GORE CUP PLAY-OFF

Press, Volume C, Issue 29621, 18 September 1961, Page 14

GORE CUP PLAY-OFF

Marist Beats Halswell

After trailing by two points at half-time, Marist came back in the second half to score a convincing 27-7 win over Halswell in the •play-off for the Gore Cup at the Show Grounds Oval on Saturday. With little quarter requested or given, both sides piayed in the manner worthy of a cup final. Playing with alertness and determination, Halswell led at half-time, 7-5. but Marist applied constant pressure in the second half, making victory secure with six tries. In the first half the sure, hard tackling cancelled the sides out, although Halswell made a great deal of the play and often had Marist defending desperately. Halswell lost its centre sM coach. C. Paskell, who retired injured, and ’he tear « previous energy and solid tackling wilted in the second half.

Marist took the incentive after the change-over and was clearly superior. Its backs and forwards ran and handled as they had against Christchurch last Saturday. At half-back, the former New Zealand represen’ative, P. Creedy, gave splendid service to his ou'sides and the five-eighths, Peter Smith and J. Walsh, were a fine combination. At centre, M. Worters ran hard, straight and often and the wings C. Workers and M. O'Neill, were consequently in a lot of play. B. Ellice played admirably at full-back. Without playing up to the form of their backs, the Marist forwards overcame the Halswell pack in the second spell but their task was made easy when the Halswell forwards became tired and sluggish. J. Jones and G. Tainui were well to the fore and Pat Smith, the loose forward, roved well by standing off from the scrums. The most likely Ipoking Halswell players were J. Palmer, a workman-like fiveeigh'hs, and two hard-work-ing forwards. A. Ayres and I. Woods. I. Rickerby played a similar role to Pat Smith but without the same efficiency.

Tries for Marist were scored by M. Worters (2), M. O'Neill (2), Peter Smith (2i and Jones. Creedy converted one try and B. Ellice two. D. McGirr scored a try for Halswell and A. Ayres kicked a penalty and converted a try. Mr P. Yaxley was the referee. Friendly Games Referees 25. Coaches 16. Senior.—Papanul 48, Brunner 11. Third Grade.—Papanul 21, Mount Albert 21.