FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1931, Page 3

FOOTBALL

RIVALS V. UNITEDS. This game took place on Cass Square on Saturday, when the afternoon was fine, but cold and the ground heavy and the ball greasy. A draw resulted both teams securing an unconverted try 3—3. The Rivals had all the best of the opening half, and time and again were on their opponents’ line but bad handling at the vital moment spoilt excellent openings, while the United backs were tackling solidly, and at times chad a considerable amount of luck to ke?p their opponents out. There was a lot of spoiling done, bdth sides playing offside a good deal, the Uniteds being more at fault, and there were a considerable number of penalties given from this source. The first spell came to an end without any score, the Rivals having had the advantage of a light easterly wind that blew obliquely across the ground. In the second half Uniteds had the better of the game for a while and then Rivals attacked, giving' Uniteds many anxious moments. Finally from a loose rush Pfahlert crossed the line for Rivals, but the kick did not improve. Soon after United s attacked and from a. loose rush a United forward went over to score near the posts. The kick at goal just failed. Rivals then again attacked'but the openings went wrong again at critical points and failed. Stapleton had two drops at goal and the heavy ball aided in the efforts going astray. Time came soon after with the game a draw, three points each. Mr E. W. Heenan was referee.

GRAHAM WISE CUP. KUMARA 14 RIMU 3. At Kumarti, the home juniors defeated Rimu by 14 points to 3, after an interesting and liard-fought struggle. Mr W. McLaughlin was referee. SENIOR GRADE. TWO TEAMS DEFAULT. Excelsior seniors defaulted to Stars and Blaketown, able to muster only five men, defaulted to Cobden. , COAST REP TEAM. TO PLAY BULLER. : The following team ha s been chosen by tbe selector, Mr A. A. Adams, to represent the West Coast in their challenge for the Seddon Shield against the Buller repr. sentatives at Westport on Saturday next, September. 12 th:— Full-back: A. Lindbom (C). Three-quarters: M. Jamieson (U), J. King (C), A. Fong (S). Five-eighths: M. Houston (R), W. Hughes (Ex). Half-back: M. Davidson (Ex). Wing forward: F. Bell (B). Front row: H. G: Wilson (C), J. Bell (U), Middle row: E. Jon-'s (U), F. Freitas (Ex), W. Deere (S). Back row: R. Neale (B), L. Hughes (Ex.). • Emergncies:—Forwards: W. Rathbun. (U), A. King (C). Backs: L. Uartyn (Ex.), R. King (Ex.). The team will assemble at Greymouth on Thursday evening. THE WALLABIES. BEATEN BY WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 5. The Australian touring Rugby team sustained its fifth defeat to-day. when it was beaten: by Wellington by 15 points to 8. The visitors had bad luck, as they played the better football in the first spell, when the ground and ball were dry. The Australians

threw the ball about with abandon, and proved much- too last for the Wellington backs. Had Head, one of the Australian three-quarters, handled better, the Wallabies would have scored several times early. The first score to Wellington came when Lilburne sent out a long pass to Ball, who made a determined run for the Australian line. Towers took the Wellington winger well, but the ball went over tlie line and Page pounced upon it. Nicholls made a good effort to convert. The Australians were badly beating the Wellington men in the scrums, and this led to a bout of fisticuffs which caused the referee to have a few words with the players. After half an hour’s play, the Australians staged a brilliant burst of passing, in which Primrose, Herd and Towers handled, for the latter to waltz across the line and run right behind the post. Dr. Ross bad no difficulty in goaling. Ball, the fast Wellington winger, broke away, but was splendidly taken by Towers. From a scrum Kilby sent the leather to Lilburne, who made a> brilliant opening, which let Mackey over in the corner. Nicholls failed at goal. At half time Wellington led by 6 to 5. The Australians continued to throw the ball about in a dazzling fashion. They did not mind risking where the ball landed, so long as it bad plenty of air. Australia’s second try was a thriller. About midfield Hemingway secured and made a brilliant run, which was carried on by both backs and forwards, and ended in Judd scoring. Ross failed at goal, and Australia led by 8 to 6. There was an appreciable drop in the temperature at the interval, and tlie wind freshened from the south, which was 1 all in Wellington’s favour. Shortly after the second spell opened, one of: tlie heaviest hailstorms ever seen at Athletic Park broke loose. The downpour was so dense that it was almost impossible to distinguish tin players. This spelt the end of any. chance of victory Australia might have had. The Wellington forwards thereafter dominated the play, and wisely kept the ball on tbe ground, while the Australians foolishly attempted to handle it. Ball, with great opportunism scored three tries in the second spell, none o.i which were converted by Nicholls. Probably no other player than Ball could have scored these tries, which were the result of pact and dash. The game ended:— Wellington a 5 Australia ... ... 8 Mr R. J. G. Collins, of Christchurch, controlled the game admirably. MANAWHENUA BEAT WANGANUI. PALMERSTON NORTH, Sept. 5. Mlanwhenula defeated Wanganui by 20 points-to 6, in a good game, played under adverse conditions. The ground was heavy after soaking rain, with pools of water everywhere, ana steady rain fell all through the game. The winners were superior in all departments, though > the losers held the upper hand at one period at the opening of tlie second spell. TARANAKI BEAT HAWKE’S BAY. NAPIER, September 5. In the representative Rugby match,’ played at Napier this afternoon, Taranaki de.eated Hawke’s Bay by 16 points to 5. v OTAGO BEAT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, September 6. The Otago touring Rugby team defeated Auckland to-day on a heavy, ground by 18 points to six. The tourists were superior in every department of the game. For Otago tries were scored by Simon (2), Kavanagh and Hore, wiiile Souter kicked two penalties. For Auckland, Hutchison and and Palmer scored.

BILLY WALLACE. A PRESENTATION. WELLINGTON, September 5. W. J. Wallace (“Billy”), the exAll Black, who represented New Zealand in 1903, 1904, 1905, 1907, and 1008, was made a presentation this morning Isy the United Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Assoviation in the form oh a bound volume of “The N.Z. Traveller,” in recognition of his contriibutions from . June last year to July this year in the form o. reminiscences. The captain of the Australian team, Mr Malcolm, was present, and he expressed pleasure at having the opportunity of paying his respects to Wallace, who had done a great deal fov the game. Mr Jacobs (President of the Association) said the presentation wasv not local, and was meant to convey the appreciation of all the members. Mr Prendeville, chairman of tile Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union, also paid a tribute to Wallace, mentioning that for some years Wallace had been one of the selectors, and had assisted in coaching various teams. His heart and soul was in the game, and it was a treat to know that the general public appreciated what he had done for football in New Zealand, concluded Mr Prendeville.

Mr Wallace, in replying, said it was gratifying to know that the readers of “The New Zealand Travellers” had appreciated the articles. CHRISTCHURCH SEMI-FINALS. CHRISTCHURCH, September 5.

In the semi-finals of, the Rugby Challenge Cup series, Merivale 30 beat Christchurch 19; Linwood 14 beat Albion 11.