FOOTBALL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 272, 29 August 1946, Page 2

FOOTBALL

COMBINED TEAM BEATEN (P.A.) WANGANUI, August 28. More than 8000 saw the visiting Australian Rugby team, defeat a Wang- ' anui-Manawatu combined side on Spriggins Park, Wanganui, to-day, by ' 17 points to 15, It was an overcast day,j but conditions were dry and suitablej for open play, of which there was! plenty, punctuated by vigorous rucking in the forwards. The combined team lacked pace, backing up, and polish to capitalise on well Avon possession of the ball. The Australians, on the other hand, made good use of every lapse made by the combined team in passing, playing that traditional type of Australian football which looks for reward from good backing up. One try in the match scored by the visitors Avas typical of that. Wanganui Avas attacking when a dropped pass Avas snapped up, and a move started Avhich ended in Bannon, the Australian five-eighths, going over to score. Injuries have affected the Australian side, and the pack Avent. well considering that this Avas its third match for the same players Avithin a week. Wanganui-ManaAvatu combined fielded a good pack of forwards, but with the exception of K. Welsh, the first fiveeighths, the backs were not above a.A rerage. Welsh could be rated the best back on the field, sharing honours, perhaps, Avitli T. Mcßride, the Australian centre. Mcßride is a dangerous player when given half an inch to move in. \ Any criticism that the Australian tackling Avas Aveak Avas effectively ansAvered in this match. Every back in the team Avent clean and loav, and there was some deadly tackling by the Australian fonvards, who also rucked well, putting plenty of dash into their play. It Avas in this department, however, that the combined side held its own, contesting inch for inch of ground. » OTAGO BEAT SOUTH CANTERBURY j (P.A.) DUNEDIN. August 28. Under Avintry conditions Otago defeated South Canterbury in a Rugby football match at- Carisbrook to-day by 14 to 6. The ground Avas henvy after overnight rain, and showers which fell during the game made accurate handling difficult. The attendance Avas slightly more than 2000. The game was largely a forward battle, with the Otago vanguard dominating loose rushes and adapting themselves better to the conditions. O’Connor, Aitken, and Connolly were the best of the Otago fonvards, and the outstanding backs were Rotting and Haig. .For South Canterbury, Fitzgerald and Grand were always prominent among the forwards, Avhile in tlie backs, M. Goddard was the spearhead of the visitors’ attack. For Otago, tries Avere scoi'ed by Hellyer and Ingram, both being converted by Murdoch, and Kawe kicked a field goal. South Canterbury’s tries were scored by Fitzgerald and Williams.

AUSTRALIANS WIN

VISITORS FROM TIMARU

MATCHES AGAINST ST. STEPHEN’S BIBLE CLASSES Honours were shared Avlien foot bailers from St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Timaru, played St. Stephen’s Bible Classes at Ashburton yesterday. The visitors Avon a match against a full team by six points to nil, while the home team Avon a seA r en-a-side match by 17 points to six. The visitors Avere the guests of the Bible Classes for the day, and were entertained to morning and afternoon tea and luncheon. A committee of Avomen assisted the classes.