A DULL EXHIBITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22724, 10 May 1937, Page 13

A DULL EXHIBITION

UNIVERSITY BEATS GRAMMAR University defeated Grammar Old Boys in the curtain-raiser at Eden Park by six points to nil. The game was a poor exhibition. Both teams lacked combination and handling ability, and the play was of a scrambling nature throughout. A heavy shower early in the first spell made the ball wet and heavy, and accounted largely for/; the poor efforts at fast back rushes, and frequent mishandling. In addition, the players seemed troubled by the soft ground, and slipped repeatedly when making a pass or in side-stepping opponents.

ihe University backs made several bright individual efforts, but failed to make ground with passing rushes. These invariably went straight across the field. They lacked a leader to provide thrust and to straighten up tho defence.

l?eid played a fine game at halfback and made many smart dashes from tho scrum, as well as sending out good passes to his fiveeighths. Cooney ail Mulvihill played well as individuals, but failed to combine. D. Martin .impressed at centro-thrcequnrtcr. Carliaclian played soundly on attack and defence, while Haynian, on the other wing, received few opportunities.- Bush was a sound and reliable fullback, but had an off day with his goal-kicking. The University forwards shaded their opponents in a great struggle. Lange, Drake, Card well and Medhurst were a powerful quartet, and were a large factor in University's narrow victory.

Grammar lacked the leadership of Lockington in the forward line, but Don made a very fine substitute. Throughout the match he played brilliantly, and in the second spell was outstanding. He was well supported by A. and C. Brown, but other members of the pack did not follow up consistently well, and failed to pack round quickly. Tho Grammar backs were unimpressive. Swain played pluckily at halfback, but was too slow in getting the hall away. Spitial, on the left wing, was prominent in the second spell, infusing dash and speed into several determined solo efforts. For Grammar, Carnachan and Mulvihill scored unconverted tries.

Mr. M. W. Thompson was referee

BACKS TOO CLEVER MARIST DEFEATS NORTH SHORE Marist defeated North Shore on its homo ground by 25 points to IS. The game was fast and exciting throughout. Lack of combination and inability to finish off movements were the chief factors in North Shore's defeat. The Marist forwards were strengthened by the return of \V. Iladley, the All Black hooker. Ho celebrated his first- game of the season by opening the scoring for Marist two minutes after the beginning of play. Marist attacked persistently for _ the remainder of tho first spell. The inside backs, particularly C'ooney and Curtayne, at fiveeighths, combined brilliantly, and for a period dominated the play. On one occasion Curtayne secured at halfway. and ran through the North Shpro defence to score a spectacular try in the corner. Onto, at halfback, and Cocks, at fullback, defended solidly for North Shore, but the remaining backs were sorely harrassed by the fast raiding tactics of the Marist forwards. Toye played an open winging game, and was particularly effective both on defence and attack. Marist held a, halftime lead of 11 points to 3. The second spell, however, saw a pronounced improvement in the North Shore attack. Marshall kicked a fine penalty goal soon after the commencement, and this put great heart into the team. Jessup, who had been in poor form at five-eighths, scored a brilliant try with a solo dash from halfway. This was converted and North Shore was then only three points behind. The game became very fast and open and excitement ran high, Marist increased its lead with a penalty goal by Curtayne, but this reverse spurred the North Shore fifteen to greater efforts. The forwards, led by Ladbrook and Cunningham, carried all before them with a splendid rush, and North Shore was within two points of the Marist total when Brown snapped a smart field goal. North Shore was then well in the ascendancy, but the Marist backs again proved too strong. They combined cleverlv with a series of fast raids, and tries by Bell-Booth and Toye placed the issue beyond doubt. „ „ For Marist. Bell-Booth (2), Hadley, O'Brien, Curtayne and Toye scored tries. Curtayne kicked a penalty goal, and Cooney and Conway each converted a try. For North Shore, Burgess and Jessup scored tries. Marshall converted one and kicked two penalty goals, and Brown potted a goal. Mr. A. A. Lucas was referee. j