'VARSITY AND OLD BOYS.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 21, 25 July 1927, Page 14

'VARSITY AND OLD BOYS.

■The type of football generally supplied by University and Old Boys has a strong appeal to Rugby followers, and with the good conditions prevailing on Saturday it was only natural that the meeting of these two teams would prove an excellent dvawihg card. Moreover, both were strong claimants for senior championship honours. Close on 9000 spectators witnessed the game, and they had good measure of the play which they anticipated. There were some particularly bright features in the manner in which tries were registered. At the same time the play in parts was marred by. fumbling and bad passing, more bo in the case of Old Boys, whose rearguard was not in its best working order. Still, the contest, for its amount of incident, wag stirring, and on the day 'Varsity were entitled to the success they gained. Their forwards came into their own again, while the backs were generally more successful in penetration work than the opposing set. Some-changes were made in the Old Boys' team, Du.Chateau (back from Auckland) playing a3 half-back, and Malcolm going up from full-back to five-eighth. Early in the game Bedell met with an injury, and his absence in the second spell was felt very keenly.

The teams were:—

University.—Noble-Adams; Foden, Grigg, Eamson; Irwin; Mackenzie; Leys; SceatsChilds, O'Rcgan, Burns, Martin-Smith, Diedench, Cormack, Claridge. Old Boys.—Grant; -It. Lamason, Grnnfell, Bedell; TSushbrook, Malcolm; Dv Chateau; J. Lamason; Bray, Claridge, Menzies, Emerson, Hand, Jones, M'Pherson.

By. winning, the toss, ''Varsity ltnd (lie advantage of a southerly wind, but Old Boys quickly set the pace and made numerous; advances, using every opportunity to make the play open. In their move- • ment, however, there was some uncertainty, while 'Varsity were on the alert • and carried out effective spoiling work. Settling down to real business, 'Varsity engaged in some, good attacks. An in- . iringement gave Old Boys temporary relief, but following a passing bout by the " backs Cormack gained possession and waa able to score a try which Ramson converted _ with a fine kick. 5-0. A little " later _ Mackenzie just missed a try in working the blind Bide, and then came'a ;. chancelo goal, but Kamson- was unsuccessiul. retaliation by .Old Boys, with JJusnbrook figuring prominently, placed Varsity s line in danger, and when Malcotemade thebid : for a try the defence ,-was broken. .Malcolm was unable to con- ; yvit. 5-3. Xhis turn of events gave added ■ interest-to_ the .game.'. 'Varsity pressed solidly, .and Leys made a splendid v effort to score,, only to fail- by inches. The posif w.as cleared for a time, but on the right side, of half-way Varsity were awarded free-kicks, and with one of these Ramson landed'a fine,goal. 8-3. A good paoe JZ^yf^l'v alth?»g'l there was an amquntof fumbling.which tended to spoil the efforts to move in open oi-der. 'Varsity wc_re_ the mam aggressors., but-they did £r,* fcf "l *aUerS aI! t'j^r Own way. Tfonw bright houts wqre Indulged in by players on either side, and finally a fast Uo"? up the half-time score 11-3, in 'Varsity's fay Old Boys'were expected to make a'bold bid for success oh changing over. They were unfortunate, however, in losing Bedell, who had been injured in the first spell, and was replaced by C'hitty. More free-kicks to 'Varsity held Old' Boys up for a start, but span-they were under way and only a fine collar by Grigg saved 'Varsity when Gr.enfell dashed through. Soon afterwards J. .Lamason was unsuccessful with a good effort to goal, and when Old Boys canle back in more passing rushes 'Varsity still held their.line. On occasions . — iA-ty_ failed to gather in the leather, while.in,some other cases there were bad passes and fumbling to spoil movements. wliich had started off in fine style.' As Old Boys were pressing a surprising turn was offered when a dropped pass let Irwin through. This player, from his own twenty-five, dashed away for the opposing line. He neatly evaded the full-back, and, having too much pace on to be overtaken, he topped off a great run with a try under the'posts. Ramson converted. 16-3. Old Boys were stirred -to more determined action, and in a great rush to score they were unlucky, the leather just beating R. Lamason ,to touch-in-goal. Back again, they presented further danger, and for another smart" follow-up R. Lamason gained,his.reward. ~ Gathering up the leather he had no trouble in. running round to. scbre; behind the posts. Malcolm converted. 16^5. '• Subsequent efforts were not attended with the same result, and 'Varsity.not only showed strong resistance but also gave evidence that their powers as an attacking force were not yet weakened. There was give-and-take play of live'" order until a stinging rush placed 01' T.oys in a likely position. This they li'jl'-- and before long Grcnfell made a line cut through to score an excellent try. Malcolm's kick failed.. .16-11. Old Boys now striyed harder than ever, but kick-anil-follow-up, tactics did not meet success. 'Varsity still defended well, and -oxeitccl themselves, to keep clear of danger. ■ Gradually they gained the ascendancy, ami an er-two good efforts to score ha<l Miled, they gamer! the objective through

a brilliant cut-in by Grigg, who left the opposition standing-. Ramson convened ■this excellent try. 21-11. The issue was settled, and although Old Boys, in a final rally, gave 'Varsity a strenuous time on defence, there was no further scoring. A "pot" by Malcolm in the final stages went very close. The game ended University 21, Old Boys 11.

Mr. R. Paton controlled the game.