LAST-MINUTE BID

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20039, 11 September 1939, Page 12

LAST-MINUTE BID

MARISTS WIN AGAIN SNATCHED FROM DEFEAT OLD STUDENTS GO DOWN PREMIER CUP FINAL Marist 20pts. H. 5.0.8 19 Ten points down, with 10 minutes to go, Marist seniors won the Premier Cup in sensational style at the Oral on Saturday, when they rattled on 11 points to win a fine victory over H. 5.0.8. 1i.5.0.8. looked certain winners when they were leading by 19 poirns to 9, but Marist came in great fashion to snatch a surprise victory. It was not until the final stages that the Marist back line really got going, but when it did it turned dismal defeat into a sterling victory. Two quick .ries by Hoy when Marist were down points changed the issue, and ■Harke, who had played soundly on .he left wing, meritoriously scored no wining try. A conversion of one of Hoy’s tries by McGrannachan was a magnificent effort which .brought Marist to within striking range of H. 5.0.8.

The losers had the game won most jf the way, but in the last few minutes the only team in it was Marist. H. 5.0.8. played for safety for a time while holding their 10point lead, but later elected to open up the game, and this cost them the match. Good Line-Kicking Good line-kicking by the respective full-backs, Moughan and Newton, marked the open log stages, Morrison, in a typical run, placing H. 5.0.8. on the attack and Harris improving the position with a neat liner. Play hovered on the blue line and Holmes went across for an early try, Gardner's kick going wide. —H. 5.0.8. 3, Marist 0.

When Doyle was caught off-side, Gardner put the maroons on the attack with a well-judged line kick. W. Smiler saved with a well-judged touch-finder, but the old students were on top at this stage of the play. O’Brien put the blues in striking range, but H. 5.0.8., profiting by a fumble, came back to the attack. The Marist backs were fumbling badly and allowing the old students to monopolise the ball. Bright led a Marist counter-attack, McGrannachan and Bean carrying on well. M. Smiler bustled Harris and the hall went out to the Marist wing, where Henry crossed for the equalising try. —H.5.0.8. 3, Marist 3.

W. Smiler, playing half-back :n place of the'Marist skipper, Heeney, an absentee, was opening up play well for his backs, but the blue handling was still bad. A. fumble by T. Smiler stopped a promising blue attack, but Marist were rewarded when Doyle charged down a kick by Newton ana clarke, the Marist left-winger, scored wide out, the kick being 'too short for O’Brien.—Marist (1, H. 5.0.8. 3.

Clarke was injured in scoring and Bright came out of the pack to go to the wing. The winger came on again and Bright went back to the scrum. Three points down, H. 5.0.8. fought hard upheld and were given a penalty in a handy position when the Marist players were caught off-side. Gardner goaled the kick ancl the score was even at G—all. The Marist backs were still uncertain in their handling, M. and T. Smiler being an unhappy combination. Gardner was given another chance with an easy penalty, but missed a sitter. A surprise move by H. 5.0.8. resulted in Waide crossing for Gardner to add the extra points and make the score at half-time: H. 5.0.8. 11, Marist G.

Marist were given an early chance on the resumption of play and O'Brien accepted the opportunity to kick a penalty goal to make the score 11-9 in favour of the old students.

Tibbie led a good Marish rush and M. and W. Srniler went close in a concerted rearguard thrust. Tibbie came back well to halt a maroon counter-attack, and the Srniler trio, now functioning better, kept the pressure on. Moughan twice saved well for Marist', but R. Short was nearly over for the maroons. The same player again came close to scoring, but a saved the issue for the harassed blues. Would-be short dropouts by O'Brien were not proving successful for Marist, and H. 5.0.8. went further into the lead when Holmes went over again, Gardner goaling to put the side seven points ahead. H. 5.0.8. were bustling Marist badly, but Lyons spoilt a promising maroon attack when he was caught off-side. Moughan again saved well on two occasions for Marist. Lyons broke well from a scrum and McGufiie won a dive for the ball to score a good try—H.S.O.B. 19, Marist 9. Turning of the Tide Ten points down, Marist’s position was bad and H. 5.0.8. kept the pressure well on, Clarke looked dangerous for Marist, but Newton saved well for the old students. An injury to C. Anderson halted play, but the Marist forward was able to continue. Bright led a Marist sortie, but H. 5.0.8. seemed content to nurse their lead. O'Brien suffered a head injury and came off, being replaced by Malcon, in the Marist pack, A good break-through by M. Srniler resulted in Hoy running about 30yds. for a try well out, W. Smiler's kick going wide and leaving Die score H. 5.0.8. 19. Marist 12. Francis, H. 5.0.8., was next injured and was replaced by Corstorphine. A brilliant break-through by W. Srniler looked dangerous and the ball went out to Hoy for the latter to score his second try. McGrannachan kicked a magnificent goal and the board read H. 5.0.8. 19, Marist 17.

A field goal by Hoy went very close and Marist now threw their all into a last-minute effort for victory. Moughan put. them close with a good liner and Malcon made a fine run to send Clarke over in the corner. McGrannachan missed the goal and Marist now led by 20 points to 19. There was no further score and Marist won the Premier Cup for 1939. The referee was Mr, A. E. Ingram.