RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1934, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WESTLAND COMPETITIONS EXCELSIOR DEFEATS PIRATES Each team weakened by absentees, ELkcelsijor sand Pirates met at Class Square on Saturdayafternoon in the: deciding match of the senior competition 1 . ltain fell during most of theafternoon', and there was only a handful of spectators in the: grandstand. Excelsior lacked the services of King, Freitas, -and Hughes, whi-lp Pirates were without. Pfahlert.

The playing conditions were against bright rugby from the start, and thefirst spell was. a series of forward movements,. Pirates having slightly the better of things., Excelsior in .'turnheld ‘favour after the interval, and! their backs more than once came into, the picture. Tries were scored by Muir and Davidson, giving Excelsior the victory by six points to nil Playing on the ether ground Ross had no difficulty in defeating Kiwi, whose ranks included several juniors., winning by 24 to nil. Ross were on: the offemiive almost throughout the match.

COAST TEAM v. BULLER. ■ The Coast team to play Buller at Westport on Saturday •is -as follow; G. Gilbert (U.) • C, Schroder (L.Br.). Agnew (P.), A, Ki-ng (C-) ;. S-.. Hendry (S.), A. Fong (S.) ; B. Scandrett (S.); ,J. Mahoney (<C.), Ai. Bowes, (5..), M -Kelly (Ex.). W. McNejght (L. 8.), M Thomson. (U.), F. Freitas (Ex.), R. King (Ex.), L. -Hughes (Ex.). Emergencies: Backs, W. Vincent (U.), J. Beban (S.); forwards, E. Jones (LL), B. Ivelly (Ex.). E. Pfahlert (wing three-quarter) was not available.

INTER-ISLAND MATCH DRAWN AUCKLAND, July 7. The inter-Ishmd ltugby trial was played at Eden Park to-day and . resulted' in -a draw, eleven all, the North IsLa-nd scoring three tries, one of'which was converted, and the South Island two tries, one converted, and a penalty goaf "

Heavy rain fell at frequent intervals throughout the game and the ground was very heavy. As a result the crowd of oVer 15,000 did not s e -e much open fetball, but -a titanic struggle between two fine packs was ample recompense. In addition to Auckland followers of Rugby, some thousands of visitors witnessed the match, as twelve special trains had arrived, including one from Wellington with 500'. p-a-ssengcrsAand another from I 'New Plymouth with 300 passengers, and' others from Rotorua. Thames and -various small provincial centres. ‘ - ' lilt was an exciting game. " •

The forwards on both sides did some solid work, and each side pressed strongly to the attack. In the second spell G. A. Bulloek-Dougl-a-s. N. Corner and 1 H. McLean featured in most of the play. G. Ga.ffaney, B, King- and E. Holder were outstanding for South Island. Fookes (Taranaki 1 ) replaced' /Fuller (Wellington) a» wing three-quarter' in the- North Island team

The South had slightly the belter of tire first half when they were favoured with a strong easterly breeze. After a ragged opening, Oliver put the South o n attack with la fine solo dash but MtoEean -and Mahoney returned at the head -of the North forwards in a sweeping loose rush which- gained 60 yfil'ds. Two bade (movements broke down but from a- scramble on the line McLean scored and Collins goaled. North Island o, 'South Island 0. South replied with the finest movement of the match. From a loose rush, Gaf- j fancy sent the hacks away, Andrews came round on the outside of Holdef and then inpassed perfectly to the wjnger who scored between the post? Gaffaney go-aled. North Island 5 South Island 5. In spite of the heavy ball, the play moved rapidly for a while, Hjart and Caughey narrowly blissing tries -at either end. There were frequent scrum - penalties, and from one against North Island, Holder kicked a grand goal from a wide angle. South Island 8 - ; North Island 5. Sparkling play followed by the South backs but Page, backing up well, turned defence into attack with a great solo dash and then Holder nac- | od down the other- side line and sent infield to the forwards. A knock-on-held up the movement, but the -pack maintained the pressure and King forced his way over, after Collins hadfumbled badly. The kick was disallowed. Half time: South Island 11; North Island 5.

Emergencies on both sides were giv|on a trial in the second spell. After a thrilling run by Bullcck-Dougtas, McLean just missed a try. Lilburne who had replaced Griffiths, cut through well, but his pass to Caughey was too high. Then Oauahev in a solo effort missed the line by inches,, but from , the resulting scrum Page forced his way over on the blind side. The kick failed. South Island 11; North Island 82. North now definitely held the’ numr hand, Knight find Mahoney ,and Barry always-on the-balk BullbokPouglas. and Pookes each narrowly missed tries, but finally an accurately nlacod cro°s-kick saw Caughey qhfpk--1 v on the ball to hoot over the line for PaillnHc-D'mglas to score wide Collins kicked a poster. land 11; South Island 11. North maintained their superiority until .hear the end, butdlie greasy. attemnts pt handliwr saw several chances ; rro bpciffng. In the- last few minutes the South forward made desperate ef- j forts to the winding ppi-nte and i