FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 June 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL

RUGBY NOTES.

(By

“Stellar”).

The postponement of last Saturday’s fixtures owing to bad weather conditions means that the programme of games set down for last week will be

played to-morrow. Despite the awful conditions prevailing in Hokitika all the Southern fixtures were played as several travelling teams had arrived in the morning, and a postponement would have meant two trips for tko one game. All the old keenness is again evident in Hokitika. The various games being followed with as much interest as of old. The striking feature in the Southern division competition is the strength of the country teams. Kokatahi gave the leading team (Excelsiors) a sound drubbing last Saturday and their superiority was so marked that it is difficult to believe that fine weather conditions would have made any material difference in the result. The forwards from the dairying district played with great vim and never let up. Baird (forward) and Moynihan (five-eighth) are two very promising men in this team. These players are certain to be in the Southern Division team which is playing in Greymouth on Saturday week. Frater (Excelsior) is another promising young forward, who is practically certain to bo selected in the Southern team. The senior competition under the Inangahua Sub-Union is a most interesting one, and is notable for the great improvement in the form of the Junction Diggers’ team, which defeated the Reefton Pirates by a narrow margin in the last game played in Reefton. Guthrie, the ex-South Island rep., *s reported to have played a great back game for Pirates, and if he takes up the game seriously this year, this heady player would be a fine acquisition to the Coast team. O’Regan and Egan (forwards) are both showing excellent form, and these two are pretty certain to represent the Coast this season. The first match for the Dittman Shield is to take place in Greymouth on .Saturday week between the .Southern Division (challengers) and the Grey Division. There is a big improvement in the play in the Southern Division this season, and there are a number who quite anticipate that the visiting team will lower the colours of the Grey team. A number of players new to Greymouth are sure to find a place in the .Southern team, and the match will be one of unusual interest in view of the selection of (he Coast rep team which will play Buller at the end of next month. The departure of Mr J. Sherlock, who is under transfer to Wanganui, will leave a gap in the list of referees officiating this season in Grcymouth. Tn addition to having rendered good service as a referee, Air Sherlock ws the representative full-back for the West Coast for a number of seasons, and a good one, too. Ho played for the Coast when they lowered (he colours of Canterbury on Lancaster Park by 17 to 15 after a beautiful game, and the critics in Christchurch stated that the Coast full-back suffered nothing in comparison with Doell, who was the opposition full back, ami South Island rep. in the same position. Air Sherlock will carry with l.im the best wishes of local Rugbyites for his future prosperity. We understand that he will still keep in touch with the old game as a referee in his new home.

Great amusement was caused in a recent game played in the Manawatu district by a milk boy who wan playing m a game calling out “Milk,” when ne took the ball on the full. However, the referee knew what lie meant and “Alilko” was awarded his mark.

It was thought in .most quarters that the recommendation of tlie .Secondary Masters’ Association that the Moascar Cup be returned to the donors meant the finish of this competition between the Secondary Schools. Such, however, has not been the case, as there are a larger number of teams entered for the competition this year than last. Some of the Heads of the larger Secondary Schools have expressed themseles as not being in sympathy with the recommendation, and state that provided there is not too much travelling, they see no reason why the competition should not be continued. On the contrary, the intermingling of the boys from the various colleges which is brought about by a reasonable amount of competition is deemed a fine thing from all’ education and social point of view.

When word was received in Greymouth that N. Mouatt, a last year’s Coast rep. had been ordered off for wilfully kicking a player in the Ber-hampore-Petone match at Wellington those who had watched this player closely in all his games on the Coast received a shock, as his reputation ■was that of a clean hard player, to whom dirty tactics would be abhorrent. It is quite clear, now that the whole matter has been ventilated and the opinion and evidence of those on the spot taken, that Mouatt is decidedly unfortunate in being placed on the “waiting list” for three Saturdays. It would appear that some Berhampore player did run amok and kick at Nicholls (Nicholls) said in his evidence that he did not know whether he was kicked or not) but the latter denies stating at the moment that the referee had got the wrong man, though others, including a Petone player, state that Nicholls did make this assertion when Mouatt was ordered off. It certainly seems that there must have been considerable excitement in the vicinity at the moment of the ordering off, and as is usual, under such circumstances, it is difficult to tell what actually did take place, so the more witnesses the more confusion. This makes the rule of sticking to the referee all. the sounder, but taking a dispassionate view of the whole matter and the determined attitude of those who are supporting

Mouatt and who were closely in touch with the incident, it would certainly seem that Mouatt’s case is that exception which proves the rule. Altogether, it is a most extraordinary incident, and while one cannot help sympathising with Mouatt, the attitude of the Wellington Union in accepting the referee’s word at the first inquiry (where no outside , evidence was allowed) and then sticking to it decision in view of the contradictory nature of the evidence at the second inquiry, is quite understandable. One thing is quite certain, the ex-Coast player’s reputation will not be besmirched now that the whole circumstances arc known, and one can only regret the peculiar nature of the case which made the upholding of a principle the means of inflicting what many people will think is perilously near an injustice on the player concerned. It will be some satisfaction to Mouatt to know that on the West Coast the belief that he is a clean player Las not been shaken by the Wellington episode in which he was made the central figure. The North v. South match which, takes place in Auckland to-morruw will be of unusual interest as on the showing made therein will depend tlio choice of players for the All Blacks’ visit to New .South Wales. This game is. always interesting and noteworthy as one in which the lack of combination is more than compensated for by the open play which invariably characterises the Inter-Island game. The North Island selectors evidently found themselves in a quandary in making their selection as 19 players have been asked to go to Auckland and the final selection will be made to-night. The selectors said that youth was one of the main factors which decided the selection, other things being equal, but they state that they were disappointed at the lack of suitable backs. It is evident that the five-eighths line is again worrying them, and under the circumstances it would not be surprising to see the Otago trio Mathieson (half), Dickinson and Fea (fiveeighths) put up a good showing against their vis-a-vis of the North. North are again strong in forwards, and it is pretty certain that a forward new to the biggest football, but with a great reputation will find a place in the Northern vanguard to-morrow. This is Cupplies from the Bay of Plenty. Over 15 stone in weight, 6ft 4in high, and reputed to be a 10 3-5 secs man for 100 yards, this player should be a cracker-jack. His admirers claim that he will prove as good as Charlie Seeling. It will be interesting to see how he shapes when up against the best in the country. If the Southern forwards can hold their own a victory for the South is quite on the cards, as there seems to be a general opinion up North that their backs as a combination will not be up to the mark. General sympathy has been expressed with “Nuki” St. George that a family bereavement has prevented his taking his place in the Southern team, but with Jack Steel and Frank Smyth playing, personal interest on the part of Coasters will not be lacking. The result of the game will be eagerly awaited in Greymouth to-morrow evening.

The success of the Maori Rugby learn in their opening game against New South Wales on Saturday last was well received in New Zealand as it bore out the good opinion that had been formed regarding th/ quality of tin* touring combination. Their defeat on Monday after Saturday's gruelling game when several players were tern porarily incapacitated does not damage their reputation, as they put up a great game under adverse circumstances. New South Wales lias a fine Rugby combination this season, and will give the All Blacks a difficult task to defeat them. The Maoris have an excellent record—to run the Springboks to one point, defeat Hawkes Bay easily, draw with Wellington and defeat" New South Wales is a- record io be proud of in four successive games. T(. )-MOR ROW’S G AMES. A full programme of four games will be played on the Park to-morow afternoon. The senior fixture will be an interesting game. Uniteds and Marists will meet again, and the former with the promoted junior backs should put up a good showing. This game commences at 3 p.m. United and Star juniors play on the A ground at 1.30. The two fixtures on the B. ground will be the Stars v. Cobden Fourth Grade at 1.30, and the Marist v. United Fourth Grade at 3 p.m. A fifth grade game between United and Grey D.H.S. will be played at 11 a.m. Hie Star Fourths team for to-mor-row is as follows Chow Fong, Mason, Harrington, Haste, Roberts, Hughes, Outram, Richardson, Meade, Be Freitas, ’Webster, Potts, Hcwison’ Nelson, Rix, Barrow, and Nash. The following represent Ngahere in their match with Cobden at Cobden on Saturday at 3 p.m.—Craig (2), Armstrong (2), Parfitt, Campbell, Buckley, Lee, McLaughlin, Daly, Duggan, Mayne, Keßy, Jamieson, Hunter, Watson, Baillie, T. Dudlej', McLay and L. Dewe (captain). The following will represent. United seniors against Marist: —Winchester, Stevens, Russell, Richmond, McKay, Walton, Nightingale, JRothwell, Anderson, Jones, Hughes, Telfer, Armstrong, Harris and Burlev.

The following players will represent United fourth graders in their match with Marist on the Park on Saturday at 3 p.m. : —Foster, Lees, Shorland, Fairhall, Sotheran, Gibson, Jamieson, Donnelly, Tillyshdrt, Heinz ,Weaver, Winchester, Bansgrove, Boddy, Kitcliingliam, Laing, Rassmussan. The following players will represent the United fifth grades in their match with State School on the Park at 11 a.m.—• Ferguson, Bond, McDonald, Boucher,

Wilson, Kear, Mason, Mitchell, Pullen, Rathbun, Brown, Hughes, Butcher, Furness, Mclndoe, Wilson, Mabin, Pratt, and 'McKnight. LEAGUE FOOTBALL (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 28. The final match of the Australian Universities League team’s tour was played against an improved Auckland representative team, resulting in a win for Auckland by 24 points to 16. The weather was fine, and the ground in fair order, though a trifle heavy and slippery, owing to recent rains. There was a large attendance, and a fast and exciting game, in which Auckland showed superior form. The scorers for Auckland were:— First spell: Gray (2), Avery, and Wetherall, Davidson converting two; second spell: Avery and Gray, Davidson converting one. Australia : Craig, Linskey (2) and Cornaghan, Craig converting two, SOCCER. AUSTRALIA v. TARANAKI. [Per Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Juno 28. Good weather conditions prevailed for the big .Soccer match, Australia v. Taranaki to-day, which was won by Australia by 6 goals to 1. A crowd etsimated at 4,000 watched the game, which, though one-sided, was full of interest, the Australians’ clever footwork, pretty headwork and good combination generally delighting the spectators. Taranaki gave a good display, considering that Soccer is in its infancy in the province, but lacked the Australians’ science and finer knowledge of the game. Their shooting was also erratic at times. The star players for Australia were Brown, Thompson, Cumberford brothers, and Dane. On the Taranaki side the outstanding players were Jones, Worthington, Howarth, and Woodhead.