LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 5 August 1940, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

MARIST DEFEAT BLACKBALL Big Crowd at Park At the only senior game played yesterday, Runanga defaulting to Ngahere, a record crowd which filled to capacity the stand at Wingham ParK, saw Marist defeat, the competition leaders, Blackball by 13 points to 2 after a half-time score of 7 points to 0. This victory brings the two teams equal in the competition. The game which was fast and open was playea under ideal weather conditions. In the semi-final of the junior Knockout Competition Runanga 8 drew with Blackball 8 after a keen and even game. Results at a glanc e RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Senior.: Marist 13, Blackball 2. Runanga defaulted to Ngahere. Brunner a bye. Junior: Runanga 8, Blackball 8. Greymouth a bye. Third Grade: , Marist 8 Runanga 5. | Brunner 14, Blackball 5. Rapahoe a bye Senior Grade MARIST 13, BLACKBALL 2. Some spectacular football was seen at Wingham Park yesterday when Blackball the senior competition leaders were decisively beaten by the Marist combination whose line was not crossed. Fast back movements was the dominating feature of Marist’s attacks while the Blackball side possessed stronger forwards. W Mann, J. Roberts, L. Beban and A. Hopkins, were the best Marist backs, J. Smith, Adams, and Anisy being prominent in the pack. The Blackball forwards were led by R. Clarke, J. Clarke, and Mtiliams. C. Mountford being easily the best Blackball back Ord and A. Clarke also play well. The teams were:—

Blackball: Jim O’Donnell; Jack O’Donnell. C. Mountford, Savage. McNaughton, A. Clarke, Ord; Penman, Driscoll, J. Clarke, Mcßoberts, Williams, R. Clarke. Marist: Pollock; Beban, Roberts. O’Brien; Mann, W. Hopkins. A. Hopkins; Smith, Grogan, Brown. Anisy. Adams, O’Lcarv.

■ From the kick-off Blackball secured, a passing movement being stopped by Pollock. A free kick taken by Mann put Marist on the offensive, <a free kick awarded to Blackball clearing. Another penalty awarded to Marist was taken by Mann who missed the kick at goal. Marist kept on attack and a good kick by Pol-

lock put them in a scoring position Mann and Pollock both missing penalty kicks. Blackball forwards then took a turn at attack but the Marist team soon advanced again. From a scrum 10 yards out Marist secured and after all .the backs had handled Beban went over well out for Marist’s first try. Mann converted with a good kick, Marist s—Blackball5 —Blackball 0. Marist again attacked and were on BlackbaU’s line when R. Clarke cleared with a neat kick. Another Marist back movement nearly resulted in a score when after al] the backs haa handled, O’Brien lost possession near the line. Mann secured near the twenty-live and after a fast run passed on to Roberts and O’Brien who just failed to score his short kick being marked by R. Clarke on the line. A penalty kick taken by Mann added further points to Marist’s score, th 6 ball bouncing on the cross bar, Marist 7—Blackball 0. Half-time sounded a minute later with Blackball making a belated attack and the score still, Marist 7—Blackball 0.

On the resumption of play Blackball attacked and a good run by Mountford and A. Clarke just failea to nett points for them. Mann covered about half th e field in a brilliant run down the sideline a score being averted when O’Brien knocked on. A good run by Mountford looked dangerous but. A. Hopkins stopped him near the line. A penalty was awarded to Blackball well out,but A. Clarke missed the kick. From a scrum near Marist’s line McNaughton attempted to dribble over but his kick went 1 over the dead ball line. When Jim I O’Donnell fumbled Pollock’s kick A. Hopkins secured to kick over the opposition’s heads. Mountford cleared when a penalty kick was awarded them. Repeated passing movements by the Blackball backs failed to gam points. BlackbaU’s points came when McNaughton kicked a penally awarded in front of the posts. Marist 7—Blackball 2. Jmmediatelv Marist attacked and a penalty awarded them on Blackball’s twenty-fi Ve just failed. Another attack failed when A. Hopkin’s kick went over the deaaball line. From a scrum at half way A. Hopkins passed to Mann who after beating several men passed on to Roberts who cut through to score well out, Mann missing the kick. Marist 10—Blackball 2. Grogan and Smith led a forward movement towarcs BlackbaU’s line and from a scrum near the line Marist secured for Mann Roberts and O’Brien to handle, the latter scoring in th e corner. Pollock missed the kick. Marist 13 —Blackball 2. Blackball attacked and a forward struggle ensued around Marist’s line, O’Brien clearing with a good kick. Mountford secured and maac a fast run down the line to the Marist lin e where Pollock forced. Ja'cii O’Donnell secured from the drop-out but his kick went too far and over the dead ball line. Full, time arrlven with Marist still on attack and the final l score: Marist 13—Blackball 2. Mr J. Griffen was the referee. Runanga defaulted to NgahereBrunner had the bye. JUNIOR GRADE Played under perfect conditions at Runanga the Junior Knock-out Competition semi-final between Runanga and Blackball resulted in a draw 8

points each. Runanga’s points came from 2 tries and a conversion by A. Currie, while Balderstone and Bayley scored for Blackball the latter converting one try. The game was even throughout with no side gaining much advantage over the other. Runanga forwards wfere stronger than those of Blackball while tm? Blackball backs were more fast ana determined than those of the home team. Sweeney and Faulkner were th e pick of the Runanga forwarcs while the Dunn brothers were prominent backs. W. Mountford and Bayley were BlackbaU’s best backs while 'Hayward /and Balderstone led the pack.

THIRD GRADE. At Wingham Park Marist defeated Runanga by 8 points to 5 after a fast even game. For Marist C. Curnow and J. Roche scored, the latter converting his own try. G. Anderson scored for Runanga while C. McTigue kicked a penalty. Mr H. Bassett was the referee. Brunner easily defeated Blackball at Blackball by‘l4 points to 5 after a hard solid game. IN OTHER CENTRES. CHRISTCHURCH, August 3. Sydenham and Addington, winning their respective games this afternoon will contest the final of the Vivian Cup Rugby League competition next Saturday. Many supporters believe that Addington have imptoved sufficiently to give the senior champions a severe testing for tne trophy. Playing Linwood this afternoon Sydenham turned on their celebrated last-quarter effort, and piled on points to win 26—13 after it haa seemed that Linwood were going to have a win. Sydenham team play won the game. Addington beat the home team at Rakaia by 12 points to 8 after a flue display, in which both teams threw inc ball' about in great style. W‘a.mairi beat Riccarton by 20 points to 6 in a friendly game. AUCKLAND, August 3. Richmond 22, City 8; Ponsonby 22, Manakau 17. WELLINGTON, August 3.

St George 19, Eastern Suburbs 9; St George (Miramar) 23, Central 7, Randwick 25, Newtown 5.