THACKER SHIELD

Grey River Argus, 13 September 1937, Page 7

THACKER SHIELD

WON BY ADDINGTON In Last Few Minutes Brilliant football in atrocious conditions was witnessed at Blackball on Saturday afternoon when Blackball met Addington (Christchurch) in defence of the Thacker Shield. After a game full of thrills, in which the heavier Addington team were at a slight disadvantage, Blackball were defeated by 17 points to 11. The defenders led until within five minutes of the final whistle, and in that short space of time, Addington scored two runaway tries to gain a clear cut victory. Territorially Blackball had a big part of the game, and at half time they led by 11 points to 2, and they retained a substantial lead until Addington, with a sudden spurt of speed gathered in two tries in quick succes-

sion. Continual rain fell throughout the match, but there was a large attendance under the circumstances. The greasy nature of the ball, and the sloppy ground did not prevent the backs from throwing the ball about with abandon, and the game was interesting throughout. Outstanding in the visitors’ team were Boniface the full-back and Young, as first five-eighth, whilst Ward and Price stood out amongst the forwards. Mountford the Blackball full-back was no less reliable than Boniface, and both players handled well and were excellent on defence. Dodds, the Blackball five eighth played his usual sound game, and opened several good movements. Pascoe, at centre, filled his position with credit, and combined with his backs in most of the movements. Perrin and Driscoll were the hardest worked of a fine pack of forwards. Much interest was taken in the appearance of C. Davison the All Black five-eighth, who however did not receive as much of the ball as could have been given him. However he showed that once in possession he could be dangerous, and his team's viclory was in no small measure due to his guidance. Fast following up by him gave Addington the final try to put them on top. Early in the game Kirk kicked a penalty for Blackball from near the half way line, making a fine effort, Blackball 2, Addington 0. A few minutes later, Davison equalised for the challengers with a high kick from the side line, Addington 2, Blackball 2. Securing the ball in the loose Pascoe sent Kirk away for the latter to pass to Roberts who scored a great tryin the corner. Goodall’s kick failed, Addington 2, Blackball 5. A clever cross kick by Dodds saw Roberts come through quickly to collect and dive over for a try near the corner. Goodall failed to goal, Addington 2, Blackball 8. A passing movement by the Addington backs was intercepted by Pascoe twenty live yards out, and he put in a brilliant dash to score almost under the posts. Dodds missed an easy kick, Addington 2, Blackball 11. Half-time sounded a few miritit.es later with the scores unchanged. . . Early in the second spell the visitors pressed hard and were rewarded when the ball came from a scrum and eventually to Bench the centre who ran from almost on the half way line to score. Young converted, Addington 7, Blackball 11. Blackball, spurred on by Addington s mounting total took up the offensive and after pressing hard on the Addington line for some time without being able to cross lost possession. Young kicked through, followed up the ball which Mountford could not reach, fielded splendidly and outdistanced Mountford to score, converting his own try. Addington .12, Blackball 11. With only live minutes to go Addington seemed determined to increase their lead and Wilson kicked for the line. Davidson followed through fast and scored, failing to convert his own try. The final whistle sounded immediately with the final score Addington 17 Blackball 11. Mr. W. Allen gave every satisfaction as referee. Addington’s win, which came as a surprise to local supporters, was due in a large measure to the. extra speed of the Addington backs, who impressed as a fine line who would possibly have done even better on a dry ground. The Thacker Shield was presented to the winning captain after the game. The Addington team left on Saturday evening on return to Christchurch.

Bradshaw Cup RUNANGA 22—MARIST 10. End of season football was seen at Wingham Park yesterday when Runanga and Marist met before a small attendance. Marist had only two of their regular senior team and Runanga had to call on the services of several of their juniors. The game was scraggy, and the heavy ground and greasy ball did not assist the players. Leading by 11 points to nil at. half time, Runanga ran out winners by 22 points to 10. W. Glynn was in fine form in the Runanga pack and O’Connell and Pattison were most prominent in the backs. Crase, the Marist full-back, played an outstanding defensive game and Hopkins was also prominent in the backs. The pick of the forwards was P. Grogan, others who played well being Greaney and J. Price. The match was the only Bradshaw Cup fixture played yesterday, and next week’s fixture between Runanga and Blackball should decide the issue for the season. Weather conditions were of the worst, a strong south westerly wind and occasional showers making things unpleasant for the spectators.

The teams were:— Runanga: Crowe; Mossop, Pattison, O’Connell; Airns, Kennedy; Morris; Wright, McTaggart, J. Glynn, Kinsey, Hatch, W. Glynn. Marist: Crase; Taylor, Morel, Knapp; P. O’Byien, Greaney; Hopkins; P. Grogan, Power, W. Moore, Gough, W. Price, J. Price. Referee: Mr. S. Smith. Marist won the toss and Runanga kicked off into the wind. An easy chance went astray when Morris and Airns foiled one another’s attempt to dribble the ball over the line, Crase recovering. Hopkins kicked the ball into Pattison’s hands, O’Connell scoring from his pass. Mossop’s kickfailed'—Runanga 3; Marist 0. Morel was offside in a handy position and Marist backs failed to gain possession, Kinsey going over for a good try. Airns missed the kick.—Runanga 6: Marist 0. W. Glynn secured at half way and passed to O’Connell, who scored near the posts. Airns goaled

—Runanga 11; Marist 0. Marist were pressing on their opponents’ line when , half time sounded, with no alteration in the score. Early in the second spell Kinsey secured after Runanga had kept pressure on Marist’s line for some time, and passed to Crowe to score well out. Crowe failed to goal—Runanga 14; Marist 0. After a period in Runanga territory, Morel sent Grogan away to score w'de out. Greaney converted with a good kick Runanga 14; Marist 5. Kinsey scored for Runanga after securing from a scramble and W. Glynn missed an easy kick— Runanga 17; Marist 5. Marist were penalised for a play the ball infringement and Crowe goaled from _ a handy position—Runanga 19; Marist 5. Hopkins secured from a forward scramble to score. Greaney converted—Runanga 19; Marist 10. W. Glynn led a forward rush to Marist territory and passed out to Wright, who scored. Aims’ kick failed —Rm nanga 22; Marist 10. W. Prigp retired at this stage with a knee injury. Full time was called with no alteration in the score.

JUNIOR GRADE. Rapahoe did not Held a team in their fixture against Marist Juniors. THIRD GRADE. At Runanga yesterday, Marist Thirds were defeated by ten points to two. Wright scored for the home team, Crearer converting both tries while L. Beban kicked a penalty for Marist. Mr. C. Currie was referee. English Games SATURDAY’S RESULTS. (Received September 11, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 11. Rugby League results (Lane’s Cup) were: (First Round) Barrow 11 St. Helen’s Rees 2. Salford 2 Widnes 3. Leigh 18 Rochdale 3. Swinton 9 Wigan 9. Oldham 2 Warrington 4. St. Helen's 0 Broughton 11. Liverpool a bye. York’s Cup Batley 42 Newcastle 5. Hull 21 Hunslet 13. Bramley 2 Keighley 5. Huddersfield 32 Featherstone 16. Castleford 6 Dewsbury 8. Leeds 20 York 7. Hull Kingstone 10 Bradford 11. Wakefield 4 Halifax 4.