NARROW WIN BY OTAGO

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26513, 30 August 1951, Page 8

NARROW WIN BY OTAGO

. WAIRARAPA BEATEN BY ONE POINT

(New Zealand Press Association) MASTERTON, August 29. After Wairarapa had led 6-0 at halftime, Otago scored two converted tries in the second spell and won by 10 points to 9 in a senior representative Rugby match played at Masterton to-day in sunshine and on a firm ground. Otago had a good share of the ball from the scrums, but except for the two movements that led to tries, the backs could not penetrate the defence. The Wairarapa forwards excelled in loose bustling, but the backs rarely got far against quick and sure defence. Wairarapa lost a good chance of a one-point victory when in the closing stages of the game it was pressing hard in the Otago twenty-five. The Wairarapa captain and former All Black five-eighth, M. B. Couch, snapped up a rolling ball. Within feet of the Otago line he passed into the arms of an Otago player, who cleared. The Otago three-quarters, J. Dunne, showed a good turn of speed in scoring the two tries, and R. W. Orr goaled well from both. The Wairarapa centre threequarters, 3. Hopping, scored a good try, and K. Alexander, on the wing, kicked two penalty goals.

NORTHLAND BEATS AUCKLAND

(New Zealand Press Association* WHANGAREI, August 29. Northland beat Auckland by 8 points to 6 in a Rugby match played at Whangarei to-day. The ground was muddy after heavy rain, but the weather was fine. Auckland led 6-3 at half-time. Scott kicked two penalty goals, and J. B. Smith one. Six minutes after the interval, McHugh scored for Northland, and J. B. Smith converted. Auckland was attacking hard in the last few minutes but could not score.

CANTERBURY SUBUNIONS’ TEAM

NELSON BEATEN, 11-t (New Zealand Press Association) NELSON, August 29. The Canterbury Sub-Unions Rugby team beat Nelson by 11 points to 9 in a bright game played on a dry ground at Nelson to-day. E. H. Richards scored a try for Canterbury, kicked a penalty goal, and converted a try scored by M. Patterson. Nelson's points came from tries by F. Johnston and D. Simpson, and a penalty goal kicked by A. Harding.

CANTERBURY TEAM

MATCH AGAINST SOUTH CANTERBURY The following players have been selected to represent Canterbury in a match against South Canterbury at Timaru on Saturday: K. Stuart; K. Davidson, R. Smith. A. Elsom; B. McCormick. J. Hotop; M. Logan; P. Eastgate; D. Young, I. Mitchell, R. Stuart, R. Duff; G. N. Dalzell. A. Coining, K. Meates. Emergencies: P. Vincent, W. Langley, G. Lindstrom, F. Hill. The following players were not available for selection:—M. Henderson, P. Kearney, E. Heenan, J. D. Stewart.

The team will assemble at Midland Motorways, 9.45 a.m., Saturday; not at N.Z.R. Road Services depot, as previously instructed. —Advt.