LEAGUE FOOTBALL MARIST SHADES RUNANGA IN FASTEST GAME OF THE SEASON

Grey River Argus, 7 June 1948, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL MARIST SHADES RUNANGA IN FASTEST GAME OF THE SEASON

Big Crowd at Wingham Park All avenues of approacn to Wingham Park were thronged yesterday, as the large crowd made their way to see what was expected to, and did grove a highlight of the season, when .unanga and Marist, old rivals met, and Marist succeeded in turning the tables to win by 12 points to 5. In every sense the football was of the highest order. It was hard and clean, the pace was always fast .and every man was seen at his best. The changing fortunes of the game kept the crowd on its toes throughout. Strong defence, better technique, and an advantage in the air gave Marist the call in the end. INITIAL ADVANTAGE Runanga’s terrific pace and play-on tactics gave them the initial advantage. Marist counterede this with oustling tactics, forcing their opponents to kick'hurriedly. Taking every opportunity they made up the leeway. The Marist forwards functioned smoothly, but Runanga fought back gamely "and on several occasions there were indications of victory going their way. 'Higson was a worthy substitute for Newton, being in everything, and hooked the ball consistently.

However, Marist missed little and their backs especially J. Mundy broke up many vital movements, to turn defence into attack. The absence of Newton and Forrest, obviously has not affected Runanga. Runanga received a major set-back when G. Menzies a strong link in the back-line was unfortunately compelled to leave the field following a head-on collision with one of the Runanga forwards, Baxendale. Thereafter, R.unanga played a man short in the forwards. Baxendale went out to the wing and J. Curragh came in to first five-eighth. Runanga’s defence was still good and its attack settled down into a solid combination.

In .defeating Runanga, Marist showed that it has a powerful and wellbalanced team. Marist is usually a hard team to defeat and its fighting finish yesterday was an inspiration. Marist has a great asset, in a change follower of the calibre of Mundy, who upset many potential scoring movements. M. Teen still retains his former brilliance and shows no lack of determination and ■ fighting spirit. Marist fullv deserved a well merited win for thev played determined football that must have been heartening to their supporters. One of the prime factors in Marist’s victory was the good handling of their backs and the grand combination of the team in generalJ. Stokes did most of the tough work in the Marist forwards. J. Calder and K. Coll showed out all day and were a weakening factor lor the Runanga forwards. P. Coll used his boot to advantage, two of his goals being a credit to him. The remaining two front row men, P. Costelloe and F. Malloy both gave good accounts of themselves

The Marist backs have never played beter this season with T'een and Mundy outstanding. The opinion some hold that Mundy is out of place in the back line was refuted yesterday for he paved the way for most of Marist’s points and saved repeatedly, what would have been certain Runanga tries. J. Curnow rendered good service at half-back Pascoe combined well after being instrumental in putting his side on the attack. K. Curnow on the wing played his best game to date, and tackled with vengeance. Hines at full-back had little to do, he kicked with accuracy but his handling is still in need of improvement. L. Dargan at centre delighted the crowd with his sweeping runs. One of his great assets was a lengthening of his stride as he swept past a would be tackler. R. FORREST IN FORM The pick of the Runanga backs was R. Forrest who opened the day’s scoring when he ran through the Marist backs in a manner that would have done credit to the best of players, to touch down for a fine try. Soster gave his usual solid exhibition at fullback. J. Curragh on the wing in the first half showed up in long sweeping rushes. W. Curragh on the other wing went well for a newcomer, though he will need a little more experience to make the grade in the top class. M. Thomas went well in patches, some of his passing and handling not being up to standard. Menzies was playing a grand game until misfortune came upon him. L. Sweetman played his usual heady game at half-back. However, he was outmatched by Curnow. Higson stood out in the forwards as a grand leader. Hart a newcomer, caught the eye as a good forward in the making. A. McTaggart the lofty front row man was always in the thick of the fray. R. Armstrong and G. Braithwaite were a pair of hard toilers, while at breakaway Baxendale was fit and fiery and played well throughout. THE PLAY Runanga won the toss and defended the northern end. Pascoe KicKeu oil and soon the teams got down to action. Soster beat man aner man until Mundy ran him into touch. Kunanga lorwaras and backs stormed into Marist territory in support of Forrest who slipped through me Marist forwards in a desperate bid for the line The Marist backs covered brilliantly watching their opposite numbers. Relief came to Marist when Teen cleared beautifully for play to settle down near halt way. Runanga won out from a scrum the ball going to Menzies who beat nis man passed to ft Forrest who in a flash came witn a fast. run. to cut through the bewildered Marist defence and run over for a splendid try. Soster missed a comparatively easy kick. Both sides went into attack with everything they had. The ball went to J. Curnow who carved through the opposition and handed on to Mundy who was heavily grounded by Braithwaite and Higson. Marist had an opportunity for two points but Coll s kick went wide. Both sides throw the ball everywhere and wherever it went either a Runanga or Marist player was there to take it and carry on. Only deadly tackling and good defensive play ail round saved higher scoring Mundy picked up from a melee on the Runanga twenty passed to Stokes who sent Teen racing over Coll made no mistake and Marist took the lead. Both sets of backs tried movements. but solid tackling stopped everything. The pace was still fast when the half-time whistle blew Marist were leading by 5 points to 3. The second spell opened in hectic fashion, Marist. making every post a winner. The Runanga team suffered a tremendous blow when Baxendale and Menzies crashed head on. Menzies received concussion and retired from the field. The Runanga team was then re-arranged. The first points in this half went to the credit of Runanga through a penalty goal by Soster With scores once more even play reached great heights. Marist led again when Coll sent the ball between the uprights from a penalty. They further advanced their lead when J. Curnow dived over wide out. Coll missed a dificuift kick. The game was still open until Coll put the issue in reasonably safe keeping with another penalty kick. The final whistle saw Marist on attack and the score MariSThe Sreewas Mr J. P. Mathews.