RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1937, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S MATCHES

RESULTS

Senior: Blaketown 12, United 6, Pirates 12, Kumara 5. Star 26, Celtic 3. Excelsior 7, Cobden 6. Ross 7, Kiwis 3.

Junior: Pirates 11, Kiwis 0. Ross 6, Excelsior B 3

On a ground wet by recent rain and before a fair attendance, Excelsior sen ior s met Cobden in what proved a rather ragged game. The match which was won by Excelsior by 7 to 6, was expected to be a hard tussle, was disappointing in that neither teams ga . e a display which has earned them their high reputations. For Excelsiors Martin, Tainui and King were always noticeable in forward movements, while McCarthy was also prominent. In the backs, Davidson at half, played a sound game and Fleming at iirst live-eighths was always reliable and displayed initiative in opening up and starting back movements. Muir on the left wing featured in some hard and determined dasffSs down the side-line and Mackrell at full back was always safe. For the visitors Lind bom at full-back displayed shrewd judgment with his line kicking and Collins also played a good game. In the forwards Kirkwood and Gilmour were the most prominent. (Jobden, early in the first spell secured a penalty kick just inside Excelsiors 25 and Lindbom goaled from an easy position. Cob den 3, Excelsiors 0 Forward play followed and Excelsiors pressed heavily in their opponents’ 25. A Cobden man cleared but Mackrell taking the ball on the full and from a position right in front of the sticks, drop-kicked a. good goal. Excelsiors 4, Cobden 3.

* A try for Excelsiors followed when from a forward movement in which Fowler King and Tainui featured, the latter scored well out. Davidson’s attempt failed. Excelsiors 7, Cobden 3. When half-time was called the scores remained unchanged. In the second spell both teams livened up somewhat and some good passing movements were indulged in. Excelsiors pleased heavily and had Cobden’s defence sorely tested, but a good passing movement by the visiting backs took the play from their own 25 to midway between half-way and Excelsior’s 25. Shortly after, a Cobden forward went over for a. try well out. Lind bom’s kick missed. Excelsiors 7, Cobden 0. A try looked certain for Excelsiors when from a movement started by Fleming and supported by King, took play within about ten yards of the goal-ling,,.but Muir missed a good pass and the movement was spoilt.. A scrum followed but Excelsiors were penalised and a free kick tq Cobden relieved a dangerous situation.

Towards the finish Excelsiors cracked on the pace and although Davidson tried to work the blind side from scrums, five yards from Cobden’s goal-line, th* scores remained the same when time was called, giving Excelsiors a victory by the narrow margin of 1 point.

Mr D. Breeze controlled the game,

BLAKETOWN v UNITED

Blaketown defeated United by 12 to 6. The score was made up by a try and three penalty goals, United scoring a try and a penalty goal. The winners had much the best of the play.

STARS v. CELTIC

Star seniors were too good for Celtic in their, match at Cobden, winning 26-3. It was a hard forward game. At the interval, Stars led 6-0. Star backs showed out to advantage on several occasions in the second spell, particularly Noonan, Lines, and Connelly. Scorers for Stars were M. Connelly (2), J. Walsh, B. Stuart, J. Noonan, and H. Mathieson. W. Mann and H. Bailey each kicked penalties, and B. Stuart converted one try. D. Heaphy kicked a penalty for Celtic,

PIRATES 12, KUMARA 5

Pirates and Kumara provided - a good game at Kumara, the Westland team winning by 12 points to five.

ROSS 7, KIWIS 3

Another field goal gave Ross victory over Kiwis at Ross by seven points to three after an even game.

JUNIOR FIXTURES

Playing on No. 2 ground at 1.30 p.m. Kiwi juniors were defeated by Pirates, the scores being 11 points to nil. For Pirates O’Connor, and L. Well s scored a good try each, the former converting one and kicking a ; penalty goal. Mr Sloane controlled the frame. ROSS V. EXCELSIOR B.

Plaved on No, 2 ground at 3 p.m. a match between Excelsiors B and Bossjuniors resulted in a win for the latter by 6 points to 3. For the winners Finnerty and D. Thompson both scored good tries which were unconverted, while for Excelsiors B, James scored a trv after a good effort. For Excelsiors MclJoughall playing at second fi' e-eighth played both a good attacking and defensive game, making some commendable solo dashes. Mr J. Bannister controlled the match.

THIRD GRADE FIXTURE. Played at Woodstock, a match between Pirate and Excelsior third grades resulted in a win for the former by 21 points to 6. For the winners Freitas (J), Madgwiek (1), Keenan (2) scored tries, For Excelsiors, Groufsky (1), and Eastgate a penalty secured the points. Mr W T . Willoughby controlled the game.

SOME QUERIES

‘ Puzzled Has-Been” writes asking for an explanation of the following happenings oi! 1 Cass Square on Saturday .afternoon, which certainly puzzled some onlookers, without counting in the players:—

A player handling the ball fumbles, and another of the same side . comes back from the front and handles, right in front of the posts. —No penalty. A half back puts the ball in the scrum, behind his first line player’s feet. —No penalty. The same programme follows—a throw in again. The same programme followed again. A free kick penalty inflicted. Again the ball goes in, and this time it goes to the back of tlie front line player, and out the side. Play goes on—Why?

A player is tackled with the ball and goes down on the ground with a bump and the ball hits the ground, but Ins opponent picks up and goes on.—No whistle.

Again a player is tackled, and the ball is on the ground. He gets to his feet, picks up and runs.—No whistle. Again a player goes down with the ball and hangs on.—A free kick. Soon after the same tiling occurs. —A scrum. Perhaps the Referees Association can give an explanation ?