Football at Napier

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 43, 15 October 1924, Page 35

Football at Napier

(From our own correspondent.)

With the final match for the Lane Cup between M. 8.0.8. and Pirates,.the curtain was rung down on what has been a highly successful season for Hawke’s Bay. At the end of the first round of the club championship Marist headed the list, then came a series of mishaps that tended to upset the balance of the team. We lost Jimmy Mill to the “All Blacks” which, needless to say, was also an honor; then injuries were the next item and Marists went downhill fast. The only big fight they put up in this round was the last gam© of the championship against Hastings, when “no-side” was sounded the score-board read 3 all. But Marists were not to be out of all the fun. The Rugby Union decided on a knock-out comp, for the Lane Cup, and Marist were there with “bells on.” Their first victims were Havelock, easy meat for the boys in Green, 15 — Next came H. 5.0.8. more fun still; we came out 13 — (the 6 being two penalty goals). Then came the final, on Saturday, the 27th ult., against Pirates. Both teams took the field in good “nick.” Marist kicked off against wind and rain and were at a decided disadvantage, and the first few minutes saw the boys in Green being pushed on their own line then forced twice in quick succession, and this brought them to their mettle. They started with a rush and from then till call of time Pirates weren’t in the picture. The heavy “green” forwards dominated play throughout and combined well with their backs. Bond scored for Marist after a clover and strategic move by McCarthy, whose gam© throughout was a marvel. The pick of the backs were Corless, Dinneen, and McCarthy. As for the forwards, they played as one man. The win by the “Greens” 3nil, was well received by a largo crowd of spectators. In the evening both clubs held a combined smoke concert.