OTAGO V. AMERICA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 171, 21 July 1910, Page 7

OTAGO V. AMERICA.

THE VISITORS DEFEATED. CBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN. Wednesday. The Otago representatives and the American Universities' team met on the Caledonian Ground this afternoon, in the presence of about 2000 people. The weather was perfect, but the turf he_vy. The Otago forwards were the first to show up, and Graham scored the first try of the match. Eckhold missed an easy shot at goal. Otago 3, Americans nil. lhe Americans then pressed vigorously and opened out the game. A brief passing rush ended in Watts scoring in a fair position. Dole failed to convert. Otago 3, America 3. Otago attacked briskly again, and Graham picking up passed out to Gomar on the wing, and that player scored. Paton did not convert. Otago 6, Americans 3.

Half-time was called shortly- afterwards.

Tansey came out in place of P. Williams in the second spell, and Otago took up the attack. Watts was instrumental in changing the position, but the visitors were easily driven out. Give-and-take play followed, and a sweeping rush by the blue vanguard had America in trouble, Ongly scoring. Paton failed to convert. Otago 0, Americans .3.

Tlie visitors were now palpably fagged, and although occasionally placing Otago ou the defensive, were quite unable to press. A final rush by the Otago forwards was taken up at the 25 by the backs, and Gomar crossed the Americans' line, but the referee (J. Duncan) ruled that the ball had been knocked on. The game ended without further incident. Final scores: Otago 9, Americans 3.

The game -was by no means attractive, and the standard of play exhibited

throughout -was mediocre. Otago's exhibition was far from oeing impressive, ana the visitors could have learned little from it. A bright feature of the Americans' play was the keenness and dash and desire for open play, wnieh, however, their restricted knowledge of the game did not enable them to carry out to any purpose. Towards the close they tired perceptibly, the going proving far too solid for them. A great deal of their energy in the earlier stages had been centred in the wrong direction, but still the spectators were impressed by their keenness.