LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1945, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Marist Down Runanga KOHINOOR AND NGAHERE DRAW. BLACK BALL’S BIG SCORE. The. West Coast Rugby League competitions were continued yesteiday in dull but line weather. A good crowd attended at Wingham EarK where the main attraction was the meeting between Kohinoor and JNgahere, which resulted in a d raw > each side scoring five points. The game was not an inspiring exhibition, play being of the rugged type, with numerous infringements on both sides. A. Gibson (full-back), for Ngahere, gave a good display both, on attack and defence. Other prominent Ngahere backs were Stenhouse and Smith, while in an. even pack of forwards, Farrell and McKay were the most prominent. W. Glenn, a former outstanding player for the Runanga Club, turned out for Kohinoor, and particularly in the second half, showed that he had lost little of his former dash. Anderson and Todd, who is improving with each game, were the pick of the Kohinoor forwards. McSeveney, McGuire and McKenzie were the most prominent Kohinoor backs. The. teams were:— Ngahere: A. Gibson, Meadows, R. Cooper, J. Mulcare, P. Mulcare, Stenhouse, Smith, Dunn, McLure, Farrell,, McKay, Campbell and. F. Gibson. ■ Kohinoor: McKenzie, Butler, McGuire, McSeveny, O’Brien, Gra'cie, J. Mulqueen, Newton, Anderson, Dolequy, Dunn, Todd and Glenn. McGuire kicked oil: for Kohinoor, and the blacks set up a strong attack on the Ngahere line. Ngahere were penalised within two minutes, Farrell being offside, but McGuire, from a difficult 'angle, missed the goal. Over-eagerness on the part of Dolequy, who was caught - offside, brought relief to Ngahere, whose forwards took play to Kohinoor 25, but P. Mulcare knocked on, and a scrum was ordered. Smith sent the ball to P. Mulcare, whose pass to Stenhouse went astray. .Ngahere had a succession of penalties given against them, but McKenzie failed to goal. Ngahere were getting possession from the scrums, but their backs failed to combine. McKenzie was caught in possession, and the Ngahere backs started a promising movement, which broke down, when Stenhouse’s pass to P. Mulcare was forward. Stenhouse picked up from the ruck, and dashed for the line, but was well tackled by Gracie. Mulqueen broke up a succession of strong Ngahere attacks. Gracie brought J. Mulcare down a few yards short of the line, hut Smitli picked up and dashed over, P. Mulcare failing to convert. Ngahere 3; Kohinoor 0. Hall-time was called with Kohinoor attacking. Ngahere forced the pace after the interval, and a dangerous situation was saved by McGuire, who marked. Play then went to Ngahere’s 25, where, from the side-line McKenzie failed witli a penalty kick. McLure headed a forward rush which took play deep into the territory of Kohinoor, who were penalised for a scrum infringement, and Stenhouse had no difficulty with the kick. Ngahere 5; Kohinoor 0. Kohinoor forwards, led by Glenn and Todd, set up a hot attack near Ngahere line, and from a scrum, McKenzie intercepted, and walked over under the posts for McGuire to convert. Ngahere 5; Kohinoor 5. Kohinoor started in with renewed vigour, and had Ngahere bustled, but A.' Gibson saved on several dangerous occasions. McSeveny was nearly over, but was brought down by Stenhouse, with a solid tackle. Time was called with Kohinoors attacking, and the score live all. Mr. W. Moore was referee.

MARIST 13—RUNANGA 8. Marist created a mild surprise by defeating Runanga at Runanga yes; terday. The game was played on a heavy ground, and before a big attendance. The tactics of the Marist team in keeping the play tight, brought about Runanga’s downfall. For Runanga, N. McTigue, J. Forrest, H. Finn and J. Soster were the pick > of the backs, and McTaggart, Stevens, Dalzell and Merriman were the best of the forwards. Coll, Rochford, Dargan, Mundy and Sweetman were prominent for the Winners. Runanga kicked off, and after a brief period of play, Coll scored and converted. Marist 5; Runanga 0. .Runanga set up a hot attack and J. Forrest went over, but lost possession of the ball. Shortly after Newton missed a penalty. Merriman scored for Runanga, Newton failing to convert. Marist. 5; Runanga 3. Play shifted from one end to the other and half-time was called with the ) score: Marist 5; Runanga 3. Soon after the resumption, McTigue, who was playing an outstanding game, dribbled the ball over to score. Newton, with a splendid kick, from well out, converted. Runanga 8; Marist 5. Dunn then scored for Marist, the try being unconverted, and shortly after Coll dashed over for Dargan to convert, making the final score: Marist 13; Runanga 8. Mr. B. McGirr was referee. BLACKBALL 42—(BRUNNER 8. Blackball romped home in their game with Brunner, played at Black- . ball on a good ground and before a largo attendance. After some even play in the early stages of the game, the" Blackball backs opened up the play and threw the ball about. Blackball led 18 to 5 at half-time. W. Mountford, O’Donnell (2), Kirk, Ord (2), Mountford, Wright (2), and C. Mountford scored for Blackball. C. Mountford converted three and Nuttall three. Brunner’s score consisted of trys by Hoggarth and Bernard, and a penalty goal by Williams. Mr. J. Quinn was referee. LOWER GRADES. Marist Juniors 27, defeated Kohinoor 3, on No. 1 ground at Wingham Park. The half- time score was 6 to nil in Marist’s favour. V. Meates I (2), J. Meates, Pat Costelloe, Knapp, j Willis and Curnow scored for Marist. J. Meates converted two and Curnow one. The referee was Mr. I-I. Bassett. Brunner juniors 11, defeated Kumara 7, -on No. 2 ground at. Wingham Park*. Mr. P. Sweetman was referee. Blackball 11, beat Runanga 3, at Blackball. Mr. M. Ord was referee. In a third grade match at Wingham Park, Runanga 38, defeated Brunner 3. Mr. C. Higson was the referee. Brunner fourth grade 62, beat. Kohinoor nil, at Brunner. Mr. W. Kerr refereed. Blackball fourth graders 12, defeated Runanga nil, at PJUnanga. Mr. J. Griffen was referee.