LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 May 1938, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

MARIST DEFEAT BLACKBALL. RUNANGA’S EASY WIN. Although the grounds were inclined to be .greasy, after the previous play’s rain, overhead conditions were ideal for yesterday's League matches, and good attendances were recorded at the principal games. ” Tlie surprise of the day was Marist seniors’ defeat of Blackball, by . the odd point in five, after an exciting match, before a large crowd, at Wingham Park. After their defeat the previous Sunday, Marist were not expected to beat last, season’s champions, and their victory was a. tribute io the great improvement effected in their play. The oilier senior game, at Ngahere. resulted in an overwhelming win for Runanga, who are now the only undefeated team.

A CLOSE GAME. .Apart from individual weaknesses and faulty handling, which were to be expected early in the season, the Marist—Blackball senior game at Wingham Park provided good foothall, the closeness of the scores maintaining interest until the final whittle. After their disappointing displays of late, few were prepared to see Mam st score a success at the expense of last season’s champions, but they rose to 'he occasion, playing hard from whistle to whistle. Gaining a lead of three points in the first half, they withstood repeated onslaughts by the country team, without having theii line crossed. Blackball’s only points coming from a penalty goal. Blackball were handicapped by the tendency of their inside backs to stand shallow and flat-footed, but on the other hand, they were continually harassed by the'Marist forwards, all of whom played well. Although there were several apparent weaknesses, the Marist backs also put up a good showing. Play swung rapidly from one end of the field to the other, the game being at a fast pace throughout, but there were plenty of exciting incidents. Hopkins, O'Brien, Pollock, Pearson, Grogan and Malone wore outstanding for Marist, while Kirk, Mountford, Vincent, Clark, Bailey and Bruce played well for ['.lackball.

'flic- I'-iims were as follow:—Blackball: Mountford, Weir, McNaughton, O'Donnell, Kirk, Dodds, Vincent, Bailey, Driscoll, J. Clark, R. Clark, Howden, Bruce. Marist: Pollock, Morel. Beban, Devonport, Rochford, P. O’Brien, Hopkins, Stewart, Hutchinson, Pearson, Grogan. Affleck, Malone. Winning the toss, Blackball gained •he. advantage of a strong sun. but Marist were the first to attack, with louse rushes. A penalty up-and-un-der saw Marist. sweep right, to the line, but Vincent, cleared well. Brilliant passing by the Marist. backs, from mid-field, saw 11.I 1 . O’Brien break right through, with a neat cut in, leaving Dcvonport with only Mountford to pass. The winger took his pass cleanly end brushed off Mountford to score a good try. Pollock’s kick fell short.— Marist. 3, Blackball nil. A clever

.■tab-kick by Hopkins again put Marist in a dangerous position, but offside gave Blackball relief. In another bright passing movement by the Marist backs. the ball travelled right out io the wing and Beban went over, only to be n called for a knock-on. A kick tho open side by O’Brien gave Kirk an opportunity, but he was well tackled. Vincent essayed a penalty from Well out. but it was a poor attempt. Matisl continued to attack, Vincent and Mountford repeatedly saving Blackball from difficult situations. Weir broke away from inside Black-' ball territory, to gain 40 yards, but was caught in possession, when a score lopked likely, and Pollock relieved a‘determined attack with a fine line-kick. Snappy passing among the Blackball backs, Dodds and Kirk in particular, had Marist in trouble, but the defence held. Dodds was unsuccessful with a penalty from a handy position. Blackball held the upper hand for the remainder of the first half, but failed to open their account, in face of a solid defence, the halftime score being Marist 3, Blackball nil.

Blackball attacked early in the secern! half, Behan being compelled to force, but after a series of scrums on the line, Marist cleared. Good passing between Vincent, Dodds ’and McNaughton saw Blackball again on the Marist line, but this time a penalty thwarted them. The Blackball backs set up a determined attack, both wingers being held up almost on the line. Eventually Mountford went over, securing from a loose melee, but was recalled for offside. Further scrums in front, of the Marist goal followed, and Marist were caught offside, Vincent missing the easiet of kicks. Both teams were- obviously tired at. this stage, but the game continued to be played at a fast pace, neither side gaining much advantage. The Marist forwards combined in one of their best rushes of the match, to take play right to the Blackball line, where Vincent twice saved. Vincent, Dodds and Kirk again threatened danger, but O’Brien took a timely mark. Blackball attacked determinedly and eventually Pollock was penalised for not playing the ball, almost under the posts. This time Vincent made no mistake.—Marist 3, Blackball 2. Marist forwards missed a great opportunity when O’Donnell punted high under his own goal posts, but all overran the ball. Marist did all the attacking in the closing stages, but there was no further scoring, the final tally being:—Marist 3, Blackball 2 . Mr. M. Hall was referee.

RUNANGA 31, NGAHERE 5

Playing at Ngahere yesterday, Runanga seniors beat Ngahere by 31 to 5, but the scores were not a fair indication of the game, which, especially in the second half, kept both sides on the move. W. Glynn and C. Wright in the forwards played well for Runanga. In the backs, Crowe played an outstanding game, and was well supported by Pattinson and Kiely. A. Gibson, Hogg, and Balderstone played well in Ngahere’s back line, but J. Weir the first five-eight was the star of the team.

Ngahere took up the attack from the start of play, and soon pressed on the Runanga line, but after a melee near the line, W. Glynn and A Williams took the play back to the Ngahere line with a good run. Two free kicks for Ngahere in quick succession saved the position for them, but soon, from a fine display of passing in which Kiely Williams, and Glynn figured, the latter went over for a well deserved try,

Speakman, converting. Runanga. 5, N ToVmafter play resumed, Kiely received in mid-field and sent to 0 Connell who lost possession for a Ngahere man to secure and kick right into W. Glynn’s hands. He short punted to Williams to secure and score. Speakman failed with the kick Scores 8-ml. After a spell of mid-field play, 0 Coi - nell tried a long speculator: he was the onlv man to follow up and secured easilv to score. Speakman converted. Score 13-nil. Ngahere opened play again with a good passing rush, with all the backs taking pari, which brought play near the Runanga line, but the last man mulled the ball and possession was lost right on the line. From an infringement Ngahere tried a goal kick, but failed. Runanga were on the attack again, and from one of the many scrum infringements, were awarded a free kick. Ngahere forced down following a melee on their line. Pattinson secured and passed to Williams who went over in the cornei. Speakman failed with the kick. Score 16, nil. Ngahere's full back, Cooper, soon brought play back in the Runanga 25 with a. fine line kick, but the advantage was lost when Speakman cleared. From a free kick, Speakman attempted a kick at goal, but failed. Play returned to mid-field and Kiely supported by O’Connell wheeled his way through to score well out. Speakman failed with the kick. Score 19 nil. Ngahere took up the attack and from a free kick in front of the posts, opened their score with two points. Half time was called soon after. On resumption, play was uneven, quickly changing from end to end of the field without advantage to either, until for a free kick Speakman put over a fine kick from the side, making the score 21-2. After a period of midfield play, Nolan secured for Ngahere, and with a fine piece of football, went over to score in the corner. The kick failed, making the score 21 to 5. Runanga took up the attack, and from a melee on the Ngahere line, McGirr went over to score. Speakman converting, making the score Runanga 26, Ngahere 5. Ngahere brought play back to Runanga 25, but from a tussle, Pattinson picked up nicely and accompanied by Williams made a run to score. Speakman converted making the score 31 to five, and play finished without further points being added. Mr. L. J. Kinsella was referee.

JUNIOR GRADE. KUMARA BEAT BRUNNER. A close game resulted at Kumara, where the home junior team defeated ! Brunner by five points to three. Play was hard throughout, but both teams made many mistakes. For Kumara, McKenzie scored a try and Bell kicked a. penalty goal, while Warren scored an unconverted try for Brunner. Mr. A. Fielding was referee. RAPAHOE BEAT MARIS'!'. Playing on the B. ground at Wingham Park, Rapahoe juniors defeated Marist, after a hard game, by 26 points to 14. The winners had a much heavier, and more experienced team and always held the upper hand. Tries were scored for the winners by Green (2), Hill, Hart and Currie (2), Newton converted three and Sergeant one. For Marist, tries were scored by Greaney, Grogan, Beban and Ellis, Greaney converting one. Mr. C. Currie was referee. BLACKBALL 9, RUNANGA 9. At Blackball yesterday, after an even match, the game resulted in a draw. For Blackball, Lee scored and Williams converted, and Ord kicked two penalty goals. For Runanga, Crerar scored, Airns converting, and kicking two goals. Mr J. Neilson was referee. THIRD GRADE. Playing at Runanga, Runanga third graders defeated Marist by nine points to five, due mainly to the efforts of their forwards. T. Merriman (2), and Dalzell scored unconverted tries for the winners. McGirr scored Marist only try and Wilson converted. FOURTH GRADE. Marist fourth graders proved too strong in all departments for Runanga, in their game at Runanga Domain yesterday, winning by 2S points to nil. Tries were scored for the winners by J. Curnow (4), F. Willis, McGirr, Kennedy and K. Rea, while Rea and C. McBride each converted one. The referee was Mr. H. Bassett. SIXTH GRADE. The sixth grade (school boys) competition was opened on Saturday, when Marist B. defeated Runanga, at Runanga, by 15 points to 3, after an interesting game. Tries were scored for the winners by E. McDonnell, C. Mcßride and Malone, while Mcßride converted two tries and W. Hamilton kicked a penalty. N. McTigue scored an unconverted try for Runanga. Mr. 11. Bassett was referee. The other sixth grade game was won by Blackball, who defeated Kumara by six points to nil.

IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND, May 1. The fourth series of the Rugby League matches resulted: Richmond 20, North Shore 19; Ponsonby 19, Papakura 13; Newton 2S, City 11; Mount Albert IS, Marist 13. WELLINGTON, May 1. The first senior Rugby League matches of the season resulted: —St. George 26, Newtown 0; Petone 19, Randwick 18. CHRISTCHURCH, May 1. Country defeated Town, by 23 points to 16, in a Rugby League match played at Monica Park yesterday afternoon. There was an attendance of about 2000. WESTPORT, May 1. In a League match at Denniston yesterday, Pirates beat Westport Rivals by 21 to 3. The Reefton Waratah team beat a combined Westport and Denniston team by 18 to 13.