MATCHES DESCRIBED

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 128, 1 June 1936, Page 16

MATCHES DESCRIBED

PONEKE V. MARIST

Rugged forward play and occasional I 'flasncß oil bright hanaiing among une 'bacas were xeatures 01 tue maxcn oetween Poneke ana Marist on tne ketone Oval. PoneKe, wno were without the services oi both Upchurcn and I Green bank (on the injured list) always had txie game well in hand, Especially* in the second spell, when play ior tne most part was in their opponents territory. Although they met with strong opposition in the first session it Wis during this period of the game that .they collected the most points.

The teams were:— ■. . Poneke: Barrett: Hill, Martyn, Reese; Vartan, Griffiths; PoUer; Kirchberg, Crichton, Ongley, O Bnen,. Calcinai, Kean,. Pringle, Cully. Marist: Hewson; Stiver, E. McGreevey, L. McGreevey; Langdon, Spillane; Quin; Keegan, Elliott, Blatch, Leary, Donoghue, McLean, Quirk, Meadows. • , , , . Several early attempts, by both sets of backs to give the ball an airing proved the'futility of endeavouring to handle the greasy leather and the attacking play was wisely left to the forwards. In this respect, both packs quickly settled down and it was apparent that the struggle would be a dour : one. 'Marist were the first to adopt tactics, but they were promptly, quelled by the solid Poneke forwards and the scoring account opened when Martyn kicked a fine penalty goal ' for Poneke. 3-0. This success was followed up later -when Calcinai.put the finishing touch to a strong: Poneke> forward advance by diving. across. ■ in'. a handy position. Martyn, failed with the kick. 6-0. Play Continued to be confined to the forwards, 7 although: both? Potier (Poneke) and Quin (Marist) unsuccessfully attempted on several occasions to set the backs in motion. Seldom, however, did the ball travel beyond the fiveeighths, intermittent showers of rain adaing to the difficulties of the backs. Tor the remainder of the spell Marist enjoyed a slight territorial advantage, but they lacked the finish necessary lor the collection of,points, and_ they were unable to open their account. ■ Eager-to place the position beyond ■ doubt; the Poneke forwards rushed play to their opponents' territory immediately after the interval and dofence was - subjected. to a rigid test Twice in quick' succession Marist were compelled to. force and, shortly after, ■welcome relief was again given when they were ■ awarded a free kick. Poneke'a backs began to take a hand and Potier smartly initiated some fine movements.which caused Marist some anxiety. : From one of these movements the ball-travelled right through to the three-auarter, Reese, who passed infield to Griffiths, but the last-named was recalled after he had crossed the line. From a melee on the Marist line Pringle dived- across for Martyn to convert 11-0. Shortly before the final whistle Poneke commenced a back movement and a dropped pass enabled 3L. McGreevey (Marist) to snap the ball up and make a spectacular run of over forty yards to beat the full-back (Barrett) and score near the corner. Meadows failed to convert, and the fame ended without further score:— oneke 11, Marist 3. The referee was Mr. J. S. King.