LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 May 1939, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

MARIST DEFEAT RUNANGA.

BLACKBALL ALSO SUCCEED

Ideal.football conditions were experienced for the West Coast Rugby League's matches yesterday and at Winghijm Park, where the crowd exceeded the previous record attendances lor the. season, the ground was in perfect order for the Marist —Runanga games. ' Football of a good standard was provided for the large crowd and there were some .thrilling movements, along with a few exciting “incidents.” The result was always in doubt, but due to their superior back play, Marist emerged winners by IS points to 11. in the other senior match, at Blackball, which was also witnessed by a large crowd. Blackball defeated Ngahere by the comfortable margin of 21 points to six, and thus Marist and Blackball have sorted themselves out as leaders of the competition for the championship, which is just half-way through. A feature of the results in the junior grade was the close scoring.

MARIST 18—RUNANGA 11

Reminiscent of the Marist-Runanga battles of past years was the game at Wingham Park, where Marist seniors, for the second time this season, triumphed over Runanga, the score being 18-11. Good, fast football was provided and the number of stoppages for injury indicated its hardness. There were several “incidents,” one when a few over-excited spectators momentarily invaded the field to remonstrate with R. Pollock, who was “roughing it” on the ground with N. Kiely, whom he had just tackled. The incident was over as quickly ns it began and no action was taken by the referee. In the forwards, the teams were evenly matched, although the Marist pack showed more vigour in following up and got most of the ball from the scrums. The Marist backs were definitely superior on the day, the speed of Roberts.and Devonport, and the variations of play adopted by the inside men, constantly worrying Runanga. J. Roberts, who returned to the Marist backs after a spell through injury, played a splendid game and was well supported by M. Hopkins, Devonport, O’Brien and Rochford. Pope. Buchanan and Grogan were perhaps the best of an even set of forwards. Crowe, Kiely, Stewart and Clay were the best of the Runanga backs, while W. Glynn, R. Glynn and Newton were the most effective Runanga forwards. Territorially, the game was even and the result was in doubt until well on in the second spell when, at the critical stage, Marist secured a runaway try. Runanga were unlucky to lose the services of their full-back, Crerar, through an injury, just before half-time, Crowe, a valuable attacking link, having to go to full back. The teams were as follows: — Marist: Pollock, Adams, Roberts. Devonport, O’Brien, Pochford, Malone, M. Hopkins, Seguin, Affleck, Pope, Grogan and Buchanan. Runanga: Crerar, Higson, Kiely, Clay, Stewart, Crowe, Kennedy, King, Glynn, Wright, Airns, Newton, W. Glynn.

Runanga won the toss, but there was little advantage to be gained. Offside by Pope gave Nev,'ton an attempt at goal from the sideline, thirty yards cut, and he succeeded with a beautiful kick. —Runanga 2 —Marist nil. When Kiely was caught in possession 15 yard from his own line, Marist threatened to score, Clay saving from Roberts, at the expense of a five yards scrum, from which the Runanga forwards cleared. Marist continued to attack, and from a play the ball 20 yards out, Adams kicked through. Crerer fumbled in attempting to pick up, and Grogan snapped up to dive over near the corner. Roberts converted, with another fine kick.—Marist s—Runanga 2. When Hopkins worked the blind side, Devonport made a great dash up the line, being pushed out and Crowe cleared with a good kick. Stewart lost an opportunity when he took a mark in midfield, as he subsequently got clear, only to be recalled to take the kick. Roberts had a wonderful opportunity when he kicked through and Crerar missed with a wild speculator, but the Marist player over-ran the ball. Buchanan was following fast and he again kicked through, Hopkins picking up to dive over in the corner for a smart try. Roberts again converted. —Marist 10 —Runanga 2. •Immediately after, Roberts made another spectacular break-away from half-way, but was well tackled by Crerar, the only defender he had to pass. When Crerar kicked through, Clay followed fast and took the ball on the full for a great run, being tackled by Roberts a few yards from the line. From the ensuing play-the-ball, the ball travelled out to Stewart, who cut through, to touch down under the posts, with several defenders hanging on to him. Newton’s kick hit the upright and bounced back infield. —Runanga s—Marist5 —Marist 10. A spectacular bout of passing among the Runanga backs, from the 25, saw Kennedy cross, but he was recalled for a knock-on. Grogan broke away to clear, but Seguin was smothered as he took the pass, at half way. Marist set up a hot attack and Crerar and Stewart brought off several good saves. At this stage Crerar was injured .and retired. Crowe went to full-back and Dalzell came on as first five-eighth. As half-time sounded, Marist had just relieved a hot Runanga attack, with the scores, Marist 10 — Runanga 5. Marist opened with a strong attack, Devonport being tackled in the corner, following a good passing movement. Kiely and Clay made good runs up the line, the latter being pushed out at the corner. A force down gave Marist much-needed relief. Marist set up a prolonged offensive, but a good dribbling run by Newton changed the situation and following a long kick' by Crowe, Higson caught Devonport in possession almost on the line. From the ensuing scrum, W. Glynn secured and dived over in the corner. Newton failed to convert. —Runanga 8 —Marist 10. Immediately after, there was a spectacular move. O’Brien brought off a brilliant change of direction just outside his own 25 and raced 50 yards down the centre before transferring to Roberts, who ran in under the posts. O’Brien failed to convert. Marist 13 —Runanga 8. The reverse spurred Runanga and they put in some great work. Eventually, Kiely raced up from the 25, to send Clay over for a good try in the corner. Newton failed to convert. —Runanga 11 Marist 13. Runanga continued to make desperate efforts, the backs passing well. Following up a long kick, Dalzell touched down, but did not stop

the ball from bouncing, and the. referee ordered a drop out. Suddenly, Grogan broke away from half-way with the ball at his toe and outpaced Clay and Crowe, to touch down near the posts. Roberts converted. —Marist 18, Runanga 11. Runanga again took up the offensive, and right on time Kiely made a brilliant run, but was tackled five yards out. Pollock was penalised for offside and the forcing down of Stewart’s up-and-under closed the game, with the scores —Marist 18, Runanga 11. Mr. C. Purnell was’referee.

BLACKBALL 21 v. NGAHERE 6

At the Blackball Domain, yesterday, Blackball and Ngahere treated a large crowd of spectators to an exciting match. The ground was in good condition, and both teams rose to the occasion, with Ngahere, who had the better of the opening spell, appearing the likely winners, but after the interval, the home backs, who had been kept subdued in the first half, showed their best form. Vincent played a good game, being the pivot of the attack, with Mountford, outside him. always ready to take advantage of the opening. In the forwards, Davis was always prominent, ably supported by R. Clark. For Ngahere, Kennedy, their half-back, was prominent both on attack and defence, with Gibson also well to the fore, while in the forwards Gilman and Fox were most conspicuous. The teams were: —

Blackball. —Howden, J. Clark, O’Donnell, Nuttall, Mountford, Vincent, McNaughton, Roberts, Waters, Williams, R. Clark, Driscoll, Davis. Ngahere.—Balderstone, Lester, A. Gibson, Hill, Pascoe, Mulcare, Kennedy, Fox, Blackmore, Williams, Gillman,.. Gibson, Blackie. Ngahere had the better, of the opening play, a high kick by Gibson going over the goal line, for Blackball to force. Pascoe broke through, but'was well tackled and Vincent sent play to half-way. Davis and Williams led the Blackball forwards to the Ngahere 25, where a penalty relieved Ngahere. Although gaining possesion from the scrums Ngahere backs could not break through, but Fox kicked close to the Blackball line, where Lester lost a good chance by failing to hold a pass, when he received from Kennedy, the ball going over the line for Howden to force. Mountford kicked through to Balderstone, who was injured, and had to leave the field being replaced by L. Gillman. R. Clark picked up and ran to the Ngahere 25, where the ball went loose, for Gibson to clear to midfield. Howden went off injured and Kirk replaced him. Gillman was at the head of a Ngahere forward attack to the Blackball goal mouth, McNaughton kicking out at the 25. Pascoe picked up in the loose and passed out to Gillman, for J. Gibson to receive and open the scoring as the half-time bell went. Mulcare failed with the kick. Ngahere 3, Blackball 0. On resumption, play went to the Blackball 25, Nuttall sending Ngahere back to their own 25 with a good kick. Mulcare went through from a scrum, but was unsupported. Blackball showed the first glimpse of their real form when Vincent picked up in the loose in his own half, sent on to Mountford and O’Donnell carried on to score in the corner. Vincent’s kick missed. Ngahere 3, Blackball 3. Ngahere were kept on the defence and Vincent beat several men and threw a long pass out to Kirk, who ran through strongly to score. Vincent converted. Blackball 8, Ngahere 3. Throwing the ball about, the Blackball backs had Ngahere disorganised and McNaughton, Vincent and Mountford handled for the latter to score in a handy position. Vincent converted. Blackball 13, Ngahere 3. From the kick at half-way, Kennedy followed up and secured to run close to the Blackball line, Blackie being forced out. After a series of scrums, .Williams picked up and dived over, but Mulcare failed with the kick. Blackball 13, Ngahere G. Blackball dominated play in the concluding stages and J. Clark scored at the end of a passing rush by the backs. Vincent failed with the kick. Blackball 16, Ngahere 6. The final try came from a characteristic run by Vincent, who on being tackled, sent into R. Clark and the latter passed to Mountford, who dashed over under the posts for Davis to convert, making the final scores Blackball 21, Ngahere 6. Mr. M. O’Brien was referee. JUNIOR GRADE. There was an exciting finish to the junior match at Rapahoe, Brunner juniors scoring a converted try in the last few minutes, to win the game by 11 points to 10. Tries were scored for the winners by Williams, Jordan and Callanan, Williams converting one. Currie and Sweeney scored for Rapahoe, Currie converting both. The Runanga-Marist game at Runanga was also an exciting struggle, Runanga winning by the narrowest of margins, 14 points to 13.

At Kumara, Nelson Creek had a narrow win over the home junior team by 14 points to 11.

THIRD GRADE.

Runanga third graders had a comfortable win over Marist by 22 points to three, at Wingham Park. Tries were scored for the winners by Mundy (3). Dalzell (2) and Anderson, Dalzell converting two. Power scored an unconverted try for Marist. Mr. H. Bassett was referee.

At Blackball, the home third grade team had a comfortable victory over Rapahoe by 29 points to 11. For the winners, Dillon, Coyle, Jamieson, Mountford (2), Kerr and Day scored tries, O’Donnell converting three and Mayne one, while for Rapahoe James, Leach and Stevens scored, the latter converting one. Mr. W. Allen was referee. FOURTH GRADE. Playing the curtain-raiser on the A ground at Wingham Park. Blackball fourth graders, who had the advantage throughout, defeated Marist by ten points to live. Nuttall and Clark scored for the winners, the conversions being made by Phillips and Clerk. Kennedy scored for Marist and C. Curnow converted. Mr. .J. Griffen was referee.

Playing at Taylorville, Brunner fourth graders defeated Runanga by 16 points to eight. J. Dando (2), Hunt and Smith scored tries for the winners, conversions being made by Bowman and Dando. For Runanga, Forrest and Lee scored unconverted tries and Erickson kicked, a penalty goal. Mr. T. Walton was referee.

IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND, May 13. Richmond 15, Manukau 5; North Shore 19, Newton 12; Mount Albert 20,

Marist 13; Ponsonby 15, Papakura 4. WELLINGTON, May 13. Central 43, Newtown 14; Petone 21, St. George IS; Miramar 20, Randwick 11’

CHRISTCHURCH, May 13

Rugby League results to-day were: Addington S, Waimairi 2; Sydenham 10, Rakaia 10; Linwood 17, Riccarton 14. Addington now leads for the championship, with Rakaia one point behind.

ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP. LONDON, May 13. In the final of the Rugby League championship, Salford defeated Castleford by 8 to 6.