WEST COAST GAMES

Grey River Argus, 9 August 1937, Page 2

WEST COAST GAMES

Senior Grade By defeating Runanga yesterday by five points to nil, x Blackball placed themselves in an unassailable position for the West Coast League championship for 1937. The game was keenly fought against their nearest rivals and Runanga were unlucky in not scoring on several occasions. Like the Blackhall-Runanga fixture, the meeting of Ngahere and Marist at Wingham Park lacked spectacular football, play being mainly confined to the forwards. Marist, who were down until the last few minutes, were lucky to secure a win in a hard game. Two junior teams, Marist and Rapahoe, defaulted yesterday, consequently no fixture was played at Kumara, and only one senior and one third grade match were played at the park. Conditions, both overhead and underfoot, were ideal for football, the grourids having dried out well aftei last week’s rain. An almost entire absence of wind did not, however, produce anything out of the ordinary in good kicking. MARIST 14, NGAHERE 12, There was little between Marist and Ngahere who met at Wingham Park yesterday before a small crowd. Playing better football all round, the country team had a lead by 7 points to 3 at half time, but in the second spell their backs went to pieces and Marist added a further eleven points to finish winners by 14 points to 12. The game, especially in the first spell, was not classy and lacKed spectacular movements. 1 The ground was in ideal condition for fast back play. Except for periods in the second spell when Marist played better football, hold play was, however, not much in evidence, the game resolving itself more into a forward scramble. The scores represent- a fair indication of the merits of the teams, both of whom had a number of young players in their ranks.

The teams were:— Ngahere: A. Gibson; L. Balderstone, P. Mulcare, J. Webber; F. Gibson, J. Weir; W. Balderstone; E. Tuck, J. Gibson, J. McGuire, W. Reynolds, P. Burrows, Jas. Gibson. Marist: P. Pollock; S. Knapp, ' M. Morel, J. Devonport; R. Kiely, E. O’Brien; T. O’Connor; W. Seguin, D. Pearson, R. McQuinn, P. Beban, P. Malone, P. Affleck. Referee: Mr. M. Hall.

Winning the toss, Ngahere played into the sun with a slight crossfield breeze in their favour. Marist pressed from the start, but bad passing and handling lost them several advantages. A useful kick by A. Gibson pul Ngahere in a good position, die bail being kicked over the dead ball line by Pollock. Offside play by

Marist gave Ngahere a penalty thirty five yards out, but Weir’s kick failed. After a period of up and down play, the Ngahere forwards took play to Marist’s 25, where Weir put over a splendid field goal—Ngahere 2, Marist 0. Ngahere kept up pressure and a minute later Pollock failed to handle and Ngahere were awarded a penalty try for obstruction by Pollock. Weir’s kick .failed —Ngahere 5, Marist 0. Ngahere, who were on defence for some time, forced Marist back and were given a penalty inside the 25, Weir goaling—Ngahere 7, Marist 0. From a scrum, O’Connor sent the backs away, but Knapp failed to collect Morel’s pass. Morel recovered .possession to score a good try. Kiely’s kick failed and half time sounded with the score Ngahere 7, Marist 3. Marist took play to their opponents upon resumption, several' passing movements failing. Webber failed to handle and Malone went over for a try near the posts. O'Connor railed with an easy kick—Ngahere 7, Marist 6. From a scrum after Marist zhad maintained a territorial advantage for some minutes, O’Connor sent Kiely, O’Brien and Morel away. Morel passed just in time to Knapp, who went over at the corner. Pollock’s kick failed —Ngahere 7, Marist 9. The ball came to Knapp frcm O’Brien, the latter meeting no opposition in a run for the corner, and was able to touch down between the posts. Pollock converted—Ngahere 7, Marist 14. Ngahere did not handle well but Marist defence could not hold a forward rush which culminated in Mulcare scoring. Weir failed with the kick. Ngahere 12, Marist 14. Ngahere put up determined efforts in the closing stages of the game but were unable to score and time sounded with the scores: Ngahere 12, Marist 14.

BLACKBALL 5 RUNANGA 0. Blackball continued their successful season's record with a win over Runanga by 5 points to nil yesterday. The game attracted a large crowd to the Runanga Domain, and was played in ideal conditions. Blackball and Runanga were the leaders in the senior championship, and those who expected a keenly-fought game were not disappointed. At half-time no score had been recorded, but in the second spell Pascoe scored art unconverted try, and Goodall a fine penalty kick from forty yards out. Play was very hard in the concluding stages, but the home team were unable to penetrate Blackball’s fine defence. Mr J. Griffen was the referee. BRUNNER 23 v. RUNANGA 0. Brunner juniors had an easy win over Runanga yesterday, winning uy 23 points to nil. Mr G. Pope was the referee.

Third Grade MARIST 30, BLACKBALL 10. With better combination and superior football, Marist easily outclassed Blackball to win by 30 points to 10. Some clever passing movements, especially amongst the backs in the Marist team, were ieatures of the game. For the winners, G. Kennedy (4), L. Beban (1) (converted two), u. Knapp, J. Beams and Stewart scored tries, J. Kelly also converting two. tries. Pascoe and Ord scored tor Blackball, both tries being converted by' Walters. The referee was Mr. S. Eassett. TEAMS DEFAULT. Two junior Clubs failed to fieit} teams yesterday, Marist and Rapahoe defaulting to Blackball and Kumara respectively. Owing to a misunderstanding the Marist-Ranger fourth grade match was not played. Inangahua v. Canterbury YESTERDAY’S MATCH. CHRISTCHURCH, August 8. A Representative Rugby League match was played this afternoon between Canterbury and Inangahua at Monica Park. The teams are:— Inangahua—J. McKenzie; W. Cutbush; N. Kiely, L. McLennan; P. Scott; W. Clark; A. Watson; G. Lockington, R. Morris, J. McManus, J. Fox, W. Hart, and F. Jackson. Canterbury—G. Nepia; K. Bannan, D. Smith, R. Whitldy; L. G. Young, C. Taylor; G. Farmer; H. Clark, F. Jones, R. Price, H. Laing, M. Briggs, and E. A. Barbarell. E. Holder was not available for Inangahua, he having left for England to play League.

The home team had the better of the play, though the visitors put up a creditable performance. The result was a win for’ Canterbury by 21 points to 12.