MARIST BEAT PONEKE AGAIN.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 17, 20 July 1931, Page 5

MARIST BEAT PONEKE AGAIN.

Followers of Marist, after the match at the Hutt Recreation Ground, perhaps went home with the thought that more consistency has been developed and that the team are not bow such a nerve-rack-ing combination to follow. The assumption is based on the consistent performances of Marist against Poneke, over whom it would appear they have the Indian sign. Just a fortnight ago, at Athletic Park, Marist rudely upset Poneke with a clean-cut win of 16 points to uil, and as if to show that that result was no fluke, Marist came out on Saturday on the Hutt ground before a big attendance and gave Poneke another beating. This time the score was not so one-sided, but nevertheless Marist had six points to Bpare at the

finish, the score being 18 points to 12 in their favour. . ' . Bustling tactics were adopted by Marist throughout, and in. the loose the team played splendidly. As in the match at Athletic Park, Poneke's forces seldom gave the impression that they were comfortable, and certainly their offensive was not, or was rarely ever allowed to be, as "effective as some previous matches have shown it can be. Adding to Poneke's difficulties, on top of the bustling play by the Marist forwards, was an ability by the Marist backs to profit handsomely whenever the slightest opportunity came their way of making progress. The Marist inside backs frequently were .very nippy, but none more so than M'Donald. The teams were:— ■ « Poneke.—Barrett; Pelhain, \ Chesterman, Bird; Neal, Griffiths; Martin; Gower; Jessup, Dickson, .Shearer, M'Pherson, Organ, Quirk, Stone. Marist.—Cuming; Eville, M'Donald, Broderick; Robins, Condon; Keegan; Stiver;, Otaway, Gill, Butler, Frost, M'Hardy, Keary, Peters. There was very little sparkle about the play in the first spell; much of it was of the hard and rugged order and confined largely to the forwards, although >at times there were some bright incidents. Poneke attacked right from the outset, and several times gave Marist a close call, but there was no score until well on in the spell, when, following a line-out near the Marist line,. Organ pushed his way over for a try. Neal made a good but unsuccessful attempt to convert. Before half-time Poneke put on six more points (two tries by Bird), and Marist changed over without having scored. .'■■• But in the second spell Marist had the advantage, of thd wind, and very, quickly set about putting their house iti order. A timely mark, by Griffiths saved Poneke soon after the start, but a smart piece of play by Keegan almost immediately afterwards ended in M'Donald scoring a try for Marist. The_ little. centre-threequar-ter, a real live wire, ducked under some one's arm and1 darted through the Poneke defence. Cuming converted with an excellent kick. i; After .a-.snappy -piece', of combined play, in Svhich Jessup, Chesterman, Martin, and Bird took part, had given Marist trouble in checking, Marist swung into attack again, Eville playing a leading hand in a run which took play to near the Poneke line. Here the ball came out to Broderick; on the wing, and he crossed the line for a try, which Cuming, with another fine kick from the sideline, converted.' -Marist 10, Poneke. 9. Play was very fast, and with the quick change in events there was no lack of excitement. Stiver was leading the Marist forwards splendidly, but Shearer, Organ, and Jessup and others of the Poneke pack were' giving no quarter in the close work. A good opening by M'Donald let Evillo away again,[but he was brought down by Martin. Kobins and M'Donald had come up in support, however, and Robins found a gap and scored. Cuming failed to convert. For a long time after this Poneke hammered away strongly, but were uuable to break through the Marist defence, although Neal improved, the team's position by kicking a penalty goal. Marist 13, Poneke 12. In the concluding stages of the game a replacement was made in each team, Mill taking Keegan's place and Payne coming on in place of Neal. M'Donald and Robins were associated in a bright piece of play. Mill carried on, sending the ball out to Broderick's wing. The wind curled the ball infield, and Broderick, coming tip fast, snapped it up and scored. Just before -the end of the gam.c there was a good chance of improving Poneke's score as a result of a penalty kick against Marist, but Griffiths missed' an easy shot. The game ended: Marist 18, Poneke 12. The referee was Mr. J. Moffitt. .