FOOTBALL.

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1920, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT

WOiN BY HIKURANGI

For good, fast exhibitions of the game by the best exponents the several Clubs could include in their teams, the seven-a-side tournament at Kensington Park yiesterday afternoon provided a treat for those present. Conisdering that the weather was such that none but downright enthusiasts would stand about in the open held on the side lines, the attendance was very ejncouragingjf. Good use was made of the grandstand, and a pleasing number oi' iadies attended. The contests ihroughout were fast, spectacular aiid keenly contested and some brilliant individual efforts by such exponents as the Finlaysons, the Lamlbs and Weston, W. George, W. Webley, Ryan, Lowe, Stevens, Hill, Hanion and the newly-tried Going gave opportunity for spectators to judge the high standard which foothall has attained in the district. 1 There was unfortunately an >dd number of teams entered—two from (Hikurangi, and one each from Kamo, United, and High School—and it was necessary to put on either scratch games to fill the gasps, or to have intervals between some of the contests to give the players a "breather" before taking the field again. lOn the first occasion upon which the option presented itself, the gap was filled iby a scratch game between United and High 'School, but in :he second case, no scratch team available, and an interval was unavoidable. Kamo, which secured- its place in the final contest with Hikurangi ? had previously played' two games to the opposing team's one. Hikurangi's pre. vious game moreover had been played early in the afternoon, whereas Kamo took the field twice in succession with results which ,were apparent in wearing down of their staying power during the final match against a team, which in any case, was the best in the competition. All the games were of a very dashing kind, the pace was hot, and the excitement at times very marked. KAMO v. HIKURANGI B. In the first match, between Kamo and Hikurangi B, the former had the best of the opening stages and a sustained attack compelled Hikurangi to force ? which in seven-a-side tournaments counts 1 point against the defenders. Maintaining the better of the play, Kamo added to their score Iby Going securing a good try, which "Bunny" Finlayson failed to convert. Kamo, 4; Hikurangi B, nil. Then Hikurangi took their turn attacking and Hewitt was unsuccessful) with a penalty kick, but subsequent fast following /up by the mining.township's representatives compelled Kamo to concede a force-down. Kamo, 4; Hikurangi B, 1. The next sqpre came from Going, who ■ intercepted near the 25 flag and ran inthough Cunningham almost got him in time to prevent the try. Whitelaw's kick for goal was fruitless and the spell ended with Kamo leading by 7 points to 1. The second spell was much more contested but just before the end of the ten-minutes' spell, B. FinlaysOn gathered up the ball and scored a pretty try behind the posts, Whitelaw again failing to convert; and the game ended in a victory for Kamo by 10 .points to/1. Mr S. Fulljames was referee. HIKURANGI A v. BJH.S. The team from Hikurangi which eventually won the competition, consisting of W. George, E, Taylor, F. Little, H. Hewitt, B. Taylor, F. Dunn and W. Webley was a fast and solid combination which proved too much for the High School boys. Although there was a marked difference in the points registered ? the winners did not by any means have all the best of the play, the School team showing up very well in combined efforts, and by clever tactics, sound tackling, and keenness, augmented by good training, they kept the winners busy until the final bell sounded. The School team consisted of K. Lamb, Maclcen, Sargent, Ruddell, M. Lamb, Dunn a.id Sheriff, and the Lamb Brothers and Sargent gave exhibitions well on a par with any shown by senior players. The scores were: Hikurangi 16 (three tries by W. George, two of which he converted, and one by Taylor), to 7 (a good try to Sargent, a penalty goal kicked by K. Lamb, and one force-down against Hikurangi). Mr Boggs controlled the game., UNITED'iS PIPE-OPENER. The third match of the series was a scratch one, played to obviate a bye, and to give the United team a pipeopener. High School took the field again against the team from the Borough and repeated their meritorious showing. Early in the opening stages Weston secured a sole-effort try for United but it was unconverted. Really first-class work by M. Lamb and Sargent kept United on the defensive until an intercepted pass removed play into the School's ■where Weston took a well-judged 'mark which however produced no 'points. Just before the end of the ispell, which occurred without fur. ither score, Lamb and Weston were

several times pitted against one another in good individual effort work, with alternate success. In the second spell which was notable for consistently good tackling l>y the School players, Weston, who was tiie outstanding star of the United seven took the ball while going at top speed and after negotiating a way through pactically the whole of the iSchool team, scored a brilliant try between the posts, and he converted it, the game ending in a win for the senior club by 8 points to nil. KAMO DEFEAT UNITED. Keen rivalry existed amongst the supporters of the Kamo and United iClUbs and the match resulted in a reverse to the full-team game of last Saturday, Kamo winning in no uncurtain manner, by 11 points to 3. The first assault was' by Kamo, but after fast play in United's quarter, Weston relieved the pressure with a penalty kick. A little later Hill sent the ball to Going, who gained ground before B. Finlayson got possession of it and dashed over amid an outburst

of applause, with Weston hanging on co him. The try was unconverted. Kamo, 3; United, nil. Lowe, United's full-iback, was responsible for ■some good work, which, assisted by a mistake by Tote Finlayson, enabled ißyan to carry the game into Kamo's (territory, where Weston failed to open a scoring account from two pen. alties. Going—rwho played a good game in spite of exhibition at times iof inexperience which can be overcome—'Finlayson, and Tierney were responsible for play being removed tto within striking distance of United's goal. Just before the end of the spell, a well-judged pass across tthe field by Hill was taken by B. Finlayson, who sent the ball on to Wilson, the Kamo wing. The latter raced for the line and was tackled low and solidly by Lowe,, who however, was itoo near the line to prevent his man falling over it, and a good try under |the posts was the result. Wilson iwas injured by his effort though he iplayed through the next spell. . Hill (converted.the. try, the spell ending 'in Kamo's favour by 8 points to nil.

After-resuming, Hanlon lost a "sure try for United, by fumbling a pass from Weston, whose clever work had created the opportunity. Lowe Was responsible for United renewing the attack, his strong run (being brought to an end by Tote Finlayson. Weston was unable to score from a penalty in good position. After good play by Tote Finlayson and Hill had carried the game to United's end of the field iQoinig snapped up the ball and, unopposed, ran behind the posts. Kamo, 11; United nil. Another fine run and cleverly made opening by Weston was nullified by Going overtaking and downing Braun, the United three-quarter. Whitelaw and Tierney did some fine' dribbling, but United retook the lost ground and instituted a determined- assault against their opponents, who showed decided signs of tiring. In" the last minute Weston got moving again, but B. Finlayson tackled him. Hanlon got t,he ball from the resulting foot play, and sent it out to Mackay who was over the line when Tote Finlayson grounded him. The try was unconverted, and Kamo won hy 11 points to 3.

iMr S. Ful'ljames had charge of the whistle. THE FINAL. After an interval to give the Kamo players an opportunity to recover their wind after the previous strenuous game, the Hikurangi and Kamo teams took the field for the final game.

Hikurangi players were: W. George, E. Taylor, F. Little, H. Hewitt, B. Taylor, F. Dunn, and W. Webley. They were opposed by.._ Hill, Tierney, Tote Finlayson Stevens, B: Finlayson, Whitelaw and Going.

Hikurangi attacked early and W. ■George drew first Iblood with a penalty goal. .Hikurangi, 3; Kamo, nil. The Finlayson Bros, and Whitelaw were to the fore in starting an attack by Kamo, Ibut George intercepted a pass and Hill saved trouble for Kamo by taking a useful mark. A little later Hill ducked through the opposing van guard, energetic following by the Kamo leaders compelling Hikurangi to force down. Hikurangi, 3; Kamo 1. Good passing again put Kamo on the defensive but Tote Finlayson forced his way through the opposing forwards and. h_is kick relieved the line. The game was very fast at this stage ; Webley and Little doing a lot of useful work for Hikurangi. The spell ended without further score.

In the last spell rain fell and the leather became greasy. Whitelaw kicked the 'ball but was charged and Taylor, getting possession, used his speed and scored behind the posts, George converting the try. Hikurangi 8, Kamo 1. With the exception of two brief but good attacks by Kamo, the game ended without further notable incident in heavy rain. sMr S. Fulljames gave full satisfaction as referee.