FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1929, Page 3

FOOTBALL

WESTLAND v. GREY

This senior B. representative game took place on Cass Square and resulted in a win for Westland by 13 points (two tries converted, and a penalty goal) to 6 points (a try and a penalty goal).

The .game was a pecular one. 111 the opening spell Westland attacked and had all the best of the play, but bad handling by the inside backs spoiled many openings.. The second time the ball went past Westland’s half way, a long kicked was mullied in front of the goal posts, and Grey getting up, and a mis-kick following, Jamieson got up to pick up and drop over for a very soft try. The kick at goal failed. Back went the play to Grey quarters, and a lot of forward loose play folloed in which Ryan, King and Dougherty were noticeable. Then a free kick in range saw Schroder equalise with a nice goal.—3-3 Play was not long started again before a Grey passing rush saw the ball go into Westland quarters, and from a penalty allowed for offside Jenkins kicked a nice goal, making Grey—6-3. Westland forwards continued to attack but the defence held good. Dougherty twice broke away, once the full-back stopped him and almost ini media tel 3 after ho went past the full-back, but lost the ball on the line, a force resulting. The closing incident of the first half was a very fine kick by Martin that gained fully seventy yards. The second half opened with a lot of poor play, neither side shoving to advantage. ’ Then the Grey backs began to handle and Jenkins broke away to run half the field on his own. With a lot of his own men round him, the ball Was muddled and R. King made a very fine save. Wild passing sa-w some bad results, and the Grey forwards getting the ball continually in tho scrum it looked as if Westland were done. Tho solid tackling of the forwards however kept the attack down and though the Grey backs were kicking much further than Westland with the exception of Martin, there was not a great deal of advantage to either side. With twenty minutes to go just when Westland were expected to go to pieces they took a new lease of life and the backs got going with the brightest episodes of the day. ,A. nicie run opened by A. King and Webster saw Stopforth break through but his pass was very wild and finished tho movement. Away, went play back to Grey twenty-five in which a fine tackle by A. King was very noticablc. Then from the scrum McCleary opened out and Wolbster Stopforth. King, and 'Schroder handling well the latter went over to score a pretty try, easily, the. best movement of the day. Martin converted with a neat kick and the score was— B-6. With seven minutes to go Grey attacked with aloose forward rush and had mulling by tho home backs saw the ball go to their line where a lucky force down saved a very near tiling. Back vent the ball to the other end and a fine dash by Stopforth and Schroder looked dangerous, but safe tackling slopped the play and a line out was foimed From a following scrum McCleary got possession and with a snappy, dodging run gave the dummy very successfully and went ovlar to score a gieat try under tho posts. Martin again converted and the score was—l 3-6. Time was called a moment later with play at the centre. Tho game was pot of a very bright nature. There were some, nice dashes but faulty handling by both sides spoilt much of the play and the passing of the inside backs 011 both sides was of the poorest. The passes that McCleary and. Jenkins gave most of the game were not worthy of any players much less players of such experience. The Grey full-back gave a very nice exhibition of handling and kicking as good as has been given on tire ground this year. He never made a mistake and put up a very fine performance. None of the other backs got through without making many mistakes, Jenkins made many fine openings but as stated before absolutely spoilt his openings by awful passes. The forwards were beaten in the first half, but in the first half hour of the second spell took charge and got the ball incessantly, but it did not avail. For Westland the forwards strove steadily all through. Their tackling as quite solid and sound and their loose rushes good. Ryan, Dougherty A. King and 'Bannister were always in evidence. The backs did .not show up consistently except R. King and the two youngest Martin, a new arrival who has a wonderfully strong boot and Schroder. McCleary, Webster, and Stopforth made fine dashes, but the advantage was thrown away by the wildest of passing, and their tackling at times was only very medium. The sparkle in the last quarter of an hour showed however what they can do if they had only settled down. Mr. Williamson was referee.

JUNIOR REPS. HOKITIKA- BEAT GREY. Before a good attendance the visiting Hokitika junior reps, defeated Greymouth at Victoria Park on Saturday. The game was interesting, and some flashes df good football were seen. Hokitika backs were superior to the home team, while Greymouth forwards dominated in the loose. The scrummaging, was very weak. The scores, 13-11, were a good indication of the play, Hokitika deserving their vic-

tory for their attempts in opening up the game. The teams .were as follow:

Hokitika (blue): —Hamilton, Keller, Stapleton, Agnew, Parker, Muir, Boyd, Kelly, Palmer, Diedriclis, Osmers, Inglis, Growcott, Gardyne.

Greymouth (blue and white) Lindbom, Olsen, Haig, Baldwin, Taafe, Stevens, Gordon, Saunders, Sparks, Cooper, Furness, Wilson, Leydon, Dunwoodie, Shuttlewortb. Play centred at half way until Taafe and Baldwin brought play to Hokitika’s line, where Keller relieved. Grey hooked the ball from the scrums, but their backs were weak, the bail being dropped from passes on several occasions when a try might have eventuated. Hokitika went close to scoring when Inglis snapped up the ball from a scramble, and dived towards the line, but was pulled back. Hamilton accepted the return and drew first blood with a fine field goal.—Hokitika 4. Greymouth 0. Grey worked back to Hokitika’s 25, where a promising back movement, was spoiled when Taalfe dropped a pass. Grey forwards kept Hokitika penned in the latter’s 25, where Lindbom missed the goal from a penalty. Two more penalties were awarded Grey, Saunders having bad luck when his kick at goal fell short. Hokitika now took a turn in attacking, and Stapleton finalised a brilliant back movement by scoring wide out. Hamilton missed the increase with a good effort.—Hokitika 7, Greymouth 0. Shortly afterwards Grey opened their scoring account when Lindbom landed a good goal.—Hokitika 7, Greymouth 3. Hokitika were awarded two penalties on end, Hamilton gaining applause by two fine attempts at goal from near the half-way mark. Play centred round the middle of the field unfil 1 Taafe snapped up the leather and made tracks for the Hokitika line, and evading (four of his opponents, left the vest standing, going over amidst a round ol applause. Saunders failed to increase the total.—Hokitika 7. Greymouth 6. After the half-time spell, Hokitika put the home team on the defence by way of several back movements, Osmcrs finally crossing the line, to make the tally Hokitika 10, Greymouth 6. This reverse put Grey month on their mettle and after several determined attacks Gordon went over from a scramble. O’Donnel putting the home team 111 front by goaling Ifrom a difficult angle. —Hok'kitika 10, Greymoutli 11. Some good play was witnessed by both sides Hamilton again just missing the goal from a difficult anglg. In the last few minutes Hokitika again assumed tho lead when Diedriclis penetrated the defence to score the. winning try, Hamilton failing to goal, the game shortly after finishing with the final score.— Hokitika 13, Greymouth 11.

Mr A. Warnes made a very satisfactory referee.

SEDDON SHIELD. .. WEST COAST BEATEN. „ [By Telegraph, Per Press Association. 1 NELSON, July 27. For the Seddon Shield match the ground was in splendid order and tho weather beautifully fine. A crowd of over 3000 gathered to witness the first shield game of the season. The teams were:— Nelson: Boyce, Wells, White, Snodgrass, 11. Fowler (enpt.), Noble-Adanis. F. Fowler, Young, W. ’ Snow, H. Snow, Sutton, Murphy, Taylor, Walsh. Everett. West Coast were as selected. From the kick-off, Coast nearly scored from a forward rush to the corner However, Nelson gradually forced the play to Coast’s line where Nightingale saved brilliantly A West Coast forward was caught badly offside, and paid full penalty for his infringement. Snodgrass kicking a very nice goal for Nelson. NELSON 3: WEST COAST 0

R. Fowler broke away (from Nelson’s 25, then cut in and sent the ball to Adams and White, who made a great dash, but gave a weak pass, which threw away, a try for the home team. After this Adams put Nelson in an attacking position with good line lucking. Nelson hooked the ball from the scrum, the half, F. Fowler, sending it to Adams and on to R. Fowler who cut in through the opposing backs, beating five Coasters before he was brought down in.front of the posts, hut White sprang on the hall for a try which Fowler converted.

NELSON 8 : WEST COAST 0 From the kick-off the Coast forwards again pressed to Nelson’s 25, but had no combination. Adams picked up the ball while in scrummage in front of the home posts, and Bell missed a glorious chance of kicking three points. Nelson went to 11 points with a brilliant passing rush by the backs, the ball travelling (from the half to the winger, Snodgrass, who streaked home from the 25yds. line. Snodgrass’s kick was a good one, but missed.

NELSON II: WEST COAST 0. Hughes and Birss'were at this stage temporarily injured. Another brilliant back movement by Nelson added points to their tally. F. Fowler sent the ball to Adams who cut in and passed, but the leather went astray, till F. Fowler dashed along, fielded and sent it to Wells, and on to Snodgrass who finished off the movement in the corner with a spectacular try. He failed to convert. NELSON 14: WEST COAST 0 Snodgrass was proving a difficult man for the Coast to stop. Fong ended one of the Nelson winger’s canters

by pushing him into touch when a try looked certain. , West Coast reached Nelson territory by a long kick through by Fong, and from a scrummage near the line, Davidson gave (Nelson a surprise by dash ing round the scrum and over the line for a spectacular try. No goal resulted.

WEST COAST 3: NELSON 14

Davidson’s nippy solo dash with its resulting points bucked up the Coast supporters. In fact it was the only ray of hope shown by the Coast in the whole spell. There was no further score till half time. . There was a different tale to tell in the second half, however, when for the greater part <rf the time Coast were in Nelson territory, and repeatedly the backs and forwards attacked, but play was too individual for advantages to profit. Hagar and Freitas carried a forward movement over tbre’e parts the length of the ground. Coast made great efforts to get across, first For and then Hagar making dashes for t' < line, but the Nelson defence was good. Alien the Coast backs, Dayids' ’ Houston, Mason, and Fong went away again, but Nelson forced down. Nelson held a temporary advantage from the kick out, but Adams’ and Fowler’s weak combination allowed the Coast forwards to get through to the line, where for-five minutes they made desperate efforts to get across. • The reward came in tlib 'form of a free kick; Hughes sending over a beauty. WEST COAST 6: NELSON 14 / For ten minutes the Coasters showed more vim and their hooking improved out of sight, resulting in Coast having a greater -share of attack. However, the Nelson 1 forwards came to light with a great dash, the backs com : ing up behind and F. Fowler sent the ball to Adams and A. Fowler, who went to Coast’s full-back and then sent Wells dashing over the line for a try. Snodgrass again sent the ball between the uprights.

NELSON 19: WEST COAST 6 Hughes, Birss and Freitas now opened up a passing rush, and after a short bold up, Houston made a strong run for the line. The attack was met with superb defence, and Snodgrass bounded away for the Coast line, until upset by Nightingale. Coast had the better of the second half, and played a rugged attacking game, but they were too individual, and.the backs lacked understanding. On the 19th occasion that Nelson was penalised, Hughes kicked another goal, making the score—

WEST COAST 9: NELSON 19 Through a Nelson pass going astray Kong intercepted and led an attack to the Nelson quarters, when a Coast (forward brainlessly "threw a try away by kicking • far'over “the Nelson line, allowing the home team to force down. Nelson were penalised nineteen times, and Coast on nine occasions. Mr J. Wilson, of Wellington, refereed. Final score: NELSON 19: WEST COAST 9 Hagar and Freitas were West Coast’s best forwards in the loose, while the hookers secured the ball at will in the second spell. Davidson• and Fom shared the honours as the host backs. Nightingale took the ball cleanly. OHIRSTCHRCH RESULTS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 27. There wore no competition Rugby matches to-day, all being postponed for the annual Town v. Country game, which was on by Country % 9 points to 8.

BARRY CUP MATCH. POVERTY BAY BEAT WAIROA. WAIROA, July 27. Poverty Bay heat Wairoa here this afternoon in a match for the Barry Cup, by sixteen points to eleven, after a wiry even game on a heavy ground. MANAWATTJ DEFEAT BUSH. PAHIATU, July 27. At Rugby to-day, Manawatu heat Bush by 14 to 9, in an open and spectacular contest. TARANAKI RESULTS. HA\?ERA, July 27.

The southern division in the Taranaki senior Rugby matches to-day resulted as follows:—Hawera 15 beat Waimate nil; Opunako 6, beat Okaiaya 3; Kaponga 9 beat Patea G; Athletic 21, beat ’Eltham 9. PEACE CUP. HAMILTON, July 27. A match for the Peace Cup was played to-day. Morrinsville drew with Thmes 10 all. Morrinsville retains the Cup. DUNEDIN RESULTS. Alhambra 19, Zingari 0. Taieri G, Union 0. Varsity A 27, Pirates 5. Kaikorai 17, Varsity B 4.