UNITED V. GRAFTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 155, 4 July 1898, Page 5

UNITED V. GRAFTON.

(United 2 goals; Grafton 1.)

This senior Cup match was played at the Domain. Though the ground was in places very greasy and wet a fairly fast game was played, but combination on both sides was poor,, the winnersin particular showing but little of the form they have been noted for the past two seasons. Losing the toss for United, W. Heather kicked ofl: against the slight breeze, and the ball at once was , taken by Eif c and Cash towards the Grafton goal; but Wright saved his side and returned by a long kick, and the stripes left wing getting away forced their opponents to concede a corner. This was takenby Jury, who placed the ball =well in front of the United goal; but from the scrimmage the ball went behind. Frorntbe goal kick Grafton again attacked, and a hot shot being only partly"" stopped by. Hunter another corner resulted; but nothing came of this, a poor kick sending the ball behind.

From the goal kick C. Heather got possession, and passing out to V. Heather, the pair took the ball down, winding up with a good shot, which was well stopped and cleared by Austin Smiijh. Give and take play followed, the leather travelling- fast up and down field, Wright and Bellamy for their respective sides being' very prominent. So far the combination on. both sides had been very poor, Eice and Cash, on the United right, alone showing glimpses of form. . A long kick by Wright, who was playing a hard and safe game, was followed up by the Grafton forwards and a tussle in front of the United goal ended- in Hunter well stopping a hard shot from McDougal, but being unable to clear he had to concede another corner. The kick was well placed by Jury but W. Heather cleared, passing out to his right wing, and the first combined rush of thegame, in which the Heathers and Eice were all concerned, resulted in C. Heather winding up with a clinking shot, hich Smith was unable to reach. On re-starting tha Grafton forwards got away, and after the United goal-keeper had stopped a couple of hot shots he was beaten by ; I—l. ' ' :

Soon after the whistle went. *

When the game was resumed the United forwards improved their combination and soon scored their second point, all the forwards helping in a rush which resulted in Bice getting the ball past Smith. For a time the Grafton defence was severely taxed, but Wright and Smith Avere equal to all emergencies, both being in their best form. At last Grafton broke away again and but for really good play by Hunter must have scored. From now. until time the game was very even, but nothing further was scored. '•■ For the winners .Hunter, .the goalkeeper, played a first-class game, and. being poorly supported by his backs had a tremendous amount of work, which he did cleanly and well. Todd, at right-half, showed improved form, whilst Bellamy, at centre-half, was as safe and cool as ever. All the forwards played well individually but lacked combination. For the' losers Austin Smith kept goal in first-class style and received valuable assistance from his captain, Wright, who was the best back on the field, never making a mistake. The halves played hard but were scarcely fast enough for'-the opposing forwards. In the front rank the McDougals and Goldie played well but wanted combination. With a weak man against them in goal either shooting of both teams was really good.