LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 May 1942, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

BRUNNER DEFEAT MARIST. BLACKBALL’S NARROW WIN. Close scoring was the rule in yest< relay's Rugby League matches, three points being the largest margin recorded. In the senior grade, Blackball maintained their unbeaten record, but had another close call, defeating Runanga by only one point. The other senior match was similarly even. Brunner defeating Marist by two points, alter a scoreless second half. The difficulties in regard to transport, due to the restrictions on bus services, was reflected in the attendances at the matches, and one senior game had to bo cancelled for the same reason. Although overhead conditions were fine, the grounds were very heavy after the recent rains, and play in all matches was largely confined to the forwards. BRUNNER 5, MARIST 3.

Although giving away weight m both departments, Brunner seniors battled their way through a dour struggle at Wingham Park to defeat Marist by live points to three. Marist were strengthened by the inclusion of W. Mann and R. Pollock, but it was not a day for back football, and the lively Brunner team more than held their own in the forward exchanges which predominated. Despite the impossibility of handling the heavy, greasy ball, it was a bright game, played at a fast puce throughout. Territorially Brunner had a slight advantage, but there was little between the teams on the day. A feature was the solid tackling of both sides, this being reflected in the low scoring. Hoggarth, Dando and Hopkins were impressive in the Brunner backs. The forwards were an even lot, with Pryor, O'Brien, and Bell showing up on occasions. Mann, Knapp and Pollock (backs) and P. Coll, Watson and Power (forwards) impressed in the Marist team. The teams were as follow:— Brunner: Dando. Dixon, Smith, Hassan. Williams, N. Hopkins. Hoggarth, Tackney, O'Brien, Pryor, Beil, Walton, Grade. Marist: D. Knapp, Devonport. A. Beban, Taylor, Mann, Pollock, Stewart. Coll (2), Power, Hagen, Messenger. Watson. Marist kicked off but Brunner opened the attack, pressing hard on the Marist line. The defenders were penalised for offside, in a handy position, and Hopkins opened the scoring with a penalty kick for Brunne”. The reverse spurred Marist and they attacked strongly, keeping Brunner hemmed in their own 25. Marist were unlucky when P. Coll cut through and sent K. Coll over under the posts, only to be recalled for a forward pass. From a scrum on half way, Stewart passed to Mann on the blind side. Mann cut through, passed to Taylor, and accepted a reverse pass to go over for an excellent try. Mann failed to convert. Marist 3, Brunner 2. Hassan retired with an injury, and was replaced by N. Gibson. A loose forward rush carried Brunnenr close to the Marist line, and when Stewart was tackled in possession, Smith picked up and dived over, in a handy position. Hoggarth failed to convert. Brunner 5, Marist 3. Half-time was called with Brunner still attacking strongly. Even play followed the resumption, the greasy ball defying the efforts of both sides to handle, while overeagerness cost Brunner several op - portunities. Brunner attacked for the. greater part of the spell, but were unable to penetrate Marist’s defence, play being hard but scrambling. Marist made a big effort in the closing stages, but met with solid tackling which broke up

all their attacks, when they found it possible to handle. There was no score in the second half, the game ending: Brunner 5, Marist 3. Trooper J. Mathews was referee.

BLACKBALL 8, RUNANGA'7.

Another keenly-fought game was witnessed by a good crowd at the Runanga Domain, where Blackball defeated Runanga by eight points to seven. The ground was in a bad state, mitigating against good football, but it was a dour, exciting struggle, with the result always m doubt. With the aid of an unusually large number of penalties, Runanga had a territorial advantage, but Blackball fought on gamely, and secured victory with a late try. C. Mountford played another good game for Blackball, and was well supported by McNaughton and Jamieson. The most effective Blackball forwards were Howclen, J. Clark and Davies. For Runanga, Leo, MeTiguo and Bowman were the most impressive backs, while Merriman, Hatch and Dalzell did well in the forwards.

Early in the game Bowman kicked a good penalty goal, to give Runanga a two-point lead. A passing rush by the Blackball backs enabled Jamieson to score in a handy position, and McNaughton converted, making the half-time score: Blackball 5, Runanga 2. The Runanga forwards pressed early 'in the second spell, and Merriman picked up to score. Bowman failed to convert, but soon after kicked a splendid penalty goal, to regain the lead for Runanga. In the concluding stages, C. Mountford made a brilliant run from almost half-way, to score wide out. Howden failed to convert, the final score being Blackball 8, Runanga 7. Mr. J. Griffen was referee. THIRD GRADE. Playing the curtain-raiser at Runanga, Marist third graders defeated Runanga by nine points to six. At Taylorville, Blackball and Brunner played a drawn game, each side scoring six points.