SCHOOL RUGBY MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 12

SCHOOL RUGBY MATCH.

NEW PLYMOUTH VICTORY.

DEFEAT OF GRAMMAR SCHOOL

MARGIN OF PENALTY GOAL.

in spile of a heavy ball and treacherous turf, the annual match between New Plymouth Boys' High School and Auck land Grammar School, played at Eden Park on Saturday, was a fine game. For ward and back, both teams were evenly matched, and although New Plymouth gained the only score of the match and won by the three points for a penalty goal, Grammar was far from being a beaten team. On the day a draw would have represented the play, but the visit ing backs gave the impression that on a dry day they would prove a very dan gerous combination. In the first spell New Plymouth showed to advantage in fast rushes, but soon the game settled down to a forward battle Early in the spell the Grammar first live-eighths, Cashmore, the pivot of the team's attack, retired with an injury to the head, and the home team was at a considerable loss. New Plymouth kept Grammar on the defensive for the greater part of the spell, but the defence was sound. With the ground becoming more greasy every minute and the ball becoming heavier, little in the way of spectacular football could be expected But at the opening of the second quarter Eraser, for Grammar, and Brown, for New Plymouth, both made spectacular dashes. No Score at Half-time. Both sides were evenly matched dashes Both sides were evenly matched and spoiling play was the order of the day. Behind the Grammar scrum Frank ham was playing a great game, and mak ing strenuous efforts to open up play, while on the New Plymouth left wing Brown played with all the dash which characterised the play of his brother, H W. Brown, when the All Black led the High School fifteen sohie years ago. The Grammar forwards shone in the loose, but there was a lamentable weakness in the home team's inside backs Consequently New Plymouth's defence was never severely tested i'he visiting backs specialised in the grubber kick, and they used this time after- time to turn defence into attack. The spell was very even and the teams left the field at halftime with no score registered. New Plymouth was somewhat disap pointing at the upenuig ol the second half. Wetere, a particularly fine for ward, fed. his backs consistently, but they could never press home an advantage. The game increased in pace, and the New Plymouth forwards rushed play upfield. There Grammar were penalised. The kick was not an easy one, but Gibbons sent the greasy bail between the uprights, and the visitors led by 3 points to 0.

* An Opportunity Lest. Grammar returned in a fine forward rush With Batty and Cleghorn leading they battled to within a few feet of the New Plymouth goal-line Then over eagerness spelt ruin to the movement The ball was kicked too hard and the visitors forced The Grammar forwards had the best of the closing play in the third spell, but they could not make the scores level The final spell opened with hard tor ward play in midfield. but Grammar worked to the attack through long kick ing However, Petty was always there, a wonderful last tine of defence His fielding of the slippery ball was something to marvel at Time after time lie was tested, but never was he found want ing A cross-kick from a scrum had New Plvmouth in difficulties Brown fumbled with the ball ind carried it behind, but Grammar eould not gain any advantage from the resulting scrum Tn the van of the visiting forwards Wetere rushed plav to Grammar's twenty-five The home team was hard Dressed. but defendod stoutly, and the came ended with a penalty goal the deciding factor The final scores were:— New Plymouth High School . . 3 Auckland Grammar School . . 0 Mr. E. C. Stretton ably controlled the game.