LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 27 July 1925, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

SATL’RP.YY’H MATCHES.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. RUNANGA I (17)—GREY (3). Marist II (5) —Blackball (5). Grey 111 14) —Nelson Creek (2). Brunner 111 (6) —Athletic (2). Runanga IV (13) —Marist (2). South Schools (30) —North. (0). RUNANGA I (17)—GREY (3).

Grey were without the services of f several of their players yesterday. < when these teams met at Omoto, and could only field ten men, until after half time, when Bells came on. Runanga did not take the game too ser-1 iously, and confined themselves mostly I to throwing the ball about among the backs. Finn, who was in the position of five-eighths during most of the game, was responsible for some pretty play, the rest of the team also playing well. Holmes and Giffney were

Grey’s best men, the first-named especially doing some good work. Runanga soon had Grey defending, the backs throwing the ball around in great style, until Lira relieved with a kick. A smart passing rush among Harrison, Cust and Purnell gave Cust an opportunity, of which he took advantage, and scored. Armstrong missed the kick. Runanga 3; Grey 0. A kick by Dennehy went out in Runanga’s twenty-five, and for a time Runanga were kept busy defending, but Harrison cleared. Giffney broke away

from a scrum, and, alter evading three or four men, punted hlg-i, and a race /between he and Hall ensued, which ended in Hall kicking out. Before half time a combined rush by Runanga saw Hall score near the posts. Armstrong converted. Runanga B—Grey 0. From the kickoff, after several scrums near the goal, Armstrong forced his way over. Hall failed with the kick. Runanga 11—Grey 0. Kells came on at this stage of the game, and considerably strengthened the Greys. Al times, the Greens showed flashes of good play, but Runanga’s defence was too solid, and O’Brien soon added another try to Runanga’s credit, Pinn missing an easy kick. Runanga 14 — Grey 0. Holmes relieved the monotony of the game by breaking away with the ball at his toes, but when a score seemed likely, O’Brien came up and cleared, and then Runanga’s backs again set sail, Harrison scoring. Oust goaled with lhe kick. Runanga 17—Grey 0. On time, Twohill got the ball from his own twenty-five, and, after a good run, transferred to Sherlock who .scored Grey’s onlv i.-.ss. » the kick .Runuhga 17—Grey 3. Mr C. Hall wap, /ereree. AI T RIST II (S)—BLACKBALL (5). The final of the junior competition between Marist and Blackball, attracted a large crowd to the Recreation 'Ground on Saturday. After a strenuous and exciting game, in which at times the crowd’s barracking could be heard over a mile away, the game ended in a draw, five all. The scores were a good indication of the play. Both sides were unlucky several times. Kinsella Avas Blackball’s star back, and proved himself the best half in the competition. Olliver at full-back was at the top of his form, and played well, his handling and kicking especially being good. Kerr, on the .wing, was responsible for some good

•lashes, while of the forwards MacDonald and Moody were tne pick. For Marist, E. Quinn at full-back played his usual good game, his kicking saving Marist from defeat. Keepa, on the wing, was a tower of strength, and is one of the most determined runners seen for a long while. Doogan and Kiely did well, the first-named shining out in both defence and attack. King, Sigley, Larcombe and McEnaney were the best of a good pack of forwards. The game was even from the start, the ball travelling from one fullback to the other, until Blackbal pushed their way on to Marist’s line, where a penalty relieved Marist, Doogan lining well down the field. Blackball returned the ball, and a free kick saw Moody have a fruitless shot at goal. Penalties against the Reds enabled Marist to force their opponents, Quinn missing a goal. A nice piece of play among Kiely, Doogan and Keepa saw the latter push his way over the line and draw first blood for Marist. Quinn missed the kick. Marist 3 —Blackball 0. The Blackball forwards renewed their attack, and just on half time looked certain to score, but ('lark outpaced the field and kicked out. After half time the Reds sot up a determined attack on Marist’s goal, but could not cross, and King ami McEnaney brought the play to half way. A scrum saw Kinsella work the blind side, and he sent the ball to Neilson, who easily evaded both Doogan and Kiely’s tackles and scored. Moody added the major points with a good kick. Blackball s—Marist5 —Marist 3. With the game drawing to a close, excitement ra.i high, when Doogan broke away and sidestepping two men, transferred to Keepa' who seemed to score, but was penalised for not playing the ball. On time, Marist were awarded a. ]>enalty, and Qui.in landed a good goal, making the final scores Blackball s—“Tarlst5 —“Tarlst 5. Mr Armstrong gave every satisfaction as referee. MARIST 1 LI (5)— ROVERS (3). As was generally anticipated, this match proved to be a last and open game, in which the Greens had slightly the better of matters. By Marist a\ inning this game the competition has now reached an interesting stage, as Grey, Marist and Rovers have all. a chance fur the cup. In the first half, plav was very even and hard, both teams displaying good lootball. At half time the scores were nirec all, Mar-

ists’ try coming from a smart piece of following up by Sigley, while Brown was the scorer for Rovers. In the second half neither team could add to their total, until just ns the bell went for full time, Kiely landed a nice goal, making the scores 5 —3 in Marists’ favoui\