JUNIOR RUGBY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20864, 17 August 1942, Page 6

JUNIOR RUGBY

MARISTS’ GOOD WIN S. WILLS' DAY OUT Although the senior match which was to have been played in the Poverty Bay Rugby Union’s competition on the Oval on Saturday afternoon was postponed, spectators were not disappointed, as the junior games played provided plenty of excitement. The most spectacular of these 'was the game in which Marist defeated Air Force by 13—11. Marist opened their account early with a try by K. Keiha, converted by McKinley. Air Force were not long in retaliating with an unconverted try by P. Insall. After this Marist seemed to have the game on their own Imd Keiha went through to score his second try, which was not converted. Almost immediately after McKinley broke away after a deceptive pass from Iveiha. McKinley short-kicked and followed up, taking the ball at his feet and finally slithering over the line near the posts. Air Force were unfortunate ill that two of their players collided when endeavouring to intercept McKinley’s kick. McKinley converted his own try. From then until half-time no further score resulted; in fact, Marist did not* score again. After the spell the airmen renewed their efforts more rigorously and were rewarded when R. Scott dived over from a scramble near the touch line. The kick was a difficult one and failed. About 10 minutes prior to the final whistle, Air Force went over again, this time after a brilliant hack movement which was finished off by R. Robertson. I. Bills converted the try, bringing Air Force within two points of their tiring opponents. Marist, however, managed to hold the eager airmen in a desperate light against time. The feature of the High School A v. High School B match was the bright display pul up by S. Wills, second five-eighths. His performance was truly outstanding and hcscored 20 of the A’s 31 points. This day out of Wills' brings his total of points for the season to- loi The B’s could only manage three points, hut the score was definitely no clear indication of the game, as the B’s played a solid game but did not seem to he able to finish oil' their movements with the same precision as the A’s. For the A team, D. Robinson played a sound game at full-back, making some good tackles. "He converted a try, As halfhack, G. Allan was useful, while the best forwards were L. Gibson and L. Ngata. C. Whitton scored one try. .On the B side A. Tureia scored the otdy try. J. Kane was a persistent player at second five-eighth, doing much in both defensive and offensive work, while D. Widdowson, as centre, and J. Excell, in the forwards, were prominent. A scraggy game resulted when the Air Training Corps were defeated by Old Boys 11—3. The A.T.C. sulfered a disadvantage in that they were a light team, and had to rely more upon open play. In this department J. White was outstanding. Although small and light, he was most elusive ami gained much ground on many occasions by his evasive attacks. R. Fyson’s handling and kicking were good, and J. Potaka, at half-back, played a fair game. Anothei player who did some good work was B. Shaw, hut he seemed to be too well marked. H. Bissenden touched down for A.T.C. For the opposing side, R. Stevens scored two tries, and P. Henderson one) while P. Davis converted a try.