Blackball Came With Late Run To Secure Draw

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1949, Page 3

Blackball Came With Late Run To Secure Draw

It is a long time since two teams on the West Coast have played to such concerted barracking from the stand as was given Runanga and Blackball as they battled for the winning points in yesterday’s knock-out final at Wingham Park. At the end of the abortive 10-minutes extra time, both teams were exhausted and some of the spectators must have been hoarse. The game began tamely and for a time it appeared that it was to be a poor final. Runanga raced away to a substantial lead early, but after the interval Blackball was a different team. It gradually reduced its deficit and with 14 minutes left to play, evened the scores, at 13-all. From that stage on, some excellent football was seen, with both sides throwing the ball about in great style and handling remarkably well under the conditions prevailing. Territorially, honours were with Blackball but it could not score. Both teams were obviously tired when the extra time was commenced, but that did not prevent them from playing exciting football. In the first five minutes, Runanga twice went close to securing the winning point but in the second “spell” Blackball was most unlucky, a drop-kick by J., Oliver 1 actually striking the upright and bouncing back infield. Teams Make Decision At the end of the two five-minute spells, the referee signalled the teams to change over again and continue but the teams consulted quickly and walked from the field, amid cheers. It was not according to the rules laid down by the Board of Control, which said that 20 minutes extra should be played, if necessary, but it was a reasonable action under the heavy conditions prevailing. Both teams were below full strength. Runanga missed G. Menzies, J. Soster and R. Baxendale while Blackball was without R. Aynsley, W. Mountford and for most of the game, r*. Mulcare, who was injured early. There was little between the forward packs, although Blackball had an advantage in the set scrums, particularly in the later stages, when both teams, elected to play an extra back. In the Runanga scrum, J. Newton, I. Marley, A. McTaggart and G. Scalmer were prominent, while W. McLennan, K. Kirk and T. Longley were perhaps the best of an even Blackball pack, and F. Thompson did well when brought in from the backs. T, Menzies played an outstanding game on the wing for Runanga, scoring two good tries. Other prominent Runanga backs were M. Thomas and R. Forrest. L. Sweetman, J. Lee and R. Nuttall were possibly the pick of the Blackball backs who did not impress as a whole until the final stages of the game when they took risks. The teams were as follows: — Blackball: R. Nuttall; R. Patterson, J. Mclntosh, F. Thompson; A. O’Donnell J. Lee; L. Sweetman; W. Kirk, P. Mulcare, W. McDonald, W. McLennan, A. McLure, T. Longley. Runanga: J. Curragh; T. Menzies, L. Forrest, R. Gibb; R. Forrest, M. Thomas; W. Curragh; G. Scalmer, I. Marley, K. Stapleton, J. Newton, A. Williamson, A. McTaggart. Scoring Movements Runanga was first to score Thomas nicking uo in the loose inside the 2a to send on to R. Forrest, to Gibb, who touched down well out. Curragh failed to convert. Mulcare retired with an injury and was replaced in the Blackball team by J. Oliver, who went to the wing, allowing Thompson to take bis usual place in the forwards. Shortly after Menzies fielded a clearing kick near the sideline and in a fast dash down the sideline scored a good solo try. Curragh failed to convert, but extra points came when Williamson kicked a goal from a penalty 30 yards out. A good run by Thompson put Blackball in an attacking position and when the ball came cleanly from a 5 yard scrum, O’Donnell sold a “dummy” and went over half way out. Nuttall missed the kick. Just before half time Newton broke through from half way, grubber kicked past Nuttall and Menzies, who was following s fast, scooped the ball up neatly to score Between the posts. Curragh converted, to make the score, Runanga 13, Blackball 3. Early in the second half Nuttall kicked a good goal and the game took on a different complexion when good passing between O’Donnell, Mclntosh and Lee saw the last named score, wide out. Nuttall failed to convert. With only 14 minutes left to play, McLennan received from a play-the-ball near the Runanga line, propped as if he was about to attempt a field goal, and then shot straight through to score between the posts. Nuttall converted, to even the scores, at 13-all. In the last few minutes Nuttall had three long kicks at goal, but was unsuccessful and

at the call of time, the scores were still even. . First class football was seen m the exciting extra time and honours , were with Blackball territorially. Attempts by O’Donnell, Nuttall and Oliver to kick field goals were all close enough to give Runanga a fright, and Oliver actually hit the upright. The game finally ended with the scores still, Runanga 13, Blackball 13. Mi- J. Mathews was referee.