GRAFTON V. MARIST

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

GRAFTON V. MARIST

drab contest in mud 1 ", as scai 'cely surprising that the Eden p et ' veen Grafton and Marist on Lden Park, on Saturday afternoon, developed into a drab, half-interesting game. On a sodden, greasy ground, and in a driving rainstorm, the players became true mudlarks and the backs could make nothing of their scanty opportunities. Consequently. the forwards saw most of the ball, and there was a tight battle between the rival packs. With Marist leading by a try for

most of the game. Grafton had a strenuous time ploughing through the mud in search of success. A chance came in the last quarter, when the forwards were scrambling under Marists’ posts. Turei hurled the ball to Fergusson, who potted a short-dis-tance goal calmly, and won the game. HONOURS EVEN Both teams missed chances, - * but honours on the day were even. In the front department, Marist had the advantage in the first half and Grafton had to bow to solid pressure. Detached rushes were the only relief for the Black-and-Whites. Grafton roused in the second half, however, and pushed Marist back consistently. Marshall, Peters. Downing and Molloy were useful Tyke forwards, and Finlayson, Wanoa, Noakes and Keary were Grafton’s most promising quartet, Turei put in a lot of good work in the Grafton backs, and Paewai and Judge were active. Paewai, however, was well watched and, in any case, his talents were modified by the ground conditions. Fergusson was an alert winger, but, like Ruru, on the other side of the field, had few opportunities. BLACKS UP AGAINST IT There was not one clean-cut back movement during the whole game. Wright was Marist’s star back and

put in a lot of work in the half-back position. Stuart, on a wing, handled better than the rest and showed pace when he scored smartly for Marist in the first spell. Jeffries, Loft and Stoupe were average. The fullbacks, Cornthwaite (Marist) and Langley (Grafton) had a difficult time and were unable to shine. Langley was slightly more convincing on the day. The game was almost depressing, and it was impossible for either team to show its true power, especially in the back lines.