MARIST IN FORM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 210, 6 September 1927, Page 14

MARIST IN FORM.

The form of the League teams has been passing strange this season. They have had their off and on days, and the form has been so variable that even an amateur clairvoyant would be puzzled on occasions. Secure as the champions of the season Newton set out on Saturday to add the Roope Booster to their trophy list, but they met in Marist a team that played amazingly well, and were completely outclassed after a game that was bright and full of lively incident, the play on a good surface being much more spectacular than it has been during a sequence of depressing wet Saturdays. Marists recast their back division for the occasion. The result came a* a shock to the closest Marist followers, as real brilliancy resulted, the inside backs combining cleverly, and throughout the day cutting cleanly with a razoredged attack. Had Cronin been available a> half-back throughout the eeaeon the team may have fared better in the championship, as he is a very talented player, getting the ball away swiftly. He has the pace from the scrum that is so necessary to get good results. But the real find was Gregory. This season he has played superbly at fullback, on Saturday he revealed himself as a champion fiveeighth. It is not over - stating the case to say that Gregory gave the greatest exhibition of five-eighths play seen in the code during recent seasons, and for quick

p en etration, straight running, and glorious unselfishness it recalled Parkin of the last English team or Farnwortb, the New South Welshman, two inside backs who were truly great Bight through the day Gregory was in the picture. Brisbane formed .an admirable alliance with hie brilliant partner to link with Knott, who had by .the reshuffle of the green backs been converted- into a centre threequarter, a role that he capably sustained with neat, effective work, and cleverness bdthin irttack and defence: King, who has been one of the outstanding Marist backs' this season, was absent, but Drew was a good deputy, and scored one meritorious try as the result of keenness in following up. Kirwan v»as tried out at full-back, and on the day played quite a useful game. In keeping with their backs' revival the Marist forwards played a colourful game. Moieley's exhibition was up to the best rep. standard, O'Brien was in every movement, Noble shone in the j .loose, while Graham was always pronjinent, and his tackling was of the deadliest description. In one Newton raid he got three men in succession, and he put each victim in turn well and truly on the ground. Newton were without two of their stalwarts in Dufty and Clark. The absence of the pair doubtlessly affected the side, but even at foil strength the Marist display would, probably <:-. have overwhelmed them. With a dry ball that was thrown about freely, the Newton wings got -more chances than generally come their way. Hardgrave was danling in attack, completely o u t pae ing the Marist backs on one occasion to score, while on another occasion he

ran virtually the full length of the-field before he was caught, a rapid flit which completely beat J. Kirwan en route, yet gave Moisley the chance to get up, the Mariat forward showing sprinting powers that completely surprised the spectators. On the other wing Little played with dash and limited opportunities, but he got one spectacular try, a neat interception, and then a clean pair of heels for the opposition that gave chase. Herewini stood out in the centre, while his goal kicking was a feature of the day. Once again the Newton nVe-ei?hthe line was unimpressive, although HcLeod occasionally lifted it above the plane of mediocrity. Behind the Newton pack Mclntyre played Just as ..well as the opportunity offered.- fce was behind beaten forwards, arid raosf that came his way was sheer, hard defence.

The Newton forwards did not play with either the sting or dash that they showed in the games immediately pridr to the deciding of the championship, and it seemed a* if their effort of the 'previous week had left its effects. Hall was about the best, but even he was not comparable with the Hall of other games.

In the game the crowd did not see eye to eye with some of the decisions sriven by the referee, and although the official may have been right and the crowd wrong, the fact remains that there are but about three referees in Auckland who appear to be able to give satisfaction to everybody.