Marist Do Better Than Blackball In Mud Scramble

Grey River Argus, 22 August 1949, Page 2

Marist Do Better Than Blackball In Mud Scramble

Steady rain was falling on an already slushy ground as Marist and Blackball took the field in the match of the day at Wingham Park yesterday. It did not need an enthusiast to forecast the outcome, not of the game, but of the class of play. Marist fully deserved their 11 to 5 win as they completely dominated play in the second half. Few indeed were the occasions on which Blackball penetrated into Marist territory in the final half. The tussle was more like a Hindu wrestling match than a game of football. In the closing stages the only two men that could be distinguished clearly when play was at a distance, were the referee and J. Mundy, the Marist winger, who stood afar from the play, obviously an unfit player. Kicking was all too prevalent during most of the match and what appeared to be a lack ,of understanding robbed the Marist backs of several possible tries, particularly in the second half. Blackball were slu-ish both in the backs and forwards and sadly missed the services of some of their key players. Try as they might, the players could not open up the play, nevertheless they gave the ardent supporters that braved the elements an exhibition in keeping with what they must have expected. Though the Marist backs were given plenty of the ball from their forwards and had the advantage of brilliant service from the half-back, J. Curnow, Blackball nullified this to some extent by playing right UP on their opponents to bustle them into errors. The Marist forwards revelled in the conditions, as was only to be expected with so many tireless workers in the pack. It appeared that much of the innocuousness of the Marist backs was due to players passing the ball at or behind the man than slightly in front of him.

Blackball endeavoured to come again toward the end of the game, but the Marist backs and forwards defended astutely to hold their advantage. V. Meates’ positional play and backing up carved through the Blackball defence but that was all for he had little support forthcoming from the other backs. Marist led at the interval by 6 points to 5 and at the changeover wasted no time in taking over control of the game. Although they were within inches of the Blackball line on several occasions Marist just could not capitalise on their opportunities. Still they could not get over the line and likewise Blackball could seldom get into Marist territory. It was impossible to sort out the good players from those not so good in the prevailing conditions.

Mcßride was the outstanding torward, his backing up and handling being exemplary. Calder played with vigour and more than held his own with Aynsley in the scrums. Blackball players in both backs and forwards all did their best without anyone being outstanding. The teams were: — Marist: L. Dargan, J. Mundy, L. Dunn, M. Teen, V. Meates, J. Pascoe, J. Curnow, J. Meates, R. Neilson, C. Mcßride, K. Mosley, J. Calder and p Blackball: F. Aynsley, J. Olliver, W. Kirk, W. McDonald, R. Nuttall, W. Pascoe, L. Sweetman, L. Kerr, F. Thompson, N. Haisty, T. Longley, R. Aynsley and A. Clarke. Marist’s first points came as a result of heady play by J. Curnow who cut in nicely passed to Pascoe who sent V Meates away he in turn passed to Teen who beat his man to send Pascoe over wide out. The kick missed. The next points went to the credit of Mundy who finished off a passing movement by diving between two opposing players to cross for a try. V. Meates again failed to convert. Marist’s final points and the most popular of the day came when J. Meates who had been in the thick of everything went .over in a handy position from a melee just outside the Blackball line. V. Meates added the extras to make Marist 11.

Blackball’s points came early in the match when Longley dived oyer from a scramble near the Marist line Nuttall made no mistake with the kick. The final scores were Marist 11, Blackball 3. Mr R. Baird was referee.

ENGLISH RESULTS ON SATURDAY (Rec 9.10) LONDON, Aug 20. Rugby League matches, in England resulted: — BBatley v. Wigan 18/29; Bramley v. Fetherstone Rovers 17/23; Castleford v. Hullkingston Rovers 24/12; Huddersefild v. Dewsbury 31/9; Hunslet v. Rochdale Hornets 21/6; Leigh v. Oldham 17/11; Liverpool Stanley v. Barrow 19/31; Swindon v. Whitehaven 36/12; Whakefield Trinity v. Halifax 9/10; Warrington v. Hull 39/10; Widnes v. Saint Helens 15/2; Workington v. Bellvue Rangers 28/3; York v. Lewes 15/25; Keighley v. Bradford Northern 7/10.