TRAINING COLLEGE CHECKED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 673, 27 May 1929, Page 6

TRAINING COLLEGE CHECKED

DRAWN GAME WITH MARIST Whether Training College missed he inspiration of Vic Butler, who was holding the flu germ at bav on the ine. or whether it just euHered an off-

day, is hard to say, but there can be no doubt, that the team that drew with Marist on Saturday was unrecognisable as that which overwhelmed Grammar and Varsity a few Saturdays ago.

Hone were the lightning dashes, the safe handling and the remarkable opportunism that had been the features of the teachers’ play. The pack was listless and the backs handled like men without arms. Dropped passes were frequent, and even well-timed and well-placed passes were allowed to go begging. Though College suffered a severe reversal of form Tykes, to give them their due, played excellent football, and the honours of the game must go to the Marist pack. Fast breaking forwards wasted no time in playing havoc among the College inside backs. In both tight and loose the Marist pack, worked hard and had the upper hand almost all through. Marist set *he pace, and there can be little doubt, we.re unfortunate in not registering a win. Training College gained its six points as the result of kicks by Abbott. but the Marist total was the result of two tries scored too wide out for Stuart to convert. College never crossed the Marist line. Hadley was the lion of the Marist pack. He was everywhere and his efforts were well seconded bythe.re.st of the forwards, Marshall being particularly prominent. Wright was fair behind the scrum, and Mallott and Smith, outside him, were tricky. Smith was most elusive. Stuart, at centre, played his best game this season so far, though he still has far to go before he reaches the form he displayed this time last season. Of the wingers, Johnson was right on form. He ran straight and showed a line turn of speed. Some of his gallops down the line deserved a greater measure of success than came their way. Walsh did not impress, though he kept Abbott well in check. Though he did not have a very busy day, Cornthwaite, fullback, did weil all that he had to. His handling was clean and his kicking, though not powerful, was well-judged. Of the College forwards Peacock and Blow* were most prominent. Stacey played a sound game. Only two of the backs showed anything of the form that was anticipated. Weir, at fiveeighth. was invaluable, as lie tackled ha.rd and went down fearlessly to the spirited rushes of the Tykes’ forwards. Woodroffc, playing fullback in place of Butler, handled and kicked well. His tackling, too, got the team out of difficulties on more than one occasion. Except for two penalty goals Abbott did not come up to the form shown during the last four weeks. He had hardly one gallop all day. Xot only the fact that Walsh had |im well marked, but also fatal hesitation, played their parts in ruining his opportunities. On the opposite wing .Mcßae tackled and handled poorly. He missed Johnston badly more than once. Da.w.rie, who has come to be recognised as the centre with perhaps the most magnetic hands in Auckland next to Falwasser, mulled like a tyro. His usual versatility was lacking and that had much to do with the showing of the wingers who, hitherto, have had excellent openings made for them. Mackay, Weir’s partner, dropped more passes than any other man in the team, and Rae, behind the scrum, was off .colour, though not so badly as or Abbott. M.i\ J. Shepherd was referee.