FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1931, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

NEWMAN SHIELD. Hokitika school 10, Grey school 3. JUNIORS. Millerton 23, Excelsiors 3. DITTMAN SHIELD. 'Westland 15, Grey 6. NEWMAN SHIELD. This game between Hokitika and Grey schools was played at 1.30 p.m., and resulted in a win for Hokitika by 10 points (two converted tries) to 3 points (a try). There was a strong south westerly wind blowing, but otherwise the conditions were excellent for play, as the wind had dried up the ground alter rain during the night, and the playing area, was in good order . The play was interesting, the ball being thrown about freely, if the passing was not as well directed as it might have been, but the effort was there, and showed tuition. Hokitika backs appeared to pass a trifle too much, especially when defending and a breakdown on one occasion near their line gave Grey a chance to score, which was taken.

In the first half playing with the wind Hokitika had considerably the best of the play, but the ball travelled well up and down the field, namely because of the passing by Hokitika proving ineffective through the smart tackling of the visiting team. A forward rush that took play from the centre opened the scoring, Cron breaking through nicely at the finish to score a good try, which Morgan increased in value with a good kick 5 0. This was the only score in the first spell. In the second half the game at the start was in Grey’s favour, the wind proving a decided advantage. Efforts at passing did not prove satisfactory, and some hard kicking Was indulged in, and play went to Hokitika quarters wheie indecision in defence saw a couple of backs passing instead of kicking, and the pass being intercepted Grey rushed the ball over the line to score a safe try. The kick at goal was a poor one, 3—5. Following the kick off Hokitika attacked and finally from a passing run Morgan broke through and finished up a good run by scoring near. the posts. He further added to the score by goaling with a good kick 10—3. From this out the play mainly centred about the, centre line, at no time ,looking dangerous to either side and time came sooh afterwards with the score Hokitika 10, .Grey 3. Quite a feature was the capital tackling of Hokitika’s full back, Tainui, about the smallest player on the ground. '

DITTMAN SHIELD

' The contest by representatives ot .IWestland and Grey districts for 'the Pittman Shield took place on C’ass —Square, following the schools game, and resulted in Westland continuing to hold the trophy the score being 15 points (three tries, one being converted, and a potted goal) io 6 points (a try and a penalty goal). The game was not as interesting a /one as was expected,-the strong wind "blowing appearing to v upset the calcula--1 ons of many of the players and interfering with the passing, causing much knocking on, and- consequently slowing down the game to a great extent. There mere not a great many incidents ot special- merit., .Both s.des had ample opportunities to open out- the play and at was an unusual circumstance for the ball to reach the outside backs, without a fumble or misdirected pass causing a l reak down. Generally speaking the c itching was good, and the tackling solid, while the .line out play in most occasions was indecisive, Grey having a little the better of this department. The play opened with Hokitika having the wind at their backs, and Schroder sent his first kick to Grey 25. Here following a line out and the first scrum was formed a penalty giving Martyn a shot wen within ra,nge that went a few yards wide, a force resulting. From the Vck out Hokitika essayed passing but Houston knocked on. Grey forwards carried back the play, but Thompson broke through and a forward rush took the play to the front of the Grey posts. From a scrum, Davidson; Hughes Housand Martyn handled the latter scoring nicely. He failed to improve 3—o. Hokitika continued 'to attack and following a high kick by Martyn, Grey were defending, but bad passing lost ground, and Fong broke through, but his pass went wrong. Grey got the ball from the following scrum, but Davidson pushed back the play with a nice line kick. Sc, voder went away with' a good run

and passed to 'Pfahlert, but Fong intercepted and kicked across the fi-bl rro Martyn who took th*’ bail neatly and coming in a little potted a fine field goal 7—o. ■Centre pluv followed till Grev backs went away on a nice run, but Schroder

tackled well and then a free kick ve-‘■’'Miev-'d Grey. Pfahlert got- away but iLindbom tackled cleanly and offside play gave Grey a penalty and relieved. Back the reds came, but Nightingale failed to handle cleanly and much ground was lost. Then Schroder, broke back and kicked too hard, Grey forcing. Bad handling by both sides caused some uninteresting piny, pawes beinsent wildly and fumbled about midfield. Then Houston went away following a line hut but kicking , too hard. Grey forced. Following a red rally Houston was disabled, and went ftp full back. Then Grey attacked, and from a scrum outside the 25, secured and; a nice passing run was well handled, Baldwin finishing a good effort by a fine dashing run that beat the defence badly, scoring

the best- try of tile day. Lindbom failed to reach the posts from a difficult angle against the wind 3—7/. Soon after half time came with reds on the attack.

In the second spell Houston did not come back, Diedrichs taking his place. Play opened with Grey attacking strongly, and a had pass by Fong spoilt a good opening. The Grey passing was on the slow side, more ground being gained with loose forwards rushes. Then Baron and Hughes broke away but Fong again intervened. A lot of very poor rough and tumble ensued, both being at fault. Then the play opened out again but the runs broke 'down by faulty handling time and again. A run along the line saw Schroder taken and he turned a half circle in the air. Then followed a scrum Davidson passing to Schroder, to Hughes who cut in and dummied his way over the line to score a fine try. Martyn failed to improve 10—A Fong and Martyn returned kicks, and then Hokitika forwards broke away to the Grey line, where there was a lot of hard tackling for several minutes, men going down like ninepins on both sides. Then out of the ruck Hughes broke through again to the line and passing to Pfahlert the latter made a characteristic dive that took him over the line to score, though he was knocked out in the effort. Davidson added the extra points 15—3. Grey then attacked, but did not use the wind to advantage, preferring short kicks. A scrum infringement was taken for goal but missed. A moment later another penalty closer in resulted in, a goal by Bell, the score being 6—15. Several minutes were taken by interchanges of kicks about the centre, and HO side was called a few minutes later with the score Westland 15 Grey 6. Hv 53. W, Heenftn was referee,

EXCELSIORS V. MILLER TON. This junior game was marred by the failure of Excelsiors to field a full fifteen only eleven players taking the field against the visitors, a grave breach by the home side against a visiting team which should have the attention of the Club management on a future occasion. The game being thus spoilt of its sporting elements was not followed with much interest. It ended in a win for Millerton by 23 points to 3. Mr E. Best was referee. SAiRATY CUP RETINAED by kumara At Kumara on Saturday, the Junior seven-a-side tournament for the Sara tv Cup was played, Kumara B. eventually emerging winners after a series of closely-contested games. Four teams journeyed from Greymouth for the tourney, but none of 'them managed to reach the final though in the first round, Stars were only narrowly defeated by (Kumara B, the ultimate winners of the played. The tournament w’as well conducted and the referees, Messrs F. W. Baillie and F, McEnaney, gave every satisfaction. The results of the various games were: — Kumara 8., 3 Beat Stars 3, (extra time (was played in this match); Cobden A., 6, beat Blaketown nil. Kumara A. a bye, Semi-finals: —Kumara 8., 10, beat Cobden A,, nil; Kumara A. 9, beat Cobden 8., nil. Final;—Kumara 8., 5, beat Kumara A- 3. Kumara won this competition last year, and thus retain the Cup. j SEVEN-A-SIDE AT ROSS.' A seven-a-side football‘tournament will be held at Boss Recreation Grounds on Saturday next open to all rugby junior teams. Nominations close on Thursday next October 1. Games start at 1.30 p.m. sharp.

WELLINGTON V. HAWK.ES BAY. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) NAPIER, September 26. Wellington Rugby reps defeated Hawkes Bay at McLean Park to-day by 15 points to 8. •RESULTS IN BRITAIN. LONDON, September 26. To-day’s Rugby Union matches resulted : Somerset v. Lancashire 12—18 ; Birkenhead v. Blackheath 3—B; Bristol v. 'Coventry 16—11; /Gloucester v. Northampton 10—8 ; Guy’ Hospital v. Plymouth 9—6; Harlequins v. Roslyn Park 19—5; Leicester v. Nuneaton 25—0 ; Newport v. Crosskeys B—3; Old Merchant Taylors v. St. Barts 13 11, West -Scotland v. Stewartonians 15—7 ; Gala v. Glasgow Academicals 14—12.

AUSTRALIANS LEAVE.

HOSPITALITY APPRECIATED.

AUCKLAND, September 25,

After a six weeks’ tour of the Dominion the Australian Rugby team loft bv the Maunganui for Sydney this afternoon. Mr S. >T. Malcolm the captain will be staying in New Zealand for two months and will spend two weeks in Auckland. lie has accepted an cffer to play for Manukau against Grammar in the knock-cut competition at Eden Park to-morrow Corner opposing him.) “I want to thank everybody through out New Zealand for the wonderful time they have given us,” said Mr Malcolm. “We have enjoyed every minute of our stay. I think the reas-

on why wo did not win more of our matches was lrecau.se of the wonderlul hospitality. The next time an Australian team tours New Zealand they will have /to cut out one or the other, either football or hospitality, and 1 think they should cut out football,” he added with a smile. Mr Malcolm said that the team line! enjoyed evenmatch and he paid a tribute to ; the refereeing.

Mr Harry Leith, who came up from Wellington on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Union to bid the team farewell, said he wanted to thank the players for the part they had played in making the tour a success. No team left such a favourable impression as the Wallabies of 1931. Their behaviour was a credit to them and a credit to football.

Mr Palmer said that every hour they remained in New Zealand made it harder for them to leave.