RUGBY LEAGUE

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1946, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE

Kohinoor heat Runanga Kohinoor gained their lirst win ot the season at the expense of 'Runanga in the main match at Wingham Park yesterday by 14 points to 9. Both sides were weakened by the absence of several regular players but this did not deter the game from being bright and open. The held was in good order except for' a few mud holes. Had Kohinoor an accurate goal kicker their winning margin would have been greater, as several “sitters” were missed. Laugeson, for Kohinoor, played a steady game and led several good forward rushes. Borland and Messenger proved a strong pair and broke up dangerous movements. Sweetman, Stewart and Hoskins were always dangerous and Butler relieved pressure many times by His strong running.

In the Runanga side, Curragh Forrest and Kennedy tore holes lithe defence by their tricky runs. .I'’. Thompson McLelland and A. McTaggart were tireless workers in the Runanga pack. The teams were:—Runanga, N. Kiely, T. Anderson, J. Curragh, J. Higson, R. Forrest, N. McTigue, . L. Kennedy, L. Forrest, R. aDlziel, J. McLelland A. McTaggart, J. King, r. Thompson. Kohinoor: A. Brown, L. McSeveney, H. Stewart, T. Butler, A. Alward, W. Hoskins, L. Sweetman, J. Messenger, W. Borland, J. Murphy, M. Laugeson, 'B. Gracie, R. Cook. THE PLAY Runanga pressed in the lirst few minutes and a good run by Curragh saw a scrum form near the Kohinoor line, where F. Thompson received a pass to touch down. Curragh missed the kick. Runanga 3, Kohinoor 0. A penetrating run by Anderson and Curragh, saw play settle deep in Kohinoor territory where Kiely made a good solo run and handed or. to Kennedy who touched down. Forrest missed an easy kick. Runango 6, Kohinoor 0. Gracie, at this stage, was replaced by McKenzie and from a forward rush to Runanga’s line, Laugeson made several attempts to cross but the defence held and Kiely, intercepting a pass, temporarily relieved pressure, but Kohinoor returned to attack and pounded on the line and were vainly trying to open their account as the bell sounded with the score at, Runanga 6, Kohinoor 0.

A few minutes after the resumption of play McLelland picked up a dropped pass and barging his way over but Forrest’s kick went wide, Runanga 9, Kohinoor 0.

McKenzie put Kohinoor on attack at the kick off but a Runanga forward was caught off-side in front ot the posts, McKenzie missing an easy kick. They were not to be denied their chances however, and Alward made a penetrating run but was pulled down short of the line and Anderson, attempting to clear, saw ids kick go wide, Butler gathering in to score but the kick missed.

Kohinoor again attacked, Laugescn and Cook showing out, and from a high punt, Hoskins barged his way across, the kick again missing. Sweetman beat several would-be tacklers and handed on to Messenger who scored in the corner, Laugeson’s kick going wide. With the score oven, both teams put great daslj into their work but the kohinoor forward’s had the better of exchanges, and forced play to Runanga’s 25 where Stewart cut through to score a well deserved try, McKenzie converting from a dilhcult angle. With a few more minutes to ' go, Runanga made valiant attempts t score but Kohinoor’s defence held and the final whistle sounded With no change in the score. Kohinoor 14—Runanga 9. Referee: Mr. J. Griffen. MARIST DEFEAT BLACKBALL In a fast and exciting game at Blackball, Marist gained a one point victory over Blackball, the score at the final whistle being Marist 6 — Blackball’. The Blackball side was considerably weakened by the absence of five players, Aynsley, W. and K. Mountford, Mcßrid’e and McNaughton being unavailable. The first spell, in which all Marist. points were scored, was fast and open, tiie account being opened when Pascoe gained possession from a set scrum and cut through in good style and short punting past Nuttall to allow Barlow, following up fast, to touch down wide out. The nem points came when Curnow intercepted on his own 25 and after a brilliant run of 40 yards handed on to Pascoe, who kicked infield, Mundy raking in the ball to go over for a good try. The second spell, which was fast from first whistle to last, was mairtly confined to the forwards, the ball being too greasy to handle. Blackball’s points came when a penalty almost on the Marist line gave A. O’Donnell his chance, he going over for a good try. Nutcall converted. With three minutes to play, a penalty taken by Nuttall from a handy position, narrowly missed. Referee: Mr. J. Mathews. BRUNNER BEAT NGAHERE Playing under greasy conditions at Ngahere, Brunner beat Ngahere by 8 points to 3. The half time score stood at 3 all ana the deciding points came in the last minute of the game when Reid scored a good try, Williams converting as the full time bell sounded. Dando scored Brunner’s other try. For Ngahere, B. McVicar scored a try. Fourth Grade: Marist B s—Runanga 3. Flaying at Rapahoe yesterday, Marist B defeated Runanga by 5 points to 3, after a splendid exhibition. The ground was in good order considering the recent heavy rain. The •scorer for Marist was A. Mclnroe, F. O’Connor converting from the sideline. For Runanga, J. Smith scored a try. Marist led by 5 points to nil at half-time, and held their heavier opponents in the second spell, to allow them to score an unconverted try, winning by two points. Referee: Mr J. Knowles. Results of other matches played were as follows:— Junior: Rapahoe 18, beat Blackball