HIGH MARKS AND FUMBLES 

By Neil Griggs

Although they just scrambled home, Griffith last Sunday took their sequence of wins to 7; got over the big hurdle of Ganmain at Ganmain (which the players reckoned as their toughest game prior to the finals) and moved into clear cut second place, one game ahead of Ardlethan and Ganmain so all in all except for a few minutes worry towards the end it was despite the weather, quite a good for the team.

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For the first time this season the Red and Whites faulted in the last quarter last Sunday and in so doing caused plenty of anxiety and nail chewing amongst their supporters especially those listening to the broadcast who found the time spent on some necessary advertisements most nerve wracking in the last quarter of an hour or so Ganmain on the move are a very difficult team to check, but Griffith weathered their strong finish and possibly were going the better in the last minutes.

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Griffith had a lot of good players at Ganmain and most fans found it a pretty tough job sorting out the best player. The majority however, favoured either Kevin Kirkpatrick or Frank Conlan - Kevin the most brilliant, Frank solid and consistent. Frank's strong defence must have impressed the judges of the Co-op - Ernest Hillier suit award as he was given the 3 points with Kevin getting 2 points and the young dasher, John Candusso receiving one point.

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In his first game with the Griffith senior team Ray Schodde at Ganmain confirmed the good impression he had made the previous week in his initial game with the club in the second 18. He rucked well throughout the game but more especially in their first half and also played to position well. The rovers in particular appreciated his accurate palming and co-operation and he will be a very handy acquisition to the team as, once again they strive for that elusive premiership.

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One of the liveliest players in the Griffith first 18 team, Geoff Martin had a rather bad day, although it was noticeable that his doughty opponent Bill McCaig didn't exactly star either. "Marto" however, was not fully recovered from a heavy dose of the "wog" and it was only his keen enthusiasm that kept him battling on until three quarter time when he went off for Angie Maloni. Everyone knows Geoff is a much better player than he showed at Ganmain and, back to his exuberant best, a big improvement can be expected from him this weekend.

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Although beaten the Griffith second 18 put up a grand fight against the powerful Ganmain team and the way they paced it with the competition leaders had the Maroon players and supporters rather concerned at the halfway mark. The Griffith team however could not maintain the strong pressure in the second half and Ganmain went on to win by possibly their smallest winning margin of the season - 18 points. It was a grand effort by the Red and Whites and should have boosted their confidence for their important game against Narrandera next Sunday.

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The Griffith third 18 are slipping - only 21 turned up for the game at Ganmain so there must have been a few like the coach who preferred a warm fireside to the cold wintry outdoor conditions. In their game Ganmain were slow to run out but quick to start and when they slammed on three early goals it appeared they would be too strong. The Griffith lads however once they settled downplayed some good football, gradually got on top and, after some half time words of wisdom for substitute coach Jack Luhrs, went on to win quite well. Diminutive Denis Tyndall was the team's hero and won himself a new pair of socks for his good play while others to impress were Robert Smith, Graeme Rennie, Terry Higgins, Glen Mackenzie and Grant Luhrs (6 goals).                                                                          

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Six members of the Griffith under 16 team have been selected in the Leeton Zone squad which will contest Round Robin competition against teams from the Ganmain and Wagga Zones of the Riverina Schoolboys Association next Saturday. The Griffith lads are Gary Gardner, Grant Luhrs, Chris Sharpe, Terry Higgins, Trevor Reed, Ian Wade and Jim Rolfe and coach John Scott is confident all will play creditably.

Riverina Weekly Advocate - Wednesday July 31, 1968