MARISTS OUTPLAY ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 108, 10 May 1927, Page 14

MARISTS OUTPLAY ATHLETICS.

The Marist Old Boys and Grafton Athletic crash as by no mean 3 inspiring, although in the second spell fortunes fluctuated excitingly. The first half, which promised to be pointless, ended up with Tykes nursing an advantage of six points. As the game progressed they wore down their less experienced opponents, and ran out comfortable winners by a margin of 20 points to 8. The Grafton complement, which sorely missed the services of Dufty (transferred to Newton), and included seven promoted thirds and two juniors, looked as though they were going to be in the picture shortly after the ehang-e over, when they made the score 12.t0 B—biit8 — biit inrariably they lacked cohesion and finish at the business end. Marists were in the ascendancy, but it cannot be said that they absolutely overwhelmed the opposition, which was responsible for launching numerous counter attacks. Given possession from the bulk of the scrummages their backs' handling was crisp and, had it not been for the solid tackling they met, . they might have run up a cricket scr.re. On the other hand, there were few loopholes in the Tykes' defence, and Gregory, in the last

line, let little past him. Not only did he anticipate the trend of play with almost uncaniiv certainty, but he frequently raced into line to set his backs in motion. His principal fault was that he left his kicking boots at home. His vis-a-vis, Longville, is a promising player, with a safe pair of hands, and good direction with his kick■nqr for clearances. He should do well in hie chosen position. Of the remainder of the Grafton backs, Lucas is a promising half, while Angelo (five-eighths) and ( hrirtmas and Hudson, in the threequarter line, should combine well once they have , worked together a few more times, their passing movements were neither impressive nor incisive. Brisbane, Kinvan, and Hudson, were the particular stars amongst Tykes' backs who shone. Cronin, behind a winning pack, was slow at times in getting tJae ball away. There were no passengers in the van, and of a versatile lot, Keenan, Noble, and Johnson were probably the most outstanding. Avery Was the pivot on which Grafton's attacks swung, but he was inclined to adopt a "vamping attitude" occasionally, when his weight would have been

of value in the pack. He was well supported by Yardley, Austin, and Herring. Marists should hold their own in any company, while Grafton will not have to be treated too cheaply. They are a young side, keen in every department, capable of brilliance and improvement. SURPRISE FOR RICHMOND. A reorganised and revitalised Newton defeated Richmond, the Roope Rooster winner of last §ea-son, by 13 points to 8. In actual scores there was not a great deal of difference between the two sides, but the Newton pack was too good for the maroon forwards, and the Richmond backs were inclined to be patchy. The game also showed that fhp Richmond forwards were on the light side, and the club intend to endeavour

to remedy the defect. Right up to the last minute there was a prospect of an Auckland Rugby Union rep. forward of last season being included in the maroon van, but he did not materialise. Hanon played a fine game at fullback for Richmond. The best of the Newton forwards was Clark, who was always where the play was thickest. Morman played a fine game for the red and white bacjcs, reinforced by Craddock and Dufty, who got a transfer from GraftonAthletic in time to participate in -the game. Dufty was a tower of strength to his team, and is the most valuable acquisition that the club has had for a long time.