LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 27 July 1940, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

TO-MORROW’S MATCHES. A hard even game is anticipated at Wingham Park to-morrow, in the continuation of the West Coast Rugby League’s senior competition, when the Marist team will meet Brunner. In view of Marist’s close game with Runanga and Brunner’s c’os £ match with ,-Ngahere a -good crowd should be in attendance. The other senior fixture will /be played at Blackball where th e home team is-to play Ngahere. The'Ngahere team is confident that it .'will repbat its former success over. Blackball while the latter team is determined "to get even for its previous defeat. Ruhanga hav e the bye. The first , games in the new junior knock-out competition will be played to-morrow when Greymouth will meet Kumara at Kumara and Marist will play Runanga at Wingham Park. At Blackball the home team will play Ngahere. At Wingham ‘Park the Marist third grade team will meet Rapahoe'while at -Briffiner the home team will play Runanga. Blackball have a bye. NOTES AND COMMENTS. Keen Game: The gafne between Marist and Runanga was very keen. On several occasions clean football, seemed to be forgotten in the wish to win. Runanga Backs: J. Forrest, although he followed up well, lost many opportunities by banking on to the ball too long and attoo much on his own A derson at half-back, got the bal _out FhopM an exceptionally fast game for MarlSN Kiely failed to impress with his play although he had little opportunity to indulge in spectacular E Pattison in his first gam e back was confused at time, "nd often waited for the ball to bounaa He. should improve with practice 11. Johnston played a keen gajne | and showed promise.

Solid Forwards: The Runanga forwards penetrated to their opposition’s lin e many times with solid dribbling moovements and were often unlucky not to score. r Glynn, J. Newton and J. Hatch led the pack and were more successful when hunting the ball than the Marist pack. M. O’Connell, as usual, W a s often, caught offside but otherwise played a sound game.

Sure Game: . r Pollock gave his finest performance this season, against Runanga, when he saved his team with good kicks and solid tackles- many times. His kick from th e sideline which hit the cross-bar and boundeed back was a really fine attempt made more so by the adverse weather conditions.

Unlucky Player: W Hopkins has rarely had much opportunity to display his ability this season .having been forced, on -numerous occasions to retire from the field of play .with injuries.

Prominent Back: , „ » „ J Roberts made full use of every opportunity'offered him, hi s score being the result of a fine, effort A Hopkins was also seen at his best against Runanga his fine, defence and fast attack being largely. responsible for his team’s win.

Promising: . , J Smith a young Marist forward again justified his selection in the senior team. He was prominent on defence and often saved his side with

long kicks. On attack he was foremost among th e more experienced players. P. Grogan and V. Prestidge were other prominent forwards. Grogan’s try being the result of fast following up.' Senior Championship: After last Sunday’s match the senior League Championship ladder is as

Junior Table: The junior championship, which concluded last Sunday making Black-

Rapahoe 6 2 4 u A new junior knock-out competition is to commence to-morrow.

follows: — P. W. L. Pts. 9 8 1 16 Marist 9 7 2 14 Ngahere 8 4 4 8 Runanga .• • • 9 3 6 6 Brunner 9 0 9 0

ball th? winners, is as follows: — W. L. D. Pts P. Blackball 10 9 0 1 19 Runanga 10 6 3 1 13 Ngahere 10 6 4 0 12 Greymouth . • • 10 3 5 2 8 10 4 6 0 8 Kumara 10 2 8 0 4