd to find the goal posts. The (i r st spell ended, Southland d, Australia nil. Southland were the first fo gain an attacking position after the interval, Porter finding the line right at the corner flag. A clearing kick was marked by Porter, who failed to goal from a handy position, From a lineout the ball went to Niven, who cut through the defence before passing to Crosbie, the latte?- racing across to touch down, No goal- was kicked, J After a spell on the defence, the Australians worked their way upheld, and, although the backs were swinging into action, they were still falling into error, Geddes broke away from the own 2d, and ran post halfway, but a , supporting player failed to gather in the hail. Geddes got away again, and > this time punted over the line, and although he beat an opponent to the , hall, it had rolled into toucli-in-goal. | Southland’s next score came when Metcalfe picked lip and passed to , Crosbie, who transferred to Geddes, the winger just getting across. No goal resulted, Southland were having all the better of the game at this stage, and 1 were over again within a few minutes j of the last try, Crosbie touching down near the posts. An easy chance to goal was missed, Eventually the visitm-s gpirrd a favourable position, but they simply could not find a gap in the sound defence of the maroons. They broke through at last, after several attacking movements. Judd diving over between the posts. Ross goaled. Bright passing movements on the

part of the Australian backs followed, one of which nearly ended in a try. These tactics were persevered with, and ended in a try at the corner by Tolhurst, after Malcolm had worked the blind side. No groal was kicked. Time sounded immediately with the scores: Southland 14 • Australia 8