OLD RIVALS MEET

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 28, 1 August 1929, Page 10

OLD RIVALS MEET

SOUTHLAND DEFEAT OTAGO

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

KTVEKOAEGILL, 31sfc July. The- first of this season's home and home matches between Otago and Southland -was played here to-day in the presence of a large attendance, Southland winning a keenly fought game by 11 points to 5. Rain during the week and this morning, had made the ground very greasy, but it ivas not as bad as might have been expected.

Tho game was principally confined to the forwards, with-honours going to the Southland: pack, which held a decided advantage in the scrums. Concerted back movements were almost out of the question, and very few attempts were made to throw the ball about. In spite of the adverse conditions; a surprisingly fast pace . was set at the outset, and maintained till the end the scene of operations changing with unexpected suddenness at times. Southland were practically at full strength, but several changes had been made in the originally selected Otago side. Southland kicked off against a light wind, the home side holding the advantage in the opening exchanges. A kick by Bathgate was charged down, the scene of operations changing with unexously close to the Otago line. However the position was eased for the Dark Blues when the ball was kicked over the line and they forced down. Play remained for some time on the Otago side of half-way A frea kick to. the visitors, followed by good work by Laing, sending Southland back to their own twenty-five. An Otago passing rush was intercepted by Stubbs, who tore up the right wing till just over the half-way line. He transferred mfleld to a support, who, however, was effectively blocked before he could make any headway. A kick by Prebble was mulled by a Southland back, and there was an exciting few moments when Otago swept into their opponents' territory. They were soon forced back, however, and play was taken to near tho Otago line. Purdue broke away, and after a good run passed to Hazlett, the latter gaining a useful stretch of ground before passing to Agnew, who had a clear run in, but lacked pace, and was safely grassed by Laing. Otago cleared to midfield, and their position was further improved by a loose rush, which penetrated deep into the home side's territory. Scott, the Otago wing forward, secured the ball when it was kicked from, a ruck, and scored in a handy position, Faulks converting Otago 5, Southland 0. '

Southland immediately rushed to attack, which culminated in Gait touching down within three minutes of Otago's try. Diack failed to goal from a fairly easy angle. The game up to now had been fast, swinging from one end of the ground to the other in fairly quick order. Otago were attacking at half-time, when the scores were: Otago 5, Southland 3. Southland attacked early in the see-" pnd spell, a wild spass by Faulks going astray and. letting tho Southland forwards 'through.-i A, kick from Stubbs was not taken'cleanly "by Faulks, arid Southland were down on. the ball in a flash. There was a scramble close to the Otago goal, and 'Southern forced his way across Diack goaled. Southlarid 8, Otago 5. A long kick from Faulks was smartly followed by Webb, who, tackled an opponent in possession. The.ball was kicked into touch near the corner flag, but the lino out; resulted in Southland's favour, and Otago . were .pushed back to the Southland twenty-five; Holden being prominent in sending the attackers back to their own side' of half-way. Passing among the Otago backs had Southland again on the defensive, the attack being repulsed by a great solo dribbling rush on the part of Metcalf. The sun had now broken through, and was troubling the Otago men. Bustling forward play on the part of Southland had Otago strenuously defending a few yards from their line, several determined efforts to cross being held up by sound defensive play. Southland kept at it, and were rewarded when Stubbs scored near the corner from a line out. Diack failed to goal. Southland 11, Otago 5. The Otago backs essayed a passing movement in midficld, but no ground was gained. Gait headed Southland into Otago's twenty-five, a long kick' enabling tho visitors to force. Collett showed out in a rush towards the Southland area, but nothing came of the effort, and play swung back towards Otago's line, and Faulks failed to 'field'the ball, and the defence was caught disorganised. The opposition swept- through, and the ball was kicked across the line, but Webb won the race and forced down. Southland were now continually on tho attack. Holden eet his backß on the move from a scrum, and the ball travelled out to Stubbs on the wing, who was pulled down when attempting to change direction infield. The game ended with play nt half-way.. Watson, an Otago forward, had to rctiro during the first spell with an injured anklo and was replaced by Glendining.