NORTH OTAGO RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 22722, 9 August 1937, Page 7

NORTH OTAGO RUGBY

TOWN OVERWHELMS COUNTRY By overwhelming Country in a return match at the Oamaru Show Grounds by 40 points to 3, Town justified the selectors’ confidence in the members chosen. Contrary to expectations, the game was fast and open and at times spectacular, the Town backs making abundant use of a ball that at times w T as very greasy owing to the wet state of the ground. The passing was brilliant for such adverse conditions, but only from the point of view of the Town team. The Country side failed badly ; neither forwards nor backs were able to counter the fast-moving opposition. Despite the wide difference in the scores, the game was keenly contested throughout, but with few exceptions did the Town backs fail to drive home the advantage. They out-manoeuvred and out-genera'lled the opposing players, until at times it appeared as if there were only one team in the field. The teams:— Town.—S. Easton, Borne, Perkins, Gillies, M'Laren, Dwyer, Hunt, Ludemann, Johnston, Carrodus. Cameron, Bow, Miller. J. Easton, Miller. Watts. Country.—P. Watson. M'Lcau, R. Gard, Ledingham, Collins, T. Watson, Caesar, Grant, Strachan, S. Watson, G. Smith. J. Ilodley, Card, W. Hcdloy, D. Smith. Shortly after the commencement a passing bout by the Town backs saw Perkins race across. S. Easton converted. Town 5, Country nil. Hunt was slow in getting the ball from the scrums, thus allowing the opposing forwards to secure possession. From play in front of Town’s goal Watson at> tempted a penalty, but the ball fell short. Carrodus and J. Easton dribbled ■well downfield, whore an infringement gave S. Easton A chance to goal, which

ho failed to take. The same player failed in a second attempt. Fielding in midfield, Gillies started a passing rush for Perkins to race away, but was forced out behind. The Country, forwards came to the attack, and the bounce beating Easton for the ball, a race ensued, the ball going into touch. A force-down eased the position. The Country backs made an attempt to take the initiative, Collins and Watson being conspicuous, but the attack lacked sting. Hunt went away and sent on to Gillies, who scored unopposed. Easton converted. Town 10, Country nil. Gillies picked up near halfway and passed to J. Easton, to Ludemanft, the last-named scoring under the posts. Easton again found the posts: Town 15, Country nil. Up-and-down play followed, Ledingham and Easton being prominent in good work. J. Easton raced through the ruck and was nearly over. Country kept up the pressure, and from a scrum S. Watson scored in a handy position. The kick at goal failed. Town 15, Country 3. From a scrum in midfield Hunt sent, his backs away, but J. Easton failed to hold the ball when in a good position, - and a scrum ensued. M'Laren picked up from a scramble and sent on to Johnstori_ to score. The Town backs were playing better at this stage and showing to advantage in smart rushes. Half-time sounded with the scores: Town 18, Country 3. ,

The second spell saw the Town team play all over the Country . fifteen. ’Ludemann scored shortly after ' the start. Easton missed. Town 21, Country 3. From halfway Hunt l sent out, the ball travelling through the line of backs to Perkins, who scored well out. Town 21, Country 3. The next try came as the result of good work by Dwyer, M'Laren, and Gillies, the latter sending Carrodus over. Town 27, Country 3. Carrodus was again conspicuous. He picked up and ran 25 yards before passing, but an infringement spoiled. From the resultant scrum Johnston picked up and scored. The same player added the major points. Town 32, Country 3., Dwyer snapped up and sent on to Perkins to score. Johnston converted. Town 37, Country 3. Just before time was sounded a brilliant bout of passing by the Town team was witnessed, in which forwards and backs joined, the ball eventually going to Borrie, who raced over. The game ended with the scores:— Town ... ... ... 40 Country ... ... 3 Mr T. Direen was the referee. Tho curtain-raiser was provided between the Waitaki first fifteen and a combined junior team, ami resulted in a win for the former by 13 points to 11.