GRAFTON’S POTTED GOAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 371, 4 June 1928, Page 6

GRAFTON’S POTTED GOAL

RIFLES KNOCKING Although again suffering defeat, this time at the hands of Grafton, College Rifles made an improved showing on Saturday. It was a good drop-kick by Turei that gave Grafton the advantage. the scores being a drop-kick and an unconverted try to a converted try. Despite the fact that their passing is still fairly wild, the Rifles backs showed more inclination to attack. Their wings, however, did not receive the ball at the right time. This year Rifles sadly miss Sheen and Barclay, and the various experi-

ments, made with a view to strengthening the inside combination, have not been very successful. On Saturday another change was made, Blythe being brought in to the half-back position. Although he got the leather away promptly enough at times, he is not a half-back; the exWanganui man naturally finding it hard to restrain a tendency to run with the ball. McGregor was not up to his usual form, and the failure of quite a few of the passing movements which did not eventuate could be graced back to his faulty deliveries. When he got the chances Donald, the ex-Wanganui College man, showed that he has a fair amount of.pace and is prepared to give it a go. Gillespie was back in the team, after a week’s spell, and got through a fair amount of work. At centre three-quarter Wilson kicked with power and judgment, considerable territorial advantage being gained on several occasions. In the forwards Gallagher, Souter, Cumming and Page frequently caught the eye. Souter, who was always on the ball throughout the afternoon, was* rewarded for his consistency with a try at the close of the day. Paewai was an absentee from the Grafton back division, and his services were sadly missed. A much better display than he has given for some time past was provided by Ruru, who, when on his game, can unfold a very tricky gallop. On one occasion on Saturday he got his side out of trouble when the massive Wanoa, overbalancing himself in fielding a high ball, sat down very suddenly, and also very heavily, in front of the posts. Ruru got the ball and cleverly eluded three or four opponents immediately in front of him, and then went practically through the other team, passing out to his associates, who afterwards lost possession, after he had passed the half-way mark. Turei played his usual steady game and kicked with good judgment, and Farmer was also consistent. Angus Finlayson, Wanoa, Compton and Noakes were the pick of a very even pack. Finlalyson was particularly good, handling well and running strongly, . Mr. F. C. Paul ably controlled the game.