WON IN FIRST STAGES

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 4 (Supplement)

WON IN FIRST STAGES

Southland’s Clear-cut Victory Splendid Forward Pack OTAGO’S RALLY AT CLOSE Defeated 17-13 a [From Our Reporter.] INVERCARGILL, August 17. By virtue of their control of the game in the initial stages, Southland scored a well-deserved win at Rugby Park over Otago by 17 points to 13, their splendid forward pack securing possession of the ball and initiating thrustful attacks, which had Otago hard-pressed. This "was the crux of the game, as Otago never fully recovered from the initial set-back, and though the Dark Blue forwards rallied splendidly in the second spell, they were unable to pull the game out of the fire. The Southland van throughout the game secured the bigger share of ball in all departments of play, which their backs failed to turn to the fullest advantage, the game being marked by many mistakes, especially in handling.

Otago had limited opportunities on attack, and when possession did come their way, the backs were harassed by the Southland forwards. In contrast, when Southland secured the ball, the position was the opposite through the inability of the Otago forwards to break quickly from the scrum. Otago rallied in the second spell, the forwards playing better together; but Paewai behind the scrum was indecisive, and consequently the ball was sent on its way too slowly. Herron, Soper, Connolly, and Urwin were a quartet of splendid workers in the Southland van, and their vigorous type of forward play frequently had the Otago defence bothered. In the Otago pack Jolly, Parkhill, and McDonald played really well, while Smith was prominent in the line-outs. Trevathan had an unenviable task in the Otago back Rne, and his covering work on defence extricated Otago from some awkward positions, while he launched several promising passing rushes, which lapsed through bad handling. Spillane made some good breaks, one of these resulting in a splendid try by Churchill. Of the Southland backs, Grace was very fast, and started some passing rushes which would have been fruitful had the handling of some of those outside him been better. The bad handling when opportunities were offering was common to both sides.