LEAGUE FOOTBALL MARIST, RUNANGA AND BLACKBALL WIN IN SECOND SERIES

Grey River Argus, 12 April 1948, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL MARIST, RUNANGA AND BLACKBALL WIN IN SECOND SERIES

Weather conditions could not have i been more ideal from the public’s 1 point of view than they were yesterf day when the second series of games r r in the West Coast Rugby League’s 7 competitions were played. Bright sunny weather, with almost a summer temperature, made the task of players difficult however. At Wingham Park, Marist scored a runaway victory over Cobden by 61 points to 3, whilst at Hokitika, Runanga had little difficulty in defeating 1 the home team by 30 points to 3. The 3 closest game, however, was at Blackball where the home team had to struggle hard to hold of a chaiien;/-.-bv the much improved Ngahere side, Blackball winning by 6 points to five. In the senior reserve grade wins were secured by Brunner, who beat Ngahere handsomely, Blackball who t had a seven points margin over Run- • anga, and by Cobden who beat Lake ’ Brunner by 11 points to 3. In an inr teresting game at Rapanoe, Marist 5 drew with the home side, eight all. i Yesterday’s Scores > Senior: I Marist 61, Cobden 3. I Blackball 6, Ngahere 5. Runanga 30, Hokitika 3. Senior Reserve: Brunner 31, Ngahere 0. Blackball 15, Runanga 8. I Cobden 11, Lake Brunner 8. Marist 8, Rapahoe 8. I Third Grade: , Brunner 16, Blackball 7. Marist 5, Kohinoor 2. I Fourth Grade: Marist 27. Hokitika 3. I R,unanga 19, Cobden 8. i Fifth Grade: ' Kohinoor 23, Brunner 8. [ Marist 5, Hokitika 14. Runanga 11, Blackball 0. i Sixth Grade: Kohinoor 5, Hokitika 0. 1 Marist 3, Runanga 2. Seventh Grade: Marist A 23, Blackball 0. Marist B 18, Runanga 0. Brunner 3, Marist C 0. Eiahth Grade; Brunner 6, Marist 0. Kumara 22, Blackball 0. Cobden 3, Runanga 3. MARIST’S CRICKET SCORE OVER COBDEN I

I J ATI-round superiority, asserted more particularly in the second spell gave Marist an overwhelming win by 61 points to 3 over Cobden at Wingham Park yesterday. The half-time score of 13-nil in favour of Marist gave no indication that the Cobden team would pack up in the second spell, for, up to that stage, they had playea a good defensive game, repeatedly breaking up Marist back movements. However, apart from one good effort which proauced an unconverted try, Cobden were not in the hunt in the second spell, during which Marist backs gave the public a fine demonstration of their all-round ability against week opposition. Towards the end, Cobden were so tired that Marist were ableAto add 20 points in something under ten minutes. Top-scorer lor Marist was their hooker, P. Coll, who converted six tries besides scoring three. V. Meates, i at centre, played, a fine game alter , he had settled down, and was responsible for 11 of his team’s points. J. ! Mundy, secured ten. The outstanding players on the field > were Mundy, J. Pascoe, V. Meates and I A. Hines, making his first appear- | ance as Marist custouian. Mundy, at breakaway, revealed his best form, and several tries resulted from the ; fine perception with which he play- > ed. Always in the thick of the tight, particularly in the first spell, Mundy ; proved a tower* of strength to his 1 backs, who made the most of the ; opportunities he gave them. ’ Not only on attack, but equally on defence, J. Pascoe was in excellent form. His handling and passing were of high standard. V. Meates disappointed early in the game, but once he* settled down to his stride, it was evident that he is likely to be one of the best centres in the competition. Hines at full-back, gave a polished display, being rarely if ever caught . out of position, and kicking with good length and direction. J. Curnow’s defensive work caused havoc in the lew passing movements in which Cobden indulged. M. Teen did not impress until later in the game when he had less opposition. In the forwards, all of whom impressed by their lightness, P. Coll gained slightly more the ball than his opposite num.'"-p B. O’Brien, and with J. Stokes he ■ forked consistently well in the -tight. Stokes played good football, with the exception that his inclination to commit breaches of the rules was too obvious. J. Calder, a promoted player, was another Marist forward who put in a lot of valuable work. Cobden’s chief handicaps were lack of fitness and lack of cohesion in the ■ forwards and backs. Particularly did they lose through the absence of any good loose forwards, who could have upset the Marist back line at times. Jordan at centre was the best back, with Reedy on the wing showing that he is capable of playing attractive football. The other winger, D. Watson had few chances and was keenly marked. McCarthy at half-back came through a hard day’s work with credit, although his passing failed at times to find its mark The best of the forwards were O’Brien who hooked, and also figured in the tight play, Miller, in the second row, and Flint who played a heady game at breakaway, although he was no match for Mundy. The full-back, C. Haddock, showed that his former form in the other code had deserted him. Not only was he frequently out of position, but he was also unable to handle or kick with anv measure of success. Marley was one of the more enterprising backs, but he did not receive much SU The r teams were: Cobden: Haddock; Reedy, Jordan, Watson; Marley, Mooney; McCarthy- Herrick, O’Brien, Hahn, Miller, Lee, Flint. Marist: Hines; Teen, Meates, L. Dunn; L. Dargan, Pascoe; Curnow, K. Coll, P. Coll, F. Molloy, Stokes, Calder, and Mundy. THE PLAY Cobden were on the attack early in the game, and mishandling by Curnow gave Jordan a chance, but Mundy secured and put in a fine clearance. Marist were penalised 30 yards out, Lee failing with an easy kick. Mundy joined his backs in a rush that took them downfield, but his pass went astray and Flint put the greens in difficulty with a fine centering kick. Lee’s second attempt at a penalty failed, and Marist backs flung the ball round in a fine rush which took them to Cobden’s 25 from where a second movement ended with offside play. Marlev cleared with a fine kick and he with Reedy and Jordan figured in a loose movement which caused Marist some concern. Lee failed with another kick when Teen was penalised. Dunn’s effort to get over was stopped at the corner by Reedy. After 20 minutes Marist’s first try came from a movement initiated by Curnow and Pascoe who sent Dargan over in a handy position. P. Coll’s kick missed. All of the Marist backs handled from their own goal line, until Mundy secured and with a long dash, kicked over Haddock’s head for Pascoe to beat several opponents and score the best try of the day. P. Coll converted. Mundy was responsible also for the next score which came after Pascoe had sent the ball to him. He cut. through the opposition and handed on to Teen who scored under the posts.

P. Coll converted, and shortly afterwards half-time was sounded with the score, Marist 13, Cobden 0. At the commencement of the second spell, Dargan scored for Marist after Curnow and Pascoe had taken play from half-way, to send on to him. P. Coll’s goal was a fine effort. Lee mised a penalty given against Stokes. When Meates mulled a pass, Jordan gave a gallant effort to score but Hines stopped him, and the ball went to Watson who knocked on when handily placed. Cobden were not to be denied, however, and from loose play, Hahn secured to score near the corner. Miller missed the kick Marist then commenced mounting the score up. Meates secured and cui through to score under the posts. Hines converting. Lee had to retire with an injury for some minutes. Meates made the next try with a finely timed run from midfield sending Teen over, and converting; the try himself. Cobden tried spoiling tactics for a short period but Marist turned the attack, Mundy again sending Meates over. Calder’s kick missed Meates next figured in a great dash from half way, scoring under the posts without opposition. P. Coll converted. From then on, with a deficit of 33 points, Cobden more or less became spectators with occasional bursts of energy. Haddock failed to field and P. Coll score dan easy try, which Stokes converted. Teen retired with a head injury. Mundy secured in the loose, and scored unopposed under the posts, converting his own try. The last few minutes saw rapid scoring. First Meates secure'd at the 25 yard line, ran unopposed to the posts and threw the ball at P. Coll who touched down and converted, Mundy took the ball in the loose, and although he appeared to have wished to kick it over the dead line, it did not go far enough and he touched down for a try, which he converted. Just on time, P. Coll secured from a scrum at half-way and without being challenged scored, K. Coll converting as the final whistle went with tne score, Marist 61, Cooden 3. ~ , , Mr J. Griffen ably controlled the game. BLACKBALL’S CLOSE CALL TO NGAHERE Ngahere must be counted the unluckiest senior League team yesterday when they went down 6-5 to Blackball in a hard and fast game before a large crowd at Blackball. Until the last ten minutes Ngahere led. but a fine try by W. Mountford put the issue beyond doubt, fcven then, Ngjihere missed two comparatively easy penalties which would have given them a certain win. Blackball, on the play, were lucky to have kept Ngahere at bay by the single point. The game did not reach spectacular heights, being dour and hard, except on a few occasions. One s.f these saw a neat Blackball back movement end in Bo>d crossing the line. The other came when W. Mountford, secured, and weaving his way for 50 yards through the opppsition secured the best try of the match. Neither try was converted. _ At halftime, Ngahere led by 7 5 points to 3, their try being secured by Bernard within 10 minutes of the commencement of the game. He snapped up a Blackball back pass, and crossed the line for Manson, to add the extras. As was the case on the opening Sunday of the competitions. Blackball got a feast of the ball from the scrums but mishandling by the backs lost repeated chances. To some extent, however, this was due to deadly worrying tactics of the Ngahere backs and forwards, who played fine football. R. Nuttall again did not impress at full-back in fact, his opposite number, A. Gibson was much sounder on the day. C. MacGougan again impressed in the Blackball back line, showing good dash and good positional play. C. Mcßride, K. Mountford and R Aynsley shone in the forwards. McClure replaced Aynsley at hooker, and met with exceptional success. Aynsley played in the front, row. Several individual breakaways kept Blackball worrying well into the second half, but the try by Mountford towards the end put the issue beyond doubt. Ngahere’s outstanding player was the promoted junior, F. Mulcare, who played a sterling game, being in the van throughout. He was pbly assisted by McLennan and McVicar. Of the backs, Manson and Bernard showed out most prominently. The referee was Mr T. F. McKenzie.

Blackballs Win in Reserve Grade Playing on the No. 2 ground at Wingham Park yesterday, Blackball proved too strong a team for Runanga, and ran out winners by 15 points to 8. Although the main fixture on the No 1 ground created most interest, this game was by no means unnoticed. The feminine interest displayed in the game was a predominant feature from the sideline. The Blackball forwards were ably led by Moore and Jones, while Collins, Mountford and Haywood all proved their worth on the field. For Runanga, Higson, McTaggart, McTigue and Williamson all showed their worth. Blackball’s points came from tries by Moore, Collins and Mountford. While Aynsley kicked a penalty and converted two tries. For Runanga, Higson and McTigue scored tries one of which Williamson converted. Mr A. Kennedy was the referee. SCHOOLBOYS’ FIELD DAY The West Coast Rugby League Schoolboy Control Board on Saturday held a field day at Victoria Park, for the purpose of assembling all schoolboy teams and players with a view to the weighing in and grading the teams. The attendance was an all-time record for League on the West Coast, no fewer than 235 boys being weighed in and with at least two more teams to be entered. Numerous players belong to the clubs and it would appear as if the number of schoolboys playing League on the Coast would reach a total not far short 300 mark. The following clubs were represented by a team or teams: Marist, Kohinoor, Cobden, Runanga, Blackball, Brunner, Kumara, Hokitika; the Ngahere team was unable to be present but will take the field next Saturday when a country field day will be held at Ngahere. 16 teams took the field as against eight last year. The secretary of the West Coast Rugby League, Mr T. F. McKenzie, said that he had paid a visit to Victoria Park on Saturday morning and he 1 witnesed a sight that was far beyond his optimistic hopes. There were school boys of all sizes and he felt League on the West Coast was now in such a position that it could have no fears for the future. Mr McKenzie paid a tribute to the members of the Schoolboy Board who had organised the field day and who had handled the weighing in with such efficiency. They were ably assisted by the many teachers and . team managers who were present. The Referees’ Association was represented by fiye members who controlled the games in an efficient manner. Next week the League will organise country field days and the arrangements would be published later in the week. CANTERBURY GAMES CHRISTCHURCH, April 10 Sydenham and Hornby provided attractive and at times lively football when senior Rugby League play started this afternoon. Many considered Hornby were luncky to be beaten ,and it was only the superiority of the Sydenham forwards that enabled them to win by 14 points to 10. To-day’s games were not competi-

I —— tion matches, but with next Satur- ■ day’s play, will be used as qualifying rounds on whic hthe senior competition will be regraded. Probables and Possibles teams will also be picked for selection of the Canterbury team to meet the West Coast on April 24. St Joseph’s one of the new senior sides, beat Papanui by 11 points to 7 in a ragged game. Rakaia beat Prebt bleton by 13 points to 8, showing far 1 better form than their opponents. Addington had little difficulty in , beating the new Dallington team, . which went down by 19 points to 6 mainly as the result of inexperience, ■ and, evidently, lack of team practice. Riccarton beat Linwood 16-3.