RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1933, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES. / The competitions were continued in fine weather. -In the senior games Excelsior defeated Kiwi by 31 to 0 on Cass 'Square, and at Ross, defeated -Pirates by 23 to nil. In the junior games, Ross defeated Kiwi, on Cass Square by 7 points to nil ; at Rimu, defeated School 6 to 3; and at Kokatahi Excelsior defeated Kok-atahi by 15 to 8. EXCELSIOR V. KIWI. This name played on Cass Square resulted in an easy win for Excelsiors. Playing with the advantage of a breeze behind, them, Kiwi were unable to take full advantage, and their opening kicking lacked direction. Excelsior forwards were too heavy for Kiwi who fielded only 14 men in the first half. The play went up and down the field in forward rushes, with Excelsiors opening up the game with back passing, but the failure to handle cleanly at a critical time broke down the movement and let Kiwi forwards away time and again, only to bo sent hack again by Mitchell who played a very solid game. When play had been in progress twenty minutes a nice movement 'that started inside Kiwi half, starting,from a loose scrum saw Davidson, Freitas, Hughes and Schroder handle, the ball coming back to W. Hughes who went over to score a good try, which was not converted. Kiwi rushed back to the attack, and Diedrichs broke through into a good position (but delayed parting with the ball a moment too late and his pass went astray. Then Excelsiors broke away and Schroder made a solid run, but was collared at the quarter flag. Then from a scrum Davidson passed out to (Schroder who essayed to pot without success. The ball went across, Paterson relieving well, but another passing run saw Connolly thrown out when looking dangerous. Davidson then broke away and kicked across to West near the line, who was collared in possession and just evaded a score against his side. From a loose rush at midfield Henderson broke away half the length of the field but Mitchell proved his value once .more. Then another red rush saw the backs beat the defence and M. Kelly went over to score, L. Hughes converting B—o. The second half saw the Kiwi defence begin to shatter and at times their opponents went through without difficulty-; the' Eikcofisibr • attgcli. improving as the tackling of their opponents got weaker," and their back division shone to ; better advantage. Only on occasion was their line in danger and then a rally soon swept back the danger to midfield. Tries came at regular intervals,- W. Hughes, Davidson, Schroder (2), and King adding tries. Of these L. Hughes converted emp and Davidson three, the score when time was palled being Excelsior 31 (7 trips, five being converted) to nil, J. McCleary was referee

JUNIOR GAMES. Ross met Kiwi on No. 2 ground. The game throughout was evenly contested the ball travelling up and down the ground, with Ross having some small advantage of the play for most of the' game. In the first half there was, no iscore, but in the second half Ross scored a try by Mitchell, and Collett potted a very fine goal from well out in the field. The game ended in a win for Ross by 7 points (a try and a potted goal) to nil. Mr Fluety was referee. PIRATES Y. SCHOOL. This game took place at'Rimu, the •home team proving successful by six points to three, after a good hard game. Mr J. Collett was referee. Excelsiors travelled to Kokatahi and proved victorious winning by 15 points to 8.

VARSITY TEST ANOTHER WIN FOR N I. DUNEDIN, May 27. The ground was in good order for the second Varsity test, and a big crowd enjoyed a fast game, under ideal conditions. The final score was: New Zealand 25; Australia 0.

New Zealand opened brightly and attacked, but was half way through the spell before Andrews scored after a forty-yards run. Ruff missed a difficult kick. New Zealand 3, Austra lia 0.

New Zealand were warming up and gave their visitors many anxious moments. Australia were penalised and Rae goaled from right in front. New Zealand 6, Australia 0.

Uttley put in a great run, but a knock-on spoilt the effort in front of the posts. Rae, Mulverhill and Uttley handled, and the last-named went o vcr at the corner. Ruff converted, from thirty-five yards out with a fine kick. Australia just missed scoring when a difficulty penalty went astray and when Kennedy was later thrown out at the corner. The half-time score was: New Zealand 11, Australia 0. SECOND SPELL Early in the second sot'll New Zealand were awarded a penalty, from

which Ruff kicked a goal. " New Zealand 14, Australia 0.

The Australian backs, were worried by. the New Zealand forwands, with Drake always prominent, and their movements continually broke down. The visitors’ forwards were feeding their backs, and a kick by Pearson went over the New Zealand, line into touch-in-goal. Kennedy made several smart runs on the wing, but the New Zealand defence was too solid. There

seemed to bo a certain try for Australia when Theodore broke away with five men in support, but lie tossed the ball to Utloy, the only New Zealander hanidy and the chance was lost. The Austrqlian forwards then went away in a snappy psssing rush, but Drake was again mere to save. Pearson had a dash for the line, but was held up three yards away. Australia continued to and, with Andrews offside, were awarded a penalty. Westfield miss" ed a fairly hard kick. Drake was again in the picture when lie started ah attack, but a knock-on spoiled things when New Zealand had a clear run-in. Fookes made a splendid dash to cut out three men and hand 011 to Dunne, who raced thirty yaiids for a try. Ruff converted with another great kick. New Zealand 19, Australia 0.

Fookes made another brilliant . run, but Mulverbiil, to whom he-i)spnt»y: on the ball, threw away a moral tty when he gave Dunne a hopeless pass. At various stages Uttley, Ruff and Mulverhill were injured, but carried on after short stops. The Australian forwards hooked tho ball in their o wn territory and Pearson secured to pass to Westfield. The latter missed the pass and; Drake, who was playing a wonderful game, dashed over the Australian line and ' scored. Ruff’s .kick failed. New Zealand 22, Australia 0. , :.

Australia were beaten all the way when Uttley and a forward tore down the line with a pretty piece of passing, ending in Uttley scoring Jin the corner. Ruff could not c’onverif P The game ended: NEW ZEALAND 25 AUSTRALIA 0