RUGBY Otago Beats Lincoln In Robust, Fast Game

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30156, 13 June 1963, Page 5

RUGBY Otago Beats Lincoln In Robust, Fast Game

The sheer exuberance of thrusting headlong into a ruck or attempting a full-blooded tackle; of running as fast or kicking as far as energy and opposing players permit captivated members of the Otago University and Lincoln College Rugby teams in their annual match at Rhodes Park, Tai Tapu, yesterday. Otago won, 9-0.

Whether the antics were designed to keep the players warm in the keen country air mattered little. Fqr the spectators they provided the ingredients of an entertaining match, full of good, robust action and unspoiled by unpleasantness.

There were many stoppages in the second half because of slight injuries, but this was only to be expected in such a hard and fast game. It became the accepted thing for an injured player to receive a word or two of encouragement from his captain and resume his place. In keeping with the examples of strength and spirit shown in the more vigorous passages of the game, not one player w a replacement. The teams were:— Otago University.—J. Hemey; D. H. Montgomery. W. Rewi. P. Carter; M. Croxson. E. W. Kirton, C. R. Laidlaw; B. Hardy; D. Hatfield, D. McEvedy. M. C. Meikle (captain), R. House; A. Reekie, L. Trowbridge. G. Erceg. Lincoln College.—J. Keoghan; A. Haj-man, W. J. Thompson, O. Small; I. Hamilton, W. Tapsell; M. Douglas; D. Snow; H. Morley. C. King. G. Bradfield, F. D. Eggleton; D Elvidge (captain), P. Cleary, G. Dunster. Forward Battle Even Both sides sought forward supremacy but neither succeeded, so evenly matched were the packs. Otago fielded a faster, more skilled backline but this advantage was largely offset by the unflagging covering and strong tackling of the Lincoln players. In the final analysis, Otago's greater fitness and mobility carried the day. The stirring play emanating from both teams began with the captains, Elvidge (Lincoln) and Meikle (Otago). Elvidge, a husky prop, was a constant source of inspiration to his side with his strong bursts from the line out; on one occasion he charged 10 yards downfield with

an Otago player on his back. Meikle, taller but equally powerful, often spread dismay among the Lincoln defenders with his crashing runs in midfield. Only a hard, low tackle was good enough to halt his progress. The other forwards followed their leaders with considerable enthusiasm. Reekie and Hardy won almost as much ball as Meikle in the line-outs; Erceg was frequently prominent in rucking and driving and Hatfield had a good nose for a loose ball. Line-out Success In Lincoln’s pack, Morley was a successful line-out jumper and, as a flanker, gave the Otago inside backs little peace. Snow, an unusually tall No. 8. covered and foraged diligently while Dunster and Cleary. Elvidge’s lieutenants In the front row, played vital roles on defence and attack.

With one South Island representative (Laidlaw) and three provincial .players (Kirton, Croxson and Montgomery), Otago was expected to dominate back play. Certainly, these players were not matched for skill or speed, but from set play they were frequently driven across field by a determined defence. The speed and length of Laidlaw's passes and the accuracy of Kirton's kicking gave the visiting side several chances; the speedy Montgomery made the most of one such fine kick by Kirton to score a spectacular diving try in the left-hand corner.

Lincoln’s backline suffered in comparison and only the centre. Thompson, who made two fine runs, appeared likely to make much progress. The rather studied style of passing by the half-back. Douglas, made him and his first five-eighths. Tapsail. tasty morsels for the Otago flankers.

Otago held a 3-0 lead at halftime throtigh a try by Montgomery in the 23rd minute. Montgomery scored a second try in the 10th minute of the second half and Reekie completed the scoring with a penalty goal two minutes from the end. The referee was Mr L. S. Kirk.