RUGBY LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 47

RUGBY LEAGUE

VISITING GREYMOUTH TEAM I DEFEAT OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. With a set of fast, sturdy forwards and clever backs, the visiting Greymouth Marist Brothers’ League team proved too strong for Christian Brothers in the game played on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday afternoon. Although the ground was fairly heavy, the game was contested at a fast pace, and but for the sound tackling on both sides, the scores would probably have been larger. The Christian Brothers’ forwards did well against the Marist sextet, but O’Brien and Calder (both New Zealand representatives) and the rest of the visiting pack played great football. A feature of the game was the opening passing rushes by the Marist forwards. The Christian Brothers’ backs came through with credit, their defence being very sound./ The final score was 14 points to 6 points. In the curtain-raiser Christian Brothers juniors beat a combined junior side from the Pacific and Athletic Clubs by 12 points to 8 points. The teams in the main game were:— Marist.—E. Quinn, J. Davenport, J. Walshe, J. Matthews, T. Anisy, C. O’Leary, T. O’Connor, J. Calder, B. Williams, G. Scott, J. Beban, L. Blackaby, and M. O’Brien. Christian Brothers.—J. O’Malley, N. Kean, E. Pollock, H. Pearce, L. Schmelz, E. M'Kewen, B. O’Connor, E. O’Connor, J. O’Connor. E. Hicks, R. Hill, E. Hobson, and Jim O’Malley. Marist kicked off against the wind, and rushed play to the Christian Brothers’ territory. The visitors were penalised

for offside play on several occasions, and Christian Brothers worked back to half way. Christia n Brothers were penalised for offside play in their twenty-five, and Quinn had a shot at goal, but the ball went wide. The Marist backs were throwing the ball about freely, but most of the passes were dropped. After some even play in midfield, M'Kewen kicked across the field, but Pearce failed to gather in the ball. A minute later T. O'Connor broke away and penetrated deeply into the defence before passing to O’Brien. Again the passing broke down when the position looked dangerous for Christian Brothers. The next incident of note was a breakaway by E. O’Connor, who gained a lot of ground, but he sent out an awkward pass to Hobson. and a good scoring chance was lost. Immediately afterwards M’Kewen kicked across for Pearce, who over-ran the ball. Pollock snapped up. but was collared before he could touch down. A bright piece of play by T. O’Connor brought the Marist side racing down the field in support, but a dangerous rush was stopped just in time. A minute later the Christian Brothers’ backs broke away when M’Kewen fielded a return kick. (The bail was handled by most of the backs and J. and B. O’Connor, the former forcing his way over to score a brilljant try. B. O’Connor failed to convert. Christian Brothers 3 points, v Marist nil. The visiting backs then took a hand, and several bright movements carried play to Christian Brothers’ territory. The Marist forwards then came away in a sweeping movement, which carried play to their opponents’ territory, where O’Brien picked up and pushed his way over, but owing to off-side play the try was not allowed. Marist kept up the pressure, and play was confined to Chris-

tian Brothers’ territory for some time A race between Pollock, who had followed up fast when the Marist full-back failed to field the ball, saw the Marist winger beat his man, forcing just in time. Marist worked back to halfway, where the ball was kicked out. and half time was called.

Shortly after the resumption T. O’Connor broke through, and when smothered passed to O’Leary, who made a brilliant run before passing to Walshe and Davenport, but the latter was brought down with a great tackle. Off-side play by a Christian Brother player gave Calder an opportunity, and he kicked an excellent goal. A minute later T K O’Connor picked up at halfway and passed to Matthews. who made a strong run down the line to score at the corner. Calder added the extra points from a very difficult angle. Marist 7 points, Christian Brothers 3 points. With a lead of four points the Marist team made the game fast and open, and had Christian Brothers hard pressed for some time. A rush by the Marist forwards almost ended in a score, a force down saving the situation. Play swung to the other end of the field. Calder secured and, beating several opponents, scored in a good position. Calder was successful with the kick. Marist 12 points, Christian Brothers 3 points. The Marist forwards w’ere now swarming all over their opponents, who were 'hard pressed. A long kick by the Marist full-back was not fielded by O’Malley, and Kean gave the visitors a penalty through picking up when off-side. Calder again sent the ball over the bar. Marist 14 points, Christian Brothers 3 points. After some hard play in Marist’s twentyfive, J. O’Connor secured possession and sent the ball on to Kean, who raced down the line to score at the corner flag. He failed with the kick. Marist 14 points. Christian Brothers 6 points. Repeated onslaughts by the Marist forwards kept Christian Brothers busy defending their line, and it was only the solid tackling and good play of M'Kewen and his supports which prevented the visitors from

scoring. A vigorous thrust by the Christian Brothers’ forwards, with Hicks in the van, sent Marist back to halfway, and play was centred here when the final whistle was blown, the scores reading: Marist 14 points. Christian Brothers .. 6 points. The game was well controlled by Mr F. Percy. IN OTHER CENTRES WELLINGTON, August 29. Old Boys 5, Newtown 8. Petone 5, City 5. CHRISTCHURCH, August 29. Addington 14 defeated Linwood 6 in the match for the Thacker Shield.