LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1938, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

RUNANGA’S BIG SCORE Marist Defeat Blackball GREAT STRUGGLE AT PARK. More perfect weather conditions than those prevailing yesterday, could hardly be hoped for, the day being brilliantly line, without even a breeze. The grounds were heavy after rain during the past week, but this condition did not play a great part in the games. In a fine exhibition of the code, last year's champions. Blackball, went down to Marist by an unconverted try to a goal. The large crowd of spectators at Wingham Park wire treated to a bright, open exhibition of fast football, in which both sets of backs passed freely. The Marist forwards had the better of play, and for lengthy periods had their opponents on defence. Although Marist lacked the “nerve-centre” Blackball had in J. Dodds and D. Kirk, they more than compensated for this with lhe hard work of their forwards and the brilliant defence of R. Pollock, A. Behan and P. O’Brien.

From whistle to whistle, the game never lacked interest, and for the opening of the season, the standard was surprisingly high. Blackball had perhaps more opportunities than their opponents, but faulty handling was mainly responsible for their defeat. On last year’s form, they were generally expected to achieve an easy victory, but the Marist team, composed almost wholly of last season’s side, rose to the occasion and turned on football of a class which has not been seen at Wingham Park for some time. Members of all Marist teams yesterday wore black armbands out of respect for the father of their Patron (Rev. Father Gregory), whose death occurred on Saturday. In contrast the game at - Ngahere, between Runanga and Ngahere, was a comparatively poor match, the visitors having no difficulty in winning by a margin of 26 points. Lower grade matches were all of a high standard, new inpetus being given to the competitions by many new players. j SENIOR GRADE. MARIST 3—BLACKBALL 2. Comparatively early in the game Marist scored a try following a clever cross-field passing movement, The score was unchanged until about ten minutes before the end ot lhe game, when Blackball succeeded with a penalty. In spite of a determined challenge, they were unable to reach Marist’s total and a fast and interesting game ended without change In the score. The teams were:— Blackball: R. Mountford, W. Weir, J. McNaughton, J. O’Donnell, D. Kirk, J Dodds, W. Vincent, W, Bruce, iB. Howden, R. Clark, J. Clark, W. Driscoll and H. Bailey. Marist: R. Pollock, M Morel, A. Beban, J. Devonport, Rochford, P. O’Brien. A. Hopkins, P. Malone, P. Affleck, D. Pearson P. Grogan, A. Hutchinson and C. Stewart. Blackball won the toss and Marist kicked off into the sun. A penalty against Blackball took play dangerously near their line, where Kirk .forced. Hopkins collected from the ruck in midfield and sent to P. O'Brien, who passed the Blackball hacks, to pass on to Devonport, who sored well out. Pollock’s kick fell short.—Marist 3; Blackball 0. After a short spell on the defensive, Marist pressed, but offside play spoilt their chance. The Marist r backs staged several brilliant passmg movements, but offside play again cost them points. Kirk took play to Marist’s territory, where he failed to pass in time. Marist were offside, and Vincent’s attempt at goal went wide. Marist again took up the attack, but brilliant saving by the Blackball backs, and Vincent in particular, kept them at bay. Blackball backs took play through, but Weir and O’Donnell were caught in possession, and offside play gave Marist relief. Blackball, however, received a penalty, Dodds’ kick failing. Half- » time came with play centred in midfield, the score remaining.—Marist 3 - Blackball 0.

Blackball staged an early attack in the second spell, taking play to Marist’s line, where Hopkins forced. Several back movements by Blackball failed to mature, and a fine kickenabled Marist to get out of their difficulties. A free kick to Blackball for obstruction saved them, when O'Brien broke through, and had a clear field. Blackball turned defence into attack, but off-side play -stopped their chance. Marist, however, were caught offside in front of the posts, Vincent missing an easy kick. Blackball returned to the attack immediately, and to hold Marist in check for some time. The Marist forwards broke through in a loose passing rush, taking play to Blackball s line, where solid defence by Kirk and Dodds kept them out. Blackball took play to half-way, where Dodds opened a brilliant movement, O’Donnell missing his pass from Kirk.’ Hopkins cleared to half-way with a timely kick. Blackball were awarded a free kick in front of the posts, and Vincent goaled.—Marist 3; Blackball

This reversal spurred Marist on, and they took play to their opponent’s I ine, where they were unable to handle. The game ended shortly afterwards, with Marist pressin ° strongly. The final score was:—Marist 3; Blackball 2. Mr M. Hall was the referee. RUNANGA 31—NGAHERE 5. At Ngahere, the home team was no match for Runanga, whose backs had a day out. Nevertheless the game was not of a particularly high standard, the home team failing to provide much hard play. Mr L. Kinsella refereed. JUNIOR GRADE. KUMARA S—BRUNNER 3. Hard, but ragged play was seen in the junior grade game, between Kumara and Brunner, at Kumara yesterday. The home team won by 5 points to 3. For the winners, Walker scored

a try and W. Bell kicked a penalty goal. McKane scored for Brunner. Mr A. Fei filing refereed. RAPAHOE 26—MARIST 14. Exciting play was featured in this game at Wingham Park, most of the i tries coming from good passing move- I ments. For Rapahoe, Green (2), Currie (2), Hill and Hart scored tries, Newton (3), and Sergeant converting. Grogan, Beban, Ellis and Greaney scored for the losers, Greaney also converting one try. ‘ Mr C.'Currie refereed. Three of the Marist players were ordered off I in the course of the game, and one of the Rapahoe players. THIRD GRADE. RUNANGA 9—MARIST 5. At Runanga yesterday, Runanga thirds 9, beat Marist 5, in a game in ■ which the teams were evenly matched. The . Runanga forwards had the best of the play, but Marist were unlucky on a number of occasions., For the winners, T. Merriman (2), and Dalzell scored tries, whilst G. | McGirr scored for Marist, and Wilson goaled. Mr I-I, Bassett refereed. FOURTH GRADE. MARIST 28—RUNANGA 0. Runanga fourth graders failed to make headway against the virile attack of the Marist forwards and backs. For the winners, J. Curnow scored four tiies, other scorers of j tries being F. Willis, McGirr, F. Kennedy, K. Rea, whilst K. Rea and C. | Mcßride each converted a try, Mr. H. Bassett refereed. j SIXTH GRADE. At Runanga on Saturday, Marist B defeated Runanga by 15 points to 3.1 The game was fast and interesting, the play being open, with the backs . throwing the ball around freely. For Marist, E. McDonnell, C. Me- f Bride and Malone scored tries, whilst Mcßride converted two tries and W. Hamilton kicked a fine goal. Runanga’s score came from an unconverted try by N. McTigue. Mr H. Bassett refereed. Blackball 6, defeated Kumara 0. at Wingham Park on Saturday, after a well-fought game. MATCHES IN BULLER. There was a Rugby League match here to-day in which Waratah (Reefton) defeated a combined Westport port-Dennistom team by 18 to 3. It was reported at the end of the Westport—Rangers Rughv Match yes-, terday that the Rangers, who are captained by G. Orman, the wellknown hooker, have gone over to the League code. Orman and other Ranger players, however, did not turn out for the League match to-day. . Westport Sensation RUGBY TEAM GOES TO LEAGUE.

[Our Own Correspondent.] WESTPORT, April 30.

Playing to-day under Rugby rules ; the Rangers team will to-morrow adopt the sister code. This announcement was ihade by George Orman, the Buller representative hooker, at the conclusion of the game which Rangers lost to Westport by 20 points to 9. Orman was one of the outstanding players in the match, in which Rangers led 9-6 at half-time. Summers, Fox and Williams ably supported Orman throughout the game. Orman announced at the end of the game that the whole side was changing over to the League code, and would play in the Buller section of the Inangahua League’s competitions to-morrow.

The defection of Rangers from Rugby seriously weakens the Buller competitions, as it is the second club which has adopted this course. There are now three League teams in the district. RESULTS ELSEWHERE. AUCKLAND, April 30. Newton 28, City 11; Mt. Albert 18, Marist 0.8. 13; Ponsonby 19, Papakura 13. CHRISTCHURCH, April 30. All games were postponed on account of rain. ENGLISH RESULTS. LONDON, April 30. Rugby League results to-day were: Bradford Northern 15 York 15. Leigh 5 Liverpool Stanley 20. St. Helen’s Rees. 19 Halifax 19. ENGLISH LEAGUE FINAL. . LONDON, April 30. In the final of the Rugby League championship at Leeds Soccer ground, Hunslet beat Leeds by. 8 to 2. NOTES AND COMMENTS. Many New Players: The number of reinstatements applied for in the past two weeks suggests that the game has not lost its attraction for many who have from force of circumstances had to revfert to another code. In the Inangahua’ district, eleven players returned to the code last week, whilst there have been a large number of reinstate-' ments in nearly every district. Buller Effort:

With two teams to start off afresh the possibilities of the re-introductior of the code in the Buller district art very bright. For this success, the Inangahua League is deserving o: congratulation, and it is a commendable decision to divide that district’s competition into two sections. The names of prominent players of the other code have, of course, been mentioned as possible League players, but it is far better to build up good average teams first of all, and to rely on their improvement to bring the code to a high standard. Progress of Code: Wellington and North Island reports indicate vast progress in the code in those centres. The Australian tour will be the outstanding feature of a season which should see the code more prominent than ever. Trial Games: Good football has already been seen, in club fixtures and next month’s trial games should give the selectors a few headaches. The time has come to give the younger men a chance, and it is to be hoped that the selectors will not allow themselves to folow red tape rules.