MARIST LEAVE IT LATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 183, 5 August 1935, Page 13

MARIST LEAVE IT LATE.

lherc was jubilation among the ranks of the Mnrlst Old Boys supporters at the Showgrounds when a try and conversion roistered within a couple oC minutes o£ the call of time placed their favourites two points ahead »f Grammar Old Boys, throughout the game the blues had been behind their opponents, and at one stage, it had appeared that the whites would win Comfortably. For Grammar it was hard luck to have victory snatched from them after they had had control for so long, particularly as if number of thoir supporters were firmly of the opinion that Jull time had elapsed before Marist scored their winning try. In the lirst half Grammar were definitely the better team and they had an eightpoint lead at the breather. On the run of the play up till that stage the. whites deserved to be at least that far in front. At the start of the second spell Marist rallied and opened their account, but Grammar were not to be caught so easily, and soon added two unconverted tries. "Undismayed, Marist attacked vigorously and u converted try gave them heart, but when Grammar added yet another try the blues were nine points down. An unconverted try and a penalty goal reduced their deficit to three, and as time drew towards a finish excitement ran high. Playing now better than at any stage in the match Marist took control and a try made the scores level. The kick at goal sailed true and the. blues were two points to the good. There was one more desperate rally and then came the linal whistle.

In the first half the Marist forwards lacked cohesion, and were definitely shaded. Aftor the breather they put more dash into their work and over the closing stages went splendidly. Hadley was a hard worker throughout, with Fifzgibbon also playing an outstanding game. Among the backs Currayne wan most dangerous on attack and also highly valuable on defence. The threequarters did not got over many opportunities. The Grammar forwards played well throughout, Ix>ckington and A. Browne being conspicuous. In the back division Fletcher showed his best form, his game being one of the brightest of the day. His handling showed much improvement and on attack he gave the blues considerable trouble. Both wings showed dash, Spittal's great speed being of much advantage to the Old Boys. A good all round game was played by McCowan at full-back. For Marist, tries were scored by Curtayne, Speight and Smith, one of which was converted by Smith and another by Elliott. Porteous kicked a penalty goal and Curtayne a goal from a mark l<\>r Grammar Spittal (2), A. Brown (2) and Slyfield scored tries, Slyiield converting one of them.