NORTH OTAGO WIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 61, 9 September 1937, Page 14

NORTH OTAGO WIN

MATCH WITH WAIRARAPA

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) MASTERTON, September 8. Erratic handling by the backs and the failure of the forwards to maintain control of the ball after bruaKing clear from rucks contributed very largely to the defeat of the Wairarapa Rugby representatives by North Otago this afternoon. The visitors won a last and fairly bright game by 19 points to 16, their superiority being represented by their winning - margin. ' Wairarapa had all the better of. the opening exchanges, but a series of dropped passes let North Otago through and they received a gift try early when McKenzie scored after a Wairarapa player had failed to touch down. Easton converted. Wairarapa equalised when Percy initiated a movement 60 yards out. Holland, McGregor, and V/hiteman handled before the last-mentioned raced across. Walker converted. Holland side-stepped his way through and handed to Percy, who carried on to the line to send Joblin across. Walker converted. Easton reduced the leeway when he landed a good penalty, but Wairarapa consolidated the position when Walker goaled from a penalty. The complexion •of the •' game then underwent a sudden change, and tries by Souness and Carrington,.the latter being converted by Easton, resulted in the visitors leading 16-13 at the interval. Wairarapa were well in the limelight on resumption, but they ran into resolute defence which, together with their own errors of handling, prevented them from finishing off likely scoring movements. During a period of North Otago's supremacy Carrodus scored. Easton missed with the kick. Walktr failed with a couple of handy penalties, but good play by Howard resulted in Whiteman scoring. Percy failed to convert. The standard of play deteriorated in the closing stages, - and the game ended without further score.