RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 July 1928, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

HOKITIKA (14) v. GREYMOUTH (3.) MUDLARKS AT VICTORIA PARK. When the atrocious state of the ground is taken into consideration, the representative game between Hokitika and Greymouth, played at Victoria Park on Saturday, must be regarded as a good display. Rain fell throughout the first spell, and there were showers in the second, while the ground was a mass of slippery mud, the ball being very difficult to handle. Feet were used more than hands, the game developing into a forward struggle. The backs on each side secured an opportunity occasionally, but the treacherous footing usually brought them to grief. The attendance was not large, but it Was surprising that so many spectators were present, in the circumstances. The Hokitika team were generally “picked” to win, and played to form, dominating the game in the first spell, and piling up a four-teen-point lead. Except for a few sorties, the home team was penned in its own territory for practically all the first half. After changing over, the rain became intermittent, and a south-west breeze sprang up, giving Greymouth a slight advantage. The play was o fa very even nature, Greymouth making a much better showing, and they were rather unlucky not to put on more than three points. Towards the end, however, Hokitika again took charge, and only a determined defence, particularly Nicholson, the full back, prevented the visitors winning by a bigger margin. They were certainly the better team, and deserved their victory. The sides lined out as follow: — Hokitika (red and black)Nightingale, .King, Tainui, Pfahlert, J. King, Houston, McCleary, Maxwell, Hahn, Pfahlert, Hagar, Freitas, Bannister, Mclntosh, Dougherty. Greymouth (red and white): Nicholson, King, Fong, Brown, Walton, Clarke, Jenkins, Caulton, Fell, Dodson, Burley, Steele, Rathbun, Ferguson, Jamieson. Referee: Mr T. Mclntosh. Tho first score came within five minutes. Hokitika attacked from the kick-off, Pfahlert picking up the leather in his own half, and taking it to the Greymouth 25 with a strong run. Hokitika hooked from a scrum, as they usually did throughout the game, and Hahn dashed over. J. King’s kick failed to add the extra points. Hokitika 3, Greyinouth 0. A few minutes later, the Greymouth wing-three-quar-ter (King) and Nicholson both went for the ball at the same time. Too many cooks spoiled the broth, the visitors took advantage of the opening, and J. King went across between the posts. He failed to convert from an easy position. Hokitika 6, Greymouth 0. Good handling was practically impossible, and both sides adopted kicking tactics. A loose rush took play to the Hokitika line, but Jenkins was foiled in an attempt to break through. Nicholson attempted to pot a goal, but the heavy ball did not rise. Greymouth were awarded a free kick after e, scrum infringement, and Jenkins made a good attempt to land a goal. He just failed, and the visitors forced down. Jinky runs by Pfahlert gained ground for Hokitika, and McCleary securing from a scrum, sent his backs away, but the ground was too slippery. Hanging-on tactics by Greymouth gave Hokitika a free kick in a handy position, and J. King made no mistake. Hokitika 9, Greymouth 0. The red and whites attacked, and Brown was nearly over; but the Hokitika forwards dribbled the leather out of danger, play going to the other end, where McCleary took a free kick. It was followed up well, and Houston dived over between the posts. J. King converted the try, making the score 14 to 0, there being no change at half-time.

Greymouth’s only score came a few minutes aftei- resuming. Jamieson made an opening, and the ball went from Fong to Brown, who dashed across wide out for a good try. Jenkins failed to convert, the greasy ball slipping off his boot. Hokitika 14, Greyinouth 3. The visitors’ hookers wore having the best of matters, and McCleary sent his backs away on several occasions, but the movements broke down, it. being almost impossible for the' players to keep their feet. The Greyinouth backs handled occasionally, biit. when the ball did get .out to Brown, he was too well marked. Walton attempted to pot four points, but the ball took the wrong turning. King tried to do the same thing for Hokitika, but had no better success. Hahn received injuries in some tight forward work, and had to go off, beingreplaced by Baron. Hokitika were using Soccer tactics to advantage, and only the fact that Nicholson was playing his usual fine game at full back kept them out. Intercepting a Hokitika pass, Caulton broke away for a lengthy run on his own. Brown carried on in a race for the ball, .but had not quite enough pace, and'King got the visitors out of trouble. Caulton tried to score from a free kick, but did not. secure sufficient elevation, and Hokitika forced down. Three men in front spoiled the 25 kick-off, and Walton, Clarke and Brown participated in a promising run. The latter in-passed to Fong, but he was brought down. Brown again secured possession, but was pushed out when near the line. Offside play by the visitors gave Caullon a kick, and he just failed with a good attempt. Hokitika looked dangerous frequently towards the end of ( file game, but. the defence held, Nicholson and Fong being particularly prominent, the latter forcing just in ; time on one occasion. Another lightning rush saw Jenkins caught in pos-

ession, after he had curried the leathr over the line. Hokitika were pen-

alised for lifting tactics in the subsequent scrum, and the free kick gave Greyinouth relief just, as the final bell rang, leaving Hokitika, victors by 14 points to 3.

TEAM TO PLAY BULLER The West Coast Rugby Union selectors, Messrs Adams and Dowell, have selected the following as the Coast representative team to play Buller, at Westport, next Saturday:—Nicholson, Pfahlert, Fong, Tainui, King, Houston, McCleary (Capt.), Hagar, Patterson, Caulton, Pfahlert, Freitas, Mclntosh, Dougherty, Rathbun. Emergencies: Adams (back), Baron (forwards). JUNIOR REP. MATCH. The junior rep. match, Possibles v. Probables, played on the Park on Sat unlay, proved tin interesting contest, the game resulting in a win for the Possibles by 23 points to 8. For the winners, Martin, Rochford,

Kennedy, Bunt and Lemin scored, and L. Martin converted four of the tries. Jones scored and converted a try for the Probables, who added another try at the end of the second spell. Mr H. Ryan refereed. FOURTH GRADE. Playing at Cobden on Saturday, Tech. Fourth Grade defeated Cobden by 5 to nil. Shaw scored for Tech., Lindbom converting with a good kick. Air F. W. Baillie was referee. This gives Tech, a substantial lead in tihe competition. FIFTH GRADE Playing at the Park on Saturday, United fifths defeated Blaketown by eight points to three. J. Orr scored and converted a. try for United, J. Ferguson also scoring. Smith scored for Blaketown. Mr. McGrath refereed.

WARATAH 3 v. PIRATES 3. (Our Own Correspondent.) REEFTON, July 16. At Reefton the chief match was for the Stallard Cup between Waratah and Pirate senior teams. [deal weather was experienced and the ground was in splendid condition despite Saturday’s rain. The game was the best contested for some time, and the issue was in doubt almost up to the call of time. Pirates’ only try was scored by T. O'Donnell just after half-time, no score being registered up to that time. Gibson failed to convert. Waratahs managed to even up just before tire bell rang. From a pressing movement among the backs Garce secured and passed to Lythgoe, who got across. W. Hunt failed with the kick, ending with a draw, 3 —3. Mr F. Cutbush was a strict, impartial referee. SCHOOL FOOTBALL. REEFTON, July 16. In the match on Saturday, Grey Technical Primary Department v. Reefton District High School. Primary Department, the latter were victorious by 6 to 3. Percy Cutbush kicked a penalty goal, and D. Hoy scored a try, which was not converted. RANFURLY SHIELD. CANTERBURY WIN. CHRISTCHURCH, July 14.

The first Ranfurly Shield challenge match was played at Lancaster Park to-day, when Canterbury beat South Canterbury by 29 points to 9. The match was, regarded as of some importance as a guide to the local team’s form in view of the important match with Wairarapa on Wednesday next. About 12,000 people witnessed the game. In the first spell Canterbury played against a strong wind, at. the end of the spell the scores were even, six all, Canterbury having scored two tries, and South Canterbury a try. and a penalty goal. All through the spell the South Canterbury side showed almost an entire lack of cohesion, and seemed content to remain on the defensive, although their forwards were vigorous and fast, and by clever footwork had the Canterbury backs in trouble very often. Had they followed the obviously correct tactics of high kicking and following up, they might have held some advantage in the scores, while they .had the wind. In the second spell, South Canterbury surprised the spectators with a stubborn defence for twenty minutes, but thereafter the speedy Canterbury backs showed an undoubted superiority, and ran up a big score, which was considerably augmented by Chesley’s excellent goal-kicking. For South Canterbury penalty goals were kicked by Halstead and Fairbrother, the lattei 1 making a magnificent kick against the wind, forty yards out, and a try was scored by Manning, who was outstanding as the leader of the visitor’s forwards. For Canterbury, tries were scored by Oliver, Chesley (2), Grant, Hart, (2), and Fookes, of seven tries in all, of which Chesley converted four.

TO MEET WAIRARAPA

j CHRISTCHURCH, July 16. 1 > ✓ The Canterbury* Rugby team to play ■ Wairarapa for the Shield on Wednes- > day will be :— ' Backs: Harris. Doreen, Oliver ! Chesley, Grant, Hay, Page. ' Wing forward : Fookes. Forwards : Cottrell, Clark, Kirkland, Lawson, Jackson, Toby, Robinson, Toni Robinson, Motgomery. One of these forwards will stand down. AUCKLAND RESULTS. AUCKLAND, July 14. Training College 3, Marist 0. College Rifles 14, North Shore 3. Grammer 9, Varsity 3. Manukau 18, Ponsonby 13. ' City 6, Grafton 3. DUNEDIN MATCHES. DUNEDIN, July 14. Taieri 5, Southern 0. Kaikorai 17, Alhambra 3. Varsity 24, Pirates 7. Union 8, Zingari 5. Varsity B- 25, Dunedin 6. WELLINGTON GAMES. WELLINGTON, July 14. Wellington 8 beat Marist 0. Eastbourne 19 beat Petone 3. The senior Rugby championship table is as follows : —Poneke 20 points, Varsity 19, Oriental 18, Old Boys 13, Athletic 13, Petone 10, Eastbourne 9, Marist 8, Berhampore 6. SOUTH TARANAKI GAMES. HAWERA, July 14. The South Taranaki division senior Rugby games to-day resulted : — Okaiawa 25, beat Athletic 3. Hawera 17, beat Koponga 6Opunake 14, beat Waiinate 3. MASTERTON MATCH. MASTERTON, July 14. In the Rugby match for the Redmond Cup, Gladstone beat Carterton bv 11 to 6.