FOOTBALL.

Grey River Argus, 28 June 1922, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

f MAORI TEAM. SYDNEY, Juno 27. The Maori Rugby Union team will play a number of country matches before again meeting Rep. teams in Sydnor. MOUATT’S SUSPENSION. WELLINGTON, June 20. After the refusal of the Wellington Rugby Union to withdraw the disqualification of N. Mouatt, the Bcrhampore Club held a meeting, and, to express their resentment, refused to play to day, letting the match go by di f.-iult. The club will hold a meeting to consider I what further action is to be taken. WEST COAST RUGBY UNION. The usual Executive meeting last evening was attended by Capt. Cox (chair), Messrs Fairbairn, Nelson, Collins, Beaumont, Wilson, Heffernan, Lurkins, Heaphy, Armstrong, Dunford. Rothwell, Gieseking, and Jones (Sucretary). An offer from the Rival Club, of Westport, to send a junior team here early in August was accepted. It was resolved that 17 tickets be issued to the Captain of each team for admission to the ground on the day such team has a match to play, and that the said tickets may be used only by actual players and emergencies. It was decided to accept a challenge frim tho Westland Sub-Union to play a match at Greymouth on July Sth for ♦he Dittman Shield, and that the selectors be instructed to pick the Grey team on Saturday night next. The prices of admission for this match were fixed at 1/6 for men, and 6d for ladies. Reference was made to the coming departure from Greymouth of Mr J. Sherlock, who had rendered valuable service to local football for several years as referee and previously as a representative player, and it was decided to tender a tangible, token of appreciation nt the next Executive meeting. Tho President (Capt. Cox) presen red each official of the Union with a handsome badge (a miniature of a football, in red and white, the Union colours, nicely worked in enamel and metal), and members passed the donor an appreciative vote of thanks by acclamation. Saturday’s fixtures were arranged as fellows:—Seniors: United v. Marist, •“> p.m., A ground, (Mr Wilson referee). Juniors: United v. Star, 1.30, A ground, (Mr Beaumont referee); Ngahere v. Cobden, 3 p.m., at Cobden, (Mr Mclntosh referee). Fourth Grade: S’ars v. Cobden, 1.30, B. ground hams referee); Marist v. United, 3. p.m. B. Bring referee). f ifth Gra’le: Uilted v. D.H.S., 11 a.m.. B. ground (Mr Rothwell referee). CLUB TEAMS. All Rugby Clubs arc asked to have their teams for Saturday handed in not later (han S p.m. on Thursday of each week. JUNCTION DIGGERS (12) PIRATES (U) Tho above match was played on Sunday under good weather conditions, until tho last five .minutes, when a few showers came on. The turf was in excellent order, considering the recent rain. A record crowd attended and witnessed the finest game of the season. It was a case of a good set of forwards ■with safe backs, against a fair team m furwards, with good backs, with the result that Diggers with their superior pack won through by a very narrow margin, the final scores being 12 points (three tries and one penalty) toll (two tries, one converted, and one penalty). The play was very fast and open, with not an idle moment from whistle to whistle. Diggers led at half-time by 6 to 3, and were still ahead by 9 to 8 with only four minutes to go, whdn they were penalised for off-side play, with the result that Panckhurst increased Pirates score to 11. From the ensuing kick off, the Digger forwards simply smother'’i the opposing backs, and Willoughby by fast following up, scored a line try, thus making amends for his previous off-side breach. Eneh team had plenty of chances to set their backs in motion, but Junction backs did not seem to realise their opportunities in this direction, and were content to play what they considered a safe game. It may be good policy to play to a good pack of forwards, but that should not debar their backs from making the best of an opening when it occurs, instead of making haphazard kicks into the arms of Guthrie, Osbourne and Co. This was a . great fault of Twomey, who was getting some lovely passes from Arnold and had rare chances. The Pirates’ backs played a very open game, and. with more judgment in passing, would have put up a big score. Dick (half) secured on several occasions, but was slow in delivery, and inclined to give low passes. Osbourne as first fiveeights, fielded the ball well, getting in some good kicks and playing well generally, but was rather an upsetting factor as regards combination. Time after time he would secure in fine style, run along, and get into a good position for making an opening, but Then, instead of transferring, he would go on for another stride or two and get his supporting backs into a bad position, as ho would be collared; and, if they got the ball at all, it would be (V a standstill. It| was from such a fositiou that i Guthrie, playing at

five-eighths, scored the first try of the season. He received too late to go on with the movement with his centre, and quick as a flash, he cut In. ami after a fine swerving run, scored behind the posts. It was the try of a master. He is in a class by himself as an all-round back, and appeared quite al home in his new position. The remaining backs, Walker, M.-Myn. Panckhurst and Hoy all played well. Panckhurst scoring a nice try by fast following up. He also converted one try and kieqed a penalty. Of a light fast pack Ln wry, A. Panek imrst and Dunn showed to most advantage. though Ryan, who was far from well, deserves credit for his plucky game. La wry had the bad luck to drop the ball when over the line, after a fine run. G. Dick (wing) played with plenty of dash, but was continually offside. Conradson was easily the best back for Diggers, but the other backs were all reliable. Egan, Willoughby, Parker and Taylor were particularly noticeable among their forwards. Mr T. Irving was referee. 'Two games will be played next Sunday. when Pirates and Cronatlun juniors meet at 1.15 p.m., and Junction Diggers play Ikamatua at 2.30 p.m. Mr AL Banks will referee the former, while Mr T. Irving will control the latter game. 'The West port Rival juniors purpose playing here against the local juniors on August 6th. They have an undefeated record this season, so it behoves our lads to get into form and have the pleasure of being the first to 1 v, er their colours. BARRYTOWN v. CHARLESTON. (Contributed.) Great interest .was evinced in the return football match, Charleston v. Brrrytown, which took place at the latter place last Saturday afternoon. The boys from the southern township had suffered defeat at the hands of their northern neighbours at Charleston a fortnight previously, and hud decided that at their next meeting the tables would be turned on the victors. Such proved to be the case, for, :.t the conclusion of a hard fought game, Barry town were victorious by three points to nil. As tin l distance between the two once famous gold mining townships —now devoted chiefly to pastoral pursuits — is some 39-odd miles, ami can be accomplished only on horse back —much of it being merely a narrow bush track —it was necessary to get : n early start to accomplish the journey in daylight. Hence at an early hour on Friday morning the party, some 20 strong, headed by the manager, Mr J. 11. Powell, and accompanied by prominent supporters, including Messrs Aicher, Roy Powell, McCarthy, and Price, set off on their long fide, and re: uhed Barrytown as the shades of night were falling. They were met on arrival by Messrs Ryall, Dennchv, Mullins, Ryan, I’agerlund, ami other prominent local supporters and players, and accorded a hearty welcome to the southern township. At night the visitors were entertained at. a smoke concert in the social hall, when a couple of pleasant hours were spent in song, toast, and story. The abnormal spell of fine weather which we were enjoying of late showed signs of breaking up, and many were the prognostications for the morrow. The day proved boisterous, and an ugly cross-wind swept the ground with occasional bursts of showers. The high wind, coupled with the greasy state of the ground, made safe handling of the ball difficult, and, consequently, the fame was confined chiefly to the forwards. Nevertheless the backs—particularly the home side —gave occasional glimpses of what was to be expected of them had the day been fine. One of these passing bouts resulted in the only score of the day. As it was the first football match ever played in Barrytown, great interest centred round the event, and the population turned out on masse to watch the match. Charleston won the toss and Barrytown kicked off against a high wind. The game surged up and down the field with great vigor, and created great excitement amongst the onlookers. First one side, then the other, gained the advantage, but half-time sounded with no score. Though the wind had died down somewhat, it was expected that, : flor their showing in the first spell, Barrytown would prove easy victors when they turned round for the second half. After the game had been in progress some time, however, it was evident that their strenuous battle against the wind in the first spell had taken much of the sting out of their attack. Although sever;! times within an ace of scoring, over-eagerness amongst the forwards robbed them of several tries, ami it was not until three parts through the game that their efforts were awarded with success, as the result of a brilliant passing movement amongst the backs. Shortly : fterwards the whistle sounded with no further addition to the score. Although the game was a strenuous one, the best of good feeling prevailed throughout, ami there was an absence of any serious accident. Mr E. Smith, of Runanga, controlled the game in his usual efficient manner. In the evening a ball was tendered the visitors by the Barrytown Club, and a most enjoyable time was spent, visitors being present from Runanga ami elsewhere. On Sunday morning the visitors set a,ff on their return journey being loud in their praises of the hospitality received, and looking forward to a return trip next year. Advantage was taken of tho presence of the visitors to hold a mooting urging on tho authorities the advisability of the early completion of the unfinished portion of the main road between Punakaiki and Brighton—a distance of only about seven miles—thus rendering possible motor communication Reefton, thereby shortening the journey betweea the, ports by over 40 miles.