WHANGAREI V. GRAMMAR O.B.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 147, 22 June 1923, Page 8

WHANGAREI V. GRAMMAR 0.8.

THE VISITORS WIN. 11 POINTS TO S. (By Telegraph.—'Special to "Star.") WHANGAREI, Thursday. After a strenuously contested game, which was the first representative match of the season, the home team were defeated by Grammar Old Boys by 11 points to 8, before an attendance at Kensington Park of nearly 3000 people. Heavy rain in the morning somewhat militated against a good Kate, but it was afterwards proved that public interest in the game was well sustained by the crowd which were present. This Is the first defeat Wbangarci representatives have experienced in four years, but taking, the game from spell to spell their prestige has not suffered. It is now conceded that if opportunities for combination had previously existed the visitors would have had n tougher problem, for although beaten Whangarei proved taat if properly taken in hand their fifteen would be decidedly useful, and a return match at the end of the shield competitions should prove interesting: In the forward section they more than held their own, but lack of combination in the backs enabled Grammar to put on their score in the first half and all the points in their favour was registered in this ' spell. Whangarei showed to better advantage in the second half which put Grammar on the defensive. In its concluding stages the game was very interesting. Whanpmrel only wanting three points to equalise after having obviously the better of the play, while Grammar was taking every opportunity to stall for time. The weakness of the Whangarei full-back in the first half enabled the visitors to pile up their score, but against this it must be said that he brilliantly retrieved in the second half. Briefly, it was Grammar's combination against conspicuous Individual effort on the part of Whangarei, and combination won.

The teams were:—

Grammar.—Full-back. G. Goodacre; throe-quarters. Thomas. V. Badeley, G. Wade; live-eighths, Stewart and C. Badelev half. Wright: Rover. Cleve; back row, Gemmcll and Gallaiigber: second row. Arnold. Muir, Batty; hookers, Taylor and Whangarei Representatives. —Full-back, 11. G. Cnrrutb; three-quarters, E. Taylor. A McKay and C. Collins: live-eighths, S. W Craw'ford, K. Convngham: rover, W. George: back row. Bain. Finlayson. A. Billington; second row, "Tote" Finlayson. J. llardie and "Bunny" Finlaysou; hookers. Opal Martin and SI. SlicrrifT. Referee, Mr. .T. Clarke. The ground was fairly fast and dry. but slippery for fast work. Grammar kicked off with the sun at their backs, and quickly developed long kicking with sure return taking, to the detriment of Whangarei. Close following up resulted In a penalty.

giving Whaugarei relief. \V. George's effort was a good one. but went. wide. Shortly nrterwards C. Badeley was incapacitated, necessitating in his being assisted off the field, his place beins taken by B. Badeley. piny down the field, and Whangarei were caught napping. The full-back mulling. Wright secured the leather, scoring in a good position. Vie Badeley added the major points. Grammar ■" Whaugarei 0 Whangarei's forwards came away with a rush from the kick-out, and when the bell sounded were attacking strongly in Grammar's twenty-live. On the change over a good opening was made by Crawford, who sent the ball out. and between them "Tote" and "Runny Flnlayson beat the Grammar pack, "Bunny" Finlayson getting over the line. W. George failed with the resultaut kick. Grammar 5 Whaugarei '-i Wbaugarel were making determined efforts to equalise, a cood passing rush being Instituted by E. Taylor, Crawford, and Couyngham, but Goodacre was safe. Long kicking resulted ill Grammar's favour, and V. Radeley securing, passed to Wade, who scored near the corner. V. Hadeleys effort at goal was good, the ball hittiug the bar. Grammar s Whangarei ..< 3 Nippy piny by Grammar followed, their tackling methods being distinctly in advance of Wbangarel, and though some brilliant instances of Individual play on

the pnrt of Whangarei were witnessed their corabinntiou was not good in the open play. Grammar then took-tr hand, ami by .1 well-timed run. in which he bent both live-eighths and fullback. Wade notched another try for Grammar. V. 13adelcy again failed ivith the kick. , . Grammar 11 Whangarei 3 Grammar continued to press, their combination beginning to tell, while Whangarel's weakness in the back section when combined play was essential was particularly noticeable, and the Urst half ended without further score. On resuming: Whangarci altered their tactics, ami by keeping the ball at their feet soon began to equalise what they .previously lacked in combination. Grammar were bnrd pressed in the third quarter, during which they rarely Invaded their opponents' territory, and they bad a hard proposition in Muir, who was continually getting through the pack, but no score was registered In this quarter. Local feeling was beginning to run high in spite of the disparity of scores, as Whaugarci continued to press the advnntase. Eventually from the line in Grammar's twenty-five the ball was secured by -"Tote" Flnlayson. who passed to •"Bunny" Finlaysou, and the latter by clever side-stepping beat -Grammar's defence, scoring between the posts. W. George added the necessary points. Grammar ...» 11 Wbangarci S Following liard on their advantage. Whangarei made determined efforts to add to their score, Grammar being hard put to Btave off the attack, and they required all their resources to maintain their lead. They only occasionally succeeded in relieving the pressure, and their position was critical, and the bell went as Whangarei were attacking strongly in a good position, the game ending— Grammar ....-...—........-. H Whangarei S The proceeds of the match, which was •irmnged by the North Auckland Rugby Union, iv conjunction with the Whangarei Winter Show, will go to the latter body