LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 1 October 1945, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

BLACKBALL 39 OTAHUHU 10 Favoured with summerlike weather the match played at Blackball on Saturday between Otahuhu (Auckland minor champions) and Blackball (South Island champions) attracted a large attendance of spectators who were treated to an interesting and often brilliant game. The home team disappointed their supporters in the first spell, when the dashing play’ of Otahuhu forced them into errors. It was not until the last half-hour, that splendid team-work a.nd fitness became noticeable, that Blackball found gaps in the defence at will, Otahuhu seldom being able to keep them out of their territory during this period. The teams were:—Otahuhu; Halsey, Wellm, Keat, Martin, McManus, Speedy, Fogarty, N. Johnson, I. Johnson, J. Johnson,-D. Hardy, M. Johnson.

Blackball: Nuttall, D. Kirk, W. Mountford, J. O’Donnell, C. Mountford, J. McNaughton, M. Ord, K. Mountford, W. Kirk, Mcßride, Wright, Aynsley, Williams. Otahuhu were well served by Riley at full-back and later by Patillo. The former did not appeal when moved to first five-eighth. Keat was the better of the wingers and made some fine dashes down the side. Wellin proved a capable centre, though his defence left a lot to be desired. Martin showed up in splendid tactical play in the first spell, and disorganised the defence with well-placed kicks, out his form fell away’ after the interval. On the whole he did not uphold his previous reputation. McManus retired with a shoulder injury before half-time. He showed himself a fine attacking back. J. Speedy at half was perhaps the most prominent visiting back and kept his opponents busy throughout.

In the Otahuhu forwards, who were slightly heavier, Fogarty the breakaway/showed up in a favourable light. They kept play tight and in this respect M. Johnson, who had to retire in the second spell with a facial injury, was most noticeable, with N. and I. Johnson the pick of the others. Nuttall was safe at full-back for Blackball and his goal kicking was a feature. D. Kirk and O’Donnell made the most of their opportunities. W. Mountford showed some fine runs. Ord, McNaughton and C. Mountford proved an inside back combination. The latter named, who received a hard knock was not seen at his best imthe first spell, but recovered after the interval and played in his best form. The forwards have seldom been seen to better advantage. The South Island reps, Aynsley’, Mcßride and K. Mountford all acquitted themselves well with the first-named giving indications of being a success as a hooker. Otahuhu won the toss but elected to face a strong sun. Martin put Blackball on the defence with a well-judg-ed kick after Blackball had pressed strongly. Riley gained ground with a fine run and soon after narrowly missed with a long kick at goal. Otahuhu backs received in the Blackball 25 and Wellm drew the defence neatly’ for Keat to score a fine try’ in the corner. Riley kicked a splendid goal. Otahuhu 5, Blackball 0. Mcßride led the Blackball forwards to Otahuhu 25 from where Martin made a break but his centre kick was returned by W. Mount ford and play’ went to Otahuhu territory where Nuttall kicked a good goal. Otahuhu 5, Blackball 0. Keat gained ground for Otahuhu but D. Kirk intercepted but he was overhauled 10 yards from Otahuhu line. Riley’ relieved with a neat run to halfway. McManus retired at this stage and Patillo came on as full-back, with Riley going up' to first five-eighth. After an exchange of kicks play settled in Otahuhu 25 and C. Mountford, Williams and McBride handled for the latter to score. Nuttall’s kick went wide. Otahuhu 5, Blackball 5. Blackball continued to press and W. Mountford was pushed out in the corner. Nuttall failed with a kick. A crisp passing bout by the Otahuhu backs was well saved bv O’Donnell and half-time sounded with play’ in mid-field. On resumption Blackball pressed and C. Mountford picked up a dropped pass but lost possession under the posts. From play in mid-field Speedy intercepted and ran through to Nuttall and kicked over his head the ball hitting the goal post and rolled over the line for Martin to touch down under the posts. Riley goaled. Otahuhu 10, Blackball 5. With Otahuhu on the attack, W. Mountford picked up a loose ball and ran 75 yards to score in the corner. Nuttall’s kick went wide. Otahuhu 10, Blackball 8. At this stage M. Johnson had to leave the field with a facial injury. The Blackball forwards went to Otahuhu line where Pattillo saved with a timely kick. Receiving from a scrum near "half-way C. Mountford weaved his way’ past several defenders and scored a brilliant try. Nuttall added the extras with a good kick, Blackball 13, Otahuhu 10. Blackball were throwing the ball about and after several players had handled McNaughton scored near the flag. Nuttall goaled with a great kick, .Blackball 18, Otahuhu 10. C. Mountford' kicked through and followed up, and was awarded a try which appeared doubtful, an obstruction having escaped the notice of the referee. Nuttgoaled, Blackball 23, Otahuhu 10. Flay continued in Otahuhu territory and Ord worked the blind side to D. Kirk and McNaughton and W. Kirk handled for the latter to score. Nuttall again goaled, Blackball 28, Otahuhu 10. Williams fielded a clearing kick and K. Mountford kicked through for Ord to follow up and score a smart try. Nuttall failed with the kick, Blackball 31, Otahuhu 10. From a scrum near Otahuhu line Ord slipped through and K. Mountford scored. C. Mountford failed to goal. Blackball 34, Otahuhu 10. Wright ran twenty yards to score the last try under the posts after W. Mountford had raced through. C. Mountford goaled and the game ended Blackball 39, Otahuhu 10. Mr. J. Quinn was referee. RUNANGA 20 OTAHUHU 7 There was a crowed of 1500 present at Wingham Park yesterday afternoon to witness the game between Runanga and Otahuhu. Ideal weather conditions prevailed, and the playing area was in good order. The visitors fielded a heavier team than Runanga, but the locals were the fitter. The pace was a cracker from start to finish and' there was sot a dull moment. C. Riley played an outstanding game in the visiting back line. He is the possessor of a hefty’ boot, and some of his line kicking was phenomenal. Speedy and Martin were other Promising backs. In an even set of forwards Fogarty, Brady and Hardy were prominent. Soster gave his "usual sound display, while the Forrest brothers, Jack and Bob were outstanding. Stevens, L. Forrest, Dalzell, and Newton were the best of the Runanga pack. The teams were as follows: — Runanga: J. Soster, J. Forrest, R. Forrest, N. McTigue, K. Martini, L. Masters, H. Pinn, J. Newton. T. Merriman, R. Dalzell, D. Stevens, R. Conpersmith, L. Forrest. Otahuhu: C. Riley, C. Wellm, R. Keat, K. Simons, R. Martin, E. McManus, J. Speedy, J. Fogarty, N. Johnson. D. Brady, D. Hardy, R. Seymour, J. Johnson. THE PLAY

Riley kicked off, and Runanga attacked, but Otahuhu forwards led by Fogarty took play Io Runanga line, where "Roster brought off a brilliant save, and his kick bounced out at half way. Newton led a Runanga

forward rush and offside play by the visitors saw Newton raise the flags after five minutes play. Soon after Runanga backs were associated in a fine passing movement which saw R. Forrest hand on to Dalzell who dived over under the posts for Soster to convert. Runanga 7, Otahuhu 0. Soon after the drop out Simons was injured and was replaced by Halsey. A feature of the game at this stage was the deadly tackling of both sides. From a scramble near Runanga line, Speedy went over for Riley to convert. Runanga 7, Otahuhu 5. The interval came with the score unchanged. Soon after the resumption Riley kicked a penalty goal, making the score 7 all. Runanga backs took a hand and Masters sent on to Stephens who sent Newton over, the same player converting, Runanga 12, Otahuhu 7. Runanga’s next score came when McTigue finished off a passing movement, Newton again converted. Runanga 17, Otahuhu 7. The final score came just before time when Coppersmith scored from a scramble. Newton failed to convert. The bell went with Runanga attacking and the score, Runanga 20, Otahuhu 7. Mr. J. Griffin was the referee. SCHOOLBOYS' FINAL

Marist 11, defeated Runanga 5, in the final of the 6st. 71b. schoolboys’ competition at No. 1 ground, Wingham Par fl. Mr. W. Moore was referee.

Kohinoor 4th grade 23 defeated Runanga 5, at Winghjim Park, No. 2. Mr. Hickson was referee. COMPLIMENTARY DINNER

A complimentary dinner was tendered by the Mest Coast Rugby League to the visiting Otahuhu team last evening at the Club Hotel. There was a large number present, and the customery toasts were honoured.