LEAGUE CODE AUCKLAND MARIST

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 23, 27 July 1931, Page 6

LEAGUE CODE

AUCKLAND MARIST

EASILY BEAT WELLINGTON

Despite a slippery ground, sections of which were covered by pools of -water, the Auckland Mavist Club team gave a very good exhibition of the Rugby League code'in their match against the Wellington representatives at the Winter Show Stadium ou Saturday, before an attendance of about 1000. The visitors were of. a more solid build, and had the advantage of combination developed by regularly playing as a team, whereas Wellington were having their first match of the season. Followers of the Marist side considered that their showing was about on a par with their Auckland form, and they gave the impression that, under more favourable conditions, they would be a very difficult side to defeat, and would play very attractive football. The forwards gained practically a monopoly of the ball from the scrums, and there was the right material in the backs to make the most of the opportunities offering. The rearguard was well fed by Hassan, the halfback, and Brisbane was a very solid first five-eighths. Outside of the latter was the most outstanding player on the field, P. Young* a youthful player who showed himself able to make splendid openings for the three-quarter line, in addition to being sound on defence. Batchelor and Meehan on the wings were elusive, and had speed to burn. Railey, Caurp'bell, and C. Young were about the best of the forwards. The best of the Wellington team -was Kelly, who was a real live wire, and, although the set was outclassed, Brace and Petheriek also acquitted themselves well. Brace retired in the second half owing to an injury. Ward, who divided his time between the forwards and backs, rendered

good service, and Daveis and Joyce also went well.

The teams were:—Wellington: Petherick; Robins, Awatere, Holmes; Harris, Brace; Kelly (captain); M'Kewen, Dutch, Joyce, Daveis, Russell, and Ward. Marist: Campbell; Batchelor, List, Meehan ;■ P. Young, Brisbane (captain); Hassan; Railey, Campbell, Webberley, C. Young, Carter, and Johnson.

It took both sides a while to accustom themselves to the conditions, and this, together with the fact that the tackling nil round was solid, resulted in the scoring being kept within limits in the first spell which ended 12-3 in favour of the visitors, hi the second half, Marist commenced by playing all over the opposition, but, after they had run up a big score they slackened oft", particularly in their defensive work, mid Wellington found the way easy to gain several tries. The visitors played an attacking game all the way, and forced down only onco during the gamo. The most disappointing feature of the gamo was the goal-kicking, and several chances' to convert tries from easy positions went begging. For Marist tries were scored by P. Young (3), Meehan (3), Biitchelor (2), List, Johnson, C. Young, and Railey. Campbell and P. Young converted tries. ■ Wellington's 'scorers were Brace (2), Ward, Daveis, and Kelly. Kelly and Petherick added the extra points to two tries. The final score was: Marist, 40; Wellington, 19. Mr. P. Childs was the referee.