SENIOR B GRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 10 July 1928, Page 14

SENIOR B GRADE.

MARATHON JUST WIN. Marathon were feeling on good terms ( with themselves when they were leading , by eleven points at half-time in their match with Tramways at the show ( grounds on Saturday, but when the final whistle sounded they had only two points to spare. They were somewhat lucky to gain full points, for with an ounce of luck Tramways would have been allowed a doubtful goal. Nevertheless, no one will begrudge Marathon their victory. It 1 was a treat to watch the coloured for- i wards forging through the mud and slush, only failing in the last moment to finalise their work. The Tramway vanguard also deserve credit for the way they battled against a much heavier set. Wales, the Marathon five-eighths, again played a brilliant game, and it 1a doubtful if there is at present a better player in the senior B competition. He has a fine sense of anticipation, his handling is excellent, and, like most other players who reach the top, he shows no signs of selfishness. In addition, he can i kick a very fine goal. Barclay, the halfback, got through a lot of solid work. 1 This player, who started off his football as a front-ranker in the King's College senior fifteen several years ago, is comparatively new to senior football, but has alreadv made good. Maybe he will add , further lustre to the name already won by the Barclays on the football field. The rest of the Marathon backs, although net up to the standard of Wales, all did their bit, with Leach, Lymburne and Bishop the shining lights. Young, the full-back, was very safe and always took the ball on the full, despite its greasy condition. Gardiner, Fowler and Gavin were always prominent among the Marathon forwards, the former being especially good in attack. The Tramway men have no outstanding players among their number, their [ fifteen being made up of mostly '"onetime" players, who, although not so elusive as they were, can still hold their owrt with most of the younger players. Perhaps the most outstanding player in the team was Campney, who, although out of place in the forwards, played a very fine game. This player has a fine turn of speed, which he uses to advantage whenever opportunity offers, and when he gets his hands on a man the latter always comes down. Of the remaining forwards, Mitchell and Garrett were perhaps the best. Nearly all the Tramwayß hacks played up to standard, with Martin, Rodgcs. Keenan and Boag prominent at different stages of the game. J. Whittome played a good game until he had to leave the field with an injured hip. GREAT GOAL-KICKING. Suburbs created a mild surprise at Victoria Park by extending the University men to a margin of one point, the final score being twelve points to eleven. Although weather conditions were not conducive to good football, both teams gave a good display of forward work. University being especially good in the loose. From the kick-off University's forwards rushed down the field with the ball at their feet. Suburbs were all at sixes and sevens, and University registered its first try. The kick was not successful. Shortly after University forwards again got the ball at their feet, and repeated their performance. The kick failed. With six points against them suburbs began to bustle. A penalty against University gave them a hard chance, which Thompson (full-back) made use of and kicked a brilliant goal. Heartened by this success the suburbanites rallied again and hemmed University in their own twentyfive. The University forwards, however, gained control and rushed down the length of the field and went over in a bunch to score. The try was not converted. Half-time saw University in the lead by 9 points to 3. Suburbs commenced the third spell in a determined fashion, and all but scored on more than once occasion. Another penalty against University gave them what appeared to be an impossible [ chance, but Thompson agan came up to . scratch and kicked a beautiful goal. The ( game now settled down to a midfield , scrimmage, from which the University . winger broke away and raced down the » line to score in the corner. The kick > failed —University 12, Suburbs 6. A . last determined effort on the part of i the Suburbs team was rewarded. Forsyth i scoring under the posts. Thompson's 1 boot was again requisitioned to good j effect. Suburbs tried hard to get over i once again, but could not, an interesting - game closing with University the winners 1 by 12 points to 11, Thompson havf ing just t'a\>d to pull the game out of L- the lire by brilliant goal-kicking.