CITY V. GRAFTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 168, 18 July 1910, Page 7

CITY V. GRAFTON.

The contest between City and Grafton, played on No. 4 ground, opened quietly with the last mentioned at a disadvantage in regard to wind and sun. For the first fifteen minutes nothing of great interest happened, players taking matters coolly enough and scarcely raising a bit of excitement. For the most part operations were confined to neutral ground, with the honours pretty evenly shared. A couple of passing runs by Grafton's backs and an occasional line kick by players on either side brightened the proceedings, which were dull and uninteresting. In a tussle between halfway and the 25 flag, a mark was secured by City, and R. McGee, wdth the breeze behind the ball, landed a splendid goal. «ty I Grafton - 0 Shortly aftr resuming, McGee had another shot at goal from a long distance, but the oval fell a yard or so short of the bar. From this to the end of the first quarter City were largely responsible for aggressive play, and after pressing at one period McGuire scrambled over the line in the corner, McGee failing with the kick at goal. City 6 Grafton ® Changing ends for the first quarter, Grafton took a turn at attack, and aided by the hreeze, soon had their opponents seriously occupied in driving back the onslaught. The invasion of City's quarters was soon repulsed, and McGee galloped down tho field, then passing the hail to Estall, who jumped his man,

but was collared. Tyler carried the ball on over the line, .but was beaten for it toy Ifwerson, who forced. From this on to the end of the spell the argument dropped back to a leisurely and quite casual exchange of kicks, sandwiched between desultory and scraggy scrimmaging, the advantage resting with Grafton. SECOND SPELL. Though playing against the wind and having to contend with the sun, Grafton set up a determined attack and maintained it for some time, eventually ending in Coleman racing over the line. Ifwerso failed with the kick, as be did also with the attempt from a try secured a minute later by Edwards as the result of a dashing rush initiated .by EatonCity „. 6 Grafton ....„..„ 6 A ievr minutes later Eaton had an attempt, at a long distance, from a mark, but the effort fell short. After this City attacked for a brief spell, when Grafton careered down the field, and in a patchy, though fast bit of passing, most of the players handling the leather, play was carried into City's quarters. On changing ends for the last quarter, Grafton had most say in aggressive tactics. A kick from a penalty by Eaton went below the bar. For some ten minutes loose and scraggy play prevailed, and the referee appeared to enter into the spirit of the thing by allowing players plenty of latitude. Operations were conducted in haphazard fashion, with little or no difference in the respective merits of the combinations. A tight encounter took place near Grafton's line, but relief was gained through O'Brien getting possession of the ball and kicking to touch. A short struggle and Grafton transferred play to City's quarters, where O'Brien broke through and then passed to Deans, who dashed over the line at the corner. Eaton failed with a difficult kick, and the game ended a minute later with the result: Grafton 9