PLAY IN SATURDAY'S GAMES

NZ Truth, Issue 1080, 12 August 1926, Page 15

PLAY IN SATURDAY'S GAMES

AUCKLAND

Few Surprises In Mud Scrambles

(From "Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.)

Saturday was perhaps one of the worst days from a playing point of view experienced m Auckland this season. The incessant rain of the past two weeks, coupled with the fact that there has been so much play on Eden Park; turned the place into a quagmire.

GRAMMAR soon put a score to their VJ credit, a mark by Singleton m a : none too easy position, under the existing circumstances, being converted. Two tries, one converted were also added to the number, whilst the Rifles team were unable to cross the white line. Grafton's display was m accordance with what they showed the previous week, when North Shore beat them so badly. They were opposed to a very weak team m Suburbs, but the latter gave them a good go, suffering defeat by the small margin of three points.. Grafton scored 14 to the Suburbs 11. Grace is proving a find to Grafton. He is very dangerous when near the opposing line. McGregor is showing' improved form but his backs are unable to make good use of the openings he makes. Farmer played a bright game. Stewart was evidently suited by the state of ' the ground and showed out prominently. Forsyth showed some glimpses of form and may be useful yet. With the x backs all at sixes and sevens on the day, 'Varsity suffered defeat at the hands of the Marists team. This game was played on a ground much' better than Eden Park, on the day, and proved a very interesting one. With less mud to hold up the game,. 'Varsity forwards set? up a. good pace.,; and maintained it during the whole;; game, but for some reason the backswere of little assistance m finishing off the work of the pack. •';',

It was not that Cashmore was starving tlrem. H.e did his job well, ■but:the passes wei'e" being- : badly taken or missed altogether. The better handling by. the Marists. hacks gave them the victory; Seldom did a pass go astray and it was only the sound defence of the students that kept the score down to 11 to 6. : '■' Fielding* t\vb~-thirds of their junior team m the match against- Ellerslie did not spell' defeat for the'Pdnsonby team at Otahuhu. ■ ; ' ; ' ' The "Ponies" have nothing to worry over so far as the future of their club is concerned. In all grades they have teams that are " either leading or knocking at the door. Manukau showed it was no fluke when they defeated College Rifles m the first game for the Pollard Cup. ....-...'. On Saturday they registered an-r other win by defeating Newton. The difference m points was ■ the smallest possible, Manukau notching 10 points to Newton's 9, but it was a win and a meritorious one. It looked a little daring of the Star Club, hailing from Taumarunui, to throw out a challenge to a town team, but the fine showing they made; fully warranted that challenge- and showed that the King- Country has nothing to be. ashamed of so far ;us its junior, football is concerned. \ Pitted against a Ponsonby team and pluyihg on a strange ground . under the conditions which existed- last Satutday, the visitors- made a great showing, and though they were defeated by !) to 3, clearly . indicated that there isjsbme fine material m the team.