DOMINATE PLAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23024, 15 August 1949, Page 3

DOMINATE PLAY

game with a leg injury. Marist made a fairly spirited opening and one movement initiated by Cleary and another in which Ragget, B. Donovan and Clarke took part looked like opening the scoring account. However, Old Boys’ defence held and the pressure relieved. Cleary had a shot at goal following a penalty given to Marist and missed with a fairly easy kick. After a period of indecisive play Marist returned to the attack and Old Boys' troubles were relieved by McGregor, who intercepted and broke clear. Phelps, the Old Boys’ full-back, was called upon to clear quite often. From a position in midfield the ball went out fo Harris, who scored wide out after running clear from Parker. The kick at goal went wide.—Old Boys, 3; Marist, nil. Marist came back again and after working downfield Ragget got a pass out to Sullivan, who handed to Cleary. The last-mentioned penetrated and was awarded a try. White missed the kick at goal.—Old Boys, 3; Marist. 3.

The two sets of forwards made the pace at this stage and honours were fairly even. The half-time whistle sounded with no further change in the score.

Old Boys were penned up in their twentyfive again on the resumption and were hard put to it to keep Marist out. White had another chance at goal, out fell short. Clark gathered in at top speed and nearly went over. A scrum back was called and a Marist infringement in the following scramble enabled Old Boys to clear. In one of the first invasions of Marist territory in the second spell the Marist defenders infringed and Phelps converted the penalty with a good kick.—Old Boys, 6; Marist, 3. Marist was not to be denied. They launched another attack and after a

series of scrums in the Old Boys' twenty-five Ragget slipped in between the posts for a score. White converted to put Marist in the lead.—Marist, 8; Old Boys, 6. With the final 10 minutes of play remaining Marist forwards stiil retained the upper hand and with the Marist inside backs penetrating all the while the Old Boys’ defence was tried repeatedly. Five minutes to go Ragget secured and was tackled a few yards short of the line. As the ball rolled clear, Lomas came through to score and Cleary converted.—Marist, 13; Old Boys, 6. The result was put beyond all doubt when Sullivan worked the ball over lor a try. Although it was in no way spectacular it was well merited on his past performance as a trier all the way. White missed with the kick.—Marist, 16: Old Boys. 6. Mr. F. Bayliss was the referee.