LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1928, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

YESTERDAY’S GAMES Senior Teams’ Ladder

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIORS. Marist 13 v. Runanga 5. Nelson Creek 5 v. Blackball 5. Grey a bye. J UNIORS. N. Creek 5 v. Blackball 0. Marist 11 v. Grey 7. Brunner 9 v. Runanga 8. THIRD GRADE. Blackball 13 v. Marist 8. Runanga 6 v. Grey 3. MARIST (13) DEFEAT RUNANGA (b;. AN EXCITING GAME. The second round of the clubs’ championship senioi game’s was commenced yesterday, when Marist and Runanga met at Dunolile, and after a hotly contested game, Marist left the field victorious, and still unbeaten this season. Nelson Creek and Blackball met. at the former place, and after an exciting match, the teams left the field with .honours even. A big attendance of public, visited Dunollie and were rewarded with seeing the best game played in senior ranks so far this season. Right from the commencement, both, teams hopped into the game with deadly earnest, and throughout the whole of the two spells, the pace and the excitement was on all the way. If ever a team fought to win a league match. Runanga did yesterday. If ever a good team received a scare on the league field Marist received one from Runanga yesterday. The public were treated to a great game; not so much from anything approaching spcctaculjar and (finished work as from the doggednes« nvhihi+cd by both teams, and especially the determination of the Runanga side, and their consistency of attack in the second half of the game. The final scores read 13 to 5 in Marist s ijtour. but they are absolutely useless as an indication of the play of the two thirteens on tho rlnv. Runanga were attacking seveny five per cent of the game ,and nothing fairer could have indicated the play than that of a draw. The teams were:—

Marist (Green) Ingram, Siglcy, Murphy, R. Quinn., Mc'Enancy, Mui loy, O’Malley, Kennedy, Robins, Brown O’Loughlin, Mooro, Quinn. Runanga (Black and White) Currie, Tallcntyre, Hands, W. Timlin, Griffiths, Hambley, Purnell, Henderson Hawken, Cust , Stevens, Marshall.

Marist started play and the game centred over the middle'of the field for a time, each side having exchanges of kicks. Runanga set out for tho green line, but Robins stayed their advance, by marking. They came back to the attack and when in a good position incurred a penalty •or off-side play. The game worked back to the middle of the field, then the black and whites came with a rattle only to see O’Loughlin snap up the ball and relieve his line wi + n a good kick. Soon after Runanga incurred a free kick for not playing the ball, correctly, in the scrum. A little later, headed by Griffiths and Tallontyre, Runanga carried play to the green twenty-five. The ground was in a terribly greasy condition and players were slipping and slid ivg in every direction. Marist were again called on to defend, but E. Quinn saved with a hefty line kick From the scrum Marist were penalised end again E. Quinn was called on to get Marist clear of pressure. The greens now worked their way towards Runanga’s line, and from a scrum O’Malley sent on to J. Kennedy who cut in beautifully before handing to Robins, the captain, in his turn shot the leather to O’Loughlin whose pace carried him across to score a try in a handy position. E. Quinn collected the extra points, and Marist led 5 to nil.

Tho black and whites stormed to wards the green, line, but Quinn again proved to be their stumbling block, for he fielded the greasy ball in great style and sent them to half way with' a splendid, kick. Gust of Runanga now secured and dashed down th“ paddock), seemingly for Q a certain score, but was grounded close up to the line. A scrum on the line saw Marist penalised, and Purnell had a chance of landing a goal, but the heavy ball failed to rise. The gieexi backs here sot up an attack, transferring play to Runanga’s twenty five. O'Malley whipped the leather to the backs who came away strongly, but Robin’s pass to O’Loughlin was a low one. Runanga shifted tho game to Marist territory, where, in attempt ing to field the ball Robins slipped and came down before the ball reach cd him. The black and whites pushed on to the green line, but Quinn again eased th© tension. Brown was a little later prominent in a smart run for the lino, but was pushed out at the corner. Runanga were not to be denied and back they came, where Stevens; snapped up the ball and was but two yards off the line, and with E Quinn, to pass, but ho preferred to send out tho ball (which was the correct thing) to another player, who, however failed to gather it in, and again E. Quinn cleared his line. Half a minute later and Marist came down field, whore J. Kennedy cut out two men before handing on to Robins, who, with two of his men, O’Loughlin and Mooro racing beside him, preferred to try and step over a. Ruananga back, but was brought and a certain' try wa>s '’lost, scone of activity changed and within Two minutes Timliw had gone across the green line to finish up a good piece of play with a score. Griffiths failed with the'*’ kick. Ru nanga 3 Marist 5. Play was fast all the while, tho Marist full-back was outstanding in defence, and the Runanga forwards I were working like trogans. Hawkins on the black-and-white wing shone out in a splendid solo run. E. Quinn

partly checked his speed with a half tackle, and Moore racing up behind grounded him near the green line. The crowd! were now *jubilti-nt, rhe play being something worth while seeing. Up field came the greens, and in Runanga’s twenty-five O’Malley secure*.' and off shot the Marist rear guard. Kennedy again cut in beautifully and the best movement of the day finished when five of the Marist backs had handled, and Moore on the. wing sped over to touch down. Robin’s kick failed. Marist/ 8 Runanga. 3. Fast and exciting play continued, until half time sounded without addition to the scores. The second half was one hundred per cent, exciting. Practically throng out the spell Runanga were attacking. Time and time again the Marist s were hemmed in "on their own line. Timo and again they would ex tricate themselves, or Runanga would become overeager and a penalty sent them back. However the black anil whites came again and again. It looked like them lowering the green’s colours, but the greens defended as stoutly as Runanga attacked. When Purnell took a penalty kick for his team quite near the Marist goal it appeared as though he would add two points, but the greasy ball camo off the side of his boot. Marist would no sooner send the black and whit- g back, but that they would again he hemmed in their own territory. Back would go Runanga( due many times to the splendid work of E. Quinn) only to come again. After persistent efforts they were rewarded with an addition to thir score, when Marist were penalised practically under their wu goal, and Purnell made no mis*- r - A with the kick. Runanga 5 Marl-, k

Heartened by the success, Runanga came again, and excitement ran high as they hammered away at the green line, but the defence .held sound.. Quinn would send them back, then Robins, or Kennedy or O’Loughlin but again the home team would uwe-ep. down, and another tussle would tieplace on the green line. With a IrH ' minutes to go the greens set. f 'iit on an Attacking expedition, and play was transferred to Runanga territory, for but the third time iry the second half. From a serum near the Runanga line, O’Malley secured, and with sheer determination heaved himself over to score. Robins placed a good goal. Marist 13, Runanga 5 . Marist were defending throughout, and try as they did, Runanga could l * not get over. The final whistle found Marist. hemmed in their own twentyfivo. and the best game soon this season was brought to a finish Mr. A. Fielding interpreted the rules to the general satisfaction of both players and. public.

Nelson Creek draw with Blackball AN INTERESTING GAJJIE. Ihc game at Nelson Creek yesterday, between Blackball and the home teams’ seniors resulted in both teams leaving the field with honours even, as each side scored five points. Lt was an interesting game, and there was a good number of the public in attendance. The previous meeting of these two teams (in the first round) had resulted in a win for Blackball by onu point, the scores being 17 to 16. On yesterday’s piay, the Creek were entitled to a win.for, throughout the major portion of the game, and especially was it noticeable in the last twenty minutes of play, they were on attack, and sorely testing Blackball’s defciice. 'lnn teams were as follows:—Nelson

Creek: Williams, Butterworth, C. Kennedy, Tobin, M. O’Brien, Greer, Helem;, Brownlie, Bennett, Calder, Molloy, Sadler, C. Bryan. Blackball:—Haisty, Cutbnsh, N* ilson, Dodds, Kells, Kinsella, Rogers, Hansen, Hudson, Long, Williams, Dando.

Play commenced in dashing style, each side making the most of good forward play. SpeeA was maintained for a good period, first Blackball then the Creek gaini.ig, and conceding ground. Calder was prominent on the Creek side for dashing forward play, and he demonstrated yesterday that he is as worthy as any forward playing in the senior teams, for representative honours. Many opportunities were lost by Blackball in the first half, through uncertain handling, and the same remark may also be applied to the Nelson Creek backs. 'Dio half time score was Blackball 5 Nelson Creek 0. Williams went over for Blackball and. Dando placed a nice penalty kick. During the second half Blackball wore [bjadly bustled byCreek towards the finish, and (he home team were unfortunate on two or fl ree occasions when they wev: only to Jose possession, or be held up. Bennett, in'particular was well across, but the opposing side held him on his back and he could not ground the ball. Bennett, and Brownlie ably assisted Calder in the forwards, and with ten minute® to go, Calder was rewarded for his splendid work, by notching a smart try, which he also converted. With the score five all play was speeded along, and excitement ran high both on the field, and among the supporters. To tho call <‘f time it was a real football battle, (with -'clean play jail through) and when the final whistle sounded, both teams received the unanimous judgment of the onlookers, that it had been a great game. Mr. Kerr referred in excellent manner. JUNIOR RESULTS. MARIST 11 GREY 7. Playing at Cobden yesterday, Marist juniors defeated Grey juniors by 11 points to . For tho winners M. Kiely, Byall, ami Dunn scored, while O’Qonnor converted Byall’s try. For Grey Morrisey scored, and Pascoe converted'/ Pascoe also kicked a penalty goal. The game was fairly even throughout. Mr. L. Hunter refereed in bis usual finished manner. NELSON CREEK 5 BLACKBALL 0. NcLson Creek juniors who have yet i /0 lose a game, played Blackball yesterday, and won by 5 points to nilIt was a test of strength, as both te»ims ( *up till yesterday had gone through without a defeat. J. Becker scored the winning try for tho Creek, wnd Teague improved the chance of success by kicking a penalty. Mr. Mason made an impartial and capable i referee. BRUNNER 9 RUNANGA 8. Brunner juniors had a one point victory over Runanga juniors yester-

day, scoring 9 points to tin ir op ponents 8. THIRD GRADE. Blackball thirds scored JI 3 points against Marist thirds 8 points, when playing at Blackball yesterday. Mr. Parsonage was a capable referee. WELLINGTON MATCHES. WE LUNG TON, May 29. The week-end Rugby League matches result cd: — Newtown beat Albion by 11 to 9. Hutt beat Petone by 16 to 8. CHRISTCHURCH RESULTS. CHRISTCHURCH, May 19. Following are to-day’s football results: — Hornby 41 beat Wool st on 18. Marists 18 beat Sydenham 14. Waimairi 26 beat Addington 5. N.S.W. BEAT QUEENSLAND. * SYDNEY, May 19. At Rugby League. New South Wales defeated Queensland by 16 to 7.

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