POOR SHIELD REHEARSAL Long-awaited Rugby Win By Otago

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 10

POOR SHIELD REHEARSAL Long-awaited Rugby Win By Otago

An era of 20 barren years for Otago Rugby teams in Christchurch ended at Lancaster Park on Saturday, when the southern side beat Canterbury, 20-17, establishing its claim to South Island provincial supremacy for 1969.

Otago did not gain its winning points until two minutes from the end, but there was little doubt that it deserved to take the honours.

The match was Canterbury’s dress rehearsal for the Ranfurly Shield challenge next Saturday, but the side’s display gave little cause for optimism. McCormick and Kirkpatrick were in magnificent form, but the team as a whole stuttered and stammered about the field, looking like a group of players thrown together for the first time.

If Canterbury was wafted away on flights of fancy after the handsome wins against Auckland and Wellington, it was forcibly reminded of the merits of South Island Rugby by the solid work of the Otago forwards and the sound supplementary play of the visiting side’s backs. There was much more substance to Otago’s tight play than that of Auckland or Wellington, and the backs, while less flamboyant, made fewer errors. Kirkpatrick and McCormick sought to Inspire their fellow players with deeds of daring, but only rarely was a responsive chord struck. Otago, on the other band, played more as a team, and t-his united ann-oach brought a just reward. ~ ..as Otago’s first win against Canterbury in Christchurch since IMS. and the first occasion on which it had beaten Canterbury twice in one season. Otago won, 17-», on a heavy ground at Dunedin last month: oh Saturday it triumphed on a firm surface which should have been more to Canterbury’s advantage. Robertson, Brown, and Colling scored tries for Otago, and Mains kicked two dropped goals, a ’ penalty goal and a conversion. Kirkpatrick scored a try for Canterbury, Woolhouse potted a goal, and McCormick passed a century of points for the province this season by kicking three penalty goals -and a conversion.

Because of McCormick's good goal-kicking—he achieved 100 per cent success—Canterbury held the lead for a longer period than Otago, but in this situation it flattered Only to deceive'. Only for a brief spell in the middle of the second half did Canterbury consistently dictate terms to Otago. In this period, Canterbury’s backingup and switching of play were admirable, but the team was unable to sustain the effort. The Canterbury forwards strove manfully for possession, but their solid rivals won the vital rucks, gained cleaner lineout ball, and took the only tight head in the scrums. Intermit, tently and individually, the Canterbury backs gave tantalising glimpses of their ability, but attempts 'to blend their skills into one sweeping movement were thwarted by the sound tackling of the Otago backs, notably Robertson. Canterbury’s plight was readily recognisable at halftime. The side was behind at this silage, S-9, in spite of having twice as much ball as Otago at its disposal. . » . The Otago forward* i showed their mettle when play resumed, and they won per cent of l-he second half possession to severely limit Canterbury’s chances of winning back lost ground. The Canterbury forwards had a hard day. and the Lancaster Park dust clinging to the faces of .Hopkinwon and Burn* bore testimony to their efforts-to get to tha heart of the ruck or maul. A number of times, however, the Otago forwards—with Townsend showing the way—either robbed their rivals of possession or prevented them from releasing It to their haW-baek. As was the case in the match at Dimedin last month, Canterbury faimd the Otago forwards a little too good. Murdoch, Kreft and Townsend displayed purpose and precision in the rucks and mauls, while Lawrence and the lofty Banks had some notable successes in the line-outs. When th* ball worked tooae,

however, Canterbury took over, with the mighty Kirkpatrick casting defenders aside with contempt as he drove powerfully for the goal-line. The only trouble was that he was too fast for his fellow forwards, and the initial impetus of his thrusts was lost- through the time taken for supporting players to rally. Kirkpatrick scored Canterbury’s only try in two matches against Otago this season after splendid preparatory work bv Penrose and McCormick. In spite of their efforts, Kirkpatrick still had a struggle to cross the line, but in succeeding he left no doubt about his strength and determination. Scherp, another powerful flanker, hurt his ankle in trying to score during the second half, and for the last 20 minutes Canterbury had the advantage of a fresh forward, Cron, who chased the ball and tackled with great zest. It was the third successive match In which he had come on to the field as a replacement. There were moments of promise in Canterbury’s back play: a charge down and break by Cottrell, with Arnold tn support, and Quick and clever play by North to tackle Brown, rob him of the ball, pass to Jones, and to be in position for the infield transfer. But although Davis, Cottrell and Arnold worked harmoni-

ously, the rapid advance of Rnbertson and Peddie on defence denied the Canterbury threequarters the chance to make capital out of the speed of the centre, Jones.

The Canterbury backs had their best moments when linking with the forwards in broken play, but a surfeit of loose passes laid the way open for several interceptions. McCormick was a player to be regarded with awe, whether fie was kicking for goal or the side-line, or making one of his high-speed saves. His was a test match performance in a provincial game, and his efforts helped save Canterbury from a bigger beating. The Otago backs did not try anything spectacular, but in Colling and Mains they had two first-class players who made the

most of every opportunity. Mains kicked two fine dropped goals, one from 55 yards, one from 40 yards, and in general play he accomplished almost as much for Otago as McCormick did for Canterbury.

Colling capped a good game by scoring his side’s winning try. He caught Davis after a scrum near the Canterbury line, and scored from the resultant ruck.

A loss in the last game before a shield challenge is a chastening experience for any side; but in Canterbury’s case it might do some good. The team will travel to Napier this week without an exaggerated idea of its own' ability, and it might play all the better because of this. Referee: Mr A, G. Duckman-* ton.