CITY V. GRAFTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue III, 21 July 1900, Page 110

CITY V. GRAFTON.

The spin of the coin favouring City they naturally elected to take advantage of the strong breeze that was blowing and to have the sun behind them. Right from the beginning they got on a strong attack and for some time gave Grafton a particularly lively time of it, and it was only first rate tackling that prevented a score on more than one occasion. A little later on some of the Grafton forwards got on a splendid rush and carried the ball right down the ground, but just when a score appeared imminent Brady tripped and fell over the ball and the opportunity was lost. City soon removed the play to Grafton’s quarters and made desperate efforts to cross the line. Eventually their efforts were rewarded, the forwards badly beating the Grafton fullback, and rushing the ball over the line, Nicholson obtaining a try. Young was entrusted with the shot at goal, but the attempt failed, although the kick was not at all a difficult one. For the next ten minutes City held the upper hand and maintained an almost incessant attack on Grafton’s line and eventually, despite the strong defence offered, Absolum succeeded in dashing over the line, and scored near the corner. The kick at goal was a failure, but the angle was a very difficult one. On the game resuming Grafton for the first time took a turn at attacking, and for some minutes they looked very like scoring, but a force was the only result. A minute or so later the black and whites had another chance; the ball was kicked over the line, and Sterling dived for it, but unfortunately for Grafton he overshot the mark and the ball was kicked to the dead ball line, and almost immediately afterwards the bell went.

With only 6 points scored against them, Grafton still looked to have a winning chance when ends were changed, but they seemed unable to take advantage of the more favourable conditions under which they were playing. It may be that their efforts in the first spell had taken a lot out of them, but certainly they did not do nearly so well as was anticipated.

For the first few minutes of the second spell the ball was in Grafton territory, and on one occasion it was only Campbell’s pace that averted a score, a force resulting. From the kick-out, however, the ball was taken to City's 25, but for some time all Grafton’s efforts to score were futile. At length, however, from a scrum near City’s line Kiernan whipped out the ball to Smith on the “silly” side, and the latter player dashed over the line and scored amidst great excitement amongst Grafton’s supporters. The kick at goal, a very difficult one, was entrusted to Cucksey, who made a great effort, but the ball fell short. From this on Grafton had the better of the play, but their attack lacked “devil,” and City’s line was rarely in danger. Just on time the City forwards got on a magnificent rush from the half-way flag, and sweeping aside all opposition they carried the ball over the line, and Scott falling on it scored near the posts. Young converted and the bell went for time.

It cannot be said that there was anything of the fluke in City’s victory, and everyone must admit that the better team won. Had, however, Grafton taken full advantages of the opportunities that offered City's margin would probably not have been so large.

To the City’s forwards to a very large extent can be ascribed the victory of their team. Every man played well, and they showed superiority over their opponents in pretty well every department of the game. On the other hand, Grafton's forward play was disappointing, though, of course, it may be that they were overmatched. In the earlier matches of the season the black and white vanguard seemed more than able to hold their own with their opponents, but on the last two, Saturdays they appeared to lack com*

bination. and their scrum work, especially, was not up to the m Turning’ to the individual players, Donovan, for the victors, played a safe game at full-back. Of file threequarters Stevens was the best, his liue kicking being exceptionally good. Absolum’s display was superior to anything he has previously shown this season, and the same applies to Young at half, who played a really good game. Asher, at five-eighths, did better than he has done recently, but he still did not play up to his form as shown in the opening matches of the season. . When all did such good work it is hard to pick out any forward as especially worthy of mention, but perhaps Scott, Bonella and Tyler were the most prominent of an even and good lot. For Grafton Stewart was not very successful at full, and I think he would do better at three-quarter. Of the three-quarters D. Hay was the best, and he played as fine a defensive game as has been seen at Potter’s this season. In the second spell, however, when City were ahead, he might have taken some risks and, instead of getting in those fine boundary kicks of his, he might have run or kicked into the open, anything, in fact r for the chance of a score. Smith and Campbell both did good work, as did C. Hay, especially in the defensive line. Taylor, at five-eighths, did not have many chances, but he tackled well. Kiernan did not shine as much as usual, but as he was playing behind a beaten pack, he got few opportunities. He put in some clever work, however, his screw and over-head punting being very successful. Amongst the forwards McGregor was, as usual, to the fore, and Brady and Sterling also did good work, but the Grafton vanguard lacked the ccynbination and (with the exception of McGregor) the dash of their opponents.