POLLARD CUP

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 129, 22 August 1927, Page 6

POLLARD CUP

MARIST HOLDS OTAHUHU WITH TEN MEN PLAYING with only 10 men, Marists succeeded im holding Otahuhu in a Pollard Cup match played at Otahuhu on Saturday. The visiting team arrived at the ground half an hour late, and it was 3.45 before the game commenced. All this time the Otahuhu boys were standing about in the field, shivering in the face of a not too warm south-westerly wind and frequent rain squalls. When Tykes found they could raise only 10 men they thought of defaulting, but later the sporting spirit prevailed. and the game proceeded, Otahuhu, although at full numerical strength, was without the services of four of the usual team. Otahuhu kicked off against the wind and sun, and the visitors swept downfield immediately to attack. The red and black forwards dribbled back and narrowly missed scoring. Loft, for the visitors, was playing a rattling game. He tricked the opposition time and again, but was not supported. The first quarter ended with no score. OTAHUHU SCORES Taking full advantage of the wind in the second stanza, it was soon seen

that Otahuliu could not be held lons. Matson dribbled three-quarters the length of the field, only to kick the ball over the dead ball line. However, the reds came back again, and Hays beat Tykes for the ball, to score in the middle of a miniature lake. Marist was playing a hard and willing game, but was not always too scrupulous in its methods. Both Hays and Haggie were laid out by kicks on the head when down. BREEZY SECOND SPELL With the wind again behind them, the visitors, 10 only though they were, were hot stuff. Muir, the Red’s captain, by hefty line-kicking, helped by his forwards, managed to keep them in check. The final spell came with the score still unchanged. Up and down the field the ball went, both Earlly and Loft playing conspicuously for the visitors. A _ , With 10 minutes to go, still Otahuhu was leading. Marist attacked, and the Reds offended right in front of the goal. Loft made no mistake with the kick, landing a penalty. The game closed with no further score. UNLUCKY TO DRAW It must be admitted that Otahuhu was unlucky to have had victory snatched from them. If its backs had played anything like up to senior B grade form it would have carried the day. Matson alone was conspicuous in the rear division. Hays was the pick of the forwards, and he was ably supported by Muir and Mann. To Loft, Marists owe their escape from defeat. He was the best player on the field, running cleverly, kicking strongly, and tackling deadly. Earlly, at half, also performed well. All the forwards played well, and succeeded in holding their more numerous rivals in all departments. Manukau v Grafton Though the conditions were against good football at Onehunga Saturday, when Manukau defeated Grafton, the play was exceptionally keen throughout. The score, six points to three is a good indication of the evenness of the play. Toward the end of the second half Manukau had the visitors on the defensive, and Grafton plaved for safety. Housham, Rata, Sturmey, Taylor, Kahn and N. Upsnombe were the oest of the seasiders, while Ruru, McGregor and Finlayson were the pick of the Grafton team. Mr. \V. J. Thompson was the referee. CITY V. UNIVERSITY City began to press the play immediately the game opened, and in a few minutes Jacobs crossed the Varsity line.—City 3. Varsity 0. At this reverse, Varsity rallied to the attack, McLeod scoring and Blakey goaling.—Varsity 5, City 3. Until the opening of the third quarter there were no more scores, when Peacock scored an unconverted try for Varsity.—Varsity 8, City 3. Immediately after the change over for the last quarter McLeod scored another unconverted try. Although there was hard play by both teams for the rest of the game, the state,of the ground was against good play, and the final score remained: Varsity 11, City 3. Mr. F. Pauli refereed.