LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1944, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Blackball Beat Runanga BRUNNER’S SUCCESS. The one-round senior competition of the West Coast Rugby League was finalised yesterday, when Blackball maintained their unbeaten record, defeating Runanga. There was a capacity attendance, at Wingham Park, and weather conditions were excellent. At Brunner, the home team defeated Marist by 19 points to eight, after an even game. BLACKBALL 20—RUNANGA 6.

, Though for the start their bustl ng I tactics met with favourable results, Runanga was unable to cross Blackball’s line, their Six points being the result of three penalties kicked by Newton. The Runanga side did not ■ possess the finish of the Blackball I team, and it was due to this that i Blackball was dblc to score frequentily at the concluding stages. Runanga backs tried to pass the ball about as often as possible, but lacked penetration and sure handling. W. Mountford was the pick of the Blackball backs, with Nuttal defending well. R. Mountford, C. Mcßride and R. Clark were the most consistent forwards. K Martin played an excellent game for Runanga, his following up and tackling frequently drawing applause. Lee and Forrest were also prominent. In the pack, J. Newton was outstanding with T. Merriman and Dalziel in support. The teams were as follows:— Runanga: G. Bowman, N. McTigue, J. Forrest, C. McTigue, K. Martini, J. Lee. T. Anderson, J Newton, J Fitzgibbons, R Dalziel, J. King, T. Merriman. D. Stevens. Blackball: J. Nuttall. H. Jamieson, W. Mountford. J. O’Donnell, C. Mountford, J. McNaughton, M. Ord, W. Williams, J. Clarke, C. Mcßride, W. Kirk. R. Clark and K. Mountford. Runanga, following the kick off, made a lightning advance and only misfortune prevented a try, the ball going into the dead ball area. Solid man for man tackling kept back movements at a minimum in the early stages of play.' No back on either side was given an opportunity to travel more than a few yards with the spectacular low tackling, though passing movements were constantly indulged in. Play in a few minutes swept up and down the paddock and the crowd was treated to a display of exciting football. Blackball with some brilliant interchanges of passing took the initiative and J. Clark was over but was recalled for off-side play: However, they were not to be denied and O’Donnell scrambled over in the corner. Nuttal converted with a great kick. —Blackball 5; Runanga 0. Runanga immediately attacked and Blackball were penalised near the sideline about thirty yards out, Newton goaling with an excellent kick.—Blackball 5; Runanga 2. Jamieson put in a run down the side, fending off a would-be tackler, but was forced out in the corner. Newton essayed a penalty kick from just inside half-way, but the ball fell short. However, his boot added a further two points a few minutes later, when he put over a penalty from a difficult position about thirty yards I out. A really brilliant inter-passing rush with Kirk, R. Clark. W. and C. Mountford figuring, resulted in the latter scoring unopposed under the posts. Nuttal failed to convert. — Blackball 8; Runanga 4. Blackball got the best, of the final stages of the first half and just before the interval Newton failed to goal with'a penalty kick

Blackball scored again shortly after the resumption of play, when their bustling tactics took play into Runanga territory. There Mcßride received from a ruck and scored an easv try near the posts. McNaughton failed to goal.—Blackball 11; Runanga 4. Runanga took the offensive but stern defence kept them back. Then Blackball were penalised in front of the posts and Newton had no trouble goaling—Blackball 11; Runanga 6. C. Mountford made a fifty yards dash to go over in a handy position, but O’Donnell was penalised for shepherding and a free kick relieved. They were not to be denied however, and after Runanga had been on attack for a while. Lee failed to take a pass from McTigue and C. Mountford collected to send on to Mcßride to W. McNaughton, who touched down in the corner. Nuttai’s kick went wide.—Blackball 14; Runanga 6. At this stage, Lee retired with a leg injury. W. McNaughton receiving at his own twenty-five, made a sixtyyards dash to send R. Clark over in a handy position. Nuttal failed to goal. Blackball 17; Runanga 6. R. Mountford secured at the end of a passing rush, but was recalled for off-side play. W. Mountford scored another good try when participating in a back movement, outpacing the opposition to score in a handy position. Nuttal’s kick missed.—Blackball 20; Runanga 6. Martini and Merriman figured in a good movement which imperilled Blackball’s line, but Martini was well grounded by Mcßride. When the game ended. Blackball was on attack, and the final score was:—Blackball 20; Runanga 6. Mr. J. Griffen was an efficient referee. LOWER GRADES. The curtain-raiser at Wingham Park, between Runanga and Brunner juniors was a willing game, the former tearii winning by 14 points to 9. For Runanga, J. Purnell (2), A. Hales and J. O’Donnell scored, R. Forrest converting one; while K. O’Brien, T. Dando and Mooney scored for Brunner.

Blackball juniors defeated Mansi, bv 21 points to eight in a game at Blackball.

Runanga fourth grade team had an easy victory over Marist, scoring 30 points to nil. Blackball fourth grade team beat Brunner.