LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 238, 9 October 1933, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

RICHMOND VANQIUISH MARISTS. NEWTON TO MEET ST. GEORGE iEAM. The large crowd which attended Carlaw Park on Saturday, anticipating a thrilling close duel iu the challenge luatek between Marist Old Boys and Kichmoud Rovers, who had each vanquished the iSt. George team of Sydney, received something of a. shock to be entertained with a struggle that opened with every promise, but iu ihe end petered out to a convincing win for Richmond by 31 points to 8. It was another instance of the '"best-laid plans of mice and men" going astray. Mariets, playing with the verve and attractive abandon that characterised their display against St. George last week, early took the lead, but botore the end of the first

half lost their sheet anchor and leader, Brisbane, who suffered a deep cut over tiic eye. Mitchell, the Richmond winger, also kit the Held with a wrenched knee. Without their general, Marists, leading by B—6 at the interval, were unable to stand up to the thrust and pace of Richmond, but the game had its highlights and incident. By their success Richmond take the Max Jaffe Cup.

It wil be gratifying to patrons to knowthat the authorities, following the match, decided that Newton Rangers, winners of the challenge competition, will meet St. George on Wednesday afternoon. Marist backs were into etridc early and a fast-piercing run allowed Brisbane to send Herring over under the posts. Campbell converted. The game was open and spectacular. Richmond were next on the board when Young sent a snap pass to the vigilant Prentice on the terrace side. McNeil raced into line and went across in dashing style; wide out. Cooke failed with the kick. Marists S, Richmond 3. At this stage Richmond, with the exception of their full-back, Lee, was making the play, and, to add to Alaiist anxiety, Brisbane had to go off with a cut over the eye. At the time Mitchell, the Rovers' resourceful winger, was on the sideline, and also departed with an injured knee, i B. Schultz replaced the Marist skipper, going on the wing, and Lennie joined the Richmond pack, allowing Powell and Abbott (half) to take their proper places at half-back and wing three-quarter respectively. McNeil literally flew along the terrace flank, to beat Campbell for the bounce of the ball and score a pretty try, which Milicich was unable to convert. |

After the interval Richmond forwards went passing, and when Hassan was penalised around the scrum, Satherley levelled the scores—B all. The maroons were forcing the issue back and forward, and, following some attractive rearguard flutters, Milicich scored from the loose and Satherley added the goal points with a difliciut angle kick. The Marist forwards broke away in dangerous fashion occasionally, but the backs met crushing tackling. In these circumstances the play became erratic, with exciting changes. Powell scored from a swum near the corner and Satherley missed the goal. Richmond 16, Marists 8.

Despite misfortune Marist made solid redemptive efforts, ami the backs endeavoured to open up. Satherley added a penalty goal. The same player scored from the loose and goalcd. The Marist backs, with L. Schultz; and Dunn prominent, made a desperate rally, but the latter held on too long. List also made a bid at the corner. The maroon, forwards again took charge, and Satherley scored and goalcd. Marists wqre attacking once more, when Satherley, bursting through from the ruck, gave to McXeil on the blind side. The winger, with Carter close on his heels, ran straight from his own twenty-five, on past B. Schultz, and scored a grand try at the corner, the final figures being Richmond Rovers 31 Marist Old Boys 8

The match demonstrated that Richmond team-work—backs and forwards—tactics, backing up and pace were too much for Marists, particularly with Brisbane out of the picture. However, the manner in which the Rovers maintained ascendancy indicated their better form. It is doubtful whether Marists could have averted defeat in any circumstances.