Otago Sub-unions wins open match

Press, 20 April 1981, Page 13

Otago Sub-unions wins open match

Otago Sub-unions beat Canterbury Country, 21-12, in an open rugby game at Rangiora Showgrounds at the week-end.

The big crowd was treated to entertaining and constructive play in the biannual match, with perfect ground and weather conditions. Both teams are renowned for forward play, and Saturday was no exception. Canterbury dominated the first 20 minutes, and at one stage was nine points ahead. But Otago gradually took control. The forwards won good clean ball for the backs who made the most of their opportunities. The effective play of the Otago loose men dominated the match, with the former All Black, Ash McGregor, in good form.

The star of the match was Neil Purvis, an All Black in 1976. His good handling and powerful running proved too much for the young Canterbury backs, in spite of a good defence from the centre, Kevin Allen.

Youth did not handicap the Canterbury team. The forward play of its light men, Richard Loe, Jack Burrows, and Bruce Farmer outclassed their counter--parts, Kevin Hill, Ken Blox•ham, and Andy Hollander. But the Canterbury halfback, John Munroe, had a

bad game, and the backs suffered when the good ball won by the forwards was dispatched slowly. Canterbury kicked off and its powerful drives kept Otago inside its own 22. The Canterbury forwards drove to the goal-line after 15 minutes. Loe took the ball from the ruck and forced his way over for a try. Kevin Rowe converted to make the score 6-0.

Canterbury kept attacking, and Rowe kicked a second penalty from a fine angle to

put his team nine points in the lead.

Otago forced play • into Canterbury territory for the first time. After a "good run by Purvis and a tackle by Grant Ellis, Richie Morgan took a tap penalty and fired the ball back to Barry Wright, who dropped a goal for Otago’s first three points. Canterbury countered with good play from Bruce Dunbar and Laymen Hohaia, but Otago returned to the attack and the ball travelled along the backs for Ralph Milne to score m the comer, to make the half-time score 9-7.

In the second half Otago moved quickly. Purvis scored twice in 12 minutes to put Otago in the lead, 15-9. The next Otago try came from a forward movement finished off by Richie Harding. Alastair Wardell converted, and Otago led, 21-9. Canterbury returned to the Otago half in the last 10 minutes and came close to scoring, and when Otago was penalised Rowe again raised the flags with a good kick.

The final whistle sounded with Canterbury still attacking.

The referee was Mr Alex Boag.