SURPRISE WIN BY ORIENTAL.

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 114, 18 May 1925, Page 11

SURPRISE WIN BY ORIENTAL.

Marist 10 Berhampora .... V Oriental 13 Wellington 5 J^tone ....: 21 Hutt 10 Athletic ...... 17 Old Boys 6 'Varsity 45 Selwyn S Poneke, a bye. For the continuation, of the local Rugby competitions on Saturday afternoon the weather took a pleasant change, and games were played under favourable conditions. Interest was well maintained, and in the results of senior games there was further indication of a keener competition than was the case last year. TheMarist-Berhanipore game drew a large, crowd at. Athletic Park, and its progress accounted for plenty of enthusiasm and excitement. It was a hard struggle all the way, with Berhampore leading in points until near the end, when an effort similar to that which had surprised Marist at the outset of the game^-a "potted" goalturned the account in Marist's favour. The win was deserved, as for a greater part of the game Marist had bustled the opposition. Oriental scored their first win, accounting for Wellington on the new ground—Crawford Green—after a game/in which there was not much sparkling play. At Petone Hutt made quite a good showing against the homo team, although there, was no doubt about Petone's superiority. By a substantial win,over Se.lwyn at Kilbirnie, : University retained their position at the ■head of the championship ladder. Athletic were too strong a proposition for Old Boys in the match at Wakefield Park. Although 'Varsity are the championship leaders, with eight points, there are two other teams which have not yet met defeat—Poneke and Marist. Poneke played a drawn game with Marist, and the latter also drew with Hutt. 'Varsity hay© had four straight-out wins. The points are as follow:—'Varsity 8, Berhampore, 6, Petone 6, Poneke 5, Marist 4, Athletic 4, Old Boys 2, Oriental 2, Wellington 2, Hutt 1, Selwyn 0. - MARIST BEAT' BERHAMPORE. Between Marist and Berhampore tKere is rivalry that accounts for the keenest of encounters when the teams meet, and the first meeting in this season's competition was no exception to the rule. At the Athletic Park there" were over 5000 people to see the match, and what they saw was -another- of the stirring battles which are giving much •life to this season's competition. At the same time there was nothing out 04 the way in the class of football provided; the game was by no means brilliant. The absence of the spectacular was attributable to the particular methods adopted rather than to faults. The gamo provided another instance of what spoiling, tactics can do, and it also afforded an example of the advantages to bo Rained by hustling. Marist set themselves out to play the hustling game, and through this policy they outplayed their opponents who, thns far, had been heading well for championship honours. Both teams were previously nnbnaten, but against Berhampore's three wins Marist had managed only two drawn games. Of oonfidence there was plenty on both sides, and little was wanting in the matter of condition, though in the run of play Marist's energies served best for the object in view. This, it seemed for the great part of the game, was not to be 1 attained, but finally at a stage when excitement was keen a "potted" goal gave Marist the lead and victory. It was due to them on the day. Berhamporo have shown better form. Conditions for the match were quito good, the ground, being in far better order than might have been expected after the heavy rain. The teams were as follow: Marist.—-Murphy; Griffin, Cuminc Fciley; Mahoney, Ward; Tohfll; Hopkins 5 Bowman, M'Kee, Bell, Dermehv rishcr, M'Rae, MTiardy.

Berhampore.—Walters ;■ Matheson Glennie, Taylor.; Bennett, Lang; h' Charles; '.B.\ ■:; Brown; . Christie, P. Charles, L. Brown, Duncan, Deere! Pope, Gunnion. . - '

The toss favoured Marisi, who played with the sun behind them, bnt against a southerly breeze., Berhanrpore lost no time in getting into opposition territory, and there in the midst of a scramble.Taylor gained possession of the ball and "potted." A fine goal lesult-" ed, to place . Berhampore four points ahead within a couple of minntes of the start. At thisMarist livened up to business, and smothering the efforts by the Berhampore backs to move collectively th«y made some penetrating loose rashes. Eventually the Marist backs were worked'near the opposing line, bnt the ball was lost and then knocked over the line. Ward followed through smartly, and scored. Griffin could not convert from an easy position. Marist were now only a point down, but Berhampore 'saw to it that'the position from their.point of view -was mads better. They retaliated immediately, and Lang made a short punt with good judgment, .following it up he outpaced fcb«* opposition and scored. Duncan's kick fail-' ed-'- 7-3. Those events at tho outset of the game indicated something in the nature of fireworks. For the rest of the .spell, however, there was nothing startling, _except that the pace waa on all the time, with kick-and-rush tactics and' stern struggles between the forwards to call forth .a maximum'of exertiftu. The pJay' was rushed backwards and forwards over half-way, and on occasions there were dangerous moments for each side. Walters was a big help to Berhampore, and hefty kicking by Griffin helped-the Greens. On a couple of occasions Berbampore players were temporarily h ors de combat, and the resultant spells were welcomed by the players. Shortly before half-time "• the Marist backs engaged in a particularly bright passing bout; it was the best bout of the day, but it came to nothing, as did an opening for Berhamporß just before the interval.

With the change-over Marist set out in vigorous manner to wipe off the deficiency, but for a time Berhampore kept their advantago in points secure, and occasionally engaged in counter-aftacks, in one of which a pass was made by, Walters, but was not taken up. Loose play V>as the main order, with Mftrist the principal aggressors. At length a crosskick resulted in a scramble in front of Berhampore's goal. As the ball wassent. over the line Walters forced down, but a five-yards scrum was ordered. From this Manst got possession, the ball c& ing out from Tohill to Foley, who cut in, to score a good try. Griffin"* effort, to convert was poor. 7-6. With this excitement increased, and the play went on in lively fashion, both sides battling hard and Marist retaining their role as main aggressors. Eventually Marist reached a likely position, but -were driven back. A scramble near the twen-ty-five ensued, and during this Ward picked up and aimed at Hhe goal. Tho "pot" was the right thing; it succeeded and gave Marist a three-point lead.

10-7. In a final effort to recover Berhampore mads a strong drive. Math»son made a determined effort to cross near the corner, but was barred, ana Marist returned play to better country. There it remained until the final whistle. During the second spell two Berhampore players suffered injury, one (Glennie) having to retire. M'Artney went into the pack, and P. Charles filled tho vacancy in the backs. The final score of a keenly-contested game was: Marist 10, Berhampore 7.

Mr. J. S. King was the referee.