THE LEAGUE GAME.

Grey River Argus, 29 April 1929, Page 6

THE LEAGUE GAME.

GRADE MATCHES. Yesterday’s Gaines. SENIOR TEAMS’ LADDER.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIOR. Grey 29, Blackball 8. i Runanga 13, Nelson Creek 8. JUNIOR. Marist 11, Nelson Creek 11. * Brunner 12, Runanga 5. Ngahere 11, Grey 3. THIRD GRADE. Marist beat Blackball. FOURTH GRADE. Ala l ist 22, Runanga 9. SIXTH GRADE. "Runanga 17, Marist; 5. The competition matches under the junisdiction of the West Coast Rugby Dcjagjuq -were continued yesterday, in fin© but dull weather. A southerly wind had an effect on the play, but the games were well up to standard in all grades At Cobden Grey demonstrated their, superiority over Blackball on the day in no uncertain manner, while Runanga met and inflicted defeat on Nelson Creek ai Dunollie after a good exhibition of the code. The junior and lower grade matches provided interesting contests. A large attendance was present at Cobden, iygain testifying to the popularity of the League game.

GREY DEFEAT BLACKBALL. The weather conditions were not the best when the Grey and Blackball seniors lined out at Cobden yesterday afternoon, a fairly strong southerly wind interfering with the prospects for good football. A large attendance wai present, and the good display given by the Grey players was a welcome surprise ;o their supporters-. It cannot be said that the combination of either team was near the standard expected but the individual efforts of both sides (the Grey thirteen especially) showed that the players are coming to hand quickly, and are fast approaching that fitness which u required in the League code. Grey finished play with a big margin of points in their favour, but the Blackball team, which is composed of youthful players, is. practically a new thirteen, and although outplayed on the day, they can be expected to mould into a solid combination before he first round of matches is- completed. Mr V. Armstrong controlled the match in his usual capable manner. The teams were as follows: —

Grey: Wright (capt), Clarke, Sexton, Lees, Greer, Twohill, Bernard, Sherlock, Long, Olsen. Matthews. Leach and Gordon. Blackball (red and black): Olliver, Nuttall. Neilsen, Lamberton, Dodds (capt). Clarke, Kerr, Parsonage, Kerr, Hartshorne, Hudson, Glasson, Bailey. Blackball won the and placed with a fairly strong wind at their back. Grey attacked immediately, and Lees was noticeable for a good run down the line, which nearly ended in a score. Play then went up and downfield. both teams failing t 0 show combination. Grey came down to tae visitors’ line, and received a free kick under the Blackball posts, Green successfully goalin g. Grey 2, Blackball 0. Blackball came away on at ack. and Hartshorne charged down a kick attempted -by Long, to race across the line and touch down in a handy position. Dodds failed to convert. Blackball 3, Grey 2. Soon after resuming, Grey forwards came down on attack, and Long obtained possession at the 25 line, to transfer to Lees, who on paced the defence, to touch down midway between the side line and goal posts. Greer piloted the .ball over the bar. Grey 7, Blackball 3. The visitors attacked upon resuming and worked their w r ay »u witnm five yards of the opposing line, where from a scrum, Hartshorne secured, to d.ve over under the pos s. Dodds had an easy kick at goal. Blackball 8, Grey

A lengthy period of fast play followed, hut neither team could penetrate the defence of the other. Long and Olsen were responsible for good bustling work in the green forwards, while Bernard and Greer were showing to advantage in the backs. Grey were pressing the visitors almost coninuously, but the Blackball defence held firm. The home team were getting plenty of the ball, but their backs were not combining, individual play being resorted to. After many unsuccessful efforts to get across, Grey received a free kick, and Greer placed a nice goal. Grey 9. Blackball 8. Half-time sounded soon after. The second spell commenced with Grey strong on attack. Blackball having an anxious lime to keep them from cros ing the line. A series of individual efforts by the Grey backs to break through culminated in Clarke securing, and putting in a good run. he fended off two of the opposing backs to score in the corner. Greer found the angle too difficult. Grey 12. Blackball 8.

The reverse spurred the visitors, and they attacked to the green 25, where from a penalty Dodds had a shot at goal, the ball going outside the posts. Grey then used the wind to advantage, and came to the Blackball line. A scrum here took place, and Greer received, to cut in and touch down. He converted his own try. Grey 17, Blackball 8.

A spell of up-and-down play followed, but Grey again assumed command.' They were getting the .ball from the scrum almost continually, and Blackball were having to defend nearly all th e time. From loose forward play Lees received the ball, and ’running strongly, outpaced the opposition, to score a good solo try. Greer failed with the kick at goal. Grey 20, Blackball 8.

Play had hardly got under way again, when Lees repeated his run, to again cross in a good position. Greer again failed to convert. Grey 23, Blackball 8. The visitors now made a big effort to reduce the margin of points, but Grey were playing with confidence, and from a fast attack, Clarke sent to Olsen, who gathered in the leather, to race across. Wright’s attempt to goal fell short. Grey 26, Blackball 8. Returning immediately to the Blackball 25, the Grey forwards carried P'lay to within a few yards of the line, where Long snapped up the ball and added a further try to the green total. Grear (missed the gojil. Grey 29. Blackball 8. The last few minutes of play saw both teams sharing equal advantage in play, and time came without any additional score. Final score:— Grey 29; Blackball 8.

NELSON CREEK DEFEATED BY RUNANGA. Played at Runanga before a lajgc attendance this game proved an exciting tussle between the forwards of both teams, with the Runanga backs (headed by the veteran Purnell) slightly superior to the Creek backs, this factor accounting for Runanga’a ultimate victory. Right from the comuikmeemeixt of the game both sets of forwards were working hard and *1 couple of p.retty passing bouts by the Runanga backs wore spoilt by overeagerness. An infringement gave Calder a chance at goal but his kick went wide. Some fast up and down play followed and another passing bout started by Harrison ended with Griffiths going over the line well out. Purnell missed with the kick. Runanga 3, Creek 0. Creek forwards fought hard to equalise matters and a couple of brilliant runs by Kennedy (full-back) had the spectators on their toes. The continual pressure by the Creek furwards, was rewarded by Tobin coming up fast to snap up the ball and dive over. He missed the shot at goal. The half time whistle sounded with the scores even: —3 all. Creek forwards again, brought pressure to bear and had Runanga. penned on the line, but O’Brien saved and fast following up saw Henderson »;uap up the ball to pass out to ■O’Brien the latter notching Runanga’s second try. Purnell missed with the kick. Runanga 6, Creek &

This reversal set tho Creek forwards in action qgain and they swept down in a mighty rush. for their efforts to be rewarded by Southern scoring. The kick at goal failed. Runanga 6, CrcuK. 6. From now on pla|y was hard and fast, both teams alternately breaking away. The continual passing of the Runanga backs again being rewarded by ’Simpson scoring their third try. Purnell made no mistake with the kick. Runanga 11, Creek 6. Shortly afterwards Tobin added another two points to the Creek’s score, by lauding a penalty goal. Runanga 11, Creek 8. Creek did their utmost to cqualis 1 but Runanga backs were equal to tho occasion and kept them at bay. An infringement gave Griffiths a chance to add to Runanga’s total, which he took, by piloting the ball well between the posts. The final whistle sounded shortly afterwards with score still standing at 13'—8 in Runanga’s faviur. Mr W. Ryan gave eve'ry satisfaction with th e whistle.

JUNIOR GRADE. BRUNNER DEFEAT RUNANGA. At Brunner yesterday, the home team defeated Runanga juniors by 12 points to 5, after a good game. Ryan and Casseiiley scored for the winners. Thomas converted both and Hunt potted a goal Bourk© scored for Runanga, Currie converting, MAJIIST AND NELSON CREEK DRAW. Tho Marist and Nelson Creek juniors played a drawn game at Nelson Creek yesterday, each team scoring 11 points. The play was interesting throughout, and there was a good attendance. At half-time the score stood 8 to nil in favour of the home team,, but on changing over Marist had the better of play. E. O’Biien and O’Connor each secured a try for Nelson Creek, Tibbles kicked a penalty goal, and an obstruction try was awarded to them. Martini scored for Marist while T. O’Connor converted it, and kicked two penalty goals and potted a goat

NGAHERE BEAT GREY. At Cobden yesterday afternoon Ngahere and Grey juniors met, Ngahere winning by 11 points to 3, after an interesting gaiiw. THIRD GRADE. At Blackball the Marist and Blackball thi'rj grade teams met, Marist winning after an interesting game. FOURTH GRADE. MARIST 22, RUNANGA 9. Pleyed at Runanga this match proved a runaway victory for the Mairist team, they running out winners by 22 points to 9. Mr Topp had charge of the whistle. SIXTH GRADE. RUNANGA DEFEAT MARIST. At the Recreation ground on Saturday, the Runanga team defeated

Marist in the sixth grade competition by 17 points to 5. Mr W. Henderson carried the whistle. AT DUNEDIN. City 21, Kaikorai 0. Christian Bros 53, Athletic 12.

AT AUCKLAND. Devonport 20, Ponsonby 8. Newton 21, Marist 20. City 21, Kingsland 6. AT CHRISTCHURCH. Addington. 15, Waimairi 2. Sydenham 31, Woolston 5. Hornby 26, Marist 13.

T> W. D. Points. Ch. L. For Ag. Pts Marist 2 2 — — 99 13 4 Runanga 2 1 — 1 20 16 2 Blackball 2 1 — 1 26 38 2 Nelson Ck 2 1 — 2 36 40 2 Grey 3 1 — 2 44 41 2