TWO GOOD PACKS MEET

Southland Times, Issue 23835, 5 June 1939, Page 5

TWO GOOD PACKS MEET

MARIST’S SUCCESS AGAINST BLUFF SOLID FORWARD PLAY Marist was able to beat the rugged Bluff team more because of making fewer mistakes than anything else. There was nothing particularly spectacular about the exchanges. Marist s backs made more of the open play but generally their attempts at combined work were met with resolute tackling. The forwards of each side played solidly. Both teams packed well and the honours of the scrum work were fairly even. M. Ryan (Marist full-back) and A. Shepherd (half-back) were prominent, particularly in the second half when, the Bluff forwards carried most of the lineouts and loose rushes. They nursed their forwards and found touch many times. J Ryan’s fielding and kicking were outstanding. The teams were:— MARIST.—M. Ryan, A. H. Brown, R. Ferris, D. O’Shea, M. P. Grace, V. Pasco. A. Shepherd; N. Baird, J. McRae. H. Grace, J. Newall, J. Cournane, P. Connolly, M. O’Callaghan, N. Ward. BLUFF.—G. Sylvester, V. Hawke, D.. R. Sutherland, T. Heads. M. Anglem, E. J. Calder, E. D. Calder; H. C. Rob- ! Johns. B. Crawford. E. Ennis, A. Ram- j say, H. Raymond, N. Cooper, J. Hamil- ; ton, J. Finn. I The first half of this game, played on the No. 2 ground, was contested at | a good pace. Both sets of backs tried to . open up the game but there were many | breakdowns in the passing. Marist got a ! good share of the bail and Shepherd (half-back) used the advantage to attack. The tackling by the Bluff backs was good, however, and several movements were broken up before they were properly developed. M. P. Grace made several good openings for Marist and Heads (Bluff wing- , three-quarters) showed up in runs along the touchline. Generally the play was fairly even and the half ended with the scores equal, Ennis kicking a penalty goal for Bluff and N. Ward scoring a | try for Marist. . | The scores at half-time were:— Marist 3, Bluff 3 RUGGED FORWARD PLAY Rugged forward play marked the first, part of the second half. Both packsj were playing solid, if r.ot spectacular, ) football. Two Marist players left the ■ field injured. One of them. Shepherd, | return to the half-back position, a few minutes later. T. Heads, Bluff winger, was respons- . ible for the brightest run sc far. He I made a good dash up the Press strip I touchline and gained 40 yards Immediately the play swung across to the | other wing where Ariglern threw a for- ; ward pass when a try looked likely. There was a lot of indecisive play between two evenly-matched teams. Marist was getting a good share of the ball. A good line kick by Grace put Marist in an attacking position. N. Forde replaced O’Shea in the Marist team. Baird attempted to goal from a penalty but the kick, a good one, fell outside the posts. Baird had another chance to goal from a penalty and made no mistake this time. Marist 6, Bluff 3. The Bluff forwards rallied and they immediately set up a hot attack -which carried play deep into Marist’s 25. Anglem and Heads and then Anglem again tried to get over but the defence held. Ryan, who was playing a solid defensive game, with a strong kick relieved the positon for Marist. P. Grace Ferris and Brown combined well in a dash down the left touchline and when the rush was stopped the Marist forwards bustled play closer to the line. Brown, Marist winger, received the ball

right on the line and scored in the corner. Baird failed to convert. The game ended with the scores: Marist 9, Bluff 3 I Mr W. O. Ward was the referee.