SENIOR B GRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 130, 6 June 1927, Page 15

SENIOR B GRADE

EASTBOURNE INCREASES ITS LEAD. A greasy ball and a damp ground spoilt what might otherwise have been an excellent exposition of Rygby between Eastbourne and JoßnsonvUle, the two leading teams in the Senior B grade. Johnsonville pinned their faith in a strong set of forwards, and they were almost successful, while Eastbourne's line of backs gave a nice exhibition of that class of game. There was a good deal at stake iv the match so far ns the respective sides were concerned, as a victory to Johnsonville would have placed them-side by side with Eastbourne at the head of the championship table, while victory to the East Harbour club gives them an advantage of four points. The two teams were quickly into their stride. The Eastbourne forwards, though lighter than their opponents, more than held their own in the early stages of the game, and Keo<jh scored within the first five minutes as a result of fast following up. It was too far out, however, for E. Foley to convert. Eastbourne 3, Johnsonville 0. An infringement shortly afterwards allowed Johnsonville to equalise as a result of a good kick by Myers. With a straight line of backs, in which the two Foley brothers played a prominent part, Eastbourne were continually on the attack, and only the strong forwards and determined backs kept them from scoring. A penalty against Johnsonville for lifting allowed E. Foley to kick a goal from well out, once more placing iis side ahead, 6-3, while shortly before half-time N. Foley converted a penalty from midfield, the score when the whistle blew being: Eastbourne 9, Johnsonville 3* The second half of the game was prosecuted with unnecessary vigour, especially by the Johnsonville forwards, and there were frequent hold-ups owing to injuries, while most of the Eastbourne backs were showing signs of the hard ttcklitig they had experienced. Twice- the referee warned Johnsonville players for rough' play. Although Eastbourne did not add to their score, while Johnsonville added a try in the corner as a result of an opening made by Shaney, which R. Mason completed, Myers failing to convert, the spell really belonged to the East Harbour team. They were continually on the attack, and i only the greasy condition of the ball and the slippery ground prevented them from completing many fine passing' movements, ihe game ended: Eastbourne 9, Johnsonville 6. . . •.... »..- . . Mr. J. Scott was the referee. ■ ■ Oriental accounted for Athletic by 24 points to nil. Early in the game Pin--kerton scored a try, which was not converted. Askew added another "unconverted try, and half-time came with Oriental 6 and Athletic nil. In the second spell Oriental continued to "have the better of affairs. Beid got across for a try, which M'llwraith ' converted Townsend was the next-to score, but the kick at goal was unsuccessful. Oriental 14, Athletic 0. Not long afterwards Reid increased his side's tally by kicking a fine goal from the field. Before time was called Scott and Bedingford placed tries for Athletic, but they were not converted, leaving.the final score: Oriental 24, Athletic 0. Selwyn defeated 'Varsity by 15 points to 13 pointß. For Selwyn tries were scored by Hickling, Young, V Mitchell, and B. Mitchell. A penalty goal was also' obtained by V. Mitchell. Bailey (2) and Airey scored tries for 'Varsity, and Biddell converted two. Playing at Porirua; Training College defeated Porirua by 12 points to 8.