LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 20 June 1927, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

OBEY I. (11) V. MARIST I. (5). The above game drew a fair crowd to Cobden yesterday, and they were not rewarded with a very good exhibition of the code. The ground was in good order, but a high easterly wind made things bad 1 for football, the leather being carried the full length ol the field on many occasions. This had an effect bn the game, combined passing movements being few and far between. Grey fielded a fairly strong team,. although Johnson was missing from the five-eighth line. Bond, a third grade player of much promise, played full-back, and acquitted himse.fc well J. Gordon, who commenced in the forwards, shone out, and after being brougnt out on the wing he scored a fine try. Helem was playing well until he got a knock n the shoulder, and had to retire. Smith got through a lot of work, but hung on a little long occasionally.

In the Grey forwards, Harris, Petrie and Sherlock were always prominent. For Marist, who were minus Doogan, Quinn played his usual safe game at full-back, Kennedy and Brown also doing good work. C. Heaphy made a reappearance behind the scrum . for Marist, and played a remarkably good

game considering he has not had a game for a considerable time. Malloy, Stapleton and Quinn were the best for wards for the greens, and toiled hard light through. The game was a bit late in starting, and when the teams' lined out it was half-past three. Marist won the toss, and took the wind with them and the sun against them, Grey kicking off to the town goal. Almost immediately Grey rushed play to 25 line, where Smith put in a good run and reached the line, but could not ground the ball, a scrum ensuing, which resulted in Marist clearing to half yay. Play centred about there for a while until Grey came away with another rush, which ended in the corner, where Quinn saved well. Marist took play to the other end—chiefly by high kicks, the wind doing tho rest—where Bond put in a good save, and racing up the line took play back to green territory. J. Gordon carried on the good work almost to the greens’ goal line, where Griffen saved by kicking out. Play worked to the Grey end, however, and a scrum ensuing, a Grey forward was penalised for feet up, and Stormy Quinn landed a good goal. Marist 2, Grey 0.

Grey were holding their opponents very well against the wind, and a good save by Bond stopped a certain try, when Kennedy broke away. Petrie and Gordon were prominent in a forward rush for Grey later, which was stopped by Kennedy, and then Malloy and Stapleton retaliated with a rush, which ended in Grey territory. There was no further score in the first half, which ended shortly after —Marist 2,

With the wind behind them, it looked as though Grey would have it their own way. Such was not the case, how- | ever, as the greens put up a determinled defence. The game had not been I long in progress when a good movcI ment, started by Helem, saw J. Gordon and Harris going for the line, the ! hitter getting a good try, which Bond I failed 1o convert. Grey 3, Marist 2. I Malloy and Stapleton put in some I good work after the restart, and play | for a while was in favour of Marists. ! Grey backs* did not seem to be able ;to get going. Petrie had hard luck i <>n tno occasion in failing to gather tho ball in when a clear field was in I front of him. A lot of uninteresting i play followed. Bond had a fruitless ' ;.h d a' go-i I for Grey. With only a I point separating the teams, Marist worked play to their opponents’ 25 I where a pass to Brown saw him get I possession, and cleverly beating two tacklers, he ran in for a good try. E. | Quinn failed at goal. Marist now led ' by 5 to 3.

The reverse enlivened Grey, and Leach had a turn, but failed to score, :i scrum ensuing. Grey carried play well down the field, and with a free kick Smith found the line at the corner. Ileapty got the leather clear. With onlv a short time to go, it look-

ed odds on Marist winning, but a free kick to Grey near Marist line saw Smith short punt and Sherlock fol lowed up, to score a good try, which Bond converted with a good kick. Grey 8, Marist 5.

With time almost up, Grey attacked strongly, and the best bit of play of the ‘lay was witnessed. Smith got a pass from Harris, and transferring to Gordon on the wing, who had full

speed up. Taking his pass well, he ran in for a fine try, which Bond failed to convert, and time sounded shortly after with the score —Grey 11, Marist 5.

Mr V. Armstrong gave general satisriction with the ■whistle.

RUNANGA I. (20) V. BLACKBALL I. (5).

A good crowd assembled at Dunollie to witness the senior game between Blackball and Runanga. A win for Blackball would have put the home team cut of the running, and practically have put Blackball in a convincing position. However, Runanga got an early lead from a penalty in the first two minutes, and never looked like being beaten. Blackball were minus Perrie, who is on the injured list) and Ilaisty (who joins the ranks of the benedicts to-morrow). Roy Williams was also missing from the pack. Allan ami Nelson played as wing men, and A. McDonald as full back. Nelson played a fair game. The other two were failures on the day. McDonald threw away the second try, and never settled down after. Blackball had a seemingly good pack, com prising Hansen, Parsonage, Long, Skilton. Rodgers, and Dando, but were never a match for the Runanga pack, who were without the services of Tailentyre and Armstrong. The backs were also short of Manderson and Brown. O ’Brien went hooker, assisted by Garvey, Butler, Timlin, and Griffiths. The two Soccer players, Butler and Timlin. did not let them down, Timlin in particular getting through a vast amount of work in good, efleCjtive fashion, and his following up and tackling being of a high order. Griffiths was always in the passing movements, backing up in good style, and was always amongst the Blackball backs if they had possession. Hambley was tried at second five-eighth, and was a decided success. Purnell was behind the scrum and Stevens on the wing, and Runanga, as previously, were a different combination under Purnell’s generalship. Pinn at full back was safe as ever, and Cust was as dangerous as usual; in fact the Runanga team .s a whole outclassed Blackball. There was one untoward incident near the close of the game, when two Blackball players walked off the ground, evidently as a protest at some ruling of the referee. Nothing will tend to bring the

game into disrepute sooner than actions like this, and if their intention was to kill the game they would be likely tu succeed. THE GAME,. Runanga won the toss and elected to play down hill, with wind and su-i favourable to themselves. Within a very short period Blackball were penalised, and Purnell found the opening from a difficult position near the side line. Runanga again attacked from the restart, and were awarded another penalty, Purnell’s kick falling short; but fast following up caused Ski Ito n to pass back to Kells, whose weak clearing kick had his team, in difficulties. Long and Rodgers worked back by a good forward rush, Cust again putting Runanga on tho attack by means of a strong run towards the corner, where, from a cross kick, Connelly was almost clear. Nelson just getting him with a diving tackle. The ball became loose, and Griffiths snapped up and burst through, hurling himself over the line with opponents all round him. Purn.'-ll made a good attempt, the wind swerving the ball away from the opening, a poster being recorded. Dodds, by a heady kick and follow up. had Runanga in a tight corner until Allen kicked too hard, a force down resulting. Dodds again led a Blackball rally, Long and Allen joining in, but a too hefty kick again let Runanga force down. From a further Blackball attack, Dodds tried for goal from a penalty, but a strong *gust of wind blew the ball back behin 1 him. Allen intercepted from a Runanga passing rush,‘Stevens getting him from behind. Blackball were almost in, Mac Smith dropping the ball, weakness he displayed all day. Dodds lot Nelson away, the wing man being held up near the line. Henderson relieved the pressure by a good kick. Hambly putting in a good run, followed by Stevens, who was bundled into touch five yards from the line. McDonald by a good kick and follow up got Stevens in possession, and from the succeeding play the Blackball backs handled the leather, gaining much ground, Kells grubber kicking through the defence and giving Nelson a chance, but the ball went into touch before the winger could reach it. From a long kick McDonald fumbled the ball at halfway, and tried to kick tho rolling ball into touch as the half-time whistle had sdunded, but, missing the object completely, Henderson snapped up and ran over. Purnell added the extras with a beautifully-judged kick against the wind. Half-time was sounded with Runanga 10 points to nil in theii favour.

Blackball attacked on resumption. Kells being tackled by Pinn near the posts. From the scrum Blackball got the ball over, Pinn forcing clown. Runanga pressed from the drop out, McDonald weakly kicking to touch near his corner flag. Kells now went half, Kinsella going to centre. Blackball by long kicks got to Runanga quarters. Stevens relieving by a strong run to past half-way. Blackball utilised the wind, and booted back to the home quarters, where a splendid passing movement was brought off, the ball going from the loose ruck to Purnell, Hambly, Cust, and Connelly, who was tackled, but managed to get the ball to Henderson, who scored near the cor ner. Purnell by a great kick increased the lead to 15 points. From the restart Pinn fielded the leather, short punted, and regained possession; the ball being cross kicked, Hands breaking through

and putting Butler in possession, who finished up behind the posts for Purnell to goal, making it 20 Io nil. It was at this stage that two Blackball players walked off. The depleted team at once went to the attack. Long snapping up

and getting almost through before giving to Dando, who crossed under th? posts for Dodds to goal. Runanga, 20; Blackball, 5. Blackball again attacked, Dodds, Kells, and Kinsella doing good work. Finn pushed Dodds into touch when he was almost clear. Stevens returned play to neutral territory, when the whistle blew finally with the scores— RUNANGA, 20; BLACKBALL, 5. Mr W. Ryan was in charge of the game. RUNANGA 11. (10) V. BLACKBALL 11. (10). This junior fixture was played as a curtain-raiser to the senior game at Dunollie, ami resulted in. a drawn game There was no score in the first half Muncaster registered the first try foi Runanga, scoring under the posts, J. O’Neil adding the goal. From a pass ing bout, Hawkins added another try. no goal resulting. Gray then got over from a Blackball forward movement, his.team attacking with eleven players the shortage consisting of a back, sent off for arguing with the referee, and Kidd (one of the best forwards), who went off with a sprained ankle. Sheen converted Gray’s try, the score being B—s in Bunanga’s favour. J. O’Neil placed a penalty from in front of the posts, but from succeedidg play near the centre Sheen broke clean through, and, reaching the full back, passed to Crooks, who scored in a handy position. Sheen again converted, making the scores level at the close of play, Mr Topp was referee.

Nelson Creek 11. won from Marist r II. by default. Kotoku 11. also won from Grey 11. by default.

MARIST 111 (43) V. KOTOKU 11. (5). Playing as a curtain-raiser at Cobuen, the speedy Marist team carried too many guns for Kotoku, and ran out easy winners as above stated. Mr Costello refereed the game. BLACKBALL 111. (20) V. GREY 111. (3). Playing at Omoto, Blackball thirds had an easy victory over Grey, who were no nlhtch for the visitors. Mr J. Brown was referee. MARIST IV. (40) V. BRUNNER IV. (0). This game was played at Omoto also, and resulted in a runaway victory for the Marists boys, who possess a very fine team. Mb Kennedy had charge of the whistle. RUNANGA IV. (29) V. GREY IV. (3). The above game was played at Cobden yesterday, the visiting team proving too strong in all departments for Grey, whose players are much on the small side. Mr Smith was referee. FIFTH GRADE. RUNANGA (19) V. MARIST (3). This game was played on Saturday at Dunollie. and as the scores indicate, was rather one-sided. BLACKBALL VI (29) V. MARIST B VI. (6). Playing at the Rec on Saturday, Blackball sixth grade team showed

superiority over Marist B team, and ran out winners by over 20 points. The [game was productive of some good football among the boys, especially the winners, who threw the ball about to some tune. Mr W. Kells was referee.

RUNANGA VI. B (22) V. MARIST VI. A (3).

This game also took place on t|ie Rec on Saturday, and after a bright and fast game, resulted in an easy win for the Runanga team by 22 points to 3. The Runanga boys showed a better knowledge of the game generally. They passfed and repassed, in a manner which would have been creditable to anv higher grade. The outstanding player on the ground was J. Masters, who gave a fine display of handling and of cutting out opponents, and was mainly responsible for the success of his side. The try-getter for Marist was Brown, who showed a fine turn of speed, and ran through the opposition from nearly halfway. Mr W. Ryan had charge of this game.