RUGBY Canterbury Students End Otago’s Long Run

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30168, 27 June 1963, Page 6

RUGBY Canterbury Students End Otago’s Long Run

“The Press” Special Service DUNEDIN, June 26. The Canterbury University Rugby team brought a long winning sequence by Otago University to an end at Dunedin today when it beat the home side in the mud on its merits, by 11-9.

It was Otago’s first loss in 29 consecutive inter-club and inter-college matches, the side having been unbeaten since the end of the 1961 season in Dunedin. 1

Otago led 6-3 at half-time and at this stage looked a likely winner. The home forwards showed more fire and drive in the loose, held the opposition in ' the lineouts and rucks, and was beaten only in the set scrums.

Both back-lines made many handling errors in this half, Otago mainly as a result of destructive tactics used by the Canterbury No. 8 in the line-outs and rucks, P. Lee, who stood out in mid-field Play. But the second half belonged almost entirely to Canterbury, although Otago had the final say with a try scored in the last two minutes which, if converted, could have forced a draw, although such a result would have done less than justice to Canterbury.

In' this second session the Canterbury forwards, among whom C. R. Hockley. G G. Loveridge and T. H. Moynihan played with considerable skill won the greater share of possession from all phases and, more important, kept it under control once won. From then on the Canterbury backs were brought into the picture to such good purpose that two fine match winning tries were scored. The ball was spun through the chain only when everything was under control.

If the way was not open for chain passing movements, then the half-back. L. Taiaroa. and the first five-eigths. Q. Tapsell, worked perfectly in harmony to keep the ball ahead of their forwards.

As a spectacle the match was quite bright under the bad conditions—mud underfoot and light showers falling at brief periods. For Canterbury, tries were scored by J Gibson and P. A. Hutchinson, Gibson converting one and goaling from a penalty Otago’s points came from two penalty goals by A. Reekie and a try by M. Brennan. The win gave Canterbury a double success for the afternoon, for the B team defeated Otago B, 6-5. Canterbury B looked the better team all through and produced plenty of open play among the backs, but lack of thrust in the line at vital stages frittered away many promising movements. Otago led 5-3 at half-time. D.' Leadbetter having scored a runaway try after racing 10 yards from his own line, while Canterbury replied with a goal from a penalty kicked by M. Depree In the second half the back row forward. P. Grayson, scored for Canterbury after the pack had Won a tight head five yards out from Otago’s line and pushed the home eight back.