FOOTBALL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 248, 1 August 1946, Page 2

FOOTBALL

KIWIS BEAT OTAGO FAST, SPECTACULAR GAME (P.A.) DUNEDIN, July 31. In n fast, spectacular exhibition of i Rugby, the Kiwi touring team beat ! Otago 19-8, in the fourth match of the | New Zealand tour, at Carisbrook to- ' day, before a crowd estimated at about 120,000. The Kiwis’ total came from I five unconverted tries and a field goal to Otago’s converted try and an unconverted try. The score was 3-all at half-time, but the turning point came early in ! the second half when F. R. Allen j potted a goal, and for a. few hectic i minutes the Kiwis, taking all manner j of risks, and playing most enterprising football, dominated the picture to score two more tries and lead 13-3 after 13 minutes’ play, Otago rallied strongly for a while, but the Kiwis’ unorthodox methods and perfect understanding and combination led to two more tries in the final five minutes of the game. After several days’ rain the weather broke fine this morning, and under the influence of a drying, wind the ground was in surprisingly good Older. The Kiwis kicked off, but the Otago forwards opened with great dash, and carried play inside the Kiwis’ twenty-five, where, amid roars of applause, Connolly went across from a loose rush after four minutes’ play. : Perriam’s kick went wide. Flay had been in progress 12 minutes when Saxton, who had been directing the Kiwi attacks, ably sent the backs away. Dobson ran through a gap and passed to Boggs inside the twenty-five, the winger finishing off brilliantly. Scott’s kick failed. It was a game of quick changes ot fortune, but weak tackling by Otago let the Kiwis away on several occasions. The second half opened with the Kiwis passing from all parts of the field, and time after time Grant started passing from line-outs. The Kiwi forwards pressed hard, and the passing reached Dobson. When blocked lie sent the ball back to Allen, who kicked a field goal. The visitoi’s took, charge at this stage, and' scored twice within four minutes. First Johnstone went over after a bout of passing among the forwards, and then Proctoi made a good opening, which Angus finished off with a fine try.—Kiwis 13. Otago 3. The Otago forwards rallied strongly, McNab and Willocks being prominent in loose rushes. Passing reached Collins, who put in a clever crosskick, Deas following through to the line. From a scrum Haig ran round the open side and scored, Kawe con-verting.-—Kiwis 13, Otago 8. The Kiwis dominated play in Ihe closing stages. Boggs scored five minutes from time. Allen paved the way for the next try by breaking through on the blind side and sending infield to Boggs, who crashed his way over for his third try.

RUGBY LEAGUE

EASY WIN FOR ENGLISH TEAM (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 31. -New Zealand Maoris were completely outplayed by the touring English Rugby League side at the Basin reserve to-day, the Englishmen winning by 32 points to 8. Conditions were ideal, and the attendance was 12,000.