PIRATES PREVAIL

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 May 1948, Page 6

PIRATES PREVAIL

MATCH AGAINST MARIST Leading 6-0 at half-time, Pirates beat Marist in the early game on the park by 9 points to 0. The winners had more finish to their movements than their opponents, and were a more mobile and aggressive attacking force. Pirates points comprised tw’o penalties and one unconverted try. In the last fifteen minutes of the game the greens played with only 14 men as one of their forwards, Pettis, incurred the displeasure of the referee. Mr. R. Tregurtha, and was ordered to leave the field.

In the opening minutes of the game Marist enjoyed an early attack which carried them deep into Pirate country- Heeling from a scrum Cornford sent Takarangi racing at the line, but a hard pressed defence, held Led by Pedley and Northover, the Pirate forwards forced the greens to half-way. Here, a midfield scrum took place, with Pirates gaining possession. Dixon worked the blind side for Taunton. but the wing was tackled hard at the twenty-five flag. Twice in quick succession Marist erred by giving possession away, allowing Pirates to extricate themselves from a difficult position. Pirates opened the scoring when R. Head goaled from a penalty. —Pirates 3, Marist 0. Heagney and Pettis, with O’Leary in support, gave Pirates a hard time on defence, but try as they might the greens could not pierce the defence which matched the attack. Once it looked as if success would come Marist’s way when their backs swung into a fine movement, but Bruce failed to hold the ball at a crucial moment.

Pirates persistency was gradually wearing the Marist defence down and a good run by Bell saw him send a pass to D. Ahern, who scored- —Pirates 6, Marist 0. Just before half-time two penalties came Pirates way in good posftibris, tout R. Head was unboth.

In the second session of play Pirates increased their lead when R. Head registered his second penalty 1 from about 25 yards out. The score ; was against Marist. 9-0. Caught out of < position by a deft move by Pirates, 1 : Marist had to defend strenuously and 1i Mosley, the Marist full-back, tackled ; flawlessly, when thrown on his own resources?-It was at this stage that ' the referee ordered Pettis. Marist forward, to leave the field for an incident which took place on the f*'” side ; of the playing area. i’ Shortly after Pirates lost the ser- i vices of Cotton, and was replaced byj Beard. There was a stir when the Pirate backs raced goalward and Taunton tried hard to beat Mosley, but the Marist full-back anchored him t with a sound tackle when the line was near at hand. Two more penalties were awarded Pirates but R- Head failed to gain further points, and the game ended Pirates 9, Marist 0. The teams were:— Pirates: N. Ahern, J. Hickling, L. Head, J. Taunton, D. Cotton, J. Bry-1 ers, M. Dixon, D. Ahern, N. Brown. 1 B. Pedley, V- Bell, R. Head, B. What- 1 naugh, A. Northover, T. Hall. Marist: W. Mosley, D. Rasmussen. R. Bruce, R. McPhun, H. Takarangi. N. Wallace, G. Cornford, J- White, N. Crowley, M. Pettis, H. O’Leary, J. Heagney, D O'Leary, J. Hooper, M. Daley.

Mr. R. Tregurtha was referee.