GRAFTON DEFEATED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22119, 27 May 1935, Page 13

GRAFTON DEFEATED

UNIVERSITY BACKS SUPERIOR

Grafton, which was without the services P' its captain, H. F. McLean, and its star kick, 8.. Killeen. ielded a rearranged nf'«en. In the first spell play was fast and ■ open with Grafton holding a slight territorial advantage A 4 the commencement of t&e second half the University backs began Jo function well. They seized every opportunity of opening, up attacking movements *nd -were Quick to turn their opponents' toiKtnkes to their own advantage. With v&ughey ns the pivo' of attack they reteatedly demonstrated thrust and speed. Tne Graftoa forwards dominated the and line-outs, but the rearguard was Suable to turn this advantage to any ac®ount, many likely movements breaking down owing to indifferent handling. To*wd the final stages University held complete command, 6coring two tries in rapid •accession and keeping the ball continually opponents' territory. Handlinp with splendid accuracy. Bush fi*ve a great display at fullback, his lcmp*Wi?e kicks, repeatedly savins his forwards • *®d ir.Bpi.ring the team with confidence. "~* n shey played soundly, but not brilliantly. llifc

His defence was first class, but on attack ho was severely hampered by_ the fiveeighths, who would not run straight, Lewis being the worse offender. Inglis gave a plucky display behind the University pack. His defence was steady, while he varied his play to a nice degree. On one occasion ho had the Grafton defenco badly guessing when he went on his own, but what appeared a certain try was lost when ho reached the fullback unsupported. Mulvihill had to be closely watched as ho made some good openings. But for the fact that an opponent touched tho ball ho would have been credited with a potted goal. The forwards, with Thomas and Carnachun outstanding, all played sound games. Kyall was Grafton's best back. Besides making several clever openings for tho men outside him, he displayed flashes ot individualism, one of which resulted in a neat try, Patort also played well and showed himself to be a competent performer in every department of the fullback game. Currey was the better of the wings and made several determined dashes. Among a hard-working pack, Benjamin, Mills and Roddick were outstanding. University's tries were scored by Grant. Mulvihill and Thomas, all being converted by Bush. Kyall and Currey scored for Grafton. Mr. C. F. Paull was referee.

WARNINGS BY REFEREE ROUGH PLAY AT ONEHUNGA The Manukau-Marist match at Onehunga was not a brilliant exposition of Rugby, being characterised by determined forward play, which was very evenly contested from start to finish. The referee found it a difficult game to control, and is to bo commended for his firmness and tact in one or two ugly scrum episodes. Manukau's fullback, G. Elliott, was knocked out early in the game and was replaced by C. Wells, who also was compelled to retire hurt C. Pepper, too. went off with an injured knee. Theso defections tended to weaken the Manukau team.

The well-judged line-kicking and determined tackling by Hatfield and Fulton were undoubtedly the main factors which prevented Marist from scoring. Added to this, the Marist backs, who got the ball from the forwards in most of the set scrums, should have made better use of their advantage. In addition to Hatfield and Fulton, Brimble and Kereopa were outstanding, while Wiklund's accurate goalkicking contributed largely to Manukau's win. For Marist, S. Hadley, K. FraserSmith and McGrory were outstanding. The early play was marked by a succession of fiery forward scrambles, in which Manukau had the advantage, and which culminated in W. Hatfield scoring. Wiklund converting with 3 fine kick five yards from the touch line. From half-way a centring kick by Brimble gave the Marist backs a practically clear field and, beating Wells, Fowler scored a try which Elliott converted. The score at half-time was s—all.5 —all. Early in the second half a passing movement by Marist broke down in midfield. The Manukau backs started a counter-move-ment and the ball went to Flett who, with a long determined run, scored in the corner. After further hard forward play, with Marist on the defensive, Wiklund kicked a fine goal from a penalty. Thenceforward the game became rough and exciting, the referee's warning finger being frequently in action. Fraser-Smith. who had been prominent throughout, made a dashing run down the side line for Marist. He appeared to run several feet outside of it. The line umpire raised* his' flag, but quickly lowered it, and the speedy Marist threequarter went on to score. The referee converted a hostile demonstration by the crowd into vigorous applause by 4«posing the line umpire and handing the flag to a substitute.

.Marist kept the play in Manukau's quarters for practically the remainder of the game, making determined efforts to score and just missing. During the last 20 minutes S. Hadlev. in a roving capacity, opened up many promising movements and tries were frequently averted by deadly tackling. The game ended: Manukau, 11; Marist, 8. Mr. A. E. Austin was referee.

SOUTH AUCKLAND TEAM MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND B [FROM OTTR OWN CORRESPONDENT] PUKEKOHE, Sunday The following players have been chosen to represent the South Auckland Rugby Union in a match to be played a:gainßt the Auckland B representatives at Eden Park on' June 3:— . Backs.—P. Mahima. J. Rata, A. Wilkinson. T. Loughlin, G. Hewitt, T. Pifson, R. Kaihu. S. Mcßobbie, R. Brady. Forwards.—W. Parker, A. Motfitt, K. Wolfsbauer, J. R. Massey, R. Lang. R. Skilton, B. Guise. S. Parker, D. Muir, H. Dimmock, P. Newdick (captain).

VICTORY FOR WAIKATO AITKEN IN SCORING MOOD [from otto OWN correspondent] THAMES, Sunday The Waikato representative team for the All Black trials inflicted a very severe defeat upon the Thames Valley representatives here yesterday by SO points to 3. The match was played at Rhodes Park before a very good attendance. Waikato started of! at a fast pace. In a passing bout started by the half, Russell, the ball travelled out to Peake. who scored in the corner. Bell scored for Waikato soon afterwards. Allen then picked up in the loose and, with a determined run downfield, fended off the opposing backs to score. Carlson converted, making the score at half-time:— Waikato, 11; Thames Valley, 0. Thames Valley attacked strongly upon resuming and Dovell received the ball to score in the corner. In a good passing bout the Waikato half ran round and threw the ball to Lewen. who scored. The ball next travelled to Aitken. who cut in and scored near the posts. Carlson converted. Aitken again scored shortly afterwards, having received the ball from Carlson. Once again Aitken repeated his performance by sidestepping the opposing backs to score between the posts. Carlson converted. The Valley fullback fumbled and Aitken, following up fast, took possession of the ball and scored. The game ended:—Waikato, 30: Thames Valley. 3. The oustanding players for Waikato were Aitken, Russell. Pennington and Leeson. For Thames Valley, Childs, Dovell and Strange played well.

WEST COAST SUCCESSFUL BULLER TEAM DEFEATED [BT TELECRArH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WESTPORT. Sunday Buller and West Coast had the first of their home-and-home Rugby matches of the season at Victoria Square yesterday afternoon under ideal playing conditions, and with a good attendance of spectators. The match was of special interest, because from it the combined team was to be chosen to meet the Nelson-Marlborough-Golden Bay combination at Nelson next Wednesday. West Coast fielded a much heavier pack than and. while the latter held it to 3—o in the first spell, tho weight told ite tale in the second spell, when the West Coast backs had a feast of the ball and indulged in many beautiful passing movements, in which the forwards also joined. Mann the West Coast wing-threequarter, was first to score an unconverted try. In the second spell West (2) and A. Scandrett ecored tries for West Coast, Hughes and Gilbert each converting one, while E. Holder scored two unconverted tries for On the day's play Graham (Buller) outshone Gilbert (West Coast). Holder, Strachan. Buttress. Orman. Harding, Robertson and Brown were the best players for Buller. while Mann. M. Davidson, Hooper (2), Hughes, W. Menceight, Freitas arid R. King were outstanding for West The following players were subsequently chosen to meet the northern team at Nelsnn:—Gilbert, Holder. Ahem, Mann, W. Hughes, Davidson. Uniache, Orman, Buttress. King, Harding. C. Robertson. Emergencies: Brown (forward), Graham (back).

SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIPS Wellington.—"\rarist. 17. "Wellingtc". 13: College Old Boys, 8. Athletic. 8; Petone. li). Hutt. 6; Poneke, 1". Eastbourne, «. Christchurch. —Athletic, 9. Sydenham, 4: Sunnyside, 16, Christchurch, 5; Linwood, 21. Merivale, 0; Old Boys, 18, University. 6. New Plymouth.—Taranaki Rugby Union: Stratford. 18. Okaiawa. 12; Eltham. 9. Kaponga, 8; New Plymouth. Old Boys. 30, Athletic, 14: Opunake, 8, Patea, 5; Clifton, 7, Stratford Old Boys, 0; Star, 22, Inglowood, 3; Tukapa, 29, Waimate, 8. Masterton. —Surprise defeats of Carterton ;-nd Gladstone, the two h-iding teams, were features of the Wa'rarapa Rugby championship matches. Results: Old Boys, 8. Carterton, G; Greytown, 11, Martinboroueh, 6: Dalefield, 6, Gladstone, 3. This was Carterton's first defeat in two yeare.