MERCURIAL

NZ Truth, Issue 1178, 28 June 1928, Page 14

MERCURIAL

Positions Change In South (From "N.Z. Truth's" North Otagb RejK) Out m front with such a com?, manding lead that the seniorchampionship looked almost a fore- : gone conclusion for Maheno, "thegreens' first defeat brought a string , of others m its train. MOT that Saturday's defeat was any disgrace. On the play there is riot a team . m the competition that . would' have beaten Old Boys. '"•■■-.. '"'■- The cream of the afternoon was supplied by the backs, whose in-and-out passing and whirlwind rushes bewildered and annihilated the defence. Honest is the first name of every man m the pack, with Dick Bain again defying all efforts to displace him as the best lightweight packman m the district. Maheno proved themselves worthy foemen, onjy acknowledging defeat m the last stride. Alan Clark was again head and shoulders — both m stature and prowess — over his co- forwards. SOLD A "DUMMY" Hallow was easily the best of the backs. The "dummy" he sold Kent, enabling him to score his try, was a beauty. . In what was ' principally a, hustling forward game, Athletic had little difficulty m disposing of Excelsior by 21 to 8. The maroons excelled m all departments, with the exception of scrummages, m which both teams were weak, if anything blues get- | ting the best of it. Ross opened the scoring account for Athletic, while Turney and Falloon also added tries for F. Mansfield to convert 'two. :• " : Hopley turned a penalty to adyan- : tagre for blues, and the spell ended 13—3. Excelsior livened up on the changeover and gave Athletic a hectic ten minutes, during which Stariiford landed the mustard with a good try, Hopley converting. . . - Athletic were not to be denied; however, and Direen and Free followed each other with tries m quick succession. Mansfield converted one, the game ending 21 to 8. Little passed F. Mansfield and his line-kicking was good. His only fault was a tendency to keep too close up. Ward and FamHton were' a thorn m the side of blues with their bustling tactics, while. Falloon kept things busy on the wing. Skinner, the blue half, did some clever work, but made sad errors also. His" vis-a-vis, Bob Turvey, played his best game to date and his try was a beauty. On the day's play, Direen, Sim, Williams and Hopley were the pick of the forwards, and Turvey, F. Mansfield, Falloon and Cubitt were prominent m the backs.