'VARSITY AND ORIENTAL.

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 4, 5 July 1926, Page 6

'VARSITY AND ORIENTAL.

Playing on No. 2 ground at , Athletic Park before a crowd of.over two thousand spectators, University and Oriental supplied quite an entertaining display, m which looseness was more. than counterbalanced by combined piny and other bright features. Both sides threw the ball about, and with the progress of the game the students worked up splendid combination, their passing and handling o£ the leather being clean, and their movements speedy. 'Varsity's attack was the more finished, and it was largely this fact which brought about victory by a good margin. Oriental did any amount of attacking, but generally they, failed, to drive right home. The forwards, after penetrating deep into 'Varsity territory,.were often let down by the backs, whoso passing was not crisp enough. It was only when forwards came in to take a hand in the passing bouts that the combination was effective, but then it was too late. Meanwhile 'Varsity had established a commanding lead, not a few of their points resultiug from spectacular play. The game was not as uneven as the score suggested. The conditions was not unfavourable, the southerly wind presenting little handicap, as the game was played east and west. Early impressions were that the play was likely to be of ragged order, but they were. removed when combined work was essayed with some degree of efficiency. In the 'second spell much of the play was ot high standard, although, there was still some looseness creeping in. Each side went close to scoring by more than one route early in the game. The first successful effort was a free kick by O'Regan for 'Varsity. Later Malfroy finished off one of a number' of passing rushes, the try being unconverted. With the changeover Oriental set off in likely fashion, but were soon farther behind when Childs topped off a follow-iip by the 'Varsity forwards. A subsequent push by Oriental was attended with success, Williams diving across from a scramble near the line. Then there came a period in Which 'Varsity played the open game almost to perfection. Mackay, Martin-Smith, and Mackenzie each scored tries, O'Regan converting two. In a final flutter Oriental added a try, Wyman beiug the scorer. The game ended University. 22, Oriental 9. Mr. G. Bradley was the referee.