MARIST DEFEAT BERHAMPORE.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 13, 16 July 1923, Page 4

MARIST DEFEAT BERHAMPORE.

Fast .and willing aptly describes the game between Marist • and Berhampore at the Basin Reserve. The early stages, in fact, practically all the first spell, was Mavist's, but more than half of the second spell belonged to Berhampore. Hard tackling occurred on both sides, and the forwards in particular were playing the man and leaving the ball'to itself. 'This became so bad in tho later stages that the referee was. impelled to protest, and ■ on one occasion penalised the offence by. awarding Bcrhampore a free-kick. Both teams were, compelled to call.on the services of their juniors, owing to sickness among regular players. M'Cleary was the outstanding figure "of the. game, lending Marist time, after time towards Berhampore's line. Spectators on the lir.s were somewhat critical of the players, and frequent -comments were heard from partisans .of both teams. It was not exactly football, certainly not Rugby as it should be played, but was interesting withal, there being frequent changes in the course of pfey. ' The teams were as follow :—

; Marist.-^Griffin;. Dossett; O'Suliivan, Mullings ; Murphy. Mahouey ; M'Cleary; Connop; Boyce. Hayden, 'Devine, M'Kee, Troy, Fouhy, and Loftus.

Berhampore:—Mason; Fuller, MatJieson, Lev.'is; Howard, Lang; Charles; Pope; Scott, Watson, Brown, ;Malin, Whiterod, M'Hcron, and Standen.

Marist kicked off with the sun in their eyes, Berhampore having won tjie tuss. They, made tlie pace a cracker from the jump,. and the Blues were very quickly in trouble.. Led by Staiid'en, Whiteiod, and Jlalin, • Berhampore transferred play to the centre, later compelling Marist to force. Berhampore were frequently penalised for lifting in the serum, and Jlarist were enabled to tausfcr play to their opponents' territory. Dossett spoilt alikely chance by .kicking too hard, and Mason forced. Marist's .three-quarters attempted cross-kicks on several occasions, but each time little .judgment was shown, and Bei'hampove gained.the' advantage. Murphy had three shots at goal, but none were successful. The first try came from an opening made by M'Cleary, who snapped the ball out to Murphy, who in turn transferred- to Mahoney. Blocked on the left the latter passed infield, and the ball passed through several hands before it reached O'Suliivan, who scored a well-deserved try. Mui-phy was not successful with the kick. 3-0. When half-time came Marist were still attacking. Marist got down to business very quickly when the epcond spell opened, and from an opening .opposite Berhampore's goal, Murphy attempted a pot. The crowd cheered for a goal, but the referee awarded a poster, and Berhampore forced. _ Marist, however, were not to be denied, and from a loose scramble liayden dived through and scored. Mm-' phy wks unsuccessful with the kick at goal. 6-0. PJay now changed and veered in favour of Berhampore, and it was at this stage that Serce tackiing ensued, until a number of players were showing visible signs of the severity of tho. contest. Play was held up frequently aa tho result, and t\v 0 men had to -go oft", though one returned with a piece of plaster over his eye. Sliinden came through, backed up by his forwards, but hard kicking spoilt, the 'chance, and Mullins forced. Off-side play by M'Kee gavo Berhampore a chance right opposite the posts, but- Lang.G. kick went wide. Berhampore's only score was the result of a passing bout, one of several at this stage, the ball being handled by Charle3, Howard. Lang, Matheson. and Watson, the latter scoring amid loud applause. Pope missed the kick. Give and take play ensued to the end of the eamc, both sides being visibly tire:!. When the final whistle blew Marists proved the winners by the narrow margin of 6 points to 3.

Mr. T.. A. Fletcher'creditably handled a difficult game.