EFFECTIVE BACKS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 27, 1 August 1932, Page 13

EFFECTIVE BACKS

OTAGO BEATS CANTERBURY

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, 30th July. Otago defeated Canterbury to-day by 24 points to 9, in a game which was characterised by bright back play on both sides. Ten, thousand people saw the match, which was played in fine weather on a heavy ground.

Though Otago won by 24 points- to 9, and were undoubtedly the better Bide on the day, there was not such a wide margin betwen the teams as the scores might seem to suggest: The first spell, •■ as a matter of fact, was fairly evenly contested, and at that period it looked as if either side might win. In the second spell, however, the game assumed a different aspect, the Otago forwards, though conceding weight to their opponents, mastering the situation; toward the end of the game they were definitely superior. The backs of both sides were always ready to throw the ball about, and with a heavy ball and a damp ground the handling was good. The passing of the Otago backs was far more effective than that of their opponents, who did a lot of handling standing, and failed to run their outside men into position. Good defensive work was also shown by both sides.

By far the larger number of penalties in the game were awarded against the visitors, several of whose forwards were persistently off-side after the scrummages. Hortwell scored Otago's first try after a loose rush, Bathgate converting. Shortly afterwards a brilliant back effort by Canterbury resulted in Dunshed racing over unopposed. Mortlock missed the kick. From a scrum, Oliver cut in well and sent Howe over; Brown missed the kick. Lemon opened out nicely and passed to Wilson, to Smith, who scored a. good try; Bathgate converted. Shortly after, from a line-out near the line, Peace forced his -way over for the visitors; King missed the kiok. Smith and McKenzie were responsible for Otago's next try, and Hortwell's kick missed. The half-time scores were Otago 13, Canterbury 9. In the second spell, Bathgate and Hortwell each kicked penalties, making the score Otago 19, Canterbury 9. Hamilton scored the final try, after selling a dummy. Bathgate. converted, making the final score Otago 24, Canterbury 9. In a junior match, Canterbury and Otago drew, 5-all.