NEWTON V. GRAFTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 693, 18 June 1903, Page 8

NEWTON V. GRAFTON.

Grafton met Newton on No. 1 Ground. Mr A.-Campbell had control of the game as refelee. Newton won the toss, and elected to play with the wind and sun behind them. Grafton kicked off, and play hovered about the half-way line until King Licked out, in Newton’s 25. From the throw-in McKenzie got the ball, and, sprinting down the field, passed to Kiernan, who grounded the leather after the whistle had blown for a knock-on. Lewis and W. Heath then came to the Red and White’s aid, and dribbled the leather into Grafton’s 25, where Roberts got away, ■only to be stopped by McKenzie. Newton then put in a fine forward rush, carrying the ball over Grafton’s line, where McGregor forced. The Red and White’s again dashed the leather into their opponent’s 25, and Kiernan relieved by punting into touch. “ Dick ” McGregor put in a couple •of neat runs, but owing to the Newton backs’ strong defence was unable to score. Newton’s forwards then dribbled over the line, and Grafton were relieved by forcing. For the next few minutes give and take play followed. King then punted out in Newton’s territory. The Red and White hacks again put in some nice passing runs, but were stopped by Kelly, who dribbled the leather into safer quarters. For some time Newton kept the ball in their oppon■entfe’ half, until McKenzie relieved by punting out. Roberts then’ had an unsuccessful pot at goal, and'McKenzie forced. "The Red and Whites then rallied, and making a brilliant rush carried the leather ■over Grafton’s line, where McKenzie again forced. Soon after time called for the first spell, without score on either side.

On resuming play, McKenzie got away, and with a brilliant kick sent the ball into Newton’s 1 25, where play stayed until Long, heading the Red and Whites, carried the ball out. Some very fast play followed about half-way, and Roberts getting the ball made a short run, and punted into touch in Grafton’s 25. Pilfenger then ■came to the front and dribbled the ball out. Newton then lost one of their threequarters. Roberts being hurt had to go off the field, and Brasch came on to take ■ his place. Soon after Kiernan got away, and having a clear field looked very like scoring when Murray overtook and upsiet him. McGregor got the leather from a scrum and passed to McKenzie, who dashv «d through the opposing backs and scored

between the posts. Huddleston's kick was charged down. (Grafton 3, Newton 0). Grafton's backs then had several chances to score but failed. Newton was then penalised, and Eaton had an unsuccessful shot at goal. King then put in some nice kicks. Soon after Newton was awarded a free kick, and Murray sent the ball over the line, where Grafton forced, Fast play followed, tut no further score was made, this leaving Grafton the winners by three points to nil.