RUNANGA DOWN LAST SEASON’S CHAMPIONS

Grey River Argus, 5 April 1948, Page 6

RUNANGA DOWN LAST SEASON’S CHAMPIONS

Conditions could not have been better than they were yesterday for the opening of the West Coast Rugby League's 1948 competition, but the very large crowd which witnessed the meeting of Runanga ana Blackball at Wingham Park must have been disappointed in the style of game played by both sides. Instead of the bright, open exhibition expected, play was confined very largely to the tight, giving the back little opportunity of showing their skill.

The presence of six Kiwis added greaatly to the interest, of the match. All of them showed that they had had derived much benefit from their overseas experiences, but of them J. Newton (Runanga), who scored tne most brilliant try of the day and C. Mcßride (Blackball > stood, out. K. Mountford (Blackball) also showed fine form, while J. Forrest (Runanga) had practically no opportunities with the ball. On the very few occasions that it came his way, however, he brought the crowd to its feet, and had the attention of more than half the Blackball team at tha same time.

R. Aynsley (Blackball) caught the referee’s attention far too many times for a player of his experience. The scrum work was particularly bad, and the main offenders seemed to be Blackball, who failed to hold the scrum on many occasions. Although towards the end, he settled down and gave a good exhibition, Rl Nuttall (Blackball) was outshaded by J. Soster (Runanga) in the custodian’s job. Soster played a reany brilliant game, his position play and handling being perfect. The kicking on both sides was not up to a very high standard, but in the tight forward play, which predominated. Blackball had a slight advantage. However, if the game nad been opened up, and both sets oi backs had been given more opportunities Blackball might have been able to overtake their opponents, who ran out winners by the comfortable margin of 15 points to 6. The Play The teams were:— Blackball: R. Nuttall; W. Boyd, W. Mount ford, W. Pascoe' C. Macgougan, P. Morrow; J. Lee, R. O’Donnell, R. Aynsley, J. Kirwan, C. McBride, W. Kerr and K. Mount ford. Runanga: J. Soster; J. Forrest, R Forrest, J. Surragh; M. Thomas, G. Menzies; L. Sweetman; J. Newton, F. Thompson, A. McT'aggart, J. Higson, W. Anderson, R. Baxendale. A few minutes after play started, Curragh narrowly missed a penalty from the 25-yard line. Then followed a period of lost opportunities for Runanga, whose handling was not up to standard, although the forwards were dominating play. Blackball, penned to their’ line for some minutes, defended stoutly, but Curragh opened Runanga’s score with a penalty, ten minutes after the start —Pjunanga 2, Blackball nil. The luck seemed to be against Runanga, who had to meet strong resistance from the Blackball bacKS, who backed up well. They were relieved when Boyd intercepted a pass and made a brilliant clearance. Runanga’s first try came when R. Forrest cleverly intercepted a clearing kick by Nuttall, to dash -over for a fine try between the posts. Curragh converted —Runanga 7, Blackball nil Curragh missed a chance when K. Mountford was caught offside 35 yards out, and he failed again a few minutes later. Again bad handling cost Runanga chances as they continued to press towards the. opposing line. Temporarily play 'switched to Runanga’s line, where offside play by Forrest gave Nuttall an opportunity, but the long kick failed, and half tiffip sounded with no further score. Early in the second spell, Blackball took the offensive and C. Mcßride shone in a period of loose play. Blackball’s efforts were rewarded with a fine try when Macgougan inpassed to Pascoe for a try near the corner. Nuttall’s kick missed—Runanga 7, Blackball 3. Runanga now took play to the other end, and, mainly through a line solo effort by Curragh who wa;. brought down near the line. Soster narrowly missed a side line penalty, and a later attempt by Menzies was disallowed. Soster missed a further kick from the 25-yard line. The crowd was brought to its feet by the most brilliant effort of the day, when, in his typical style, J. Newton secured in the centre of tne field, and cut his way at great speed, through the opposing back line r.o score near the posts. Curragh missed the kick—Runanga 10. Blackball 3. This reverse spurred Blackball on to new efforts, but careless passing by the backs saw several good opportunities miss. Mcßride failed with a penalty kick. K. Mountford’s keen anticipation gave the losers their last points, when, with Boyd he raced away, penetrating the opposing backs, to hand the ball to Boyd who scored near the corner. Nuttall’s kick tafied —Runanga 10, Blackball 6. Another good effort was that of Higson, who played a splendid game. When both sets of forwards failed to handle, Higson stole a march on them by securing from a ruck, and forcing his way through to score near the corner. With n fne kick. Soster converted —Runanga a 5, Blackball 6. Blackball appeared to tire towards the end, and the closing minutes of play were dominated by Runanga efforts to score. J. Forrest '’shone in a fine solo effort, but his pass- was intercepted. Securing the ball in m'dfield. Soster made a good attempt to kick a field goal, but missed and the game ended with the score—Runanga 15, Blackball 6. The referee was Mr J. F. Mathews. MARIST'S EASY WIN AT HOKITIKA Defeating Hokitika by 37 points to 16, the Marist; team put up a sterling performance in a game of high standard at Hokitika yesterday. Conditions for the game were nerfect, and there was a good attendance;-' The outstanding forward on the ground was Neilson, the Hokitika second row man. who had able support from the former Kiwi player. A. Gillman and Atkinson. H. Taiuni was the best Hokitika back, playing an attractive same, while M. Qrd. the former Blackball ed some of his

sistently hooking, proved an even coaiomation. J. Mundy was possibly me oesc or a very even puck, wime u. Costelloe was prominent in many movements, v. Meates at secona Live eignm ana at rimes at centre, was the most attractive back, wrme j. x-uacoe anu j. uurnow were also mainstays ot the team's attack. open piay was a teature of the game, anu in tms the Marist oacKS mm nie euge on men- opponents, who put up a game periormance against, me atLaux oi Mansi, fine HoxniKa mdL.iging in fast attacking movements, were unlucky at nines m nut ueing penmiteu to nnisn oxi promising eiiocis. Tneir style of" play gave an indication that during me season they win develop into a siue lu ue reckoned with. At hair-time tne score was in Marist's favour by points to mi, out HokitiKa put up a determined effort us soon as me game was resumed and within eight minutes they naa scored ten points. For Marist. tries were scored by V Meates (2). B. Coil (2), K. Coll, J. Stokes, F. Costelloe, M. Teen, K. Curnow, and L. Dargan. P. Coil converted four of the tries arm F. Moiloy one. Hokitika’s points came irom tries oy Ord, Morris, Neilson and Bopicn, Atkinson converting tv.'o tries. No penalty kicks were successiui.