FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1930, Page 3

FOOTBALL

WESTLAND v. MERIVALE This game was played on Cass Square yesterday afternoon and resulted in a win for Westland by 25 points (7 tries, two being converted) to nil. The game proved a. disappointing one, the visitors making a very poor display. In no particular phase did they show any quality play. The game developed into a. hard forward tussle, in.which Westland had much the better of the scrums, a lot of hard close in tackling in which players got intermingled oil:the ball, causing repeated blowing ol| the whistle for further scrums, and some passing efforts by the home*team. In the passing runs the visitors were badly outclassed, and on many occasions only faulty passes or faulty handling spoilt further scores when the play was in the visitors’ quarters. There were a very large number of penalties given through the game, the home team having treble the quantity given against them to what their opponents suffered, mainly through oveir eagerness of the forwards, and the tendency of the hacks to get offside in passing runs. A had feature was the majority failure to use the touchline to advantage, most of the kicks being of very little advantage- to the kicker. Martyn was the exception, and on occasion he gained long: lengths of the. field with helty punts. Ihe visitors had several shots at goal from within range, but this section of the offence was no better than other sections. All the Westland placekickiug was entrusted to Martyn and though he only got two goals, his efforts were nearly always good ones. /Most of the tries were within a few feet of tiie corner flag and so his efforts had to he specially good, on one failure the hall hitting tlie upright and going on the outside. The play had only been started a few minutes when the hall went into tlie visitors’ quarters a.id a free kick relieved. Houston pushed hack the attack and a scrum followed a line out from ten yards out, from whi.li Davidson secured, and went round on tlie bind .side to cross the line. Alartyn’s shot hit the outside of tlie post—3—o. Midfield play was followed by Houston breaking through and kicking, Martyn following and kicking through followed up fast, hut was just beaten for the hall, a force resulting. Play still continued in Merivale quarters, free kicks relieving. Then Dawson secured from a scrum and a passing run saw Houston. J. King, Pfahlert and R. King handle, the latter scoring at the co. ner. The shot at goal failed—6—o. The next incident of interest was an interception by Doreen of Davidson’s pass out, and he went through for fifty yards, but the local forwards soon retrieved,, and a passing run saw J. King, ‘Houston,. Pfahlert, Martyn and hack to Pfahlert, who scored at the corner Martyn again failed—9 —0. Soon after, the attack went back again and R. King made a fine dash to the line, where lie lost the ball but Hagar picked up and scored. Martyn again failed. 12—0. Half-time came soon after-.

Early in the second half a Merivale player was injured and went off. The play was on the visitors’ border at the time, and from the scrum the ball came out and the hacks beat the opposition badly, Pfahlert going over, with a fellow player on his right waiting for the ball if necessary. Martyn this time converted with a nice kick—17—0. The play had now lost most of its interest, only penalties against the Home team holding up their repeated attacks and the quality of the play got- poorer. Two more tries came to Westland by passing runs, the visitors being well beaten, Martvn scoring the two tries, and from the. first one he, landed a fine goal from the touchline. Uninteresting play followed, there being several stoppages for temporary injuries received bv visiting players, and time being called, Westland bad won by 25 to nil. Mr E. W. Heenan was referee.

WEST COAST KEPS TO PLAY

BULLER

The following players have been se letted to represent the West Coast in their match with Puller at Greymouth on Saturday next, after which a combined Bulier-Coast team will be select ed to meet the Britishers: Full-back—Jenkins (United). Three-quarters —Jamieson (L nited). Fong (Stars), Martvn (Excelsiors). Five-eighths—T. King (Excelsiors). M. Houston (Rivals). Half—Davidson (Excelsiors). Wing-forward—Dennehy (Rivals).

Hookers—Bell (capt. Brunner), Moynihnn (Rivals). Lock—Dougherty (Excelsiors). Sides—Freitas (Excelsiors), A. Wilson (United). Back row—Ferguson (United), Rathbun (United). Reserves —Forwards : Hughes .(Excelsiors), Roll (Blaketown). Backs: Pfahlert (Rivals), R. King (Excelsiors). GREY v. INANGAHUA. The following have been selected to represent Grey against Inangnhua at victoria Park on SaturdayHannam. Mason, Sexton. Lemin. Kennedy. Taafe Rimnier, Saunders, Moffitt, Shannahaii, Neal, Meredith, Mead, E.ggelton, Scott. Reserves, hacks : Bunt and Negri; forwards: McDonald and Dimond.

CANTERBURY TEAM

CHRISTCHURCH. June 3

A trial game between Possibles and Probables ’teams, with a view to the selection of the Canterbury team to meet the Britishers next Saturday was played this afternoon at Lancaster