EVEN AND EXCITING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 133, 7 June 1926, Page 10

EVEN AND EXCITING.

The game opened with play kept among the forwards, where University showed to advantage. A dash by Macken and then another by Butler had the bines on Grammar's line, but Goodacre . and Williams in individual breakaways changed the venue to 'Varsity's line. Twice the white backs had a fly, the only effect being a cut-off by Macken and passing by Stcne and Stewart that threatened Grammar's citadel, till Singleton saved beautifully, ln fast play the blues came again, and 'Jasis more getting cleverly round tbe scrum with the ball passed to Keane, to Stone, who scored a try, that Miller failed to improve. In a fierce forward rally Grammar drove the blues back to their line and here a passing rally by Wright, Whelan and Gould ended in the hooker barging over at the corner. Gardiner's kick was a fine one, but veered outside the upright. Throwing the ball about .Grammar made it open and willing. A well-placed kick by Gardiner when his pass was blocked had the blues in trouble, Olsen being smothered at the line. From the scrum the 'all went to Wright, who feinted to the open and darted round the other side to score. Gardiner's kick failed. A dash by Stone and a pass to Keene to O'Halloran, had the Grammar defence penetrated, but Freeman knocked on and the whites were lucky to force. When they turned round the blues set up a vigorous attack in close forward rushes, but a free relieved Grammar. A return free and the ball was sent to touch almost at the corner. Again the whites cleared, but a mark by Freeman stopped them, and immediately afterwards a free enabled Butler to equalise the scores by landing a good goal. In' sh6rt foot and hand rushes Grammar took the ball right under the 'Varsity goal, but a free sent them back and the blues took the offensive. A couple of rearguard dashes went to Grammar's quarter, but they could not get through. A series of fast and open dashes gave Monteith a chance from a cross-kick and he dribbled over 'Varsity's line, but Bntler beat him for the touch, and half-time arrived with the scores level.

The blues were first away in the second spell, led by Miller, but a free stopped rhe.m, and the Grammar backs had a gallop, which went nlmost to 'Varsity's line In loose foot work University cleared for Ifwersen Goodacre and Monteith to come hack dashingly, and the students were given a spell of defence. Eventually in ruck play, Wright got the ball away when the bine backs were out of position and Gardiner improved the change before sending to Ifwersen, to Goodacre, who scored Gardiner failed to convert Play hun" at the centre for a time, and then a' clean-cut score came when Wright sent Ifwersen away, to send a transfer to Williams, get the bail back nnd beat Bnt'.er. scoring between the posts. Gardiner missed the conversion, and the score was 12 6 against the students. The blues rallied. and •in mixed play took the ball inside Grammar's quarter, where Butler landed another goal from a free. Rallying once more, the bines indulged In passing, and Olsen, who had come to centre, was' prominent in a bout to Grammar's corner. Goodacre got in a saving kick. which Keene took on the fly. and he opened a nice passing bout that ended in Freeman receiving from Hamilton and scoring. Butler failed to convert,- and the scores were again level when they turned round for the final twenty.

In close order tho 'Varsity forwards rushed' piny down to near Grammar's goal, but Infringements lost them the chance, nntl Grniniiiiir forwards became aggressive. Then the blues opened lt out, when a Grammar bout broke down, and first Hamilton, nnd then Brooker wns stopped ut the line University maintained the rally, and from a free Butler landed his third penalty goal, putting the students In the load. Grammar made a great effort |'< retrieve the gome, and rushed play to Vurelty'a twenty-five. ' 'Fieri, from the

side 'of a scrum: Comes broke clean through the defence and. scored. Goodacre failed to convert, and once more it was level pegging. Grammar backs gave it a go. and the game was full of excitement as Monteith and Williams were brought down by the last line of defence. Once more they had a fly, and Gardiner kicked and recovered the ball, and sent on to Ifwersen, who scored between the posts. Gardiner failed to convert. 18—15. Making a final effort, the blues rushed down to near Grammar's twenty-five, and, from a free, Butler unsuccessfully essayed to make it a draw, with another penalty goal, and the game ended : Grammar 18 University 15 Mr. H. Cliffe was referee. RIFLES BEAT MARISTS. College kicked off against the sun. and from a couple of scrums the Marist backs went to the attack. Loft was responsible for some good work, but Gillespie's defence was sound. Then from loose play in midfield Sheen gained possession. Dummying cleverly, he went ight through the Tykes team, swerved past the fullbnck, but lost the ball as he crossed the line. Francis was handy, and touched down for a try, which Wilson converted. Play was then confined to the forwards, and here College held the advantage, until O'Brien, with a good kick put his side on the attack. He made a fine attempt with a penalty, but long line kicking by' Johnson and Sheen saw play veer to the other end. Both 6ides were now using the line as a means of attack, and uninteresting play characterised the rest of the spell.

C. Hadley led a Marist attack after the change over, but a brilliant dash by Sheen and Spenceley relieved. Following up fast the College forwards had the Tykes defending, until a speculator saved. Tight work followed in midfield ntil College secured from a scrum, and Mitchell sent Sheen and Teape away with brilliant reverse passing, the pair going half the length of the field until the ' referee ruled that Sheen had obstructed Broderick. Tykes returned play to midfield, and after Culpan had made a solo effort, O'Brien and Broderick combined in a good dash, Gillespie accounting for the latter near the line. Fogarty returned play to midfield, and then Culpan made another ineffective dash. C. Hadley, however, secured the baU and passed to Loft, who scored a nice try, O'Brien's kick failing The spell ended shortly after with College leading, 5—3.

A. brilliant movement marked the resumption of play. C. Hadley dummied his v.ay through, but was tackled. Loft then secured, and in a sparkling run beat a conpie of men to score a good try, which Bradanovich converted. College now -made the game open, and with Sheen prominent, their backs made a couple of good efforts. The Tykes forwards worked back, and Loft made a good run before the College pack, with Anderson in the lead, countered. Broderick here kicked out, but Sheen took the ball, and from ne .rly half wav potted » beautiful field goal. College », Marist 8. Tykes then, pressed Several hot attacks, but their inside backs would not run straight. A long kick by Gillespie put College again on the attack, and Brodie, bustled by Francis, booted the ball into the road. The spell ended without any addition to the scores.

Scrambling and ragged play opened the final spell. Tykes were making desperate efforts to wipe off the single point deficit, but they conld not open up play. They appeared to be tiring too, and College were soon back on the attack. Wilson went over, but was pushed into touch in goal. Several of the College backs were nearly over, but Marists managed to keep them out, nntil just on time Spenceley made an opening for Johnson to score. Sheen's kick failed and the game ended with the scores:— College Rifles 12 Marists '. j", Mr. E. J. Dickson was referee. - ANOTHER WIN FOR SHORE. Shore and Suburbs played a fast and interesting game at Avondale, Shore eventually winning by 16 points to 8. In the first spell the Shore forwards dominated play and the backs indulged in several spectacular passing movements. From a forward rush Soloman got across at the corner to score Shore's first try. When *he teams changed ends Johnston made a clever opening, sent it oat to Nicholls, who beat three or four men, and scored under the posts. The same player missed the kick. Suburbs rallied considerably and the forwards took a hand in the attack. From a fas.* Suburbs forward sortie the ball was sent to Lamb, who outpaced the opposition and scored at the corner. Gray converted. Curtayne, after a good run, scored Shore's next try. In-the last quarter the game was exceedingly fast, tbe ball travelling np and down at high speed. From a s.-rum on Suburbs' line Palmer dived across to score a good try. Just before time Johnston potted a beautiful goal from the field. Shore _q Suburbs ". g Mr. G. Peace was referee.