VARSITY DEFEATS MANUKAU

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 401, 9 July 1928, Page 6

VARSITY DEFEATS MANUKAU

FORWARDS BATTLE IN MUD Flashes of bright play by the Varsity backs, who seemed quite at home in the mud, were responsible for the blues’ eight-point victory over Manukau. Fighting gamely to the end the Manukau forwards had a little the better of the battle in the van. Time and time again they forced play to the blue line, but made the mistake of letting the ball out to their backs, who, manifestly uneasy with the mud, were usually bustled by the speedy Varsity backs. It is difficult to single out any of the black forwards for special ment ion, as all were equally responsible for a fine exhibition of wet-weather play. Kahu used his weight to great advantage and was always in the hunt. Among the backs, Sturmev calls for special praise, lie gave a fine exhibition of safe play, handling the greasy leather faultlessly and tackling hard, benehan played a sound game, but Falwassei* was not up to his usual. He crossed Varsity line on one occasion to be called back for an infringement. Watene was far the best of a. threequarter line that found conditions not at all to its liking. Varsity forwards were not quite as much at home in the slush as were the men in black. Millar, who replaced Sholto Black, injured in the Rifles match a fortnight ago, came to senior A football with a great reputation, which his play on Saturday proved to be well merited. Until a slight leg injury slowed him up. he led every Varsity attack with Linton and Mathias usually in attendance. The blue backs played sound football, relieved by some bright patches. Stotter was best of the inside backs. Carter handled safely behind the scrum. Of the tLreequarters, Minns was right on form and played one of his best games this season. Only determined ta tiling kept him from crossing on several occasions, Dickson played a fair

game, but Moorhouse rarely saw the ball, as there seemed to be a decided inclination for play to stray over to IVlinns’s side. Bush was fair at full, but was rather eclipsed by the exceptional display of his red-lieaded opponent.