RUGBY LEAGUE Knock-out Final Drawn After Extra Time

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1949, Page 3

RUGBY LEAGUE Knock-out Final Drawn After Extra Time

Two extra spells of five- minutes each were insufficient to produce a decision in the West. Coast, Rugby League’s senior knock-out competition final yesterday, and, although the Board of Control had decreed that in such eases two further five-minute spells should be played, the players themselves decided that the endurance test had gone far enough, and by mutual consent, the teams left the field.

The finalists were Blackball and Runanga and they provided an unexpectedly bright game. It began rather scrappilv, but for the final half-hour it produced some splendid football, with both teams throwing caution to the winds in an attempt to secure victory.

Overhead conditions were favourable for the game, but the ground at Wingham Park, muddy and cut up by the curtain-raiser, was in very bad order. The handling over the final stages of the game was exceptionally good under the conditions and it was not surprising that the players, at times ankle deep in mud, were completely exhausted after the extra time.

It seems generally desired to bring the season to an early close, but yesterday’s draw has complicated matters. It is expected that a replay will be ordered, putting closing day back at least another week. Results of yesterday’s games were: — Senior. —K.O. final: Runanga 13,

Blackball 13. Senior Reserve. —Nelson Creek 28, Rapahoe 3. Third Grade.-—K.O. final: Brunner 13, Runanga 2. Fifth Grade.—Marist 13, Kohinoor 3.