GRAFTON BEATS SUBURBS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 148, 24 June 1901, Page 3

GRAFTON BEATS SUBURBS.

(Grafton 5 points, Suburbs 0.)

Qrafton met Suburbs on No. 2 ground, Mr Pelham having charge of the whistle. Suburbs kicked off facing the north. Grafton penned the blacks in their quarters and Suburbs had to force twice. Suburbs eventually rallied, and T. Austin had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Later a score by Grafton seemed imminent but hesitation on Thompson's part spoilt the chance. Just before the spell ended Grafton were again within an "ace" of scoring. No score, had, however, been recorded when the whistle went. Grafton set to work determinedly from the sound of the whistle in the second spell, but bad passing spoilt their chances for a time Renwick made a fine run but was collared near

the posts, and the Suburbs forwards relieved. A little later McKenzie took a pass from loose play in front of Suburbs' goal, and transferred to Ken wick, who got across at the corner. McKenzie landed a beautiful ;;oal. Graf ton 5, Suburbs o. Suburbs rallied at this, and invaded Grafton's territory, but to no purpose. Gafton's back division again made efforts to score but without success, and the game ended in a victory for Grafton by 5 points.

NOTES

Though Grafton had hard luck in not scoring one or two more tries, thdr display was distinctly disappointing. The combination in the back division was very faulty, mainly owing- to the inability of Kiernan to yet the bull out cleanly from the scrum. This player appeared to be out of form and passed wildly. Individually the backs were very fair, but considering that their forwards had hooked the ball out of almost every serum, the score should have been larger.

McKeuzie was again the best of the backs. His punting was very fine, and the goal he landed from the only try scored by his side was a beauty. Taylor showed good form at fiveeighths. The back division felt the want of Campbell's pace, though Itenwick showed excellent form in Campbell's stead. The forwards secured the ball in the serums, but did not shine iv the

open. Suburbs made an excellent showing against the black and whites, as the score indicutes. Unfortunately their backs had no chance of scoring, or the result of the match might have been diil'erent. Sutherland again played a tine game at full back. The forwards though beaten in the scrums did excellent work in the open, and all grafted hard. Cawlcy was perhaps the most conspicuous.