RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 19025, 21 August 1925, Page 11

RUGBY

OTAGO UNIVERSITY DEFEATS CANTERBURY COLLEGE GOOD GAME AT CALEDONIAN. Rugby as played by the university colleges of Now Zealand is always .attractive, arid the annual games in the various centres are generally well attended. Despite the counter-attraction of the departure of the fleet yesterday afternoon, there was an attendance of about 1,500 at the Caledonian Ground to witness the annual game between Otago University and Canterbury College. The match, which was played in splendid weather, with bright sunshine and an absence of wind, was won by Otago by 24 to 15. With the exception of 3 points gained for a free kick, Otago compiled all their score in the first spell, throughout which they had command. In the second spell, however, the visitors made a much better showing, and scored 12 of their 15 points. All round, the local side was better balanced, and had more combination, and was quicker to seize opportunities. The teams were;—

Canterbury College.—Full-back, G. Green; three-quarters—R.dimmers, J. T. Shaw, C. L. Mahan; five-eighths— Alexander, R. Calder; half-back, J. Brodie; forwards—M. Barak, G. Thompson, F."'Wilson, W. Biwden, A. Y. Montgomery, A. R. Smith, P. Pederson, C. Drader. Otago University.—Full-back, Stevenson; three-quarters —Hananj Ross, Webb; five-eighths—Pacey, Mitchell; half-back, Johnston; forwards, M’Callum, Hindcnach, Owen, Davy,' Dickson, Porritt, Dunne, Morete. Play was even in the opening stages, honors being shared equally Detween the forwards. The backs of both sides endeavored to get going from scrums and line-outs. The tackling, however, was fairly good, and generally brought up the rushes. Morete made a good attempt to goal a free kick from beyond the twenty-five, the ball going under the bar. Pacey, who was playing a good game, picked up after an Otago passing rush had broken down, and, breaking away, beat three or four opponents. When threatened with a tackle by Shaw he passed out to Porritt, who scored unopposed. Dickson missed with the kick. Otago 3-0. Canterbury forwards, with Drader showing out prominently, attacked strenuously for a spell, but could not pierce the defence. About halfway Webb intercepted a pass meant for Simmers, and, running up quickly, kicked over the full-back’s head and over the line. In the race for the ball Webb’s speed took him there first to score. Moreto’s kick missed. Otago University 6-0. A rush by the visitors’ forwards had Otago in trouble, and some good play by Drader and Simmers led to Calder receiving a pass and going over at the corner. The kick by Thompson missed. Otago University 6-3. Only a minute later Otago had scored again, Webb scoring in exactly the same way as on the first occasion. He kicked over the head of the Canterbury man, who threatened to tackle him, and got there first to score at the corner. Morete converted with a good kick. Otago University 11-3. After some even play between the forwards and some abortive attempts by the Canterbury backs to get going Johnston secured and ran to the other side of the ground to sot his backs going. Pacey took the ball well, and quickly sent it on to Ross, who got out of a tackle and sent the ball on to Webb. The speedy wing wont over at the corner and round behind the posts, making it easy for Dickson to convert. Otago University IC-3. Feeble tackling by the visitors let Otago penetrate deeply, Mitchell and Pacey in turn making good runs, which were brought up near the line. From the ensuing scramble near the line Hindenach threw himself over. Dickson converted. Otago Unvorsity 21-3.

Hanan did not come on in tho second half. Pacey went to wing threequarter, ami Aitken came on as liveeighth. With Pacey away from the five-eighth line there was a noticeable weakness in attack.

Early in the second spell Canterbury rushed play to tho opposing line, and after several unsuccessful'attempts by the backs Drader got over at tho corner after a brief forward struggle near the line. Green’s kick missed. Otago University 21-6. Canterbury forwards were playing together at this stage, and Otago backs were called upon for more defensive work than before. Canterbury backs, too. were handling tho ball better, but still could not get far. Otago turned defence into attack, and Webb made a good run and kicked, but the ball went out of bounds. Several times Canterbury broke through the defence. Drader sent a free -kick under the bar. Still playing well, Canterbury forwards penetrated, and a passing bout ended in Simmers going over at the corner. Drader missed the luck. Otago University 21-9. Johnston went off injured, and M'Clymont came on. Aitken wont to the half-back position, Pacey went back as five-eighth, and M'Clymont played as wing.

Canterbury forwards continued to attack till Pacey broke away and set the backs going. The handling was not good enough to take them through. Otago being awarded a free kick straight in front between the twentyfive and halfway, Morete put over a good goal. Otago University 24-9. Canterbury forwards came away in another rush, and from a scrum the hacks came into action, the ball, after passing and reverse passing, going to Alexander, who scored at the corner. The kick at goal missed. Otago University 24-12. Canterbury backs, now playing better together, came away in a passing bout after a rush by the forwards had got near the line through Stevenson failing to stop them. The ball came out to Mahan, who crossed at the corner. Drader’s kick missed.

Webb made a good break-away for Otago, but was well tackled by Green. There was no further score, and the game ended; — Otago University ... ... 24 Canterbury College 15 Mr G. MTCenzie was referee.