Marist, Greymouth, Holds Thacker League Shield

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31162, 12 September 1966, Page 15

Marist, Greymouth, Holds Thacker League Shield

(Bp Our Rugby League Reporter) GREYMOUTH. A magnificent break by G. M. Kennedy mid-way through the second half opened the way for Marist (Greymouth) to score a runaway win over Hornby to retain the Thacker Shield, 23-4, at Wingham Park, Greymouth on Sunday.

Marist was leading by only 7-4, after trailing 2-4 at half-time, when Kennedy—playing probably his last match in New Zealand before going to Australia—ran the blind side from a scrum 75 yards out from the goal-line to set Brereton up for a magnificent try.

Marist’s defence was outstanding. After Kennedy had taken the initiative from Hornby, Marist played some brilliant football on attack. It scored five tries in the last 20 minutes and bewildered the Hornby defence. For Marist, Brereton (two), Rochford, Nolan and Brown scored tries; C. A. Hibbs kicked four goals from seven attempts. Drayton kicked two goals for Hornby. Hornby played extremely well in the first half and kept worrying Marist into handling errors. Hornby held the ball longer but could not penetrate an enthusiastic defence.

Drayton kicked well for Hornby and Langton and Wastney ran strongly in the centres. However, the 'best back was R. A. Neiman. He gave Sweetman no latitude around the scrums and ran well.

The first half was tight and both teams held the* ball in the forwards. Hornby continued this policy after halftime but Marist, helped by the sun, threw the ball about and used its backs.

G. Woodgate and Condick were fine forwards for Hornby in the first spell but they, too, stopped at half-time. K. Neiman won the scrums narrowly, 17-16, after holding a long lead in the early stages. The Marist hooker, Cowan, did well to rectify Marist’s lack of possession and played well in an unaccustomed position. Dixon and Dennehy were the most penetrative forwards for Marist. Crawford did not give up all day, running, straight and tackling well. The tactician of the Marist team, Kennedy, had the game under control in the second half and revelled in the hard conditions. Brereton backed up efficiently and Rochford did nothing wrong. C. A. Hibbs and Brown suffered handling lapses. Good Kicking Drayton’s kicking- was the highlight of the first 40 minutes. He gave Hornby a 4-2 lead with penalties from 30 and 45 yards. Marist had appeared the. more penetrative team and Dixon had one brilliant run of 60 yards before giving the ball to Rochford, who was smothered by the cover defence. Dixon made another long run early In the second half, a move that preceded five minutes of concerted attack by Marist. Hibbs, after missing a simple attempt, brought the scores level with another penalty. Marist’s first try resulted from a lapse by the Hornby defence. Crawford ran from the dummy half position and lost the ball over the line. Nolan had only to touch it to score. Then Marist began to win the scrums and Kennedy made a brilliant break to completely fool the Hornby defence after running the blind-side. He drew Drayton beautifully to send the flying Brereton in for a fine try.

There was only one team in it as Marist came back from the kick-off. A few play-the-ta alls and Rochford went over in the corner. Hornby’s lack of inspiration was evident when Dennehy ran 50 yards after taking Drayton’s krick-off. A minute later, J. F. Hibbs ran through a non-exist-ent defence to give Brown the easiest of tries which C. A. Hibbs converted. Just before full-time, Nolan ran through the defence and Brereton scored his second try from the play-the-ball. Hibbs converted to make it 23-4.

The teams were: Marist: M. Greaney; M. P. Brereton, 1. P. Brown. C. A, Hibbs. R. J. Rochford; G. M Kennedy (captain), B. Sweet man; A. P. Dennehy; P. Craw ford, J. K. Dixon; J. F. Hibbs, G. A. Cowan, M. Nolan. Hornby: I. T. Drayton; R. J. Mallally, B. W. Langton, T. Wastney, R. O. Moffat; W. Woodgate, R. A. Neiman; P. J, Tongue; D. A. Condick. G. Wood gate (captain); D. W. Moore, K Neiman, I. Woods. L. Barr re placed Tongue. Referee: Mr F. Hassan.