CITY V. GRAFTON.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1926, Page 15

CITY V. GRAFTON.

Both forward divisions put a lot of devil into their piay at the opening, and the ball went up and down the ground. City were the first to get properly going, Ghent getting the bail away to Lewis, to Wefcherili, to Wade. Ihe latter showed great pace, and as Dufty and Pitman converged, he gave an in pass to Davidson, who was trailing in support. The centre went on to score behind the posts. Wetheriii raised the hags with a straight shot City a, Grafton 0. Dufty got off a tine run, and was travelling at top speed when Pau brought him down. There was a lot of virility in the Grafton play at this stage, and they put in raid after raid, lack of cohesion at the psychological moment making several promising efforts unproductive. Wetheriii put City on the attack, aud Ghent set the red and bracks chain moving. Crisp passing, saw Davidson get Wade into perfect position, and a timely pass saw the speedy wing cross unopposed. Returning with a fresh attack, City penetrated the Grafton defence, Ghent snapping the ball in the ruck play to dive over at the flag. The City backs started to put sparkle into the play, and another passing run, started by Ghent, saw straight, penetrative running. The last to receive was Lou Brown, and_ outtacing Dufty, he got across at the qorner. On the resumption of play Dufty put over a long range free, the score at this stage being, City 14, Grafton 2.

Before the tirst session ended a high Kick, and fast following up, saw L. Brown across again, Bass landing a beautiful angle goal. The half-time scores were:— City 19, Grafton 2.

When tne second session opened Grafton attacked In determined style, and Smith got across wide out. Playing with line dasn the Grafton pack dominated the play for a while, but still the finishing touch was lacking. In the midst of a Graf tun attack City hit back, there was a spectacular bout of crisscross passing, and finally Ghent went over at the corner. Flagrant obstruction by a City forward gave Grafton the next score, the referee awarding a penalty try, which Dufty converted. City 22, Grafton 10. In the scrambling, play on the Grafton Une Wade -arrived with a big burst of speed and shot past a bunch of opponents to score. City were now in the ascendancy, and were throwing the ball about in great style. Ghent in the midst of ruck play dived across to score, and wh'.-n play got going again Grafton vere once more on the defensive. With sheer pace L. Brown made a great opening, and the ball went on to Davidson to Wade, the latter running from half way to score an unconverted try between the posts, and make the final scores:— City - -.... 33 Grafton 10 Referee: Mr. W. Mlnchain. ELLERSLIE V. MANGERE. A fast, interesting game resulted when Ellerslie met Mangere on Carlaw Park to-day, and carried the day by 8 points to nil. The nippy Ellerslie pack were too much for the weighty ilangere team, and fully deserved their victory. A smart pace was set from the start with Mangere attacking. A tense situation was relieved when Cook intercepted and made a great solo efCort that ended in Mangere's territory. Several times EllersUe almost got over but faulty handling and breaches lost them chances. They proved nippy and fast, and held their weighty opponents who were forcing play. Ellerslie made strenuous efforts with R. Johnston, Cook and McClure in the limelight, but Paul, Kau, J. Hapi, and Hira made repeated breaks that evened up play somewhat., If anything, the advantage wa» with Ellerslie right up to the half-time whistle, which came without a score. The second spell opened with a rush by Mangere, but EUerslie retaliated with a combined attack that saw play go to Mangere's twenty-five. A few minutes' strenuous play and Cook, R. Johnston, Grogaa and Hetet figured in a break away. The . latter dashed through the opposition and got across.' His kick failed. Mangere pressed hard now but the deadly tackling by Ellerslie was not a Joke, and the opposition could not get through. Pal intercepted and sent to Paul who passed o. to Daniels, but a good chance was nipped In the bud by good tackling. Ellerslie continued to force play, and the game waxed fast, and was to the entire approval of the large crowd. Repeated attempts were at last successful, and Cook sent to Grogan who got over. Hetet falied (-to convert. Just on time a penalty gave -Ellerslie a chance and Hetet"potted a good shot. Mr. McKubrey was referee. OTAHTJHTJ V. NORTHCOTE. • Otahuhu kicked off, and play settled J about the centre. Otahuhu had most of I the play, but faulty handling spoilt many j promising movements. Otahuhu looked sure to score a try, but there were no takers for Eustace's pass. For one of the I Northcote forwards not playing the ball, | Ellery had an unsuccessful shot at goal. i There was some doubt as to whether the bail went over, but the referee said "no goal." Otahuhu were not getting much of the ball, but when they did, gained ground. Mulling on N'orthcote's line by Dean and Fitzgerald resulted in Todd rushing up to score near tie post. Philp converted. Otahuhu 5, Northcote 0. Eustace was playing a really \good game for Otahuhu, and was not getting the support he should have. Half time ended I with play near Northcote's -line. Otahuhu 1 5, Northcote 0. The second spell opened, and Philp takI -ing his time about forcing the ball, nearly I gave . Smith an easy try. Northcote | iooked certain to score, when Speight got I away with only the fullback to pass, but knocked the ball on, Northcote were ! awarded an obstruction try when Philp I interfered with Pannycook. May kicked the goal. Otahuhu 5, Northcote 5 Otahuhu had a good chance of scoring, but Philp obstructed, and the chance was lost. The game was becoming a struggle between both sets of forwards, W. Phlip and Hart, Otahuhu being most prominent. From an infringement by Ellery, May looked like winning the game for Northcote, but the ball went wide. Greening was playing a really good game for Northcote, and It was mostly due to his efforts that Otahuhu did not score on many occasions. The game then developed Into a forward st—JSSle between both sides The final whistle went with scores even.