NGAHERE LAY CLAIMS TO CHAMPIONSHIP HONOURS

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1947, Page 6

NGAHERE LAY CLAIMS TO CHAMPIONSHIP HONOURS

Fast-moving Game

Thrills the Crowd

Ideal playing conditions prevailed at Wingham Park yesterday when a large crowd witnessed football at its best between Ngahere and Marist seniors.

From the outset the game developed into a dour struggle. The Ngahere team gave a polished display both on defence and attack. The crowd were on their toes when the Marist forwards made persistent attempts to pier-ce Ngahere defence. Ngahere backs in particular opened up the game. Mel Ord received the lion’s share of the ball from the scrums and Mick Ord, at half back lost no time in sending his backs away. The Marist backs spent most of their time chasing their speedy opponents and were not given many chances to swing into action, with the sound defence. In the Ngahere forwards Morgan was outstanding. His brilliant football strategy was evident throughout. F. Gibson and Ord were also conspicuous by their good efforts. At half-back Mick Ord left little to be desired and played his best game for some time. He scored a try that still has the critics talking of the bewildering manner in which he dived over. Reid, at full back was sound and his kicking good. A. Smith, and J. Gibson were the pick of the remainder.

In the Marist backs, Watson was shown in a favourable light and proved a hard man to down. On several occasions it took two - men to halt his onward movements. Dargan also has improved out of all sight and played a grand game. Pascoe, who scored Marist’s try, was in the thick of the fray at all 'times and certainly is a player of no mean potentials. Dunn at centre was a real menace to the opposition with h’s solid tackling, elusiveness and speed. J. Stokes in the Marist foi wards played his best game of the season and he fought desperately throughout to hold the fort. J. Mundy is, without doubt one of the finest forwards on the Coast. P. Coll and Molloy were also well to the fore.

The Ngahere forwards took up the offensive and gave their opponents some anxious moments in the initial stages of the game. Following some heavy forward rucking on the Marist 25, Mel Ord gathered in a rolling ball and dived over to open the scoring with a spctacular try. Gibson’s kick went wide.

Play swept up and down field at a fast clip and after a melee near 'the Marist goal line, J. Gibson dived over under the posts for Mick Ord to convert. Ngahere 8 Marist 0

Ngahere forged further ahead when Morgan made an opening for A. Gibson to send Mick Ord over for a sparkling try. Ngahere 11 Marist 0

The final points in the first half went to Marist after J. Curnow had made the opening for Pascoe to race ovei’ in a handy position. Coll sent the ball between the uprights Ngahere 11 Marist 5

The second half opened with gusto and consistently good work by Smith was rewarded with a well-merited try, which Ord converted. Ngahere 16 Marist 5

Watson earned the plaudits of the crowd with some snappy dashes. The final points came from a forward rush near the Marist 25. F. Gibson dived over for Ord to again rise to 'the occasion. The final whistle was then sounded, with the score at Ngahere 21 Marist 5.

The game was well controlled by Mr T. F. McKenzie who never missed a move.