STRENUOUS CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22421, 18 May 1936, Page 13

STRENUOUS CONTEST

GRAMMAR BEATS GRAFTON Fast and solid forward exchanges, which reached very vigorous heights in the closing stages, anc dashing back movements characterised ar. interesting match between Grammar uiu. Gralton on the No. 2 field. !• list one side and then the other gained tho territorial advantage and interest was maintained light until the final whistle by the very even t>end of play.

When the score was 13—12 in its favour and Uie result wiu still in the balance, Graminar produced a rattling finish. This final effort commenced with a great opening by McKay, a new first five-eighths from Waitaki, who proved a decided acquisition to the winning team. The try resulting from McKay's clever dash placed Grammar in a strong position and, from this stage, in spite of valiant work by McLean and Killcen, the result was not once in doubt.

Although the Grammar forwards packed their weight well and hunted in the loose with tireless energy, there was, particularly in the second spell, a suspicion of somethins more than roughness characterising their play. Two forwards were conspicuous for very bad offences. Great form was displayed by McLean, who, playing a towering game to the finish, set the Grafton forwards a fine example. He often burst awny from the ruck either in possession or with the ball at toe to open up dangerous rushes. One of the movements led to a try by Clark, the forward taking the bull from McLean and racing over unopposed for the first points of the game. McKay, who replaced Jessup in the Grammar five-eighths line, was responsible for most of the winning team's brightest back movements, and his all-round play was very commendable. His cleverest dash was when he made hw way through the Grafton backs without a hand even touching him before sending 011 to Slyfield and Fletcher, who crossed unopposed. Behind the scrum Corner' gave his usual nippy exhibition, while Stott, a newcomer in the absence of McCowan, filled the fullback position with distinction, kicking well and making 9ome pretty saves. The goal-kicking of Grafton was lamentably weak, even shots directly in front of the posts being badly missed. Such poor kicking is proving a considerable handicap to the team, which has not had one try converted this season. Three points came its way, however, when Roddick, the only kicker tried all day. raised the flags for Grafton's second goal this year with a fine penalty from a difficult angle. The Grafton backline functioned very smoothly at times, but several promising movements collapsed owing to faulty handling by Rutherford, centre three-quarter. In the second spell, Dick, who played with great dash on the few occasions lie gamed possession. was moved from the wing to Rutherford's position and. as a result, the penetrotion and finish of the backs considerably imfor Grammar were scored by Don (2), A Brown (2) and Fletcher. Corner converted two tries. Grafton's points came from tries by Clark. Arkle and Dick and ft penalty goal by Roddick Mr. A. A. Lucas was referee.