ATHLETICS GO DOWN TO MARIST.

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 124, 29 May 1922, Page 4

ATHLETICS GO DOWN TO MARIST.

Marist defeated Athletic at Newtown Park by 3 points to nil. The game was spoiled a good deal by the strong wind, but nevertheless play was of a fairly fast order. Marist were superior, and in the firest spell they did some fine work against the wind, getting close to scoring on several occasions. Their forwards were in great form, Troy being particularly noticeable. In , the back division Markham was extremely useful, and played a sound defensive game. Athletic had the wind behind them in' the first half and also the advantage in the slope of the ground, but they were not able to do much.' Over-strong kicking was their principal fault in this spell. These tactics just suited Marist, for they wasted a lot of time and led to the conservation of much energy on the part of the1 .defending side. Athletic seemed to be in need of a general. It had been rumoured that "Teddy" Roberts was going to turn out for his old club, but apparently it was only a rumour. There are possibilities, though, that Roberts will be on the field again in a week or so. Sim Wilson played at centre for Athletic on Saturday, bnt did not get many opportunities. The fight put up by Marist in the first half was really praiseworthy, the strong forward rushes being good to witness. Shortly after the game commenced Brooks, the Athletic full-back, had a penalty shot from near halfway, but without success. Play was confined to Marist end for a while, until at length the forwards sat up a hot rush and got close to the Athletic twenty-five. . Athletic were penalised, and Tancred essayed I a kick against tho wind, only missing by the narrowest of margins.. Play tt-

turned to the vicinity of the Marist twenty-five, and M'Carlie, the Athletic rover, tried to pot twice in succession, but had no luck. A little later he had another shot, and the ball crossed tho bar, but the whistle had gone. Just before half-time Marist very nearly scored. Markham cleared his line well by a great kick upfiald against tlie wind, and Creed and M'Cleary lost no time in following up. Creed got possession in the Athletic twenty-five, and must have scored had he not unfortunately run out. _^

When ends were changed M»rißt made the most of their opportunities and attacked harcl. Athletic returned, and Murphy saved the situation by a long kick. The Blues rallied, but Markham got possession and made a good run, being supported by M'Cleary, who scored near the corner. iMurphy'e kick failed? Marist 3, Athletic nil. With the reception of a brilliant effort by Bryden, the Athletic left-wingev, who broke from the loose in his own end and made a great run upfield, being collared and' thrown out by Creed in the nick of time, the remainder, of the play was mostly of a onfe-Bided order, Marist, aidejl by the wind, haying the best of things. Mr. G. Bradley was referee.

PONEKE, 14; SEfcWYN, nil,

Poneke had no great difficulty in accounting for Selwyn at Duppa-street, although the Red and Blacks did not show much of their usual bright play. Conditions, however, were hot favourable, a strong cross-wind making kicking uncertain. Both packs put iti a lot of work, and there were some good individual efforts on the part of thebacks. The new rule operated fairly well, both full-backs making good use of it. The teams 'were as follow:— Poneke: Ohristophersen; M'Arthur, J. Tilyard, and Tunnihgtoh; F. Tilyard and King; C. Tilyard; Calciriai, Bookerj Tynan, J. Shearer, M'Ddmtld, Kennedy, Slater, and Farslbe. Selwyn: Harrington ; M'LayV M'Brearty, and Kent; M'Quade and. Wogan ; Eastgate; De Clifton, M'Donald, Bramley, Rose, Reeves, Hearle, Desmond, and Patching.

In eatly pjay there was a good deal of kicking and loose play. Selwyn occasionally made good progress, but their efforte lacked finish, ■ while Christopherson kept safe guard on Poneke's line. The first score came from a miss-kick by a Selwyn player, Caicinai, who was prominent throughout the games following ,u«i to score; King goaled. 5-0. In subsequent play the Poneke backs worked, better, but still failed to reach their objective. Before half-time Caicinai scored from a forward rush. King failed with the kick. 80. For some time after resuming Selwyn held their ..opponents, but finally they were again placed back oh their line after a good kick at goal had been made by King. No goal was awarded, the .line Umpires disagreeing. Caicinai, shortly afterwards added his third try, and J. Tilyard followed with another. Neither was converted: Sehvyn tried hard to make amends, but when the final whistle sounded Poneke's line had been kept, intact. The final score was: Poneke, i4; Selwyn, nil. „_ . , Mr. R. Evehson was the 'j-jjfwee.-