LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 15 June 1942, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Blackball Beaten WIN FOR MARIST. Surprise was caused by the results of yesterday’s matches. Blackball, hitherto unbeaten, were convincingly defeated by Ngahere at Ngahere. In their first victory Marist put up la large score against Runanga at Wingham Park. MARIST 25—RUNANGA 9. Losing by two points to Runanga’s six at half-time, Marist completely turned the tables on their opponents in the second half to reach over a score of points, and secure itheir first win this season. The play was early ragged, but became more interesting in the second spell when Marist backs threw the ball about in good style and many solo runs were made. JCurnow and L. Beban were the best of the Marist backs, but Knapp at full-back handled well, though inclined to run too far with the ball and to be caught in possession on many occasions. P. Coll and D. Watson were hard working forwards and were outstanding in the loose. For Runanga, McTigue, Lee and Bowman played sound games but the inside backs kicked itoo often and as a result few back passing movements were seen. Glynn, Mundy and Dalzell were prominent forwards. The teams were:—

Runanga: G. Bowman; L. Dunn, iC. Me Tigue, O’Ctnnell; N. McTgiue, ! Lee; D. Brown, R. Glynn, Merriman, iStevent, Mundy, Dalzell, Hatch. Marist: D. Knapp; Palmer, Beban, Tracy; Teen, Curnow; Wilson; Grogan, Stewlart, P. Coll, K. Coll, D. Watson, Davenport. . Marist forwards hustled Runanga at the beginning and advanced to the goal line but McTigue broke away. Runanga attacked. When Stewart was caught in possession the Runanga, forwards had a clear run for the line and after eluding Knapp, Glynn picked up to go over in a handy position. He failed to goal. Runanga 3—Marist 0. Runanga were soon attacking again and the next score came when Beban failed to hold a kick infield by Lee. C. McTigue secured to break his way > through, sending on to Glynn, Dalizell and Mundy for the latter to score (well out. Bowman failed to convert. I Runanga 6—Marist 0. Marist openen their account shortly afterwards when P. Coll kicked a epnalty goal from well out. Runanga 6—Marist 2. Marist lost another chance when after a period of strenuous attack the ball wes kicked over. Up to halftime ragged forward play with Runanga doing the best took place and no further scoring occurred. Marist took the lead shortly after the resumption of play when they resumed their bustling tactics and swept down to Runanga goal line where Watson beat the opposition to dive over in a handy position. Coll goaled. Marist 7—Runanga 6. Marist further increased the lead when after a loose dribbling rush by the ' Marist forwards, P. Coll went over near the posts. Curnow converted. Marist 12—Runanga 6. L. Beban put the issue beyond doubt when he received at the half-way after all the Marist backs had handled from a scrum, and cut past Bowman to score against the posts unopposed. P. Coll converted. Marist 17—Runanga 6. Runanga attacked for a short period and were awarded a penalty kick in a handy position. Bowman failing to goal. Lee retired with a leg injury. Marist were throwing the ball about in good style and scored again when Beban secured at the half way to send on to Teen to Grogan who scored unopposed under the posts. P. Coll converted. Marist 22 —Runanga 6. N. McTigue put Runanga on attack when he broke away, but was stopped in front of the posts. Some hard play 'then took place and Stevens scored an easy try in the corner when the opposition apparently thought the ball was out. Bowman’s kick frem the side-line fell short and the game ended with the score Marist 22—Runanga 9. Mr. J. Kidd refereed.

NGAHERE 6—BLACKBALL 2. At Ngahere the competition leaders Blackball, suffered their first defeat at the hands of the local team and failed to cross .Ngahere’s line. The game was fast and open with the speed and penetration of the Ngahere backs being the deciding factor. A 1 feature of the game was the solid and effective tackling of the Ngahere . team which time and time again broke up promising Blackball movements. r i’he forwards were evenly matched and played well but the Blackball backs were hopelessly outclassed. The score at half-time was Ngahere 3—Blackball 2. Best of the Ngahere backs was Pascoe with A. Gibson, Smith, and IP. Mulcare playing well. In the pack Balderstone, F. Gibson, McGuire and Gilman were most successful. K. Mountford, Nuttall and W. Mountford were the pick of the Blackball back line,, while Howden, W. Williams, R. and J. Clark played good forward games. At the beginning, Blackball pressed hard and were unlucky not to score on many occasions. Ngahere settled down and took a turn at attack. When D. Symes kicked through Mulcare followed up fast <to beat WMountford and score in the corner. Gilman failed to convert. Blackball then attacked hard when Ngahere forwards were penalised for off-side play. Bailey goaled. Half-time sounded with Blackball pressing strongly. On the resumption Ngahere attacked in good style and Bailey* was penalised for offside play, Gilman missing an easy kick. At this stage play was fast and willing. Ngahere driving Blackball back and from a scrum Smith worked the blind side and sent Mulcare over for a good try. Gilman missed the kick. Good tackling by Ngahere backs saved > what looked like a certain try, Higson being tackled in the corner, his pass going forward. The Blackball forwards began to tire and Ngahere took the upper hand to get the better of the game until the game ended with the score, Ngahere 6—Blackball 2. Mr. J. Griffen refereed. LOWER GRADES. In the curtain raiser at Wingham Park, Runanga fourth-graders beat Brunner by 8 points to 3. For Runanga McTigue scored twice converting one try. Dando scored for Brunner. Marist fourth-graders won the competition when they defeated Blackball at Ngahere by 5 points to 3. This was a good game, there being no score at half-time. For Marist, Pascoe scored, Mcßride converting R. O’Donnell scored for Blackball. In /the sixth grade game on Saturday, Blackball beat Brunner by 17 points to six.