COLOURLESS GAME

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12464, 4 June 1926, Page 7

COLOURLESS GAME

’VARSITY DEFEAT OLD BOYS BACKS SHOW POOR FORM MATCH OF DROPPED PASSE3 * Varsity were poor, but Old Boy wer* worse. Thus 'varsity won by 16 points f° b. There was a good crowd at Athletic l J ark yesterday when the game commenced, but soon after the beginning of i e - ® econ< ! spell they commenced to dwindle. There was not enough to retain their Tnterest. The game was so ragged at times that when a man took a pass successfully he was most noticeable. The Old Bovs' chief weakness lay in their five-eighths. They mulled passes galore and seldom drew their men. Tliev were also conspicuous by their absence when rush-stoppers were needed, and two of the 'Varsity scores were due to failure to go down on the ball. 'Varsity, through the absence of Greig, were forced to play Love behind the scrum and Mackenzie second five-eighths. Love was not at home in his new position and his passing from the scrum was slow*. His hookers gave him the ball on the majority of occasions, but in many instances the green backs stood still while passing. Smith was the notable exception, while the full-back. Noble. Adams, gave the back line a few points in running with the ball. He got away with it on several instances, and on the day was a bettor man than Malcolm. Grenfell had the misfortune to plaj

outside of a weak pair of five-eighths, but he did a tremendous amount of defensive work. In fact he was forced to do more than his 6hare. Bramwell also played a solid game behind the scrum. Both scrums dug into it the whole time, but the 'Varsity scrum packed better. Old Boys were frequently penalised for off-side play, and one infringement cost them three points. The following were the teams:— 'Varsity (green).—Noble-Adams; Malfroy, South, Mackay; Mackenzie, Walpole; love, Sceats; Platts-Hills; Baldwin; Burns, Pope; Martin-Smith, O'Regan, Childs. Old Boys (white). Malcolm; Rushbrook, Grenfell, Bedell; Du Chateau, Mansfield; Bramwell, Taylor; Carmody, Cl&ridge; Burns, Jones; McPherson: Francis, Barclay. GAME DESCRIBED 'Varsity kicked off with the wind against them, but with a strong sun in their favour. The greens attacked strongly, but Bedell, with a good line kick, sent then back. Noble-Adams made a fine swerving run, in which he beat half-a-dozen men, and Malfroy followed up the kiok, but Grenfell got up in time to find the line. Pope and O'Regan were almost, over, but Malcolm forced down. After a period of ragged play Smith picked up smartly and sent MacKay away, but the latter was collared ten yards from the line. OM Boys now returned to the attack. Malcolm opened up the play and sent Du Chateau away. The latter sent on to Rushbrook, who was grassed at the twenty-five flag. Rushbrook came round fast on the open side on fielding a punt and passed to Du Chateau, who in turn sent on to Mansfield. The last named was crowded out. Du Chateau made a nice opening a few minutes later and sent Grenfell and Rushbrook away, but the winger was well grassed. Then followed a period of poor passing and play of a *‘rafferty” nature. Malcolm just missed a shot at goal from a penalty, but shortly afterwards succeeded from a better position. pressed from the kick-out, but Walpole, through a wild pass, and Bedell, coming up fast, gathered in at the halfway flag. He fended off Noble-Adams and after a great run foil over the line &nj Malfroy's arms. Malcolm”** kick hit the post. Old Boys 6, ‘'Varsity 0. ’ The Old Boys backs got moving again, but this time Noble-Adams made sure of Bedell, and half-time sounded without further score. SECOND HALF Old Boys made tlie pace at the hegfl* ning of the second spell, but Burns (’Varsity), with a long mint, sent them back. The 'Varsity forwards wero now pressing hard within ten yards of the Old Boys line. Rushbrook cleared to touch, but 'Varsity came again and from a penalty O'Regan had a shot at goal, but the ball flew wide. Malfroy knocked on and spoilt a chance of a try and Grenfell dribbled through, but once again the green forwards, headed by Pope and Childs, swung play beck. O'Regan had another shot at goal and his effort hit the cross-bar and bounced into play. McKenzie tried to break through, but was dumped. The Old Boys forwards infringed in front of the posts and O'Regan had little difficulty in gosling. Old Boys 6, 'Varsity 3. South made a nice opening, but bad passing spoilt the movement. However, a green forward rushed, brushed aside the white backs and Childs scored for O'Regan to convert from near the sideline. 'Varsity 8, Old Boys 6. The Old Boya backs were now playing poorly. Rushbrook was given a couple of chances, but he displayed no dash and seemed to be waiting to be collared. Bedell made a speculator in the face of a forward rush and the greens pounced on the ball and Pope went over. O'Regon kicked another great goal. 'Varsity 13, Old Boys 6. South twice made good runs, but his efforts were not supported. The green forwards, however, came to his rescue and carried on his good work. Tho result was that Martin-Smith scored. O'Regan's kick failed. 'Varsity 16, Old Boys 6. The whites made an effort after the kick-out and their forwards got within ten vards of the 'Varsity line. Malcolm'fielded an attempt to clear and tried a pot, which fell short, and the game ended:—* 'Varsity 18 Old Boys C Mr J. Moffitt was the referee.