FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1937, Page 2

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES. SENIORS. The weather wag all that could be desired for play on Saturday. Cass Square was in good order though heavy and there was no wind. Two senior games took place on the ground, and both displays were very disappointing. The Pirates-Ross match was hardly class enough for juniors, and the handling and passing was shocking. There was hardly one bright episod through the game worthy of senior players. The teams on the play were evenly matched, and it was quite a reversal of form to find Ross ; top on the list of games played so far, unable t penetrate the defence of Pirates. 1 pointless draw was a fair criterion, though Pirates had more possibilities.

Oh No. 2 ground, Kiwi and United also played a pointless draw, but this was due to the failure of the placekickers. R. Roberts had a penalty right in front and two other shots wi in range and missed badly, while the opposing captain, Gilbert, had lost th charm of his kicking, and four shots within range failed, and badly at that. Iviwf had a a couple of chances of scoring in the first five minutes, and several others at intervals during the game, .while United had several chances, one almost a fact, as the player did cross, but had gone out just on the corner. The game was a very ragged one as far as passing and handling was concerned, both sides being equally at fault. The only feature of satisfactory interest was the solid tackling of both teams, and no one during the whole game got far away from tackling opponents. There were also several unnecessary incidents in which edgee tempers wore nearly over the edge, alid the referee had occasion to draw the attention of'a couple of players to play the game.

A palpable wrong ruling was given in the Pirates-Ross match when from a scrum on the line, the ball was heeled light back over the line, and forced, a force down being given.

PIRATES v. ROSS. In a hard fought and earnest game played on No. 1 ground at 3 p.m., Ros s seniors, undefeated in the senior competition met and drew with Pirate seniors, neither side securing any score. 1 he ground was wet and soggy and play provided unimpressive football. Jn the Pirate pack, Thorpe and Growcott were always noticeable but all the forwards played a hard game. Of the backs, Agnew and MeGlashan were the most impressive while Pfhalert featured in some determined runs. For Ross, J. Jones in the forwards was prominent in all movements. Mason the full-back played a sound game and Strange at half certainly proved his ability to get the ball away cleanly to the backs. Smith on the left wing also shone in the first spell but did not get many opportunities in the second.

Pirates kicked off and Ross forwards were soon hot on the attack taking play into Pirate territory where Ross were awarded a penalty just outside Pirates 25. Jones’ attempt failed and a touch-down resulted. Play centred around Pirates 25 but from a scrum, following a knock 011 by a Ross player, MeGlashan with a good kick cleared, a line out near half way resulting. Both packs of forwards engaged in a series of rushes and from a scrum about midway between halfway and Ross 25 a Pirate rush took the ball over the Ross goal-line hut a timely force averted a try. Pirates continued to press hard in Ross territory and from a: scrum 5 yards from the goal-line Pirates hooked the ball but a Ross player cleared saving an awkward situation.

From a line-out about 40 yards from Ross goal-line, Growcott took the ball well into Ross 25. From a scrum McGlashan handed on to Agnew and play again hovered near the Ross goal-line hut Ross again cleared. A passing move by Ross took play over the half way line and from a resulting serum Ross forwards pressed on into Pirates 25 but an opening made by Davidson gave Pfhalert a good run gaining about 20 yards. Ross took play back to Pi rates 25 and play continued to centre between both 25’s. A free kick to Ross when Pirates were attacking, gave Jones an opportunity to gain valuable ground and put Pirates on the defence again. From a scrum outside Pirates 25, Ross were awarded a penalty but Jones’ kick was a poster and play was taken hack to half way. Half time was soon afterwards called with Ross attacking in Pirates 25.

Tn the second spell play centred about half way for the first 10 minutes or so and then Pfhalert featured in a good run down the side line being held up about 5 yards short, of the goalline.

Ross took play back to half way and after several scrums Smith the Ross wing had a good run when Pfahlert broke away dribbling the ball to within 5 yards of the Ross goal-line but Mason the full-hack saved. Pirates cent nued to press hard hut a twenty-five relieved Boss defence. From a line-out near half-way, Davidson took the ball into Ross 25 and soon after Pirates were awarded a penalty within range but Agnew's attempt was a poor one. From 1 line out inside Ross 25 defence was turned into attack, with the result that Boss very nearly went over in what would have been a handy position near the posts. Ross were now handling better and although Pirates cleared from a serum Ross backs swept into Pirates 25 where Agnew had a busy time sav-

ing his side on several occasions. Ross however pressed oil Pirates goal-line and from a serum a scramble for the gall gave Pirates a lucky force. McGlashan cleared from a scrum on Urates 25. Ross again took play to Pirates goal-line but when in a scoring position Ross backs fumbled badly and lost a golden opportunity. 1 Time was called soon after with Ross attacking and the match ended, after a hard tussle, in a draw. Mr J. Collision controlled the game.

KIWI V. UNITED. The conditions were good and the attendance very fair. United and Kiwi teams in the earlier stages of their drawn game attracted more attention than did the teams in the other game, the play being more strenuous. The visitors did the more attacking at the outset, Caldwell being prominent. Gilbert was then called on to save frequently, and proved an obstacle to the Kiwis, who showed themselves very fit. Roberts did useful wbrk in the backs, while the full-back, Stapleton, won plaudits by his safe handling and kicking. Kwis had the better of play in the middle stages, and among their forwards Garden, Wieblitz and Diedricli were always noticeable, and more than once had United defending very hard. Gilbert came up from lull-back in the second half, but it was not till the last quarter that the visitors became dangerous. One passing bout saw Caldwell go over in the corner, but he had put a foot out-. Mr Butland was referee.

EXCELSIOR v STAR Excelsior defeated Star seniors at Rugby Park by thirteen points to six after a vigorous . forward tussle, in which the honours were even. Excelsior were favoured with a strong cross wind in the first spell, alter which it died down completely. After Star had been attacking solidly lor about 10 minutes, Innis kicked across-field and over the line. In a race for the ball Noonan just won. Stuart failed to goal.—Star 3 ; Excelsior 0. Hammond I was soon after caught offside and Davidson goaied, the ball striking the J cross-bar and bouncing over. Connelly, who played an outstanding game for Stars, soon figured in a neat cut-in which gave Mann an opportunity and he outstripped the opposition to score wide. Connelly just failed to goal with a good kick.—Star 6; Excelsior 3. Excelsior backs then figured' in a passing movement in which all the back-line handled except the centre, when Bruhn sent out a long pass to Conning, the winger, and he had almost a clear passage to score near the corner. Davidson goaied with a great, effort. The ball struck the upright and swerved in over the bars. —Excelsior 8 ; Star 6. Davidson, King and several other Excelsior forwards broke away in a passing rush hut a knock-on near the line spoiled a likely try. Half-time was then called. The second-half provided less interesting football tlpiUthe opening one. The Star hooker. Walsh, hooked with great regularity, but Star backs failed to turn their opportunities to account. Excelsior forwards worked their way to the Star line and following a scrum Flowers scored in a handy position. Davidson goaied.—Excelsior 13; Star 6. Star made the,; best endeavours to reduce the leewa*yfbut Excelsior held them in midfield until the final whistle. Mr C. H. Hoskin was the referee ,

COBDF.N v. CELTIC Superior team work and a good understanding amongst the backs gave Cohden a 17 to 6 win over Celtic seniors on the No. 2 ground at Rugby Park. Spencer opened the scoring for Cobden, when he broke away for a try from an opening made by King. Celtic gained their first try when Reid made a brilliant dasli down the sideline, fending off several players. Heaphy then put Celtic in the lead by goalina from a penalty. Gilmour broke away from a scramble and scored for Cobden evening the tally. Kirkwood gave Cobden a lead just before the interval when he goaied from a penalty. Spencer went off in the second half and was replaced by Barlow. Cobden backs combined in a neat movement and A. Vaughan scored. Eggleton was next to score for Cobden, cutting througn the defence in a good dash. King goalod. Mr McLaughlin was referee. BLAKETOWN v KUMAR A Blaketown seniors outpointed Kumara, at Kumara, .by 22 points to 3. Mr N. Eggleton was referee. RESULTS

Senior: Ross 0, Pirates 0. Excelsior 13, Star 6. L T nited 0, Kiwi O. Blaketown 22, Kumara 3. Cobden 17, Celtic 3. Junior: Star 6, Celti c 3. Blaketown 7, Cobden 3. United 8, Kumara 0. Kokatahi 11, Excelsior B 0. Arahura 14, Pirates 3. Third Grade : Blaketown 38, United 6. Technical defaulted-to Cobden Celtic 9, Star 6. School 9, Excelsior 8.

POSITION OF TEAMS The position of teams in the senior competition after Saturday’s matches are as follows: Boss 7; Excelsior 6: United 5 ; Kiwi 5; Pirates 5: Cobden 4; Blaketown 4; Star 4; Celtic 0; Kumara 0. JUNIOR GAME'. Playing on No. 1 ground at 1.30 p.m.

Kokatalii juniors secured a win over Excelsior B, tile limil, score being 11 to nil. The winning forwards had the best of the game and were always on the ball. For Kokatalii scores were secured by A. Marshall. C. Monk and l<. Havil, L. Cron converting one . Mr J. Bannister controlled the match. Played at Arahura, a match between Pirates and Arahura juniors, resulted in a win for Arahura by 14 points to A. Mr H. Staines controlled the match. THIRD GRADE. After a hard and gruelling game School third grades secured a win over Excelsiors by the narrow margin 'ol one point the score being 9 points to 8 in School’s favour. For the winners Diedrichs (2) and Ashley (1) scored unconverted tries while for Excelsiors, Robinson and Coulson were the trygetters, Groufskv converting one. Mr Ttii See beck controlled the game.

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