GRAFTON v. UNIVERSITY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1110, 20 July 1911, Page 11

GRAFTON v. UNIVERSITY.

University defeats Grafton. University and Grafton had charge of No. 2 ground, and after a match in which the excitement of the rival barrackers was well sustained, the former team won by 14 points to 8’Varsity's victory was anticipated, as Grafton’s form in previous matches did not point to the black and whites accounting for the students, but the play of the Graftonites in the first half, which ended with the score 8 points to 3 in Grafton’s favour, was such as to give supporters of the ’Varsity team much cause for anxiety. Grafton were continually attacking in the early part of the game, and as they outplayed the students in almost every department it looked as though the Graftonites would register their third victory of the season when the whistle blew for spell-time. A change came o’er the scene, however, in the second half, and instead of the Grafton men figuring in further successful attacks they found themselves in the unappreciated position of defenders. The ’Varsity players appeared to fall into line all of a sudden, and in place of their uncertain attacking movements of, the first spell they were able to manoeuvre passing runs and forward rushes with very successful results in the second half. A weakening tendency, however, was discernible in the endeavours of the Graftonites to keep them out of. their citadel, but it was more to improved play on ’Varsity’s part than a -waning in Grafton’s efforts, that University were able to turn what appeared to be an almost certain defeat into victory in the last quarter. It was certainly hard lines for the Grafton players to be beaten by a margin of six points after having the best of the game and leading up to within ten minutes of time, but then it is the uncertainty of Rugby which makes the game so popular with the sport-loving public.