TECHNICAL'S WIN OVER GRAFTON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 135, 10 June 1935, Page 12

TECHNICAL'S WIN OVER GRAFTON.

In matches played so far this season Grafton has turned in some very disappointing displays, especially when it is remembered tha"t the team expected to accomplish great things, many supporters maintaining that it would be surprising indeed if it was defeated at all. But, alas, those enthusiasts have had their hopes dashed to the ground, although never more so than on Saturday, when- Grafton lasted a surprising and convincing defeat by Technical Old Boys to the tune of 18 points to 5.

Technical has been unlucky in many respects this season nnd when victory has been fully deserved the luck has not been favourable. But Grafton, with its players of reputation, offered a very big obstacle and even the most enthusiastic Old Boys supporters did not give their team anything more than an even chance. Shortly before starting time only nine players had arrived and some of those were not in the best playing form, but the others eventually arrived, late but welcome, nnd a full team was fielded. When Technical rushed play to Grafton's territory at the beginning of the game it appeared to be but a temporary success. The majority of the spectators expected defence to be turned into successful attack. But Technical kept play confined to Grafton's territory for a long period, in "which the defenders had several anxious moments. McLean relieved the pressure momentarily, but the greens were hard at it again nnd it seemed that the defence must crumple when Ryall secured the ball inside half-way and with a splendid dash cut through his opponents and passed to Dick, who went over in the corner. But > that was Grafton's only successful effort, Technical, from that time onwards, taking complete charge of the game and outclassing nnd overwhelming the opposition. On four occasions, and four only, did Grafton appear to have any chance of scoring, but excellent defence kept the green line intact. Seldom has Grafton been tied up in its own territory as on Saturday, fully ninety per cent of the play taking place in its half of the field, while a large portion of that was near the Grafton line, a really amazing state of affairs. Not for one moment did Technical ease up, putting everything into the play right up to the final whistle, and the victory was well deserved.

To the forwards Technical can give the credit. Individually they (Ufl not excel, but tholr combination v;as excellent, nnd it was here thnt they rnn rings round the Grafton pack, which did not seem to have any idea of combination nnd whoso efforts were painfully slow and ponderous. Not one of tho Orafton forwards was worth particular mention, but on the Technical side nil were hard workers, Weber being outstanding. Tim bucks dirt not tnko a large part in the game, but Technlcal's rearguard was far ahead of Grafton's. Haslnm was superior to Killeen in the fiveeightlis line! nnd Oldbury was the best of the wingers, revenling plenty of dash, but being inclined to get rid of the ball a little too soon. Frnsor, nt centre, was the best of the Grafton backs, but ho was woll matched by his vis-a-vls, Turbott, who played n solid game without frills. Rayment held his own with Paton nnd, in nddition, dropped a perfect gonl from the field.