ORIENTAL HOLD MARIST TO A DRAW.

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 25 May 1925, Page 9

ORIENTAL HOLD MARIST TO A DRAW.

The game at Wakefield Park between Manst and Oriental ended in the teams dividing honours, each side having 3 points to its credit... Neither, team managed to score a try, and ijie points- in both cases new the result of penalty kicks. Taken generally, it was not "a, good game from the spectators' point of view, and this was no doubt r]u ß to a, great extent to the muorty and "iincpr-t.-tiu" state of (lie; <rifiurirj.' |:,;,(|, tennis foui'ht hard at the finish, however, and

the final stage of the match was strenuously contested in the failing light—it was almost dark when the- final whistle sounded. The Oriental fifteen—a young team—made a fine showing against their more experienced opponents, whose play fell ~ar~short of the reputation they have acquired this season. The teams were as follow:—

Marist :■ Murphy ; Foley, Cummings, Griffin; Mahoney, Ward; Tohill; Holz, Bowman, M'Kee, Dennihy, King, Hall. M'Rae, Hopkins. Oriental : Sidet; Taylor, Cowdell, Waipihana; M'Nicoll, Wickens; Chambers; Jackson, Hepburn, Poulter, Parker, Smith, Watts, Murie, Sly. The first spell opened briskly, but the play was mostly of a give-and-take nature. The wind, a light southerly, was blowing across the field, and thus did not give a distinct advantage to either side. Marist made the play, the forwards breaking through the opposing de-. fence and feccfinjj the backs at tho right time, but something always seemed to go astray when the line was reached. Foley was distinctly unlucky on several occasions, and twice when he was in a good position the passes sent in his direction were far too low, and he was unable to gather in the greasy ball. Dennehy received a severe bump on the eye and the brow, and was so badly cut that he was obliged to leave the field. This, of course, was quite a serious matter for Marist, but Bell, who substituted, showed good form right from the outset. Oriental did some good defensive work, and what seemed to be a sure try was prevented by Chambers passing to M'Nicoll at the right moment. The last-mention-ed player found the line in good style. Sidet. worked well, but on one occasion ho fumbled around with the ball for fully ten seconds before he finally got it away—and then ho was lucky. Oriental were attacking with great determination when the whistle announced the interval.

The Oriental team was somewhat changed when the game .was resumed. Taylor did not come back on the .field owing to his having sustained an injury to his knee, and ho was replaced by K. Smith. . Wickens . went back to. centre, and Cowdell shifted to the wing. Bell was conspicuous in a promising rush by Marist, and Foley went close to crossing the opposing line, but not quite close 'enough. M. Griffin, the Marist right win, at times showed some speed, but he was well marked. On one occasion when he centred, Wickens took the ball on the full and sprinted well down field before he was grassed. M'Nicoll did some splendid work for Oriental, and he was associated .with K. Smith in some good passing rushes. A penalty against Oriental gave Murphy the chance to. delight the hearts of Marist's many supporters by kicking a fine goal. Marist 3, Oriental 0. Later, Waipihana kicked-a goal from a penalty for Oriental, and equalised the scores. Oriental 3, Marist 3. Marist made a desperate attempt to score in the eleventh hour, but Oriental defended well, and tho game ended with the points even.

Mr. R. Paton was referee.