AN AMAZING GAME

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12454, 24 May 1926, Page 9

AN AMAZING GAME

Y.M. DEFENCE BREAKS DOWN MAEIST PULL MATCH OUT OF FIRE. The championship game between Marisfc and Y.M.C.A. at the Basin Reserve on Saturday, was one of the mo;t remarkable seen so far this season, first because of the changes which came over the play, and then because of the complete breakdown of the Y.M. defence in the closing stages of the battle, when they were practically routed. The keenest rivalry has always existed between the Marist and Y.M.C.A., and meetings have invariably drawn good crowds and provided plenty of excitement. Saturday’s game was no exception. The ground was very heavy after so much rain, but it played far better than was expected. It rained so hard up to 2 o’clock that there was every possibility of the game being postponed, but when players and spectators began to roll up, it was decided to proceed. By 3 o’clock spectators were coming up fast, and the gate was almost up to that of the previous Saturday. Those who braved the elements had no reason to regret having done so, for they witnessed a struggle that was worthy of the occasion. Mr S. Wilson held the whistle. Marist: —G. Fitzgerald; E. Fitzgerald and H. Rudolph; A. Rudolph, W. Thomas and J. Burke; MeElligott, Kallaher, Pope, Marchmont and Cudby. Y.M.C.A.: —J. Ewing; H. Prince and L. McGirr; Banks and Pearson; Trott, Worth, Dempster, Orr, Ballard and Stark. Orr kicked pff but Y.M. soon lost possession, end Marist set about their task in • manner which suggested they were going to jpako short work of their opponents. For the first ten minutes they were convincing, and Y.M. were very lucky to keep their charge intact, for they kept the backs and Ewing right busy. Trott took the ball from Tope’s toes, and when a nasty looking centre came in from Cudby, Ewing ran out to clear and miskiclced, and it looked a moral that Marchmont would net, but Prince beat him by a hairsbreadth. Ewing ; then saved a grand shot from Pope in his best style, and directly after was called on again, Pope heading ; almost past him from a free kick.' Y.M. then took a hand in the game, Worth and Ballard figuring in the first move of any promise. Worth was all but through when Thomas, with a great leap Hustled him enough to make him shoot just wide. Worth was not long in securing possession again and when he put across a perfect centre Orr, right on the spot, netted easily, giving Y.M. the lead. By the way Marist were nn-.v being overshadowed it seemed as if the pace at the beginning had taken too much out of them, for Y.M. dominated the play practically to the interval. Trott was operating behind the Y.M. left wing in fine style, and again Stark and Ballard were conspicuous in play that was worth seeing. Banks, at right half, was a thorn in tlTe side of Cudby, and never left him, nml for a junior gave a great display. Ballard came within an aco of netting, and the rebound forced a corner. Tbis wient behind, but a moment later Dempster found the net with a powerful shot twenty yards out. A useful two goal lead for Y.M. , TVI Still pressing, Orr and litzgorald had a tussle rignt on the goal line for possession, goalie having the best of matters, but it was close. Rudolph sent to Thomas, and the leathei passed to Cudby, who drew Ewing from his charge, the goalie saving soundly. MeElligott Was all but through on his own when McGirr managed to close in and put him off the shot. A. Rudolph was penalised once or twice for sliding under an opponent. Just before the interval Dempster was shooting when LI. Rudolph flew across in time to divert the shot. Halltime: Y.M.C.A. 2, Marist 0. MARIST TURN TABLES On resuming Marist still found themselves hard pressed, aiitt could not get going, although Rope managed to draw Ewing out only to save. McGirr found the Marist right wing making things warm, and it looked like a case of obstruction on his part. At last Cudby came on the scene again, and a lovely centre came along. Popo touched it as it went by, and running up behind Marchmont beai. Ewing clearly. Y.M. 2, Marist 1. Yet again Y.M. dominated the play, hut could not pentrate Marist’s defence, Orr being too slow in taking up a centre from Ballard which should have been converted. On the play it looked all the way a comfortable win for Y.M. ns the Marist combination seemed to have- gone to the pack. Stark, Ballard' and Worth were going well, and Thomas, Burke and McElligott were striving might and main to stem the tide. Fitzgerald made a faulty clearance, but his brother got the ball to Cudhv, who made a great spring up the wing. Getting to the comer he dropped the hall squarely in front, I’opo missed, hut Kallaher,

standing just inside the post, turned it into the net. The score was even. Marist spectatox*s now became very excited, and yelled any amount of encouragement to the green stripes to get the winner. When m midfield Dempster secured possession, and although both wings were ready to take a pass he indulged in a piece of selfish play which led to Y.M.’s undoing. He essayed some trick footwork to get by Thomas, but the Marist skipper was too good for him and robbed him neatly., Leaving Dempster guessing he made tracks for the Y.M. half, and gave a beautiful pass to Cudby. Like a streak the winger closed in and slammed the ball into the net with a rising shot which gave Ewing no chance. Marist 3, Y.M.C.A. 2. The greatest excitement now * prevailed, and Y.M. endeavoured to rally their forces with a view to staving otf defeat, but Marist had got into their stride and would not be denied. McElligott tested Ewing with a hot ’un, and from a rush downfield Dempster had another try which went’ wide. From now to the finish Marist had matters their own way. McGirr and Prince were outplayed, and could not stand the pace. McGirr many times had to kick into touch to prevent the attacking forwards getting to close quarters. The Y.M. halves were not able to hold them, and before the close Pope added a fourth goal for Marist irom a splendid opening made by Thomas. So the honours of, the first meeting of the season' between the two teams ended in favour of Marist, and Y.M. -are waiting for the next meeting in a stern resolve to turn the tables. Marist 4* Y.M.C.A. 2.