LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 May 1935, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

COMPETITION MATCHES.

RESULTS IN ALL GRADES. Favoured with ideal weather, the West Coast Rugby League competitions were continued in all grades, yesterday. Play was up to standard, being hard and fast. The attendances were satisfactory. ’ In the senior division, Marist, Runanga, and Blackball were successful. Runanga and Blackball won in the junior grade, while in the third grade, Runanga and Marist were successful. Scores were:— Senior: — Marist 17, Pirates 13. Runanga 19, Brunner 11. Blackball 11, Ngahere 5. Junior: — Runanga 21, Marist 12. Blackball 22, Pirates 2. Third Grade:— - ' Runanga 23, Pirates 5. Marist 12, Brunner 7. ANOTHER LAST-MINUTE WIN

Pirates have twice been unfortunate this season in having Marist seniors snatch victory from them in the dying stages of play. Yesterday’s match favoured Pirates, and but for an inexcusably weak effort by a Pirates winger, Marist wbpld have met their second defeat in successive weeks. It is all in the game, however, and the general feeling of the fair attendance of spectators, was not so much one of satisfaction with the Marist win, or disappointment over the Pirates defeat, but gratification over the improvement 'in strength exhibited by Pirates. For that, Jim Galder. making his initial appearance on the side of Pirates, was responsible. Pirates have lacked a leader. Yesterday, Calder urged, instructed and led the team with such sound judgment and tactics, that he inspired a confidence which was sustained from bell to bell. The Marist team played only as well as the opposition allowed. Never before this season, had the Marist backs been so subdued. With conditions eminently suitable for them, they failed to hand out that', brilliance which has earned victories. Pirates had to contend with splendid hooking by Williams, who secured the ball for his backs with almost unbroken regularity. Yet Pirates not only hustled the speedy Marist rearguard, to cause them to fall into the error of bad passing, and undecided action, but often retrieved the ball to set sail on attack. Where Pirates were unfortunate, Marist reaped rewards. Time and again it looked almost certain that the vigorous and sustained attacks by Pirates would swamp the defence, but Marist would emerge safely, either through Pirates infringements, or a force down. With the positions reversed, and. this was seldom, Marist wquld score. Some of their successes were not so much the result of team work, as individual effort. The game,was hard and fast, but in no measure brilliant. Mistakes in handling, and infringements of the rules were too frequent to allow the play to reach a high standard. It retained interest on a cold afternoon, — and it was a "foot and hand freezer’’ during the second spell—so that it must have been a satisfying exhibition. Had the game commenced at 2.30 p.m. as it should have, instead of 2.50 p.m., the public would ’have been better served by the weather, and they in turn more appreciative of those responsible for the conduct of the code. Yesterday’s bright sunshine made conditions pleasant, but when the sun dipped behind the hills —at 3.25 p.m., the spectators knew that Winter had come. Marist secured the winning try yesterday, with three minutes to go. But for during the game, due to players being injured, time would have been called when the scores were Pirates 13, Marist 12. The play finished with Marist 17, Pirates 13. The teams were: —

Marist:—Pollock, Walsh, Roberts, Gilbert, Beban, Kiely, O’Brien. Moyle, Griffin, Sequin, Scott, Beban and Williams.

Pirates: —Martyn, Mundy. Dowling, Walker, Solomon, Broom, Fisher, Anderson, Halkett, Calder, Dowling, Stewart and Bowdler.

The play opened at a fast bat, and never slackened. Pirates quickly settled down and in that, team Fisher. Calder, Anderson, Halkett, Martyn-and Stewart were always prominent. Marist had to move fast to keep Pirates out. Working surprisingly well, Pirates went down to the opposing line, where, after a brief struggle, Halkett secured, sent to Calder, to Anderson, for the latter to dive over. Stewart goaled well. Pirates 5. Marist 0. Free kicks to each side followed, then Pirates forwards, hunting closely, made their way to the Marist 25, and remained in the territory for some time. Eager to add to their score. Pirates failed to keep watch for a breakaway. It came when O’Brien snapped up the leather at his own 25, raced through, then sent to Roberts, to Beban. The latter cut infield, swerved past the unprepared Pirates backs, who were running in the opposite direction, and hande'd to Gilbert. He touched down near the corner flag. Roberts failed to goal. Marist 3, Pirates 5. The play see-sawed for a spell each side threatening danger, without scoring. Then J. Beban tramped his way through the Pirates pack, shot clear, and was heading for a try, only to knock-on the ball. The set scrums were now entirely to Marist s advantage, but sound and quick tackling stopped the backs. The pace was continued with Pirates making great efforts on attack, I* isher later, secured cut through cleverly in mid-field, then handed to T. Dowling. Fisher received again and kicked 'past the Marist full-back. He raced on, but in attempting to kick again, the ball went off the side of his foot. A sure try seemed lost until Anderson, always a good one on following up. outpaced the Marist men to add another try. which Stewart converted. Pii>es 10. Marist 3. Hard and fust, the play from this stage till the interval was evenly contested. Handling improved on both sides, and a try looked likely for Marist when Restieanx clapped on his speed, only to be overhauled a yard from the corner. Then Williams executed a clever move. He snapped un the ball and booted across liejd to his backs Roberts claimed the 1 leather, and sent to A. Beban whose speed carried him untouched to the corner flag for a try. Roberts failed io goal, half time then arriving with the scores Marist (i, Pirates 10. On changing over Marist went immediately on attack, the hacks handling in a sparkling movement from which A. Beban was unlucky in being brought down when a yard from the line. Pirates repulsed Marist to half*wav’, then the serum again gave O’Brien I lie ball. B travelled rapidly

along to Roberts who cut in smartly for a try, improving his position to the posts before touching down. His effort at goal was a poster. Marist 9, Pirates 10. A heavy defeat for Pirates was prophesied, but a change came quickly. Pirates pegged away to such good purpose that practically all the play that followed showed Marist on defence. Stewart had a long shot at goal from a penalty incurred by Pollock for not attempting to play the ball, but it was unsuccessful. Time and again Pirates stormed the Marist line, only to be- driven back. Then they were rewarded. The backs moved off, and Calder joined in to go over at the corner, Martyn missed with the shot at goal. Pirates 13, Marist 9. It was now Marlst’s turn. ‘A foolish speculator by Martyn when he had pl.enty of time to retrieve the ball, sent it to Gilbert, who gave the opposition no chance before he touched down wide out. A. Beban failed with the kick. Marist 12, Pirates 13. For the remainder of play. Pirates held the upper hand until the closing stage. E. O’Brien the Marist half-back had to retire with a dislocated shoulder. With the result almost decided upon, Marst made a final attack. The ball was kicked across to Walker, the Pirates left wing. He fumbled with it, and Gilbert raced down to the line, but was overhauled. In playing the ball right on the Pirates line, Williams secured and smartly fell over for the winning try. Roberts added the extra points. Marist 17, Pirates 13. Gilbert later retired, also with an injured shoulder. Pirates failed to rally, and tlie concluding few minutes saw Marist attacking strongly near the oppos! ing line, but no further score resulted. Mr. Stan Smith was referee.

BLACKBALL BEAT NGAHERE Playihg at Ngahere yesterday, Blackball seniors, after a hard game with Ngahere, won by 11 points to 5. There was a satisfactory attendance, and the playing field was in good order. The teams were: — Blackball:—Dodds, Anderson, Clark (2), Ware, Ritchie, Neilson, Perrin, Sumner, Anderson, McMahon, Etheridge and Bell’. Ngahere:—Lester, Gibson (3),. Gilman (2), Farmer, Hogg, Merritt, Weir (2), Fox and Fife. Blackball were quickly into their stride, and pressed to the Ngahere 25, where a scrum was ordered. The ball came to the visitors, and the backs moved off, but weak passing allowed Lester to jump in and clear. J. Weir then showed up and by good play sent Blackball back to near their 25. Blackball returned, and worked their way to the Ngahere line. Hard play in the forwards followed, then Ritchie secured to punt to John Anderson who received to score under the posts. Dodd_s added the extra points. Blackball 5, Ngahere 0. A' strong attack by Ngahere' was repulsed by Dodds, who played at full back. Ritchie then set the Blackball rearguard under way, but Weir intercepted at his own 25, and ran through, nonplussing the defence, to score a great try. He failed to convert. Ngahere 3, Blackball 5. Even play followed before Bell secured to add to Blackballs score, Dodds failing' to goal. Blackball 8, Ngahere 3, at half time. ' In jthe second spell, Blackball attacked early, and went down to the opposing line. Neilson, secured, handed to Ritchie, to John Anderson, who went over at the corner. Dodds failed to goal. Blackball 11, Ngahere 3. Ngahere forwards then took a hand, and kept the Blackball defence busy, Dodds being compelled to force down. Ngahere returned, and were rewarded with a successful penalty goal, kicked by Weir. Ngahere 5, Blackball 11. Dodds then came up to his usual position at five-eighth, but play remained with the forwards, Ngahere holding the opposing pack. - Blackball then set up an attack which was continued until the final whistle, no further score result-, ing. Mr. D. Faris was referee.

RUNANGA BEAT BRUNNER. There was a large attendance at Dunollie yesterday, when Runanga defeated Brunner by 19 points to 11, in a fairly evenly contested, but not spectacular match. Prominent players for Runanga were J. Medlin, J. Glynn and Dunn in the forwards, and W. Glynn, C. Crowe, R. Morris, D. Manderson and Hopkins, the latter having his first game for the team. For Brunner, McDonald at full back, L. Hunt, centre, and H. Hunt and G. Croft in the forwards were the most outstanding. H. Hunt secured a big share of the ball from the set scrums. . Tries for Runanga were gained by Morris, Medlin, W. Glynn and Speakman (2), while Speakman converted two goals. For Brunner, L. Hunt, H. Hunt and Smith crossed the. line, H. Hunt converting one. Mr. F. Bernard was referee.

JUNIOR GRADE. At Dunollie yesterday, Runanga and Marist juniors provided a good exhibition of the code, Runanga completing their undefeated record for the first round, winning ail four matches. Prominent for Runanga were Pope, Wright, and McTaggart (forwards) and Naisbett, Sharpe, S. Kennedy, Hill and Harrington (backs). For Marist, Casey. McHugh. Greaney (bpeks), and Power and Behan (forwards) did best Pope, Sharpe, Harrington (2). and Hill scored tries, while McTaggart, Sharpe and Kennedy gouled, toi Runanga. McHugh and Greaney crossed for Marist. Greaney converting both Dies and kicking a penalty goal, the final scores being Runanga 21. Mansi 12.

BLACKBALL BEAT PIRATES.

Playing at Blackball before a large crowd of spectators, under ideal conditions, the improving Blackball juniors had an easy victory over Pirates, winning by 22 points to 2. The scorers for the winners were Kells. Martin, Balderstone (2), Lister, Gallop. White, :.ud Allen, and Lister kicked penalties. De Frcatns kicked a goal for Pirates. Mr. W. Allen was referee. THIRD GRADE. Runanga and Pirates third grade teams provided the early match at Wingham Park, Runanga winning by 23 points to 5. Tries for Runanga were secured by Kennedy (2). Hector 12 ) Drearer. Quinn, and .1. Masters, ('rearer converted one. Pinn touched down for Pirates, Harrington converting. Mr. A. Fielding was referee. At Brunner, the home team met defeat from Marist. third grade, by 12 points io 7. AT OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND. May 25. Ponsonby 18. Newton 16; Marist 10. RichmondS. • CHRISTCHURCH. May 2i>. . Xddinuton 11. Kuril 2.1; Waimaiti 1 — Linwood 12: New Brighton I). Sydenham 2.