RUGBY IN NORTH OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 21725, 21 May 1934, Page 4

RUGBY IN NORTH OTAGO

OLD BOYS AND EXCELSIOR WIN (From Cm- Oamani Correspondent.) The competition games held under the auspices of the North Otago Rugby Union were advanced a further stage on Saturday, when Old Boys bad a meritorious win over Athletic, the score being 25 points to 0; and Excelsior, after being down 6 points at the end of the first spell the tables on Maheno to-win by 14 to 0 after a poor display by both sides. EXCELSIOR BEATS MAHENO. Excelsior journeyed to .Maheno and mot the country club’s team in a match which, with the exception of fifteen minutes’ play, was a poor exhibition of Rugby, and not up to the standard sot by these teams in previous years. Neither side was able to throw the ball about, and consequently the match resulted in a duel between the forwards and an exhibition of kicking by the backs. By dint of good forward work in the first spell Maheno notched , a try and held the ascendancy. Excelsior played with better co-operation in the second spell, and as the result of a brilliant piece of work Davey crossed fpr a good try. The same player scored shortly after through fast following up. Excelsior (Blue) kicked off. and immediately attacked, but C. Clark found touch with a good line kick. Maheno (Green) forwards took a turn, and play hovered in midfield for a time. Harlo kicked through, and play returned to the Greens’ twenty-five, where A. Clark secured and transferred to A. Newlands, who was caught in possession after a good run. The Greens forced the pace until Murray relieved with a force-down. From well inside Maheno’s territory Souness secured, and made a brilliant run up the line, but was not supported, and a good opportunity was lost. An infringement in front of Excelsior’s goal posts gave Man ion a chance to kick a penalty. Maheno 3, Excelsior 0. Ragged play followed, with Maheno having a slight advantage. From a Green forward rush Johnston snapped up and crossed in a handy position. Doherty missed with the kick. Maheno 6, Excelsior 0. * Judicious kicking on the part of Maheno saw play centre on Blue territory until K. Stewart found touch with a good line kick. Up and down play followed for a period with neither side having the advantage, until Harlo put in a good run, but a forward pass to Davey spoiled what would have been a certain try. Good work by Cleland saw Maheno on the defence. At this stage Harle received an injury to his head which necessitated his removal from the field. Half-time sounded shortly after, Davey took Harle’s place at centre on resuming, and M'lntosh filled the gap in the forwards. A series of scrums took place in Green territory, and, as a result of an infringement, Donaldson kicked a penalty. Maheno (5, Excelsior 3. The same player was given another chance to goal shortly after, and again made no mistake with the kick, thus making the scores even. Maheno 6, Excelsior 6. .Mahpno attacked strongly, but Murray, the Excelsior custodian, was eciual to the occasion. Both teams were playing better at this stage, the forwards in particular making strenuous endeavours to gain the ascendancy. The backs were also handling bettor, and several good passing rushes were witnessed..' From a scrum at halfway Knight secured, and transferred on the blind side to J. Tompero, who in-passed to A. Stewart. Davey coining up fast, received the transfer, and outpaced the field to score, between the posts. Murray failed to convert. Maheno 6, Excelsior 9. From forward rucking m mid-field Davey snapped up and crossed in a handy position. Donaldson made no mistake with the 'kick. 'Maheno 3, Excelsior 14. Flay became interesting at this stage, Maheno forwards keeping the Blues on the defensive. No-side sounded without addition to the score, and thq game ended : Excelsior 14, Maheno C. Mr L. Ward refereed the game. OLD BOYS BEAT ATHLETIC. The match between Old Boys and Athletic was played on the Oval. Wet weather earlier in the week resulted iu the ground being on the greasy side. The game was not impressive. Athletic did not combine effectively, and was defeated by 25 points to 0. Old Boys’: backs got into action on several occasions, but the try-getting was more the result of opportunism on the part of two or thre players than the finishing off-of team work. Scrum work on both sides was poor, and minor infringements militated against a good display. Athletic kicked off, and was penalised almost immediately for off-side play. Easton took the kick, but gained little ground. However, he made amends a few minutes later with a splendid kick, finding touch at Athletic's twenty-five. Athletic forwards carried the leather to their opponents’ twenty-five, where, from a scrum, Old Boys secured and M'Jlonald, Calder, and Kinder indulged in a passing bout, Kinder being forced out at halfway. From the line-out the hall was kicked over the Athletic line. Ju a race for the ball, Turvey slipped. Lndemann scored in the corner. The kick failed. Old Boys 3, Athletic 0. Shortly afterwards off-side play gave Old Boys, a penalty kick, which Easton put over. Old Boys 0, Athletic 0. Kinder was prominent in a run down, the line, but was neatly grassed by R. Bark. Familton secured and centred, and the game shifted to Athletic quarters. A long kick npfield gave Athletic an opportunity, but Old Boys’ custodian. Easton, was handy, and cleared to hallway. Frame showed up in a nice piece of 'work, cutting iu and gaining considerable" ground. He transferred to Kinder, who centred. A. Stickman cleared, and Mason gained ground with a lino kick. 11. Bark showed pace in a dash up the side lino, but be was unsupported. Old Boys’ forwards sot up a dribbling rush, and Frame picked up to score wide out. Enstoii converted. Old Boys 11. Athletic 0. Stickman brothers set up an attack for Athletic, and carried the leather to within a few yards of their opponents’ goal line. Mason was handy, but Old Boys forced. Scrambling play ensued at midfield, and drifted to the Athletic line, where Lndemann snapped up to score. Easton converted. Half-time was called with tlie scores: Old Boys 10, Athletic 0 On resuming play was dull for a period with a great deal of line kicking in evidence. M'Donald and Calder were associated in a brisk passing movement, but L. Bark sent play back to midfield. An interception by Kinder, who punted well upheld, looked dangerous for Athletic, but Turvey made no mistake in fielding the ball and returning well down the lino. Old Roy forwards then set up a dribbling rush. Turvey sent the hall lo the feel of his own forwards, who went upheld with the ball at their toes. Easton sent them back to neutral ground. Calder broke away, but was well collared by 11. Slichman. Frame and Lndemann got going, ihc latter losing the hall on the line. The ball went

back to Easton, who had an unsuccessful shot at goal. A forward movement by Old Boys ended with, a try wide out. Easton’s kick was charged down by Brown. Old Boys 19, Athletic 0. Kinder,. Frame, and Calder were together in a passing bout, which was spoilt when Calder passed forward. Cameron then made a fine run, but was well taken, Faniilton next secured the ball, and, supported by Hunter, crossed beside the posts. The kick failed. Old Boys 22, Athletic 0. Rodgers and Faniilton were to the fore in a promising movement, hut Athletic forced. Play hovered in Athletic territory, where from a ruck Hunter picked up and dashed over in the corner for a try, which was not converted. Blny ternnnated with the scores:—Old' Boys 25, Athletic 0. Mr AT. Woodward was the referee/ SECOND GRADE. Old Boys 15, Athletic 5. Excelsior 32, Maheno 0. THIRD GRADE. Southern 14, Excelsior 0. Old Boys 26, Athletic 3. IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND, Technical 12, Grammar 0. Manukau 9, College Rifles 8. Ponsonby 6, Marists 5. NAPIER. V.M.A.C. 11, M. 8.0.8. 3. Celtic 17, Pirates 3. Hastings 25, Tamatca 8. Technical 0.8. 17, Hastings H. 5.0.8. 11. Napier H. 5.0.8. 12, Havelock North 9. CHRISTCHURCH. Old Boys 5, Christchurch 0. Sydenham 17, Linwood 3. Merivale 17, Albion 6. 'Varsity 20, Athletic 13. MASTERTON. Carterton 17, Red Star 9. Old Boys 9, Masterton 6. WANGANUI. Kaicrau-33, Waverloy 8. Pirates 12, Old Boys 9. Mnrist 19, Technical Old Boys 5. INVERCARGILL. Star 9, Pirates 3. Old Boys 14, Invercargill 0. BALCLUTHA. At Balclutha Crescent thirds defeated South Otago High School by 20 to 0. School fielded a scratch team owing to the holidays. First Grade.—Olutha had an easy win over Owaka, 30-0. Gold, on the wing, and Cruiekshanks were responsible for most of the points. KUROW. Georgetown 12, Duntroon 7. Kurow failed to field a team against Npa para through lack of players. The Awakeno-Tokorahi match was postponed on account of the death of Mr T. C. Crawford, a supporter of the latter club. WELLINGTON. —First Division.— Hutt 23, Athletic 11. Petone 14, Poneke 9. Marist 17, Wellington 11. Wellington College , Old Boys 24, Eastbourne 9. —Second Division.— University 24, Oriental 3. Joluisonville 3, Onslow 0. . Melrose-Sehvyn 6, Miramar 3. St. Patrick’s Old Boys 21, Bcrhampore 0. TIMARU. Old Boys IS, Star 12. Zingari 14, Tcniuka 11. Pleasant Point 3, Geraldine 0. Waihi 11, Celtic 6.