CLEAR-CUT VICTORY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20003, 31 July 1939, Page 11

CLEAR-CUT VICTORY

LINE KEPT INTACT MARISTS DOWN OLD BOVS LITTLER’S KICKING- FORM Marist lGpts. H. 5.0.8 Crossing the-white line on four occasions, Marist made no mistake about their game with Old Boys in Gisborne on Saturday—-a game vital to Marist as a win would give them the championship for the season. The blues rose nobly to the occasion and had a clear-cut win after being on top for most of the game. Old Boys shone individually, but lacked cohesive thrust, while their inside backs too often left the gate open for Tom Smiler, the Marist centre-three-quarter, and the Maori player was not slow to make the most of Ins chances. - All Old Boys’ points were credited to Littler, who kicked three penalties, while O’Brien scored seven points for Marist—a try and two conversions.

Marist deserved their win and the decisive championship honours which went with 'it.

Play opened quietly, with lloy and Moughan kicking good liners when the blues were on defence. A nice short kick by Littler, fielded by Burch, looked dangerous for Marists, but Burch knocked on badly. The scrumwork of both teams was inclined to be ragged and neither back line was getting a run. Old Boys had a chance of opening their score wi'h a penalty, but the angle was too acute for Littler. Moughan, the Marist full-back, cleared his line well in the face of a hot white rush led by Shanks and Ai-tken, tout Old Boys came back to the offensive. Marist had their first chance when the venue of play changed suddenly and C, Anderson went close in a dribbling rush. The same player went close again and dived over the line, 'but was recalled for an infringement. O’Brien Opens Score

O'Brien and McGrannachan broke well from a ruck in a movement which threatened the white citadel, but another penalty to Old Boys saved the situation. Woods, Old Boys’ winger, came off with a leg injury and was replaced by a junior player, Carroll. In sight of the white line. Marist kept up the pressure. O’Brien bustling over after a tight rush, but missed the conversion.—Marist 3, Ola Boys 0. Old Boys threatened from the dropout, but, electing to take a scrum near the Marist line in preference to a lineout, were badly bustled in the backs and Marist saved, T. Rmiler and Wright son taking play well up field in a combined rush. Moughan was badly bustled by Smellio and, in trying to save, T. Smiler became off-side, Littler goaling the penalty to make the score Old Boys 3, Marist 3. . Forcing play upheld. Marist nearly sent Hoy over, the blues being rewarded when W. Smiler burst over from a scrum, O'Brien goaling Marist 8, Old Boys 3.

Moughan was proving a safe custodian for Marist and was saving well, but Old Boys were attacking hotly, with Carroll making some strong runs. Play hovered under the Marist goal for several minutes, with scrum following scrum until Old Boys were given a penalty right in front of the posts, Littler goaling the sitter Marist 8, Old Boys G.

Old Boys, throwing the ball about well, were on top at this stage, their backs and forwards handling well, but half-time found the score unchanged. Play in the second spell opened cautiously, with the blue pack working well together. After a short siege in the white territory. Marist -adeed to their tally when MeOrnnnachnn went over in a handy position. O Br.eti adding the trimmings to make 'he at goal.—Marist HI. Old Boys (>. T. Smiler was getting the ball out to Tfoy. Marist';; scoring winger, at eyerv opportunity, but Carroll was marking his man well. Hoad broke ihrouch well and Phillips vent ciwe lo scoring for Old Boys, but. a lortedown saved Marist. SoMing his bad" in action. Iloonoy opened up a goad movement which looked like navfie n di'bdend, the ball being kicked deni hv .Shorn, who was hotly pursued kv T. Smiler and ITo.v.

Marist continued to press. T. Smiler being a constant Ihrea 1 to the whi’,o hacks, whose inside men were ni»t tacklinc. Io n period of rucking plr : v under the Marist goal, Phillips wcr.t