GRAFTON V. GRAMMAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 39, 9 May 1927, Page 10

GRAFTON V. GRAMMAR

A timely score by Locke, and a good kick by Lawrence, just turned the scale in favour of Grafton after a hard fought and very evenly contested game with Grammar Old Boys on No. 3 ground at Eden Park. Although somewhat overshadowed by the Pon-sonby-Training College game on the adjoining ground, the game was productive of a good exhibition of Rugby and full of incident throughout. The game opened raggedly, several attempts on the part of the Grammar backs to open up failing through bad handling. As the game progressed, however, both sides settled down to their work, and with both sets of backs constantly in action, particularly in the second spell, a fast and interesting game was provided. Grafton were strengthened by the inclusion of Seymour and Wanoa, formerly of Te Aute College. In the threequarter line the former proved a useful link, while the latter, a sol-idly-built forward, got through a good deal of useful work in the tight. Ruru, a wing of the Elvy type, sturdily built, and possessed of a nice turn of speed and a very useful side-step, has the makings of a first-class wing. His try in the first spell was a particularly fine piece of work. In the forwards Finlayson and Compton were always in the picture. In addition to scoring a good try just before half-time, Finlayson was also responsible for the first try, sending Liddle over in the corner after a good run. In Grammar’s forward division Clarke and Potter were absentees, being replaced by Cornes and Lowe. A change was also affected in the backs, Turei, who played full-back the previous Saturday, being placed on the wing, while Singleton filled the vacancy. As a winger Turei was not particularly successful, and could have been better employed in his former position. In the five-eighth line Hook was the outstanding Grammar back and was responsible for most of their attacking work. Knight and ' Batty both played sterling games in the for-

wards, wTiile Cornes, who was responsible for a couple of tries, was also conspicuous. SHORE’S GREAT PACK "We are a weak team,” said the Shore supporters before the game against College Rifles on Saturday. On paper, it seemed that the absence of two wingers, Holmes and Reid, and of two forwards, Jackson and Stevens, would mean the downfall of the green and whites before the blue rearguard, made more puissant by Barclay, excaptain of the Maori ‘‘All Blacks.” But one can never tell what effect a suggested lack of strength may have on a team. Shore proved it was twice the team that went down by two points to Marists on the previous Saturday, its big forwards beating the opposing pack and smothering the backs in three-quarters of the game.

Four tries to nil was the result, Rifles getting their six points through penalty goals by Pilling. Shore has a great pack; they are big, hardworking and swift, and the rover, Solomon, is full of dash. Over-eager-ness on his part cost his team at least three points, but his quick follows-up, his collaring and his determined breaks for the line marked him as one of the best forwards on the field. From the start it was realised that the battle would be won either by the green forwards or blue backs. The Rifles rearguard showed promise at the start, and a passing rush saw each man handle the ball, but the winger was not in striking distance. Faulty passing seemed to be their trouble in the few chances which came their way, and Barclay’s pace availed not. The bulky Wilson tried hard on occasion and though he. is a hard man to stop, Shore tackling always floored him. In the first quarter he made a bright effort which just missed. The green backs lacked confidence at first, but the battering of their van gave them chances. There was no score until just before half-time, when a short but brilliant run by Mouatt gave Page the opportunity to fall over the line. In the third quarter Rifles went for it, and from penalties Pilling landed two good goals. For a period Shore was pressed and Gillespie made some good saves. After the final change-over the greens again entered the blue territory and refused to be routed. Clarke, with the ball at his toes, went near the line and picking up neatly, dived across. Again the greens came gamely and Walsh ran over at the corner. Blue backs were overwhelmed and their efforts to recover were full of fumbling. The last try came through a bright passing rush by Mouatt, Fairgray and Cla.rke. It was a day for the oversea men. If they keep plugging as they did last Saturday they will take a hefty pack and slick backs to stop them.