RUGBY NOTES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 162, 14 August 1914, Page 2

RUGBY NOTES.

TAYLOR'S BRILLIANT PLAY. In its comments ou the second test match Australia v. New Zealand, played in Brisbane, the Sydney "Referee" says:—"Among the New Zealanders Taylor was brilliant. His pace and dash, handling and kicking were as perfect as one could wish, and his knack of getting to the ball and doing the right thing at the psychological moment was in no small measure responsible for the day's success. Despite a few mistakes, Cockroft's play at full-back was full of merit. He was cool and kicked admirably. ''

OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIP. Otago Rugby enthusiasts were provided with a treat last Saturday, when Kaikorai and University clashed in the final of the club championship. Kaikorai won by 6 points (two tries) to 5 (a goal from a try). Colin Gilray came out for University in the first spell, in which the 'Varsity half-back, McMullan, was injured, causing him to leave the field.

The match is thus described in the "Otago Daily Times":— "A battle of styles, and one of.the most strenuously-fought contests in the club history of Otago, sums up the match for the premiership, -which took place at Carisbrook on Saturday. It was a great match in every sense. The feature of the game was the magnificent work of the Kaikorai forwards opposed to the pace, skill, and ingenuity of the 'Varsity backs. Thegame was a triumph of a well -trained pack of forwards oyer a skilful division of backs. The 'Varsity forwards exerted every ounce, but they could not hold the Kaikorai pack, who, imbued with almost superhuman strength, smashed through the first line of defence and overwhelmed the light blue half as he pluekily attempted to stop the rush or get the ball away to his backs. When the 'Varsity backs did get the ball they were so harassed and crowded by the swift-following and deadly tackling of the Kaikorai forwards that the attacking movement was at once crippled. With this as the main line of action, spectacular back play was set at nought, save on rare occasions when the 'Varsity backs got a clear pass out from the serum; and when, by their pace, skill, and daring, they out-manoeuvred the opposition, these movements were always dangerous to Kaikorai and thrilling to the spectators. [Nothing could have been finer than the attack and defence. And, while it was a triumph of forward play over back, ! all the best phases .of Rugby were introduced. Great interest was taken in the ! match, and the attendance was estij mated at between 7060*' and. 8000. The takings amounted to £250, so that the Otago Cricket Association will receive a handsome donation to its coach fund.''

The positions of the teams at the conclusion of the Otago R.U. senior championship are shown by <the>\following

table:— Matches. Points . _a ■P. W. D. L. for. agst. clip. Kaikorai 14 12 1 1 102 37 25 University 14 11 ■■■ 1 2 ■ 263' 68 ; 23 ZingariIlichmd.* 14 9 1 4 150 76 19 Southern 14 8 2 4 174 85 18 Alhambra* 14 6 . 1. 7 (>4 123 12 Dunedin 14 4 3 . 7 .77 149 11 Union* 14 4 "*2 8 51 178 10 Vt. Clilmrs. . 14 3 1 30 63 175 7 Pirates' 13 1 0 12 23 176 2 *Eacli of these teams won a match on Saturday by default.