NOT A DULL MATCH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19374, 12 July 1937, Page 7

NOT A DULL MATCH

H. 5.0.8. THE VICTORS 17PT MARGIN OVER MARIST H. 5.0.8 2Kj>ts Marist Up ts The reorganised Marist team made a splendid showing against H. 5.0.8. on Saturday afternoon at the Oval in the first spell of the senior match, the score at that time being six—five in favour of H. 5.0.8., but the old students took the upper hand in the second half and ran out the victors by 28 points to 11. The match was not as dull as the final score indicated and with a tew more games together the Marist side will bear out the expectations of its supporters.

On both sides il was noticed that the backing-up work was poor and in many cases the forwards were content to allow the play to come to them as the game wore on rather than get round on side as soon as possible and continue the attack or defence in a combined effort.

In tlie first spell the handling of the old students was faulty and too dropkicking efforts of .). Thompson, who appeared to be intent on registering a field goal, were without reward. His 1 first attempt was certainly in order, but his second was entirely uncalled for and spoiled a certain try when his team was in need of points. He was supported by another back in a run between the goal posts and had only the fulback to account for between himself and the goal-line. He attempted a field goal and the ball went astray and into the dead-ball area. Apart from that lapse, however, he played a splendid game. Reed’s Fine Kicking In the early stages of the game the H. 5.0.8. fullback, W. Reed, had two chances of converting tries, one of which was in front of the goal-posts, and each time he failed, yet he improved later and gave a fine exhibition of sure kicking and, incidentally, by that means added 10 points to the score. The winger, E. Grant, was well marked and had few opportunities. Other players showing out in the H. 5.0.8. back division were G. Sharp, P. Harris, and Woodbine Shcrratt. In the pack H. Wall, C. Waide, D. Thompson, R. Francis, .1. Leach, and R. Bradford were the most consistent. Marist would do well to concentrate on more intensive backing up lo give more protection to their now able set of backs. If more would follow the tactics of R. V. Lawless it would be for t.bc betterment of their game. Lawless in his semi-roving capacity was a continual worry to His opponents. E. O’Halloran also played a sound forward game, and another of note in the pack was W. Ritchie. D. Honey, S. Yates, If. Duckworth, and M. Barry were the best of a good set of Marist backs. Th(' old students had Marist defending early and J. Thompson made a tricky run to gain good ground for his side before a knock-on held up play and a penalty kick for the blues cleared their line. After several incursions into the : Marist territory Woodbine. .Sherralli finished off* a movement sponsored by Morrison and J. Thompson, his inside men, but Reed failed to add the extra points. An exchange of kicking occupied a ragged patch of play in midfield and the H. 5.0.8. fullback was prominent in saving several limes when there were possibilities of danger to his line.

Second blood for the old students was drawn by Shorntt with another fine run after he had received a snappy pass from ,1. Thompson ami he forced down behind tin* posts. Reed's attempt at conversion went just astray of the post, and the score remained at six—nil in favour of 11.5.0.8, Marist Rustles Through The ball fell into Duckworth's hands when it was kicked by one of the 11.5.0.8. players and he took the leather on a visit to the opposite end of the field, lie was grassed and lost possession, but from that movement the ball went over to the other wing and Grant failed to snap it up and clear. Ritchie was up with the play and he secured the loose ball before Grant had time to recover and opened the account for Marist. Ileeney converted and took the score to six—five still in favour of 1i.5.0.8. Three blasts of the whistle summoned the St. John Ambulance officers to R. Francis, who retired with an ankle injury. His-place was taken by C. Waide. Marist were having the better of the game towards the end of the spell and it was Leach who prevented several of their forwards from scoring a try when he was quick to force.

After the change-over Reed was a different man so far as his kicking was concerned and he added six points to the score within three minutes of each other from penalties. The second infringement toolc place well out in the paddock, but the ball was safely piloted over the uprights. From a scrum in the Marist 25yd area the ball was hooked to Morrison, who whipped it out to Thompson, Grant, and Harris for the last-mentioned to dash in unopposed. Reed again raised the flags and the score was H. 5.0.8. 17, Marist five.

Faulty passing by Marist gave Harris another opportunity soon after and he outpaced Ileeney to score once more. Reed failed with the kick. Duckworth, Lawless, and Quinn made a run down to the other end of the field and Lawless just fell short of a try, but from a succeeding scrummage Ritchie made the grade. Ileeney failed to convert.

Marist were soon defending again and R. Mace scored from a loose ruck near the goal-line. Reed's kick was successful. Marist wore well on the run by this stage and another movement saw the ball travel from Sharp to Harris and then to Grant, who had little difficulty in touching down in fhe corner, from which angle Reed did not convert.

11.5.0.8. were one man short'in the backs when Harris was forced to leave the field owing to slight concussion. Then Marist, with Lawless and Ritchie in the van, made another run from which Ritchie again scored. [Feeney failed with his kick and the final whistle found the hoard reading 11.5.0.8. 20, Marist 11. Mr. K. R. Waite was the referee.