THE LEAGUE GAME.

Grey River Argus, 15 July 1922, Page 6

THE LEAGUE GAME.

EXCITING PLAY AT BLACKBALL. RUNANGA WIN BY SMALL MARGIN. (Ily “Touch-line.’') The weather conditions on Sunday last were good for football, but the ground at Blackball was not at its best, owing to the previous games played upon it —hockey, soccer, :nd two football games preceding the senior game between Runanga and Blackball. Both these teams placed strong thirteens in the field. The amount of speculation was brisk as to which would prove the superior. The game, was fought out rather strenuously from st: it to finish, there being some real flashes of brilliancy on the part of several players, Blackball immediately made play lively at the start, and Stenliouse landed a'fiue goal from well out. This lead lasted not for long, however, as a great passing movement by the Runanga backs saw play carried to the other end, where the Blackball full-back was caught in possession, and, from a scrum, Freeman dived over to score a nice try for Runanga. From this on there was no addition to the score, and both sides had narrow misses of scoring. Stenhouse had several shots at goal, but this player did not act up to the reputation he h: d built up this season, and all were fruitless. Towards the close of the game the spectators got very excited and continually encroached on the touch-lines. The game had to be stopped on several occasions. In this case Blackball were distinctly unlucky, as Kells would surely have scored only for the crowd. As showing the interest in the home team, a section of tho crowd took exception to, a couple «.r rulings given by the referee, and caused quite a demonstration after the match. It would be advisable for followers of the game to stop for a while and think what referees have to put up with. In these days, surely, a little fair plav is not beyond all true sports, and when it is considered that referees give their time and energy to the game, they should be praised rather than otherwise. Anyhow, all’s well that ends well! I expect the Blackball team to fight out the final for the Pollard Cup. They have good material in the team, and with the exception of a few, are all voting players. In Kells (captain) they have the makings of a first-class threequarter, providing he is kept in this position. Another who caught my eye was Hall (five-eighth). This player runs very straight, and is a dangerous man near the line. Once, on Sunday, he was over the line, but lost the ball before he could ground it. Smith, Haisty, and Todd also played well in the backs the two former showing remarkable pace. In the forwards, Long and Skilton, two very promising men, shone out, :Al<l are big factors in this pack. Both should find a place in any rep. team. Stenhouse is another who has weight, and also a good hefty boot for goal kicking. J. Neilson, at the back of the scrum, is a good lively forward, but should control his tongue more, or he may be viewing the games from the line! In the Runanga team Finn (fullback) was a veritable trojan. He is playing good football. Robson was not at his best, though Manderson, on the other wing, played well. Cast, in my opinion, was the pick, and has fully justified his position in the senior grade. Freeman, at half, who has been off the scene some time through an accident at the mine, showed a glimpse of his old dash when he scored Runanga’s only try. Along with Hunter and Purnell he combined beautifully. Parson: ge, J. McTaggart, Barber, and \V. McTaggart, in the forward division, all played good hard games, though Anderson was not as good as usual, missing an easy opportunity to score by faulty handling. To-day’s Attraction.

Tho principal game for this weekend is the senior one on tho Recrea tion Ground to-day, between Runanga and Waiuta, when a fast and exciting contest is bound to bo the order. Those who witnessed these teams meet before have recollection of the excellent football they play, end to-day’s game should be no exception to the rule. Shoudl the weather keep fine the Waiuta team should more than hold Runanga, and may even reverse the previous performance at Blackball some weeks ago. The Nelson Creek Junior team will try conclusions against Runanga at Rapa hoe on Sunday, whilst on the same day, Kohinoor juniors will meet Blackball ft Blackball. Although the seniors and juniors have been catered for, the younger element has also been attended to, and Runanga and Blackball third graders will fight out a Smith Cup mutch on the Recreation Ground at 1 p.m. to-day, and the same two clubs will place a fourth grade team in the field. These boys are meeting on the Recreation Ground at 11 a.m. to-day. Altogether there is League football for all and sundry to-day and to-morrow, and the public should witness some good games. The following is the complete programme for the week-end:— Seniors: Waiuta v. Runanga, Recreation Ground, 2 p.m. to-day. Referee, Mr Hopkins. Juniors. —July 1G: Kohinoor v. Blackball at Blackball (referee Mr Neilson); .July 16: Nelson Creek v. Runanga, at Rapahoe, 3 p.m. (referee, Mr E. Smith). Third Graders.—To-day: Runanga v. Blackball, Recre: tion Ground, 1 p.m. (referee, Mr Lawrence). Fourth Graders. —To-dny: Runanga v. Blackball, Recreation Ground, 11 a.m. (referee, Mr Parsonage). POSTPONEMENT. The junior match between Roa and Rivals set down for to-day at Blackball has been postponed indefinitely. LEAGUE TOPIC. (By Spectator). A sight to be seen at a League game: —Large crowd. With a winning way end first to welcome all sports at the Rec:—Frank. One of League 's pictures:/ The Roa team. An innovation of the League—The fence. A problem: Pick the winner of today’s game at the Recreation. A heady player wth a lot of give, and take too, but sometimes does'nt give, ami leaves the defending team bewildered:—Bris. The brilliant trio, that asks the question:—Watt, Pinn, Snowy? To-day’s League game at the Recreation Ground:—Waiuta v. Runanga 3 p.m. The day of reckoning for the Pollard Cup:—Waiuta’s. A player of some promise and carries a good dummy—Giff. Football veterans, still as young as ever —Sam, Bill, Harry, and Tom.

The undoubted touchline judge, when seen in retion—Dick. A progressive body—The Executive. What’s doing? “Oh, its coming up in the lift; they say.” Watts, Cutbush, McElwee and Co., doing to-day. Come and see! Who plays the League game is a great asset to his team —Charlie Me. Overlie: rd at a League game from a lady supporter —“This is Riv: Is scoring corney, don’t you know.” Another lady supporter: “See our captain—“ Don’t vou think him lovely ? ’ ’ During the lull nt half time in the game Blackball v. Runangn, a quartette was given by ladies, something like the song of the bird from the distance, but 011 drawing nearer, it proved to be sonie-what “fishy.” A greot kicker, and a dangerous man anywhere inside the half-way; when a free kick or murk is allowed—Gill. An overbearing and uncalled for attitude towards the referee in the Blackball Runanga match—A small section of Blackball spectators who were to be seen 011 Sunday last. A lady spectator at the match in Blackball was seen to outstretch her arm as if to embrace the referee, at second gl: nee, however, it was evident that such was not intended! Blackball League teams for matches this week' end are as follows: — Juniors: Perrie, Haisty, B. Kerr, R. McDonald, Kirk, McKay, Rhodes, Tavlor, Faris, Hudson, Aleadowcroft, J. Kerr and Neilson. Emergencies: W. Neilson, I). Faris, Kidd, Curtis, and Scott. Third Grade: Ledsham, Smitj. Leitch A., Ale L-y, E. White, Dodds, Kinsella, Hall, Leitch G., Williams, James, Grindle and Taylor. Emergencies: Perrie Muir, C. White, Leitch, and Heyward. Fourth Grade: Williams, Ca’ldwell, Muir, E. Leitch, Neilson, Jamieson, Kinsella, Robinson, Heyward, Nuttall, C. Leitch, \\ . Clark, and R. Neilson. Emergencies: Bailey, McNeil, Lamberton and Woodrow. SOCCER FOOTBALL. The following players will represent Blackball Soccer Club in their g?me with Greymouth at Greymouth Recreation Ground to-day at 1.45 p.m.: — Frickleton, Taylor, Penman, Hall, Balderstonc, Park, Kerr, F. Clarke, Croft, Neilson and Drummond. Emergency, Bromilow. j