WEST COAST VISITORS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 63, 12 September 1932, Page 13

WEST COAST VISITORS

WELLINGTON BEATEN

Good passing by Greymouth Marist, the champion team on the West Coast, was mainly responsible for their victory over a Wellington representative League team by 23 points to 19 in a match played at the Winter Show Ground on Saturday. The game was fast, and in the second spell particularly interesting, the teams scoring try for try. Shortly before the final whistle Wellington were leading by 19 to 18, but Marist gained the victory with a penalty goal and an unconverted try. The most spectacular man on the held was the Marist wing, Kennedy, a player of slight build who showed a surprising turn of speed and an excellent swerve. Another Marist player to distinguish himself was Calder, who led many of the rushes, and scored several excellent goals. The Wellington team was captamed by the ex-Union player Mineham. lhe teams were:— . Wellington: Simons, Mineham, Merson Armstrong, Foote, Still, Thompson, Potts Dutch, Wright, McNichol, Pilcher, Curtice. . . .. Greymouth Marist: Quinn, Washe, Gilbert,- Kennedy, O'Brien, O'Connor, Costello, Calder, Williams, Durning, Scott, O'Brien, Bevan. Playing against a stiff breeze in the first spell, the heavy Marist forwards 'set up a vigorous attack, and soon penetrated Wellington's twenty-five. Notwithstanding a free-kick in their favour, Wellington were unable to stem the rush, and Armstrong earned the ball over the line and forced. Marist secured from the. scrum, and after a- smart passing rush Kennedy crossed to score. Calder converted. Marist 0, Wellington 0. Wellington followed up quickly after the kick off, Merson gaining possession in front of Marist's posts. After a short run he transferred to Mineham, who scored an unconverted try. Marist 5, Wellington 3. Wellington were unable to hold their position, and a scramble in front of their goal posts resulted in O'Brien breaking through and scoring. Marist 10, Wellington 3. Another rush by the Marist forwards enabled O'Brien to add another three points to the Marist total. Mineham scored a penalty goal for Wellington, and shortly before half-time a loose forward rush by the Wellington forwards was brought to a successful conclusion by McNichol, who scored an unconverted try, making the score Marist 13, Wellington 8. Play opened up considerably in the second half, the Wellington forwards organising a series of successful rushes. Mineham scored for the home team immediately after play had resumed, but the try was not converted. Passing bouts among the Marist backs brought them close to Wellington's line, but they spoilt their chances by running back. The Wellington forward, Still, picked up in the ruck, and sent Armstrong away with the ball. The latter made a great run down the field, and transferred at the last moment to Mercer, who crossed to score. The try was not converted. Wellington 14, Marist 13. Kennedy put Marist in the lead again with a try which he scored after a swerving rush down the side line. Calder converted. Another unconverted try was scored for Wellington by Mineham. Although the tackling of the Wellington side was not good, Marist were unable to break through, and vigorous forward rushes enabled Wellington to hold a territorial advantage. Mineham put Wellington in the lead again with a penalty goal, but they did not hold their advantage for more than a couple of minutes, as Calder kicked a penalty goal for Marist, making the score Marist 20, Wellington 19. The final try was scored by Kennedy.

Mr. J. Goodall was the referee,