Sure Tackling Was Marist's Greatest Asset

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 June 1948, Page 8

Sure Tackling Was Marist's Greatest Asset

Possibly the great single factor in Marist’s somewhat unexpected defeat of the championship leaders, Runanga yesterday was its excellent tackling. The Runanga backs were well fed with the ball, and they showed their usual enterprise but on every occasion but one their best efforts came to nought as the result of the effective Marist defence. The pact was on from the start and although it looked at one stage as if the Marist pack would be unequal to the strain, the forwards rallied and fought hard until the final bell. On attack, a reorganised Marist backline lacked snap at times, but the defensive play was always sound.

Runanga Loses Player The only regrettable feature of a fast and exciting match was that Runanga played almost the whole of the second spell a player short in the forwards. Just after the interval G. Menzies (the promising young fiveeighth) and R. Baxendale (a useful forward) met in a head on collision and Menzies received injuries which necessitated his removal to the hospital. Baxendale played on, in the backs. Although, of course, this was a big handicap for Runanga to overcome, even before the accident Marist had given an indication that it would be a very hard team to beat on the day and actually held a slender lead at the time. Runanga fought back gamely after its serious set back and actually drew level in points before Marist regained the upper hand with a penalty, and. confirmed its victory with a good try. In the first half Runanga had a slight advantage in the set scrums but the Marist forward broke quickly to assist in bottling up the Runanga backs. Later, the scrummaging was more even and on attack the Marist backs took a greater hand in the game. Both sets of backs, however, lost opportunities through faulty handling and cross-field running. J. Mundy, who filled the gap in the Marist backline left through V. Meates not being available (Mundy played first five-eighth) was missed in loose forward play but in his absence J. Calder and J. Stokes played exceptionally good games. F. Malloy was probably the best of the other forwards. J. Higson was the hardest working Runanga forward, with good support coming from A. McTaggart and R. Braithwaite.

The disappointment of the Runanga backline was the fullback, J. Soster. In the first half he played brilliantly, but in the second half he attempted far too much on his own, with the result that he was frequently caught in possession and allowed Marist to break through. R. Forrest, M. Thomas and J. Curragh were the most impressive Runanga backs. There was a lack of cohesion in the Marist backline at times, but the cover defence was always good. J. Curnow, J. Pascoe and J. Mundy (particularly in defence) acquitted themselves well. A. Hines also gave an improved display at fullback. The teams were as follows:— Marist: A. Hines; M. Teen, L. Dargan, K. Curnow; J. Pascoe, J. Mundy; J. Curnow; J. Stokes, K. Coll, J. Calder, P. Coll, P. Costello, F. Malloy. Runanga: J. Soster; W. Curragh, R. Forrest, J. Curragh; M. Thomas, G. Menzies; L. Sweetman; R. Baxendale, J. Hart, R. Braithwaite, A. McTaggart, J. Higson, R. Armstrong. Scoring Movements Winning the toss, Runanga set Marist to face a strong sun in the first half. Runanga opened the scoring quickly, J. Curragh and J. Soster both joining in on a passing rush from the, Marist 25 to provide an overlap which R. Forrest turned to good account by running in to touch down near the posts. Soster failed to convert. Marist had a slight territorial advantage, but it was not until half way through the spell that they took the lead with a good try, as the result of Cur- | now’s initiative. He shot through the ' side of the scrum 20 yards from the Runanga line and short-passed to Stokes, who in turn sent on to Teen,: •who scored close to the posts. P. Coll converted. Both sides went close to scoring before the interval but no further points were recorded, the half time score being:—Marist 5, Runanga 3 Early in the second spell Menzies was compelled to retire. J. Curragh came

into the five-eighth line and Baxendale took his place on the wing. Just after this blow Runanga equalised the scores, J. Soster kicking a penalty goal from the 25. Smart play by Curnow took play to the other end where P. Coll kicKed a goal from wide out on the 25, to restore Marist’s lead. Ten minutes before the end of the ■game Marist clinched victory with a good try. The Marist forwards took play to near the Runanga line, where Soster allowed himself to be caught in possession. Mundy snapped up the ball as it rolled loose, sold a perfect dummy to cut through, and sent a long pass to J. Curnow, who raced over in the corner. P. Coll failed to convert. Just before the final bell Soster was again caught in possession and infringed in playing the ball, allowing P. Coll to kick another goal from wide out. The final score was, Marist 12, Runanga 5. Mr J. Mathews was referee.