FOOTBALL.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 28 August 1912, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

HELENSVILLE V. GRAFTON.

The Kaipara Rugby Unioa Representatives journeyed to Auckland by the Saturday morning's train to play a return match with the Graf ton Club, which defeated Helensville on the local ground early in the season. The match, by the following report which we take from the Sporting edition of the •« Star," goes to show that our local team was outclassed in all branch* es of the game.

The match was played in front of the Showpround grandstand, bufc aroused very little interest among thepublic, who attended in only very small numbers. The home team had the best of the game throughout, their combination being much superior to that of their opponents. Helensville were placed at a considerable disadvantage owing to their, offside playresulting in frequent penalty-kicks being awarded the home team. In the scrum, Grafton had considerably the better play, and their rear division were also able to uuft in better work than the opposing backs. Graftou kicked off against the wind, and quickly had the visitors in difficulties, carrying play to the vicinity of the latter's line A loose rush by the visitors' forwards neutralised play, but the Graf ton backs got busy, and a passing rush started at half-way, resulted in Rowe getting over and scoring the home team's first try, which, however, was unconverted. (Grafton 3, Helensville 0.) A little later Graf. ton again broke away, and their backs set up another passing rush, Eowe again scoring, Impey converted. (Grafton 8, Helensville 0). Helensville rallied for a little while, but the superior close play of Gralton proved too much for them, and as the outcome of a forward rush Collins dafhedover in time. The kick at goal proved a failure. (Grafton Ik Helensville 0.) The home team soon again had Helensville in difficulties their forwards carrying play down field towards the letter's danger zone. By their strenuous efforts, however* the visitors' forwards transferred the ball to a less menacing position. Grafton were not to be denied, however and worked the ball back to its former position, from where Marshall kicked a good penalty goal, (Grafton 34. Helenavill 0.) Aided materially by their five-eights, L. McLeod and V. McLeod, Helensville began to assert themselves, and Logan broke away, -\ aided by V McLeod, but was stopped '•'" when he looked as though victory might come his way. Grafton again made an invasion of HelenevzlleV territory, but Williams secured tho oval and made a great rush down the line. Outpacing his pursuers and dodging the back* in front of him he pushed straight through and scored a splendid try right between the posts. McLeod failed in his attempt to add the major points. Grafton 14 Hoi ensviUe 3.) The Helensville' team made further valiant '-efforts to scor e but were unsuccessful, and time wa» called without any further points be* ing added to either score. * < Mr B, Donovan was referee. '