RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1938, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WEST COAST,FIXTURES. Of the four senior matches set dotvn by the West Coast Rugby Union on Saturday for play in the knockout coihpetition, only one was played, that between Blaketowh and Celtic, which the former side won 'convincingly by 11 points to nil. The three Hokitika teams. Kiwi, Excelsior and Pirates, defaulted to Cobaen, Stars, and United respectively. Stars are the only side to have won their two games so far in the competition and are likely to repeat their championship success. The weather conditions were atrocious, and it would not have been surprising to have seen all of the games off.

MATCHES AT HOKITIKA. Playing on No. 1 ground, Cass Square, at 1.30 p.m., Excelsior thirdgrades defeated Old Boys (Westport) third-grades, by 9 points to 3. For tlio winners, W. Ross, Baltrop and C. Atkinson scored unconverted tries. Mr D. Stuart bad control of the game. A junior game played between Kokutahi and White Star (Westport), on No. 2 ground at 1.30 p.m., resulted in a win for Kokatahi by 17 points to 5. ASHBURTON’S EASY WIN. (Per Press Ass xnatiou —Copyright). ASHBURTON, September 17. • At Rugby, Ashburton outclassed South Canterbury, winning by 29 points to 3, in a fast and open game. The home team was superior in all departments, and was much improved since its game against McKenzie County last Saturday. The pace was fast throughout, with no slackening in the second spell. Good hooking gave Ashburton the ball almost every time, allowing their backs to have the better of the play' The kicking by Belirns, the Ashburton full-back, was a feature of the play. CANTERBURY BEAT BULLER. CHRISTCHURCH, September 17. Showing flashes of top provincial form, Canterbury beat Buller at Lancaster Park this afternoon by 23 points to 9 in their second last representative matches of the season. The winners scored four tries, all converted by Nolan, in addition to a penalty goal kicked by Hunter.

The second spell produced the more attractive football, for after a lot of vigorous play in the tight the backs at last got the opportunities they wanted on the hard ground, and made full use of them. It was really when Hooper and Hadlee found their feet that Canterbury’s attack gathered momentum.

Handicapped by the absence of three key players, including their captain, Buller put up a splendid fight throughout, and at no stage could they he treated lightly. Three more men had to be replaced during the course of the, game. In spite of this fuller kept on throwing their weight into things, and actually ratted on nine points m two scintillating bursts just before the final whistle. Alexander, 1 one of trie smartest first five-eighths seen on the •oval this season put over a field goal and also made the opening from whichK. Brown scored. Other outstanding Buller hacks were A. Dunn, Weenink, and Butterfield.

The Buller forwards worked as a pack, and they were well led throughout. At many stages they dominated play and were unlucky that Mason was not there to help them along. Canterbury led 8 nil 'at half-time. The Canterbury tries were scored by Hadlee, Fright, Pearson and Saundercook, Nolan converting the four, and Hunter kicking a penalty. For Buller, Alexander scored a try which Dunn converted.

The Canterbury second grade representative team played a match with a Buller B team as a curtainraiser to the principal game at Lancaster Park to-dav. •

At half; time, Canterbury led 14 to nil, and the final score wasNCanterbury 19, Buller B 6.

DITTMAN SHIELD.TEAM. The following team has been chosen by the selector, Mr J. Steele, to represent Grey in the match for the Dittman Shield, against Smith Westland, next Saturday, at Wataroa:

Backs: Full-back : Lindbom. Threequarters: King, Lynch, Vaughan. Five-eighths: Mann, Costelloe. Halfback: Williams. Forwards: Front, Kirkwood, Olsen, Bowes. Middle: Blair. Hammond, Glen, Pascoe, Back: Connolly, Emergencies : Clancy (back/; I). Wilson (forward).

WELLINGTON BEAT MANAWATU

WELLINGTON, September 18

After being five points down with five minutes tci go, a Wellington representative Rugby teairi beat Manawatu by 16 points to 11. The game was not a scientific display, but both sides excelled'in keen bustling tactics. Except for Tindill, Lambourn, and Pollock, the Wellington team was a B team, and Manawatu was without the All Black McKenzie.

Manawatii’s spoiling work was particularly effective on defence. Buick scored for Manawatu in the first few minutes. Powell converted. A penalty goal by* Pollock for Wellington w?s the only other score in the first half, hut at the beginning of the second half lie kicked another and put Wellington ahead. Buick scored another try and Powell kicked ,a penalty goal, putting Manawatu ahead, 11.6; but in the last five minutes the home side took charge. Wareham and Carter scored tries, Pollock converting both. HAWKE’S BAY WIN. HASTINGS, September 18. Playing on a brick-hard ground at Napier, the Hawke’s Bay Rugby representatives convincingly beat Auckland by 37 points to 11 on Saturday. Auckland was superior , in the set scrums and had more than its share of the ball, but in loose play Hawke’s Bay was markedly superior, with short, fast passing forward rushes dis- - organising the Auckland pack and leading to many scores. Both sets of backs wer<; sound, but Auckland could seldom penetrate the Bay defence. Thomas, who took Bradley’s • place at first five-eighth, had a day out, scoring 19--points.-for Hawke’s Bay.. OTAGO 18—WELLINGTON 8. DUNE DIN, September 17. In the filial match of the season, Otago defeated •Wellington - by. 18 (Continued on Page 3).