AUCKLAND.

NZ Truth, 7 June 1924, Page 12

AUCKLAND.

There could not have been anything worse than the weather conditions which prevailed at Auckland on Saturday, and the frequent rains of the week made all grounds very soft and sloppy. During the afternoon, too, there were heavy showersi which made matters almost as uncomfortable for the spectators lis for the players, nevertheless a full car"d of fixtures' was got off and m the circumstances there were several good games. As was to bo expected, the play was with the forwards, and scrumming was also very

frequent. ' - There was no doubting the superiority of the Grammar Old Boys against Marist, whom they trounced to the tune of 13 to nil. Grammar's score, however was attributable m no small degree to Ifwerson; i There was very creditable fielding by the respective backs, and time and 'again they cleared In positions when the chances seemed all against; them doing so. Both O'Brien and Goodacre .were responsible for pulling their sides out of 'ugly messes.

A gruelling game was the outcome of the meeting of 'Varsity and College Rifles, but the verdict ultimately went to the former by the margin of eight polntß. The game, though hardly contested, was more of a mud lark than an exposition of the code, and, m the circumstances, It would be unfair to offer any criticism on tho players. Suffice it to say that the better team won.

The best handling of the afternoon "was seen In the game betweon King's College Old Boys and Suburbs, which went to the former m the end. The backs were more In the picture, especially, m the closing stages, and there was no* mistaking the efforts of the losers to improve their position, but they left the dash too late and suffered defeat to the tune of 17 to nil.

Ponsonby and Grafton played a close encounter, the Grafton side having to admit the loss of the points by the narrow margin of five. There was much line-kicking and a good deal of uninteresting play throughout the match. •

Newton proved too strong for the North Shore • combination, and with the exception of the middle time spoils, were never like being on tho wrong side of the -ledger at the close.