League Football.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 249, 21 October 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

League Football.

Curtain Falls. — Unemployed Benefit Match.—Marists Beat Richmond—Even, Fast Contest. The end of football this year was signalled to-day when, under the auspices of the Grey Lynn branch of the Auckland Metropolitan Unemployed Association, Marist Old Boys and Richmond met at Carlaw Park in a challenge match which resulted in a win for the former by 16 points to 5, a margin hardly a fair criterion of the evenness ef a game that was entertaining, hard and fast, but nevertheless indicating the seasonal wane of the Rugger spirit. The weather was fine, and the Auckland Waterside Band provided pleasing selections. Neither of the clubs fielded their full senior complement, but the fact that Dunn, L. Schultz and N. Campbell were on hand for Marists, and that Cooke and Lawless were starring for Richmond, ensured well-matched tliirteens. Marists Lead Early. Marists opened up attractively, Dunn and L. Schultz collaborating to advantage. Lawless intercepted to run and punt down, and from the terrace side the ball went across-fiekl, and C. White kicked dangerously onward. However, Abbott was not up on his wing to take the chance, and B. Schultz saved into touch. Marists cleared through a placement by Glover, and White sped downfield until upended by Cooke. Then clever inter-play between L. Schultz and Dunn resulted in the latter dummying and swerving across near the corner. Campbell's kick missed. Marist, 3; Richmond 0. Play was fast and open, but the greens were showing more enterprise. After Flannagan had made a good run and held on too long, Hassan darted round the blind side of a scrum, and, going on, eluded Richmond's left flankman, and sent to V. R. Jones, who scored easily. Herring's kick failed. Marists ,G, Richmond 0. ® There was a period of even play, and Marists' occasional thrusts were capably dealt with by Cooke. A breach by the maroon forwards brought Prentice into the picture, and after he was recalled for a breach, B. Schultz was seen to trip Abbott. A sharp attack by Marists, in which backs and forwards handled smartly, went extremely close. A pretence to force down allowed Powell and Young to break away. The maroons were now throwing the ball about with abandon, and Cooke had a close but unavailing penalty shot at goal. A bright burst of passing between White, Herring, and Webberley to Jones, was spoilt when Jones inpassed forward. McNeil, Young and Abbott responded with snappy passing to mid-way. Half-time scores Marist 0 Richmond 0 Soon after they resumed Marists were to the fore, when Dunn, favoured by the bounce of a ball in .the loose, speeded Campbell over the line. OTlalloran goaled in good style. It was Richmond's turn next. Lawless broke away from a scrum in possession fifteen yards out, side-liurdled Hassan, and went on to s<*>re a fine try, which Cooke converted. Marists 11, Richmond 5. Richmond kept up the pressure, and the crowd wa6 enjoying the ebb and flow of the play. Cooko went close with a penalty shot. The tables were suddenly turned from halfway on the terrace side, where the Schultz brothers conspired to send Campbell racing over. O'Halloran landed another slpendid goal. Marists 10, Richmond 5. Richmond forwards began to infuse more devil into their work, and Glover, at full, was called upon to save repeatedly for Marists. Then Cooke made a brilliant solo effort down the sideline, and 11 sent the ball excitingly along the Richmond chain. When the line was in sight on the stand side, Hawkes missed his pass. Cooke again scintillated, and Campbell relieved with a dash for the greens, who lost a chance when Herring was downed. Prentice made a wonderful break through the defenders, and gave to Laurie, to Hawkes, who again mulled. Tension was high when, following fast passing, Abbott was thrown out over the corner flag. Then twice the ball went into the dead area behind the Marist line. A good game ended Marist Old Boys 10 Richmond Rovers 5 Mr. A. E. Smith was referee.