GRAFTON DEFEATS TRAINING COLLEGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 389, 25 June 1928, Page 6

GRAFTON DEFEATS TRAINING COLLEGE

AN EXCITING GAME When Grafton met Training College at the Showgrounds on Saturday, spectators who had preferred the Rugby game to the trotting meeting on the grounds adjoining were treated to an exciting and herculean struggle. Play was confined to mid-field for a long time at the opening of the game until Grafton set up an attack on the College citadel, which had the teachers hemmed in their own 25. However, the black and whites were unable to cross the line and play returned to neutral ground. The College backs now took a turn in the t proceedings and by clean handling gained much ground but Paewai was handy and spoiled the movement. Later the play passed down to College territory where the blues were hard put to it to keep out the Grafton pack. The line was cleared for a moment but Grafton were soon hammering at the door again. The second spell was more exciting, College taking play into the Grafton 25, but Noakes secured and made a dash for the College line. He nearly succeeded in the effort, but he lacked the pace and was dragged down. Firstly Ruru and then Compton made an effort to cross the line, but the College backs kept them out and play was shifted to the Grafton 25. Shortly before half-time Finlayson secured the ball and passed to Donaldson, to Wanoa, to Whaley, who scored under the posts. Paewai converted. On resuming College attacked and Wanoa kicked over the dead-ball line to save. College returned to the offensive and following a nice movement Mason scored in the corner. Butler missed with a hard kick. College took the ball to Grafton territory again, but a kick sent them back and Grafton made a strong attack until a penalty eased the situation for College. Broomfield and Lawrie next came into the picture with a snappy passing movement which was spoiled by the ball going out of play. Another passing rush saw Hill score m the corner. The kick failed and College were leading by one point. The excitement was intense, and the spectators were worked up to a high pitch as Grafton took the ball into enemy ground. Hargreave broke away and kicked the ball over the College line only to have the ball kicked dead as he was falling on it. College backs again combined in a movement, but Grafton kept them out and sent the ball back to neutral ground. Shortly before time Judge

took a mark in front of the College goal and was successful with the kick College made a great attempt to regain the lead but the game ended without further score. Grafton, S Training College, 6. Mr. R. P. Bennett was the referee. Both the full backs; Butler, of College, and Turei, played safe games. Paewai and Noakes. of Grafton, both showed up consistently well during tho game and Mason and Mackie, for College, put plenty of heart into their work.